Area Breaking News
Madison County awards $3.3 million in funds for area parks
by Randy Pierce • Parks and recreational areas throughout Madison County will benefit from grants totaling $3.3 million, which were unanimously approved by elected officials on April 15. Authorized by the county board upon a recommendation from its parks enhancement program committee, chaired by Dalton Gray of Troy, and its grants committee, chaired by Denise…
Read MoreIllinois State Police celebrate recent telecommunicator program graduates, promotions
By Tribune Staff • The Illinois State Police (ISP) held its first Telecommunicators Graduation and Promotion Ceremony on April 15, administering the ISP Telecommunicators (TC) Oath to 30 graduates and recognizing the recent promotions of an additional nine TCs. “Telecommunicators are the calming voice on the line when people need emergency help the most,” said…
Read MoreMark your calendars for fun summer activities in Highland
By Brittany Blackwell, Reporter * A longtime festival will once again offer lunchtime staples as the Highland Parks and Recreation Department rolls out a full slate of summer programming aimed at bringing the community together. The PB&J Festival returns to the Downtown Square, 914 Main St., on Friday mornings from 11:30 a.m. – 1p.m., offering…
Read MoreNew survey finds most U.S. farmers can’t afford fertilizer
By TAMMIE SLOUP FarmWeek • A nationwide survey conducted by American Farm Bureau Federation shows 70% of respondents cannot afford to purchase enough fertilizer to get them through the year. More than 5,700 farmers from every state and Puerto Rico responded to the survey, which was conducted April 3-11. In Illinois, more than 250 farmers…
Read MoreMadison County awards more than $8 million in stormwater project funding
by Randy Pierce • More than $8 million in funding has been designated by Madison County for projects in various locations that will help improve conditions concerning flooding and stormwater drainage. The money comes not from the county’s general fund but instead originated with the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 which was approved…
Read MoreIllinois Law Enforcement Torch Run, Special Olympics Illinois host second Southern Plane Pull at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport
By Tribune Staff • The Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) and Special Olympics Illinois are excited to welcome back the Second Annual Southern Plane Pull at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport on April 25. The high-energy fundraiser challenges teams of 10 people to go head-to-head with a 22‑ton GoJet aircraft in a tug-of-war–style competition. Teams…
Read MoreSen. Plummer to Host Upcoming Blood Drive on April 30
Did you know that every two seconds someone needs blood in the United States? Or that blood and platelets cannot be manufactured, they can only come from volunteer donors? To help meet the current demand for blood donations, State Senator Jason Plummer is partnering with Moose Lodge 1561 to host a blood drive on Thursday, April 30 at the…
Read MoreBudzinski announces federal investment to address truck driver shortage, expand veteran job opportunities
By Tribune Staff • Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Lincoln Land Community College, and the Illinois Trucking Association announced a $76,500 U.S. Department of Transportation grant to support Lincoln Land Community College’s commercial motor vehicle operator training program. The program specifically provides commercial driver’s license (CDL) training for veterans, and the USDOT funding secured by Budzinski…
Read MoreAvery Brooks elected to membership into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
Avery Brooks of Troy, Illinois, was recently elected to membership into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society, at McKendree University. Brooks is among approximately 20,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation…
Read MoreIDOT says put the phone away or pay
By Tribune Staff – The Illinois Department of Transportation is partnering with the Illinois State Police and local law enforcement agencies across the state during April, reminding the public to put their phones away and pay attention to the road. Throughout the month, additional law enforcement officers will be watching for texting, social media use, video…
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