Business
Challenges 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…
Read MoreFamily remains focus for Brockland
A local family-owned auto dealership celebrated a major milestone last month as owners marked the 50th year in business, having made a home for themselves in Columbia for over a…
Read MoreModoc Ferry struggling to stay afloat
As effort is being made to save the Ste. Genevieve-Modoc Ferry from ceasing operations at the end of this month. According to the Ste. Genevieve Welcome Center Facebook page VisitSteGen,…
Read MoreColumbia ends electrical aggregation
Columbia residents who have enrolled in the city’s Municipal Electric Aggregation Program will need to find a new supplier in the next two months. The City of Columbia announced Monday…
Read MoreRural economy softening
By DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek Creighton University’s Rural Mainstreet Index shows economic conditions are certainly tightening across America’s Heartland. But the downturn so far has not reached anywhere near what was…
Read MoreFerry struggling to stay afloat
A effort is being made to save the Ste. Genevieve-Modoc Ferry from ceasing operations at the end of this month. According to the Ste. Genevieve Welcome Center Facebook page VisitSteGen,…
Read MoreUSDA aims to help small family farms
By TAMMIE SLOUP FarmWeek The USDA released a new policy agenda outlining actions aimed at ensuring the profitability and prosperity of small family farms. Dubbing it the “Make Agriculture Great…
Read MoreA bright option for sheep farmers
By PHYLLIS COULTER FarmWeek Sunshine might help increase sheep populations in Illinois, according to an Ohio sheep producer. Camren Maierle, an American Lamb Board member, showed Illinois sheep producers photos…
Read MoreElectric price spike for some
Ameren Illinois customers will see higher prices on their electric bills in June. Ameren told Capitol News Illinois its customers can expect an 18-22 percent increase in their monthly bill,…
Read MoreR-T boss to take it easy
Republic-Times General Manager and Publisher Kermit Constantine is celebrating his 70th birthday by giving himself the gift of retirement. Constantine joined the Republic-Times in 2005 as an advertising representative before…
Read MoreZera has coffee, croissants and more
Waterloo residents have extended a warm welcome to a new downtown cafe in the past month, enjoying a range of coffee beverages and a varied selection of baked goods with…
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