James Wade, 62, was convicted on three counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse in McDonough County. Sentencing is December 17.

JACKSONVILLE, IL — A Jacksonville man has been sentenced to two years of probation after pleading guilty to a felony grooming charge stemming from an undercover law enforcement investigation in 2025. Adam Welch, 40, of Beecher Hi-Rise in Jacksonville, entered his guilty plea Tuesday in Morgan County Circuit Court. Welch was arrested in July 2025 after investigators alleged he had been exchanging messages with someone he believed was a 16-year-old girl. The individual was actu

QUINCY, IL — State Sen. Jil Tracy is renewing her call for Gov. JB Pritzker to opt Illinois into the new Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Program, saying the program would give families access to privately funded scholarships for a range of K-12 education expenses. Tracy discussed the issue during an interview in Quincy on Tuesday. She has argued that Illinois should participate because the program is funded through voluntary private donations rather than a new state appropriat

TROY, MO — A Troy man is facing two felony domestic assault charges following an October 2 incident in which deputies say a woman was choked, thrown against a garage wall and repeatedly thrown to the ground. James Bryan Hurst is charged with second-degree domestic assault, a Class D felony, and third-degree domestic assault, a Class E felony. He was being held in the Lincoln County Jail on a $15,000 cash-only bond set by Judge Michael R. Jacobs. Deputies were called to a Troy

Prosecutors allege former Ralls County doctor Andrew Hummel violated a court-ordered sobriety condition while on probation.

A westbound I-70 traffic shift and 30-day closure of the David Hoekel Parkway ramps begin as construction continues near Wentzville.

Thirty-three colleges and universities will participate in Thursday’s Illinois Regional College Fair at Quincy University.

Illinois State Police report 257 citations or arrests during September enforcement in Morgan, Sangamon and Adams counties.

YORKVILLE, IL — Former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert, an Illinois Republican who rose from a high school teacher and wrestling coach to one of the most powerful offices in Washington before his legacy was consumed by a sexual-abuse scandal, has died at age 84. Kendall County Coroner Jacquie Purcell announced Hastert’s death. The coroner’s office said the death did not fall under its jurisdiction after a review of the circumstances and consultation with hospice personnel,

JACKSONVILLE, IL — A new restaurant and companion speakeasy are planned for downtown Jacksonville, bringing a multicultural dining concept and an intimate cocktail bar to the historic Hockenhull building. On Rice is planned for 66 E. Central Park Plaza, in the space formerly occupied by Green Haven. Owner Conner Meek says the restaurant will feature a small, rotating menu built around rice dishes with influences from Indian and other international cuisines. Planned menu ideas

JACKSONVILLE, IL — Loren Hamilton, a longtime leader with Crime Stoppers of Morgan, Scott and Cass counties, has been named September's Community Champion in recognition of his service to public safety and the Jacksonville area. Hamilton has served on the organization's board for 22 years and spent 15 years as its coordinator. The Jacksonville Police Department community service officer plans to retire from his department position next September, although he hopes to remain i

JACKSONVILLE, IL — A Jacksonville man has been sentenced to 12 years in federal prison following a federal investigation into child sexual abuse material that began with an online tip in June 2025. Daniel Brannan, 48, also received ten years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $1,000 in restitution and a $300 special assessment. Investigators began examining online activity after a tip to the Illinois Attorney General's hotline concerning the sharing of child sexual

BEARDSTOWN, IL — Cass County Board member Eric Snellgrove is facing a misdemeanor domestic battery charge following a September arrest in Beardstown. He has indicated that he does not currently intend to resign from the county board. According to reporting by the Jacksonville Journal-Courier, Beardstown police arrested Snellgrove, 39, on September 4 in the 1100 block of East Eighth Street. Authorities initially listed an aggravated assault charge; the case now involves a misd

JEFFERSON CITY, MO — Missouri residents who receive or apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits face new documentation requirements beginning Thursday, October 1, as annual federal cost-of-living adjustments also take effect. The changes affect households throughout Missouri, including Pike, Lincoln, Marion and surrounding counties. The Missouri Department of Social Services says people submitting new SNAP applications, renewing benefits, or requesting t

QUINCY, Ill. — The Quincy Riverfront Development Corporation is continuing its search for money to build an interactive splashpad on the city's Mississippi River waterfront, where plans for additional family-oriented recreation remain a priority. At its September 30 meeting, the corporation discussed the project and the funding still needed to move it toward construction. Members had recently approved a location north of Quincy's water treatment plant, near the gazebo at Cl

GOLDEN, Ill. — Adams Telephone Co-Operative and Mid Century Telephone Cooperative have announced Synetic Connect as the name of their consolidated organization. The announcement follows approval of the combination by cooperative members, with joint operations planned to begin January 1, 2027. The name will be introduced gradually over the coming months rather than replacing both established identities overnight. Customers will see the new brand as the cooperatives prepare f

GOLDEN EAGLE, Ill. — Riders on the Golden Eagle Ferry are facing a proposed fare change as Calhoun County works through delays in a public financing arrangement for the purchase of a ferryboat. At a September 29 discussion, Calhoun County commissioners approved the ferry operator's request to raise individual and round-trip fares by approximately one dollar. Weekly commuter passes are to remain at their current rates, according to the explanation provided to commissioners.

Country Financial’s Feed a Farmer program will provide sack lunches to farmers in Calhoun County on October 12.

Jacksonville Memorial Hospital is now an official repository for Mothers’ Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes.

A 43-year-old Meredosia man faces several traffic and fleeing charges after a brief pursuit through residential streets.