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A hard “killer freeze” is expected across the region Sunday night, November 9th, officially bringing the 2025 growing season to an end. Forecasters say temperatures are projected to drop below 28 degrees for a long enough period to kill off any remaining unprotected crops, plants, and outdoor vegetation. While this annual transition is typical for early November, meteorologists note that this will be the first widespread freeze capable of ending all frost-tracking until sprin

State Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer and several law enforcement leaders are voicing growing concerns over Illinois’ SAFE-T Act, which was enacted in 2021 and fully implemented in 2023. While the law aims to keep low-level offenders out of jail and prevent them from becoming lost in the system, Davidsmeyer argues it has gone too far and is negatively impacting police morale and recruitment. He believes the act makes it easier for drug dealers — particularly those coming from

Bridge repair work on Interstate 72 in Pike County is set to begin this week, affecting several bridges between the New Salem–Pittsfield interchange at mile marker 31 and the Hull–Payson interchange at mile marker 10. Starting Monday, crews will begin widening bridge shoulders as the first phase of the project, with resurfacing and deck painting scheduled to follow in March. Drivers can expect lane closures, traffic control signs, and barrels in the work zones, and are encour

A serious collision occurred Wednesday around 1:30 p.m. on U.S. Route 67 at NW 400 Street, just north of Carrollton, Illinois, when a semitrailer truck and a car collided, according to preliminary reports from the Illinois State Police. One of the vehicle occupants sustained severe injuries and was air-lifted by medical helicopter to a hospital. The names of both drivers have not been released and the cause of the crash remains under investigation. Brown County authorities ar

The Pike County Board continues to grapple with a $1.8 million budget deficit, sparking tense discussions over possible cuts. At this week’s meeting, Vice-Chairman Tom Lewis strongly opposed a proposed $350,000 reduction to the ambulance department, warning it could deplete funds and lead to layoffs. Board members also learned that about $1 million in a road-use fund may be available, though Chairman Rita Hoskin urged patience in deciding how and when to use it. The meeting t

The Illinois State Treasurer’s Office, along with Sen. Jil Tracy and Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer, hosted an ICASH event Monday at the Pittsfield Public Library to help residents find and claim unclaimed money or property. The ICASH program, created by the Treasurer’s Office, works to reunite Illinoisans with lost assets such as stocks, CDs, safe deposit box contents, and other valuables. Rep. Davidsmeyer noted that some items are sentimental family keepsakes, while others may hold

A rollover crash occurred around 6:18 p.m. Sunday, October 26, on County Road 11 near Pittsfield. According to emergency responders, the vehicle left the roadway and overturned, prompting a response from the Pike County Sheriff’s Department, fire, and EMS units. Details about the driver and any passengers have not yet been released, and the extent of injuries remains unclear. Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash, which may have involved factors such as speed o

A former Pike County, IL employee is raising red flags about the county’s finances as officials discuss a possible property tax increase. Brenda Emerson DeSpain, who worked for the county’s Highway Department until December 2023, says years of payroll errors, late retirement payments, and poor auditing practices have left county accounts in disarray. She says the county fell months behind on IMRF retirement contributions, switched to a costly new payroll system that led to wi

A public hearing in Pike County, Illinois, on a proposed 9% property tax increase turned contentious as county officials clashed over the size of the county’s budget deficit. Treasurer Scott Sercle estimated the shortfall at just over $500,000, while other officials, including County Clerk Natalie Roseberry, suggested it could exceed $1 million. The disagreement escalated into a heated exchange between Sercle and Roseberry, prompting intervention from County Board Chairwoman

T he Greene County State’s Attorney’s Office announced that Derek R. Nolan, 36, of Eldred, was sentenced to six years in the Illinois Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to Unlawful Criminal Drug Conspiracy, a Class 2 felony, in connection with the December 2024 death of Angela K. Virgin, 52, of White Hall. Prosecutors said Nolan and two co-conspirators obtained and delivered fentanyl in Greene County, which Virgin later ingested, leading to her death. Nolan must

A ir travelers in the region will soon have a new option for flying to Chicago. The U.S. Department of Transportation has selected Contour Airlines to provide service at Quincy Regional Airport, replacing Southern Airways. Starting Nov. 1, or sooner if possible, Contour will offer 12 round-trip flights each week to Chicago O’Hare International Airport using 30-seat Embraer regional jets. Airport Director Bill Lantz said the move brings larger planes, more seats, and improved

H annibal Police have identified a suspect in connection with a weekend homicide. A warrant has been issued for 27-year-old Gabriel Anthony Juarez of Hannibal, charged with first-degree murder, first-degree domestic assault, and armed criminal action. Authorities say the incident happened Saturday in the 300 block of North 6th Street, where Juarez allegedly stabbed a 22-year-old woman multiple times, killing her. The two reportedly lived together. Police discovered the victim

S cott County Sheriff Tom Eddinger has announced plans to retire at the end of his current term in December 2026, closing out a 32-year career in law enforcement, including eight years as sheriff. Eddinger said the decision was not easy, calling it “an honor and a privilege to serve our community alongside the outstanding men and women of this department.” In a statement on social media, he expressed pride in his team’s accomplishments and the trust they’ve built with residen

A chance of rain and thunderstorms in the forecast for Saturday could put a damper on two of the region’s biggest autumn events — Pike...

Kevin “Kevy Kev” Russell, of St. Charles, MO who served as chief engineer for WBBA B97.5, has died after battling the West Nile Virus....

The Illinois Department of Transportation has released its proposed five-year infrastructure plan, outlining major projects across...

Every year, mid-October brings a spirited weekend to Pike County, IL as Fall Pickin’ Days lights up towns across the region. From...

The Louisiana R2 School District faced a brief scare last week after police were alerted to a potential threat made toward the district....

Early Thursday morning in New Canton, Illinois, law enforcement responded to a distress call reporting a shooting. Deputies were told...

The Mega Millions jackpot has climbed to an estimated $497 million, with a cash option of $229.5 million, ahead of the Tuesday, Sept. 30...