Government
Ex-Columbia employee charged with theft
A local woman is facing criminal charges related to her role as a City of Columbia employee. Hollie J. Thornton, 32, of Columbia, is alleged to have taken unauthorized control…
Read MoreSupreme Court sides with Bost
U.S. Rep. Mike Bost’s lawsuit challenging Illinois’ election laws can proceed because he is a candidate for office, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Jan. 14. Bost, a Republican from…
Read MoreClean Slate Act passed in Illinois
Over 1.7 million Illinois adults will be eligible to have their nonviolent criminal records automatically sealed after Gov. JB Pritzker signed the long-debated Clean Slate Act last week. House Bill…
Read MoreSlow going on Dupo interchange
Communities and residents in the area eagerly anticipating completion of the I-255 interchange project near Dupo can expect to wait for a good while more. Dupo Mayor Dawn Keys spoke…
Read MoreValmeyer Road repairs begin
Work finally began this week on slope failure repairs to a portion of Valmeyer Road near D Road in Columbia that has been closed to the public for nine months…
Read MoreIllinois extends health plan deadline
Customers still shopping for health insurance coverage through Illinois’ state-run marketplace now have more time to choose a plan. Officials at Get Covered Illinois announced they would extend the open…
Read MoreVeterans assistance comes to county
A veterans support movement with its origins dating from the end of the American Civil War received a boost at the beginning of 2024, and Monroe County is making plans…
Read MoreWater leak relief in Waterloo
In a good faith gesture, the City of Waterloo announced Monday night that some homeowners will be reimbursed for repairs made following certain types of water leaks that occurred throughout…
Read MoreNew year, new laws
In 2025, Illinois lawmakers passed over 460 new laws. Courtesy of Capitol News Illinois and illinoislegalaid.org, below are several key laws going into effect in 2026. Unless otherwise noted, these…
Read MoreChanging of the guard in Valmeyer
The final Valmeyer Village Board meeting of 2025 featured a reflection on the past with an eye on the future. First on the agenda, the village honored former Valmeyer Police…
Read MoreTransit bill creates uncertainty
Some in Southern Illinois are accusing state legislators of taking the low road in a new bill that diverts money from the shared construction accounts to a public transit initiative…
Read MoreSolar disarray in Columbia
With an overhaul of Columbia’s municipal code in the works, it became apparent Monday night that regulations concerning solar power installations need to be clarified. Aldermen considered a discussion-only agenda…
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