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BUZZ MAGAZINE – The Rose Bowl is the oldest bowl game of all, and many college football fans think it is the greatest. A Macoupin County man was a star of that game in 1957. Don Dobrino, who became a high school coaching legend at both Gillespie and Mount Olive, played a pivotal role in helping Iowa run past Oregon State 35-19 in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day 1957. It was the final game for Dobrino in a standout career with the Hawkeyes. Before that, Dobrino was one of the top

A recent Consumer Reports investigation has found that many protein powders and shakes contain troubling amounts of lead. A study of 23 protein products suggested that many powders could have risk due to lead contamination. The experts reviewed dairy, beef and plant-based protein supplements, including powders and ready-to-drink shakes. Testing showed that plant-based and chocolate flavors had the highest lead levels. Dairy-based options typically had lower lead levels but were not completely

BELLEVILLE — Sgt. Cerether White of the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department retired on Jan. 2, 2026, concluding a 25-year career marked by diverse roles and commendations. White began her service as a correctional officer on Dec. 18, 2000. During her tenure at the county jail, she was selected for the Special Operations Response Team (SORT). She later served as a D.A.R.E. officer and worked with the Drug Tactical Unit before her promotion to the patrol division in

JERSEYVILLE – Jersey Community Middle School has officially released their 2nd Quarter Honor Roll lists, recognizing several students for their hard work over the past quarter. 5th Grade Honor Roll: Adisyn Baker Kennadi Bland Thalia Calan Cade Crotchett Aubrey Cummings D’Angelo Edwards Jase Federle Una Faye Garland Jaxon Howell Jaelyn Kendall Blayklee Klunk Jayla Lane Adalynn McGiffen Clayton McKinnon Aubree Metcalfe Xander Rushing Korbin Ruyle Jase Strebel Han

EDWARDSVILLE – Lashly & Baer, P.C. announced today that it will open a new office in Edwardsville, Illinois, at 122 N Main St, Edwardsville, IL 62025, effective January 1, 2026. The new location expands the firm’s presence in Illinois and reinforces its long-term commitment to serving clients throughout the Metro East and surrounding communities. For more than a century, as a full-service firm, Lashly & Baer has developed a very diverse and extremely loyal base of local, regional

COLLINSVILLE - The Collinsville, Illinois, Fire Department has become the first fire department in the St. Louis region and among the first in Illinois to deploy the new ZOLL EMS and Fire Zenix Cardiac Monitors in active service. This recent announcement marks a significant step in the department’s ongoing efforts to enhance pre-hospital emergency care and improve patient outcomes. After a thorough evaluation of available cardiac monitor platforms and consideration of long-term

EDWARDSVILLE - State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) is inviting the community to help put a smile on the faces of local seniors this Valentine’s Day! She is encouraging students, scout troops, churches, families, and community groups to create heartfelt, homemade Valentine’s Day cards for residents in long-term care and assisted living facilities across the 56th District. “This is a simple way for our community to come together and show our seniors how loved and

Letter To The Editor: In 1837, in a small river town in Illinois, a mob decided it was done debating. Elijah Parish Lovejoy — a minister, newspaper editor, and abolitionist — was not killed because he attacked anyone. He was not killed because he broke the law. He was killed because he refused to stop publishing ideas that others found dangerous. Four times his printing press was destroyed. On the fifth, the mob came for more than metal and ink. They came for the man himself. Edward

MILLINGTON, Tenn. — A native of St. Louis, Mo., recently completed an intensive 10-week training program to become a member of the elite U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard. Airman Joseph Parker, a 2025 Oakville High School graduate, joined the Navy six months ago. Today, Parker serves as a U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guardsman. “I joined the Navy to ensure a better future for myself and my future family,” Parker said. Established in 1931, the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard is the official

BUZZ MAGAZINE – The Madison County Historical Society (MCHS) will host their annual Winter Wine and Cheese Reception on Wednesday, January 28 from 4:30- 7:00 p.m. in the museum building at 715 N. Main Street in Edwardsville, Illinois. The event is a fundraiser to help cover operating expenses for the Madison County History Museum and Archival Library. A suggested donation of $25 can be paid by check, cash, or credit card at the door. The public are invited to attend. The museum has been

