On Saturday, February 6, 1926, Ruth Draper performed at Monticello Seminary in Godfrey. Draper captivated the audience at Reid Memorial Chapel with her dramatic original monologues. New York critic Kelcey had recently credited Draper with being “the best actress in America…she stands alone in her art,” and the Alton Evening Telegraph author who covered the performance agreed. “Those who heard give her recital of amusing impersonations in monologues at Monticello
ALTON - The Alton Police Department is investigating a shooting that left a victim in critical condition after officers were dispatched Saturday night, Feb. 7, 2026, to a residence in the Alton Acres neighborhood, authorities said. Officers were sent at about 9:08 p.m. Feb. 7, 2026, to a home in the 3100 block of Lawn Street in Alton, after a report that a person had been shot, according to information provided by the Alton Police Department. During the initial investigation, officers identified
EDWARDSVILLE - Tremolos flared brilliantly at the Annual Jazz Alumni Concert performance in Dunham Hall Theater, Feb. 4, 2026. The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Concert Jazz Band welcomed back star alumni bassist Carlos Henderson (’96), and trombonist Chris Leach (’96), to fill the theater with lively performances of reworked favorites and a touching tribute to former Professor Emeritus Rick Haydon. Garrett Schmidt, conductor of the Concert Jazz Band and Jason Swagler,
EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville High School's Colin Dexter is seeking donations to help cover his tuition for the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps, saying he needs financial support to take part in the group’s summer tour with expenses that include travel, housing, equipment, and food. “My name is Colin Dexter, and I am reaching out because I need help covering my tuition for the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps,” he said. “Being a member of The Cavaliers has been a dream
SPRINGFIELD – The State Treasurer’s Office made $1.5 billion in investment earnings from the state investment portfolio during 2025, Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced today. Treasurer Frerichs is the state’s Chief Investment and Banking Officer. He is responsible for investing state revenue in the state investment portfolio . “We are trying to maximize earnings for our state at a time when President Trump is illegally yanking away federal money from Illinois
ALTON — Alton Police responded Saturday night to an apparent shooting in the 3100 block of Lawn Street, where an ambulance and helicopter were called to transport a victim to a St. Louis hospital. An ambulance was seen leaving the scene with its lights and sirens on, and a helicopter was called for the transport. Crime scene tape was stretched across the front of an apartment, and evidence markers were seen in front of the apartment door. Alton detectives were on scene interviewing people
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and U.S. Representative Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-06) today introduced the Prohibiting Tianeptine and Other Dangerous Products Act , legislation that would prohibit tianeptine from being marketed to consumers. Tianeptine is an unapproved drug that is marketed as a purported dietary supplement and sold under labels such as “Neptune’s Fix.” Ingestion of tianeptine has le
VENICE, IL. - Venice, Illinois, ranks as the most affordable city in the nation to buy a home in MoneyLion’s 2026 analysis of the cheapest places to purchase a home in every state, according to a new research study released by the financial services company. MoneyLion said it analyzed data from Zillow and the U.S. Census to identify the least-expensive qualifying city in each state, pairing average home values with local household incomes and benchmarking results against what it described
EDWARDSVILLE – Madison County voters will see very few contested county-wide races on their ballots for the 2026 primary elections. In the Republican primary race for Madison County Clerk, Kurt Prenzler is challenging incumbent Linda Andreas. The party’s chosen nominee will go on to face Democrat Rachelle Bauerle in the general election on Nov. 3, 2026. Only two County Board races will see competition during the primaries, with incumbents facing challengers in Districts 4 and 10.
EDWARDSVILLE – The Madison County Recorder’s Office earned an annual award for the second year in a row for work promoting the Property Fraud Alert (PFA) program recently. The award is given to a county in Illinois each year for the highest enrollments. Clerk & Recorder, Linda Andreas, has added over 21,000 new subscribers since 2023 towards the total of 28,700 subscribers in Madison County, about 41%. She would like to see this number increase to 100% of property owners. Linda
When it comes to energy costs, summer air conditioning often gets the most attention. But for the average Ameren Missouri customer, electricity use is typically highest in January and February. In both 2024 and 2025, the average customer used approximately 1,300 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity in the first two months of the year. July and August usage is close behind, but the start of the year leads overall. This can come as a surprise because bills are commonly associated with summer heat.
