ALTON - The second annual Alton Art Expo is accepting applications now. Scheduled for Sept. 26–27, 2026, at The Old Bakery Beer Company, the Alton Art Expo invites artists from across the region to display and sell their art. This year’s expo is dedicated to artist Tai Davis. Donations will be given to Centerstone in honor of Suicide Prevention Month. It’s a topic that’s close to the heart of organizer Charles Mooneyham. “The only reason why I’m alive
O'FALLON, IL. - The family of Debra K. Farmer, a longtime volunteer with the LaVerna Evans PTO, has donated to the LaVerna Evans Elementary School library in O’Fallon, Illinois, the school’s PTO said. The donation was made in her honor following her death on Dec. 5, 2025. The LaVerna Evans PTO said it was “incredibly grateful to the Farmer family for their generous donation to our school library in her honor.” The school is located at 802 Dartmouth Drive in O’Fallon
CHICAGO – The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) and global education company Kaplan today announced that Illinois’ first-in-the-nation free test preparation program – the Prepare for Illinois’ Future Program – will continue through the end of the academic school year. Additionally, Governor JB Pritzker has proposed to fund the program through the FY27 budget for another year as part of his Affordability Agenda and commitment to strengthening
BRADLEY – Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced that global biotherapeutics leader CSL will invest nearly $1.5 billion to construct a new manufacturing facility at the company’s Kankakee campus, creating 300 new full-time jobs while retaining more than 1,200 existing positions. CSL’s investment marks one of the largest life sciences investments in Illinois history, reinforcing the state's leadership while
ST. LOUIS – The City of St. Louis today announced the launch of a new online building permit portal designed to modernize the application process, reduce approval times and significantly limit the need for in-person visits to City Hall. “The development community and everyday citizens have been demanding a simple, easy and 21st century way to apply for building permits. To end 70 years of population decline and make it possible for all St. Louisans displaced by last year’s
SPRINGFIELD – One of the few surviving dresses worn by Mary Lincoln is now on display at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, offering visitors their first chance to see the fragile garment in 15 years. Known as the “strawberry dress” for its decorative pattern of berries and leaves, the dress can be seen in the special exhibit “Lincoln: A Life and Legacy that Defined a Nation.” The exhibit gathers the ALPLM’s most treasured artifacts
EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced today that an East St. Louis man was found guilty of first-degree murder in what prosecutors described as a murder-for-hire killing of a Collinsville woman. Following a bench trial Monday in Madison County, Associate Judge Neil Schroeder found Gary D. Johnson, 46, guilty of first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Portia Rowland, Haine said. Prosecutors said Rowland was shot the morning of Jan. 21, 2025, outside her
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Congressman Jack Bergman (MI-01), and Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Postal Service Caucus, convened a roundtable with leaders from postal unions to discuss how the caucus can support them in protecting postal workers and improving mail delivery for constituents. “I was thrilled to bring together leaders from America’s postal unions for the first roundtable
EAST ST. LOUIS – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced lane closures on eastbound Interstate 70 between Packers Avenue and the eastbound I-70/northbound I-55 merge beginning, weather permitting, Monday, March 9, for bridge maintenance. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this closure. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices
ALTON – Alton officials are set to consider two special event requests and a new production company for the Alton Amphitheater. Multiple amphitheater-related items are on the Alton Committee of the Whole agenda for Monday, March 9, 2026 , including: A resolution authorizing the engagement of Contemporary Productions for the 2026 Alton Amphitheater season. A resolution approving a request from Alton Main Street to rent the Alton Amphitheater for the Mississippi Earthtones Festival.
