Government
Schimpf advocates for Southwest Illinois Connector
State Sen. Paul Schimpf has a number of goals for the spring session, including introducing legislation to help with job creation in southern Illinois and consolidate state government. One of…
Read MoreFlu outbreak reaches Monroe County
Flu season is in full force, and if national reports are any indication, the severity and outbreak of the illness is much worse than in previous years. The nastiest aspect…
Read MoreColumbia considers gaming restrictions
The Columbia City Council Committee of the Whole on Monday night put the finishing touches on proposed revisions to the city’s liquor code that will provide some restrictions on video…
Read MoreWhat to expect in 2018
Much excitement is in store for 2018, not the least of which are the 2018 elections, the myriad of businesses slated to open in Monroe County and the happenings at…
Read MoreCounty OKs fee changes, hears ROE update
The Monroe County Board lost no time starting its new calendar year, meeting in public session Tuesday morning at the courthouse. Continuing a review of fees for services by county…
Read MoreBicentennial history book finally arrives
On New Year’s Day 2016, bell-ringing ceremonies throughout the county heralded the coming year and set off a year-long observance of the 200th anniversary of Monroe County, which was founded…
Read MoreNew laws for Illinois in 2018
State legislators have passed more than 200 new laws that will take effect in Illinois on Jan. 1, 2018. Here’s a list of key laws taking effect in the new…
Read MoreDrone is Columbia’s newest firefighter
Though trained to brave the extreme conditions of a smoldering fire or the perils of an icy pond, Columbia firefighters know that with each call, safety is never 100 percent…
Read MoreColumbia discusses gambling
Video gaming and raffle licenses topped the list of agenda items during a Columbia City Council Committee of the Whole meeting Monday night. As video gaming gains popularity in Illinois,…
Read MoreCandidates file for 2018 elections
The slate of candidates running for state, federal and local offices has finally taken shape following last week’s deadline to file for the 2018 elections. State offices Illinoisans will see…
Read MoreCounty approves budget
The Monroe County Board on Monday morning gave final approval for the fiscal year 2018 budget, which actually began Friday and runs through Nov. 30 of next year. Jim Schmersahl…
Read MoreCounty nears budget approval
The Monroe County Board of Commissioners gave unanimous preliminary approval to the county’s fiscal year 2018 budget during its Monday meeting. The 52-page document detailed expected revenues and expenditures of…
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