Government
New law protects shooting complex
New legislation signed into law recently allows the state to explore entering into an agreement with a private company to run the World Shooting and Recreational Complex near Sparta. The…
Read MoreTentative multiplier for Monroe County
Monroe County has been issued a tentative property assessment equalization factor of 1.0000, according to the Illinois Department of Revenue. The property assessment equalization factor, often called the “multiplier,” is…
Read MoreE-cigs now banned indoors
Gov. JB Pritzker on Friday signed HB 1540, a bill banning the usage of e-cigarettes in indoor public spaces. The bill adds electronic smoking devices to the 2008 Smoke-Free Illinois…
Read MoreTrucking trouble for zoning board
The Monroe County Zoning Board of Appeals met briefly last Wednesday to discuss two small items. The more substantial of the requests presented to the board concerned Andrew Large, who…
Read MoreLocal SAFE-T Act reactions
Monroe County Sheriff Neal Rohlfing and Monroe County State’s Attorney Ryan Webb issued a joint press release last week regarding the July 18 Illinois Supreme Court decision ruling the SAFE-T…
Read MoreWaterloo OKs handful of measures
During its July 17 meeting, the Waterloo City Council annexed land, approved work contracts and approved a handful of other measures. Aldermen voted in favor of an annexation agreement between…
Read MoreMonroe County added to revised state storm disaster declaration
Monroe County and 13 other counties were included in an expanded disaster proclamation due to severe weather in Illinois that occurred June 29 through July 2, Gov. JB Pritzker announced…
Read MoreWaterloo, contractor at odds
The City of Waterloo and a local contracting firm are at odds over the future of a former local staple. A September 2022 fire heavily damaged Ahne’s Bakery at 201…
Read MoreMonroe County talks state disaster snub
Two weeks after the Columbia area suffered significant widespread storm damage, the Monroe County Board passed a disaster declaration for the impacted region. Monroe County Public Safety Director Kevin Scheibe presented…
Read MoreCourt upholds SAFE-T Act bail provision
A landmark criminal justice reform that eliminates cash bail in Illinois is constitutional, the state’s Supreme Court ruled Tuesday, paving the way for the change to take effect Sept. 18. …
Read MoreColumbia moves on from the storm
Even as cleanup continues from a June 30 storm that created havoc throughout town, the Columbia City Council moved forward during a busy meeting Monday night. Mayor Bob Hill began…
Read MoreSplash pad plans nearly ready
The Waterloo Park District Board last Wednesday came closer to moving forward with plans to build a splash pad at William Zimmer Memorial Park – though official action was deferred…
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