SWANSEA - Swansea Police arrested an adult male within minutes on Friday, March 6, 2026, after officers responded to a reported bank robbery at Arsenal Credit Union, authorities said. Officers were called on March 6, 2026, to the credit union at 4384 North Illinois St. in Swansea. Arsenal Credit Union employees provided a detailed description of the suspect and his direction of travel, police said. Swansea officers arrived quickly, located the suspect, and took him into custody within five
ROXANA — The Riverbend East Rotary Club recently recognized Roxana High School seniors Haley Eads and Landon Smith as the February recipients of its Service Above Self awards, honoring their volunteer work and leadership in school and community activities in Roxana. Club President Mark Smith presented Service Above Self certificates to Eads and Smith, according to the Rotary Club. Eads, a senior, has participated in volleyball and track and is a member of the National Honor Society. Sh
St. LOUIS COUNTY, MO. — St. Louis County police have identified a motorcyclist who was killed in a crash last week near the intersection of Kilmory Drive and Shackelford Drive. Police said Nicholas Chaney, 44, whose last known address was in the 2600 block of Derby Place in Florissant, died in a motor vehicle crash in the 1800 block of Kilmory Drive at Shackelford Drive. Officers from the North County Precinct responded at 2:20 p.m. Friday, March 6, 2026, and found a motorcycle and
CASEYVILLE - Illinois State Police Troop 8 units responded Saturday night, March 7, 2026, to a fatal crash on Illinois Route 159 in Caseyville, where a northbound passenger car struck a pedestrian and the person’s canine near an intersection, authorities said. The crash happened at about 8:57 p.m. March 7, 2026, on Illinois Route 159 northbound at Hollywood Heights Road in Saint Clair County, according to a preliminary investigation. Illinois State Police said a passenger car traveling
MADISON – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced lane closures on westbound Interstate 55/70 in St. Clair County to allow for bridge maintenance. Beginning at 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 11, weather permitting, westbound I-55/70 will be reduced to two lanes between Illinois 203 and Exchange Avenue. All lanes are expected to reopen by 6 a.m. Friday, March 13. Motorists should expect long delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this closure.
EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 students participated in a polar plunge to raise money for Special Olympics. Throughout the week of March 2–6, 2026, known as Respect Week, students enjoyed activities and conversations centered around inclusion. The week culminated in the polar plunges, where students who raised money for Special Olympics then had water dumped over their heads. Special education teacher and Special Olympics advisor Kayla Magruder noted th
EAST ALTON/WOOD RIVER - The East Alton-Wood River High School bowling team has created a great partnership with the Tyler Timmins Memorial Foundation . On March 14, 2026, the foundation will host their annual trivia night fundraiser in Collinsville. Students from the bowling team will be there to help out. In return, the organization has become one of their top sponsors. Assistant Coach Gary Quigley couldn't be more proud of his team and the relationships they’re building in
TOPEKA, KAN. – Bartlett & West was recognized as a Cornerstone Partner at the 2026 Esri Partner Conference (EPC) held March 8-9 in Palm Springs, Calif. This acknowledgment was presented to Bartlett & West for their long-term commitment to Esri and the geographic information system (GIS) community. Cornerstone Partner recognition is given to organizations that have participated in the Esri Partner Network (EPN) for 20 years while demonstrating a consistent focus on helping customers succee
EDWARDSVILLE - Local students have the opportunity to advance their technical skills as Ranken Technical College offers a new satellite program in Edwardsville. Students can now complete Ranken’s 16-month Diesel Technology program at the local Schneider facility in Edwardsville. From 4–6 p.m. on March 31, 2026, prospective students and their families are invited to an open house at Schneider to tour the facility, meet instructors and get a feel for how the program will operate.
JERSEY - Calhoun County Sheriff Zach Hardin traveled Friday, March 6, 2026, to the Jersey County Sheriff’s Office to deliver lunch and certificates of recognition to Jersey County Sheriff's Office. Sheriff Hardin recognized Sgt. Kevin Ayres and 911 telecommunicators Kelly Nichols and Kaitlin Lewis for actions Hardin said helped locate a missing and endangered elderly woman with dementia who was traveling through Calhoun County. “Oftentimes in law enforcement, negative news outweighs
stLouIST