New Royalty Crowned at the Fair
By Gary Scott on July 9, 2025 at 6:32am

New royalty took over at the Morgan County Fair last night. Crews and crowds braved the rain to watch the opening grandstand event. The 2025 Morgan County fair queen is Bella Evans. Chloe Buhlig is the junior Miss, and the Little Miss is Tess Cully. The grandstand event tonight is the Salute the Troops World […]
Organic Oil Spill on Morton
By Gary Scott on July 9, 2025 at 6:24am

An oil spill on Morton Avenue has prompted law enforcement to warn motorists to steer clear of the area. About 100 gallons of organic grease has spilled from a truck from Starbucks on West Morton to Casey’s on East Morton. There have been no injuries, and crews are applying sand and absorbent material to soak […]
Roodhouse Fire Protection District opens applications for new cadet program
By Benjamin Cox on July 8, 2025 at 6:47pm

The Roodhouse Fire Protection District announced a new program to attract new firefighters. The Roodhouse Fire District has recently created a CADET program for students aged 16-18 that has an interest working in the fire service. Cadets will work directly under an officers supervision at medical/fire scenes, with limitations. Trainings are provided. Roodhouse joins the […]
The Armor has Arrived at the Morgan County Fair
By Seth Gabriel on July 8, 2025 at 4:07pm

The World War II tanks have officially formed up at the Morgan County fairgrounds. The fully functional tanks are a part of Rabbi Rob Thomas’s collection. Along the tank line, fairgoers get an up close look at the historical military equipment, accompanied by men dressed in World War II era Army uniforms. On top of […]
Co-Defendant in White Hall Drug Induced Homicide case dies
By Benjamin Cox on July 8, 2025 at 2:38pm

A woman accused of acquiring drugs that killed a woman in her White Hall home in December 2024 has died, according to online court records. Shanda D. Griffin, 55, of Eldred is said to have died and her case abated according to online court records filed yesterday. Griffin was charged March 4, 2025 with Class […]
Mt. Sterling woman sentenced to prison on drug charges
By Benjamin Cox on July 8, 2025 at 2:10pm

A Brown County woman is heading to prison on drug charges. Christina L. Passmore, 40, of Mt. Sterling pleaded guilty on Monday to Class 3 felony possession of methamphetamine less than 5 grams before Judge Jerry Hooker. Passmore was arrested on the charges on April 5, 2024. Passmore received subsequent citations for city ordinance violations […]
June-July Crackdown Worked?
By Gary Scott on July 8, 2025 at 12:10pm

The announced crackdown by Jacksonville police apparently worked. The crackdown targeted impaired drivers and seat belt scofflaws from June 20th through July 7th. City police say they made no impaired driving arrests, including alcohol and cannabis related arrests over the 17 day period. Officers did issue 7 seat belt citations. Other citations were for having […]
Two Most Wanted
By Gary Scott on July 8, 2025 at 12:05pm
Morgan-Scott Crimestoppers are looking for help from the public in a search for a couple of suspects in recent cases in Morgan County. One of the suspects is identified as 26-year-old Jordan Boes of the 18-hundred block of South Easte. Boes is wanted for failure to appear in court for criminal trespass to land. Boes […]
Long-time political reporter Ray Long retires from Chicago Tribune
By Benjamin Cox on July 8, 2025 at 10:44am

Ray Long, 67, and a native of Winchester, announced his retirement from the Chicago Tribune on July 2. Long started with the Tribune in 1998 as their Springfield correspondent covering state news and eventually moved to their watchdog group in 2015. Long took a buyout from the Tribune Publishing ownership this week, saying on his […]
Sangamon County Coroner’s Office Earns National Accreditation for Excellence in Service
By Benjamin Cox on July 8, 2025 at 10:15am

The Sangamon County Coroner’s Office has earned national accreditation from the International Association of Coroners & Medical Examiners (IACME), a distinction that recognizes the office for achieving the highest standards of professionalism, transparency, and service to the public. The accreditation follows a comprehensive review process, during which the Coroner’s Office was evaluated against 285 internationally […]