Winchester man arrested for alleged arson
By Benjamin Cox on March 28, 2026 at 9:14am
Multiple area agencies responded to a garage fire early yesterday morning in Winchester resulting in one arrest. Fire fighters, Scott and Morgan County Sheriff’s Deputies and the Winchester Police were called to a garage fire at 1265 Mason Lane in Winchester at 5:20 a.m. on Friday. Upon further investigation, authorities believed the fire to have […]
Former Pike-Scott Farm Bureau Director Blake Roderick passes away
By Benjamin Cox on March 28, 2026 at 9:10am
West Central Illinois is mourning the loss of a longtime agricultural leader and community advocate. Blake Roderick of Pittsfield passed away Friday at the age of 69, following a battle with pancreatic cancer. Roderick dedicated more than four decades to serving the agricultural community. He began his career in 1981 with the Sangamon County Farm […]
Two Most Wanted
By Gary Scott on March 27, 2026 at 11:58am
Morgan County Crimestoppers has identified two men as the area’s most wanted this week. One lives in Jacksonville and the other in rural Waverly. 40-year-old James Havens is wanted for aggravated battery, theft, retail theft, criminal damage to property, crime trespass and resisting police. Havens is described as a black man, weight 145 pounds and […]
93 Shatters Record
By Gary Scott on March 27, 2026 at 11:45am
Yesterday was the earliest Jacksonville has ever seen a 90 or better reading in a calendar year. WLDS-WEAI weather records date back to 1927, and we found no 90 or better readings in the first three months of any year. Jacksonville hit an official high of 93 yesterday, shattering the old mark of 86 in […]
City Wide Garage Sale in late May
By Gary Scott on March 27, 2026 at 10:30am
Jacksonville’s city wide garage sale is a little over a month away. This is the 6th year for the garage sale. The brainchild is alderwoman Eren Williams. Williams says the garage sale runs over the Memorial Day Weekend. The dates are May 22nd, 23rd, and 24th. The city will advertise all garage sales that will […]
Child Falls into Lake Petersburg
By Gary Scott on March 27, 2026 at 7:04am
A tragedy was averted in Menard County yesterday morning after a report of a child who fell in Lake Petersburg. No identities were released, but Menard County authorities received a call about 10 that a 2 year old girl had fallen in the lake and was not breathing. Menard County deputies, the Menard EMS and […]
Jax Chamber Honors Businesses
By Gary Scott on March 27, 2026 at 7:02am
A long time downtown property owner was honored by the Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce at the Chamber’s annual meeting yesterday. Tom Grojean was recognized in the Chamber’s circle of excellence. Grojean has retired from being an active Chamber business. He says he is honored that he has been honored as those he respects were […]
Crimestoppers and Diamond Grove Cemetery
By Gary Scott on March 27, 2026 at 6:59am
The Morgan County Crimestoppers is taking aim at helping solve a crime at one of the city’s cemeteries. The crime occurred at Diamond Grove Cemetery sometime over the last month. The theft of copper down spouts occurred sometime between February 28th, and March 21st. The city is also investigating the theft of doors and damage […]
Ray Long to be Honored by the INBA
By Gary Scott on March 26, 2026 at 10:30am
A Scott County native has been named 2026 Illinoisan of the year. Retired Chicago Tribune investigative reporter Ray Long will be given the award by the Illinois News Broadcasters Association April 18th. Long is a graduate of Winchester High School, and spent 44 years in print outlets across the state, including the Peoria Journal Star, […]
Jacksonville Drum Line needs Sponsors
By Gary Scott on March 25, 2026 at 6:58am
The Jacksonville Drumline Institute is looking for a few good good sponsors. Founder Chip Davis would not turn down a lot of sponsors. Davis founded the group in 2018. Davis says there are several ways to sponsor the group. He says there is a group sponsor at $250, $350, and $500. He says the benefits […]
