Government
Columbia Chamber hosts candidate forum
The Columbia Chamber of Commerce hosted a candidate forum Tuesday night for those seeking election to the Columbia City Council and Columbia School Board on April 2. At the event,…
Read MoreSunset Overlook dealt another blow
Sunset Overlook’s bid to be rezoned in Columbia took another hit Monday night. The Columbia Committee of the Whole voted 7-1 against recommending its rezoning. As during a public hearing…
Read MoreThe man behind Columbia’s council race
The Columbia City Council aldermanic race on April 2 features three challengers tied to an outspoken independent contractor currently embroiled in a lawsuit against the city. Ward I alderman Steve…
Read MoreAssessments out now
The Monroe County Assessor’s Office has released 2018 property assessments. The full assessment list is in this issue of the Republic-Times. Monroe County Assessor Carl Wuertz said 2018 assessments remain…
Read More‘Smart on crime’ – Police deflection discussed
In February 2015, the rural Northern Illinois town of Dixon was rocked by three drug overdose deaths in 10 days. Like most communities, Dixon had seen sporadic overdose deaths, but…
Read MoreMinimum wage hike a done deal
Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker fulfilled a campaign promise Tuesday morning by signing a bill recently passed by the General Assembly that will make Illinois’ minimum wage $15 by 2025. “This…
Read MoreAssessments coming soon
In stark contrast to last year, Monroe County residents can expect to see 2018 property assessments in the Feb. 27 issue of the Republic-Times. The 2017 property assessments weren’t published…
Read MoreMixed opinions on minimum wage hike
The Illinois Senate passed a bill Thursday that would increase the minimum wage in the state to $15 an hour by 2025. It passed along party lines, with 39 Democrats…
Read MoreFirst teen court session held
The teen court for Monroe and Randolph counties held its first session Jan. 26, with two teens being prescribed remedies for crimes they committed. “We are about to embark on…
Read MoreCounty board meetings on the move
The semi-monthly public meetings of the Monroe County Board of Commissioners were on the move Monday. The Feb. 4 meeting began at its new time of 8:15 a.m., 15 minutes…
Read MoreColumbia awarded park grant
Columbia has been awarded a $400,000 grant from the state to develop a park at the north end of town. Nearly 90 projects were awarded a total of $28.9 million…
Read MoreGun shops fired up over new laws
Recent firearm control legislation signed by Gov. JB Pritzker could aversely impact gun dealers in Monroe County. Signed Jan. 17, the new laws contain a number of provisions. The most…
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