Local News

(OLNEY/NEWTON) It appears to be a mixed up weekend, weatherwise. With periods of sunshine and clouds today through the first of next week, our downstate area will have on-and-off again chances of rain, with a good possibility of most of us staying dry. We'll have rain chances today through tonight, then again on Saturday with some severe weather possible, followed by more rain chances and warmer conditions into next week. Stay tuned for weather updates and monitor a NOAA […]

(STE. MARIE) The Ste. Marie American Legion will be serving up “walking tacos” this coming Sunday evening, starting at 4:30, plus the Legion’s Queen of Hearts drawing follows at around 6:00. Tickets now on sale. All are invited out this Sunday evening to the Legion in Ste. Marie.  (OLNEY) The next Queen of Hearts drawing at the Olney VFW Post is this coming Sunday afternoon at 4:00, with the $1.00 tickets on […]

(NEWTON) The Orell Farley Foundation is now accepting applications for the annual grant cycle with forms available from the Peoples State Bank of Newton, which serves as Trustee of the Foundation. The Orell Farley Foundation supplements qualified organizations in only Jasper County that sponsors projects and activities that enhance public health, safety, recreation, and education for the use and enjoyment of the community. Since it began in 2018, the Foundation has awarded a total of […]

(SPRINGFIELD) As Illinois lawmakers enter the final weeks of budget negotiations before the May 31st deadline, Southern Illinois conservation leader Dale Shumaker is urging state leaders to reach a bipartisan solution that fully supports Illinois’ Soil & Water Conservation Districts before more local conservation capacity is lost. Serving as President of the Association of Illinois Soil & Water Conservation Districts (AISWCD), the Pulaski County farmer says the current and future funding concerns must be […]

(OLNEY) The Illinois Eastern Community Colleges are gearing up for their respective commencement exercises, coming up tomorrow night on all four IECC campuses. With each ceremony starting at 7:00 at each location, all four will be streamed live either on YouTube or the respective college’s website. The 62nd graduation at Olney Central College will take place in the OCC Gymnasium with a welcome by Dean of Instruction Amy Tarr, followed by the OCC President’s Message by Chris Simpson. […]

(SPRINGFIELD) A bill to regulate homeowners insurance rates will be up for consideration in the Illinois House after it cleared the State Senate yesterday in Springfield. An amended version of House Bill 4273 prohibits home insurers from raising premiums by more than 10% without at least 60 days notice, plus it also bans “excessive or discriminatory” rates, and it gives the Illinois Department of Insurance more regulatory authority. The bill […]

(OLNEY/NEWTON) As a high pressure ridge continues to give us a clear sky and cool weather conditions on this Thursday, it’s a mostly dry weather pattern for the next few days and nights, although a series of shortwave disturbances will move through our downstate area with limited and spotty rain chances, albeit Friday morning, late Friday night, Saturday afternoon, and maybe even on Sunday. While most of the area stays […]

(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 […]

(SPRINGFIELD) USDA’s May 12th Crop Production Report yesterday unveiled the first look at 2026 corn and soybean balance sheets, however wheat estimates stole the market’s attention as the agency estimated the smallest U.S. wheat crop in 54 years. Fewer planted acres combined with declining yield expectations dropped the U.S. wheat production estimate to 1.56 billion bushels, down 423 million from a year ago. Also adding to the lowest anticipated winter […]