Government
Solar energy shining for local business
The move toward solar energy has become a major goal for the United States and Illinois, with Governor JB Pritzker pushing for an expansion of solar and renewable energy sources…
Read MoreAssault weapons ban registration deadline nears
Gun owners face a Jan. 1, 2024 deadline to register assault weapons with the state under Illinois law. But between lawsuits and ongoing policymaking, the exact guns, accessories and ammunition…
Read MoreCounty OKs budget; talks SAFE-T Act
Friday, Dec. 1 marked the first day of a new fiscal year for Monroe County. After several budget hearings throughout the month, the Monroe County Board of Commissioners approved the…
Read MoreTax levy increase proposed in Waterloo
The Waterloo City Council on Monday night set a Truth in Taxation public hearing date for its proposed tax levy and approved measures related to the splash pad and water…
Read MoreColumbia OKs tax levy
If current projections are accurate, property owners in Columbia will experience a reduction in property tax rates for the fourth consecutive year. The Columbia City Council on Monday night approved…
Read MoreField set for March primary
With the filing period ending Monday for candidates seeking party nominations at the federal, state and local levels, the names of all those running in 2024 are now known. The…
Read MoreColumbia approves condos, talks ‘mobile vending’
Despite pushback from two aldermen and a resident of Gedern Village, the Columbia City Council approved a community unit plan for a proposed condominium development along the 1700 block of…
Read MoreAnimal control policy explained
While the Monroe County Board of Commissioners approved several reappointments to county positions during Monday’s regular meeting, a group of residents has been more concerned recently with one county role…
Read MoreOak Hill settlement costs county
Monroe County and the former director of nursing at the county-owned senior living and rehabilitation center in Waterloo have reached a settlement agreement in a wrongful termination lawsuit filed last…
Read MoreCounty talks jail, budget
The final version of a plan to add square footage at the Monroe County Jail was approved at Monday’s meeting of the Monroe County Board of Commissioners. Plans for expanding…
Read MoreNew housing discussed in Columbia
With affordable housing at a premium in the area, the Columbia City Council spent a majority of its Monday meeting discussing a proposed condominium development near Gedern Estates between Ghent…
Read MoreHistoric home for sale
The historic Miller-Fiege Home at 140 S. Main Street in Columbia has seen better days, but city officials are hopeful an interested party can help give it a new life.…
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