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Mental health awareness has gained significant traction in recent years, yet it remains a complex and often misunderstood subject. As society continues to evolve, the need to prioritize mental well-being has become increasingly apparent. This article explores the importance of mental health awareness, the stigma surrounding mental illness, the role of education and advocacy, and practical ways individuals can contribute to a more supportive atmosphere. Understanding Mental Health Mental health refers to a person's emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act, influencing our ability to handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health issues can manifest in various forms, such as anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, among others. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 1 in 4 individuals will experience a mental health issue at some point in their lives, underscoring the

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Welcome to January 17, a day that has witnessed remarkable events throughout history, shaping the course of nations and cultures across the globe. One of the most significant events in modern history took place on January 17, 1995, when the Great Hanshin Earthquake struck the city of Kobe, Japan. This devastating earthquake registered a magnitude of 7.2 and resulted in the loss of over 6,000 lives, making it one of the deadliest earthquakes in Japan's history. The earthquake caused widespread destruction, leaving hundreds of thousands homeless and prompting a massive emergency response from both the Japanese government and international aid organizations. The event highlighted Japan's vulnerability to natural disasters and led to significant changes in building codes and disaster preparedness protocols, ultimately aiming to mitigate the impact of future earthquakes. In 1945, on this day, the Allied forces launched the Vistula-Oder Offensive during World War II. This major military

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ST. JACOB – Multiple fire departments responded to a significant fire on Napaloean Street in St. Jacob late Thursday evening, Jan. 16, 2025. Firefighters from St. Jacob, Highland, and Marine Fire Departments were among those who worked to control the blaze, which erupted around 8 p.m. As of now, the cause of the fire remains under investigation, and no further details have been released. Additional fire departments may have also been involved in the response efforts. Authorities are expected to provide more information about the incident on Friday.

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FOSTERBURG — A crash involving loose horses caused significant disruption on Illinois Route 255 Thursday evening, Jan. 16, 2025, prompting authorities to close the southbound lanes near Fosterburg Road. The Madison County Sheriff's Office stated that the Illinois State Police responded to the incident. Initial scanner reports indicated that two horses were spotted running close to the highway, which may have contributed to the crash. Police reports said at least one vehicle reportedly veered off the roadway in an attempt to avoid the horses. While another vehicle was involved in the accident, it is unknown at this time if there were injuries in the accident. The situation remains under investigation, and further information was released by the Illinois State Police on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025; click here to learn more.

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MARYVILLE - Two Madison County cases involving unlawful firearms include a Springfield woman accused of defacing a firearm and a Venice man charged with possessing a “ghost gun." Stephanie R. Glugla, 31, of Springfield, Ill., was charged with defacing identification marks on a firearm (a Class 3 felony) and possession of a controlled substance (a Class 4 felony). On Nov. 2, 2024, Glugla allegedly possessed an 80 Percent Arms Model GST-9 on which the “serial number had been removed,” according to court documents. She also reportedly had less than 15 grams of cocaine in her possession. The Maryville Police Department presented the case against Glugla, who was granted pretrial release from custody. In a separate case, Ricky A. Clayton Jr., 37, of Venice, was charged with possession/use of a firearm/weapon by a felon (a Class 3 felony) and resisting a peace officer (a Class A misdemeanor). On April 21, 2024, Clayton reportedly possessed a Polymer 80 9mm “ghost

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GRANITE CITY - Granite City recently opened its own Overnight Warming Location , and Pastor Phillip Warren shared that the community has been “incredibly supportive” so far. The OWL is looking for volunteers to sustain its operations. Located at Mt. Zion Church at 2827 Mockingbird Lane in Granite City, the new OWL is the third of its kind in the Riverbend region, joining Alton and Edwardsville in offering a warm place for unhoused community members and people with insufficient heating to stay for the night. Since opening last Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, following a major snowstorm, the Granite City OWL has averaged 30 to 35 people a night. “There’s all these stories that are happening. But the big thing that we need to really push is we need volunteers,” Warren said. “If you have a lot of people doing little things, it becomes a big thing.” Like the OWLs in Alton and Edwardsville, the Granite City OWL opens when overnight temperatures

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ALTON - The Alton Police Department is set to host a Teddy Bear Toss Game and a special jersey auction at 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, at the East Alton Ice Arena. This event aims to benefit two significant causes: children at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and the Alton Police Department K-9 Unit. Participants are encouraged to bring a teddy bear or stuffed animal to toss onto the ice after the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) Club Ice Hockey team scores its first goal. All stuffed animals collected will be donated to children in need, providing comfort and joy. Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to bid on unique SIUE Club Ice Hockey jerseys during a silent auction. The auction will begin at the start of the game and conclude after the second period, with proceeds supporting the Alton Police Department K-9 Unit. The event is sponsored by Play It Again Sports in Edwardsville, and McAtee Dental in Collinsville. For those unable to

