COLLINSVILLE — The Collinsville Police Department recognized Officer Brian Joy this week as its 2025 Officer of the Year during the annual C3 awards dinner. Joy, who has served with the department for four years, was recognized for his consistent contributions and dedication to proactive policing. In addition to his patrol duties, Joy is a member of the Madison County Cross River Task Force and serves as a Field Training Officer for the department. The Collinsville Police Department
GRANITE CITY – A man from Granite City faces felony and misdemeanor charges after reportedly driving under the influence and pulling a fire alarm at his local police station. Brandon O. Williams, 31, of Granite City, was charged on Nov. 20, 2025 with one count each of disorderly conduct, a Class 4 felony, and driving while under the influence, a Class A misdemeanor. Williams allegedly drove a Chevrolet Traverse on East 23rd Street in Granite City on Oct. 10, 2025 while under the influence
ALTON - The Salvation Army has officially started its Red Kettle campaign to raise money for local programs. From now until Christmas Eve, you have the opportunity to donate at the red kettles in local stores, or you can donate online . All of the money donated locally stays in Madison County to fund Salvation Army programs. Majors Sean and Cassy Grey noted the importance of helping this campaign during the holiday season so families can have year-round support. “I think we
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — The two men who were fatally shot Wednesday night, Dec. 3, 2025, in the 12400 block of Horizon Village Drive have been identified by the St. Louis County Police Department. The St. Louis County Police identified the victims as 23-year-old Damarius Bolden of the 7200 block of Teal Avenue in St. Louis and 24-year-old Tajean Johnson of the 3200 block of Greenway Chase Drive in Florissant. Police responded at approximately 10:25 p.m. Wednesday to a ShotSpotter activation
GRANITE CITY - The Granite City Warriors boys basketball team is showing great potential with three wins already recorded early in the 2025-2026 season. Granite City defeated Metro East Lutheran 58-39 on Thursday night, Dec. 4, 2025, at Granite City. Granite City goes to 3-2, and plays Union, Mo. in the Norm Stewart Shootout at Mizzou Arena in Columbia Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, at 2 p.m., then plays at home against Collinsville Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m., then plays McCluer High in Ferguson, Mo., Dec.
ALTON – Three Alton-area residents have been charged with possessing various stolen motorcycles in separate but similar felony cases. Lloyd A. Cook, 59, of Alton, was charged on Nov. 19, 2025 with a Class 2 felony count of offenses related to motor vehicles. He was allegedly knowingly in possession of a 2007 Kawasaki ZZR600 motorcycle on Sept. 19, 2025 which he reportedly knew to be stolen. Scott A. Rector, 37, also of Alton, was charged in a similar but separate case from Nov. 19,
When it comes to lowering your risk of cancer, what you add to your plate can make a meaningful difference. Jeanna Rich, an oncology registered dietitian with OSF Cancer Support Services, says the key is nourishing the body with whole grains, colorful fruits and vegetables, fiber-rich foods and Omega-3s. As someone who works closely with cancer patients, Rich encourages people to think of food as a daily opportunity to fuel the immune system and support long-term health. Why fiber matters M
Did you know that over one billion people worldwide engage in volunteer activities each year, contributing an estimated 8 billion hours of service? This sheer scale of collective effort underscores the vital role volunteers play in shaping communities and improving lives globally. International Volunteer Day (IVD), observed annually on December 5th, celebrates this spirit of selfless contribution and highlights the impact volunteers have on social development, peacebuilding, and humanitarian
December 5th has been a date marked by pivotal moments across the globe, spanning centuries and touching countless aspects of human history. One of the most impactful global events recorded on this day occurred in 1933, when the 21st Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified, officially repealing the 18th Amendment and ending Prohibition. This marked a major shift in American social and legal policy, reversing the nationwide ban on the manufacture, sale, and transportation of
COLLINSVILLE – Illinois State Police (ISP) Troop 8 Commander, Captain Casey Faro, announces the ISP will conduct Nighttime Enforcement (NITE) patrols in Madison and St. Clair counties during December. NITE patrols allow the ISP to focus on preventing, detecting, and taking enforcement action in response to impaired driving and occupant restraint violations especially between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. The number of unrestrained drivers killed in traffic crashes is significantly higher
