Nashville songwriters participating in the Freedom Sings USA retreat will be paired with local veterans to write original songs based on their military experiences. The songs will debut during a free public concert at 6 p.m. April 18 at East Davie Park in Anna.
A three-day retreat aimed at helping veterans share their stories through music will take place April 16 to 18 in Anna.
The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office shared photographs on social media showing damage caused by Friday’s devastating EF-4 tornado.
A National Weather Service damage survey and analysis by structural engineering experts found that an EF-4 tornado damage occurred in southern Williamson County on Friday, May 16.
Fox on the run...this was the best picture we could get of a fox wandering through a neighbor’s backyard late one morning last week.
This week, we’re going to start with our latest Critter Sighting Updates...
Bat? Bird? Bug? UFO? Or, maybe, just a bit of dust on the camera’s lens? Can’t be sure. The image was captured during last week’s partial lunar eclipse.
Seemed like Mother Nature tried to end our drought with a Great Big Ol’ Downpour at about the same time I was heading to The Paragraph Factory in Anna Monday morning.
Splish, splash, Rocky was takin’ a bath in the “pond” in the photographer’s backyard...on a Friday...maybe the critter was getting ready for the weekend.
I’m not quite why it crossed it mind Monday evening, but there it was... We’ll come back to that thought in just a bit... Meanwhile... I know you can’t wait, so here is my latest Critter Sighting (and Smelling) Update...
Bears were spotted last week at the Union County Fair in Anna...
There were bears out there. One bear. Two bears. Three bears. Maybe even four bears. I saw them. I really did... ...at the Union County Fair...  ...there’s even a picture to prove it...
Nashville songwriters participating in the Freedom Sings USA retreat will be paired with local veterans to write original songs based on their military experiences. The songs will debut during a free public concert at 6 p.m. April 18 at East Davie Park in Anna.
The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office shared photographs on social media showing damage caused by Friday’s devastating EF-4 tornado.
Fox on the run...this was the best picture we could get of a fox wandering through a neighbor’s backyard late one morning last week.
Bat? Bird? Bug? UFO? Or, maybe, just a bit of dust on the camera’s lens? Can’t be sure. The image was captured during last week’s partial lunar eclipse.
Splish, splash, Rocky was takin’ a bath in the “pond” in the photographer’s backyard...on a Friday...maybe the critter was getting ready for the weekend.
Bears were spotted last week at the Union County Fair in Anna...
A deadline is coming up to help support a local program sponsored by WIBH Radio in Anna.  For more than a decade, WIBH Radio in Anna has worked to raise awareness about child abuse and neglect in the Southern Illinois region. Since 2011, the local station has partnered with area child service...
The annual Blessing of the Bikes is planned from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 17, at the Cross of Peace on Bald Knob Mountain near Alto Pass. Organizers shared that Blessing of the Bikes is one of the largest motorcycle events in the Midwest. The event is coordinated by the Christian Motorcyclists...
Nashville songwriters participating in the Freedom Sings USA retreat will be paired with local veterans to write original songs based on their military experiences. The songs will debut during a free public concert at 6 p.m. April 18 at East Davie Park in Anna.
A three-day retreat aimed at helping veterans share their stories through music will take place April 16 to 18 in Anna. Freedom Sings USA, a Tennessee-based nonprofit, pairs professional Nashville songwriters with veterans, military personnel and their families to transform personal experiences...
 The Cape Girardeau Roller Derby league is holding a recruitment night in Cape on Monday, Jan. 26. Photo credit: Photography by Matt Ruddick
Cape Girardeau Roller Derby (CGRD) will host its first recruitment of the 2026 season on Monday, Jan. 26 at 6:30 p.m. at the AC Brase Arena Building in Cape Girardeau.  Adults 18 and older are welcome to attend, meet the team and learn what it takes to become a roller derby skater or referee. The...
The nationally recognized Southern Illinois Music Festival, SIFest, is planning to celebrate the history of the nation’s music in 2026.  “America at 250” is the theme for this year’s festival. Concert venues for the 2026 SIFest include locations in the Union County area. The festival, which is...
The Illinois Department of Public Health, IDPH, has issued an updated standing order which adds Illinois public libraries to the list of locations that are permitted to keep a supply of opioid overdose reversal agents on hand and to allow trained staff to administer them in the event of a suspected...
Since 2019, Southern 7 Health Department, S7HD, has provided the Fecal Immunochemical Test, FIT, to help residents of the seven southernmost Illinois counties prevent colorectal cancer.  Through a subaward grant presented to S7HD by the Illinois Public Health Association, IPHA, through funds made...
CLARKSDALE, MISS. – The Delta Regional Authority, DRA, in collaboration with the State of Illinois, recently invested more than $3.1 million toward 12 projects in Southern Illinois through its States’ Economic Development Assistance Program, SEDAP, which is one of DRA’s main investment tools. A...
The month of November was warmer than normal in the Southern Illinois, Southeast Missouri and Western Kentucky region. The month was drier than normal. Temperatures The National Weather Service in Paducah reported in a November climate review that temperatures averaged above normal by 1 to 3...
Stargazers will have an opportunity to get one of the best views of the Geminid meteor shower at its peak, thanks to an event sponsored in part by Southern Illinois University Carbondale.  See the Gems at Giant City is scheduled to take place from 9:30 p.m. Dec. 13 to 1 a.m. Dec. 14 at Giant City...

Obituaries

N. Dian Enright
N. Dian Enright, age 86, passed away peacefully on May 7, 2026, at Chateau Girardeau in Cape Girardeau, Mo. She was born on June 25, 1939, to Miles and Glenda (Egner) Mowery in Ullin, Ill. Her childhood was shaped by farm life, helping raise livestock and playing softball. She graduated as...
Amie McLaughlin
Amie McLaughlin, born May 25, 1947, graduated from this life Sunday, May 3, 2026. She was beloved by everyone who knew her. Amie would like to be remembered with these last words to her friends: “What a ride! Thanks for the joy you brought to my life.” Graveside services will be scheduled at a...
Teresa Ann Greer
Teresa Ann Greer, age 77, of Cairo, passed away surrounded by loved ones on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at Jackson Manor in Jackson, Mo. She was born on Sept. 3, 1948 to Charles Edward Diggs and Irma Louise (Clancy) Diggs in Cairo, Ill.  On Jan. 7, 1975, she married William M. Greer. Teresa was a 1966...
Steven Ray Smith
Steven Ray Smith, age 78, of Pulaski, passed away on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at Deaconess Union County Hospital in Anna, Ill. He was born on Sept. 10, 1947 to Pearl Smith and Mary (Wiles) Smith in Olney, Ill. Steven was a Vietnam veteran having served in the United States Army. He went on to work on...
Tracy “Wally” Cates
Tracy “Wally” Cates, age 61 of Anna, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family, Tuesday, May 5, 2026.  He was born Dec. 10, 1964 in Anna, the son of Edward Gene and Carolyn (Crowell) Cates. Tracy is survived by his daughter, Jessica Cates (Bryan Todd) of Anna; two stepdaughters, Laura...

Sports

Following decades of decline, even fewer birds will darken North American skies by the end of the century, according to a new analysis by scientists at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign....

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