Reflecting on a year of COVID

On March 16, 2020, Gov. JB Pritzker announced that all gatherings of 50 or more people must be canceled, closing schools and many businesses in the process.  That same day,…

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R-T absorbs Independent

The Monroe County Independent announced Wednesday that it has been sold and turned over to the Republic-Times, ceasing publication after 20 years.  “I am leaving the local news coverage in very good hands,”…

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Cooperworks comes to Columbia

When people visit a doctor’s, veterinarian’s or dentist’s office, school or even a gas station, there is now a chance the furniture was made in Columbia.  Cooperworks Industries, located at…

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Local gambling totals drop

It took a pandemic, but the amount of money played at video gambling terminals in Monroe County dropped for the first time in four years in 2020.  Per data from…

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Second round of PPP underway

As of earlier this month, business owners can once again begin applying for Paycheck Protection Program loans from the Small Business Administration.  As part of the $900 billion COVID relief…

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