JCA Extends Option to buy the Illinois Theatre
By Gary Scott on November 13, 2025 at 4:27pm
Organizers of the campaign to buy a downtown Jacksonville theatre to use as a center for the arts report positive community support. The Jacksonville Center for the Arts is attempting to raise $8-point-8 million to buy the Illinois Theater and use it as a multi purpose venue. One of the board members is attorney Larry […]
Calhoun Co Sheriff Still Looking for Kampsville Man
By Harold Smith on November 13, 2025 at 9:22am
Two Rivers Crime Stoppers is still looking for a Calhoun County man. For the second time since late October, the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office has asked the public to be on the lookout for 51 year old Roy Connell of Kampsville. There is currently an active felony warrant in place for Connell, who is wanted […]
LaHood, Budzinski Comment on End of Shutdown
By Harold Smith on November 13, 2025 at 9:01am
A couple of central Illinois members of Congress have weighed in on the end to the shutdown of the federal government. The agreement to end the shutdown was approved by the U.S. House and signed by President Trump last night. Illinois 13th District Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski voted against the funding bill. In a press release, […]
PUW on Track
By Gary Scott on November 13, 2025 at 6:44am
The Prairieland United Way campaign appears to be on track toward this year’s goal. The campaign started in August. The goal is $475-thousand. PUW executive director Karen Walker says the campaign is edging up to the 50-ercent mark. She says the campaign has crossed the $210-thousand mark. Walker says the big push through the end […]
Jax Fire wants a Deputy Chief
By Gary Scott on November 13, 2025 at 6:40am
Jacksonville’s fire chief is making a case for a deputy fire chief. Matt Summers made the argument in front of the Jacksonville city council last night. Summers says his department is fully staffed now. In fact, he says one extra fireman has given him the flexibility to seek out a deputy fire chief. Currently, the […]
October Weather
By Gary Scott on November 13, 2025 at 6:33am
The drought of 2025 continued into October for Jacksonville. Rainfall last month reached only 1 and 8 tenths inches. That’s a full 2 inches below normal. For the year, Jacksonville is now running 11 inches behind. Normal rainfall through October is close to 36 inches. Jacksonviille now stands at 24 and three quarter inches for […]
Police need New Guns
By Gary Scott on November 13, 2025 at 6:31am
Jacksonville police chief Doug Thompson made a bid to replace police department-issued handguns Monday night. Thompson says the current guns now being used have been found by several departments to misfire. He says that puts the department in a position not to trust the guns. Thompson says the guns have reportedly been firing without anyone […]
Homelessness Takes Center Stage for the Council
By Gary Scott on November 13, 2025 at 6:26am
The Jacksonville city council last night wrestled with the elephant that is in the big room of the city..homlessness. A packed commission room greeted 9 of the 10 aldermen as the council heard from several people. The list included Jada Lutzke, who is trying to organize a low barrier shelter in the city to be […]
Father Joe Recovering
By Gary Scott on November 13, 2025 at 6:21am
The leader of the Jacksonville Catholic Church has had a setback after heart surgery. Father Joe Ring leads the Our Saviour Catholic Church on East State. He underwent surgery to place stints in his aorta Halloween Day, and the surgery was considered a success. Father Joe returned to the Our Saviour Rectory after he was […]
Hillview Man Headed to Prison
By Gary Scott on November 12, 2025 at 5:12pm
A Greene County man will serve time in jail after a sentencing hearing Monday in Greene County Court. 43-year-old Roger Cox the second of Hillview admitted to a class 4 felony charge of possession of a controlled substance in a hearing Monday before Judge Zachary Schmidt. Cox was arrested in July. He was picked up […]
