In 2022, an American biographical crime thriller film was released. It was based on the 2013 true-crime book of the same name, and it once again drew attention to Adrienne Taub, a woman who was by chance involved with the man the book was written about.  Perhaps “involved” may be too light a choice of word. Adrienne Taub was married to the man now serving multiple life sentences. They also had kids and pets together, but they were far from being a perfect family.

Ameren Illinois and its employees donated nearly $1.3 million to 24 United Way organizations throughout its service territory, according to a news release. Several of these organizations are in the Quad Cities region. For more than 30 years, Ameren has supported the United Way. A chapter benefiting from these donations is United Way of Decatur & Mid-Illinois which serves Macon, Moultrie, Piatt, DeWitt, and Shelby Counties. “We are beyond grateful for the $147,000 contribution from Ameren Illinois and for its employees who continue to support the United Way,” said Debbie Bogle, president, United Way of Decatur & Mid-Illinois.

On June 3, 2021, Alex Marietta left work on his bicycle and was crossing East Kimberly Road when he was killed by a driver, a news release says. A “ghost bike” is an old bike, painted white, that is left behind as a sign of a tragic death caused by a motorist. It’s a reminder for drivers to cease distracted driving and share the road with cyclists, the release says.

Parker McCollum’s love for melancholy country songs is no secret, and his latest release, “Stoned,” is an extension of that. McCollum co-wrote the song with hit writers Brett James and Mark Holman. The pensive lyric chronicles McCollum’s post-breakup heartache and how he feels engulfed by loneliness. It’s not something he copes with well — which is why he chooses to suppress his emotions by staying stoned. “I cry when it's rainin' / I cry when it's dark / I feel like the whole world won't ever understand my heart / That's the hardest part / Of bein' alone / That's why I stay stoned,” McCollum admits candidly in the chorus, which opens the song over slow-strummed acoustic guitar chords.

Ellen Snow, Mary Lou Rada, Nicole Mier and Toni Ryll Miles Grant Country Club hosted more than 120 realtors and guests for the anticipated 10th annual luncheon. Lucky winners went home with new and gently used designer purses that were up for auction. A portion of the funds raised went to Friends in Pink, an organization that assists uninsured and underinsured local breast cancer patients. ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tMDUmqmtpZGcrru1zZ5lnKedZMCwr8iao2aomKTBsL%2BOsKamnZ6oeqS71KeaoqRdpLNuvsSao62noqh6scHRrJxmmaWYwaq7zWg%3D