News Headlines & Chapel Report 12/10/25

The City of Louisiana continues to face mounting political and policing turmoil as new details emerge regarding a disputed police entry into a Georgia Street home. Mayor Tim Carter released a statement defending the police chief and his officers after a councilwoman — already facing articles of impeachment and a formal complaint from the chief for allegedly interfering with police operations — questioned whether officers unlawfully entered a residence without the homeowner’s consent. Carter said officers acted “professionally and in good faith” when they responded to reports of squatters on Oct. 29 and received on-scene permission from someone they believed to be the property manager. However, homeowner John Boyd disputes that account, saying the individual who granted access was only a part-time cleaner and had no authority to consent. Boyd insists he had only one contractor authorized to be inside, claims police committed breaking and entering, and notes the home was condemned shortly afterward for lack of water, though the connection remains unclear. The controversy adds to recent friction between the council and police leadership, intensifying the political split already gripping City Hall. B97.5 will continue to follow developments.

A new solar project off Route 125 in Beardstown is set to become the first in Ameren Illinois’ territory to pair solar generation with battery storage, allowing excess energy collected during the day to be used for several hours after sunset. The Beard Solar project, owned by Equity Solar Illinois and developed with US Solar and Eneon-ES, will produce enough clean energy to power about 1,300 homes annually. The project is in its final development stage and expected to be operational by year’s end, after which residents and businesses can subscribe through Illinois’ Community Solar program to receive credits on their electric bills. Officials say the added battery storage will boost reliability and provide more resilient energy for the region. A ribbon cutting and site tours are planned for Thursday, and over its 20-year lifespan the project is projected to generate new tax revenue for local schools and governments, including about $205,000 for the Beardstown school district and additional funds for Lincoln Land Community College, the Beardstown Park District, and Cass County.

The Illinois Farm Bureau has selected new leadership, electing LaSalle County grain and livestock farmer Philip Nelson as its new president and re-electing Bureau County grain farmer Evan Hultine as vice president during its annual meeting in Chicago. Nelson, a fourth-generation Seneca farmer who previously led the organization for two decades and served as Illinois director of agriculture, returns to the presidency alongside Hultine, a sixth-generation Princeton farmer who has been vice president since 2023 and is active on several state and federal agricultural committees. Both will serve two-year terms. Delegates also elected five new members to the Farm Bureau’s Board of Directors: Joe White, Brian Corkill, Brian Dirks, Dennis Green, and Jason Balding.

Greene County State’s Attorney Craig Grummel announced that Sheila M. Taylor, 45, of Roodhouse, has been sentenced to three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections after her probation was revoked and she was convicted of a new felony drug offense. Taylor admitted to repeated violations of her probation from a 2024 meth possession case, leading Grummel to file a petition to revoke probation in May. She also pled guilty to a second drug charge for bringing methamphetamine into the Greene County Jail on May 26, 2025; a more serious Class 1 felony was dismissed under a plea deal, and the sentence will run concurrently with her three-year term. Several other charges — including domestic battery and additional meth possession cases — were dismissed as part of the agreement. Grummel said his office acted due to Taylor’s continued noncompliance and thanked Roodhouse Police for their investigative work.

Relay for Life returned to Pike County for the first time since 2017, raising nearly $14,000 for the American Cancer Society during an Oct. 4 event at Bowling Green City Park. Organized by Jane Gartman in honor of her daughter Hannah, who died after an 18-month cancer battle, the event featured food vendors, bingo, children’s activities, a silent auction, and a luminaria ceremony. Gartman said community support was strong, though organizers plan improvements next year after learning that pausing activities during the reading of luminaria names caused some attendees to leave early. The event will return Oct. 3, 2026, under a new name—Pike County Hope—with proceeds staying in Pike County to directly assist local cancer patients. Expanded kid-friendly activities, lap-walking fundraisers, earlier start times, and more interactive team booths are planned, and organizers are inviting volunteers to help at upcoming meetings.

The Bluffs Village Board has approved moving forward with a MAPPING community planning initiative through the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University. The program, costing $3,186, will bring together a steering committee of five to eight residents to help identify the village’s priorities and create an action plan for future development. Mayor Linda Sapp said members will be chosen from a range of backgrounds, with additional volunteers encouraged to participate. Board members suggested potential goals such as attracting a dollar store, improving housing, adding a cellphone tower, creating a gym or sports space, and expanding childcare options. In other business, the board approved planting a new tree in Lewis Park this spring for $119 and announced that Santa in the Park—postponed due to weather—has been rescheduled for this Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. in the senior building, featuring vendors, games, and children’s crafts.

Barry will celebrate Christmas Time in Barry on December 13, 2025, with a full slate of family-friendly activities throughout Lafayette Park. The afternoon kicks off with bingo, crafts at the Barry Public Library and The Place, and tours of the City of Barry Museum. Visitors can enjoy Christmas trees and wreaths for sale, the Trail of Lights, food from the Western FFA, and s’mores hosted by the Boy Scouts. Horse-and-carriage rides, a holiday bazaar, raffles, a silent auction, and photo backdrops add to the festivities, along with appearances from Santa, Mrs. Claus, Santa’s helpers, and even the Grinch. The evening culminates with the Lighted Parade at 5:30 p.m., followed by a chance to visit Santa at the firehouse until 7:30 p.m., making it a full day of holiday cheer for the Barry community.

Today's Chapel Report:

Claudia Francoise Barney, 100, of Bowling Green, passed away Monday, December 8, 2025, at The King’s Daughters Home in Mexico, Missouri. Born November 30, 1925, in France, Claudia moved to Bowling Green in 1945. She was married to Norman Hamlett, who preceded her in death in 1993, and later to Charles Wayne Barney, also deceased. Claudia worked in various roles including waitress and manager at the Imperial Gas Station and Restaurant, waitressing at local sale barns, and as a school bus driver for the Bowling Green School District for 19 years. She is survived by daughters Linda Robbins and Lori Danella, seven grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, seven great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 13, at 11 a.m. at Bibb-Veach Funeral Homes and Crematory, with burial at Grandview Cemetery in Hannibal. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, The King’s Daughters Home, or St. Croix Hospice.

Donna M. Capps, 59, of Elsberry, Missouri, passed away Thursday, December 4, 2025, at her home. Born August 18, 1966, to Robert and Anne (Thurmond) Junge, Donna grew up in Olney, Missouri, with eleven siblings. She married Thomas Capps on March 10, 1984. She is survived by her husband Thomas; her children Donielle Bueneman, Devinne Gardner, and Thomas Capps; 10 grandchildren; and her 11 siblings. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.