SPRINGFIELD – As the weather warms up and more people head outside, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is reminding everyone to leave young birds and other animals alone when they encounter them in the wild. Well-intentioned people may believe they’re helping nature by taking possession of young rabbits, fawn deer, baby birds and other animals that appear to be orphaned or abandoned. However, in nearly all cases, human intervention does more to hurt animals than
CHICAGO — The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) today announced the launch of a new online submission option designed to simplify and modernize the way Illinois consumers file complaints against financial institutions amid a federal step back in enforcement. For the first time, the portal will accept complaints for both the Division of Banking (DOB) and the Division of Financial Institutions (DFI), creating a unified and more accessible process for
SMITHTON - State Representatives Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) recently held a Tire Recycling Event and Food Drive in Smithton. He says it was the most successful Tire Recycling and Food Drive event his office has hosted and thanked everyone in the community for their contributions. “I want to say thank you to everyone who attended the event and helped clean up the community,” said Schmidt. “We loaded three tractor trailers full of used tires and collected a significant amount
CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today announced $2.5 million in funding is available for the second round of the Economic Empowerment Centers (EEC) Grant Program. Grantees will be selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process. “As Governor, I’m committed to building a thriving business community that values inclusivity and uplifts entrepreneurs from all backgrounds,”
GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College’s Associate Degree Nursing program has been granted continued accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), following a site visit in September 2025. The visit takes 2.5 days and is a peer-reviewed process where nursing educators from across the country volunteer to visit and evaluate other nursing programs. ACEN accreditation indicates to the general public and educational community that a nursing
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), joined by Congressman Adrian Smith (NE-03), Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11), and Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07), gathered outside the U.S. Capitol to urge their colleagues to support legislation allowing the year-round sale of fuel blended with 15% ethanol, commonly known as E15. A vote is scheduled for Wednesday in the U.S. House of Representatives on H.R. 1346, the? Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer
ALTON - At its Annual May meeting, the Alton Community Service League announced Carol Morris as the 2026 winner of the Silver Bowl Award. The Silver Bowl is awarded to the member who has recorded the highest number of volunteer hours for the year 2025-2026. During the summer months, League members deadhead roses at the Nan Elliott Memorial Rose Garden at Gordon Moore Park. Members also assist in watering the Alto Memorial Hospital Healing Garden. Officers installed for the 2026-2027 League
COLLINSVILLE - Lt. Wilbert "Bud" Jeremias marked the end of a long law enforcement career on Friday, May 8, 2026. He retired after more than 20 years with the Collinsville Police Department in Illinois, the department said. Jeremias began his full-time policing career on May 13, 1998, and joined the Collinsville Police Department on Oct. 3, 2005, after serving at the East St. Louis Police Department. Over his time at Collinsville, Jeremias served as a patrolman, K9 handler, detective,
EDWARDSVILLE – An out-of-state resident accused of concealing $206,000 in criminally derived funds faces money laundering and other charges in Madison County. Jose A. Nava, 46, of Fort Worth, Texas, was charged on May 4, 2026, two counts of money laundering (both Class 2 felonies) and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (a Class 3 felony). On May 1, 2026, Nava allegedly knowingly transported $206,000 in U.S. currency described in charging documents as “criminally
ALTON - This spring, students in the Alton High School Interact Club came together to raise money for the 5A's Animal Shelter and used the proceeds to purchase supplies for the shelter and create adoption starter kits for local families. The AHS Interact Club held a fundraiser competition between advisories, with the winning advisory earning a donut party. Students raised more than $450 largely through the collection of pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters. “We encouraged students
JERSEYVILLE — Jersey junior softball sensation Anna Kribs delivered a record-setting performance at home, going 4 for 4 with three doubles and a home run as the Panthers rolled past Highland 11-1 on Monday, May 11, 2026. With the home run, Kribs broke Jersey’s single-season school record with her 10th homer. She also set the program’s single-season RBI mark with 41. She is a Sparklight Female Athlete Of The Month for Jersey. Kribs is hitting .531 this season with 10 doubles.
