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WOOD RIVER – Downtown Wood River is one step closer to welcoming a new park and outdoor event space . At their March 16, 2026 meeting , City Council members unanimously approved a Professional Services Agreement between the City of Wood River and Gray Design Group of Illinois, Inc. for the future City Center Park and outdoor event space, set to be located at 101 E. Ferguson Ave. Gray Design Group will prepare a preliminary design for the outdoor space, subject to city approval, under

WILL COUNTY — Governor JB Pritzker and Hyundai Translead today announced that the company will establish new trailer manufacturing facilities in Illinois, creating nearly 2,500 new full-time jobs in the state. With Hyundai Translead’s $450 million investment and commitment to creating thousands of jobs in Will County, Illinois continues to establish itself as a global destination for advanced manufacturing companies who invest in Illinois communities. Today’s announcement

ST. LOUIS – The United Way of Greater St. Louis (UWGSL) is now accepting applications for its 2027-2029 Safety Net Funding cycle and invites all eligible agencies— within its 16-county region across Missouri and Illinois, including those not currently receiving United Way funding—to apply. United Way equips 160 local nonprofits with vital funding and training resources to support measurable impact across its five impact areas. Organizations selected for the 2027-2029 cycle

MARYVILLE, IL. - An Arkansas man was sentenced to 210 months in federal prison after admitting he robbed a motel in Maryville, Illinois, at gunpoint in May 2023, authorities said in a case investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Maryville Police Department. U.S. District Judge sentenced Rickey Martin Jr., 36, in East St. Louis, after Martin pleaded guilty in November to one count of Hobbs Act robbery and one count of brandishing and use of a firearm during

ALTON - Community members can enjoy a hot meal for a good cause while celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. On Tuesday, March 17, 2026, Alton VFW Post #1308 will offer a St. Patrick’s Day meal and DJ. The meal starts at 1 p.m. and costs $10 a plate for corned beef, potatoes, cabbage, carrots and horseradish. DJ Tommy will perform from 4–8 p.m. Community members are invited to join the VFW for a fun celebration. “We’re hoping to have a good time,” said Becky

ST. LOUIS - St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer said her office is working with the city’s Office of Violence Prevention after what she described as “street takeovers and dangerous juvenile behavior” that occurred over the weekend in St. Louis, as police responded to shootings, takeovers and large crowds following 314 Day celebrations. “My office and I are aware of the street takeovers and dangerous juvenile behavior that occurred this past weekend,” Spencer said in a

BELLEVILLE - Detectives investigating a homicide at a Belleville home have filed a murder charge against a 20-year-old Belleville man, police said. On March 16, 2026, detectives with the Belleville Police Department presented information related to the March 15, 2026, homicide that occurred at the residence of a 78-year-old man in the 200 block of Union Avenue in Belleville. Following a review of the evidence, the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office issued a charge of

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and her Senate Democratic colleagues in introducing legislation that would create a tax rebate program for individuals and families who have paid increased prices for groceries and everyday essentials due to President Trump’s unlawful foreign tariffs. According to a U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee (JEC) report , Trump’s illegal tariffs have already cost American

GODFREY - The Village of Godfrey is learning more about the possibility of building a recreation center. On March 10 and 12, 2026, community members could gather for presentations by four architectural firms. FGM Architects, Farnsworth Group, Baysinger Architects, and AAIC Inc. all presented information about their work. Godfrey residents could ask questions and learn more about what the rec center might look like. “It's exciting to see for the public to be involved,” said Gerar

CHICAGO — Today, Governor JB Pritzker signed Executive Order 2026-03 to establish an Illinois State Attainment Working Group. The working group will evaluate Illinois’ workforce and training needs, which includes identifying the degrees, certificates, workforce credentials, and support systems Illinoisans will need to meet future labor market demand, strengthen economic mobility, and support long-term economic growth across the state. ? The group will also establish a postsecondary

