Government
March timeline on cash bail appeal
An appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court regarding the constitutionality of a state law that would end cash bail appears to be months away from resolution under a new timeline…
Read MoreNew flood maps affect Columbia
Representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Illinois Department of Natural Resources and local officials will be available Tuesday, Jan. 17, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at The View at 11 South,…
Read MoreCOVID rises after holidays
After new cases of COVID-19 and related hospitalizations were down locally in the weeks leading up to the new year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Friday that…
Read MoreHow have local schools used COVID funds?
Through the COVID-19 pandemic, school districts in Illinois have received financial assistance in the form of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds. With the nation’s response to the pandemic…
Read MoreWaterloo has water plant loan secured
The City of Waterloo learned that loan funding for construction of its more than $30 million water treatment plant west of town has been reserved through an Illinois Environmental Protection…
Read MoreSAFE-T Act on hold
Just a few hours before they were set to go into effect, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that parts of the SAFE-T Act would be put on hold through the…
Read MoreColumbia OKs home rule question
The Columbia City Council voted to approve its first resolution of the year Tuesday night. The action will give voters a chance to decide whether or not the city should…
Read MoreJudge rules portions of SAFE-T Act are unconstitutional
A Kankakee County judge ruled late Wednesday night that aspects of the SAFE-T Act that was set to go into effect Jan. 1 are unconstitutional. The ruling by Judge Thomas…
Read MoreFEMA flood map open house in Columbia
Local, state and federal officials are working to reduce the impacts of severe weather and natural disasters. The Federal Emergency Management Agency will hold an in-person open house from 5:30-7:30…
Read MoreNew year, new laws
By now, almost everyone in Illinois has heard that Jan. 1 will mark the beginning of a significant change in the state’s criminal justice system – the elimination of cash…
Read MoreOak Hill budget OK; department split
The Monroe County Board finalized Fiscal Year 2023 preparations Monday morning as it approved the budget for the Oak Hill senior living and rehabilitation center. The annual budget for the…
Read MoreWPD residency rule relaxed
The Waterloo City Council on Monday approved an amendment to its residency requirements for police department employees. City ordinance now allows a Waterloo Police Department employee to reside within a…
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