Big Eli Story Featured on Main Street 250
By Seth Gabriel on August 5, 2026 at 12:32pm
Jacksonville Main Street will be one of many from the Main Street network included in an online storytelling initiative. To celebrate America 250, Main Street America has launched the Main Street 250 Storytelling Map, where more than 250 historical stories from across the Main Street network can be read. Judy Tighe of Jacksonville Main Street […]
Hot July
By Gary Scott on August 5, 2026 at 10:04am
July was a hot month, and the rain spigot was turned down. The average temperature reading for July was 77 degrees. That’s over 2 degrees hotter than normal. The stickiest day of the summer, easily, was the 26th, with a month high temperature of 97, and humidity levels that pushed the feels like reading to […]
Two Get Jail Time
By Gary Scott on August 5, 2026 at 9:37am
Two people were sentenced to jail time in Morgan County court yesterday. 64-year-old Lester Prier of Springfield admitted to two counts of burglary. A third count of theft was dropped. Prier was arrested for the January 2024 burglary of the AM-PM Convenience store on route 104 at Franklin. Prier was given 30 days of periodic […]
Jax Kiwanis Gives $3-thousand Gift
By Gary Scott on August 4, 2026 at 9:58am
The Jacksonville Kiwanis Club made a donation over the weekend to a project that could benefit families faced with spina bifida surgery. The donation of $3-thousand was made during the Illinois-Eastern Iowa Kiwanis District Convention. The money will go to support the development of a fetal surgery training model. Kiwanis International is trying to raise […]
New United Way Campaign
By Gary Scott on August 4, 2026 at 6:53am
This year’s Prairieland United Way Campaign will open later this month with six local women serving as co chairpersons. The campaign kicks off August 20th with the theme of Friends United. The co-chair people include Jennisa Ezard, Brittany Henry, Jennifer Pool, Lisa Watson, Jeni Rajaguru, and Julie Finn. The goal this year is $500-thousand. A […]
National Night Out Here
By Gary Scott on August 4, 2026 at 6:50am
This is National Night Out, and at least Jacksonville and one other community in the area will participate. The event in Jacksonville will be at community park, and starts at 5:30. Crimestoppers Loren Hamilton says the event is intended to take the fear out of meeting officers and others in times of emergencies. Visitors will […]
Crimestoppers Most Wanted
By Gary Scott on August 3, 2026 at 10:49am
Two men are being sought through the Crimestoppers weekly most wanted program One is identified as 57-year-old Timothy Edge. Edge is a white male who is wanted for meth possession. He has a shaved head, weighs 140 pounds, and stands 5-4. Edge has hazel eyes and was last known to have lived in Virden. The […]
Data Center Frustration Boils Over
By Gary Scott on August 3, 2026 at 10:44am
Talk about data centers dominated the first part of the Morgan County board meeting this morning. The agenda items did not include any discussion about data centers. But, Lucy Phelps was among those frustrated with the lack of response from the board. Commissioners traditionally have not responded, in most instances to the comments. But, talks […]
Flock Cameras
By Gary Scott on August 1, 2026 at 10:08pm
Jacksonville police chief Doug Thompson says cameras with license plate readers in Jacksonville are looking only at the plates. The cameras are called flock cameras. Thompson says statements on social media and from a visitor to the Jacksonville city council meeting Monday night are trying to make a case that the cameras are taking motorists’ […]
Greenview man identified in fatal Menard County crash
By Benjamin Cox on August 1, 2026 at 5:12pm
A Greenview man has been identified as the victim of a fatal single-vehicle crash Friday morning in rural Menard County. According to the Menard County Sheriff’s Office, 911 dispatchers received a report of the crash shortly after 5 a.m. Friday near the intersection of Altig Bridge Avenue and Duncan Avenue. A sheriff’s deputy arrived before […]
