WOOD RIVER – A “ghost hunting” trip in a Wood River cemetery landed an Alton resident in Madison County custody on felony charges of aggravated robbery and battery. Nathan C. Endicott, 18, of Alton, was charged on Oct. 6, 2026 with one count each of aggravated robbery (a Class 1 felony) and aggravated battery (a Class 3 felony). Three days prior on Oct. 3, Endicott allegedly knowingly stole a cell phone and U.S. currency from another individual by use of force while indicating
BRIGHTON - A new nonprofit hopes to one day open a sober living house for women in the Riverbend region. Jane’s House was established in 2024 by Arielle Bozarth and her sisters after they lost their mother, Jane, to a substance use disorder. Named the October Nonprofit Spotlight for the RiverBend Growth Association, Jane’s House is continuing to grow, with several outreach opportunities available as they move toward opening their recovery community. “Our goal is to open
DECATUR — Marquette Catholic capped a remarkable girls golf season with a fifth-place finish at the IHSA Class 1A State Tournament in Decatur on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026. Sophomore Maggie Pruetzel won the individual IHSA Class 1A state golf championship by two strokes. Pruetzel finished at 5-over par to claim the individual title. Marquette posted a two-round total of 687, or 111 over par, shooting 347 in the first round and 340 in the second. The Marquette Catholic girls are Tucker's Automotive
CHICAGO – The Accessibility Committee for Employees with Disabilities (ACED) has named the Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT) its Outstanding Agency of the Year, recognizing DoIT’s leadership and commitment to advancing digital accessibility across state government. Throughout the year, DoIT’s digital accessibility team has expanded statewide accessibility efforts by producing new guides and training, improving compliance tracking, and raising awareness of
COLLINSVILLE - A local nonprofit is hosting a major fundraising gala to fight childhood cancer. From 5–10 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026, community members can support Kellsie’s Hope Foundation in their mission to raise money for cancer research and grant wishes to kids undergoing cancer treatment. Started by Kellsie Marchbanks, the foundation aims to help kids and the gala is another step toward that goal. Kellsie’s mother, Gail, is proud to carry on her daughter’s
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) has received the National Association of State Chief Administrators (NASCA) Innovation in State Government: Customer Service and Experience Award for the CMS Personnel Academy, a statewide initiative designed to strengthen human resources services across Illinois state government. The award recognizes the Personnel Academy’s innovative approach to creating consistent, accessible and continuous professional developmen
SPRINGFIELD – The top students representing Illinois’ colleges and universities will be honored during special ceremonies hosted by The Lincoln Academy of Illinois at the Old State Capitol State Historic Site in Springfield on Saturday, October 24. In order to accommodate all of the student laureates and their families, half of the students will be recognized during an 11 a.m. ceremony and the other half during a 2 p.m. ceremony. The 52nd annual Lincoln Academy Student Laureate
Challenge Unlimited (CU), a national nonprofit headquartered in Alton, IL, is delighted to announce an innovative skills training program teaching people with all disabilities how to grow produce hydroponically. Challenge Unlimited is partnering with Theodora Farms , a produce farm headquartered in Godfrey, IL. Through this collaboration, CU participants are learning every detail involved with hydroponic farming including irrigation systems, plant nutrients, light cycles, cultivation
ST. LOUIS – The City of St. Louis has completed $2.4 million of improvements to Tuskegee Airmen Field in Tandy Park and held a rededication of the field. The field has newly-installed artificial turf - the only field of its kind in the city. Additional improvements to the field, next to Sumner High School, include a new track, bleachers, scoreboard, fencing, and an updated public address system. “The City of St. Louis, along with our Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department, is
BELLEVILLE - Community members affected by suicide will gather Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in Belleville for the annual Out of the Darkness Metro East Walk, a fundraising event supporting suicide prevention research, education, advocacy, and survivor support. Hosted by the Illinois Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the walk will take place at The Square, 19 Public Square. Check-in, on-site activities and Honor Beads begin at 8:30 a.m., followed by the opening ceremony and
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation—today released the following statement after the U.S. Army released its report that detailed numerous systemic failures leading up to the deadly DCA mid-air collision between a commercial aircraft and a Blackhawk helicopter that claimed the lives of 67 people: “Ever since the tragic DCA midair collision stole 67 lives, the families of Flight
CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) announced today that the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) has reached 50 participating restaurants in 16 counties, and that the state is expanding the program statewide. The program allows eligible Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) customers to purchase meals at participating restaurants using their Link card. The program provides access to prepared meals to over 400,000 households who may have difficulty purchasing
EDWARDSVILLE – When Howard Rambsy II, PhD, Distinguished Research Professor in Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Department of English Language and Literature, began working at the university in 2003, Earleen Patterson, PhD, Associate Vice Chancellor and director of Student Opportunities for Academic Results (SOAR), invited him to make a brief visit to a class for first-year African American men and offer a few suggestions. That brief visit turned into more than 20 years of teaching,
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Two women died and a juvenile passenger was injured in a three-vehicle crash Friday morning near Lucas and Hunt Road and Hord Avenue, according to St. Louis County Police. Detectives are investigating the crash, and its cause remains under investigation. Officers from the department’s City of Jennings Precinct responded at 7:23 a.m. Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, and found three vehicles involved. The St. Louis County Police said preliminary investigation indicates
GLEN CARBON — Father McGivney Catholic High School has earned the Illinois Purple Star School designation for its support of military-connected students and families, the school has announced. The designation recognizes schools that help students whose parents or guardians serve in the military by easing transitions, providing resources for families and preparing staff to understand military-connected children’s experiences. For Bobbie Madura, the school’s studen
ALTON - Alton Community Unit School District #11 students raised over $12,000 to help children undergoing cancer treatment. Over the past few weeks, Alton elementary school students and Mark Twain students were tasked with collecting change in yellow socks. All proceeds go to Kellsie’s Hope Foundation, a Maryville nonprofit that then donates the money toward childhood cancer research. "One of the things that makes our Redbird community so special is the way we come together,”
COLLINSVILLE - Hundreds of lineworkers from across North America will gather this October for the Safety and Training Conference, held ahead of the annual International Lineman's Rodeo in Overland Park, Kansas. Among those helping lead the event will be Chad Schimpf, an Ameren Illinois operations safety supervisor from Marion. Part of Schimpf's territory is in St. Clair County. A former lineworker with 20 years of field experience, Schimpf serves as facilitator and chair of the conference, considered
ALTON - Community members have a unique opportunity to connect with substance use resources at the upcoming Recovery Cafe event. From 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 20, 2026, Riverbend residents are invited to stop by OSF St. Anthony’s Health Center in Alton for Recovery Cafe, a resource fair and networking event. Sara Bennett, LCSW, explained that the goal is to bring people together for coffee, pastries, live music and resources. “It’s kind of like a substance
ST. LOUIS — Homicide detectives asked for the public’s help on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in identifying two additional people connected to the fatal shooting of a 23-year-old man during an apparent robbery attempt at St. Louis Fish and Chicken. The appeal from St. Louis Metropolitan Police follows the arrest of Tah’Jae Reed, 21, of St. Louis, in connection with the Sept. 4, 2026, death of Reginald Holmes of St. Louis County. District 6 officers responded to the restaurant
EDWARDSVILLE — Fewer fatal overdoses have not ended the toll of opioid addiction in Madison County, where Chairman Chris Slusser gathered emergency responders, health professionals, judges and recovery advocates Friday to examine the crisis and its effects on families, public safety and taxpayers. “This issue, I think, has touched everyone in Madison County,” Slusser said, calling the opioid crisis a top priority of his administration. The discussion included
stLouIST