News Headlines & Chapel Report 9/9/25

During the week of Sept. 1–7, 2025, The Pike County IL Sherrif's Department made several arrests for serious offenses. Jessica K. Pope, 28, of Champaign, was jailed on multiple charges including failure to report an accident, drug possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, unlawful possession of a weapon, and cannabis violations, and is being held without bond. Matthew G. Lawrence, 40, also of Champaign, faced similar charges of drug possession, paraphernalia, and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, along with holds for burglary, theft, and bad checks in Peoria and Douglas counties. Other arrests included Marissa D. Killebrew, 47, and Courtney D. Higgins, 31, for failure to pay or appear, and Brandon J. Durr, 37, for failure to appear in court.

The Pike County Fairgrounds will host the fourth Terry Lierly Memorial Demolition Derby on Sept. 19–20, honoring the late Mount Sterling derby driver who died in a 2022 traffic accident. Expanded to two days, the event kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Friday and continues at 4 p.m. Saturday, featuring more than 150 drivers from several states and over $45,000 in prize money. Entertainment includes a Friday night performance by The Wildfire Band and the presentation of a $1,000 scholarship in Lierly’s name. Tickets are $25 per day or $40 for the weekend. Organized with the Pike County Chamber and Economic Development Corp., the derby is expected to bring a significant boost to the local economy through tourism and business activity.

After years of steady increases, Illinois farmland values softened in the first half of 2025, with Class A land down about 2.2% and other farmland down 3.5%, according to Worrell Land Services. Premium land that once topped $20,000 an acre has leveled off to around $17,000–$18,000, while values in central and southern Illinois fell an average of 4.41%—the first decline in six years, a Farm Credit Illinois study found. Experts say higher interest rates and lower commodity prices have reduced net farm income and cooled demand, though farmland remains in strong demand overall. Fewer transactions were recorded in 2024, and with peak selling season coming after harvest, the full picture for 2025 won’t be clear until late in the year. Despite the dip, land prices are still historically high compared to just five years ago.

Cuivre River State Park in Lincoln County, MO announced it will be closed to the public from Friday, Oct. 31 at 3 p.m. through Thursday, Nov. 6 at 7:30 a.m. for a managed deer hunt organized by the Missouri Department of Conservation. During this time, no camping, hiking, or general entry will be allowed except for registered hunters selected to participate. The managed hunt helps control the park’s deer population. For more information, visitors can contact the park’s Visitor Center at 636-528-7247.

Today's Twin Pikes & Two Rivers Region Chapel Report from Regional Radio B97.5.

Eula Mae Morrow, 91, of Pittsfield, IL, passed away on September 6, 2025, at Liberty Village surrounded by her loved ones. Born July 2, 1934, in Moberly, MO, she married Kenneth Ray Morrow in 1955, and together they raised three children. A 1952 Pittsfield High School graduate, Eula attended Olivet Nazarene University and was the last surviving charter member of Pittsfield Nazarene Church, where she served as a board secretary, Sunday School teacher, and pianist. She worked in several community roles, including as executive secretary of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce, where she was also active in Rotary and received the Paul Harris Fellow award. She is survived by her daughter, daughter-in-law, four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, sister Mary Collins, and her beloved dog Addie. She was preceded in death by her husband, two sons, and siblings. Services will be held Wednesday, September 10, at Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield, with visitation from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and burial at Pittsfield West Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to West Cemetery.

Paula Vosseller Vinyard, 89, of White Hall, passed away on September 6, 2025, at White Hall Nursing Center with her daughters by her side. Born June 22, 1936, in St. Louis to Harold and Frances Vosseller, she was a twin to her late sister Betty and the wife of the late John Wesley Vinyard. She was a member of New Life Church in White Hall. She is survived by daughters Clara Ann “Annie Babe” Hunt (Tim) and Patricia “Patty Cake” Vinyard; grandchildren John Randall, Tiffany (Jeremy) Elliott, Kevin (Emilia Hurley) Pierce, and Jackson Pierce; and great-grandchildren Joshua and Logan Randall, Anna and Elijah Elliott, as well as step-great-grandchildren Jordan and Jenah Elliott. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held Friday, September 12, from 10 a.m. to noon at Airsman-Hires Funeral Home in White Hall, with services at noon and burial at White Hall Cemetery. Memorials may be made to BJC Hospice

Marvin Daniel Brown, 72, of St. Louis, MO, passed away on June 1, 2025. Born September 9, 1952, he is survived by his wife, Pamela; son Nathan (Shelly); granddaughter Simone; mother Willa Dean; brother Larry (Sue); nieces Andrea (Rodney) and Rachel (James); and stepson Justin Duncan. He was preceded in death by his father, Joe. Marvin earned a master’s degree in forestry and served as State Forester of both Missouri and Oregon, leaving a lasting legacy through his work in sustainable forestry policy in the U.S. and internationally. A Celebration of Life will be held on September 13, 2025, from 2–4 p.m. at the Fourth Street Event Center in Louisiana, MO. Arrangements were handled by Collier Funeral Home.