WOOD RIVER — Allison Layton of Wood River, a recent graduate of East Alton-Wood River High School, has enlisted in the Illinois Army National Guard, according to her mother, Monica Layton. Layton holds the rank of E1, her mother said, as she begins her Army service time. Monica Layton said she was proud of her daughter’s decision. “I am proud and want to show her some love for her dedication to sacrifice and serve,” Monica Layton said. “I am so proud of her.”
BELLEVILLE/O'FALLON - Several students from western Illinois high schools have received the annual ImpactLife Student Impact Award in O’Fallon and Belleville, recognizing their support of the region’s blood supply as donors, advocates, volunteers and blood drive coordinators at the end of the school year, when blood supplies typically decline. The Student Impact Award Program honors students who have supported the blood supply in a variety of ways. Recipients completed at least on
FULTON, Mo. - Westminster College proudly announces those students named to the Spring 2026 Dean's List for exemplary academic performance. The list of 238 students includes 72 freshmen, 58 sophomores, 58 juniors and 50 seniors. Glen Carbon, Illinois - Meg Greer, Freshman Saint Louis, Missouri - Eliva Flowers, Sophomore The Dean's List recognizes Westminster students who excelled academically during the past semester. To be included on the Dean's List, a student must achieve a 3.60 semester
SPRINGFIELD – After 4 am on the final day of the spring session, Illinois Democrats passed a $56 billion Fiscal Year 2027 State Budget, which spends nearly a billion dollars more than last year. The Democratic majority’s budget is a record-high $55.9 billion and relies on $800 million in new revenue, including new taxes on social media platforms and digital ads, while raiding $150 million of revenue from the state sales tax on gasoline. Assistant Republican Leader C.D. Davidsmeyer
SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois General Assembly passed a $55.9 billion state budget, making it the largest budget in state history, supplemented by hundreds of millions in new taxes. State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) voted against the budget package and says it does nothing to address the rising cost of living in Illinois. "People in my district are begging for relief from Illinois' sky-high taxes," said Schmidt. "This budget is full of higher taxes, broken promises, pork projects
GLEN CARBON - State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) has released the following statement following the passage of the 2027 State Budget: “Across our district, families are working hard to keep up with rising costs. Every month brings new challenges as people make careful decisions about how to stretch their paychecks. They deserve a state government that approaches their tax dollars with the same level of responsibility. “I had hoped this budget would reflect that disciplin
EAST ST. LOUIS - Community members in East St. Louis are invited to attend the Stronger Together: Juneteenth Wellness & Unity Fair on June 18, 2026, a free public event aimed at promoting healing, empowerment, wellness, and community connection. The fair will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 505 S. 8th Street in East St. Louis, Illinois. Organizers said the event will bring together more than 20 community organizations and resource partners offering services, education, and support to residents.
FLORISSANT, MO. — In recognition of Women Veterans Recognition Day, a transformative one-day gathering will bring women veterans together for reflection, healing, and community at the Pallottine Retreat & Conference Center. The “Women Veterans: Resilience Reimagined 1-Day Retreat,” taking place from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, is designed to honor and amplify the voices, service, and leadership of women who have served in the past and those who are currently serving. Fo
STAUNTON - Dee Webber has always been a Super Mom. Now, her community is rallying behind her. Webber is a quarterfinalist for the NewsBeauty Super Mom competition. With over 140,000 moms who entered the contest, she is now in the top 1 percent. A Staunton native, the stay-at-home mom of five shared that the competition has inspired her to reflect on her story and her goals for her family. “There are a lot of Super Moms out there. They all have their own journey, and this one is mine,”
EDWARDSVILLE - The Department of Construction in the School of Engineering at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) has received a $600,000 commitment from the Southern Illinois Builders Association (SIBA) and the Southern Illinois Construction Advancement Program (SICAP), supporting student recruitment and workforce development in the construction management profession. The three-year investment will fund recruitment awards for students entering the program and support a strategic
