Business
‘On the cusp’ of business growth
The Monroe County Economic Development Corporation hosted its annual stakeholder dinner at The Falls Reception & Conference Center in Columbia on Thursday. The event saw local elected officials and business…
Read MorePhilomena + Ruth closing shop
A popular storefront in Waterloo will soon be closing its doors and moving fully online after nearly a decade as one of the many businesses that have blossomed downtown. Philomena…
Read MoreFarming with flavor in Fults
While most farmers throughout the region have been wrapping up their fall harvests of corn and soybeans over the past few weeks, one local farm family finds themselves right in…
Read MoreMRTD gets anyone anywhere
The Monroe-Randolph Transit District has been serving locals since the mid-2000s, providing transportation everywhere between Columbia and Steeleville. Though the district had a rather humble start, it’s seen significant growth…
Read MoreTaco Bell on the move in Waterloo?
Plans for a new Taco Bell location in Waterloo moved forward earlier this month. During the Oct. 9 meeting of the Waterloo Planning Commission, a favorable recommendation was made on…
Read MoreSchuchman leaves Schnucks
The manager of Waterloo Schnucks retired recently, marking the end of a decades-long career that saw him move from teenage bagger to overseeing the grocery store. Kent Schuchman grew up…
Read MoreSomething brewing in Maeystown
Local pop-up coffee shop Living Millennially has been serving specialty oat milk lattes around Monroe County since late 2021 and now has a permanent location in Maeystown with the recently…
Read MoreCounty talks tax bills, Oak Hill
The wait for property tax bills in 2023 is almost over, according to Monroe County Treasurer Kevin Koenigstein. During Monday’s meeting of the Monroe County Board of Commissioners, Koenigstein reported…
Read MoreDrought tempers fall harvest
Farmers throughout Monroe and Randolph counties have recently been busy with the fall harvest as they take advantage of the dry weather and get outside, though lack of rain over…
Read MoreColumbia gets taste of Mexico
Columbia welcomed a new business to the community back this summer, as El Paso MC Cocina opened its doors on Main Street. Ruben Zavala opened the restaurant alongside his wife…
Read MoreMore trouble for KB Contracting
Another set of ordinance violations were issued against KB Development Group LLC of Waterloo – this time by Monroe County officials. Five citations were issued against the company on Sept.…
Read MoreR-T wins SIEA newspaper honor
The Republic-Times newspaper, covering Monroe County and surrounding areas since 1890, won the top award in its division during this year’s Southern Illinois Editorial Association Better Newspaper Contest. The awards were announced…
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