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Chief Michael Starman of the Pittsfield Police Department was recently celebrated as a Co-Top Shot after completing a challenging Pistol Red Dot course. The specialized firearms training was held today at the Jacksonville Police Department Training Center and was expertly conducted by Critical Conflict Solutions, a Jacksonville-based training provider known for delivering exceptional instruction. Despite the demanding conditions, including an impressive 10 inches of snow on t

Federal investigators are now working to piece together what led to Sunday night’s fatal plane crash near Griggsville, as questions continue to surface about the aircraft’s final moments and even how many people were on board. Authorities returned to the crash site Monday, where the wreckage of the 1977 Piper PA-28R remained visible from Interstate 72. The Pike County Sheriff’s Department and NTSB confirmed the pilot was killed and at least two passengers were hospitalized, t

Pike County, IL officials are working through major financial questions after a tense budget hearing Wednesday led to a flood of follow-up inquiries for the County Clerk’s Office. Clerk Natalie Roseberry responded Thursday morning with detailed explanations on payroll totals, election expenses, reimbursements, and past journal entries. Treasurer Scott Syrcle questioned why a past $30,000 internal reimbursement was discontinued, while Board Chair Reta Hoskin requested full pa

The Pike County Board met Wednesday to confront a seven-figure budget shortfall ahead of next week’s final vote, and tensions rose during a debate over election funding. County Clerk Natalie Roseberry criticized board member Derek Ross for what she called “government by ambush,” after last-minute questions about changes to her election budget. Board Chair Reta Hoskin countered that the clerk’s office needs to be more transparent during the budgeting process. The board also ap

Authorities in Pike County, Missouri continue to face mounting scrutiny over the unsolved death of Nathaniel Mueller, who went missing in December 2024 and whose body was found in a Pike County pond in February 2025—months after deputies initially searched the same area and reported finding only a log. Former Bowling Green Police Chief Ty Bounds has alleged a cover-up, claiming text messages uncovered during a separate robbery investigation showed a sheriff’s deputy knew the

The Pike County, Illinois Animal Shelter is entering one of its toughest seasons yet as ongoing county budget cuts leave the facility operating with limited staff, reduced supplies, and little financial cushion. With fewer resources available, the shelter is working hard to place animals into homes quickly so it can continue providing basic care for those still coming through its doors. At the same time, many local families are facing their own hardships as the recent governm

Hemp businesses in the bi-state region are facing growing uncertainty as federal and state regulators move toward tighter control of hemp-derived THC products. In Missouri, a new federal rule capping hemp products at just 0.4 milligrams of total THC per package has sparked fears of an industry collapse, with many businesses warning the limit would wipe out most of their current inventory and revenue. Lawmakers in Jefferson City are already considering adopting the same limits

Illinois State Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer joined community members in Versailles this Veterans Day to dedicate the town’s new Veterans Memorial. Speaking at the ceremony, Davidsmeyer expressed his gratitude to local veterans and praised the efforts of the Versailles Lions Club and other community members who contributed to the project. “I was honored to join friends in Versailles for Veterans Day and to help dedicate their beautiful new Memorial,” Davidsmeyer said. The c

The Joe Page Bridge replacement project has entered Phase I under the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), which began a preliminary engineering and environmental study in 2022 aimed at identifying a structurally sound and modern crossing of the Illinois River between Calhoun, Greene, and Jersey counties — replacing the original 1931 span. After presenting eight corridor alternatives at a September 2024 public meeting attended by 104 people, four have been selected f

The Pike County, IL court system is reportedly carrying more than $4 million in unpaid fees, fines, and other receivables, according to a recent reports. Officials say the figure reflects years of accumulated obligations owed to the Circuit Clerk’s office. The county has also been working to clear a backlog of financial audits dating back to 2020, after hiring an outside firm last year to help reconcile its records. Local leaders say resolving the outstanding balances and co

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