COLLINSVILLE — The Illinois State Police announced the results of Roadside Safety Checks conducted in Madison and St. Clair counties in October, aimed at reducing impaired driving and enhancing road safety. During the enforcement period, troopers issued a total of 80 citations and arrests, including one for driving under the influence and nine for other alcohol or drug-related offenses. Additional citations included 14 occupant restraint violations, 41 registration offenses, 38 driver’s
ST. LOUIS – With the escalating local demand for food-related resources, the United Way of Greater St. Louis (UWGSL) 211 team and Volunteer Center, alongside our dedicated partners, are unwavering in our commitment to delivering vital support and resources to neighbors in need. Together, we are taking proactive measures to ensure that assistance is readily available to those who need it most. United Way’s 211 is here to help through the uncertain times ahead. We are here to
ALTON - After 22 years of hosting and over a decade of co-hosting with Alton Main Street, the Green Gift Bazaar has served its purpose and will not be held this year. The event began in 2002, when Small Business Saturdays weren’t yet a widespread movement and Black Friday was the primary focus of the holiday shopping season. The Sierra Club and Alton Main Street would like to thank all of the artists, makers, hosts, volunteers, and participants for many years of dedicated participation
COLLINSVILLE - Andrey W. Wilke, 28, wanted on multiple warrants, has been arrested in Missouri and is currently in custody, the Collinsville Police Department announced. Collinsville Police said Wilke, whose last known address was in Collinsville, faced active felony warrants for unlawful use of a credit card and financial exploitation of the elderly. He also had an outstanding warrant from another agency for identity theft, the police said. Authorities had been seeking Wilke as part of their
EAST ALTON - Community members are invited to East Alton for a free spaghetti dinner. From 5–7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, you can stop by the town hall at 33 S. 9th Street in East Alton to enjoy a hot meal and a sense of community. Organized by Jennifer Maher, the community spaghetti dinner aims to bring people together and help those who might be struggling. “We are offering warm meals to anyone and everyone in the community,” Maher said. “Times are tough,
GODFREY - Christopher Sichra of Godfrey served in the U.S. Army from 1987 to 1991, contributing to Cold War and Gulf War era missions. During his military career, Sichra was assigned first to the 69th Ordinance Company in Longare, Italy, where he served as a Nuclear Weapons Specialist with the Southern European Task Force, operating in Italy, Greece, and Turkey. He later joined Bravo Company of the 303rd Military Intelligence Battalion, becoming a certified Military Intelligence Analyst after trainin
GRAFTON - Riverbend residents have only a few more days to get their tickets to the second annual Craft Beverage Festival. Hosted by Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau at Grafton Winery The Vineyards, the festival will run from 12–4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, and feature ten craft beverage producers and six food vendors. Cory Jobe, president of Great Rivers and Routes, expressed his excitement to share the work of so many local businesses with the community. “It’s
JERSEYVILLE — An 8-year-old boy from Jerseyville East School is making a notable impact in his community by helping to support the homeless. Dennis Stumpf, the young boy, has significant support with the local initiative connected to his mother’s cleaning business, TNT. Dennis Stumpf, described by his mother as compassionate and upbeat, has been involved in charitable efforts despite his young age and personal health challenges. Diagnosed with epilepsy at an early age and having experience
BETHALTO - Community members have the chance to receive free turkeys — and to give back. Pruitt Mechanical Services in Bethalto is hosting a turkey giveaway at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, at a location that will be announced soon. The turkeys will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Owner Joe Pruitt noted they could still use the community’s support so they can help as many people as possible. “There’s a lot of struggling going on right now,”
ALTON — The Alton Halloween Parade once again attracted hundreds of people and was very well-received along the entire route in Downtown Alton on Friday evening, Oct. 31, 2025, according to Steve Schwartz of East End Improvement, the parade’s longtime sponsor. East End Improvement Association, founded in 1916, has traditionally sponsored the event except for interruptions during World War II and one year during the COVID-19 Pandemic, when the city organized a trunk-or-treat event
ALTON — Alton Police Officer Lane Lawson and his K9 partner, Riggs, graduated from the K9 Academy this past, the Alton Police Department announced. The training program included instruction in tracking, narcotics detection, and suspect apprehension. With the completion of the academy, Lawson and Riggs are now a certified K9 team authorized to serve the Alton community. Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford and the department expressed enthusiasm about the addition of K9 Riggs to th
ALTON - The Grandpa Gang has been hard at work decorating Rock Springs Park for Christmas, but on Halloween night, the group came together for the Alton Halloween Parade. On Oct. 31, 2025, several members of the Grandpa Gang rode in a truck through the parade route to drum up excitement for the annual Christmas Wonderland attraction at Rock Springs Park. Every year, these grandpas work through the fall to decorate Rock Springs Park in Christmas lights so cars can drive through and admire
ALTON - Denise Sparks believes she has “the best spot” to watch the Alton Halloween Parade. Located at 2201 E. Broadway in Alton, Sparks Junk Removal and Hauling is known for helping the community clean up. But on Oct. 31, 2025, Sparks and her friends and family were taking the evening off to relax and watch the parade from the business’s parking lot. “This is a no-brainer,” Sparks said. “We’ve invited some friends and family down, and we’re
EDWARDSVILLE — The Edwardsville-Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Halloween Parade Friday evening, Oct. 31, 2025, drawing families and children eager to celebrate the holiday with festive floats and candy. The parade began promptly at 6:30 p.m. at Lincoln Middle School in Edwardsville. Participants traveled east along St. Louis Street, turned onto Vandalia Street, and proceeded north on Main Street, passing the Wildey Theater. Attendees praised the float presentations
ALTON - The Alton Halloween Parade always features several Jeep groups, but Shannon Schneider says Riverbend Jeeps is about much more than a parade. On Oct. 31, 2025, the Riverbend Jeeps club was preparing to show off ten Jeeps in the parade. President Schneider explained that while all of the members enjoy participating in parades or taking drives together, they do a lot to help the community, too. “We’re a non-for-profit organization,” she said. As part of their mission
ALTON – After multiple undercover drug buys by Alton Police, a Godfrey man has been charged along with his sister and girlfriend with possession of a stolen firearm and over 300 grams of cocaine among other charges. Mintai A. Bedford, 39, of Godfrey, was charged on Oct. 31, 2025 with one count each of possession of a firearm by a repeat felony offender, armed violence, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, (each Class X felonies), and unlawful possession of a stolen
STAUNTON – Madison Communications is proud to announce that Bryan Huffstutler has been named the World Champion at the 2025 SCTE Broadband Championship, held during TechExpo25 in Washington, D.C. Hosted by the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE), the Broadband Championship is the industry’s premier competition recognizing excellence in broadband technology and technical skills. This year’s event brought together 28 top competitors from SCTE chapters around the
ALTON - A special group of dancers were ready to take the streets by storm at the Alton Halloween Parade. On Friday, Oct. 31, 2025, dancers from King Khi’s Royal Court gathered in downtown Alton for their debut in the Alton Halloween Parade. Dressed like the character Wednesday Addams, the young girls showed off their costumes and their dance moves along the parade route. “We do a lot, and everything is about the kids, just giving them opportunities that they don’t necessarily
ALTON — George Berry, a Vietnam War veteran who served in the U.S. Air Force from 1967 to 1974, is being recognized for his military service. Berry held the rank of Staff Sergeant during his time in the armed forces. Berry, a native of Alton, served during the Vietnam War. His service period spanned seven years, reflecting a significant commitment to his country. Janet Berry, his wife, submitted a message expressing her desire for George Berry to be included in local contributions honoring
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