By Ben Cox
Crime Stoppers seeking tips: Residential burglary on North Church Street
Crime Stoppers of Morgan, Scott & Cass Counties is requesting information about a recent residential burglary investigation in Jacksonville. Sometime between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. on August 2, unknown individuals unlawfully entered a residence located in the 400 block of North Church Street.
Upon entry, several vintage comic books were removed. The Jacksonville Police Department is asking if anyone has further information concerning this incident to leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers by visiting their Facebook page. Click on the ‘Contact Us’ button at the top of the page. You may also leave a tip at their website, morganscottcrimestoppers.com. Click on the ‘Submit a Tip’ button at the top of the home page.
Jacksonville Public Library summer reading program drawing winners announced
The Jacksonville Public Library announced the winners of the Adult Summer Reading Program raffle winners on August 6. Diane Barnett, Molly Brockhouse and Margaret Mendala were each winners of a $50 gift card to Our Town Books.
City to run trolley tours during bicentennial celebration in October
The Jacksonville Bicentennial Committee announced a special event will be a part of the bicentennial celebration scheduled for Saturday, October 4. Bicentennial trolley tours will run from noon-5 p.m. during the day.
Sit back and ride through Jacksonville’s rich history with local guides Greg Olson and Pat Kennedy who know all the stories — from iconic architecture to hidden gems and everything in between. The trolley will depart from downtown and the rides are absolutely free. Streetcars are a part of the city’s history, with the first one going into operation in 1870. After electrification, the streetcar service stopped in Jacksonville in 1930.
Morgan commissioners approve purchase of former Memorial Clinic on West State Street
The Morgan County Commissioners unanimously voted in favor of purchasing the former Memorial Behavioral Health Clinic location at 340 West State St. Commissioner chair Mike Wankel told WLDS News that he believed it would be a great addition as a county annex for several offices for the county’s services.
While he did not name which of the county’s offices might move in the proposed real estate purchase, Wankel indicated it is a good look forward to the future for the county’s needs for space. According to the Jacksonville Journal-Courier, a set purchase price has not been determined. The planned move-in date for the new building is expected to be some time in October.
River Country Quilt Show proceeds donated to Jacksonville Area Museum
Jacksonville Area Museum Manager Tori Kolanowski (left) receives a $2,000 check from Barbara Suelter, organizer of the River Country Quilt Show, on August 8 at the museum. The quilt show was held July 25-26 at the Jacksonville High School. RCQS organizers chose the Jacksonville Area Museum as this year’s recipient of charitable proceeds from the event.
Jacksonville man arrested for fentanyl possession is sentenced to five years in prison
A Jacksonville man, who was a passenger in a vehicle where a large amount of drugs were seized in a traffic stop by police back in May, has been sentenced to the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Matthew J. McCauley, 35, pleaded guilty to Class 4 felony possession of a controlled substance in Morgan County Circuit Court on June 17. McCauley was the passenger in a vehicle driven by David E. Grandadam, 47, of Jacksonville. Jacksonville Police Department officers pulled over the vehicle in the 500 block of East Morton on the morning of May 24. Upon searching the vehicle, officers found a large amount of fentanyl after a canine alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle. A single count of Class X felony manufacture and/or delivery of fentanyl between 15-100 grams against McCauley was dropped per the plea.
McCauley was sentenced by Morgan County Circuit Judge Chris Reif to 5 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, 6 months of mandatory supervised release, fined $500 and recommended placement into a facility with substance abuse treatment. McCauley was given credit for 25 days served in the Morgan County Jail. Grandadam is scheduled to return to court for a pretrial hearing on August 26.
Cass-Morgan Farm Bureau inducts new officers
The Cass-Morgan Farm Bureau held its annual meeting during the week of August 4. During the meeting, members elected new officers to the board of directors for 2025. Pictured, left to right, are president Doug Coop, vice president Jeff Carls, secretary Alicia Sandidge and treasurer Rudy Pate. During the meeting, Jenny Ring was recognized for her years of service to the bureau as both a director and secretary.
Murrayville man sentenced to prison in Scott County for late March home invasion
A Murrayville man accused of a home invasion and shooting in rural Winchester on the evening of March 31 was sentenced to prison last month.
Jacob D. Edwards, 30, pleaded guilty to Class 1 felony aggravated discharge of a firearm into an occupied vehicle on July 14. According to scanner traffic about the incident, officers in the Winchester area were dispatched to a rural residence for an unwanted subject trying to get inside of a home and shots were said to have been fired.
Edwards was initially charged with the aforementioned charge of aggravated discharge of a firearm, attempted first-degree murder, home invasion with a firearm and possession of a weapon by a felon. The latter three charges were dismissed per the open plea. Edwards was sentenced by Scott County Judge David Cherry to 4 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, 2 years of mandatory supervised release, and ordered payment of an undisclosed county fine. Edwards was given credit for 106 days served in the Greene County Jail.
