Illinois Answers Project: Inside Illinois Jails
By Benjamin Cox on September 18, 2026 at 7:51pm
A new analysis by the Illinois Answers Project is examining inspections and unusual incidents at county jails across Illinois, including four jails serving the local area. You can read the full article and access the database of county jails at this link. The Morgan County Jail in Jacksonville, which has a capacity of 65, failed […]
Pleasant Plains Middle School named National Banner Unified Champion School for second 4-year term in a row
By Benjamin Cox on September 18, 2026 at 7:34pm
Pleasant Plains Middle School has been named a National Banner Unified Champion School for the 2025-to-2029 period, earning the distinction for the second consecutive four-year period. The recognition comes from Special Olympics Illinois and requires schools to meet ten standards focused on inclusive sports, student leadership and whole-school engagement. According to a press release, Pleasant […]
JSD 117 Officials address sex offender discovered near Early Years on Wednesday
By Benjamin Cox on September 18, 2026 at 7:26pm
Jacksonville District 117 Superintendent Steve Ptacek says the district has terminated a special arrangement that allowed a registered sex offender to bring his child to and from school under strict conditions. The issue came to public attention Wednesday after a social-media post alleged the individual was near the district’s Early Years building on Jordan Street […]
Crime of the Week: Burglary on East College
By Benjamin Cox on September 18, 2026 at 7:16pm
Crime Stoppers of Morgan, Scott & Cass Counties are requesting information to assist the Jacksonville Police Department in an investigation into a recent burglary. Sometime within the previous two weeks: unknown individuals entered a property located in the 300 block of East College. Upon entry, the property was damaged and copper wire was removed The […]
Veith appears on video board in Times Square
By Benjamin Cox on September 18, 2026 at 7:15pm
A Jacksonville college student is getting some national attention in New York City. Lincoln Land Community College-Jacksonville says student Ella Veith was selected as a featured ambassador by the National Down Syndrome Society. Veith’s image appeared on a video screen in Times Square as part of the kickoff to the 2026 Buddy Walk in New […]
Two Women Most Wanted
By Gary Scott on September 18, 2026 at 11:16am
Two women are highlighted on the most wanted posting by Morgan-Cass-Scott Crimestoppers. One of the two is 27-year-old Samantha Holmes. She is wanted for burglary and driving with a suspended license. She is also wanted in Sangamon and Macon counties. Holmes is a white female who weighs 130 pounds, and stands 5-2. She has long […]
Oktoberfest Saturday
By Gary Scott on September 18, 2026 at 6:45am
The Jacksonville Rotary Club will hold its 15th annual Oktoberfest Saturday at the Morgan county fairgrounds. It’s a major fundraiser, raising over $22-thousand for Rotary Club projects. It is the biggest fundraiser of the year for Rotary. Club president Craig Albers says Oktoberfest committee chair Kim Brogdon has worked hard at making the event more […]
Cruise Night This Weekend
By Gary Scott on September 18, 2026 at 6:11am
The 42nd annual Jacksonville Fall Cruise Night will welcome in crowds along Morton Avenue tomorrow. The Morton Avenue Misfits will hold a car show from 9 AM to 3 PM at community park. All years of vehicles are welcome, and there will be door prizes and a 50-50 drawing. Cruise Night runs from 5 to […]
Routt Homecoming
By Gary Scott on September 18, 2026 at 6:00am
Routt Catholic High School is celebrating homecoming this week. The school’s homecoming football game is tomorrow at 11 AM against Beardstown. WEAI will carry the game live, starting about 10:45. The coronation of the homecoming court will be held on the front lawn of the school between 1 and 1:30 this afternoon. Members of the […]
District 117 hears from 2 families on proposed boundary changes for Murrayville-Woodson
By Benjamin Cox on September 17, 2026 at 6:42am
The Jacksonville School District 117 Board of Education heard from two families Wednesday night as it continued discussing a proposed change to elementary school attendance boundaries. The proposal would move the northern boundary of Murrayville-Woodson Elementary School north to the southern border of Interstate 72. District officials say the change could help alleviate crowding at […]
