Morgan Co Commissioners urges Proactive response to Data Centers
By Gary Scott on March 24, 2026 at 10:01am
One of the Morgan County commissioners is urging the board to be proactive with proposed data centers. Commissioner Michael Woods offered a proposed resolution at yesterday morning’s board meeting that would established a 12 month study and review period. Woods is hoping to avoid the situation that Sangamon County has found itself involved in. There […]
Bridge Repairs for Arenzville-Concord
By Gary Scott on March 24, 2026 at 9:53am
The Morgan County board cleared the way this morning for joint repairs at a bridge just northwest of Arenzville. The bridge in question is called the Concord Arenzville Bridge that leads into, and away from Arenzville. Morgan County highway engineer Matt Coultas says there is no danger now to motorists. He says it is structurally […]
Sangamon Co Sheriff Democrat Candidate Re-enters Race
By Harold Smith on March 24, 2026 at 9:37am
The Democratic candidate for Sangamon County Sheriff is back in the race. In a social media post Friday, Marc Bell announced that was re-entering the sheriff’s race, after he had announced in February that he was stepping away from the contest, citing a lack of party support. Bell’s name had remained on the ballot in […]
Jax Council Upgrades Storm Software
By Gary Scott on March 24, 2026 at 6:48am
The Jacksonville city council voted last night to upgrade its software designed to trigger weather warning sirens. The council will spend $50-thousand from the budget to buy the software from GTSI in Jacksonville. Emergency services director Phil McCarty says the software needs updated. He says it’s 12 to 15 years old. McCarty says the current […]
Jacksonville man sentenced to prison for child sex abuse material
By Benjamin Cox on March 23, 2026 at 1:19pm
A Jacksonville man has been sentenced to prison following a child pornography investigation last year by local authorities. Jacksonville Police say detectives conducted a month-long investigation into allegations involving child pornography and the illegal videotaping of a minor, culminating in the execution of a search warrant on October 15th of last year at a residence […]
Local food banks begin feeling crunch of new SNAP requirements
By Benjamin Cox on March 23, 2026 at 1:18pm
A recent policy shift is expected to impact hundreds of thousands of Illinois residents relying on food assistance—and local organizations say the effects are just beginning to be felt. According to the Illinois Department of Human Services, new federal SNAP work requirements officially took effect back on Feb. 1, following a federal court ordered delay. […]
Budzinski grills new Postmaster General on plans to fix poor deliver times, financial problems at USPS
By Benjamin Cox on March 23, 2026 at 1:16pm
The head of the United States Postal Service says central and southern Illinois are at the center of the agency’s biggest challenges. Postmaster General David Steiner made the comments during a congressional hearing this week, in response to concerns from Illinois Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski. Budzinski says the previously implemented Deliver for America plan instituted by […]
Jacksonville Homelessness Steering Committee revived
By Benjamin Cox on March 23, 2026 at 1:14pm
Jacksonville’s efforts to address homelessness are gaining renewed momentum with the formation of a new community steering committee. Prairieland United Way announced this week that an Unhoused Steering Committee has been established to strengthen the city’s response to homelessness and better support individuals experiencing housing instability. The group includes Rabbi Rob Thomas, Karen Walker of […]
Former New Berlin School employee arrested for alleged child sex abuse
By Benjamin Cox on March 23, 2026 at 1:12pm
A former New Berlin school district employee is facing multiple felony charges following a child sexual abuse investigation. Sangamon County authorities say 43-year old Lyndsey Prather of New Berlin was arrested on Thursday on five counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, along with one count involving child sexual abuse material after a warrant was issued […]
Johnson Gets 10 Years
By Gary Scott on March 23, 2026 at 11:59am
A local man is headed to prison on child sexual assault charges. 41-year-old Larry Johnson of Stratford Lane off Sandusky Road was sentenced last week in Morgan County Court to 10 years in prison. He admitted to two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child. Two other counts of the charge were dropped. […]
