Lone Democrat Drops Out of Sangamon Co Sheriff’s Race
By Harold Smith on February 10, 2026 at 9:51am
The only Democratic candidate for Sangamon County Sheriff on the March primary ballot has announced he’s getting out of the race. In a Facebook post Monday, former Illinois State Police Master Sergeant Marc Bell said that after much conversation and consideration, he was withdrawing his candidacy for Sangamon County Sheriff. In his statement, Bell said […]
Motion Hearing Held for Man Accused in 2024 Shooting Death
By Harold Smith on February 10, 2026 at 9:19am
A Jacksonville man accused in the 2024 death of a Springfield man was in Morgan County court Monday. 19 year old Larry Taylor allegedly shot and killed 18 year old Trenton Jackson June 6th of 2024 in the 300 block of West College. In a motion hearing Monday, Taylor’s attorneys argued there were certain criminal […]
Leonard Named Leader for LDS
By Gary Scott on February 10, 2026 at 6:50am
A Jacksonville man has been appointed to a leadership position for the Springfield Illinois Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Bryan Leonard has been named new stake president. He will be assisted by Fiore Belmonte the third of Auburn, and Travest Woodbury of Decatur. The stake president provides ecclesiastical leadership […]
Santos Gets 3 years in Cass Court
By Benjamin Cox on February 10, 2026 at 6:48am
A Beardstown man has been sentenced to prison following a guilty plea in an aggravated battery case today in Cass County court. Court records show 29-year-old Francisco Reyes-Santos of Beardstown was sentenced yesterday to three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. He was given credit for 78 days already served in the Schuyler County […]
Electric Bike Ordinance in Jax
By Gary Scott on February 10, 2026 at 6:33am
The Jacksonville city council has approved a new ordinance that regulates low speed electric bikes. Police chief Doug Thomspon says the ordinance will allow officers to write citations for violations of laws already in place, such as disobeying stop signs and riding on sidewalks. The council approved a tax increment financing grant of no more […]
No Camping Ordinance Now Law in Jax
By Gary Scott on February 10, 2026 at 6:29am
Jacksonville now has a no-camping ordinance. The council rebuffed attempts to delay a vote from advocates for the homeless, and a motion to table and delay for two weeks failed for a lack of a second. The council voted 6 to 1 to approve the ordinance that lays out a $25 fine for those who […]
Old Pizza Hut comes down on West Morton
By Benjamin Cox on February 9, 2026 at 1:12pm
The former Pizza Hut building on West Morton Avenue is gone — but for a lot of Jacksonville residents, the memories tied to it are still piping hot. The former Pizza Hut location at 818 West Morton Avenue in Jacksonville was demolished today, marking the end of a familiar family restaurant landmark. The restaurant originally […]
HVAC at the Health Dept
By Gary Scott on February 9, 2026 at 9:47am
One of the Morgan County commissioners who represents the county board on the health department board is suggesting the county help the health department with its heating and air conditioning system. The health department has been struggling with maintaining temperatures in the building since moving to the corner of College and Clay. Morgan county commissioner […]
Fire Claims House
By Gary Scott on February 9, 2026 at 7:03am
Fire destroyed a home on South Main about 8:30 last night. The home was a single family home, and the house was owned by Jim Mabry. The family who lived there’s name, according to firemen was Sykes. Firemen say no one was home when the fire occurred. The report indicates the fire apparently started in […]
New Fees in the Village
By Gary Scott on February 9, 2026 at 6:27am
South Jacksonville decided to start charging fees for services for which the village has not required payment before. President Dick Samples says the fees are as much a deterrent for people seeking the help as it was to recover costs. Samples says the village will now begin charging for finger printing services. That charge will […]
