City/County
Indoor mask mandate; vaccines required for educators and health care workers
A statewide indoor mask mandate will take effect starting Monday in Illinois due to a COVID resurgence in recent weeks. In addition, educators and health care professionals will be required…
Read MoreCornerstone Laine gets shot down
Last week, a saga of long public meetings regarding a proposed women-only recovery residence culminated with the Waterloo Zoning Board of Appeals voting against granting the business a special use…
Read MoreCounty gets good news on Oak Hill
The Monroe County Board heard continuing good news about the Oak Hill senior living facility on Monday. Oak Hill Administrator Brian Koontz updated commissioners on COVID-19 first, telling them there…
Read MoreLess than half of locals vaccinated
A total of 54 shots were administered July 8 during a COVID vaccine clinic at the Monroe County Health Department office in Waterloo. Some of those were second doses, Monroe County…
Read MoreColumbia annexation aggravation
The Columbia City Council met for more than three hours in regular session on July 6. Nearly one third of that time was dedicated to discussion of a proposed annexation…
Read MoreWaterloo sidewalks coming together
Waterloo’s plans to connect its walkways are coming together. Last week, workers were seen constructing a sidewalk along South Market Street from Route 3 to the entrance of Waterloo High…
Read MoreWaterloo to build new water tower
As part of plans to construct its own water treatment plant, the City of Waterloo has made steps to build a larger new water tower in town. The Waterloo Planning…
Read MoreCounty talks levees, funds, vaccines
The Monroe County Commissioners heard about more levee issues facing the bottoms during their regular meeting Monday morning. Speaking for the Columbia Drainage & Levee District, Brian Mehrtens’ comments…
Read MoreVaccinated residents entered into $10M lottery
If you are among those who received COVID vaccinations, you could win cash or a scholarship through a new promotion announced Thursday by Gov. JB Pritzker. Gov. Pritzker announced a…
Read MoreBear sightings continue out of area
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police and Monroe County Sheriff’s Department responded to multiple reports of a large bear seen roaming through rural backyards last Thursday morning between…
Read MoreWaterloo’s new alderman excited about role
The Waterloo City Council has a new alderman, and he’s proud to be representing his ward. Matt Buettner, 36, ran unopposed for the Ward I alderman seat formerly held by…
Read MoreLocals receive latest PPP funding
Congress passed and President Joe Biden recently signed the American Rescue Plan Act, providing an additional $7.25 billion to the Paycheck Protection Program, and 53 Monroe County-based entities have taken…
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