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WOOD RIVER – A Wood River man accused of battering an elderly victim and an Edwardsville man charged with domestic battery face felony charges in separate Madison County cases. Eric M. Sanders, 37, of Wood River, was charged on Oct. 2, 2025 with two counts of aggravated battery (one Class 2 felony, one Class 3 felony), as well as a Class 3 felony count of unlawful possession of methamphetamine. Sanders allegedly struck a victim about the body, causing bruising, “a broken hand, broken ribs, and a brain bleed,” according to charging documents. The victim in this case was 60 years of age or older at the time of the offense. Sanders was additionally accused of possessing less than five grams of methamphetamine. He was ordered remanded to jail for his initial court appearance in the case presented by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. In a separate case, Kyle E. Green, 42, of Edwardsville, was charged with a Class 2 felony count of aggravated domestic battery

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ALTON - Community members who own or wish to buy a historic property had the chance to learn about tax programs that might benefit them, with more educational workshops scheduled for the future. On Oct. 8, 2025, the Alton Historical Commission, Alton Area Landmarks Association, and Alton Main Street hosted a seminar at The Wedge Innovation Center. Attendees learned about the Property Tax Assessment Freeze Program and the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program through presentations by Anna Margaret Barris from the State Historic Preservation Office and Greg Caffey with the Planning and Development Office in the City of Alton. “Saving our houses is saving our history,” said Sharon Jackson with the Alton Historical Commission. “The reason why this is so important is because we are a town of historic structures. Not just a bunch of old houses, but there's a significant diversity of architectural significance in Alton. When people come from out of town an

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CAHOKIA — Cahokia Unit School District #187 Superintendent Curtis McCall Jr. announced Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025, the cancellation of all tailgating activities on school property until further notice, citing concerns for student safety and compliance with state law. The decision follows a letter from Sam Knox, assistant executive director of the Illinois High School Association, who raised concerns about alcohol consumption during tailgating events on district grounds. Knox referenced communications from Nicole Johnson, who had previously spoken with district officials and the school board regarding the issue and shared photographic evidence. “I've been a high school A.D., so I understand these challenges, but the fact is that alcohol (along with tobacco and drugs) is not allowed on school property in the state of Illinois,” Knox wrote in his letter. “This isn't just an IHSA policy, it is a state law.” Knox urged the district to address the matter directly.

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ALTON - Calvary Christian School students will feed 5,000 people across the globe through a fundraising campaign. On Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, the students at Calvary Christian School came together to pack 5,000 meals. Of these, 4,000 will be transported to schools and refugee camps in Bangladesh, and 1,000 will be distributed locally through the Community Hope Center . Pastor Wade Dobson noted that the experience was a way to impart some of the school’s most important lessons. “We’re always talking to them about thinking of others first and loving your neighbor,” Pastor Dobson said. “This is a way for them to do that in our own community, which is important, but then also to think globally about people around the world that need that as well.” Calvary Christian School opened last year through Calvary Baptist Church in Alton. As a private school, they were looking for an opportunity to fundraise when Pastor Dobson discovered The Champion Grou

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Did you know that nearly one in five adults in the United States experiences a mental health condition each year? Despite the prevalence of these challenges, stigma and misunderstanding still surround mental health, preventing many from seeking help. As we navigate the complexities of our daily lives, the importance of mental health awareness cannot be overstated—especially during times when external pressures and internal struggles often intensify. Understanding Mental Health Beyond the Surface Mental health encompasses emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and behave, influencing how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is not merely the absence of mental illness; it is a dynamic state of well-being that enables individuals to realize their potential, cope with normal stresses, work productively, and contribute to their community. Despite this broad definition, many people still view mental health narrowly

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October 10 stands out as a date marked by a tapestry of significant moments that have shaped global history across politics, science, culture, and innovation. One of the most impactful events on October 10 occurred in 1970, when the People's Republic of China was admitted to the United Nations, replacing Taiwan as the recognized representative of China. This shift not only redefined diplomatic relationships but also altered the geopolitical landscape during the Cold War era, influencing international alliances and global policy for decades. The admission of China into the UN signaled a new era in global diplomacy, acknowledging the country's growing importance on the world stage. Moving back in time to 732 AD, October 10 is associated with the period leading up to the legendary Battle of Tours. While the exact date of the battle is debated, the events surrounding this time frame were crucial in halting the northward expansion of Islamic forces into Western Europe. Charles Martel's

