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SCT News

SCOTT: Winchester looking ahead to U.S.’s 250th anniversary

By Carmen Ensinger This great nation will celebrate its 250th anniversary in 2026 and Winchester Mayor Rex McIntire has a great way for the city to celebrate this monumental occasion – have an Abraham Lincoln statue placed next to the Stephen Douglas statue. This is something McIntire has been working on for the last two-and-a-half…

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Bluffs Public Library receives technology grant from Illinois Secretary of State

By DAVID CAMPHOUSE Bluffs Public Library Board President Lorena Sleeman and Secretary Maryon Shaw made a presentation before the Bluffs Village Board at the Village Board’s regular August meeting. The topic of the presentation was a $12,500 technology grant received by the library from the Illinois Secretary of State’s office. Sleeman and Shaw reported that…

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Village of Bluffs Board reviews gaming proposal; approves tornado siren

By DAVID CAMPHOUSE The Village of Bluffs Board convened for its regular August meeting last week to address a range of municipal matters, with particular attention given to a proposal for gaming machines at Blue Jay Junction and the approval of a new tornado siren for community safety. During the meeting, Bill Raines and Boomer…

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Bluffs Community Picnic this Saturday

By DAVID CAMPHOUSE The 2025 Bluffs Community Picnic and Burgoo, themed “From the kettle to the community,” will take place this Saturday at the Village’s newly renovated Lewis Park. The annual event offers a day full of family-friendly entertainment and activities – some familiar favorites and some new offerings, as well. This year’s activities include…

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Winchester looking to draw up ordinance concerning right of ways

By Carmen Ensinger A new fiber optic company wanting to come into Winchester has prompted the city to look into drawing up an ordinance which would charge the company for the use of the city’s right of ways. “Waverly wrote up an ordinance which they hope will slow down all these companies wanting to come…

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Interstate 72 resurfacing project west of Jacksonville began Aug. 11

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that a 6.5-mile resurfacing project on Interstate 72 from the Old U.S.36 interchange to the U.S.67 interchange began Monday, Aug. 11. Work is expected to be completed in September 2026. ​ Lane closures are expected but at least one lane will be open in each direction. ​ Flaggers and…

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Local student represents Illinois Electric Cooperative in D.C.

Every June, a select group of high school students from across Illinois leave their rural communities to spend a week taking in the historic sights and bustling energy of the nation’s capital. This year, 48 students sponsored by 25 Illinois electric and telephone cooperatives took part in the 2025 Youth Tour to visit Washington, D.C.,…

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River County News consolidating papers into one publication

By Steven Spencer Better Newspapers, Inc. and River County News is announcing that we will be undergoing a rebrand as we consolidate our five weekly papers into one weekly publication. The Calhoun News-Herald, Jersey County Journal, Greene Prairie Press, Pike Press and Scott County Times will be combined into one larger weekly newspaper titled River…

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Expansion underway at Prairie Farms in southern Illinois

By RHIANNON BRANCH FarmWeek Big plans are unfolding at Prairie Farms this year to benefit farmer members and employees while strengthening the brand. CEO Matt McClelland recently shared progress updates with FarmWeek and the RFD Radio Network. Headquarters renovation Construction is underway at Prairie Farms’ headquarters in Edwardsville. Once complete, the company will have a…

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