Tennessee fugitive captured in late December in Cass County pleads guilty to drug charge
By Benjamin Cox on February 3, 2026 at 1:59pm
A Tennessee fugitive arrested in Cass County on December 30 has now been sentenced on Illinois drug charges. Caleb M. Patterson, 21, of of Lewisburg, Tennessee, pleaded guilty Monday in Cass County Court to a Class 2 felony charge of possession of methamphetamine between 5-15 grams. As part of the plea agreement, all remaining Illinois […]
Cash in the Campaigns
By Benjamin Cox on February 3, 2026 at 12:35pm
Republican incumbent U.S. Representative Mary Miller enters the 2026 election cycle in the 15th congressional district with a dominant war chest compared to her Democratic challengers. The Federal Election Commission filings covering the final quarter of 2025 reporting cycle shows Miller reported roughly $720,000 in cash on hand at year-end, buoyed by strong support from […]
City Seeks Bids for Demolition of Fire-Damaged Building
By Harold Smith on February 3, 2026 at 9:10am
The city of Jacksonville is taking a proactive approach toward the demolition of an abandoned downtown apartment building that suffered major damage in a fire last month. The Journal Courier reports the city is taking bids for taking down the building at 342 West State that caught fire January 15th. The city does not own […]
Well Gets 2.5 years in Prison
By Benjamin Cox on February 3, 2026 at 6:56am
A West Central Illinois man who has been on the lam from several court cases was sentenced to state prison last week in Pike County Circuit Court.40-year-old Jonathan Well formerly of Jacksonville, was sentenced Tuesday in Pike County by Judge Frank McCartney to 2 1/2 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections following a string […]
Cold Month, with One Exception
By Gary Scott on February 2, 2026 at 4:50pm
Jacksonville will pull itself out of the deep freeze this week, as we end a month that ran below average temperatures. The last time the mercury was above freezing in Jacksonville was on the 22nd, when the mercury touched 38. But, every day since then, through yesterday, readings didn’t get any higher than 30. That’s […]
New Additions for Jax Fire This Year?
By Gary Scott on February 2, 2026 at 6:30am
The Jacksonville fire chief is anxiously awaiting the newest addition to the Jacksonville fire department family. Fire chief Matt Summers says it’s not a person, but a new truck. Summers says the aerial truck should be here by the summer. It will cost the city close to $2-million, but is needed because of the taller […]
No One Injured in Jacksonville House Fire Friday Night
By Jeremy Coumbes on January 31, 2026 at 9:38am
The Jacksonville and South Jacksonville Fire Departments responded to a call of a structure fire in a residence at 1043 Doolin Avenue at approximately 8:15 Friday night. According to a report by the Jacksonville Fire Department, heavy flames were showing on a porch and a portion of the interior of the residence on the southeast […]
Fire Claims a Local Man’s Life
By Gary Scott on January 30, 2026 at 5:48am
A Jacksonville man died in a house fire about 6 last night on West Walnut. No name has been released pending the notification of next of kin. We do know the man was 66 years old. The house address is 842 West Walnut. Firefighters say the fire damage was limited because of a lack of […]
Bunker Hill Man Faces Aggravated DUI
By Gary Scott on January 30, 2026 at 5:20am
A Bunker Hill man has been charged with aggravated DUI in connection with a fatal accident in Macoupin County December 9th. Macoupin County state’s attorney Jordan Garrison has filed formal charges of two counts of aggravated DUI and aggravated use of a cell phone against 41-year-old Jarod Fagan. The crash claimed the life of a […]
Winchester Gym Days Numbered
By Gary Scott on January 29, 2026 at 1:21pm
It appears that the Winchester Grade School gym’s days are numbered. The Winchester school board held an emergency meeting Tuesday afternoon and heard the grim details from architect Jamie Cosgriff, and direction from regional school superintendent Jill Reis that the gym is closed until further notice. Winchester school superintendent Jeff Abell says Cobden High School […]
