Taylor Trial Ends Abruptly with a Plea
By Benjamin Cox on March 11, 2026 at 5:32pm
The second day of a Morgan County first degree murder trial ended early this afternoon at the defendant pleaded guilty to a lesser charge. 19-year-old Larry Taylor of Jacksonville pleaded guilty to second degree murder shortly after 1:30 this afternoon. The second day of the trial had opened at 9 o’clock this morning after hearing […]
Beardstown man gets concurrent prison sentence in Cass County child sex case
By Benjamin Cox on March 11, 2026 at 11:28am
A Beardstown man has been sentenced to prison in Cass County after pleading guilty to a charge involving solicitation of a minor. Jimmie A. Cook, 30, was sentenced Monday to six years in the Illinois Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to one count of solicitation of a sexual act from a person under the […]
Bland Opens Farms of Illinois Store on Walnut
By Gary Scott on March 11, 2026 at 11:14am
Jacksonville’s newest grocery store opened its doors on West Walnut yesterday for the first time. The Farms of Illinois and Bland Family Farm yesterday opened a new retail location at 1203 West Walnut. One of the owners, Clint Bland says the location will sell fresh, local food. Bland says the time was right for a […]
Thirty Five Year Sentence for Moran in Greene
By Gary Scott on March 11, 2026 at 5:55am
A Greene County man was sentenced yesterday in Greene County court to 35 years in prison on a charge of using a child for sexual gratification. 57-year-old Michael Moran was found guilty in mid January of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child. The incident occurred in May of 2023, and involved a child under […]
Legendary local journalist Buford Green passes
By Benjamin Cox on March 10, 2026 at 2:54pm
Veteran Jacksonville sports journalist Buford Green has died at the age of 84. Green passed away March 9 at The Grove Health and Rehab, bringing to a close a journalism career that spanned more than five decades in West Central Illinois. Born in 1941 in Milltown, Kentucky, Green’s family later relocated to Virginia, Illinois. Green’s […]
Severe Weather Possible This Afternoon and Tonight Across West Central Illinois
By Benjamin Cox on March 10, 2026 at 12:15pm
Residents across West Central Illinois should be keeping a close eye on the sky this afternoon as conditions become favorable for severe thunderstorms and possible tornadoes. According to the National Weather Service office in Lincoln, an Enhanced Risk (level 3 of 5) for severe weather has been issued for much of Central Illinois, including Morgan, […]
Taylor Murder Trial
By Gary Scott on March 10, 2026 at 6:45am
Jury selection begins today in Morgan County court in the murder trial of a local man accused of shooting to death a teen on East College in Jacksonville in early June of 2024. 19-year-old Larry Taylor is charged with three counts of first degree murder, and is the man the state believes is responsible for […]
City Buys 2nd Patroller Trailer
By Gary Scott on March 10, 2026 at 6:43am
The Jacksonville city council last night approved the purchase of a second patroller trailer for the city police department. Police chief Doug Thompson is happy. He says the department’s first trailer, often seen around town at requested locations, with lights and cameras, has been very effective in the battle against crime in high traffic areas. […]
Council Okays Demolition
By Gary Scott on March 10, 2026 at 6:31am
The Jacksonville city council last night authorized the administration to go to court to begin the formal demolition of a fire damaged abandoned apartment building on West State. The item on the agenda read the council would waive bids, and accept a demolition proposal from Jaren Industries, whose equipment is at the site at 342 […]
Northern Macoupin resident killed in I-55 crash
By Benjamin Cox on March 9, 2026 at 12:43pm
The Sangamon County Coroner, Jim Allmon, confirmed the deaths of two individuals involved in a motor vehicle collision on Interstate 55 early this morning. The incident occurred in the southbound lane near the Chatham / East Lake Drive exit. A 42-year-old female resident of Wentzville, Missouri, and a 51-year-old female resident of Girard, Illinois, were […]
