ST. JACOB — Unwanted electronics and Halloween costumes will share the spotlight Oct. 31 when Tech Remove hosts a community recycling event at St. Jacob Elementary School. The Tech or Treat Community Electronics Recycling Event will run from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, at the school, 305 Jacob St. St. Jacob-area residents are invited to bring unused devices for responsible recycling and wear costumes for a family-friendly Halloween gathering. Tech Remove is presenting the even
ST. LOUIS, MO – Mayor Cara Spencer today joined Board of Aldermen President Megan Green, Alderwoman Daniela Velazquez, Alderman Matt Devoti, Comptroller Donna Baringer, and Director of Personnel Brian Light to introduce a six-bill package that would modernize the City's civil service system for the first time in several decades. "Our employees are this city's greatest resource, and they deserve a system that hires good people quickly, treats them fairly, and resolves problems promptly,"
ALTON – Members of the Alton City Council were unable to take action on several agenda items at their Oct. 14, 2026 meeting after a majority of aldermen skipped meeting as a committee earlier this week. Absent from the Oct. 13, 2026 Committee of the Whole meeting were Chairman John Meehan, Alderman Chris Bohn and Alderwomen Stephanie Elliott and Martha Pfister. Present were Alderwomen Rosie Brown and Patricia Ford, as well as Alderman Michael Velloff. With the majority of members absent,
WOOD RIVER - Community members can give back to a new nonprofit and enjoy a night of laughs at an upcoming comedy show. At 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, the Putting the Fun in Fundraising group will host Laugh 4 a Cause at the Wood River Moose Lodge. This comedy showcase will raise money for the new Riverbend Nonprofit Center of Excellence, an organization that aims to support other local nonprofits. “This is going to be what we need to get fully started and fully launched,”
BENTON — A Johnston City man who admitted to exchanging child pornography online in June and August 2025 has been sentenced to 121 months in federal prison. Zachary R. Jones, 39, pleaded guilty to three counts of distribution of child pornography. A district judge imposed the sentence, which will be followed by 10 years of supervised release. According to court documents and information discussed during hearings, Jones admitted exchanging child sexual abuse material with others online.
OVERLAND, Mo. — The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis has been activated to help investigate a shooting and crash that killed a 17-year-old on Interstate 170 on Wednesday night, Oct. 14, 2026. Police said the shooting occurred at 7:15 p.m. in the southbound lanes between St. Charles Rock Road and Midland Boulevard. The 17-year-old female was pronounced dead at an area hospital. Authorities temporarily closed part of the interstate as law enforcement responded. The Overland Police Departmen
Why Autumn Feels Cozy A blanket feels different when you can hear rain against the window. The fabric has not changed, and neither has the sofa. Yet the room suddenly seems more inviting. That small shift reveals something important about comfort: it comes not only from what surrounds us, but also from what we feel protected from. Autumn often creates this contrast. Cooler air makes warmth more noticeable. Earlier sunsets turn lamplight into a welcome glow. Familiar foods, scents, and routines
On Oct. 15, 1957, Elvis Presley released a Christmas album that brought his blues, gospel and rock ’n’ roll influences into the holiday season. “Elvis’ Christmas Album” put a young star’s distinctive musical identity into a familiar setting, helping establish a seasonal recording that would endure long beyond its original release. It leads an Oct. 15 music history that also includes a Motown landmark, one of country music’s most recognizable songs, a
On October 15, 1582, people in several European countries began using the Gregorian calendar—the system now used for most international business, travel, and public affairs. In the places adopting the reform, October 4 was followed immediately by October 15. The change corrected a growing mismatch between the calendar and the seasons, which also affected the calculation of Easter. Adoption took centuries, but the reform eventually gave much of the world a shared way to record dates and
EAST ST. LOUIS — A Missouri man faces a first-degree murder charge after a 28-year-old East St. Louis man was shot multiple times while sitting in a vehicle, Illinois State Police said on Oct. 14, 2026. Marvonte Coleman, 21, of Spanish Lake, Mo., was taken into custody Oct. 12, 2026, in St. Louis by the St. Louis Police Department following an investigation into the killing of Cobey L. Howard. On Oct. 9, 2026, the East St. Louis Police Department requested help from state police specia