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS - Fairview Heights Police announced that Officer Connor Maedge has been named Officer of the Year, citing his activity and arrests during 2025 in Fairview Heights. “Congratulations to Fairview Heights Officer Connor Maedge on being named Officer of the Year,” the department said in a statement. “Thank you for your dedication and outstanding service to our community.” The department said Maedge was responsible for 567 traffic stops and 86 pedestrian
SPRINGFIELD – This Super Bowl weekend, the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and numerous local police and sheriff’s departments across the state are taking a timeout to spread two important safety messages to the public – “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Click It or Ticket.” The Super Bowl safety campaign runs from Friday, Feb. 6, through 6 a.m. Monday, Feb. 9. “Before the game begins, designate a driver o
ST. LOUIS – The United Way of Greater St. Louis (UWGSL) annual community campaign has raised $60 million to invest in helping local individuals and families in need across 16 counties in Missouri and Illinois. UWGSL provides funding and support to a safety net of 160 local nonprofits that help people with basic needs, early childhood and youth success, jobs and financial mobility, health and well-being, and community stability and crisis response. The dollars raised from the UWGSL community
GODFREY – Here's a look at the exciting events coming up this month at Lewis & Clark Community College and beyond: Recurring Event – Alton Area Tax Project: 5-7 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m.-noon, Saturdays, through April 14, lower level, Templin Nursing Building, Lewis and Clark Community College, 5800 Godfrey Rd., Godfrey. Appointments required. Visit www.AltonAreaTaxProject.com/appointment or call (314) 292-9579. 2/7 – Trailblazers Women’s
TROY – A man accused of threatening to kill Troy city officials in an effort to stop data center development discussions remains in custody pending felony charges. Anthony P. Hinojosa, 33, of Trenton, Ill., was charged on Feb. 6, 2026 with a Class 3 felony count of intimidation, and one count each of electronic harassment and false report of an offense, both Class 4 felonies. On Feb. 4, 2025, Hinojosa allegedly threatened to physically harm any Troy city officials “responsible fo
SHIOLH - Shiloh Police said Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, that a 32-year-old Jiu-Jitsu instructor has been charged with multiple felonies after investigators looked into an “inappropriate sexual relationship” involving a teenage female student and possible incidents at the suspect’s residence in Shiloh. The St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office issued a 13-count warrant charging Kody R. Strunk, 32, of the 100 block of Kathy Drive in Shiloh, on Friday, Feb.
EDWARDSVILLE - Fire crews responded quickly to a house fire in the 7100 block of Barton Mills Court at 10:08 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, finding a garage fully engulfed. Three residents inside the home were able to evacuate the house on their own, safely without injuries, Edwardsville Deputy Fire Chief Bob Morgan said. Morgan said when crews arrived, the attached garage to the home was "engulfed in flames." He said firefighters attacked the blaze with water quickly,“ which greatly helped
CHICAGO — A Forest Park gas station is celebrating after selling a winning Powerball ® ticket worth a cool $1 million. The winning ticket was sold at Refiners Citgo, located at 7323 Randolph St. in Forest Park. One lucky Illinois Lottery player matched all five white ball numbers in the Wednesday, February 4, Powerball drawing to win the $1 million prize. The winning numbers were: 27-29-30-37-58. “I couldn’t believe it—we’ve been waiting for this moment!,”
MADISON – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced lane and ramp closures on eastbound Interstate 55/70 in St. Clair County to allow for bridge maintenance. Beginning at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, weather permitting, eastbound I-55/70 will be reduced to two lanes between Illinois 203 and Exchange Avenue. At the same time, the ramp from westbound I-64 to eastbound I-55/70 will be closed. All lanes, including the ramp, are expected to reopen by 6 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 12
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