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ST. LOUIS - St. Louis Sheriff Alfred Montgomery faced new federal charges, six weeks after being indicted on a separate count of deprivation of rights under color of law. Montgomery now stands accused of four counts of witness retaliation and one count of witness tampering. The charges stem from allegations that Montgomery ordered the detainment of Tammy Ross, a former St. Louis jail administrator, after being denied access to a rape victim he sought to interview. Montgomery has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Following his arrest, the judge placed Montgomery under house arrest while the case proceeds. In a message posted on his Facebook page, Montgomery invoked civil rights leaders Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks, calling on supporters to “remain resilient.” “To my fellow Citizens of Saint Louis,” Montgomery wrote. “If you are reading this message, it means I am likely held behind bars against my will. But let me be clear: do not allow this

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GODFREY – Godfrey trustees this week tabled a policy guiding the future use of speed bumps and humps to deter speeding on residential streets throughout the village. As officials sort through the details, the item is set to return for another vote in two weeks. Speed Bumps vs. Speed Humps: Key Distinctions The proposed policy defines the differences between a “permanent speed hump” and a “temporary street bump.” While both are 3 to 4 inch tall platforms aimed at reducing vehicle speeds, the two contrast in a few key ways. Permanent speed humps are installed in fixed positions, and are longer, flatter, and more gradual than speed bumps. Their general goal is to “promote traffic flow while safely reducing vehicle speeds.” Temporary speed bumps are portable and are typically only used “for a limited trial period.” A speed bump is significantly shorter and less gradual than a speed hump – as a result, it “forces

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JERSEYVILLE – Deputy Chief Scott Woelfel gave a heartfelt farewell to officers of the Jerseyville Police Department as he made his retirement official with an emotional “10-42” call, ending his tour of duty on Oct. 9, 2025. “I just want to say thank you to all the citizens of Jerseyville for allowing me the opportunity to serve you,” Woelfel said. “It has been the pleasure of my life to give everything I have to this community.” Woelfel then thanked several of his fellow officers, including recently retired former Police Chief Brad Blackorby and new Police Chief Daniel Green, among others “who worked the streets with me over the years.” “Thank you to the officers for watching my back these years. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve alongside you,” he added. “To the dispatchers, thank you for being my lifeline. To the men and women of the Jerseyville Police Department, thank you for your dedication

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ALTON - The Alton Police Department has named Detective Jacob Custer as its Officer of the Month in recognition of his leadership and dedication. Detective Custer was honored for his management of the department’s Sex Offender Program, where he implemented routine compliance checks throughout the year. His proactive and organized approach improved efficiency, saved resources, and ensured continued accountability. In addition to overseeing the program, Detective Custer served full-time as the School Resource Officer at Mark Twain School in Alton. The department highlighted his professionalism and patience, noting the positive impact he made on students and staff. “His innovation, commitment, and quiet leadership have strengthened our department and the community we serve,” the Alton Police Department said in a statement. Detective Custer’s work demonstrates a commitment to both public safety and community engagement within Alton.

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GRAFTON - Community members can enjoy craft beers, liquors, wines and spirits — and plenty more fun — at the upcoming Craft Beverage Festival. Hosted by Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau at Grafton Winery The Vineyards, the festival will run from 12–4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, and feature ten craft beverage producers and six food vendors. Cory Jobe, president of Great Rivers and Routes, is eager to welcome the community to the second annual festival. “We’re really excited to highlight our craft beverage producers in our six-county region,” Jobe said. “We’ve just been adding some new things to bring even more excitement to it.” Tickets to the Craft Beverage Festival cost $30 in advance or $35 at the door, though Jobe encourages attendees to purchase tickets now instead of waiting; they sold out last year’s event. Those who will not be drinking can enjoy a “designated driver” rate of $15.

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EDWARDSVILLE — A 32-year-old man from Alton pleaded guilty Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, to multiple Class X felony charges related to predatory criminal sexual assault of a child and child pornography, Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced. Nathan J. Welch entered his guilty plea in Madison County Circuit Court before Associate Judge Ryan Jumper. He admitted to three counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, classified as Class X enhanced felonies, and two counts of child pornography, also Class X felonies. Welch faces up to 90 years in prison at sentencing, which will be scheduled at a later date. According to court documents, Welch committed acts of sexual contact with an infant child between March 2 and June 12, 2024. He also pleaded guilty to producing and disseminating child pornography involving the same infant. The investigation began after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a cybertip about child pornography being

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BETHALTO - Civic Memorial High School hosted an inspirational Pink Out Night this past Friday, Oct. 3, 2025, at Hauser Stadium to honor those affected by breast cancer and support Nicole Parris, a local teacher and football mom currently battling the disease. The event aimed to bring the community together to raise awareness and show solidarity with Parris and her family, including her son, Ephriam. The school has seen an overwhelming response from residents eager to participate in the tribute. Justin Newell, principal of Civic Memorial High School, emphasized the event’s significance beyond the football field. Reflecting on the previous night’s game against Highland, Newell said, “The Pink Out game was about more than just football. We may not have gotten the win against Highland, but the team and the town showed up in pink to support Nicole!” He added, “I love my community and my school district! Although a win is always the goal and what I want for

