ALTON – After more than a decade of delays and inaction , Alton city officials on Monday took the first step towards addressing what one downtown property owner has consistently called a public safety hazard . Committee of the Whole members voted 5-1 to invoke section 4.2 of the city’s franchise agreement with Ameren Illinois to relocate bare overhead powerlines currently running less than six feet away from the facade of the historic Snyder Block building at 301 Piasa St.
MT. OLIVE — Georgia-Pacific, a manufacturer of packaging and paper products has announced it will permanently close its box-making facility in Mt. Olive by Dec. 31, 2025. The closure will affect approximately 134 workers at the plant, located at 900 S Route 66, which produces corrugated packaging materials, including cardboard boxes. In an Oct. 30 news release, Georgia-Pacific said the decision to close the plant “is not a reflection of work but rather based on our ability to be competitiv
EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County State’s Attorney Thomas Haine announced Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, that charges of attempted first-degree murder and three additional felonies have been filed against a Granite City man accused of shooting a police officer. D.J. Marshall, 26, of Granite City, is charged with firing multiple shots at Granite City Police Officer Tyler Timmons on the afternoon of Friday, Dec. 5. Officer Timmons was struck twice but survived and was transported to a hospital
KANSAS CITY, MO. - Stanford and Florida State will meet Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in the College Cup national championship game after both teams won their semifinal matches Friday night, Dec. 5, 2025. Lily Freer, a midfielder and Alton High School graduate, will play for Stanford in the contest in Kansas City, MO. The Stanford Cardinal secured a 1-0 victory over ACC rival Duke in a tightly contested defensive battle. Despite numerous scoring chances in the second half from both sides, neither team
ALTON - OSF St. Anthony’s Health Center has received their fourth consecutive “A” score on the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade. The Leapfrog score measures patient health and safety, making note of how often patients present with a hospital-acquired injury or illness. Hospitals are rated from “A” to “F,” and St. Anthony’s was the only hospital in Madison and St. Clair Counties to receive an “A” grade. “It really shows t
JERSEY - Jersey Community High School junior Islee Hileman has been selected for two Illinois Music Educators Association (ILMEA) in two categories for State Bands, the school has announced. Hileman, a trombone player, earned spots in both the State Band and the State Jazz Band but chose to perform with the Jazz Band. In addition, several JCHS choir members were named to the ILMEA State Choir. Willow McCoy and Zoey Barnett were selected for the Honors Choir, while Chloee Hartman and Ben Zimmerman
CHICAGO - Fenwick’s recent 38-28 victory over East St. Louis in the IHSA Class 6A football finals featured key contributions from Travis Williams, a former East Alton-Wood River and University of Illinois standout, and his son, Aiden Williams, a defensive back for Fenwick. Williams was an assistant coach for the team. The win marked a significant achievement against a team widely regarded as a national powerhouse. East St. Louis is known for its star-studded roster that includes players
ALTON - Ameren has provided the City of Alton with a major grant that aims to increase electric vehicle use in the city. The $75,000 grant will lead to either more electric vehicle charging stations installed in Alton, or the city will transition to electric vehicles for their police and public works vehicles. This is part of a community engagement and consultation program that allows Ameren and Alton to analyze the best use of electric vehicles in the city. “We create this plan
SPARTA — Carrie J. Kelley, 43, of Sparta, was arrested Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, on multiple felony charges related to the alleged theft of more than $1 million from MedStar Ambulance Inc., authorities said. The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office announced Kelley’s arrest on warrants for two counts of theft of property over $1 million, a Class X felony; one count of wire fraud, a Class 3 felony; and four counts of fraudulent filing of Illinois income tax, Class 4 felonies. The arrest
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS - The St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office has issued an arrest warrant in connection with the death of a 3-month-old infant last year. On Nov. 21, 2025, State’s Attorney James Gomric announced a warrant for Shannon L. Williams Jr., 24, charging him with Endangering the Life or Health of a Child/Causing Death, a Class 3 felony. The charge stems from the death of Williams’ son, identified by the initials A.W., on May 26, 2024. Fairview Heights
