BREAKING NEWS: While covid-19 numbers across Illinois have been getting worse, particularly in the Quad-Cities’ Region 2, that may not automatically trigger shutdowns and mitigations, Illinois Department of Health officials said today. “The resurgence mitigation plan was designed before we had vaccines,” Illinois Department of Public Health spokeswoman Melaney Arnold said in a statement. All 11 of Illinois’ regions are in Phase 4, where they’ve been since emerging from mitigations in February. Previously, mitigations would automatically kick in, triggering more restrictions,... Read More

Although Althea Grace’s inspiring run on ABC’s “American Idol” was stopped on Monday night’s “Showstoppers” round, the 21-year-old Chicago-area native is not stopping. She’s working it out. “My heart is so full with all of your love after my run on ‘American Idol,’” Grace posted on social media, after failing to make the top 24 in the national singing competition. “Of course, I would’ve loved to have gone further, but in the end — I am so proud of myself!” On March 29, she sang the soulful, impassioned Stevie Wonder version of the Beatles’ “We Can Work It... Read More

Dancers Creek Barn in Aledo is offering a step by step beginners watercolor and ink party at 1 to 4 p.m. today (Sunday, March 14). Cost is $20.00 per person. 10 person limit. Register by pre-paying with CC, debit, or cash in person at Dancer’s Creek Barn ( Saturdays 10-6 or Sundays noon-6), phone-in CC to 309-737-0247 or 309-737-7370, PayPal, or FB pay. Create an easy but striking 5×7 watercolor and make it into a greeting card for someone special. For more information, see here.  Read More