Sangamon County data center lawsuit dismissed
By Benjamin Cox on November 11, 2026 at 9:41am
A Sangamon County judge has dismissed a lawsuit challenging a proposed data center near the Morgan County line. The Illinois Times reports Circuit Judge Adam Giganti dismissed the lawsuit with prejudice Friday, November 6th, brought by residents living near the proposed CyrusOne data center in Talkington Township, less than 10 miles from Waverly. The residents […]
Pike County Board in a quandary over health insurance benefits
By Benjamin Cox on November 11, 2026 at 9:35am
Pike County officials are facing serious questions after the county’s employee health insurance provider voted to terminate coverage at the end of the year. In a letter published by Muddy River News, Pike County Clerk Natalie Roseberry says the county received formal notification on Monday that the HOPE Trust would end its coverage December 31st. […]
Memorial Health planning new rehab hospital on Springfield’s west side
By Benjamin Cox on November 11, 2026 at 9:27am
A new 66-million-dollar rehabilitation hospital is being proposed for Springfield’s far west side. According to the Illinois Times, Memorial Health is partnering with Alabama-based Encompass Health to construct a 60-bed rehabilitation facility near the intersection of Alex Boulevard and Milby Lane, about a half-mile northwest of the 4600 block of West Wabash Avenue. The proposed […]
Beardstown Firefighters Awarded for heroic actions during apartment fire
By Benjamin Cox on November 11, 2026 at 9:25am
Two Beardstown firefighters have been recognized for their heroic actions during a September apartment building fire. According to the Cass County Star Gazette, Beardstown Fire Chief Chris Baer presented firefighters Trenton Scoggins and Collin Beddingfield with certificates and medals during the October 27th Beardstown City Council meeting. The two firefighters, with assistance from Beardstown Police […]
Scott County man pleads guilty to 2024 charges in sex abuse cases
By Benjamin Cox on November 11, 2026 at 9:21am
A Winchester man charged with multiple counts of child sexual assault and abuse has pleaded guilty in Scott County Court. 43-year-old Jerrit W. Hazelwood appeared before Judge David Cherry on October 26th and pleaded guilty to one Class X felony count of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child under the age of 13. According […]
Moratorium for City Needs Council Action
By Gary Scott on November 11, 2026 at 6:30am
The planned moratorium on data centers for the city of Jacksonville is on hold until a council committee meets to begin the process. The Morgan County board has imposed a second 6 month moratorium on data centers that will stretch into spring. Alderman Rob Thomas suggested the city council approve a 6 month moratorium in […]
Heritage Cultural Center Bd to get New Name
By Gary Scott on November 10, 2026 at 5:58pm
The Heritage Cultural Center will officially get a new name in a couple of weeks. The Jacksonville city council last night agreed to change the name to the Jacksonville Area Museum. Mayor Andy Ezard says the original name of the board came from a time when the city was casting about for what […]
Opportunity Zone Approved, Again for Jacksonville
By Gary Scott on November 10, 2026 at 10:12am
What is called an opportunity zone has been approved again for parts of Jacksonville by Governor JB Pritzker. The Opportunity Zone 2-point-O runs along just south of West Morton, into downtown Jacksonville, north and south covering the northeast corner of Illinois, the community park, and the Links golf course and surrounding area. Greg Sutton serves […]
Quiet Morgan County Board meeting
By Gary Scott on November 9, 2026 at 10:28am
There were no fireworks at this morning’s Morgan County board meeting. A couple of the people who spoke at the meeting, questioned the county using Ancel Glink in Chicago. Lynn Bohlman says the firm has been used by other entities in discussions about data centers. And, Kara Koeffel questioned why or when the county hired […]
Flu Season Already Here
By Gary Scott on November 9, 2026 at 10:21am
There is good news, so far, about the flu season in Illinois. Reports last month indicated the flu season was starting early. But, Meredith Vogel Thomas of the Morgan County Health Department says the flu season really runs from September through March. Vogel likes what she is hearing from overall reports. She says the department […]