Text messaging program to support mental health available for freshmen at JHS
A partnership between Jacksonville Memorial Hospital, Jacksonville School District 117 and the Morgan County Health Department will launch a new youth mental health text messaging program called MindLine for incoming freshmen at Jacksonville High School this fall.
“We are focusing on the freshmen class through this new MindLine program with a goal of engaging them throughout their four years of high school,” said Claire Peak, community health consultant with Jacksonville Memorial Hospital. “High school can be a stressful time with increased deadlines, relationship anxiety and other pressures. Our goal is to come alongside these teens with targeted encouragement and support through short text messaging each month.”
Students who sign up for MindLine will receive two to three short mental health text messages each month on topics including safe social media use, available mental health resources, vaping, school-related stressors like homecoming, activity stress or finals. Messages aim to reduce stigma, encourage help-seeking and promote emotional well-being.
Students who register for MindLine will also qualify for prize opportunities throughout the year. Students can opt out at any time. Parents or caregivers are encouraged to talk with their students about registering for the service. Teens can sign up at https://eztxt.net/sUQNQn.
Winchester mayor continues to raise funds for Lincoln statue
Winchester Mayor Rex McIntire is continuing to raise funds to place an Abraham Lincoln statue in Douglas Park in the city’s downtown area. McIntire has been working to raise funds for the statue for the last 2½ years.
At the most recent Winchester City Council meeting, McIntire gave an update on the fundraising efforts. According to the Scott County Times, McIntire recently solicited for the statue in a flyer with the city’s utility bills and received several significant donations to the project, including a $2,000 check from Andy and Trish Wallace.
McIntire hopes to have an American-made statue placed at the corner of the park sometime within the next year as a way to help celebrate the United States’ 250th anniversary next year. McIntire hopes to make the downtown park a significant stop on the “Looking for Lincoln” trail that passes through the area. Lincoln is said to have delivered the first version of his famous “A house divided against itself” speech to the Winchester Republican Club in Winchester in 1854 while he was touring the region denouncing the Kansas-Nebraska Act. Lincoln’s opposition to the act would thrust him back into politics and ultimately the presidency.
Local county weekly newspapers being consolidated
A number of regional newspapers are consolidating into one weekly paper. Better Newspapers, Inc., a group based out of Mascoutah, Illinois, announced in their River County News conglomerate of newspapers that they are consolidating all of them into one publication starting next month.
The Pike Press, Scott County Times, Greene Prairie Press, Calhoun News Herald and Jersey County Journal will cease as individual newspapers and fall under the River County News umbrella.
Editor Stephen Spencer says there will be no changes in coverage, no changes in how people submit information to the paper, and there will be an enhancement to their online news presence at the rivercountynews.com website. Those who have questions can continue to email and contact the main office in Jerseyville at 618-498-1234.
This will be a massive change for some of these historic newspapers. The Scott County Times is the oldest of the five papers – with its first publication in 1939. The remaining four papers are also continuations or consolidations of historic local papers, with some publication history dating back to the mid-19th Century. Current subscribers will begin receiving the new River County News imprint the second week of September.
Jil Tracy deputized by Texas Attorney General in suit to arrest Texas Democratic State Representatives
State Senator Jil Tracy was deputized as a private attorney by the Texas Attorney General to be part of a lawsuit filed in Adams County to bring Texas Democratic State Representatives back to Texas to vote on a midterm Congressional remap.
The Texas Democrats fled that state in order to block a vote on the remap results, which would carve 5 new Republican seats into current Democrat-held districts. Tracy told Muddy River News on August 9 that this was not in her capacity as an Illinois State Senator but as a private attorney. She says the rushed filing of the suit caused her role in the court case to be misconstrued by some.
Tracy says she is not being compensated for any work she does on the case. Tracy told the Quincy-based publication that she believes the lawsuit to have real legal merit. Governor JB Pritzker and Illinois Democrats have vowed to protect the Texas lawmakers harboring in the state, saying there is no legal precedent for their arrest.
Mary Miller has primary challenger, three 2026 midterm challengers
Congresswoman Mary Miller (IL-15) will have a primary challenger for her seat at the 2026 midterm elections.
Ryan Tebrugge, 35, a state employee and small business owner from Springfield, is circulating petitions to take on the three-term incumbent. Tebrugge is currently employed in the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology as an Information Service Specialist.
In an interview with the Bloomington Pantagraph, Tebrugge criticized Miller for poor constituent services and for not taking advantage of opportunities to bring federal dollars back to the 15th Congressional District for infrastructure projects and programs.
Tebrugge, who was a previously registered Democrat, recently served as a campaign manager for Republican Joshua Loyd of Virden who challenged 13th District Democrat Nikki Budzinski for her seat in 2024. Tebrugge is also now a Republican precinct committeeman in Springfield.
Tebrugge joins a crowded field. On the Democrat side, Paul Davis of Collinsville, Randy Raley of Highland and Jennifer Todd of Edwardsville have all announced bids for the seat. The primary will be held on March 17.
