BELLEVILLE — Three people were hospitalized with gunshot wounds after a shooting around 10 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, at a residence in the 200 block of Freedom Drive, according to the Belleville Police Department. Belleville Police, St. Clair County Sheriff's officers and members of the Illinois State Police are investigating the circumstances of the shooting. The three injured people were taken to local hospitals for treatment, and their conditions were unknown. Based on the
GLEN CARBON - As Hawthorne Animal Hospital celebrates its 70th anniversary in the community, the team is reflecting on the work they do to help local pets. The Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Hawthorne to commemorate the organization’s 70th year in business. Paul Meyer, owner and veterinarian, has been a part of this work since 1981, and he highlighted the value of helping the community and their furry family members to live their best,
EDWARDSVILLE — Senior reserve running back Jehki Nicholson made the most of his opportunity on Edwardsville’s final possession Sept. 18, 2026, carrying the ball eight consecutive times and scoring a touchdown in the Tigers’ 48-0 victory over Granite City at Tiger Stadium. Nicholson gained 42 of the drive’s 48 yards and finished it with a 1-yard touchdown run. The performance came as Edwardsville looked toward the final stretch of the regular season and a chance to qualify
ALTON - As the Alton Community Unit School District #11 winds down from Homecoming Week, the Alton High School administrative team is excited for the next half of the fall semester. October is National Principals Month, honoring school administrators who go above and beyond to support students. At Alton High School, Principal Stacie Franke oversees a team of people including Jordan Anderson, Mack Ivory, Tyler Hamilton, Willie Kilpatrick, Natalie Gordon, Nicole Walker, Kate Page and Tim Jones.
ST. LOUIS — Two men died in separate shootings Friday, Oct. 9 and Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in St. Louis’ Jeff Vander Lou and Carr Square neighborhoods, and homicide detectives are investigating the circumstances of both incidents. A preliminary investigation suggests a family dispute preceded the Jeff Vander Lou shooting; what led to the Carr Square shooting remains under investigation. Nicolas Dilworth, 47, of St. Louis, died after the shooting Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in Carr Square.
JERSEYVILLE – A Jersey County judge sentenced a Bethalto man to five years in prison after he pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a child earlier this year . 25-year-old Anthony B. Newcome of Bethalto pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a victim under 13 years of age. As a Class 2 felony, the charge carried a possible sentence of three to seven years of imprisonment plus two years of mandatory supervised release. Newcome entered his guilty plea in Jersey
EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County Board Chairman Chris Slusser talked about the importance of the Cross River Crimes Task Force in helping crack down on crime, some community concerns, and also discussed infrastructure, economic development, and data center projects at the North Alton Godfrey Business Council breakfast meeting Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, at St. Anthony’s Health Center. North Alton-Godfrey Business Council President Zeke Jabusch hosted the monthly meeting and introduced Chairman
EDWARDSVILLE — A new home at 216 Crane St. in Edwardsville will mark the Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Habitat for Humanity chapter’s 11th new build in the community since its founding. The chapter hosted a groundbreaking Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, to launch the project, which will provide housing for a partner family selected by its board after a stringent application process. Board members, local leaders, and volunteers attended to support the build. The Edwardsville Township board
EDWARDSVILLE - Alma Koller turned 100 on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, and she enjoyed a wonderful celebration with her family for this huge milestone. For her 80th birthday, Koller arrived by helicopter. For her 90th, she rode on the back of her son’s Harley. Koller still lives in her Edwardsville home with around-the-clock help. She is the mother of Paul and Myra and the grandmother of Hope Mader, creator of Rock The Hops. She worked as a beautician at Ann’s Beauty Shop in Edwardsville
ALTON – A convicted felon faces several new charges after allegedly recklessly firing a handgun inside an Alton residence that reportedly contained an illegal gun manufacturing operation. Philip M. Benoodt, 72, of Alton, was charged on Oct. 9, 2026, with eight counts of felon in possession of a weapon, each Class 3 felonies, as well as a Class 4 felony count of reckless discharge of a firearm. Benoodt allegedly discharged a firearm in a reckless manner while in close proximity to another
