Hancock-Henderson Quill, INC.

09/07/2026

West Central CUSD will hold a special board meeting tomorrow evening to decide the future leadership of the Middle School Baseball team.

09/05/2026

09/02/2026

HENDERSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE, OQUAWKA, IL
HENDERSON COUNTY BOARD

MEETING AGENDA. Amended

Tuesday, September 8, 2026 8:30 A.M.

AMENDED
Tuesday, September 8, 2026 8:30 A.M.
HENDERSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE, OQUAWKA, IL HENDERSON COUNTY BOARD MEETING AGENDA
1. Call Meeting to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Roll Call
4. Adopt Rules for Public Comment
5. Approve Minutes of the August 11 and August 25, 2026 County Board Meetings
6. Approve Claims Paid in August 2026
7. Accept Health Department Claims, Monthly Report, and Meeting Minutes
8. Approve Travel Expenses Over Maximum or Incurred by a County Board Member - Roll Call
9. Approve Highway Resolutions
A. 2026 Striping Program
10. Approve Zoning Resolutions and/or Variances
11. Approve Monthly Report of the County Treasurer - August 2026
12. Approve Resolutions for Tax Deeds - Parcels 01-23-127-003 & 05-34-152-006
13. Approve Resolution Authorizing the County to Acquire All Property Tax Certificates on Tax Year 2025
Payable 2026 Delinquent Tax List
14. Approve Service Contract with Vanguard Appraisals, Inc.
15. A. Aiment by Conny Blenderson County Zoning Board of Appeals to Fill Vacancy of Michael Olson
16. Approve Petit Jurors
17. County Personnel
A. Discuss Zoning & Plat Officer and Emergency Services & Disaster Agency Director Position
B. Set Compensation for Veterans Assistance Superintendent Trainee
C. Approve Annual Employee Flu Vaccines
18. Courthouse Columns - Restoration/Repair
19. County Ambulance Service
A. Update on Volunteer Ambulance Services Progress
B. Discuss Options for County Ambulance Service
20. Committee Reports/Public Comment
21. Executive Session
22. Adjour

09/02/2026

Tom was a kind, warm, generous man and good businessman in Stronghurst who will certainly be missed and remembered. RIP.
Our hearts go out to Diana and the family. Our deepest sympathy.

View Thomas E. Doran's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

09/01/2026

West Central Middle School Baseball topped Carthage 2-0 on a hot day in La Harpe to claim the 2026 Hancock County Baseball Tournament. La Harpe fell to Nauvoo-Colusa 6-5 in the 3rd place contest. Check out this week's Quill for a full recap on the games.

08/30/2026

The 2026 Hancock County Baseball Tournament wraps up Monday in La Harpe.

No. 5 Carthage will face No. 6 West Central on the East Diamond for the title in a rematch of last year's championship game.

No. 1 La Harpe/Dallas City will battle No. 2 Nauvoo-Colusa for 3rd place on the West Diamond.

First pitch for both games is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.

08/29/2026

Illini West football improved to 2-0, defeating United 38-24 Friday night. The Chargers trailed 18-8 in the third quarter, but a big special teams play and a defensive touchdown helped swing momentum as IW scored 30 unanswered points. Read the full recap in the Sept. 2 edition of The Hancock County Quill.

08/29/2026

Norma Mae Byers Brandon, 97, of Springfield, formerly of Dallas City, passed at 8:15 a.m. Thursday, August 27, 2026 at her home in Springfield, with her daughters at her side. Her son Jeff had just been able to spend three special weeks with her and helping care for her in July. Norma was born in Dallas City on October 31, 1928 on what was the Kenneth and Bernice Craig farm. She was the daughter of Hugh and Dulcie Byers. They later moved to Tina, MO, where Norma spent her early years and attended grade school. She returned to Dallas City where she attended high school.

She married Richard Brandon on November 9, 1945 in Colusa. He preceded her in death June 12, 2009.

Before moving to Springfield in 2003 Norma lived most of her married life in the Dallas City area with the exception of the years she was with Richard during his time in the Navy.

Norma was a wonderful cook, beautiful seamstress and crafter. She was an avid gardener. It’s the gardening that changed things. In 1957 Norma went to work at Sheaffer Pen Company in Fort Madison, IA in the Data Processing Department. Presumably she was only going to work long enough to buy a freezer. This turned into a 30 plus year career for Norma at Sheaffer’s.

After retirement, Norma once again pursued the things she loved. She and Richard bought and restored the E. P. Cassidy farm, rebuilt and redecorated the house. She had her beautiful gardens and flower beds. She quilted and embroidered once again. Her hand work was beautiful.

Richard and Norma enjoyed wintering in Harlingen, TX, spending time with old friends and making many new ones. Besides playing cards and playing Bingo and other games Norma pursued the craft of ceramics and made many beautiful dolls and other pieces that her family cherishes.

She is survived by three children, Marla Welch and Jane (David) Olson of Springfield and Jeff (Debbie) Brandon of Louisburg, KS; a daughter-in-law, Sandy Brandon of Dallas City; eight grandchildren, one step granddaughter, 12 great-grandchildren, three step great-grandchildren, and one step great great grandchild and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Richard and one son, Michael Brandon and all her siblings.

The funeral service for Norma will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 31, 2026 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Dallas City, with Pastor Mike Kilgallin officiating. Burial will follow at Thornber Cemetery, Powellton.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to services at the funeral home.

A memorial fund has established for the Dallas City Food Pantry or Thornber Cemetery. To leave an online condolence for the family, please visit Norma’s obituary at banksandbeals.com.

08/29/2026

⚾️ SPECIAL HOURS TODAY! BASEBALL + ICE CREAM = THE PERFECT SATURDAY! OPEN NOON - 8:00🍦

The Junior High Hancock County Baseball Tournament is happening in town, so we’re opening early TODAY, Saturday, August 29th! 🎉

🕛 Special Hours: Noon–8:00 PM

Stop in and see us! Good luck to all the teams! 💜💛⚾️👏

08/28/2026

Did anyone stay up for the lunar eclipse?