Friday starts chilly with a high of 39 and a low around 28. Expect intermittent clouds and southern winds around 7 mph, gusting up to 14 mph. It will feel a bit colder, with a feels like temperature dropping to 24 in the morning, warming to about 37 in the afternoon. Friday morning brings a mix of sun and clouds, becoming partly sunny with mild wind in the afternoon. Overnight, skies stay partly cloudy with lows near 28. Winds shift to the west-southwest at about 7 mph with light gusts. Saturday
WOOD RIVER — Sparks and smoke were reported at Bria of Wood River, a long-term care facility at 393 Edwardsville Road, prompting a prompt response from the Wood River Fire Department on Thursday afternoon, Dec. 4, 2025. At 3:01 p.m. Dec. 4, 2025, the Wood River Fire Department, located nearby, received the call and immediately dispatched firefighters to the scene. The East Alton Fire Department also responded to assist. Upon arrival, firefighters found that Bria staff had effectively managed
EDWARDSVILLE - Abstracts and Titles, Inc. is celebrating their 60th anniversary, and they couldn’t be prouder to call Madison County home. On Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, staff members and community leaders gathered at Abstracts and Titles at 205 N. Second Street in Edwardsville for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the milestone. As President Susan Engelke and Vice President Lisa Engelke — a mother-daughter duo — reflect on their journey, they look forward to continuing to hel
BOND COUNTY – Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced that a Pocahontas, Illinois man prosecuted by his office was sentenced to 26 years in prison for possessing child sexual abuse material and unlawfully possessing a weapon. The case is part of Raoul’s ongoing work, in collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies and local law enforcement officials throughout Illinois, to apprehend offenders who download and trade child sexual abuse material online. Kyle A. Bradbury, 44,
HARDIN — On Tuesday, December 2, Illinois American Water started its Village of Hardin District standard maintenance program that includes testing and flushing fire hydrants in addition to a temporary change in water treatment. This proactive maintenance work supports continued delivery of quality water and fire protection to homes and businesses. These efforts are standard industry practices to keep the system operating efficiently. The maintenance program will continue for approximately
EDWARDSVILLE - Senior softball catcher Remi Werden of the Edwardsville High team signed a letter of intent to play for Lake Land College in Mattoon in a ceremony held at the auditorium of the Jon Davis Wrestling Center. Werden is a solid defensive catcher who also provides great leadership skills to the Tigers, and is expected to do the same for the Lakers in the spring of 2027. Last season, Werden was a key player for Edwardsville, hitting .302 with no home runs and nine RBIs, stealing three
GRANITE CITY – State Senator Erica Harriss (R-Glen Carbon) and State Representative Amy Elik (R-Alton) have released the joint statement below following Thursday’s announcement to refire Blast Furnace B at Granite City Works: “Today’s news that Granite City Works will restart Blast Furnace B is the best possible news for the community, the workforce, and the global steel market. For months, we have been working, leaving no stone unturned, alongside local leaders
WASHINGTON, DC — Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today issued the following statement in reaction to the U.S. Department of Defense Inspector General’s report which confirmed that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth put American servicemembers at greater risk by sharing sensitive information about military operations that obviously should have remained classified in unclassified, unsecure Signal chains: “The report confirms what anyone who has served in uniform
EAST ST. LOUIS - Firefighters are battling a heavy blaze Thursday afternoon, Dec. 4, 2025, in a commercial building in downtown East St. Louis, prompting authorities to close Missouri Avenue. The fire broke out in a multi-level brick building in the 400 block of Missouri Avenue. The Fairmont City Fire Department was dispatched and arrived at 1:21 p.m. Thursday, bringing the first ladder truck to the scene. East St. Louis Police confirmed that homeless individuals often seek shelter in the building
ST. LOUIS – The City of St. Louis Department of Human Services has extended the activation of Code Blue protocols through Tuesday, Dec. 9, at 9 a.m. The City of St. Louis and its partners currently have 285 emergency shelter beds in the city, with a surge capacity of up to 345. This is in addition to 400 year-round shelter beds. The City and its partners have been able to serve all individuals and families who sought shelter since the activation of Code Blue on Nov. 26 and will continue
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