EAST ALTON/WOOD RIVER - Mark Maendele has spent 30 years teaching at East Alton-Wood River High School, and as he prepares to retire, he’s following his own advice to “smell the roses.” Every year, Maendele takes his students outside and gives his famous Smell the Roses speech. He tells the kids that high school will go faster than they think, and they should get involved and enjoy every part they can. As he reflects on his career, he thinks this is the most important lesson
GRANITE CITY - Granite City High junior pitcher Michael Terry put together a dominant stretch on the mound this past week, going 2-0 with 16 strikeouts over 11 innings as the Warriors picked up wins Monday over Cahokia and later in the week against Carbondale. Terry opened the week in Granite City’s 15-0, four-inning victory over Cahokia on Monday, allowing one hit and striking out four. He followed with a complete-game performance in the Warriors’ 2-1 win over Carbondale, giving
ALTON - From food trucks and a rock-climbing wall to archery and information booths, you can enjoy it all at REC Fest. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2026, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Rivers Project will host REC Fest at the National Great Rivers Museum in Alton. This free festival invites families to come out and enjoy several recreation, education and conservation activities. “There’s something there for everybody,” said Allison with the U.S. Army Corps
BETHALTO - Civic Memorial High School will recognize seniors at 4:15 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, ahead of the first pitch of the Highland at CM girls softball game, the school announced. Emma Wade and Grace Burton are also Tom Lane State Farm Insurance Female Athletes of the Month for CM. Burton has had a remarkable season with a .309 batting average and a 0.382 on-base percentage, along with 10 RBIs. Grace has 21 hits and “a remarkable fielding percentage of 0.981.”
ALTON - May is Stroke Awareness Month, and a local nurse has advice on how to identify a stroke and how to care for yourself or your loved one after a stroke occurs. Brittany Best, BSN, RN, serves as the stroke navigator at OSF St. Anthony’s Health Center. In this role, she works closely with stroke patients and their loved ones to make sure they receive the best care possible and plenty of education. She shared tips on how to prevent a stroke as well as information about what to do
EDWARDSVILLE - Metro-East Lutheran High School senior Thea Ball has received a President’s Honor Scholarship from Concordia University Chicago, a $0-tuition renewable award given annually to three high school seniors, the school announced. MELHS said Ball will attend Concordia University Chicago in the fall and “wants to serve the Church as a Lutheran Middle School Teacher.” “This $0-tuition renewable scholarship is awarded to only three high school seniors
Unemployment Rate Ticks Up Across All Metro Areas in March Champaign metro payrolls climb to 14 months of consecutive year over year growth SPRINGFIELD, IL. - Among area cities, Edwardsville had the lowest unemployment rate at 4.0% in March 2026, up from 3.1% in March 2025. Alton's unemployment rate increased from 4.3 percent to 5.4 percent from March 2025 to March 2026. O’Fallon’s rate was 4.2%, up from 3.2% a year earlier, and Collinsville’s was 4.1%, up from 3.5%.
JACKSON, Tenn. - Godfrey's Eliana Synder joined 383 students who were named to Union University in Jackson, Tenn., President's List for the spring 2026 semester. The President's List includes full-time students who achieve a 4.0 grade point average on a four-point scale. Founded in 1823 and affiliated with the Tennessee Baptist Convention, Union University is characterized by quality Christ-centered teaching and learning. Union offers liberal arts training in more than 100 majors and programs
SPRINGFIELD, IL. - The Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB) is overseeing the construction of a new $42.6 million Library Learning Student Success Center at the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS). Funded through Governor JB Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois capital plan, the 55,000-square-foot facility will serve as a resource for academic learning and student support. Construction is currently underway, with many structural components already completed. The grand staircase has been
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