Illinois Department of Transportation crews worked early Sunday, Jan. 26, 2026, to clear state highways across the region amid challenging winter conditions, officials said. Joe Monroe, an operations engineer with the Illinois Department of Transportation, reported around 9 a.m. on Jan. 25, 2026, that all state highways remained open. Monroe and his crews were actively clearing routes throughout the region. He said the plowing operation had been ongoing for the past 24 hours. Monroe had visited
BELLEVILLE - Consumers have the opportunity to learn more about local companies and contractors at the upcoming Home Expo. From Feb. 27 through March 1, 2026, the Home Expo invites consumers to Belle Clair Fairgrounds in Belleville for the chance to connect with local home and remodeling companies. Hosted by the Home Builders and Remodelers Metro East Association, the Home Expo promises three days of fun and information for homeowners. “Are you ready for this? We have over 180 booths
ROXANA — At approximately 10:15 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, a piece of operating equipment at the Wood River Refinery, located at 900 South Central Avenue in Roxana, Illinois, tripped, prompting a safety response, refinery officials said. In accordance with safety protocols, the affected unit depressurized through the refinery’s flaring system, a safety device designed to release excess gases. The flare, which is visible to the surrounding community, was activated
ST. LOUIS — Ongoing heavy snowfall continues to disrupt travel across the St. Louis area Sunday morning, Jan. 25, 2026, with an additional 1 to 5 inches expected through the afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. As of 9 a.m, Sunday, Collinsville reported the highest area snowfall total with 9 inches. Lambert International Airport in St. Louis recorded 8.8 inches, while Brighton, Grafton, and Edwardsville reported between 7.5 and 7.8 inches. National Weather Service in St
MADISON COUNTY/ST. LOUIS - At approximately 4:20 a.m. Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, a Madison County Sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop a black Chevrolet Silverado on Nameoki Road in Granite City for a traffic violation and to investigate suspected criminal activity, according to Chief Deputy Marcos Pulido. The driver fled, prompting a multi-jurisdictional vehicle pursuit that extended through Granite City, unincorporated areas, and neighboring cities. Pulido said several local police departments
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) approved a fiscal year 2027 recommended budget that increases funding to continue to support the implementation of the higher education strategic plan, A Thriving Illinois , meant to remove barriers and advance equity across the state’s higher education system. The approved budget recommends an overall 4.5% increase, which represents an increase of $121.5 million, in higher education funding, excluding the State University
WOOD RIVER – Midwest Members Credit Union is proud to sponsor the “Oiler of the Month” program at EAWR High School. A Senior student is selected each month by members of the East Alton-Wood River faculty. Each student is awarded a certificate and a Subway gift card. The Seniors selected each month will have the opportunity to compete for a $1,000.00 “Oiler of the Year” scholarship at the end of the school year. January's winner is Peyton Stark. Peyton is a Senior
4th Grade High Honor Roll Vivian Kerkemeyer Theadora Mendoza Vivienne Morrissey Nolan Nixon Lucas Pulaski 4th Grade Honor Roll Avenly Burns Brenna Grant Declan Gregory Jackson Hoefert Vincent Hollinger Margaret Kessler Lea Kiel Jonah Krueger 5th Grade High Honor Roll Chrisley Bechtold Sophie Hoefert Hunter Johnson Reid Pruetzel Lily Yemm 5th Grade Honor Roll Colton French Thatcher Gregory Cayla Kory Lucas Lacy Jordan McCormick Samantha McCormick 6th
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) is seeking nominations for the 2026 induction class of the Senior Illinoisans Hall of Fame, which honors the accomplishments of Illinois residents aged 65 and older. “Senior Illinoisans across the state carry unique histories, perspectives, and accomplishments that deserve to be celebrated,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “I highly encourage Illinoisans who know an older adult that made a lasting impact in their
EDWARDSVILLE - Community members are invited to mingle and talk history at the Madison County Historical Society’s upcoming winter wine and cheese reception. From 4:30–7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, at 715 N. Main Street in Edwardsville, Madison County Historical Society (MCHS) encourages members of the public to enjoy an evening of snacks, sips and live jazz. Attendees can chat about local history and get to know the society. “You’ll just have a lovely evening,&rdquo
