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 […]
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 […]
Pageant Tonight at the Fair
By Gary Scott on July 8, 2025 at 6:30am
The Morgan County Fair officially opens with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 8:30 this morning. The highlight of the first night is the queen, junior miss and princess contest tonight. It follows the Talent show, which begins at 5 this evening. The Pageant is set to kick off at 7. Fairgoers will be charged $5 […]
Chapin Police, Local Authorities end standoff peacefully on July 5
By Benjamin Cox on July 7, 2025 at 2:35pm
Multiple agencies responded to a reported standoff at a residence in Chapin on the evening of July 5. According to a post on the Chapin Police Facebook page, at approximately 4 p.m. July 5, the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office, the Chapin Police Department, the Murrayville-Woodson Police Department, and the Jacksonville Police Department Special Response Team […]
Auburn Man identified from remains found near Wabash Avenue in Springfield
By Benjamin Cox on July 7, 2025 at 1:41pm
UPDATE: A handful of details have emerged about the discovery of an Auburn man’s body late last week in Springfield. Sangamon County coroner Jim Allmon says the remains were identified as that of 37-year-old Derek Wartenbe. Allmon says the corpse was scientifically identified during the postmortem procedure yesterday. Allmon said the preliminary autopsy findings showed […]
Former Greene County Sheriff Seeks to Return to the office in 2026
By Benjamin Cox on July 7, 2025 at 6:26am
A former Greene County Sheriff hopes to be re-elected to the office in 2026. Ben Picou, who was Greene County Sheriff from 1974 to 1982, announced his bid for election to the office over the weekend. Picou was one of the youngest county sheriff’s in the State of Illinois when he served Greene County at […]
Woods Announces Re-Election Bid for Morgan Co. Commissioner
By Benjamin Cox on July 7, 2025 at 6:20am
Dr. Michael Woods has announced his bid to seek election to the Morgan County Board. Woods made the announcement on July 4. Woods is the lone Democrat that’s an elected or appointed official in the county. “As your Commissioner, I pledge to continue rolling up my sleeves and working tirelessly on the vital issues that […]