Local News

Isolated Shower possible this afternoon--Otherwise Partly Sunny & Mild Today
After a day that included a lot of clouds and rain in at least a couple of different time frames, we should remain mostly dry today. We do have a chance for an isolated shower this afternoon, but we'll otherwise see partly sunny skies for today with a high of 82. Then, mostly clear skies for tonight with a low of 63. ...
11h ago
City of Vandalia Continues Work to Try and Secure Grant Money for Infrastructure Work
On the heels of the City of Vandalia receiving a $2.3 million Regional Site Readiness Grant, the city is pushing forward with applying for more grant money that would make improvements to the city's infrastructure. Already applied for this year has been a grant of $920,000 for water main replacement on Randolph Street ...
11h ago
Vandalia Fire Department To Get Safety Equipment Upgrade
The Vandalia Fire Department will soon have upgraded safety equipment following approval by the Vandalia City Council during their meeting on Monday night. Vandalia Fire Chief Zac Stombaugh was on hand for the meeting and explained that the current turnout gear and helmets are nearing the end of their service life and ...
11h ago
Illinois Tollway Approves Largest Rate Hike In State History
(Chicago, IL) -- The Illinois Tollway is giving the green light to the largest toll rate hike in state history. The tollway board voted to raise fares for the first time in nearly 15-years. Passenger vehicles will see a 45-cent per-toll increase, while commercial vehicles will experience a 30-percent boost. The new rat...
11h ago
Quincy Teacher Charged After Incident With Student
(Quincy, IL) -- A teacher in Quincy is charged following an incident with a student. Charis Loertscher was arrested for aggravated battery of a disabled person and domestic battery. The incident happened Tuesday morning at Iles Elementary School and the student was sent to the hospital for evaluation. The Quincy Public...
11h ago

Showers & Thunderstorms moving through the area today/tonight
Showers and thunderstorms will continue moving through the area today and tonight. Our forecast calls for Showers and thunderstorms to be with us this morning--likely tapering off in the afternoon--with a high today of 79. Then, scattered showers and storms for tonight with a low of 66. Meanwhile, the National Weather...
Aug 19, 2026

Hillsboro man facing charge of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse in Fayette Co Court
A Hillsboro man is facing sexual abuse charges in Fayette County Court. 48 year old Kenneth L. Knetzer, Junior has been charged in Fayette County Court with Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse--which is a Class 1 Felony, and Criminal Sexual Abuse--which is a Class 4 Felony. Information on the first charge states that on ...
Aug 19, 2026

Second Individual officially charged in Fayette County Court in connection with the Solar Construction Site Burglary
A second individual has now been officially charged in Fayette County Court in connection with the Solar Construction Site burglary in rural Vandalia. 33 year old Brian J. Bray of Marshall has been charged with Burglary and Theft pf over $10,000 in Fayette County Court--both of which are Class 2 Felonies--in connection...
Aug 19, 2026
Fayette County Farm Bureau set to hold their annual Crop Survey on August 25th
The Fayette County Farm Bureau is set to hold their annual Crop Survey next week. The Fayette County Farm Bureau will hold their annual crop survey on Tuesday, August 25th starting at 8 am. For those that participate in the survey, they will meet at the Farm Bureau office at 8 am that morning and begin with coffee, do...
Aug 19, 2026
Pharma companies seek to block state expansion of discount drug program
Multiple drug manufacturers in Illinois are challenging a state law that expands the scope of a federal program under Medicare, arguing Illinois doesn't have the authority to make changes to the program. The federal 340B program allows drug manufacturers that take part in Medicaid to provide discounts to participating ...
Aug 19, 2026
EMA audit reveals oversight deficiencies of contractor payments
A recent audit of Illinois' Emergency Management Agency and Homeland Security Office revealed oversight deficiencies of contracted employees and the working hours the state was billed for them. The audit found one company was paid roughly $78 million in taxpayer funds to be on standby. State Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet...
Aug 19, 2026
Illinois Strengthening Protections For Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Survivors
(Chicago, IL) -- Illinois is strengthening protections for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Governor Pritzker signed three bills into law. One measure strengthens protections for survivors of domestic violence and harassment by closing a legal loophole that happens between emergency and final orders o...
Aug 19, 2026

Sunny & Mild Today---Showers & Storms on the way Wednesday morning
We are looking at a dry and mild day today. Our forecast for today calls for sunny skies with a high of 83. Then, increasing clouds for tonight with a low of 67. Meanwhile, showers and storms come into the forecast on Wednesday--mainly during the morning. There is a chance we could see some strong to severe storms du...
Aug 18, 2026
Second individual arrested in connection to burglary at Solar Construction Site
A second individual has been arrested in connected to the August 10th burglary on a Solar Construction site in rural Vandalia. Last week, 30 year old Mark R. Heath of Marshall was charged in Fayette County Court with Burglary and Theft of over $10,000. Both of those charges are Class 2 Felonies. Heath was released fr...
Aug 18, 2026
Juvenile injured in ATV accident in rural Fayette County
A juvenile was injured in an ATV accident in rural southwestern Fayette County. A report from the Fayette County Sheriff's Office says that an ATV being operated by a 13 year old Juvenile--which was a 2026 Polaris 450 Sportsman--was traveling west bound on East 200 Ave within the 400 block on the ATV. The report says ...
Aug 18, 2026














