Franklin, IL

• Christopher M. Femmer, 36, of 619 Ash St., Chapin, was arrested at 1:33 a.m. Thursday on a burglary charge after being accused of entering a vacant apartment in the 200 block of South Mauvaisterre Street and removing an air conditioner.

Some Jacksonville residents were uneasy Wednesday after hearing gunshots late Tuesday, followed by police closing off Jordan Street while they investigated. “It makes me feel a little uneasy,” said Vicki Zink, who heard the gunfire from her house nearby. “I think this is a random thing, though, but it makes me question if I made the right decision in moving here.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS/WRSP) — A Capitol Police Investigator arrested in connection with a deadly crash pleaded not guilty on Thursday. Robert M. Hodson, 46 of Taylorville, is accused of driving while drunk and causing a crash that killed two people and injured a third. : Capitol Police Investigator charged in...

CHATHAM, Ill. (WICS/WRSP) — The Chatham Police Department is stepping up traffic enforcement on Route 4. Officials with the department say they've received several complaints about speeding in the area. "Route 4 is not a race track," police department officials wrote. "Speed limits are in place for a reason."

Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help to assist the Jacksonville Police Department in their Investigations of multiple shootings that have occurred in the city over the last week. On Tuesday, July 27 at 9:11 pm, JPD received multiple reports of shots fired. It was determined that there were...

The space that housed Robbie's Restaurant for four decades has sold, but not the eatery itself. “This is the official end of the Robbie’s name,” said Arch Bailey, who ran the popular downtown dining spot just shy of three decades. Bailey — who placed the business’s name and the ground...

All employees and customers at Illinois Secretary of State driver-services facilities statewide, as well as everyone working in and visiting public areas of the Capitol Complex in Springfield, will be required to wear masks beginning Monday. Secretary of State Jesse White is reinstituting the requirement indefinitely, regardless of vaccination status,...

Oppressive temperatures and humidity that pushed the heat index above 110 degrees today in west-central Illinois are expected to ease significantly, but not before a round of potential dangerous storms moves through the region. At 1 p.m., the temperature was 89 degrees in Jacksonville, but the heat index was 110...

New COVID cases reported on Thursday are not as high as the day before, but still are higher than they’ve been the past couple of months. The Sangamon County Department of Public Health is reporting 42 new cases Thursday, down over half of the 87 reported Wednesday. It is not known if the large number of cases recently are connected in any way.

ALTON - William and Anna Haine will mark their 50th Wedding Anniversary at St. Mary's Catholic Church with a public Mass at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 7, celebrated by the Rev. Thomas J. Paprocki, Bishop of Springfield. St. Mary's Catholic Church is located at 519 E. 4th Street in Alton. William is known by most as the former state senator for this region and former Madison County State's Attorney. Anyone who wishes to provide well wishes to William and Anna may attend the special Mass. Bill Continue Reading

A fungus that has affected pumpkins dating back to the Irish Potato Famine of the mid-1800s is reemerging in Illinois for the third time in 30 years — and it’s devastating the canned pumpkin industry. Phytophthora capsici has the potential to decimate pumpkin crops, as well as other fruit and...

The scenery at Memorial’s Festival of Trees will look a little different this year, as it is set to take place downtown Springfield. Memorial Medical Center Foundation has teamed up with Downtown Springfield inc. for this years event, in hopes to make it more accessible for the public. This should also help give a boost to small local businesses that are still recovering from the pandemic. Which, if you ask me, is very fitting for this year’s theme, which is “A Season of Caring.“.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS/WRSP) — A man is in the Sangamon County Jail after a shots fired incident Tuesday night on East Brown Street in Springfield. Police officers were called to the 1900 block of East Brown Street around 10:26 p.m. after a Shotspotter alert. A home in the area had...