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ALTON - A painting of the Lucy Haskell Playhouse will hang in Alton City Hall after the community came together to restore it. When Third Ward Alderman Ray Strebel found the painting in storage, he contacted Chair of the Alton Historical Commission Douglas Bader. Strebel and Bader decided to raise money to restore the painting. Bader said the goal was to honor artist Ruth Means and commemorate the Haskell Playhouse’s 50th anniversary on the National Register of Historic Places. The community is invited to a ceremony to celebrate the restoration. “We looked at this as sort of a three-fold project,” Bader explained. “One, we were going to be able to restore the painting. It was also going to be a way to honor the painter Ruth Means, who was a prolific painter, well-known in Alton. And also, the subject matter was the Haskell Playhouse, which, of course, is a beloved building here in Alton.” Strebel, a mayoral candidate, worked with Bader to raise

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COLLINSVILLE - A Collinsville man with a criminal past faces several new charges after a domestic violence incident led authorities to search his home, finding drugs and firearms. Troy A. Fohne, 39, of Collinsville, was charged with the following: Unlawful possession of methamphetamine (Class 1 felony) Felon in possession of a weapon (Class 3 felony) Felon in possession of a weapon (Class 3 felony) Aggravated battery (Class 3 felony) Aggravated unlawful restraint (Class 3 felony) Domestic battery (Class A misdemeanor) A petition was filed to deny Fohne’s pretrial release, which describes the incident as follows: “Victim reported that her boyfriend, the defendant, became angry over a missing phone and pushed her to the ground, striking her with his hands and kicking her,” the petition states. “He then brandished a handgun and struck her in the head with it. “He refused to allow her to leave, threatening to harm her if she left. She

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EDWARDSVILLE — A 16-year-old male from East St. Louis has been detained on a charge of possession of a machine gun, according to an announcement made on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, by Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine. The charge stems from an incident that occurred on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Granite City, specifically in the vicinity of State Street and Market Street. The Delinquency Petition alleges that the juvenile possessed a handgun that had been modified to enable the automatic firing of multiple shots with a single pull of the trigger. The investigation into the incident was conducted by the Granite City Police Department. Haine emphasized that the charge is based on probable cause, and noted that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned outside witnesses during the second day of the Senate Judiciary Committee nomination hearing for Pam Bondi, President-elect Trump’s pick to be Attorney General of the United States. Durbin first questioned Mr. Emery Gainey, the former Sheriff of Alachua County and Ms. Bondi’s Chief of Staff when she served as Florida’s Attorney General, about whether she will support law enforcement if a day like January 6 happens again. “You are aware of what happened here on January 6 in the Capitol complex and the law enforcement personnel who were attacked by the mob. A number of them , hundreds of them have been prosecuted and some are serving sentences for violent felonies against our police. Was there anything like that in your background dealing with Ms. Bondi where she has been called on to make a decision on standing up for law enforcement

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(A statement from Alton Little Theater Executive Director About An Internal Investigation) ALTON — Alton Little Theater (ALT) is committed to maintaining a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all members of its community. Recently, the organization became aware of allegations of misconduct that occurred several years ago. From the onset of these allegations, ALT took immediate and decisive action to address these claims. As part of our commitment to due process and fairness, an employee in question has been placed on administrative leave pending the completion of a thorough and unbiased internal investigation. This step is a standard procedural measure and does not reflect any presumption of wrongdoing. The investigation, which will be conducted by an impartial team, aims to ensure that all claims are examined diligently and respectfully. Upon its conclusion, findings and recommendations will be reviewed by ALT’s Board of Directors for appropriate action.

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EAST ALTON-WOOD RIVER HIGH SCHOOL 1st Semester 2024-25 HIGH HONOR ROLL SENIORS Cameryn Adams Tyler Adams Mianah Arnold Devon Barboza Samuel Baugh Matthew Bruce JR Chase Butler Adam Byrd Jayla Cartwright Claydon Cathorall Drake Champlin Drew Charles Amaya Chavis Gabriel Colvin Emma Cope Brayden Cunningham Chloe Dale Jerrod Daniels Josiah. Daniels Jaden Downs Jordan Ealey Brayden Elledge Nieja Elliott-Smith Emalee Evers Gavin Eyer Jack Gould Zoie Gray Eric Grimes Caleb Handler Adair Hicks Sierra Holbrook Blair Mayonna Jaggie Fletcher Jones Jayde Kassler Lillian Kay Sophia Knight Milla LeGette Quinten Mariconi Jackson Mason Ahrya McKelley Grace McLagan Tobias Michael Koen Miller Kelsey Moore Aida Morrow Maya. Mugge Michael Noeltner Kayley Plank Haley Pratt Lucas Ra

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EDWARDSVILLE/TROY - Ronald Simpson will represent District #2 on the Madison County Board. Simpson succeeds Stacey Pace, the former District #2 representative, who was recently appointed as the Community Development director. He will serve the remainder of her term until 2026, representing Troy. “We spoke to several individuals,” explained County Board Chairman Chris Slusser during the Board’s regular meeting on Jan. 15, 2025. “Mr. Simpson interviewed very well, came highly recommended, has a great career track, kind of like mine. It’s very winding, a lot of different things.” Prior to serving in the County Board seat, Simpson worked in education and then as a federal law enforcement agent. He was involved in many Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) investigations, and Slusser noted that Simpson has “a lot of interesting stories he could tell.” Simpson previously served on the Granite City City Council.

