EDWARDSVILLE - Metro East Lutheran senior Jack Shank delivered a standout performance in the 2025 cross country postseason, highlighted by a personal record at the IHSA 1A State Cross Country Meet. Shank, who is set to graduate following the spring track and field season, placed 65th at the state meet on Nov. 8, 2025, completing the course in 15 minutes, 45.2 seconds. Shank is a BJ's Printables Male Athlete of the Month for MELHS. Shank’s season included a third-place finish at the Oct.
COLLINSVILLE — The Collinsville City Council has adopted a new ordinance regulating door-to-door solicitation within city limits, effective Jan. 1, 2026. The ordinance replaces a previous prohibition on solicitation that was legally challenged, prompting the need for a licensing program with established guidelines. The new Door-to-Door Solicitation Program requires solicitors to complete an application process that includes submitting a valid state-issued ID, a $250 non-refundable
ALTON - Alton Elite Jiu-Jitsu has a special opportunity for martial arts enthusiasts. At 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, community members can enjoy a seminar with Kyle Watson, a fourth degree Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and owner of Watson Martial Arts. Hosted by Alton Elite, Watson will share his skills with students and inspire them to commit to their training. “ is basically our fearless leader,” said Jacqueline, general manager at Alton Elite. “His academy
ALTON – Riverbend Head Start & Family Services (RHSFS) is pleased to welcome Illinois Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski to our Essic Robinson location on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, from 2:00 until 2:45 pm. The address is 1802 E. Broadway, Alton, IL 62002. The phone number is (618) 463-5933. Rep. Budzinski launched her “Valentine’s for Veterans” program in January 2023, encouraging families across Central and Southern Illinois to show appreciation for local veterans
O’FALLON, IL. — Prairie Cardiovascular and HSHS Medical Group welcome Rugheed Ghadban, MD, board-certified in internal medicine, cardiology and cardiac electrophysiology, to the Prairie Cardiovascular team at 3 St. Elizabeth’s Blvd., Suite 1800, in O’Fallon. Dr. Ghadban specializes in diagnosing and treating complex heart rhythm disorders, including atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia and other arrhythmias. He is skilled in advanced procedures such as catheter
JERSEYVILLE – Several Jerseyville residents made their opinions known at a packed-house hearing on Jan. 20, 2026 as the city considers entering into an exclusive contract for curbside trash pickup . The prevailing sentiment was clear: Jerseyville residents would rather continue choosing their own trash hauling companies than be forced into a one-company contract, even if it means a sharp spike in dump sticker fees. Of more than 40 speakers who made comments for over 90 minutes, none
EDWARDSVILLE - The American Legion Edwardsville Post #199 recently donated school supplies to the Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7. The Post donated $1,000 worth of school supplies to support students and teachers. Doug Thompson, Post Commander, explained that legion leaders learned of the district’s needs and decided to come together to give back. “We just want to make sure that all of our citizens and our schools here in Edwardsville are supported by our veterans
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Michael Cole Jr., 21, of the 5300 block of Wells Avenue in St. Louis, Mo., with first-degree robbery and armed criminal action on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. Cole is being held on a $200,000 cash-only bond with no 10% option. The charges stem from an incident on Jan. 19, 2026, involving a Lyft driver who picked up four passengers in St. Louis City and was driven to the 2100 block of Hecht Avenue. According to the probable
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 21 attorneys general, filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit to affirm the preliminary injunction granted by the district court, blocking President Trump’s proclamation that banned international students from entering the United States if they planned to attend Harvard. President Trump issued this proclamation after the district court previously blocked his effort to terminate Harvard’s
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, along with her colleagues in demanding answers on the Department of Defense’s (DOD) efforts to politicize Stars and Stripes, the military newspaper that has long maintained editorial independence. The letter follows recent reporting on how Stars and Stripes job applicants have been asked to explain
SPRINGFIELD — The State of Illinois is again calling on the United States Congress and the Trump administration to require year-round sales of E15 fuel. Earlier this year, Governor JB Pritzker sent a letter to Congressional leadership on November 4, 2025, urging nationwide, year-round E15. “Agriculture is the number one industry in Illinois. Our farmers feed the world, and they have the potential to fuel it as well. As Trump’s tariffs hurt farmers nationwide and rising costs
BELLEVILLE — An 18-year-old man died Monday evening, Jan. 19, 2026, after being shot outside a residence on the 600 block of State Street in Belleville, Belleville Police said on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. The Belleville Police Department responded around 8:19 p.m. Monday to reports of a shooting. Officers found Tayden Dixon, of Washington Park, with a gunshot wound near the entrance of a home. Despite medical efforts by officers and emergency personnel, Dixon died from his injuries. According
CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) today announced that it will begin accepting 2026 individual income tax returns on Monday, January 26, the same day the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) opens the federal filing season. The deadline to file Illinois returns is Wednesday, April 15, 2026. IDOR encourages taxpayers to file their returns electronically and choose direct deposit to receive refunds as quickly and securely as possible. “We want the tax filing process to
DeKalb, Ill. – More than 1,200 students received their bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from Northern Illinois University in December. Included among the graduates are the following students from the Riverbend area: Carrollton, IL Alexander Rahe, Master of Science, Physics - Professional Physics Jerseyville, IL Hunter Egelhoff, Bachelor of Science, Management - Human Resource Management About Northern Illinois University Northern Illinois University is
ALTON - Three students were honored as Optimist Students of the Month during the Alton Community Unit School District #11 Board of Education’s recent meeting. On Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, the Board recognized three exceptional students who work hard to succeed every day. Chase Vaughn was named the Alton Middle School Optimist Student of the Month, while Malaysia Gilleylen was recognized as the Optimist Student of the Month for Eunice Smith Elementary School. December’s Optimist
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today joined 17 other attorneys general in submitting a comment letter opposing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)’ proposed rule that would amend the definition of “disability” under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to exclude gender dysphoria. In the letter, Raoul and the coalition argue that the proposed rule provides insufficient time for the public to submit comments, contradicts extensive
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul encourages consumers to beware of scammers pretending to be from a utility company and threatening to shut off heat if they do not receive a payment. “As the temperatures dip below freezing and snow accumulates, scammers turn up the heat by using urgency and threats of turning off your utilities to try to get your money or personal information,” Raoul said. “Be wary of surprise or unusual contact from someone claiming to be from
ALTON - Special volunteers were recognized for their service to the Alton Community Unit School District #11. During the Board of Education’s regular meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, Superintendent Elaine Kane took a few minutes to share information about the district’s Reach Out And Read (ROAR) program. This program pairs community members with students in the elementary schools in the mornings before class starts. Students read aloud to these volunteers to practice their readin
The Alton Community Unit School District is proud to announce two administrative appointments approved by the Board of Education at its January 20 meeting. Amber Harrington Named Principal of Lovejoy Elementary School Amber Harrington has been appointed principal at Lovejoy Elementary School effective July 1, following the retirement of Principal John Ducey in June. Mrs. Harrington brings 15 years of experience in education, the majority of which has been spent serving students,
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