Area News
Your INK, Your ART – We Want to Know About It
We are continuing to look for stories about your unique body art! Share with us your tattoos and the stories behind them. Email [email protected] or message us on Facebook. Read the stories we’ve gotten so far in our 8/5 issue.
Read MoreOkawville Schools Requiring Daily Temperature Checks for Student, Staff
With the first day of school set for August 13, West Washington County Community Unit District 10 released a copy of the school reopening plan to parents last week. The plan was put together in accordance with guidelines from the Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois Department of Public Health and the Washington County Health…
Read MoreAddieville Man Cited Following Boat Crash
An Addieville was cited on multiple charges related to a boating accident with injuries that occurred on the Kaskaskia River on July 19. Kenneth Mueller, 20, was operating a boat with four people on board when it crashed into a tree near the shore approximately a half-mile west of the Covington Road Bridge. According to…
Read MoreCOVID Case Count Keeps Rising Throughout Area
The COVID case count in Washington County keeps trending up, as nine more cases were identified in residents in the seven days. The Washington County Health Department announced that another nine people tested positive for the coronavirus, bringing the county’s total case count to 59. According to WCHD Administrator Elizabeth Lehde, most of the new…
Read MoreVillage Suing Pizza Market for Unpaid Loan
By Travis Volz The Okawville Village Board will move forward with a lawsuit against Pizza Market for an unpaid loan. The board approved filing suit against the pizza place that closed its location in Okawville earlier this year for an unpaid loan with the principle balance of $15,917.26 at Monday’s board meeting. According to village…
Read MoreAfter Lull in June, County COVID-19 Upticks in July
COVID-19 seemed to be under control in Washington County in June. The Health Department reported only one case, of a man in his 30’s that month. But the loosening of restrictions that allowed restaurants and bars to have inside service apparently sparked the increase in the county in July. In the first 27 days of…
Read MoreWashington County Slightly Above State Census Rate
Washington County residents have submitted U.S. census information at a 68.4 percent rate, which is slightly above the state rate of 67.1 percent. Okawville submitted at 71.8 percent rate. The questionnaire was mailed to all residences mid March for the census that officially began April 1. Information can be submitted by e-mail or mail. In…
Read MoreOkawville Schools to Open with Safety Measures
By Travis Volz Students in the Okawville area will be back in school next month after the West Washington County Unit District School Board approved the plan presented by school administrators at the board meeting Thursday. Superintendent Scott Fuhrhop and principals Keith Senior and Leon Spinka went over the plan, which calls for regular daily…
Read MoreBerg Earns Honorary State FFA Degree
As a student, Josh Berg earned his Illinois State FFA Degree. Twenty years later, he is being honored yet again. Berg, who serves as the adviser for the Okawville FFA Chapter, was recently awarded an Honorary State FFA Degree for his work with the local chapter. “It’s really more of a recognition award for a…
Read MoreCounty Auditor: Prairie State Keeps Budget Balanced
The difference between Washington County government operating at a deficit and operating with a surplus is attributed to income from the Prairie State Generating Company. That is key part of the audit, Gary Malawy of Krehbiel and Associates told the County Board at its meeting last week. The county would have had a deficit…
Read More