By Ben Cox
Photos provided
Illinois College expands nursing program facilities
Illinois College has expanded its nursing program with newly renovated facilities. The updated space allows nursing majors to train in environments that closely resemble the hospitals and clinics where they will eventually work. Students gain hands-on experience using advanced simulation systems and virtual reality technology to practice delivering babies, caring for pediatric patients, responding to medical emergencies and managing complex health care situations.
College officials say the immersive training helps strengthen students’ critical thinking skills and builds confidence before they begin real-world clinical placements. The renovation also created new collaborative learning areas that encourage teamwork, problem-solving and discussion among students and faculty.
Beginning in their sophomore year, nursing majors develop clinical skills while working closely with faculty mentors and classmates in team-based settings. Expanded facilities mean the program can accommodate more students, allowing qualified applicants to begin coursework without waiting for an available seat—a common barrier in many nursing programs nationwide. The project was made possible in part through a partnership with Memorial Health. The collaboration is part of the IC+MH academic initiative announced in 2023, which includes a $4.2 million grant to support the program and provide free tuition for qualifying students.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for registered nurses is projected to grow 6% between 2022 and 2032. Illinois College reports its nursing graduates have a nearly 100% job placement rate across Central Illinois.
Sprague receives concurrent prison sentence in Greene County meth case
A Roodhouse woman already sentenced to prison on a prior drug conviction has received an additional sentence in a separate methamphetamine case.
Sherri K. Sprague, 55, was sentenced to two years in the Illinois Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony, according to a press release from Greene County State’s Attorney Craig M. Grummel. It said the conviction stems from a Nov. 24, 2025, incident in Greene County when Sprague knowingly possessed less than 5 grams of a substance containing methamphetamine. A charge of possession of drug paraphernalia was dismissed as part of the plea agreement.
According to online court records, the two-year sentence will run concurrently with a prior prison sentence Sprague is already serving. Sprague’s earlier case dates back to a Dec. 13, 2024, incident in Roodhouse involving an alleged beating inside a shed on Washington Street in Roodhouse.
Police said a female victim reported she was attacked by several individuals after being shown a bag of methamphetamine. The victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries and later recovered.
Sprague’s husband, Robert L. Sprague, later pleaded guilty in November 2024 to possession of 15 to 100 grams of methamphetamine. He was sentenced to four years in prison and two years of mandatory supervised release. Charges including mob action and a Class X methamphetamine delivery count were dismissed under that plea agreement. Grummel credited the Roodhouse Police Department for its work investigating the cases and continuing efforts to combat illegal drug activity in Greene County.
Crime of the Week: Burglary on Allen Avenue in Jacksonville
Crime Stoppers of Morgan, Scott & Cass Counties is requesting information to assist the Jacksonville Police Department in their investigation of a recent residential burglary. Sometime between 3 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. on March 11, unknown individuals damaged a door to make entry into a residence located in the 700 block of Allen Avenue. Once inside, an Oculus Quest 2 Gaming Console and clothing items were removed.
Police are asking that anyone with further information submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers by calling 217-243-7300.
Tips may also be left on their Facebook page (Morgan, Scott & Cass Crime Stoppers) by clicking on the ‘Contact Us’ button at the top of the page, or submit a tip at morganscottcrimestoppers.com.
Remember that Crime Stoppers just wants 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.
Bridge work, lane closures underway north of Jacksonville
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has announced that a patching project on four bridge decks on U.S. 67 at the Illinois 104 interchange northwest of Jacksonville began Monday, March 16.
Lane closures will be necessary for the completion of this project. Message boards and barrels will assist with traffic control. Width restrictions may be applied during various stages of this project. Benefits from this project include increasing the lifespan of the bridges, preventing potholes and providing a smoother driving surface.
The project is expected to be completed in late July. Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. To avoid the work area, when feasible, use of alternate routes should be considered. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment.
For IDOT District 6 updates, follow them on Twitter at @IDOTDistrict6 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.
Pregnancy Resource Center holding ‘Registration Open House’
Jacksonville’s Living Alternatives Pregnancy Resource Center is holding a “Registration Open House” March 24-26 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. each day for those interested in registering for the center’s upcoming spring fundraiser WALK.
Anyone is welcome to stop by for help with online registration via JAprcevents.org.
Paper sponsorship forms will be available as well. Look for the purple balloons at the center located at 1440 W. Walnut St., Suite A-3 in Jacksonville. If you bring your first $50 in sponsors for the WALK to the open house, you will receive your WALK theme t-shirt at registration!
