Newly elected Cassie Pigg took up her board seat on Tuesday night at the White County December board meeting as the seat was being vacated by Chairman Don Puckett on Tuesday night. [Read more...]
Board Urged to Secure State Funding to Improve Internet Service in the County

Stan Hill of Norris City appeals to the White County board on Tuesday to help get upgraded internet service in White County. The State of Illinois will be spending $420 million to improve internet service throughout the state. Photo by Kathy Sands.
Visitor Stan Hill of Norris City brought information to the county board on Tuesday night about $116 million in Federal funds that had been released for rural broadband in southern Illinois. Only problem was, White County wasn’t one of the counties listed as receiving any of it. Gallatin, Hardin, Johnson, Pope and Saline Counties were the areas cited as the ones to receive broadband improvements over the next decade, and that work has already started. [Read more...]
White County Ambulance Ends Year in the Black
White County Ambulance Director Adam Allen reported that the ambulance service had finished the year with a balance of $25,000.00, which was a very good end-of-the-year amount for the ambulance service. He stated the crew has been staying busy and the service will continue to move forward.
County Board Says Sheriff, Carmi Police Chief Set Dispatch Rates
The White County Board on Tuesday night addressed a question about the recent sharp increase in dispatch fees that had been assessed on the village of Norris City. Kathy Sands of the The Villagers’ Voice asked the board if they could explain why the rate had increased 46% on the village. Others on Facebook had been asking the same thing.
County Board Chooses Higher Insurance Bid Citing Better Coverage
Attempting to balance costs with the fact that the lower bids didn't offer nearly enough coverage on the county's buildings, the White County board split their vote on Tuesday night, but in the end, in a 3-2 vote, they accepted Snedeker's bid of $218,000 on the county's liability and property insurance needs.
County Gives Thumbs Down on Cannabis Business; Jim Totten Retires

White County Board Chairman Don Puckett gives EMA Director Jim Totten a plaque for 10 years of service to the county. Photo by Kathy Sands.
The White County Board voted on Tuesday night to ban the sale of recreational cannabis in the unincorporated parts of White County, but also approved establishing a tax of 3% in the county on cannabis businesses in municipalities who do allow sales. Only one municipality so far has voted to allow the activity, with Norris City and Enfield voting no.
County Delays Vote on Cannabis Ordinance
The White County Board on Tuesday night tabled voting on a proposed cannabis ordinance which would ban all cannabis businesses in the unincorporated areas of the county, but also would impose a 3% tax on gross receipts of sales made in any
Tinsley Queries Board on Hacking, Air Conditioning at Shelter
Media representative JC Tinsley had questions for the board on Tuesday morning, one which concerned a report of the courthouse server being hacked and someone accessing courthouse files from home. Treasurer Pam Armstrong and the board all said they knew nothing about any hacking. The Treasurer had requested secure access when she was off work due to an injury so she could work from home. Tinsley asked if Homeland Security and the Board of Elections had to be contacted, as he had heard. “That was not true either,” Armstrong and the board answered. Tinsley asked about online financial statements and that he had spoken to the Treasurer about that, to which Armstrong stated,”The statements are in Beth’s office at the end of every month. They can be seen there.”


