CFD called to Columbia substation
The Columbia Fire Department responded shortly before 3 p.m. Monday to a small explosion heard at the Ameren substation in the 200 block of North Briegel Street, resulting in a…
Read MorePeggy Ann Ries | Obituary
Peggy Ann Ries (nee Schnellbecher), left this life to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Dec. 30, 2025. Peggy was born on May 20, 1949, in Red…
Read MoreLisa K. Ruskaup | Obituary
Lisa K. Ruskaup (nee LaForge), 67, of Columbia, died Jan. 3, 2026, with her family by her side at SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital, St. Louis. She was born…
Read More2025 Year in Review
January The City of Waterloo announced the opening of its new water treatment facility in late December. The new city service was described as a comprehensive infrastructure project that also…
Read MoreWeilbacher retires from KRPD
The Kaskaskia Regional Port District has changed a great deal in the past 15 years, increasing tonnage and traffic drastically and cementing itself as both a core part of the…
Read MoreNew year, new laws
In 2025, Illinois lawmakers passed over 460 new laws. Courtesy of Capitol News Illinois and illinoislegalaid.org, below are several key laws going into effect in 2026. Unless otherwise noted, these…
Read MoreLocal school FOIA policies challenged
A St. Louis attorney and his acolytes have brought a mission of judicial reform to Southern Illinois, and Monroe County school districts are the latest public entities being used to…
Read MoreVocation, renovation talk in Columbia
Presentations concerning vocational training and a student organization focused on friendship dominated much of the Columbia School Board’s December meeting earlier this month, though the final tax levy for the…
Read MoreChanging of the guard in Valmeyer
The final Valmeyer Village Board meeting of 2025 featured a reflection on the past with an eye on the future. First on the agenda, the village honored former Valmeyer Police…
Read MoreLivestock markets favorable
By RHIANNON BRANCH FarmWeek Livestock markets in 2025 have been more favorable than in recent years compared to crop markets, but a high price environment does not mean producers should…
Read MoreAll-Local Football Team
All three high school football squads covered by the Republic-Times enjoyed success this past fall, each qualifying for the playoffs. Two of the three even advanced to the second postseason…
Read MoreAll-Local Volleyball Team
With a state title and school-record 39 wins from Columbia this fall, this year’s Republic-Times All-Local Volleyball Team will feature several Eagles. But there were other standout team and individual…
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