January 2026

Charles R. Baughman

Charles R. Baughman, 87, of Chester, Illinois, passed away at 4:00 pm, Monday, January 19, 2026 at his residence. He was born to the late Charles A. and Fern V. (nee McClure) Baughman on May 19, 1938 in Chester, Illinois. Charles married Norma Bargman on August 18, 1960 at St. John Lutheran Church in Chester, […]

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Krista Phillips of Effingham County selected to reign over 2026 State Fairs during weekend pageant

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Krista Phillips of Effingham County was selected from a field of 75 contestants Sunday evening as the 68th Miss Illinois County Fair Queen and will reign over the 2026 Illinois State Fair and DuQuoin State Fair. Phillips was chosen during the final day of the 115th Annual Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs (IAAF) convention at

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Local 4-H program associate assists with 4-H Space Camp

STE. GENEVIEVE — A 4-H Youth Program Associate from Ste. Genevieve was among those who put on a Space Camp in Gasconade County recently.   Alyssa Bowyer was one of several Youth Porgram Associates from the East Central Region assisting with the camp.   She hopes to eventually have a similar Space Camp in Ste.

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Memorial Hospital highlights progress of the 2025–2026 Medical Explorers Program

CHESTER – Memorial Hospital is pleased to share a midyear update on the 2025–2026 Medical Explorers Program, now in its seventh year of inspiring local students to explore careers in healthcare. Since its launch, the program has welcomed more than 140 students, with 42% choosing to participate for two to three years, demonstrating strong interest

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Nolan Mudd named to MTSU Fall 2025 dean’s list

MURFREESBORO, TN — Middle Tennessee State University is congratulating 6,647 students who appear on the dean’s list for the Fall 2025 semester, including Nolan Mudd of Evansville, IL.   To qualify for this distinction, an undergraduate student must maintain a current semester grade-point average of 3.5 or above and earn at least 12 semester hours.

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Perry County Sheriff releases statement on incident on I-55

PERRYVILLE – Perry County Sheriff Jason Klaus has released the following statement regarding Sunday morning’s incident on I-55:   “On Sunday, January 18, 2026 at 1:23 a.m., Perry County Sheriff’s Deputies were notified of a vehicle traveling southbound on Interstate 55 and wanted in connection with a homicide investigation from Belleville, Illinois.    “Deputies located

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