Business
Solar farm proposed near Waterloo
The ramifications of 2023 state legislation promoting renewable energy in Illinois may soon be realized in rural Waterloo. Next month, the Monroe County Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals…
Read MoreBankruptcy filing for Big Rod’s
The St. Louis Business Journal reported last week that a pair of entities tied to a closed Waterloo bar and restaurant have filed for bankruptcy. A business and property entity…
Read More‘Significant changes’ needed at Oak Hill
While the audit of Monroe County finances resulted in a “clean” opinion, serious concerns were raised about the accounting practices at Oak Hill, the county-owned senior living and rehabilitation center…
Read MoreWheat leaves farmers wanting
Fields around Monroe County have been busy over the past few weeks, with the recent dry spell in particular allowing local farmers to enjoy a successful wheat harvest – even…
Read MoreMunsell to lead geospatial initiative
Waterloo native Mark Munsell, considered as one of the national geospatial industry’s most respected and well-known leaders, has signed on to guide St. Louis’ geospatial ecosystem into its next phase…
Read MoreCalculating your summer cookout
By HANNAH SPANGLER FarmWeek Families celebrating the Fourth of July still face high grocery bills, with prices down an average of just 30 cents from last year’s record according to…
Read MoreCoffee Girl comes home
Downtown Waterloo was abuzz Thursday as the community welcomed a particularly high-profile business with The Coffee Girl, a cafe created by hometown popular country artist Alexandra Kay. With hundreds of…
Read MoreSummer freeze on an Alaskan sea
Just in time for the sweltering summer heat here in Monroe County, a local veteran will soon set out on his third trip to the Arctic Circle, marking another journey…
Read MoreR-T wins state awards
The Illinois Press Association hosted its annual convention earlier this month in Peoria, during which the Republic-Times newspaper won multiple state awards. The paper, covering Monroe County and surrounding areas…
Read MoreBarges face retirement cliff
The U.S. barge market is facing a retirement cliff which could impact ag transportation logistics, one analyst warned. Ken Eriksen, managing member and strategic adviser at Polaris Analytics & Consulting,…
Read MoreChallenges for strawberry crop
By RHIANNON BRANCH FarmWeek Weather conditions and disease have created hurdles for Illinois strawberry producers this season. Austin Flamm with Flamm Orchards in Union County said their struggles began early…
Read MoreGrocery tax decision looms
The state’s 1 percent grocery tax ends Jan. 1, 2026, but local governments can choose to retain it without asking residents for permission. Governor JB Pritzker signed HB3144 into law…
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