News Headlines & Chapel Report 9/11/25

A New London physician, Dr. Andrew M. Hummel, has pleaded not guilty to felony domestic assault charges after being arraigned Tuesday in St. Louis County. He was indicted by a grand jury on second-degree domestic assault for allegedly strangling a woman and third-degree domestic assault for allegedly striking her in the face. Hummel is currently free on bond with a remote alcohol-monitoring ankle bracelet and is scheduled for a case management conference on October 10.

The Quincy Christmas Market, advertised for November 29–30, 2025, at the Quincy Armory Event Center, has been circulating online with vendor applications listing booth fees and payment instructions. However, local authorities are warning the public that this event is not legitimate. The flyer instructs vendors to mail money to an individual in Pittsfield, but organizers and officials confirm that no such market is scheduled, and the application is a scam. Community members are urged not to send money to the listed address and instead to contact the Pittsfield Police Department if they have questions or have already responded to the fraudulent posting.

Bowling Green High School is celebrating Homecoming Week from September 15–19 with various spirit-filled dress-up days and exciting activities. Monday features no school but includes a hallway decorating event from 5–8 PM. Tuesday is “Twin Tuesday,” and Wednesday is “Western Wednesday,” highlighted by a kickball tournament at 5:45 PM. Thursday’s theme is “BBQ Dad vs. Soccer Mom,” paired with painting the paws in the parking lot. The week culminates on Friday with Spirit Day—seniors and sophomores in black, juniors and freshmen in red—and the Homecoming football game against North Callaway High School at 7:00 PM. Throughout the week, the school holds a canned food drive to support local blessing boxes.

Pike County Memorial Hospital in Louisiana, has been named the September 2025 Business of the Month by the local Chamber of Commerce, highlighting its ongoing commitment to the community. Serving Pike County since 1928, the hospital recently opened a new Cancer Center led by board-certified oncologist Dr. Stephen Schleicher, and has upgraded its Medical-Surgical, ICU, and Rehabilitation units to better serve patients. Alongside clinical improvements, PCMH has hosted community events, such as a Back to School supply drive, and expanded services across its Emergency Department, Radiology, Laboratory, Physical Therapy, and Outpatient Surgery areas. These developments showcase the hospital’s dedication to both high-quality care and community support.

Today's Twin Pikes & Two Rivers Region Chapel Report

John Richard Parker, 89, of Mt. Sterling, Illinois, passed away on Monday, September 8, 2025, at Blessing Hospital in Quincy. Born July 20, 1936, in Ripley, Illinois, to Robert Peter and Wilma Elizabeth Ham Parker, he married Sharon Rose Lee Trone in 1960, who preceded him in death in 2006. A Brown County High School graduate and member of the First Baptist Church of Mt. Sterling, Parker served in the U.S. Navy from 1954 to 1958. He worked as an Operating Engineer with Local 965 in Springfield for 40 years, retiring in 2001. Parker was active in the Mt. Sterling American Legion Post 374. He is survived by his daughters Lori Parker and Cindy Shoopman, grandchildren Scott Parker and Megan Flowers, great-granddaughter Kinah Rose Shoopman, siblings David Parker and Nancy Diane Trammel, and several nieces, nephews, and five cats. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, September 12, at Hendricker Funeral Home in Mt. Sterling, with burial in Mt. Sterling City Cemetery, including military honors. Memorials are suggested to Brown County Animal Rescue.