# top news stories (blogs) — RSS Amplifier Recent posts from the 1 feeds in the RSS Amplifier directory that cover top news stories. Page: Feed: --- ## [Batchtown News](https://rivercountynews.com/2026/08/26/batchtown-news-47/) _2026-08-26 · Editor · River County News_ The end of August is upon us. According to the Old Farmers Almanac the dog days of summer last from July 3 to Aug. 11. This is soon after the Summer Solstice in late June, which also tends to be the beginning of the worst of summer heat. All of us know what we think… ## [Point News](https://rivercountynews.com/2026/08/26/point-news-43/) _2026-08-26 · Editor · River County News_ Weather remained in the upper 80’s to near 90 all week. It seems once school starts, we always have warmer temperatures. We did get a wonderful rain last Sunday but could sure use another one now. Lynette Eberhardt of Chenoa, IL arrived at the home of her mother, Yvonne Baecht of Golden Eagle on Thursday.… ## [Kampsville News](https://rivercountynews.com/2026/08/26/kampsville-news-50/) _2026-08-26 · Editor · River County News_ Summer doesn’t officially end until Labor Day but it seems like when school starts and the pool shuts down for the season it’s pretty well come to an end. This week was a busy one for parents sending their kids back and for the kids themselves. I always enjoy looking at everyone’s back to school… ## [Griggsville News](https://rivercountynews.com/2026/08/26/griggsville-news-45/) _2026-08-26 · Editor · River County News_ EMT classes will begin Sept. 9 and run for seventeen weeks in Pittsfield. Start your journey in emergency services and gain the skills, confidence and certification to help save lives. The format for these classes will be lectures, hands-on skills, and clinical rotations. The location of the classes will be at 24085 365th St., in… ## [ROBIN WRITES: Follow the Bouncing Ball](https://rivercountynews.com/2026/08/26/robin-writes-follow-the-bouncing-ball/) _2026-08-26 · Editor · River County News_ Mitch Miller was a vocal music visionary. Each week on his TV show, he taught us all to sing. He led us down a bouncy path of words and notes, his triangle beard jittering jovially as he pointed the way. All he wanted was an honest, easy rendition of “I’m Looking Over a Four-Leaf Clover”… ## [OUTDOOR TRUTHS: Purpose](https://rivercountynews.com/2026/08/26/outdoor-truths-purpose/) _2026-08-26 · Editor · River County News_ In the early 1900’s, gun ownership for most families might have included a .22 rifle, a double barrel shotgun, a .30-30 lever action rifle, and a pistol. Many only had one or two of these. A pistol was often the last firearm on the list. A farmer looked at these guns not as something to… ## [RIDGE RUNNER CHRONICLES: The Crazy Life of Timothy Leary](https://rivercountynews.com/2026/08/26/ridge-runner-chronicles-the-crazy-life-of-timothy-leary/) _2026-08-26 · Editor · River County News_ By BILL HOAGLAND In the 1960’s and 1970’s, most of us knew who Timothy Leary was; he was the “tune in, turn on and drop out” guy advocating the universal use of LSD and other drugs. I recently wrote a column about Leary and his infamous escape from a California prison in 1970. At the… ## [KLAAS EARNS GOLD STAR AWARD with dedication of Richwood Veterans Wall of Honor](https://rivercountynews.com/2026/08/18/klaas-earns-gold-star-award-with-dedication-of-richwood-veterans-wall-of-honor/) _2026-08-18 · Editor · River County News_ By Diane Brangenberg The highest award any Girl Scout can achieve is the Gold Star Award, and for Girl Scout Hannah Klaas what started out as a project to earn her Gold Star turned into so much more. Hannah began this project to reestablish a veterans wall, honoring those that have served in the Richwoods… ## [KAREN MADSON RETIRES after 25 years with Jersey County Circuit Clerk’s Office](https://rivercountynews.com/2026/08/18/karen-madson-retires-after-25-years-with-jersey-county-circuit-clerks-office/) _2026-08-18 · Editor · River County News_ By Steven Spencer After devoting 25 years of dedicated service to Jersey County, Karen Madson has announced her retirement from the Circuit Clerk’s Office. Circuit Clerk Mitch Reynolds presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Madson at the Tuesday, Aug. 11, County Board meeting, recognizing her for her commitment to the office and the