Government
New COVID restrictions take place Tuesday
Gov. JB Pritzker announced Sunday that the metro east region would have new restrictions put in place effective Tuesday to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. The move came…
Read MoreTax bill breakdown
The coronavirus pandemic has slowed much of the world down, but Monroe County residents should actually receive their real estate tax bills about two weeks earlier than last year. The…
Read MoreClerk confident in vote by mail
By now, Monroe County voters should have received a letter from Monroe County Clerk Jonathan McLean with instructions on how to vote by mail ahead of the November election. Illinois…
Read MoreMonroe County at COVID warning level
Monroe County is among 13 counties in the state currently at a warning level for the novel coronavirus disease, the Illinois Department of Public Health said Friday. “These counties saw…
Read MoreThere’ll be a new Columbia mayor in 2021
Columbia’s upcoming mayoral race added a contender Friday morning and lost one Monday night. Columbia Mayor Kevin Hutchinson announced that he will not seek re-election as mayor in April 2021…
Read MoreSunset Overlook, EMA discussed in Columbia
The Columbia City Council unanimously approved a special use permit that was music to some people’s ears and just noise for others. The permit allows ancillary entertainment such as live…
Read MoreTax bills, police hires, cell tower topics for county
Monroe County Treasurer Kevin Koenigstein brought details of the 2019 property tax cycle to the regular meeting of the Monroe County Board on Monday. Real estate tax bills should be…
Read MoreNo reprieve from virus
Monroe County has recorded 41 new coronavirus cases in the past nine days, bringing the county’s overall total to 232 cases and 13 deaths since the pandemic began. “We’re actually…
Read MoreCounty hears updates on various matters
The Monroe County Board of Commissioners updated its rules and process for public comments at Monday’s regular meeting and also heard updates from various department heads. Public comments are the…
Read MoreNeighbors allege Sunset Overlook bias
The Columbia City Council had its first virtual hiccup at Monday night’s meeting. Prior to the meeting, the council only had a few minor issues regarding public input from remote…
Read MoreCOVID cases spike in and around Monroe County
Monroe County just experienced its largest single-week jump in coronavirus cases since late March and early April, with more than 50 new cases reported since July 8. “From what I…
Read MoreJudge grants state’s motion to dismiss Coleman petition
Judge Stephen McGlynn decided Thursday during a hearing held remotely that he would grant the state’s motion to dismiss the remainder of arguments made in convicted murderer Christopher Coleman’s post-conviction…
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