ISP retires successful canine officer after 8 years of service
By Benjamin Cox on February 4, 2026 at 2:40pm
The Illinois State Police are honoring one of their four-legged officers with a retirement celebration. Today, ISP honored and celebrated the outstanding service of Canine Luna, who has not only been a loyal partner to Sergeant Clint Nickel but has also served the Illinois State Police, Troop 6, Central HIT, and her community with unparalleled […]
Ashland man arrested for alleged sex with minor
By Benjamin Cox on February 4, 2026 at 12:32pm
An Ashland man has been arrested on multiple felony charges of having sex with a minor. Arturo Santamaria, 27, of Ashland is charged with four counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a female minor, a Class 2 felony. Charging documents allege the incidents occurred on four separate occasions between July 19, 2024 and August […]
Green Gets 4 years in prison for Car Shooting
By Gary Scott on February 4, 2026 at 9:40am
A homeless Jacksonville man was sentenced to prison yesterday in Morgan County court for firing a gun into a vehicle on North Main one year ago. 22-year-old Steven Green, also known as Steve-O, was sentenced to 4 years in prison for aggravated firing of a handgun. The incident occurred January 2nd of last year near […]
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 […]
