Government
Monroe County sees first wave of rescue funds
As municipalities and counties across Illinois are concluding Local Coronavirus Urgent Remediation Emergency reimbursement business, Monroe County is beginning to set its sights on allocating over $6 million received through…
Read MorePickleball discussed in Columbia
The Columbia Parks and Recreation Advisory Board had something unexpected at its June 22 meeting: an audience. The first meeting of the newest board members for the current term met…
Read MoreFormer Columbia mayor gets probation
The former mayor of Columbia avoided a prison term Monday in federal court, sentenced to probation instead. Kevin Hutchinson pleaded guilty in March to lying to an FBI agent and…
Read MoreJudicial circuit changes coming
Area residents will see changes to their court system, the impacts of which and their time lines not immediately clear. A recent amendment to a state bill passed that will…
Read MoreColumbia ponders properties
City Council meeting was spent discussing land use in the city. One discussion involved a single property, a house on Wernings Drive. As part of the lot’s R-4 zoning requirements,…
Read MoreCounty talks levees, funds, vaccines
The Monroe County Commissioners heard about more levee issues facing the bottoms during their regular meeting Monday morning. Speaking for the Columbia Drainage & Levee District, Brian Mehrtens’ comments…
Read MoreValmeyer to fix Rock City roads
The Village of Valmeyer will be adding more roadway repair to its summer projects list. During its June 15 meeting, the Valmeyer Village Board voted to begin a bid process…
Read MoreWPD getting body cams
The Waterloo City Council on Monday night approved body cameras and new in-car cameras for the Waterloo Police Department. Aldermen approved an agreement with AXON for the purchase of 16…
Read MoreColumbia’s TIF success
The area west of Route 3 in Columbia between Main Street and Valmeyer Road was once not much more than overgrown woods and a flood plain. Twenty five years later,…
Read MoreGrant sought for Country Club Lane fix
Residents who live in subdivisions off Country Club Lane returned to the Waterloo City Council on June 7 to follow-up on concerns expressed about the condition of that roadway last…
Read MoreRecovery residence clears a hurdle
The Waterloo City Council on Monday night provided a boost in efforts to open a women’s drug and alcohol recovery residence at the former independent senior living community known as…
Read MoreState budget, laws passed
Springfield saw its usual flurry of political activity Memorial Day weekend, as lawmakers passed a budget and several notable bills in the waning hours of the spring legislative session. Budget…
Read More