Government
Harbaugh is new Red Bud mayor
During a special meeting Monday night, the Red Bud City Council unanimously elected Susan Harbaugh as acting mayor following the resignation of Tim Lowry. Lowry announced at a city council…
Read MoreProgress on tax process
Property assessments have been received, appeals have been handled and the state has issued an official multiplier. Now, Monroe County is waiting for the county clerk’s office to complete the…
Read MoreColumbia annexation aggravation
The Columbia City Council met for more than three hours in regular session on July 6. Nearly one third of that time was dedicated to discussion of a proposed annexation…
Read MoreSouthwest Illinois Connector sees some progress
After being talked about for decades, the massive Southwest Illinois Connector project is getting closer to starting construction, as it recently secured new funding and the Illinois Department of Transportation…
Read MoreColumbia mulls new TIF district
As one tax increment financing district ends in Columbia, another one may be beginning. At last Tuesday’s Columbia City Council meeting, Columbia Director of Community Development Scott Dunakey requested the…
Read MoreZoning board OKs Sugar Spring pavilion, with restrictions
Owners of a rural Columbia wedding venue recently destroyed by fire approached the Monroe County Zoning Board of Appeals on Wednesday night to ask that ceremonies and receptions be allowed…
Read MoreCounty talks COVID funds, schools
The Monroe County Board met Tuesday morning and discussed how to handle $6.7 million of recovery funds allotted through the American Rescue Plan Act passed in March. Monroe County Clerk…
Read MoreRed Bud mayor resigning
Red Bud Mayor Tim Lowry issued a statement at Tuesday’s city council meeting regarding his intent to resign. The matter of his resignation was listed as an agenda item. Lowry…
Read MoreMonroe 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…
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