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO. — A 14-year-old boy was fatally struck by a stray bullet while inside his home during a shooting incident in the 10200 block of Hobkirk Drive on Wednesday evening, Oct. 8, 2025, authorities said. The victim, identified as Duwan Morgan of St. Louis, was shot around 6:10 p.m. when multiple individuals were exchanging gunfire outside his residence, according to the St. Louis County Police Department. Officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert and a 911 call reporting the shooting. Morgan was found with gunshot wounds and died at the scene. “The investigation revealed Morgan was inside his home when he was hit by a stray bullet from outside,” St. Louis County Police said in a news release issued Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. The shooting involved several subjects firing at each other in the area. The investigation remains active, and police are urging anyone with information to contact the St. Louis County Police Bureau of Crimes Against Persons Detectives

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) will hold a hearing to receive testimony from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) on President Donald Trump’s unlawful and unconstitutional deployment of U.S. military troops to intimidate Americans in their own communities in the coming weeks. Duckworth’s announcement comes weeks after she led all of her fellow SASC Democrats in calling on SASC Chairman Wicker to hold this hearing , and shortly after she blocked expedited passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) until said hearing was secured. “While we never should have had to wait this long for a hearing into some of Trump’s most egregious abuses of our nation’s military—and I wish Republicans had been more proactive in taking action to protect Americans’ civil rights—I appreciate Chairman Wicker finally committing

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CHICAGO — The Illinois Retail Merchants Association (IRMA) proudly honored Personal Touch Boutique as the 2025 Illinois Retailer of the Year during the group’s 68th Annual Meeting held Thursday at the Palmer House Hilton Hotel. Personal Touch Boutique, a cornerstone of East St. Louis since 1994, has grown into the city’s only locally-owned men’s fashion retailer, offering everything from suits and shoes to hats and jogging sets. Owned by husband-and-wife team Derrick and Bernita Maxwell, the boutique has been recognized for its quality menswear and decades of service to the community. While firmly rooted in East St. Louis, its loyal customer base extends far beyond Illinois, with shoppers traveling from across the country and ordering online to find unique, hard-to-find styles. The Maxwells’ journey as business owners has not been without obstacles, as East St. Louis has long struggled with declining population, high crime, and economic hardship.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) testified at a House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee hearing about the local impact of the Republican healthcare crisis. She warned that if Republicans allow the ACA’s Enhanced Premium Tax Credits to expire at the end of the year, families across the country will face steep premium increases. Budzinski highlighted the story of two constituents whose premiums are projected to increase by more than $500, totaling around $810 per month. This means nearly $10,000 a year just for coverage, forcing tough decisions in their household finances. “A middle class family in the 13th District shouldn’t be terrified of what a single medical emergency would do to them. In Laura and Rick’s words from Alton, ‘it would bankrupt us,’” Budzinski said. “Losing these tax credits would not only threaten their healthcare, it would also put at risk their financial stability,

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representatives Jonathan Jackson (D-IL-01), Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), Delia Ramirez (D-IL-03), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (D-IL-04), Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), Sean Casten (D-IL-06), Jan Schakowski (D-IL-09), Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), Bill Foster (D-IL-11), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13), Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) and Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17) today denounced Donald Trump’s disturbing and authoritarian statement that Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson “should be in jail”: “Donald Trump’s continued and escalating threats against his political opponents should alarm everyone—especially since he’s proven they aren’t just idle threats. Our Constitution was designed to protect our country from tyrants who think they have ultimate power—and right now, our country’s founding

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) and 16 of their colleagues in introducing the Federal Employee Civil Relief Act . The legislation would protect federal workers, federal contractor employees and their families from foreclosures, evictions and loan defaults during a government shutdown. “Instead of negotiating with us to ensure our government works for the American people, Trump is forcing millions of workers through a needless government shutdown and threatening to withhold their backpay despite signing the law guaranteeing it himself,” said Duckworth. “The longer this shutdown continues, the more harm they’ll cause to federal workers across the country and their families. Our bill would help protect federal employees until Republicans finally come to the negotiating table and help find a bipartisan solution that meets the needs of the

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COLLINSVILLE — The Collinsville Police Department has named Officer Connor Diecker as its Officer of the Month for September 2025, recognizing his proactive efforts that resulted in 25 arrests throughout the month. Officer Diecker’s arrests included charges for possession of methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance, felony driving while license revoked, felony retail theft, and possession of a weapon by a felon. The department highlighted his commitment to public safety in a recent statement. “Thank you Officer Diecker for your proactive work to keep our community safe,” the department said. The recognition underscores the department’s focus on addressing crime through active policing and community engagement.

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