The WALK will then take place May 16 from 9-11 a.m. at the Nichols Parks McGee-Spaulding Pavilion. There will be prizes for the top 3 fundraising walkers, goody bags for all walkers, door prizes and refreshments and games on the big day!
Rain or shine, the WALK will take place! All are welcome! You can also walk virtually at home and drop off your pledges at the center May 12-14 if you are unable to come walk on May 16.
Also, walk any distance that is comfortable for you—the focus of the WALK is to fundraise for the PRC. Turn in pledge forms at the center the week of May 12 between 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Or bring them with you on the day of the WALK.
We will be walking for women who need a safe place to turn when facing an unplanned pregnancy, raising little ones, or who are seeking a compassionate space to talk about past decisions and find healing.
Every one of us has known someone, or perhaps been that person, who needed a helping hand and a friendly face during a difficult season.
Thank you for helping make it possible for us to support families. At Living Alternatives Pregnancy Resource Center, we rely on ongoing partnerships to continue meeting real needs in our communities.
This year, we have set a fundraising goal of $23,000 for our WALK. We are inviting underwriters to help raise $10,000, with the remaining $13,000 to be raised by our dedicated walkers.
Each center will be fundraising to directly support its own local community. To reach our combined goal, we need 50 individuals willing to raise at least $260 each. Register today at japrcevents.org and be part of something meaningful.
Murder trial ends abruptly on second day after a plea bargain is reached
A murder trial in Morgan County ended abruptly on March 10 after just two days of proceedings. Larry Taylor, 19, of Jacksonville, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder shortly after 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10, shortly after a 12-person jury returned from a lunch recess.
The first day of the trial heard testimony from Jacksonville Police Dept. officer Luke Poore and an eyewitness after both sides spent most of the morning seating a jury on Monday, March 9.
The trial resumed at 9 a.m. on the following day with two more eyewitnesses to the shooting between Taylor and Trenton Jackson, 18, of Springfield. The shooting occurred Jan. 15, 2024, and Jackson was transported from the scene of the incident in the 300 block of West College Avenue, the parking lot of Downtown Liquors, to Jacksonville Memorial Hospital. Jackson later succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained in the incident.
Along with the eyewitness accounts in the recent trial, the 12-person jury watched security footage taken from both Downtown Liquors and The Source Newspaper office that captured the shooting and its aftermath. The jury was dismissed for lunch and told to return at 1:15 p.m. after the second eyewitness’ testimony.
Both sides conferred in Circuit Judge Chris Reif’s chambers shortly after the second witness was dismissed. State’s Attorney Gray Noll said that the evidence and testimony from the first half of the morning re-sparked negotiations between the two sides leading to the plea deal.
Noll says that Taylor’s plea is a part of the pillar of the second-degree murder statute in which someone believes that their actions were justified at the time of the murder. Noll hopes that the sentence gives the Jackson family and family members related to both the victim and the defendant some closure, but understands if there are mixed feelings to the disposition of the trial.
Moria Franklin, Jackson’s mother, told the Jacksonville Journal-Courier that she felt more should have been done and she was not satisfied with the sentencing.
Taylor was sentenced to the maximum of 20 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections on the second-degree murder charge and will also serve consecutive sentences of three years on the combined weapons charges he pleaded guilty to on Monday. He will also serve three years for aggravated battery to a correctional officer which he was charged with in January.
In all, Taylor will have a total of 26 years to serve in prison. Taylor is eligible for day-for-day credit and was given credit for 618 days already served in the Morgan County Jail. After the sentencing, a large police presence was found outside the Morgan County Courthouse as family members departed.
During the course of the case, both sides had heated exchanges that led to officers intervening after hearings. Noll says he hopes the sentence will act as a deterrent for gun violence in the Jacksonville community. He also thanked the Jacksonville Police Department for their diligence and thorough investigation of the case.
Beardstown man gets concurrent prison sentence in child sex case
A Beardstown man has been sentenced to prison in Cass County after pleading guilty to a charge involving solicitation of a minor. Jimmie A. Cook, 30, was sentenced March 9 to six years in the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) after pleading guilty to one count of solicitation of a sexual act from a person under the age of 18, a Class 4 felony.
According to court records, Cook entered the negotiated guilty plea in Cass County Circuit Court. As part of the plea agreement, four other charges were dismissed, including Class 1 felony solicitation of child pornography, Class 2 felony indecent solicitation of criminal sexual assault, Class 4 felony grooming, and distribution of explicit material to a minor. Cook was also ordered to serve six months of mandatory supervised release and pay court assessments.
