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
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
WOOD RIVER — Three people were transported to the hospital following a two-vehicle collision at the Central Avenue intersection in Wood River, authorities said. The Wood River Police Department reported that one vehicle appeared to have run a red light and struck the other car. The crash occurred on Friday morning, on Nov. 21, 2025, as many were on their way to work. Both vehicles sustained moderate damage, the Wood River Police said. One individual suffered a leg injury, but police
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — Five Fairview Heights police officers have been awarded the Medal of Valor for their actions during a shooting incident on May 17, 2025, that left three officers injured. The ceremony, hosted by Crusade Against Crime, honored the officers for their exceptional bravery in responding to a call about a suspicious person near a residence at 9:44 p.m. on Saturday, May 17. Upon arrival, officers encountered Elijah Thompson, 22, of Belleville, who opened fire, striking
BENLD — Devon W. Pulley, 18, of Benld, was charged with domestic battery with bodily harm and criminal damage to property following an incident on November 5, 2025. According to charging documents, Pulley allegedly struck and kicked the victim, resulting in bruising. Pulley also reportedly damaged the back windshield of a vehicle, causing less than $500 in damage. The charges were filed by the Gillespie Police Department. All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven
Did you know that creating a dedicated reading nook can increase your reading time by up to 30%? The psychology of environment plays a crucial role in how we engage with leisure activities, and a thoughtfully designed reading corner can transform an ordinary space into a sanctuary of focus and relaxation. Whether you’re a casual reader or a book enthusiast, crafting a cozy corner tailored to your needs can enhance your enjoyment and make reading an immersive experience. Choosing the Perfect
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) introduced the bipartisan Fertilizer Research Act alongside Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (IA-02), Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), and Congressman Randy Feenstra (IA-04). By requiring the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to conduct a study of the market factors driving fertilizer costs, the bill would provide greater certainty and transparency for farmers navigating the high prices of these important inputs. This
November 21 is a date rich with pivotal moments that have shaped the course of history across the globe. Moving back to the 19th century, November 21, 1877, saw the first demonstrable use of a phonograph by Thomas Edison. This invention revolutionized the way people experienced music and information, introducing a new era of sound recording and playback that transformed entertainment and communication worldwide. Edison’s groundbreaking work paved the way for the audio technologies we us
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke on the Senate floor to call out the Trump Administration’s extreme and unlawful actions during the so-called “Operation Midway Blitz,” in which hundreds of residents of Illinois and immigrants without a criminal record have been detained. Today, Durbin shared the story of Rafael Veraza and his one-year-old daughter Arianna, who are both U.S. citizens, being
CHICAGO – Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 21 attorneys general, sent a letter urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to correct errors in new federal instructions outlining who can receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Attorney General Raoul and the coalition warn that the USDA’s new guidance wrongly treats several groups of immigrants as ineligible for food assistance, contradicts long-standing federal law, an
CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker announced that the Illinois Medical Debt Relief Program has erased nearly $430 million in medical debt during its first year, benefitting 357,800 Illinoisans across all 102 counties. Illinoisans who have received relief saw, on average, over $1,100 in debt eliminated. “Too many working families are facing real financial uncertainty and higher healthcare costs at the hands of the Trump Administration. Illinois will keep stepping up to ensure th
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — An adult male was killed early Friday morning, Nov. 21, 2025, in an officer-involved shooting at St. Louis Lambert International Airport, authorities said. The incident occurred at approximately 1:05 a.m. in Terminal 1 when STL Airport Police officers conducting routine security checks encountered the man armed with a knife. According to the St. Louis County Police Department, the suspect refused to drop the weapon and was tased by one officer. St. Louis County
Friday will be a rainy and chilly day with a high near 53 and a low around 40. Winds will blow from the northeast at 7 to 12 mph with gusts up to 12 mph. Morning fog and steady rain will reduce visibility and could slow traffic on the morning commute. The rain will taper off by evening with just light showers overnight. It will feel a bit chilly, with temperatures dropping into the upper 30s in the early morning hours. Saturday starts cool with a low near 38, but the sun will make a good comeback
ALTON — A bicyclist was seriously injured Thursday evening, Nov. 20, 2025, after apparently striking the back of a parked vehicle in the 1200 block of Main Street, according to local authorities. The Alton Fire and Police Departments received a call about the incident at 5:31 p.m. on Nov. 20. The bicyclist was transported by ambulance to a hospital in St. Louis with serious injuries. Due to weather conditions, air transport was not possible. Officials have not released further information
CARLYLE - Carlyle Police Chief Mark Pingsterhaus has been placed on paid suspension amid an FBI investigation into the city’s police department, the City of Carlyle has announced on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025. The City of Carlyle confirmed it was notified by the Federal Bureau of Investigation on Nov. 19, 2025, that an inquiry was underway involving the police department. The following day, Chief Pingsterhaus was suspended until further notice. As of Thursday, no charges have been filed, the
COLLINSVILLE - State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) teamed up with Meridian of Illinois to support local residents this holiday season by distributing 100 free Thanksgiving turkeys to the Collinsville Food Pantry on Thursday. “Our goal is to make sure everyone in the 56th District has access to a nutritious meal this Thanksgiving,” said Senator Harriss. “Partnering with Meridian and the Collinsville Food Pantry allows us to provide support to our community members wh
COLLINSVILLE – Two women from Collinsville face felony charges after allegedly stealing a gold coin and gaming console in separate Madison County cases. Deleriana Z. McLemore, 19, of Collinsville, was charged with two counts of theft, both Class 3 felonies, on Nov. 13, 2025. McLemore is accused of knowingly exerting unauthorized control over a gold coin worth over $500 which was property of another individual, knowing the coin had been stolen, on Aug. 19, 2025. The Bethalto Police
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