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Appellate Court Rules Against Sunset Overlook

By Monroe County Independent | February 14, 2020

By Joe Leicht An appellate court ruled this week that the Sunset Overlook will have to follow the rules of C-1 business zoning. This includes no longer providing live music along with eliminating outdoor service of food and drink. Sunset Overlook, located along Bluff Road on the north end of Columbia, is owned by Pete …

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The Columbia High School cheer team celebrates winning third place in the state tournament.

Columbia Cheerleaders Fly Home With 3rd Place Trophy

By Monroe County Independent | February 8, 2020

The Columbia High School cheer team is adding to their already substantial trophy case. Today, the Eagles finished in third place (medium school division) at the IHSA State Competitive Cheerleading Tournament in Bloomington. The results are: First: Antioch – 93.33 Second: Oak Forest – 93.29 Third: Columbia – 91.43 (This is the same order of …

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Myers Korner Market and Lisa’s Market Street Grille offer one of the many scenic views in downtown Prairie du Rocher. - photo by Larry Braun

At A Crossroads, Rocher Charters A New Course

By John Layton | February 5, 2020

Prairie du Rocher is not going down without a fight. The pending loss of accreditation for the levees protecting the village from the Mississippi River looms like a dark cloud over the nearly 300-year-old village. FEMA and Corps of Engineers have informed the village that unless the levees are improved to meet the government’s increasingly …

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Current Headlines

The latest news from Monroe County and beyond.

IDOT Advises Motorists To Be Prepared As I-255 Closure Approaches

By Monroe County Independent | January 28, 2020

by John Layton On a cloudy, chilly and slightly snowy Tuesday morning, IDOT, MODOT and the Illinois State Police gathered outside of Fairmount Park to...

Millstadt’s splash pad is located next to the village’s swimming pool. Its centerpiece is a representation of their Tin Man Water Tower. (This is by no means what the future Waterloo splash pad will look like. This picture only serves as a representation of what a nearby splash pad looks like.)

Splash Pad Coming To Waterloo

By Monroe County Independent | January 26, 2020

In the next few years, little tykes will have the opportunity to soak in the summer sun at a splash pad to be built at...

Columbia City Hall's council chamber was standing room only for Monday's planning commission meeting.

Plan Commission Does Not Grant Initial Approval For Proposed 150-lot Residential Development

By Monroe County Independent | January 21, 2020

By Joe Leicht About 100 residents of the Country Crossings subdivision and vicinity were packed like sardines into the Columbia City Council chambers on Jan....

Reliable Sanitation Advises Customers To Better Follow Three Rs Of Recycling

By Monroe County Independent | January 21, 2020

by John Layton Reduce, reuse and reconsider what you know about recycling: The advice of the three Rs hasn’t reflected the complicated reality of recycling,...

Monroe County Fair Queen Lexi Ruemker makes her way to the stage during the Illinois County Fair Queens Pageant in Springfield.

Fair Queen Lexi Ruemker Competed In State Pageant

By Monroe County Independent | January 20, 2020

Monroe County Fair Queen Lexi Ruemker traveled to Springfield this past weekend to take part in the Illinois County Fair Queen Pageant. While she did...

Columbia Mom Hopes To Inspire Others When She Appears On The Biggest Loser

By John Layton | January 16, 2020

Teri (nee Bollinger) Aguiar of Columbia will appear in the upcoming season of The Biggest Loser. The first episode is scheduled to run on the...

Fausz To Retire From County

By John Layton | January 16, 2020

The only man ever to hold the appointed office of Monroe County zoning administrator / subdivision director will be hanging up his clipboard soon. Mike...

County Officials’ Initial Reaction To Recreational Cannabis Is Subdued

By John Layton | January 16, 2020

By Joe Leicht Like many people, Monroe County's elected officials saw local television coverage of winding lines of people - some of them waiting more...

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911 Report

Law enforcement, fire and emergency response news you can use.

Sean Landgraf Is The New Chief Of Red Bud Fire Department

By John Layton | February 10, 2020

During their annual installation meeting, Sean Landgraf was named the new chief of the Red...

Prairie du Rocher Man Dies In Ames Road Accident

By Monroe County Independent | February 8, 2020

Richard Schlesinger of Prairie du Rocher died Friday night in a rollover accident on Ames...

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Around The County

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Sean Landgraf Is The New Chief Of Red Bud Fire Department

By John Layton | February 10, 2020

During their annual installation meeting, Sean Landgraf was named the new chief of the Red Bud Fire Department. Kevin Miller has stepped down as the chief after 10 years leading the troops. Miller will remain with the RBFD as a firefighter. The officers are, left to right, first row, Fire Marshal Clinton Guebert, Treasurer Josh……

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