ALTON — Corbin Radford Barnard, a senior at Marquette Catholic High School, is being recognized for his achievements in bowling. Barnard has averaged a 223 score throughout the 2025-2026 season and was part of the first Marquette bowling team to qualify for the state competition last year. Barnard is a Tucker's Automotive Male Athlete of the Month for the Explorers. Barnard has played bowling for all four years of high school and credits his success to the strong bond he shares with his
ALTON – State Representative Amy Elik (R-Alton) is hosting a Holiday Food Drive at her district office in Alton. The food drive will run from December 8th through December 19th. “I’m happy to host my fifth annual holiday food drive this holiday season,” said Elik. “If you are able, please join me in helping provide food that will be delivered to local food pantries. Anything you can provide will help local families have a happy Christmas season.” Non-perishable
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Fair is excited to announce that country music sensation Ella Langley will take the Grandstand Stage as part of the 2026 Illinois State Fair lineup on Friday, August 21, 2026. Langley, one of country music’s most dynamic and fastest-rising new voices, has rapidly become a force in the genre. Her debut album, hungover, earned widespread critical acclaim from Rolling Stone, The New York Times, Billboard and more, while her 3x Platinum-certified
JERSEYVILLE – A Jerseyville man is the latest Riverbend resident to be charged with grooming, child solicitation, and more after authorities uncovered Grindr messages between himself and an adult posing as a 14-year-old child. Matthew H. Edens, 31, of Jerseyville, was charged on Nov. 24, 2025 with one count each of indecent solicitation of a child, traveling to meet a minor (both Class 3 felonies), solicitation to meet a child, and grooming (both Class 4 felonies). From Nov. 21-22,
ALTON - Mac’s Downtown Alton is partnering with Olga’s Kitchen to bring the restaurant’s fan-favorite dishes to the local community in the coming weeks. The collaboration was announced recently, with plans to launch the new offerings by late December when Olga's closes its location at Alton Square Mall. Rob Lenhardt, one of the owners of Mac’s, shared details about the partnership and the history of Olga’s Kitchen. He noted that Olga’s has been a staple for
ALTON - Community members have the opportunity to celebrate Christmas and give back at an upcoming party. From 6–11 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, you can come out to Bowl Haven in Alton for the 19th annual Christmas party organized by the nonprofit Something Bigger Than Yourself. The party benefits Alton Catholic Children’s Home, Beverly Farms, and the Alton Boys and Girls Club. Everyone in the community is invited to come, have fun, and give back. “When you come to
WOOD RIVER — Madison County residents are now able to send a text message directly to 911 when calling isn’t safe or possible. The Madison County Emergency Telephone System Board (ETSB) launched Text-to-911, a new communication option that allows residents to contact emergency dispatchers via text message during life-threatening situations. “Sometimes, calling just isn’t an option,” 911 Director Arron Weber said. “If you’re hiding during a domestic
SPRINGFIELD – A comprehensive new report released today by the University of Illinois’ Project for Middle Class Renewal (PMCR) finds that while Illinois has made meaningful progress toward gender pay equity since implementing pay data reporting requirements under a 2021 amendment to the Equal Pay Act of 2003 (EPA), significant occupational disparities in pay persist—particularly for Black and Hispanic workers in low-wage sectors. The analysis, conducted by Dr. Tingting Zhang
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois State Police (ISP) Director Brendan F. Kelly gathered today with ISP staff and their families, local law enforcement officers, and distinguished members of the public for the annual ISP Awards Ceremony. The ceremony was held to recognize individuals for their significant contributions and dedication to public safety in 2024. Director Kelly presented individuals with the following awards: Director’s Award of Distinction, Medal of Valor, Medal for Honor, Achievement
SPRINGFIELD – Youth between the ages of 10 and 17 who would like to participate in the annual Central Illinois Youth Goose Hunt sponsored by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources can register now for the event, which is scheduled for Jan. 19, 2026, in Fulton County. Registration is open through Dec. 31. To participate, youth hunters must go online for additional information and to register . The hunt will be hosted at private waterfowl hunting clubs near Canton in Fulton County,
stLouIST