(OLNEY) The Olney and Greater Richland County Chamber of Commerce hosted another successful “Business After Hours” last night at The Vault Lounge in downtown Olney. The open house style event was well attended and big “thank you” to everyone that turned out to support the Chamber and all of its member businesses. The event was sponsored by the First National Bank in Olney. The Chamber continues to remind everyone about the upcoming music festival slated for May 29th & 30th in Olney. Check the Chamber’s Facebook page & website for more.
(SPRINGFIELD) State Representative Adam Niemerg and other downstate area lawmakers are calling on the Illinois Director of Corrections to provide an immediate tour of the Robinson and Lawrence County Correctional Facilities after a reported overdose and death of an inmate at the Robinson facility over the weekend. This comes as Representatives Niemerg, Blaine Wilhour, and others continue their call for changes to the IDOC’s policies which currently allows for drugs to enter correctional facilities and eventually lead to unsafe working conditions to prison staff.. At this time, authorities have not released any information about the incident.
(NEWTON) Grant applications for the Maxine E. Spitler Foundation are now being accepted through the end of this month. The Foundation benefits youth and youth organizations, and is also for the protection and care of animals, however awards are limited to those in Jasper and Lawrence Counties. To get the most recently revised application forms, contact the Weber and Company, Inc. Office in Newton, at 604 West Jourdan Street, by mail at P.O. Box 305, Newton, or by calling at 618-783-3447. While the submission deadline of May 31st, 2026, falls this year on a Sunday, all completed forms must be dropped off at the Weber and Company Office by Friday, May 29th, 2026, since the office is closed on weekends. Completed application forms can also be returned by mail, but they must be postmarked by May 31st, 2026.