New Dollar General stores are being built in Hannibal and New London.
 

For decades, Earl Johnson and his wife, Jerry, have been fixtures in the local dry cleaning market. Recently the family welcomed their son, Kevin, into the Concord Custom Cleaners business, which Earl Johnson purchased this spring.

The state minimum wage in Illinois will increase to $8 an hour July 1.
 

The Continental Cement plant in Hannibal has filled two top jobs.
 

Pat Waelder, owner of Hickory Stick Quilt & Gift Shop in Hannibal, said she was “shocked and surprised” when she learned her shop had been named one of the top 10 quilt shops in North America. She learned of this honor from Better Homes and Gardens, which told Waelder her shop was chosen from among 3,000 quilt shops.

The field is down to four parties that are vying to become the next owner of Sawyer’s Creek, located south of Hannibal on Missouri 79.

One never knows what will turn up at the city of Hannibal’s auction of surplus items. If you don’t believe it, just ask Chuck Anderson, who is helping organize this year’s event.

National Tom Sawyer Days (NTSD), an early July fixture in Hannibal for the past 54 years, has not had a fixed location in recent years. That apparently is changing, thanks to the owners of the Hannibal Cavemen. They have agreed to allow the Hannibal Jaycees use of property southwest of the ballpark to stage the annual celebration.

As owner of the Havannibal Cigar Company in Hannibal, Wesley Knapp enjoys seeing one of his customers savoring a fine cigar. What he doesn’t like is to see their hard-earned money going up in smoke. That is why Knapp is seeking the owner of a $50 bill that has proven to be far more valuable than its face value.

Just over half the establishments visited passed the Hannibal Police Department’s latest on-site compliance check in regard to the availability of alcoholic beverages to minors. The results of the check, which was conducted June 19, were released Monday.