Area News
Miss Macoupin County competes, places in Final 15 at Illinois County Fair Queen Pageant
By ERIN SANSON Enquirer~Democrat Reporter Miss Macoupin County Fair Queen MacKenzie Moyer recently joined her 72 fellow County Fair Queens on Stage at the Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Pageant held in Springfield over the weekend. The 2023 Pageant was the 63rd County Fair Queen Pageant. The winner of the Pageant is the official…
Read MoreRustic Venues holds ribbon cutting, open house
By ERIN SANSON Enquirer~Democrat Reporter The Rustic Venues held its grand opening ceremony on Saturday night, featuring a ribbon cutting with the Girard Chamber of Commerce, an open house meal and entertainment from the Silver Dollar Band. The Rustic Venues is owned and operated by Albert and Sheila Hammann and their three sons and…
Read MoreGillespie School Board meets for January meeting
By ERIN SANSON Enquirer~Democrat/Coal Country Times Reporter Several items were on the Gillespie School Board Agenda on Monday night. A contract extension for the Superintendent was approves, several matters of employment were discussed and an idea for an Athletic Wall of Fame was discussed. Student Achievements Several students were given a shout out at…
Read MoreThreats made against Bunker Hill High School
By ERIN SANSON Enquirer~Democrat Reporter Bunker Hill parents and students were alerted Jan. 12 of a possible threat to the Bunker Hill High School and students after posts on social media, made by another student, were found. The District assembled its Threat Assessment Team at 4 p.m. to review the threat and determine which actions…
Read MoreHaley announces retirement, city calendar set at meeting
By ERIN SANSON Enquirer~Democrat Reporter The Mon. Jan. 16 Carlinville city council meeting is the first and only meeting being held by the council for the month of January as the council canceled a meeting Jan. 3 due to a Federal holiday. Several items were on the agenda including the official setting of the…
Read MoreCarlinville District demonstrates new security measures
By ERIN SANSON Enquirer~Democrat Reporter The Carlinville School Board met Jan. 17 in a different locale than usual, holding their meeting in the Middle School Media Center so the Carlinville High School Scholastic Bowl team could hold their match in the High School Library. Several items were on the agenda, including an opportunity to…
Read MoreCounty Board opposes assault weapons act
By ERIN SANSON Enquirer~Democrat Reporter The Macoupin County Board was short one member for its January meeting. Board member Charlie Siegel passed away unexpectedly in December and a new member has not been appointed to the position yet. The board held a moment of silence for Siegel before proceeding with the meeting. Kent Tarro…
Read MoreKent Tarro retiring after 39 years of service at Macoupin County Public Health Department
By JACKSON WILSON Enquirer Democrat Reporter After 39 years of service and dedication, Kent Tarro is retiring from the Macoupin County Public Health Department. On Jan. 10, a celebration was held for Tarro in the Gillespie Civic Center, which was jam-packed with family, friends and fellow employees that took time out of their busy…
Read MoreGolden Apple application deadline Jan. 31 for aspiring educators
Golden Apple program participants make a material difference in the ongoing teacher shortage crisis Golden Apple, a non-profit dedicated to preparing, supporting and mentoring aspiring teachers, has extended the deadline to apply to its Accelerators program to Jan. 31, 2023. Through the Accelerators program, Golden Apple aims to meet the teacher shortage crisis head on…
Read MoreCash bail remains until Illinois Supreme Court makes final decision
By ERIN SANSON Enquirer~Democrat Reporter A Kankakee County judge ruled Dec. 28 that the Pre-Trial Fairness Act, the provision under the SAFE-T Act which eliminates cash bail, was unconstitutional. Several State’s Attorneys from across the state joined a class-action lawsuit against the provision. The ruling only applied to counties listed in the lawsuit meaning 65…
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