Local Business Headlines

One of the Midwest’s largest nature conferences expands to southern Illinois After being held in northern Illinois for decades, and growing into one of the largest conservation gatherings in the Midwest, the Wild Things Conference is taking root in southern Illinois later this month. The Wild Things 2026 Conference will be held on Saturday, Jan.…

$300,000 in scholarships to be awarded to 15 college students, paired with internship, two-year professional development program Key takeaways: Spectrum will award 15 students with $20,000 each, raising its total investment in Spectrum Scholars to more than $2 million since 2020. Students gain access to professional development and a paid Spectrum internship. Rising college juniors…

  The Rotary Club of Swansea was awarded the Governor’s Trophy for Best Small Club for the 2024–2025 Rotary year. The award was presented to the club by Past District Governor Robin Dean at the  Rotary District 6510 Conference held Nov. 7–8, 2025, in Effingham, Ill. Rotary District 6510 is comprised of 43 clubs throughout…

U-Haul Co. of Illinois Inc. recently announced that Merger Self Storage signed on as a U-Haul® neighborhood dealer to serve the Maryville community. Merger Self Storage at 2084 Vadalabene Drive in Maryville offers essential services like U-Haul trucks, trailers, towing equipment, and moving supplies. Normal business hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through…

Newly remodeled store strengthens service, convenience for Clinton County customers R.P. Lumber opened its newest, and 91st, location in Carlyle, Ill., on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. The family-owned, full-service home center and building materials retailer recently completed an extensive remodel of the former Wiegman Ford property at 1351 William Rd., bringing new life to a…