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On June 18, one of the most important events in modern world history is the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, the clash that ended Napoleon Bonaparte’s rule for good. Fought in present-day Belgium, the battle brought together French forces against an allied army led by the Duke of Wellington and supported by Prussian troops under Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher. At the time, it mattered because it decided who would shape Europe after years of war and political upheaval. It still matters today

EDWARDSVILLE - Several appointments, zoning matters, and property purchases were approved Wednesday night at the Madison County Board meeting in Edwardsville, while public speakers urged officials not to sell Special Sewer Area 1 to American Water. The board made five appointments to local boards. David Kuehnel was appointed to the Wood River Drainage and Levee District, replacing Nathan Kincade, who resigned. In the Moro Water District, Mark Allison and Darren Singleton were reappointed. Amand

EDWARDSVILLE — Katie Albrecht and Emma Gusewelle have concluded their senior years at Metro East Lutheran High School after standout bowling careers that included all-conference recognition and postseason competition. The two girls are BJ's Printables Female Athletes of the Month for MELHS. Metro East Lutheran’s girls bowling team turned in a strong performance at the Gateway Metro Conference Bowling Tournament, where Gusewelle and Kacy Gearns earned honorable mention all-conference

EDWARDSVILLE - Connor Schaefer is a rising junior pitcher and outfielder for the baseball team at Granite City High School, and he is hopeful for a good season ahead for both himself and the Warriors. Schaefer is a Stillwater Senior Living Male Athlete Of The Month for the Warriors. Schaefer progressed during the 2026 campaign for the Warriors, and the future looks very bright. Schaefer emphasized the team aspect of the game in an interview during the season after a game against Edwardsville.

EDWARDSVILLE – An Illinois man charged by Edwardsville police with stalking and hate crime offenses has been ordered released from custody. Richard E. Davis, 61, of Smithton, Ill., was charged on June 4, 2026 with the following offenses: Hate crime (Class 3 felony) Stalking (Class 4 felony) Unlawful restraint (Class 4 felony) Criminal defacement of property (Class 4 felony) Unlawful use of an electronic tracking device (Class A misdemeanor) Criminal trespass to vehicles

EDWARDSVILLE/GLEN CARBON - Jimmy John’s has closed its location at 1063 South Route 157 in Edwardsville and plans to reopen later this month in June 2026 at 99 Magnolia in Glen Carbon, according to an announcement at the former site and an employee at the chain’s other Glen Carbon location. A note to customers at the Route 157 location announced the closure and the planned reopening. Construction is underway at the new Magnolia address in Glen Carbon. An employee at Jimmy John’s

GODFREY - As Vitality Women’s Clinic prepares to conclude their Baby Bottle Campaign, Executive Director Jackie Duty emphasized the importance of giving toward the organization’s work. Vitality is a pro-life, faith-based pregnancy clinic that provides free pregnancy and STI testing, ultrasounds and other resources to individuals experiencing unplanned pregnancies. They do not refer for or perform abortions. Duty highlighted their work and the building “momentum”

BUNKER HILL – Bunker Hill High School celebrated its Class of 2026 at a graduation ceremony May 15, but for two graduates, the night was doubly important. Grace Burris and Vivien Wilcox were among those who received their high school diplomas that night, but they also received their associate degrees from Lewis and Clark Community College. “Both students also received our ‘Academic Trailblazer’ award, named after Lewis and Clark’s mascot, which recognizes

ST. LOUIS - U.S. District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig on Wednesday sentenced a convicted felon who lied about the accidental shooting of a toddler to 46 months in prison. On March 6, 2025, Rodrick Miller and his girlfriend cleaned an Anderson Manufacturing, AM-15 semiautomatic pistol and left it unattended on a couch in the girlfriend’s Wellston home. After the girlfriend’s son was shot in the calf, she and Miller took him to the hospital. On the way, Miller hid the gun behind

HIGH HONOR ROLL Seniors Abby Anselm Brianne Bagwill Carson Bauer Ashlynn Bennett Cali Bequette Nya Blocker Adelaide Bryson Caroline Cain Elizabeth Callahan Karly Davenport Laila Davis Isabel Downey Sharon Dugas Jessica Eales Kaydence Everett Holly Forrester Cameron Golike Tyler Hawkins John Hornsey Sarah Hubert Dumebi Igwe Josephine Kuykendall Reese Livingstone Kennedy Loftus Livia Mallory Melanie Marshall Noah Menke Mason Meyer Braden Nash Alexander Noll Owen

