Former queens take over pageant

The 1995 and 2009 Monroe County Fair Queens are teaming up as co-directors of the pageant following longtime director Yvonne Fehrenz’s retirement.  “The fair is kind of in you when…

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Valmeyer to upgrade streets

The Valmeyer Village Board unanimously voted to start the process of upgrading the town’s streets at its meeting last Tuesday.  The move comes after engineering firm TWM completed a study…

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Vaccine volunteers selflessly serve

Even with the limited supply of COVID-19 vaccine that Monroe County is receiving, vaccine clinics that take place at the Monroe County Fairgrounds are a massive undertaking. Monroe County Health…

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Kish retiring after half century

Mike Kish announced last week he is retiring after roughly 50 years of working at Immaculate Conception School in Columbia.  “I have absolutely no real reason to leave,” Kish, who…

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Heine finds balance

Columbia Police Department Deputy Chief Karla Heine knew she was going to be a police officer as early as sixth grade.  “I was always interested in murder shows” and the…

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Scrutinizing vaccine claims

(This is the second part of an ongoing series focused on examining misconceptions, concerns and myths about the COVID-19 vaccine).   As more people continue to be inoculated against the novel…

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Last call for Kunkel

A mainstay of Monroe County’s nightlife for approximately 40 years is no longer tending bar.  “At 76, it was just time to get on the other side,” Butch Kunkel said…

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Illinois budget relies on federal aid

Gov. JB Pritzker delivered a combination State of the State and budget address last Wednesday in a pre-recorded speech filmed at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield.  The former aspect…

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