ALTON – An Alton resident accused of knowingly setting fire to a trash can near a Hit-N-Run convenience store faces multiple charges in Madison County. Elsaventer Branch, 44, of Alton, was charged on Nov. 17, 2025 with a Class 2 felony count of arson and a Class C misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct. On Nov. 16, 2025, Branch allegedly damaged a trash can by means of fire which was located in front of the Hit-N-Run convenience store at 1818 Washington Ave. in Alton. Charging documents
ALTON/GODFREY - A fire broke out Saturday evening, Nov. 22, 2025, at the State Farm Insurance agency operated by Dwight Tungett in Godfrey in the 30 block of Delmar Avenue with an Alton address location, prompting a response from two local fire departments. The fire agencies arrived around 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the business located near the border of the Godfrey Fire Protection District and Alton Fire Department territories. Alton firefighters arrived approximately one minute before Godfrey
SPRINGFIELD – As the holiday season approaches, Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs is encouraging people to find memorable gifts, including a vintage Mickey Mouse wristwatch and a 14-karat yellow gold pendant with a small diamond, during an online ICash auction November 21-30. “Our online auction is a wonderful opportunity to discover rare and memorable finds, either for yourself or for that special someone who will appreciate them as gifts,” said State Treasurer Frerichs,
ST. LOUIS – Today, Mayor Cara Spencer issued Executive Order 93 , creating a Winter Weather Unified Command and departmental response activation protocols. “With many St. Louisans living in tents, cars and unheated homes because of the May 16 tornado, in addition to our existing unhoused neighbors, this winter is going to be extremely tough on our community,” said Mayor Spencer. “By creating a Winter Weather Unified Command and departmental activation protocols, w
EDWARDSVILLE — St. Boniface Catholic Church and the Edwardsville Knights of Columbus Council 1143 teamed up to conduct a Food and Household Items Drive on November 8 and 9, 2025, to support the Glen-Ed Pantry. The drive, held in Edwardsville, collected more than 1,160 pounds of food and household items, along with $4,000 in monetary donations. The contributions were presented during a check presentation on November 21, 2025. Representatives from St. Boniface Catholic Church, the Edwardsville
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) unveiled designs for a female crash test dummy—a safety reform Duckworth has been pushing for through her bipartisan She DRIVES Act , which she co-leads alongside U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE). The She DRIVES Act would help modernize vehicle safety tests by requiring the use of the most advanced testing devices available, including a female crash
EDWARDSVILLE – The Edwardsville Rotary Club selected Edwardsville High School student Margaret Stacy for the Student of the Month Award for November. Edwardsville High School teacher Keith Baker nominated Margaret. Margaret is the daughter of Michelle and Jason Stacy and is very involved in her school and community. She is an officer in the Broadcasting and French clubs as well as a member of the French and English Honor Societies at EHS. She is a member of the jazz band, flute choir,
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) is calling on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to open an investigation into whether the refund policy of infant formula manufacturer ByHeart is unfair and deceptive, advocating for families to get the full refund they deserve. Earlier this month, all ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula products were recalled due to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s ongoing outbreak investigation of infant botulism—a serious
JERSEYVILLE — The Dr. Silas Hamilton Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution has donated two trees to Jerseyville Rotary Park in honor of the upcoming America 250 celebration. The trees will be planted and dedicated during a ceremony scheduled for July 2026. The donation is part of the community’s efforts to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States.
EAST ST. LOUIS – Illinois State Police (ISP) conducted a violent crime suppression detail on November 18 - 19, 2025, in St. Clair and Madison counties, focusing its efforts on East St. Louis and neighboring Metro East communities. ? The operation utilized intelligence and technology to focus enforcement efforts on known high crime areas, violent offenders, and structured criminal groups in the communities of the Metro East. Detail Results Arrests 25 Felony Charges
ALTON - A local nonprofit is hosting a “Christmas by the River” walk-through experience for community members to enjoy. From 5:30–8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, community members can stop by the Alton Amphitheater for the free Christmas by the River experience, complete with several holiday scenes, hot chocolate, and more. Created by Masterpiece Arts Sanctuary, the organization and the event aim to encourage young people to develop their performing arts talents. &ldquo
BENTON – A district judge sentenced a Lawrenceville, IL., man to 188 months’ imprisonment for distributing meth in Lawrence County. Jeffrey S. Metz, 49, pleaded guilty to four counts of distribution of meth. Following imprisonment, he will serve four years of supervised release. He was sentenced on Nov. 6. “Trafficking drugs in any county of southern Illinois will earn dealers a federal prison sentence,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. According to court documents,
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today won his lawsuit protecting four federal agencies from being illegally dismantled by the Trump administration. The U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island granted a motion for summary judgment brought by Attorney General Raoul and a coalition of 20 other attorneys general. “While the president may think he is a king, our Constitution says otherwise,” Raoul said. “Today’s ruling is another win for the rule
EDWARDSVILLE – An Edwardsville man with a history of domestic violence faces a new felony charge following a second domestic battery incident last week. Nathaniel D. Shaw, 44, of Edwardsville, was charged on Nov. 17, 2025 with his second or subsequent count of domestic battery, a Class 4 felony. Shaw allegedly struck a household or family member about the head and body, causing bruising on Nov. 14, 2025. He had previously been convicted of aggravated domestic battery in a prior Madison
O’FALLON, Ill. — HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital is proud to announce that Erin Manka, RN, has been honored as the 2025 March of Dimes Heroes in Action Nurse of the Year in the Emergency Care & Trauma Services category. Manka, who was the only nominee from Illinois in her category, stood out among other finalists from St. Louis-area hospitals. Her selection is a testament not only to her clinical excellence and dedication but also to her resilience and passion for
ROXANA - The Roxana girls' cross-country team advanced to state from the Trenton Wesclin Sectional. In the regional, Gianna Stassi anchored the group with a first-place time of 18:22.51, followed by Nova Shaw in third place with a time of 18:52.95. Elizabeth Clouse was 21st (20:54.51); Savanah Cline was 22nd (20:54.97); Bailey Schallenberg-Decker 24th (20:57.33); and Gracie Curren 69th (28:46.83). Roxana finished the meet with 71 points for third place. The girls' cross country team members
WOOD RIVER — Roasterz Coffee Co. , a locally owned coffee shop at 7 West Ferguson Avenue in Wood River, is expanding its services with plans to launch a mobile coffee truck and host after-hours events this summer. The business recently held a ribbon-cutting in Wood River. The mobile truck will add accessibility for the shop, and the business also plans to incorporate app-based ordering and delivery systems, aiming to make coffee available at any time. In addition, the business is working
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), both members of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, applauded the Senate passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act , which included their bipartisan Protecting Children with Food Allergies Act as an amendment. Durbin and Fischer’s legislation would ensure school food service staff receive essential training about food allergies, so that they
ALTON, IL — The City of Alton Parks & Recreation Department is issuing a final reminder that registration for the 2026 Youth Basketball Program will officially close on Tuesday, December 17th. Parents and guardians are urged to sign up their children immediately to secure a spot for the upcoming season. The program is open to Boys and Girls in 2nd/3rd Grade and 4th/5th Grade , providing a fun, structured environment for young athletes to learn fundamental skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
ALTON - A few local social media posts are circulating about people being followed while driving. One Alton police officer explains what to do if you find yourself in a scary situation. Lieutenant Andrew Pierson, Chief of Detectives with the Alton Police Department, said that while there’s been an uptick in social media posts, they haven’t received new reports of people being followed. “We might get something like that a couple times a year, but the instances that you guy
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