ALTON - The City of Alton invites residents, business owners, and community stakeholders to attend a public open house on Thursday, June 25, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Old Bakery Beer Company to help shape the redevelopment of the city's downtown Broadway corridor. The open house will focus on implementation of the City's Great Streets Plan, adopted in 2020, with an emphasis on planned improvements along East Broadway between Market Street and Ridge Street. Attendees will have the opportunity

WOOD RIVER – Wood River residents looking to make exterior home improvements may be eligible for new grants from the city. Wood River City Council members unanimously approved an ordinance on June 15, 2026 to establish an Exterior Renovation Program to encourage city-wide homeowners to make various property improvements. City Manager Steve Palen said the matching grant program will help offset the costs for property owners to repair and replace siding, fascia, roofing, and more. The

BUNKER HILL – A few years ago, Bunker Hill High School was determined to find a way to address a decline in students pursuing post-secondary education and prepare them for successful careers. “We were faced with the same problems a lot of schools were having,” said Superintendent Todd Dugan. “Under half of our student body was continuing to pursue post-secondary education. We also noticed our high school students were disengaged regarding experiences that were relevan

GODFREY - A GoFundMe campaign organized by Brandy Watson of Shipman is seeking support for John Green Jr. and his family after Green was injured in a motorcycle accident recently on Godfrey Road, according to information shared by family members. The family says Green faces “a long road to recovery” after the crash and is dealing with multiple injuries and multiple surgeries. It asks for donations to help cover medical and living expenses while he remains hospitalized and unable

CARLINVILLE – Voters in Macoupin County will be asked this November whether the county should pursue separating from Cook County to form a new state, though their response will have no immediate legal effect. Last week, Macoupin County Board members voted 9-6 to place a public question on separating from Illinois on the ballot for countywide voters during the General Election on Nov. 3, 2026. The public question regards the issue of whether or not Macoupin County “should enter discussion

EDWARDSVILLE - Emma Birkenmeyer, who led the Tigers in many defensive statistics in helping the girls' flag football team to a very successful 15-2 inaugural season, has signed a letter of intent to play for Purdue-Northwest in Hammond, Ind. Birkenmeyer made Edwardsville sports history by becoming the first player from the flag football team to sign to play in college, and she was a key player in helping the Tigers go to the IHSA state tournament, where Edwardsville lost to Chicago Perspectives/Leadership

ILLINOIS - SFC Victor Hernandez with the Illinois Army National Guard wants community members to know that the military is an option for them. “It’s completely changed my life,” he said. “It’s just been awesome.” Hernandez joined the National Guard 18 years ago. He has enjoyed working with the state and federal governments. He explained that he recently moved to Alton and started working as a recruitment specialist in the Alton National Guard office.

BATES COUNTY, MO. - The Bates County Coroner’s Office has identified the 12 victims of a plane crash that occurred Sunday, June 14, 2026, at Butler Memorial Airport in Butler, Missouri, while cautioning that authorities are still working to make “certain” the deceased are positively identified. In a statement posted by the coroner’s office, Bates County Coroner Jerret J. Reno said the victims were identified “through the provided manifest and next-of-kin notifications.”

GRANITE CITY – State Senator Erica Harriss and State Representative Amy Elik have partnered to host a FREE Kids Fair Event this weekend. The event will feature free resources for parents and their children, free vison/hearing tests, face painting, food, touch-a-truck, a foam party, and so much more! Who: State Senator Erica Harriss, State Representative Amy Elik When: Saturday, June 20, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Where: The Mill (Former Niedringhaus United Methodist Church)

EDWARDSVILLE – For a second year, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and the Department of Engineering will host the exciting collegiate competition known as the Electrek American Solar Challenge. More than 20 solar car teams traveling a 1500+ mile course in eight days along the Great River Road and Route 66 will encounter a festival at the SIUE stop, with food trucks, music and more! Monday, July 27 – 2 p.m.-8 p.m. Solar cars arrive staggered until 6pm;