Society

Harrisburg and other southern Illinois communities affected by a deadly tornado in February are getting up to $13 million in state and Small Business Administration aid.  Governor Pat Quinn's office announced yesterday the help includes reimbursements to local governments for some of their disaster-related expenses and road improvements.

Lexington police say they’ve arrested several dozen people following the Wildcats' 67-59 win over Kansas in last night’s NCAA championship game.  Fans filled the streets near the university campus within minutes of the game's conclusion. They jumped up and down, screamed, sprayed beer and waved Kentucky flags. Celebrations grew violent as one man was shot, though his injuries were not life-threatening.

Not a single beer can mingles with the soda and water bottles for sale in the crowd of vendors at Benton’s annual Tater Day celebration. However, that could change in the festival’s future.

Last week, a group named Marshall First delivered a petition with 2,400 signatures to the county courthouse.

The petition pushes for a referendum to legalize the sale of alcohol within county lines. At today’s festivities, Marshall County residents like Kim Bomgardner and her daughter, Terah, expressed mixed opinions regarding the issue.