First of Three Pike Men Federally Indicted in 2021 for Child Sexual Exploitation Pleads Guilty
By Benjamin Cox on August 22, 2024 at 9:50am
One of three Pike County men indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of sexual exploitation of a child nearly 3 years ago has pleaded guilty. 36-year old Anthony M. Westemeyer of Nebo pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual exploitation of a child back on July 31st. Westemeyer was indicted along with 40-year […]
Winchester School District Begins Pivot Towards Renovations at High School Building
By Benjamin Cox on August 22, 2024 at 9:44am
Plans for renovations at Winchester High School have now begun in earnest. The Winchester community surveys circulated over the summer showed the community would not support a construction bond referendum for a new building. The results of the survey were presented last month. The Scott County Times reports that at the August 13th Winchester School […]
Jacksonville Taco Gringo Site Moving Due to Possible Site Contamination, Building Damages
By Benjamin Cox on August 22, 2024 at 9:23am
A popular Jacksonville restaurant is being forced to move according to its owners because of property damage and contamination. A new location for Taco Gringo is currently under construction in the 1100 block of West Morton Avenue, next door to the new Starbucks. It’s current location at 501 South Main has been in operation for […]
Jacksonville Man Who Went on Burglary Spree in May Sentenced to Probation
By Benjamin Cox on August 21, 2024 at 1:16pm
A Jacksonville man arrested after a burglary spree in early May has been sentenced to probation time after spending time under evaluation and treatment in the Department of Human Services. 41-year old Steven R. Williamson pleaded guilty yesterday in Morgan County Circuit Court to felony criminal trespass to a residence. Williamson was arrested on the […]
Three Individuals Arrested After Fight, Property Damage Near a Garage
By Benjamin Cox on August 21, 2024 at 11:30am
Three individuals were arrested after a noise complaint and damage to property was reported in the 700 block of North Prairie Street just before 7 o’clock last night. The caller told dispatch that multiple subjects were banging on a garage door and destroying things on the property. Upon arrival, police located and arrested 22-year old […]
More Information On Pike Co. Man Recovered from IL River Near Kampsville
By Benjamin Cox on August 21, 2024 at 11:27am
More information has been released about a man who died in the Illinois River on Monday morning. According to online obituary records this morning, 89-year old Roger L. Hatcher of Pearl was the man that authorities recovered from the Illinois River near Kampsville on Monday night. According to a report from the Illinois Department of […]
Double Black Diamond Solar Farm’s Power Purchased by Google
By Benjamin Cox on August 20, 2024 at 3:29pm
One of the nation’s largest solar farms that stretches across portions of Sangamon and Morgan Counties is having its power generation purchased by Google. Swift Current Energy, owner of the Double Black Diamond Solar project, announced today that the tech giant had made a tax equity investment in the 800 megawatt solar farm. Once operational, […]
Welty Acquitted On All Charges In Sex Abuse Case in Brown Co.
By Benjamin Cox on August 20, 2024 at 3:26pm
A Brown County jury acquitted a Mt. Sterling business owner yesterday on three charges of of criminal predatory sexual assault of a child under the age of 13 — all Class X felonies. 72-year old Gary Welty was found not guilty by a jury of five men and seven women at the Brown County Courthouse, […]
Waggener Announces Resignation As Morgan County Clerk
By Benjamin Cox on August 20, 2024 at 3:20pm
One of Morgan County’s long-time elected officials is resigning at the end of this month. County Clerk Jill Waggener submitted her resignation to the Morgan County Commissioners yesterday. Waggener has been the County Clerk since first being elected in 2010, when she defeated Democrat Mike Preston. Preston took over as the democrat candidate after Brad […]
Heinz Funeral Home Case Now In Hands of Macoupin Co. State’s Attorney’s Office
By Benjamin Cox on August 20, 2024 at 11:07am
The investigation into a Carlinville funeral home director’s mishandling of human remains is now in the hands of the Macoupin County State’s Attorney’s Office. WICS Newschannel 20 reports that the Illinois State Police has concluded its investigation into Albert Heinz and the mishandling of at least 80 cases of human cremains being passed along to […]