February 2026

Sparta Community Hospital at-home health care earns national distinction for over 15 years

SPARTA, IL — Sparta Community Hospital’s At-Home Health Care program has once again been recognized as a 2025 National Best Practice Agency by WellSky, earning the Home Health CAHPS Award of Distinction — a recognition the organization has maintained for more than 15 consecutive years.     Kaitlyn Seiber, PTA; Tiffany Bodeker, LPN; Allie Minton, […]

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The new Illinois Liquor Control & Compliance Portal has launched

SPRINGFIELD, ILL. – The Illinois Liquor Control Commission is pleased to introduce its new Licensing & Compliance Portal, a modern, unified system designed to streamline application, renewal, and compliance management for licensees statewide.   As we begin implementation, licensees may notice temporary adjustments to workflows and processing timelines during the first 90 days. This transition

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Three DragonBot teams advance to state in the VEX Robotics Competition

STE. GENEVIEVE – These are the DragonBot teams who will be competing in the Missouri VEX Robotics Competition.   Solar Flare 63670G SGMS Tess Richardson Chase Donze Vivian Mitchell Laura Ann Woods   Techno Bots 63670A SGE (First year team) Owen Rayoum Ayden Wehner Oliver Kersting   Big Robofeet 63670F SGMS Collin Gegg Micah Kertz

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Watch birding webinars and join Missouri Birding Challenge

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation (MCHF) invite both new and experienced birders to join the 2026 Missouri Birding Challenge (MBC) May 1-22!   Registration will be open April 1-30.   In preparation for the 2026 MBC, join MDC

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Wreaths Across America expands corporate development team

COLUMBIA FALLS, Maine — Wreaths Across America (WAA) is pleased to announce the expansion of its Corporate Development and Partnerships team with the addition of two accomplished nonprofit leaders, Tina Saari and Chris Miller. Both join the organization as Regional Corporate Development Specialists, bringing decades of combined experience in veteran-focused programming, partnership cultivation, and revenue

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Thomas Meyer

A funeral will be held Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026 for 75-year-old Thomas Meyer of Imperial, Mo. who passed away February 14, 2026.   He was born May 13, 1950, to Elmer Meyer and Mary Ann (Siebert) Meyer, who both preceded him in death.   He married Deborah Williams. She survives.   He is also survived

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Maryanna Taylor

A funeral will be held Saturday for 89-year-old Maryanna “Smoke” Taylor of Evansville, Illinois, who passed away at 4 pm, Monday, February 23, 2026, at Red Bud Regional Hospital, Red Bud, Illinois. She was born July 20, 1936 to Nicholas and Anna (nee Gaertner) Braun in St. Louis, Missouri. They both preceded her in death.

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Air Force Shades of Blue jazz ensemble to perform Feb. 28 at SIU

by Pete Rosenbery CARBONDALE, Ill. — The U.S. Air Force Shades of Blue jazz ensemble will give a free, public performance, on Saturday, Feb. 28, in Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Shryock Auditorium.     The concert will begin at 7 p.m. Ticket reservations are required and available at  www.afbandtix.org/ by going to the Feb. 28 concert listing. The SIU School

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