JSD 117 Hears Good News for Murrayville-Woodson Grade School Project
By Seth Gabriel on July 16, 2026 at 12:16pm
Superintendent Steve Ptacek shared good news for the Murrayville-Woodson Grade School project with the District 117 School Board at Wednesday night’s regular meeting. Ptacek says a substantial amount of money is being saved on a water tank and pump. “We thought we were going to have to pay for a water tank and water pump […]
Illinois Humanities Wants to Hear Your Story
By Seth Gabriel on July 16, 2026 at 11:55am
Local residents will have a chance to tell their stories of living in Illinois as part of Illinois Voices 250 initiative. To commemorate the 250th year of our nation’s independence, Illinois Humanities and the Illinois 250 Commission out of Chicago is traveling the state to collect conversations to create a time capsule of recordings. The […]
Tough Sell for Winchester Gym Referendum?
By Gary Scott on July 16, 2026 at 9:44am
Winchester school superintendent Jeff Abell is unsure how the voters will respond to a bond referendum on the November ballot. The Winchester school board is asking voters to approve an $8 and a half million bond referendum for a new grade school gym. This would replace the long time home for high school basketball and […]
Three Arrested for Orleans Break In
By Gary Scott on July 16, 2026 at 9:39am
Morgan County deputies have made three arrests in connection with a break in reported the first weekend at an area grain elevator. Lieutenant Adam Potter says the three suspects are 42-year-old Ashton Haley of the 500 block of West Walnut, 37-year-old Greg Colwell of the 900 block of North Main, and 44-year-old Anstin Elliott, who […]
Grandadam Get 8 years for Drugs
By Gary Scott on July 15, 2026 at 10:02am
A local man with a history of violent crimes is headed to prison. 48-year-old David Grandadam of the 500 block of South Church was sentenced yesterday in Morgan County court to 8 years in prison for possession of fentanyl. The charges came as a result of his arrest in the 500 block of East Morton […]
Greer Gets 20 Years
By Gary Scott on July 15, 2026 at 9:59am
A Cass County man is headed to prison for nearly two decades after admitting to hijacking a vehicle on East Morton in March of last year. 36-year-old Gabriel Greer of Ashland pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular hijacking, and was given 20 years in prison yesterday in Morgan County court. The incident occurred in the Aldi’s […]
Autistic Teen Found Unharmed
By Gary Scott on July 14, 2026 at 11:13am
Pike County deputies say an autistic teen who walked away from his home in Griggsville was found unharmed last night. Authorities say the 17-year-old was reported missing from his home in Griggsville on South Stanford about 5:45 Monday night. Greenwood says the teen was found unharmed inside a vacant home nearby about 9:15 last night. […]
Franklin Tightens Delinquent Bill Ordinance
By Gary Scott on July 14, 2026 at 10:02am
Franklin village officials have updated bill collection laws there effective next month. In a Facebook post, Franklin officials say the village is carrying thousands of dollars in unpaid and partially paid utility bills. These bills include water, sewer and gas. The release indicates the bills will be sent out by the 10th, and residents have […]
Solar Farm zoning on Black’s Lane Delayed
By Gary Scott on July 14, 2026 at 5:13am
There were enough concerns raised by area residents to prompt a delay in the vote last night for a solar field east of Jacksonville. The proposed site is part of a 40 year lease agreement for Nexamp, who wants to put in a 3 and a half megawatt solar field from just south of […]
Two Most Wanted
By Gary Scott on July 13, 2026 at 10:42am
A Morgan County man and a Cass County man are being sought with the help of Crimestoppers this week. One of the defendants is 45-year-old Cornelius Nick Handy. Handy is wanted for two counts each of meth and drug paraphernalia possession. Handy is a black male, standing 5-9 and weighing 140 pounds. He has black […]