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EDWARDSVILLE - Mt. Joy Church invites the community to their 39th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration. At 10 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, Mt. Joy Church will host a special program to honor the legacy of King. Located at 327 Olive Street in Edwardsville, the church invites congregation members and people from the wider Edwardsville community to join them for songs, reflection and a speech by keynote speaker Crystal Officer. “The history of African American people is reflected in our celebration of Martin Luther King Day and, also coming up, Black History Month,” said Paul Pitts, a deacon in the church. “People, especially our young people, will know our history, that it will not and shall not be forgotten.” To kick off the morning, attendees will sing “Lift Every Voice,” followed by a prayer and Officer’s speech. The event will end with a rendition of “We Shall Overcome.” These songs have been a part of

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ALTON — The Alton community will gather to honor the life and legacy of James E. Gray, a respected leader known for his commitment to education and advocacy, during a Celebration of Life at 1 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. The event will take place at at The Bridge Church Fellowship Hall, located at 504 E. 12th St. in Alton. James Gray died at the age of 90 on Dec. 27, 2024. K.J. Gray, the organizer of the celebration, expressed the importance of the event in a recent communication. "Join us in honoring the life and legacy of James E. Gray, a beloved community leader whose dedication to education, advocacy, and service left a profound impact on Alton and beyond," Gray stated. The celebration will feature tributes, music, and opportunities for fellowship, providing attendees a chance to reflect on Gray’s contributions to the community. In lieu of flowers, the family requests support for the Alton Branch of the NAACP's C Average Student Scholarship Program, which aims

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ALTON — Alton High School basketball player Alex Macias is experiencing a transformative season under new head coach Dylan Dudley. The Redbirds are now enjoying a successful campaign, boasting a 15-3 overall mark to meet rival Edwardsville at Edwardsville on Friday night, Jan. 17, 2025. Alex is an Auto Butler Male Athlete of the Month for Alton for his efforts. "Honestly, it's been amazing how Head Coach Dylan Dudley changed the program around, and the boys have come together," Macias said. "It's great to win games." Coach Dudley praised Macias, calling him "the heart and soul of our team." He noted that Macias has started every game for the past three years and is a player who prioritizes winning above all else. "All that kid wants to do is win," Dudley said. "He doesn’t care if he plays the entire game or just 10 minutes. He just wants to win." Macias and his teammates are now riding a wave of momentum, with aspirations to continue their winning ways and aim for

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CHICAGO - The 2025 tax season is quickly approaching, and the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) announced today it will begin accepting and processing 2025 tax returns on Monday, January 27, the same date the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) begins accepting federal income tax returns. Illinois will participate in the IRS Direct File program this year. Eligible taxpayers will be able to use the program to electronically complete their 2024 federal tax returns for free. Eligibility can be confirmed by visiting https://directfile.irs.gov . After filing a federal return using Direct File, the program will connect taxpayers to Illinois’ free state income tax filing system, MyTax Illinois , allowing them to file and complete their Illinois state returns. "Taxpayers are encouraged to file electronically as early as possible in the tax season and choose direct deposit in order to ensure the fastest processing and issuance of any refunds," IDOR Director David Harris said. "Eligible

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul, in partnership with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, filed a lawsuit today against Deere and Company (Deere), arguing the agricultural equipment manufacturer’s use of unfair practices has driven up equipment repair costs for farmers while also depriving farmers of the ability to make timely repairs on critical farming equipment, including tractors. “With the price of farming equipment continuing to rise, farmers should have increased flexibility to repair and maintain their equipment and not be forced to utilize expensive authorized dealers,” Raoul said. “I will continue to advocate for increased marketplace competition and stand for the rights of Illinois consumers.” In their lawsuit, Raoul and the coalition allege that for decades, Deere’s unlawful practices have limited the ability of farmers and independent repair providers to repair Deere equipment, forcing

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MARYVILLE - A Granite City resident faces multiple felonies after allegedly burglarizing two Maryville homes and driving on a suspended license. Christian N. Calderon-Zarita, 25, of Granite City, was charged with two Class 1 felony counts of residential burglary and a Class A misdemeanor count of driving while license is suspended. Calderon-Zarita unlawfully entered two different residences on Forest Drive in Maryville on Dec. 31, 2024. He was additionally charged with driving a Chevrolet Equinox on the same street at a time when his license had been revoked or suspended. A petition was filed to deny Calderon-Zarita’s pretrial release, stating he “forced entry into two different residences, stealing purses and jewelry” after specifically targeting the Maryville community. “Defendant was located near the scene and found in possession of stolen property,” the petition adds. “Defendant was not found to have any connection to Maryville, Ill.,

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