Jake Leonard

Jake Leonard, Executive Editor-In-Chief

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Hardee's

Business News

Hardee’s franchisee Superior Star files for bankruptcy

HILLSBORO -- 60 Hardee's locations are at risk, including a location in Hillsboro, following a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing last week in Kentucky. Superior Star filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code on Thursday, July 9. The filing was in the Western District of Kentucky in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Louisville, Kentucky According to court documentation, Superior Star would generate approximately $80 million in gross revenue in 2025. However, "unforeseen and uncontrollable […]

todayJuly 16, 2026

Nokomis Central Illinois holiday

Montgomery County

Nokomis council calls special meeting

NOKOMIS -- Despite initial plans to hold a special meeting next week, the Nokomis City Council decided Wednesday that the meeting will take place sooner than planned. The City Council announced during Monday's city council meeting that a special meeting was on the books for Tuesday, July 21. However, that no longer appears to be the case. The agenda for a special council meeting came out on Wednesday. The agenda would reveal that the meeting will instead take place on […]

todayJuly 15, 2026 1

Mark Twain Casino NEMO Humane Society

Lewis County

Mark Twain Casino donates to NEMO Humane Society

LAGRANGE, Mo. -- Mark Twain Casino recently donated $3,503 to the Northeast Missouri Humane Society. The donation comes, thanks to a special promotion supported by casino guests. Guests contributed cash to the Humane Society. In return, guests would receive matching free slot play, allowing them to enjoy gaming while backing a local animal welfare organization. The funds will support food, shelter, veterinary care, and adoption services for animals across northeast Missouri. This gift continues an ongoing collaboration between Mark Twain […]

todayJuly 15, 2026

Nokomis Decatur police arrest shoplifting Mattoon DUI arrests Centralia

Commentary

COMMENTARY: Nokomis’ police corruption remains unresolved

The Nokomis City Council is keeping its police department, despite how short-staffed it is. For now. This was the consensus of the city council during last night's regular meeting. But it doesn't address the inherent corruption within the Nokomis Police Department. We're not just talking about two ethical violations within the past year. It is much deeper than that - much closer to 30 to 40 years of unethical behavior. Botched murder investigations. Cop-on-cop crime. Self-dealing. Excessive reliance on "confidential […]

todayJuly 14, 2026

Don Welge Memorial Bridge

Randolph County

Welge Memorial Bridge project complete

CHESTER -- Officials from the Illinois (IDOT) and Missouri (MoDOT) Departments of Transportation held a ribbon-cutting over the weekend, marking the completion of a major construction project. The two departments, along with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission, would celebrate this occasion following the completion of the Don Welge Memorial Bridge. The project was made possible by Gov. JB Pritzker's historic, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital improvement program. The ribbon cutting is the culmination of several years of collaboration between the […]

todayJuly 14, 2026

Nokomis Newkomis

Montgomery County

Nokomis council hosts another packed house

NOKOMIS -- The City of Nokomis will continue to operate a police department currently understaffed. This was one of several items of discussion in Monday's meeting of the Nokomis City Council. Stephen Bowers spoke on complaints related to his residence. Bowers would also take the time to call out the city's hypocrisy with its crumbling infrastructure. Several individuals spoke on the pending matter involving the Nokomis Police Department. Resolutions, petitions, ordinances, and communications The council approved Resolution 2026-10 accepting a […]

todayJuly 13, 2026 2

Beep Baseball

Champaign County

Beep Baseball returns to Savoy

SAVOY -- Prairie Fields Park in Savoy will host four teams for the Annual Savoy Beep Baseball Tournament this weekend. The tournament will be on Saturday, July 18, from 9:30 a.m.to 4 p.m. Hosted by the National Beep Baseball Association, the tournament is an adaptive version of baseball for the blind, low-vision, and legally blind. The event has regular support from the Champaign Lions Club, Dick’s House of Sport, the Village of Savoy, MindsEye Radio, and Experience Champaign-Urbana. Athletes from […]

todayJuly 13, 2026

Nokomis Decatur police arrest shoplifting Mattoon DUI arrests Centralia

Macon County

Illinois State Police investigating Decatur death

DECATUR -- The Illinois State Police assisted the Macon County Sheriff's Department in a matter earlier this week. A news release from the State Police would mention an incident in Decatur involving an armed, barricaded subject. The escalation would later result in a death in an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. At approximately 6:30 p.m. on Friday, officers responded to a residence in the 600 block ​ of Wyckles Road in Decatur for an armed barricaded subject who was involved in […]

todayJuly 11, 2026

St. Louis Cardinals

MLB News

Cardinals, Wetherholt ink 8-year extension

ST. LOUIS -- Rookie infielder JJ Wetherholt will remain part of the St. Louis Cardinals per a news release Friday. The Cardinals organization and Wetherholt agreed to an eight-year extension, keeping the 2024 first round pick through 2034. Wetherholt, 23, has excelled in his debut season. As a rookie, he started off well in his thrilling Opening Day debut. He would continue that play worth of becoming an All-Star as a rookie. "Since joining the Cardinals two years ago, JJ […]

todayJuly 10, 2026

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