A convention of the members from the local district of the Illinois Ice Cream Manufacturers’ Association met at 1:30 p.m. on January 21, 1926, in the Rose Room of the Mineral Springs Hotel. The meeting concluded with a banquet, also at the Mineral Springs Hotel. Representatives from surrounding towns, among them Litchfield and Jerseyville, “and a number of ice cream men from St. Louis.” One of the main purposes of the meeting was to hold a reception for the president of
SPRINGFIELD, IL. - Krista Phillips of Effingham County was selected from a field of 75 contestants Sunday evening as the 68th Miss Illinois County Fair Queen and will reign over the 2026 Illinois State Fair and DuQuoin State Fair. Phillips was chosen during the final day of the 115th Annual Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs (IAAF) convention at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield. Krista, 21, of Effingham, will graduate from the University of Illinois-Champaign in May 2026 with a bachelor’s
BELLEVILLE — The Belleville Police Department and the City of Belleville officially welcomed two new officers on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. Officers Hardin and Winegarner were sworn in as lateral hires, joining the department in their new roles. The department extended congratulations to both officers and expressed appreciation for their decision to serve the Belleville community. The ceremony marks the latest step in the department’s efforts to strengthen its ranks
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Lashana Webb of Jerseyville was recently named to the Dean's List of Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri, for the fall 2025 semester. The Lincoln University of Missouri Dean's List comprises full-time undergraduate students earning a minimum term GPA of 3.00, excluding grades in courses that do not carry credit toward graduation. Lincoln University of Missouri is a historically Black, 1890 land-grant, public university that provides excellent educational opportunities
On January 24, 1848, gold was discovered at Sutter’s Mill in the foothills of what is now Northern California, setting off a chain of events that quickly reached far beyond the United States. A worker in John Sutter’s sawmill project found flakes of gold in the American River, and word spread with remarkable speed. At the time, the discovery mattered because it drew people, money, and attention to a remote region almost overnight, reshaping settlement patterns, trade routes, and politic
GREENVILLE – Greenville University has released its Dean’s List for the Fall 2025 semester. Students named to the Dean’s List have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement during the semester. To qualify, students must successfully complete a minimum of 12 credit hours. Freshmen (0–29.5 earned credits) must achieve a semester grade point average of 3.5 or higher. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors must earn a semester GPA of 3.7 or higher. The Fall 2025 Dean’s
EDWARDSVILLE – The following students have been named to the Honor Roll at Metro-East Lutheran High School for the second quarter of the 2025-2026 school year: Grade 9 - Honor Roll with High Distinction (g.p.a. 4.0) Mitchelll Althardt, Swansea Lucas Cook, Bethalto McKenzie Cordero, Collinsville Reagan Moss, Edwardsville Anna Mosser, Staunton Dani Spann, Collinsville Shane Stewart, O'Fallon Elise Terracina, Edwardsville Grade 9 - Honor Roll with Distinction (g.p.a. 3.75-3.99)
EDWARDSVILLE – Students, faculty, staff and community members gathered Wednesday, Jan. 21, in the Meridian Ballroom at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville for the 43rd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Luncheon, highlighted by a keynote address from Dr. Ilyasah Shabazz, award-winning author, educator and global voice for human rights. The event blended artistic performances, community recognition and reflection on Dr. King’s legacy, with Shabazz calling on attendees
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) announced that $6,650,000 in funding for local projects she championed passed out of the full House of Representatives. This comes just weeks after the House passed $27.8 million in funding for additional local priorities led by Congresswoman Budzinski. In total, the Congresswoman secured more than $34 million in funding for Illinois’ 13th district for the upcoming fiscal year. “I couldn’t be prouder of the
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) voted against a FY26 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill that will fund U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at $10.3 billion for Fiscal Year 2026. Ultimately, the legislation failed to include accountability measures Democrats fought for, including a judicial warrant requirement, prohibition on the detention and deportation of American citizens, use of excessive force restriction, enhanced training, a bod
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