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO. — A Riverview Police officer was charged Wednesday, Oct. 14, with sexual misconduct after authorities alleged he sexually assaulted a handcuffed woman he had taken into custody while responding to a domestic disturbance in July 2026. The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Torre Dyson, 26, of Hazelwood, Mo., with sexual conduct in the course of public duty with a detainee, prisoner or offender. He is being held on a $50,000 cash-only bond,
BELLEVILLE - An off-duty East St. Louis police officer was among those involved in a shooting that left three people with gunshot wounds in the 200 block of Freedom Drive in Belleville, the Belleville Police Department said in an update on its ongoing investigation. Police did not provide the date or time of the shooting or identify what led to it. The department confirmed that the off-duty officer is male but did not specify his role in the incident. Multiple people involved in th
ALTON - Donald K. McCrady of Peoria, Ill. faces six charges in Madison County over allegations that he possessed a handgun as a convicted felon, struck a 17-year-old with a firearm and fled from a detective during incidents spanning Sept. 7 to Oct. 12, 2026. The charges include three counts of felon in possession of a weapon and one count each of aggravated battery, mob action and resisting a peace officer. In a factual basis submitted in support of detention, prosecutors said officers responded
ALTON — Leron C. Williams of St. Louis faces five felony charges after prosecutors alleged he traveled with a handgun to an Alton Walgreens to meet someone he believed was a 13-year-old girl for sexual activity. The charges, brought by the Madison County State’s Attorney, concern alleged conduct between Oct. 11 and Oct. 13, 2026. Williams is charged with armed violence, traveling to meet a minor, indecent solicitation of a child, grooming and possession of a controlled substance. Alt
GLEN CARBON - The Father McGivney Catholic Lady Griffins earned a second-place team finish recently at the Gateway Metro Conference cross country meet, where seniors Ainsley Turkington, Bella Redenius and McKenzie Jones finished consecutively in the top 12 and were honored after their final conference race. Turkington placed 10th at the conference meet in 20 minutes, 16 seconds. Redenius followed in 11th with a season-best time of 20:22, and Jones finished 12th with a season-best 20:52. Followi
GRANITE CITY – A local man suspected of home repair fraud against two elderly Granite City residents faces felony charges in Madison County. Robert L. Schlechter, 30, of Collinsville, was charged on Oct. 8, 2026 with two counts of aggravated home repair fraud (both Class 2 felonies) and two counts of home repair fraud (both Class 4 felonies). On Nov. 3, 2025, Schlechter allegedly entered into an $8,600 agreement with an elderly victim to complete home repairs to the victim’s Granite
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) continues to target vehicle theft, hijacking, and related violent crimes using grant funding from the Illinois Secretary of State Illinois Vehicle Hijacking and Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance Verification Council. ISP was awarded a $10 million grant for the first fiscal year, another $677,000 in June 2024, and $637,500 in July 2025. From July through September 2026, ISP missions resulted in the following: Vehicles recovered
ST. LOUIS - October is National Manufacturing Month, a fitting time to recognize why the St. Louis region remains one of America’s leading manufacturing and aerospace hubs. Boeing’s recently awarded $20 billion contract to build the nation’s next-generation fighter jet in St. Louis and its $562 million contract to begin production of the MQ-25 refueling drone in Mascoutah, Ill., are more than significant wins for the company. They are further evidence of the strength and capabilities
MASCOUTAH - Governor JB Pritzker, St. Clair County leaders, transportation officials, project partners and community stakeholders celebrated the completion of construction on the MetroLink Extension to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport recently. The milestone marks the culmination of a transformative $192 million multimodal investment designed to strengthen regional connectivity, expand transportation options and support long-term economic growth throughout St. Clair County and the bi-state region.
JERSEYVILLE – Jerseyville businesses can give their storefronts a festive makeover for a chance to win a returning contest and attract customers this holiday season. Downtown Country Christmas Festival Inc. is preparing to host its second annual Best Business Holiday Window Contest, with a registration deadline of 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. There is no cost to participate in the contest, which is open to all Jerseyville businesses. Participating businesses can paint or decorate thei
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