public. Reynolds… ## [CARROLLTON MOTHER SEEKS justice after daughters assault](https://rivercountynews.com/2026/08/18/carrollton-mother-seeks-justice-after-daughters-assault/) _2026-08-18 · Editor · River County News_ By Steven Spencer A local mother has set out to find justice for her daughter Kenzi after her assault, which was recorded and circulated on social media. The assault was alleged to have involved three individuals attacking the victim in a Jerseyville parking lot. The video has since been removed but garnered a lot of… ## [Marketplace for AI-Powered Professionals (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/GV5hzQo8kG2L) _2026-08-18 · **Sponsored**_ Find professionals who use ChatGPT, Copilot, and Claude to deliver work faster. ## [CARROLLTON HIRES FIRST female police officer](https://rivercountynews.com/2026/08/18/carrollton-hires-first-female-police-officer/) _2026-08-18 · Editor · River County News_ By Carmen Ensinger Carrollton hired its first female police officer in what could be the history of the police department at the Aug. 13 city council meeting. The council unanimously approved the hiring of Haley Schnelten to be a new full time police officer and attend Southwestern Illinois Police Academy to receive her training. Alderman… ## [TRI-COUNTY RURAL TRANSIT looking to replace vehicles](https://rivercountynews.com/2026/08/18/tri-county-rural-transit-looking-to-replace-vehicles/) _2026-08-18 · Editor · River County News_ By Steven Spencer The Illinois Valley Economic Development Corporation’s Tri-County Rural Transit program will soon be replacing some older vehicles following approval by the Jersey County Board for a grant application. Gerald McDonald, with the Tri-County Rural Transit, said several vehicles qualify for replacement funding through the 2026 Consolidated Vehicle Procurement Rolling Stock Capital… ## [GREENFIELD WELCOMES new councilwoman](https://rivercountynews.com/2026/08/18/greenfield-welcomes-new-councilwoman/) _2026-08-18 · Editor · River County News_ By Carmen Ensinger The first order of business at the Greenfield City Council meeting on Thursday night, Aug. 13, was to swear in a new city council member. The city’s newest member of the council is Lauren Bowman. The council recently accepted the resignation of councilwoman Kari Varble who made the hard decision to step… ## [Western faculty accuses board secretary of improperities](https://rivercountynews.com/2026/08/18/western-faculty-accuses-board-secretary-of-improperities/) _2026-08-18 · Editor · River County News_ By BETH ZUMWALT Teachers and parents are upset with what they say is improper conduct by James Broeckling, secretary of the Western School Board. A special meeting was held Aug. 10 to discuss the matter and more action is expected at tonight’s, Aug. 19 regular school board meeting. Darrin Powell, superintendent of the Western School… ## [Pikeland shores up personnel matters at special meeting](https://rivercountynews.com/2026/08/18/pikeland-shores-up-personnel-matters-at-special-meeting/) _2026-08-18 · Editor · River County News_ By BETH ZUMWALT The Pikeland Unit 10 School Board met Aug. 14 and made some personnel moves. The board accepted the resignation of Barb Ballinger as the morning and afternoon Chaddock bus driver effective July 28. Ballinger died unexpectedly Aug. 14. The board also accepted the resignation of Hannah Abdelkodous as the head coach for… ## [Pittsfield High School Class of 1954 Scholarship Fund celebrates 40 years of extraordinary impact](https://rivercountynews.com/2026/08/18/pittsfield-high-school-class-of-1954-scholarship-fund-celebrates-40-years-of-extraordinary-impact/) _2026-08-18 · Editor · River County News_ In 1985, following the early passing of a dear classmate, members of the Pittsfield High School Class of 1954 came together to establish the PHS Class of 1954 Scholarship Fund. The organization made its very first award in 1986, presenting a four-year scholarship of $4,000 to a graduating senior. Annually each May, the Fund now… ## [Calhoun Royalty enjoys State Fair](https://rivercountynews.com/2026/08/18/calhoun-royalty-enjoys-state-fair/) _2026-08-18 · Editor · River County News_ Miss Calhoun Abby Johnes, Jr. Miss Charlotte Rose and Little Miss Mila Brady enjoyed County Fair Days at the Illinois State Fair. (Diane Brangenberg/River County News)