Cass Sheriff’s Department begins move to new communications system
Cass County Sheriff Devron Ohrn announced on August 10 via social media that the county is beginning a transition to a new telecommunication system.
Ohrn said in the announcement that the Cass County Sheriff’s Office and 911 board had been researching improvements to the system over the last three years. The research was done by conducting surveys with all fire, ambulance and police departments in the county inquiring on radio needs.
The county’s first responders also hired an independent company to provide data about operations.
“After presentations, data, and research, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office chose to go with Starcom 700/800 system to improve compatibility with other agencies that operate inside Cass County,” Ohrn said in the announcement. He says it will allow better communications between the county’s agencies along with others that operate in and out of the county like the Illinois State Police, Illinois Conservation Police and the Illinois Secretary of State Police.
“To further improve our coverage we will also have in-car repeater systems. Today’s in-car repeater systems are much more advanced than the repeater systems used years ago and should offer substantial radio coverage in our county,” Ohrn went on to say.
Ohrn says some fire departments will not operate with the in-vehicle repeater systems. Ohrn says those remaining on the older system will be refurbished for better operability. “We have partnered with a local company GTSI out of Jacksonville to keep the support locally. The reason for the change was due to our radio system becoming antiquated and in need of significant renewal of many aspects of it. We hope to have the system up and running within the next couple of months and look forward to it increasing our communication and in turn providing a better service for the citizens,” Ohrn says.
Cass County’s changes mirror those that are also occurring in Morgan County at this time. Several municipalities within Morgan County are also in the process of upgrading to a new communication system implemented by the Morgan County ETSB within the last year.
Jacksonville High School Class of 1975 announces 50th reunion
The Jacksonville High School Class of 1975 will hold their 50-year reunion the weekend of September 5-6. The reunion weekend will begin with a mixer on Friday, September 5, starting at 6 p.m. at Bahan’s Tavern.
The class reunion dinner will be held on Saturday, September 6 at the Jacksonville Country Club. The cocktail hour will begin at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by the Trio DeGroove from 8-10:30 p.m.
Cost per person is $50. Pay via check by mailing it to: JHS Class of 1975, PO Box 189, Jacksonville IL 62650. Persons can also pay by Venmo to @JHSClassof1975Reunion, which will go to Marty Oliver. For additional information or questions, email Randy Lohrenz at lohrenz.rl@gmail.com.
Jacksonville Marshalls makes donation to MYS’s Porchlight Project
The Jacksonville Marshalls location had its grand opening on Thursday, August 14 at 1964 West Morton Ave., the former home of Shopko.
They made themselves at home with a $10,000 donation to Midwest Youth Service’s Porch Light Project Youth Emergency Shelter. The project provides emergency shelter for youth who can’t return home due to unsafe living situations, runaway, homelessness, or allegations of abuse and neglect.
The shelter is located in the basement of the MYS offices at 2001 West Lafayette Ave. “We’re beyond grateful to our new Jacksonville Marshalls store,” said a post on Midwest Youth Services Facebook page, “Marshalls believes in giving back and building brighter futures. When you shop here, you’re helping change lives one kid at a time. Stop by the Jacksonville Marshalls and show your support for a store that supports our community!”
Arenzville Burgoo Pageant seeks two more queen contestants
Organizers of the Arenzville Burgoo Queen pageant are seeking two more contestants for this year’s pageant. In a Facebook post dated August 12, if the pageant doesn’t receive at least two more contestants, it will be canceled this year. The 2025 pageant is scheduled to be held on Friday, September 5 at 5:30 p.m. Queen contestants must be girls aged 15-20 and must turn 15 before September 1 and be no older than 20 by September 1. Contestants must reside within the boundaries of the Triopia School District. The entry fee is $25. If anyone has any questions, reach out to the Arenzville Burgoo Pageant Facebook page or call Megan Littleton at 217-371-5122.
Former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar visits Jacksonville Area Museum
Former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar visited the Jacksonville Area Museum this past week. Edgar served as the 38th governor of Illinois from 1991 to 1999. He graduated with a history degree from Eastern Illinois University. Edgar is pictured with museum manager Tori Kolanowski.
Crime of the Week: Copper theft from irrigation system near Meredosia
Crime Stoppers of Morgan, Scott & Cass Counties is requesting information to assist the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department in their Investigation of a recent theft. At some point in the overnight hours of August 2-3, unknown individuals removed copper wiring from an irrigation unit located in a farm field located on Old Naples Road, south of Meredosia.
Morgan County Sheriff’s Deputies and Meredosia Police are asking anyone who has any information about this case to submit a tip to Crime Stoppers at their Facebook page. Click on the ‘Contact Us’ button at the top of the page. Tips may also be submitted on their website, morganscottcrimestoppers.com.
Remember, Crime Stoppers just want your information and not your name. If your tip leads to an arrest or recovery of stolen property, you may be eligible for a cash reward.