Why Humans Love Ghost Stories A creaking floorboard is just a noise — until someone tells you the house is haunted. Then every sound seems to mean something. The building has not changed, but your attention has. That small shift helps explain why ghost stories have such a strong hold on us: they turn ordinary places into mysteries and make the invisible feel almost within reach. People enjoy ghost stories for more than the thrill of being frightened. These tales give us a safe way to
On Oct. 13, 2016, the Swedish Academy announced that Bob Dylan had won the Nobel Prize in literature, placing songwriting at the center of one of the world’s most prestigious literary honors. The decision recognized the poetic possibilities of American song and the influence of a musician whose work had crossed the boundaries of folk, rock and literature. Ten years later, that announcement remains a defining milestone for this date in music history. The date also connects several different
This Day in History: October 13, 2026 On October 13, 1307, officials acting on the orders of King Philip IV of France arrested members of the Knights Templar across his kingdom. The coordinated operation struck one of medieval Europe’s most powerful religious and military organizations. Founded to protect Christian pilgrims in the Holy Land, the Templars had become landowners, bankers, and an important part of the Crusading world. Their arrest began a process that ended with the order’s
GLEN CARBON – A local man with multiple prior DUI convictions faces new felonies after allegedly injuring another person in a collision while under the influence. David A. Peters, 68, of Glen Carbon, was charged on Oct. 7, 2026, with two Class 1 felony counts of aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol. He also faces one count each of aggravated driving while under the influence resulting in great bodily harm and aggravated driving with a blood alcohol level of .08 or more resulting
ALTON — Calvary Christian School students packed, sealed, and prepared 5,000 meals through the school’s Feed the Need campaign, an effort to help families locally and overseas while teaching students about service. The students and faculty participants in the Feed The Need campaign are true Difference Makers in their community. The school, at 1422 Washington Ave. in Alton, is participating for the third year. Students in kindergarten through 11th grade handled the packing and preparation,
COLLINSVILLE — Collinsville police Officer Phil Tamburello has been selected as the department’s September Officer of the Month in recognition of his dedication to community safety. In a statement, the Collinsville Police Department said Tamburello has consistently demonstrated that dedication since “coming back home in 2025.” The department thanked Tamburello for his service to the community.
RIVERBEND - Halloween is creeping up on us, but it’s all treats — no tricks — this spooky season. Several parades are scheduled over the next few weeks. Check it out! ALTON With one of the longest-running Halloween parades in the country, Alton’s 109th annual celebration will run from 7–10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2025. The parade begins downtown at the intersection of Washington Avenue and Broadway and will continue on Broadway to Piasa Street, where
GRAFTON – Members of the Grafton Food Truck Committee heard overwhelming opposition to food trucks and support for brick-and-mortar businesses at two recent public hearings on possible food truck regulations. The hearings were held on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026 and Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026 at Grafton City Hall. The Grafton Food Truck Committee includes City Council members Richard Mosby, Mary Jo Cote and Rus Roy, as well as former alderman David Hand, Police Chief Dave Womack and Brad Hagen.
ROXANA/WOOD RIVER - The Riverbend East Rotary Club recently recognized the October Service Above Self award winners from East Alton-Wood River High School-Bailey Schallenberg-Decker and Ben Gehrs. Bailey Schallenberg-Decker Bailey is a Senior at Roxana whose footprint spans athletics, academics, civic leadership, and fine arts. A dedicated athlete in Cross Country and Track & Field, Bailey also serves in the National Honor Society, Student Council, Tri-M Music Honor Society, Student Ambassadors,
HIGHLAND - A local author is giving back to veterans, kids and cancer patients while sharing stories that matter. Madison County author Bella Spark published her first children’s book , “Sparky Makes Friends,” earlier this year. Now, she’s preparing to publish her third book. During October, 20% of all sales go to Siteman Cancer Center to support patients. But she’s taking it a step further with “Spark Kits” and The Rolling Honor Project, which
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