Texas man arrested for drug bust in August had federal indictment unsealed
By Benjamin Cox on September 19, 2025 at 11:08am
An El Paso, Texas man arrested in a traffic stop on I-72 in August has recently had his federal indictment unsealed by the Central District Court of Illinois. David Hernandez, 39, of El Paso, Texas was arrested on the morning of August 20 by Morgan County Sheriff’s Deputies, South Jacksonville Police, the DEA, and members […]
South Jax New Budget
By Gary Scott on September 19, 2025 at 10:44am
The South Jacksonville board is ready to approve its new budget. The board met as a committee of the whole last night to talk money for next year. Village board president Dick Samples says there were no surprises. Samples says the department heads were urged to plan ahead. He says the department heads produced 3 […]
Chandlerville farmer pleads guilty to single count of federal bank fraud
By Benjamin Cox on September 19, 2025 at 10:38am
A Chandlerville farmer now faces potential federal prison time for pleading guilty to bank fraud earlier this month in a federal court. Travis L. Murphy, 42, of Chandlerville pleaded guilty to a single county of felony bank fraud in the Central District Court of Central Illinois on September 4 before Magistrate Judge Ronald L Hanna. […]
Crimestoppers most wanted
By Gary Scott on September 19, 2025 at 10:30am
Two men, one from Cass County, make the Morgan-Scott-Cass Crimestoppers list this week. One is identified as 24-year-old Alexandrio Soria, whose last known address is in Beardstown. Soria is wanted for obstructing police. He is an hispanic man, 5-9 and 190 pounds. He has brown eyes and black brush cut hair. The other is identified […]
District 117 Board Approves FY26 Budget, Ptacek Happy with Sales Tax Outlook
By Seth Gabriel on September 18, 2025 at 4:07pm
The FY26 budget was officially approved by the District 117 School Board at Wednesday night’s meeting. Superintendent Steve Ptacek has express concerns over the budget. He says the budget is always a concern, but the good news is there are some factors that can help balance it out, and that there will still be substantial […]
United Way Update
By Gary Scott on September 17, 2025 at 4:44pm
The Prairieland United Way campaign is keeping up with last year’s pace, and well ahead of the schedule from two years ago. One of the two co-chairs of the campaign, Daniel Hackett feels good about what volunteers have been able to accomplish so far. He’s expecting a bump over the next two weeks. The campaign […]
Four DOC Sentences
By Gary Scott on September 17, 2025 at 10:14am
Four people were sentenced to prison in Morgan County court yesterday (Tuesday). 45-year-old James Macrander of the 200 block of South Prairie was given 18 years in prison for predatory criminal sexual assault of a child. The incident occurred in February of this year, and involved a boy under 13. Macrander was fined $500 and […]
Henry’s Headed Back to West Morton
By Gary Scott on September 17, 2025 at 9:49am
A Jacksonville business that was destroyed by fire over a year ago will be back in business at its original location in the very near future. In a Facebook post, Henry’s Service Center announced it will reopen at their rebuilt facility at 2244 West Morton on October 1st. The former building at that location was […]
Two Carrollton residents charged for alleged drug dealing out of their home
By Benjamin Cox on September 16, 2025 at 1:57pm
Two Carrollton residents have been charged for alleged drug dealing out of their home after a lengthy investigation by the South Central Illinois Drug Task Force. According to charging documents filed in Greene County Circuit Court on September 3, Brian L. Cordes, 45, and Lora M. Benson, 50, both of Carrollton were arrested by members […]
Building Code Classes
By Gary Scott on September 16, 2025 at 11:18am
A class on the newest building codes will be offered in Jacksonville next week. The class will cover the 2021 International Existing Building Code, and will be held next Tuesday and Wednesday at city hall. Community development department director Brian Nyberg says this two day workshop will update all on any new codes. He encourages […]
