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University of Arkansas celebrates Fall 2025 Graduates

FAYETTEVILLE, AR — The University of Arkansas honored its most recent graduating class with two fall commencement ceremonies. Local students joined more than 1,800 graduates earning a degree and their names on Senior Walk, including: Jillian Welsh of Glen Carbon, College of Engineering, BSCHE – Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering Joshua Zinck of Troy,…

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Sharon Lee Loyet

February 10, 1952 – February 18, 2026 Sharon Lee Loyet, age 74, of Marine, died Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at Evercare of Edwardsville in Edwardsville. She was born on Sunday, Feb. 10, 1952, in East Saint Louis, IL, the daughter of Eugene W. “Gene” and Janet (née Faires) Keller. She was a member of First…

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ICE agents detain five men on their way to work at a Du Quoin sawmill

by Jackson Brandhorst, Lylee Gibbs • DU QUOIN — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested five men on their way to work in late January in Du Quoin, marking one of the first reported mass ICE enforcement actions this far south in Illinois under President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. ICE agents in an unmarked…

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Smell Gas, Leave Fast – what does that mean?

By Tribune Staff • COLLINSVILLE – It has four easy words to remember – “Smell Gas, Leave Fast.” While this slogan is a familiar phrase repeated year-round, there’s more to this urgent message than meets the ear. Do you know all the warning signs of a natural gas leak and the critical steps to protect…

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First Mid Bank & Trust named to 2026 America’s Best Banks by Forbes

By Tribune Staff Mattoon • First Mid Bank & Trust (First Mid) has once again been recognized on Forbes’ list of America’s Best Banks, earning a ranking of #2 in Illinois and #24 nationwide for 2026. The annual list, compiled by Forbes in partnership with S&P Global Market Intelligence, evaluates U.S. banks based on key…

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Expired tags lead to time at county’s graybar hotel for Troy woman

By Charles Bolinger Editor • A white Ford F-150 with expired Illinois temporary registration passed through the Troy-O’Fallon – US 40 intersection on Feb. 9 at 7:37 p.m. as Troy Police Ofc. Erik Mix conducted patrol procedures. He contacted his dispatch and inquired about the temporary status of the plants, which came back expired. He…

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Chicago man charged with deception, credit card fraud in Troy

By Charles Bolinger Editor • In a case dating back to October 2025 that involves the Troy Car Care Center, Troy Police arrested a pair of men allegedly involved and one of them, a man from Chicago, Aston Sanson, 33, was charged with theft between $500 and $10,000 and unlawful use of credit or debit…

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Illinois sees 10% increase in H-2A workers

By TAMMIE SLOUP FarmWeek  Demand for agricultural labor through the H-2A temporary visa program in Illinois and the nation continues to rise. During fiscal year 2025, 559 more positions were certified in Illinois over fiscal 2024, bringing the total to 5,757, according to an American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Market Intel report. Nationwide, 398,258 positions…

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