Community
Marquardts honored for 4-H involvement
Perhaps not as widely known as some Monroe County 4-H volunteers, Joe and Sharon Marquardt gave their hearts to serving as leaders in the program for many years. The Valmeyer…
Read MoreSongs4Soldiers ready to impress again
“David, a realtor from Shiloh, ran into a life crisis with both of his vehicles going down within a three-week period,” Songs4Soldiers founder Dustin Row shared during a recent column…
Read MoreSolar spectacle draws sensational crowd
At 1:17 p.m. Monday, large crowds at Waterloo’s “Solarbration” and Columbia’s “Total Eclipse in the Park” stared up at the sky in anticipation as the sun readied to perform the…
Read MoreEclipse glasses for local students safe to use
With a recent recall notice issued by Amazon for some solar eclipse glasses sold online, the Monroe-Randolph Regional Office of Education assured parents that glasses provided to local schools for…
Read MoreWaterloo native’s book explores life with ALS
Denise Benyo wouldn’t go down easy. After being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, she spent five grueling years fighting tooth and nail against the disease. ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative…
Read MoreSchools open without state funding
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner’s amendment to Senate Bill 1 not only drew ire from Democrats, the decision also prompted the Senate to override his veto during a Sunday special session.…
Read MoreTeaching in India a life-changer for Mehrtens
Along with cutting through American and Indian stereotypes, Heather Mehrtens’ recent teaching experience in New Dehli helped her enjoy the most interesting facets of a foreign culture. Mehrtens, 29, faced…
Read MoreMillennials band together to serve community
A group of millennials in Monroe County will attempt to slash stereotypes and show the community that leadership can come from a myriad of ages and backgrounds. “The mission of…
Read MoreUpcoming eclipse drawing local interest
The date of the total solar eclipse, Aug. 21, is fast approaching, as Monroe County residents scramble to find safety glasses and make plans for viewing the event. A total…
Read MoreMarquardt rules the roost as poultry superintendent
Hank Marquardt strode into the poultry and rabbit barn last Wednesday afternoon at the Monroe County Fair. Another volunteer followed behind, carrying a box overflowing with hundreds of tags awarding…
Read MoreSmooth sailing at this year’s fair
Mild temperatures and largely clear skies brought out the masses last week to the 70th annual Monroe County Fair. “It was just a great fair this year,” said Monroe County…
Read MoreCountdown to Illinois Bicentennial to begin in Randolph County
The governor’s office of the Illinois Bicentennial announced that Kaskaskia Island has been selected as the site to begin the 100-day countdown to the Illinois Bicentennial celebration. Events are being…
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