GRANITE CITY – A Granite City man faces felony charges after allegedly using fireworks to carry out a residential arson. Nicholas J. Miller, 28, of Granite City, was charged on Jan. 2, 2026 with a Class 1 felony count of residential arson. On Jan. 1, 2026, Miller allegedly knowingly damaged another person’s residence by means of fire in the 2200 block of Alexander Street in Granite City, which was occupied by the property owner. A petition to deny Miller’s pretrial release

ALTON - The Alton Police Department said at 10:55 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, officers responded to a bar in Downtown Alton for a report of people fighting inside a private party at an establishment. Alton Police said the investigation revealed that a physical altercation broke out during a private party at Mac's Timeout, among known individuals. Following a thorough investigation, the following individuals were charged on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, by the Madison County State's Attorney Tom

ALTON - Community members will come together for a candlelight vigil to honor Renee Nicole Good, a Minneapolis woman who was shot and killed by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer earlier this week. Over 240 people have responded to a Facebook event page inviting community members to the candlelight vigil, to be held from 6–8 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Lincoln Douglas Square in Alton. The organizer, who asked to remain anonymous, believes the community

EDWARDSVILLE – The Edwardsville Police Department has announced that three people have been arrested in connection with a burglary investigation at a vacant building that once served as a medical facility. The Edwardsville Police Department said it responded to a report of a burglary in progress at 1261 University Drive in Edwardsville just after 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. "Upon arrival, officers observed a male subject fleeing the building and took him into custody," the

GLEN CARBON - Scott Phelps, who is an outfielder for the highly successful Father McGivney Catholic High School baseball team, has signed a letter of intent to play for Kaskaskia College in Centralia. Phelps had a successful junior season with the Griffins in 2025, hitting .398, with no homers and 41 RBIs, many in key situations, drawing 14 walks while striking out only 10 times, in helping the Griffins to a 38-4 record, losing in the IHSA Class 1A state final to Ottawa Marquette Catholic 6-5

COLLINSVILLE - Javier Cass is a junior forward for the boys basketball team at Granite City High School, and stays positive and upbeat for the remainder of the Warriors season. Cass is enjoying a good year thus far, averaging 9.1 points and 2.9 rebounds-per-game, and also has 34 assists and 11 steals to his credit. He'll be an important cog for the Warriors as they enter the second half of the season. Recently, Granite City defeated Belleville East in a key Southwestern Conference win to start

ALTON - A group of Alton historians are raising concerns about the Alton Museum of History and Art. Diana Maul Halstead, an Alton native, recently appeared on “Our Daily Show!” with CJ Nasello, wherein she spoke about the museum’s governance and transparency. The museum closed in March 2020 during the COVID-19 Pandemic and has not reopened. Halstead has questions about the items and properties owned by the museum. “This is about preservation, accountability, an

COLLINSVILLE - In its weekly "Fugitive Friday" edition on social media, the Collinsville Police Department said it is seeking public assistance in locating Chrishawn Crosby, who is wanted in connection with a domestic incident. Crosby faces charges of Domestic Battery, Aggravated Domestic Battery, and Criminal Damage to Property. Authorities urge anyone with information about Crosby’s whereabouts to contact the department at 618-344-2131, extension 5209. Callers can leave a message an

CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today filed a lawsuit with the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Minnesota and New York challenging the Trump administration’s illegal attempt to freeze $10 billion in federal funding that provides critical support for children and families. “At a time when families are struggling with basic costs of living, the Trump administration’s arbitrary move to withhold this funding is particularly callous,” Raoul said.

When your child is at school, daycare, work or in sports, their health and safety is a top priority. The adults in the room should know the youngster’s health information and what to do if something goes wrong. But do you need to take it a step further? Should the child wear a bracelet at all times with their medical needs printed on it? It depends, says Luis Garcia, MD , an OSF HealthCare pediatrician. When and when not “We will advocate for use in kids with certain conditions