ALTON - Community members are invited to a free lunch-and-learn to find out more about wills and trusts. At 12 p.m. on June 16, 2026, at Vera Lee Meeting and Event Venue in Alton, financial advisor Bill Kinkel and attorney Walter Ozark will share general information about how to navigate wills and trusts to ensure your family is taken care of after your death. The two men emphasized that the goal is to answer common questions to help attendees organize their affairs. “Usually, people
COTTAGE HILLS – A local man faces felony and misdemeanor charges after allegedly leaving the scene of a drunk driving accident that left one person injured. Dillon D. Grether, 27, of Bunker Hill, was charged on May 18, 2026 with one count each of aggravated driving while under the influence, leaving the scene of a crash involving injury or death (both Class 4 felonies), driving while license revoked, and fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer (both Class A misdemeanors). Grether
BELLEVILLE – On Saturday, June 6, 2026, Downtown Belleville will once again come together for Rock the Blue, a community fundraiser benefiting BackStoppers and supporting the first responders who serve and protect our region every day. The event will take place from Noon to 11:00 PM and expand to two blocks of East Main Street, featuring live music, BBQ, bourbon tastings, family-friendly activities, raffles, vendors, face painting, and community gathering spaces. Rock the Blue was created
EDWARDSVILLE — State Senator Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville) issued the following statement after Democrat lawmakers passed a $56 billion budget that includes over $800 million in new taxes, fees, and revenue enhancements: “Eight years under Governor Pritzker have given Illinois families a bigger government, higher costs, and fewer reasons to stay. “This is Pritzker’s eighth budget, and to the shock of no one, his record has not changed. Spending is up more than 40 percent,
ROXANA — Roxana defeated Litchfield 6-5 in eight innings in the Class 2A regional final Saturday, winning on a walk-off RBI single by Sean Maberry to claim the IHSA 2A Regional baseball championship and advance to the Pleasant Plains Sectional on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. The Roxana baseball boys are Midwest Members Credit Union Male Athletes of the Month. Roxana led 4-0 after three innings, and both teams scored in the fourth before Litchfield tied the game with four runs in the fifth.
BELLEVILLE - The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department said Friday afternoon, May 29, 2026, that a search and rescue operation in Belleville’s Signal Hill neighborhood for missing 64-year-old Douglas “Scott” Litsey has concluded for now without locating him, as authorities continue to seek information from the public. The sheriff’s office released the update at 1:29 p.m. Friday, May 29, 2026, saying attempts to locate Litsey were unsuccessful “a
ALTON – Alton High School is proud to announce the Honor Roll recipients for the Spring 2026 semester. These students have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement through their hard work, perseverance, and Redbird spirit of excellence throughout the school year. Earning a spot on the Honor Roll is a notable accomplishment that reflects both strong academic performance and the discipline, responsibility, and determination necessary to uphold high standards during the semester. "We
BRIGHTON — Riders, families, and BMX enthusiasts from across Illinois, Missouri, and neighboring states gathered at Brighton BMX on Saturday for one of the region’s most anticipated racing events of the season: the combined USA BMX Gold Cup Qualifier and Illinois State Qualifier. The event transformed the Brighton BMX facility into a hub of competition and community, drawing racers of all ages to the track and showcasing the growing popularity of BMX racing throughout the
TROY - The Troy/Maryville/St. Jacob/Marine Chamber of Commerce Foundation has announced its 2026 scholarship winners, awarding five local students $1,000 scholarships for academic achievement, leadership, community involvement and future goals. The recipients are Emilynn Graklanoff, Addison Mallette, Alexia Metcalf, Conner Martens and Xavier Carter. The foundation said the Chamber Foundation scholarship program is intended to support and encourage students as they continue their education and
SPRINGFIELD, IL – State Representative Amy Elik (R-Alton) issued the following statement following the Illinois General Assembly’s passage of the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) state budget: “The spring legislative session has ended, and the FY27 budget ignores Illinois’ most pressing problems: out-of-control government spending and the rising cost of living. Instead of providing relief for families in my district, this budget adds $800 million in new taxes on various industries.
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