Knott Sought by Sangamon County
By Gary Scott on September 10, 2026 at 10:30am
The Sangamon County sheriff’s office is asking for the public’s help in locating a suspect to left the state without reporting the absence as a sex offender. The man has been identified as 55-year-old Randall Knott of Springfield. The sheriff’s office claims Knott left Illinois in July without authorization. Knott is a convicted sex offender […]
Former Employee Sues Prairie Council on Aging
By Benjamin Cox on September 10, 2026 at 10:20am
The Prairie Council on Aging is being sued by a former employee who claims he was fired after needing back surgery. James Calmese filed the federal lawsuit in May, according to federal court documents. He worked as a coordinator for the council, located in Jacksonville, from 2021 until his termination in October 2023. Calmese alleges […]
Jacksonville and National Register of Historic Places
By Benjamin Cox on September 10, 2026 at 10:18am
Jacksonville is known for its history — and that history is reflected in the number of local properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Including Woodlawn Farm east of the city, the Jacksonville area has ten National Register listings. They include the Governor Duncan Mansion, Beecher Hall at Illinois College, the Jacksonville Public […]
Home Health Services ending for Greene Co. Health Dept.
By Benjamin Cox on September 10, 2026 at 10:03am
The Greene County Health Department is ending its Home Health program after more than five decades of serving residents in their homes. Health Department Administrator Molly Peters says the decision is due to several factors: “Over the past multiple years, really, home health reimbursement and ability to sustain a balanced budget has been difficult and […]
Museum Looking for members
By Gary Scott on September 10, 2026 at 9:16am
The Jacksonville Area Museum is looking to grow the museum’s five year old membership roll. The museum celebrates its fifth birthday this month. Laura Marks of the museum board says a growing membership is vitally important for the future of the museum. Marks says the museum hopes to get about $23-thousand in memberships this year. […]
JPD: FLOCK Cameras assist in locating missing Kansas juveniles
By Benjamin Cox on September 9, 2026 at 11:19am
The Jacksonville Police Department says two juveniles reported missing from Kansas were located in Jacksonville on Friday with the assistance of the controversial FLOCK camera technology. Police Chief Doug Thompson said in a press release today that the police department received an alert September 4th from FLOCK Safety, after a vehicle connected to the missing […]
JPL Show to highlight the Brownings
By Benjamin Cox on September 9, 2026 at 11:16am
A remarkable Victorian-era love story will come to life this month at the Jacksonville Public Library. Sherri Mitchell and Dr. Robert Seufert will present “How Do I Love Thee? An Evening with Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning” Wednesday, September 23rd at 7 p.m. The two-person dramatization tells the story of Elizabeth Barrett, a celebrated poet […]
Investigation ramps up in Bottoms’ Missing Person Case
By Benjamin Cox on September 9, 2026 at 11:06am
The investigation into the disappearance of an Auburn woman is continuing nearly four decades after she was last seen with some recent developments. Sangamon County Sheriff Paula Crouch says investigators have received new information that is giving them hope of finally bringing closure to Brenda Bottoms’ family. Bottoms was 22 when she disappeared in 1987. […]
DHS Report: Homelessness Appears Down in the Region
By Benjamin Cox on September 9, 2026 at 11:04am
Homelessness is down sharply across the West Central Illinois region, according to a state report released last week A new report from the Illinois Department of Human Services on Thursday showed the number of people experiencing homelessness across the West Central Illinois Continuum of Care dropped 35 percent between 2025 and 2026. The Continuum of […]
Fatal Stabbing Trial to begin Sept. 22, State Argues Against Defense’s Expert Witness
By Benjamin Cox on September 9, 2026 at 10:59am
A South Jacksonville man accused of killing a woman in a 2024 stabbing is asking a judge to allow expert testimony about his mental state as his trial approaches. 45-year-old Joshua E. Jones is charged with nine felonies, including three counts of first-degree murder, in the stabbing death of 33-year-old Kathryn D. Patton Scott. Scott […]