MEQUON, Wis. — Concordia University-Wisconsin officials have released the Fall Honors List for the 2025-26 academic year. The President's Honors List for the University is composed of those full-time undergraduate students who have completed a minimum of 12 combined undergraduate and graduate credits in a 16-week semester and have a minimum grade point average of 3.75 or above. Bethalto's August Frankford, a sophomore, Pharmaceutical Sciences major, was named to the Concordia University-Wisconsin

ST. CLAIR COUNTY – The Illinois Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting to discuss a study for the proposed improvements on Illinois 177 in Mascoutah. The meeting will be held: Wednesday, March 18 4-7 p.m. Mascoutah High School 1313 W. Main St., Mascoutah The project involves replacing the existing pavement on Illinois 177 in Mascoutah that was originally constructed in 1921 and last rehabilitated in 2002. The project will also evaluate intersection improvements

ALTON - Local students will soon have the chance to take robotics classes at Alton Middle School. The Alton Community Unit School District #11 received a $10,000 grant from Project Lead the Way made possible by Phillips 66, which will enable the middle school to offer a robotics program. Principal Dr. Brian Saenz and teacher Dr. Brad Bolt noted that this program will allow students to engage with cutting-edge technology in a variety of fields, from engineering to medicine. “It’s

JERSEY/GREENE/CALHOUN/MACOUPIN – Several contested and uncontested races are set for the March 17, 2026 primary elections across Jersey, Greene, Calhoun, and Macoupin Counties. Jersey Count y Contested Races In the race for Jersey County Treasurer, two Republicans are competing for their party’s nomination. Incumbent Treasurer Rebecca Strang faces challenger Jonathan Goetten; the winner will run unopposed in the November general elections, since no Democrat candidate

EDWARDSVILLE - Metro East Lutheran High School freshman Cally Shank emerged as a versatile option for the program during the 2025-2026 girls basketball season, showing progress in a guard-forward role, according to her coach. Shank, a freshman forward for Metro East Lutheran, has “really stepped up as of late” in the girls basketball campaign, head coach Rob Stock said as the season concluded. Shank is a BJ's Printables Female Athlete Of The Month. Coach Stock said Shank is “starting

BELLEVILLE – St. Clair County voters face a somewhat light ballot this election cycle, with only one contested county-level race set for the March 17, 2026 primaries. Contested Race For County Sheriff The only contested primary race facing St. Clair County voters this election is the race for County Sheriff. Incumbent Sheriff Richard “Rick” Watson face challenger Edgar Ellis in the Democratic primary race for sheriff. With no Republican candidates having filed, the nominee

BELLEVILLE - The victim in the tragic shooting situation that evolved at 3:50 p.m. on Sunday, March 15, 2026, in the 5800 block of Belleville Crossing has been identified by the St. Clair County Coroner's Office as Montavion Conrad, 20, of Belleville. The shooting victim was pronounced dead at 4:17 p.m. on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at Belleville Memorial Hospital. Upon arrival, Belleville Police officers said they located a 20-year-old male suffering from a gunshot wound.

EDWARDSVILLE – With the March 17, 2026 primary elections just around the corner, here’s one last look at the key county-wide races and ballot questions for Madison County voters. Contested Races 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. Two incumbents on the County Board are facing challengers

NEW ATHENS - The National Weather Service in St. Louis said an EF-1 tornado struck New Athens in St. Clair County on Sunday evening, March 15, 2026. An EF-1 tornado has wind speeds between 86 mph and 110 mph. Matt Beitscher, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in St. Louis, said the tornado that caused some significant damage was "a weak EF-1 tornado with peak winds of 90 mph touched down just west of New Athens, Illinois at 5:47 pm on March 15, 2026 and caused damage to a few structure

ALTON - A free community health screening offering take-home colorectal cancer tests and other screenings for adults is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Church of the Living God, 101 W. Elm St., in Alton. The event is being conducted in recognition of Colorectal Awareness Month. Services offered will include colorectal cancer take-home tests, health education materials, a prostate cancer blood test, and blood pressure screening. "Too many are dying at a young