JCJ News
2025 Miss Jersey County contestants announced
The 2025 Jersey County Fair Queen Pageant contestants have been announced and are preparing for the pageant set for Wednesday, July 9, at 7 p.m. at the Jersey County Fairgrounds. This year’s Miss Jersey County contestants are Charlie Bockstruck, Reese Hutchens, Katlyn Springer, Ashlen Scott, Erica Davis and Haylie Jones. Little Miss Jersey County contestants…
Read MoreCounty Board allocates $30,000 for ROE 40
By Steven Spencer The Jersey County Board approved a motion to allocate $30,000 to the Regional Office of Education 40, at the regular county board meeting on Tuesday, June 10. Kara Ontis, Finance Committee Chairman, said the county currently provides office space but the funding had been cut from the county’s budget last year. “We…
Read MoreFormer Jersey County Treasurer pleads guilty to felony theft charges
By Steven Spencer Former Jersey County Treasurer, Katie Abbey, was sentenced to pay $58,453.76 in restitution, serve 45 days of home confinement and 30 months of felony probation after pleading guilty to Class 1 felony theft by deception charges. Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced the sentencing last week in a press release calling it an…
Read MoreCarrollton Native Jeff Allen Preparing to Host Mighty Ducks Star on Recovery Podcast
A Carrollton native is helping bring national conversations about addiction and mental health into focus — and his next guest will be one of the most recognizable former child actors of the 1990s. On July 7, Jeff Allen, a Carrollton High School graduate, will release a new episode of his podcast Pondoff’s Anonymous featuring actor…
Read MoreMooneyham Art Presents: Bold. Brave. Beautiful.
Mooneyham Art, a cornerstone of the Riverbend area’s vibrant creative community, is proud to present: Bold. Brave. Beautiful. a compelling art exhibition featuring the works of acclaimed local photographer Marty McKay and heirloom & couture jewelry by David Bailey. The artists reception and show opening will take place on July 5th from 5:00 PM to…
Read MoreProjected ag trade deficit climbs
By TAMMIE SLOUP FarmWeek A USDA trade outlook report forecasts the U.S. ag trade deficit to slightly climb from its previous quarterly projection. The report, dated May 29 but not released until June 2, puts the ag trade deficit at $49.5 billion for fiscal year 2025, up from the $49 billion forecasted in February. The…
Read MoreGovernor Pritzker Awards $1.3 Million to 29 Manufacturing Companies Through Made in Illinois Grant Program
Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), and the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC) today announced the recipients of the 2025 Made in Illinois Grant Program. This year, 29 small and mid-sized manufacturers across Illinois are receiving a combined $1.35 million in capital grant funding to drive innovation, efficiency, and…
Read MorePritzker defends Illinois’ immigration laws in theatrical congressional hearing
By Ben Szalinski Capitol News Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker spent hours last Thursday defending his governing record and Illinois’ immigration policies as he was peppered with questions from members of the U.S. House Oversight Committee. Pritzker and Democratic governors Kathy Hochul of New York and Tim Walz of Minnesota were summoned to Washington, D.C., by…
Read MoreFarming has an ‘acute succession challenge’
By TAMMIE SLOUP FarmWeek The 1980s farm crisis didn’t just impact balance sheets, it changed people’s interest in being involved in agriculture. “The farm prices didn’t just hurt those in production, the ripple effect was across the industry,” said Aaron Locker, who has spent his career helping agricultural businesses find talent and leadership. Locker, who…
Read MoreDavidsmeyer urges 57 legislators to donate tainted Madigan money to charity
Convicted former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan was sentenced to 7.5 years in federal prison and a $2.5 million fine as his public corruption case came to a conclusion on Friday, June 13. U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey ruled that Madigan lied repeatedly and willfully on the witness stand when he testified in…
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