The six-year prison term will run concurrently with sentences he already received in Morgan County Circuit Court back in December for two counts of Class 2 felony aggravated battery to a peace officer. The Cass County charges stem from allegations that Cook solicited a minor for photographs and sexual acts through text messages and social media over several days between late March and early April of 2024.
Authorities also alleged he sent pornographic material to the minor. Cook was arrested June 14, 2024, in the 300 block of South Diamond Street in Jacksonville after police received a tip about his location.
At the time of his arrest, Jacksonville police also charged him with possession of methamphetamine. Cook fought with officers at the time of his arrest leading to the Morgan County convictions. The sentences are concurrent.
Former Cass County Sheriff Bob Fair passes away
Robert Keith “Bob” Fair, a longtime law enforcement officer and former sheriff of Cass County, passed away at his home in Virginia, Illinois. He was 74.
Fair spent much of his life serving the residents of Cass County in law enforcement. He began his career as a part-time police officer for the City of Virginia before eventually serving full time.
He later joined the Cass County Sheriff’s Department as chief deputy under Sheriff David Osmer and was later elected to two terms as sheriff. Throughout his career, Fair was known for his dedication to the community and his commitment to treating people with fairness and respect.
Current Cass County Sheriff Devron Ohrn remembered Fair as both a mentor and a community-minded officer who cared deeply about the people he served. “Bob taught me about policing for the people and how to treat people so they would run to you and not from you,” Ohrn said in a public statement. He added that Fair often quietly helped residents in need, keeping cash in his office to assist with rent, groceries or bus tickets and providing rides to medical appointments or to visit family.
Outside of law enforcement, Fair enjoyed riding his Goldwing motorcycle with his wife, Dee, and their dog, Sugar, who often rode in a sidecar. He also enjoyed fishing with his grandson, keeping a tidy yard, tending flowers and collecting bald eagle figurines. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Lisa Winnett of Virginia; grandson Jacob Winnett; great-grandson Maddox Winnett; sister Karen Pherigo of Chandlerville; and brother Tommy Fair of Jacksonville, along with several nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held March 16 at Colwell Memorial Home in Beardstown, with police honor guard services held at Walnut Ridge Cemetery in Virginia. Memorials are suggested to the Virginia Volunteer Fire Department or the Douglas Terrace DD Homes Activity Fund.
Legendary local journalist Buford Green passes
Veteran Jacksonville sports journalist Buford Green has died at the age of 84. Green passed away March 9 at The Grove Health and Rehab, bringing to a close a journalism career that spanned more than five decades in West Central Illinois.
Born in 1941 in Milltown, Kentucky, Green and his family later relocated to Virginia, Illinois. Green’s legendary run in area sports began as a member of the 1955 Virginia Jr. High baseball team that won the state’s first ever baseball tournament.
Green and his teammates were honored by the Virginia City Council in October 2025 for their Cinderella run through much larger schools on the way to the state title. The stories from the team are still talked about to this day, seven decades later. Green would graduate from Illinois College in Jacksonville in 1964, where he continued his baseball career through college. Also in college, Green began working for the Jacksonville Journal-Courier.
Shortly after graduation, he became the paper’s sports editor—a role he would hold for 20 years, the longest tenure of any sports editor in the paper’s history.
Green later served as managing editor of the Journal-Courier before leaving the paper in 1991. He went on to become editor of the Showcase newspaper in Jacksonville and later worked as a reporter for the State Journal-Register in Springfield. He also contributed writing to The Source Newspaper in Jacksonville before retiring from writing in 2007.
Over the course of his 50-year career, Green wrote more than 20,000 bylined articles. As sports editor, he covered some of the biggest events in sports, including the World Series, the Super Bowl, the Indianapolis 500, and heavyweight championship fights featuring the legendary heavyweight boxer and Jacksonville native Ken Norton as well as other great local sports luminaries like Bill Merris, Joe Brooks, Charlie Bellatti and more.
Beyond journalism, Green was deeply involved in local sports. He helped found the Illinois College Sports Hall of Fame and the Jacksonville High School Sports Hall of Fame and served for many years as president of the Jacksonville Area Hall of Fame.
In 2012, he was inducted into the Illinois College Sports Hall of Fame. For generations of local listeners, Green was also a familiar voice on the Saturday morning sports talk program “Sportsline” on AM1180 WLDS, where he served as co-host for 56 years. He is survived by his son, Chris Green, of Arlington, Virginia; daughter Brenda Cunningham, of Springfield, Illinois; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and his sister, Wanda White, of Clinton, Washington. Services were held March 16 at Williamson Funeral Home in Jacksonville. Memorials have been suggested to the Jacksonville High School Sports Hall of Fame or the Illinois College Sports Hall of Fame.
