Government
Columbia attorney gives back
March 18 marked the 57th anniversary of a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision that greatly expanded the need for one of the most overlooked roles in the criminal justice system.…
Read MoreLiefer joins county legal team
Monroe County State’s Attorney Chris Hitzemann recently announced that he hired Lucas Liefer to take over the assistant state’s attorney job vacated by Ryan Martin. “I am delighted to become…
Read MoreColumbia discusses budget
The Columbia City Council held its second meeting without an in-person audience Monday night. The first meeting featuring online-only viewing and participation was held March 27 to announce a Declaration…
Read MoreFour coronavirus cases in Monroe County; 2 deaths in St. Clair County; 6 Randolph County cases
Monroe County health officials reported a fourth positive coronavirus case on Saturday. Monroe County Health Department Administrator John Wagner said it is a woman in her mid-70s who remains hospitalized.…
Read MoreSchultheis went ‘above and beyond’
The community is mourning the death of Monroe County Commissioner Ronald Schultheis, the man who “never met a stranger,” according to his family. Schultheis, 68, died Monday from complications due…
Read MoreGov. Pritzker’s stay at home order
Below are the specifics of Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s stay at home order issued Friday, March 20. All first responders, emergency management personnel, law enforcement personnel, health care workers and…
Read MoreCounty talks coronavirus effect
The final hour of Monday’s Monroe County Board meeting was devoted to the coronavirus, with the board approving two measures related to the virus and hearing the latest. The board…
Read MoreAssessments up overall
The Monroe County 2019 property assessments have been out for three weeks now, and the Republic-Times has heard from several readers that their property taxes have increased. Monroe County Assessor…
Read MoreProposed Columbia subdivision plan voted down
Even with COVID-19 concerns, the Columbia City Council meeting Monday had a large crowd on hand to hear the fate of a proposed subdivision near Route 3 and Route 158.…
Read MoreCounty receives project, financial updates
The rapidly changing nature of the current coronavirus environment obviously dominated Monday’s meeting of the Monroe County Board, which can read about on this week’s front page. In other business…
Read MoreSchools, churches, bars and restaurants closed as coronavirus closes in on area
(For the latest article that appeared in the March 18 Republic-Times, click here.) Local churches are the latest to close amid COVID-19 concerns. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Belleville announced…
Read MoreLow voter turnout for primary
Amid concerns about COVID-19, voter turnout was lower than expected across Monroe County for the primary. Not including the fewer than 100 ballots sent to the county’s nursing homes and…
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