Friday kicks off with a chilly start near 37 degrees. It stays breezy in the morning with some sunshine breaking through the clouds. By afternoon, temperatures climb to a high of 51 degrees under partly sunny skies and winds from the north-northwest around 10 to 23 mph gusts. Evening brings mostly cloudy conditions and a couple of light showers arrive late, continuing overnight with lows dipping to 37. Winds ease to around 6 mph from the northeast. Allergy levels remain low with good air quality.
BUZZ MAGAZINE – Country Bend Campground in Litchfield was recntly recognized with an ANDIES Award at this year’s Campground Owner’s Expo (COE) in Branson, Missouri in December, earning top honors for excellence in its new rack card design. The ANDIES AWARDS were created by Anderson’s Brochure Distribution Service to highlight outstanding print marketing in the outdoor hospitality and tourism industries. Country Bend Campground was one of just a handful of campgrounds
JERSEYVILLE - Meredith Gray of Jersey Community Unit School District No. 100 has become the all-time leading rebounder for the JCHS girls basketball team, surpassing the previous record of 865 rebounds held by Shelby Woelfel Sackmann. Gray achieved this milestone recently. The Jersey basketball sensation has averaged nearly 20 points and close to 10 rebounds per game for the Panthers. In addition to her basketball success, Gray also excelled in girls' volleyball this season, recording
JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – Governor JB Pritzker signed a controversial battery storage and energy omnibus bill into law Thursday. Senate Bill 25 , also known as CRGA, is another example of flawed green energy policies that Illinois ratepayers are already all too familiar with. Pritzker’s signing of SB 25 comes on the heels of a study released last month by three state agencies that detailed the ‘credible risk’ of electricity shortages across Illinois within the next five
GLEN CARBON - Erin Kretzer, who will be a senior midfielder and striker for the Father McGivney Catholic girls soccer team this coming spring, has signed a letter of intent to play for Quincy University in the fall of 2026. Kretzer was a key player in the Griffins' run in the IHSA Class 1A tournament run that ended in the Round of 16 last season in the sectional final against Columbia at George Martz Field at Belleville Althoff Catholic, as the Griffins lost to the Eagles 1-0. Last season
SOUTH ROXANA – Village officials in South Roxana took action this week to seek grant funds for pedestrian safety improvements and put rules in place regarding low-speed electric scooters and bicycles. On Jan. 6, 2026, Village Board members unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the Village of South Roxana to apply for the ACT Community Action Grant for pedestrian safety enhancements within the village. The Agency for Community Transit (ACT) offers the Community Action Grants Program
EDWARDSVILLE — The Madison County Sheriff’s Office sold one of its surplus vehicles to the Grantfork Fire District for $1, continuing a county practice aimed at extending the useful life of public assets while supporting local emergency services. Madison County Sheriff Jeff Connor said the department regularly evaluates its fleet to determine when vehicles are no longer practical for patrol use. “When that happens, we look for ways to repurpose them so they can continue serving
MARYVILLE, Ill. — The Maryville Police Department concluded its holiday traffic enforcement campaign, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” “Drive High, Get a DUI,” and “Click It or Ticket,” with officers issuing multiple citations but no impaired driving arrests, officials reported. The campaign ran from Dec. 12, 2025, through Jan. 5, 2026, focusing on removing impaired drivers from the roads and ensuring motorists used seat belts properly. During this
CAHOKIA HEIGHTS - SIHF Healthcare hosted a retirement celebration in November 2025 at the Centreville Health Center to honor Dr. Theodore Ross, who is retiring after 36 years of service. The event brought together staff, family and community members, including the East St. Louis High School Jazz Quartet, to recognize Dr. Ross’ exceptional service and contributions to SIHF Healthcare. Attendees at the celebration reflected on Dr. Ross’ meaningful impact and commitment to SIHF
ALTON — YWCA Southwestern Illinois is issuing a final call to the community to submit nominations for the 2026 Women of Distinction (WOD) program. Nominations will be accepted through Friday, January 16, 2026, at 5:00 PM. Each year, YWCA’s Women of Distinction program honors extraordinary women whose leadership, service, and commitment have made a lasting impact in their professions, communities, and beyond. Since its inception, the Women of Distinction Academy has grown to include
ALTON - Alton resident and business owner Dan King will make his debut on the television game show Wheel of Fortune at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 on KSDK Channel 5. King, owner of Heaterz Hot Chicken, will take a spin at the iconic puzzle wheel, buying vowels and consonants as he attempts to solve the puzzles. To celebrate King’s appearance, a watch party is scheduled at Alton Sports Tap starting at 5 p.m., ahead of the broadcast. Attendees can enjoy a chicken tender
GRANITE CITY – Scott Credit Union has announced the recipients of its 2025 “With You” Grant Program, recognizing two schools from the Granite City Community Unit School District #9 for their dedication to student success. Granite City High School and Grigsby Elementary School were recognized for their commitment to student success. The nominations were submitted by Denise Albrecht , a math teacher at GCHS and Marisela Luna , an ELL teacher at Grigsby and Maryville Elementary
SPRINGFIELD - In partnership with the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS), Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced the recipients of the third annual John Lewis Youth Leadership Award (JLYLA), honoring two outstanding young Illinois leaders whose service reflects the enduring legacy of the late Congressman John Lewis. Amari’ah Carter of Belleville and Jocelyn Solis of Rockford, both 21-years-old, were recognized for their exceptional leadership, civic engagemen
WOOD RIVER – Wood River first responders will use a former Madison County Housing Authority property for training purposes over the next few days, just before the building is set to be demolished and replaced. The Wood River Police and Fire Departments will use the former Stevens Building at 118 Haller St. for training purposes from Jan. 7-11, 2026 at no cost to the city under an agreement between the city and the Madison County Housing Authority (MCHA) approved by City Council members
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) invites families, wildlife watchers and nature lovers to experience eagle-watching events across the state this winter. The best time to see the majestic bald eagle in Illinois is during the winter when the raptors seek open water areas for fishing. Certain Illinois state parks and locations, including Starved Rock State Park in LaSalle County and the Illinois State Museum’s Dickson Mounds Museum in Fulton County,
We’re taught at an early age the importance of keeping our bodies clean. That includes most body parts. But your ears? That’s a little more complicated. According to Chris Workman, AuD, an audiologist with OSF HealthCare, cleaning your ears is fine – in moderation. The real question is what to do about the earwax or cerumen that tends to build up. “Earwax is a substance that's produced by glands in the ear canal that consists of an oily substance that mixes with
If you have diabetes, you've probably heard "Watch your sweets!" or "Watch your carbs!" often. “Blood sugar numbers are going to be higher. That’s going to require more oral medication or insulin shots,” says Jennifer Adcock , RN, BSN, CDCES, explaining what can go wrong if you overindulge. “If blood sugar levels are left unchecked, it can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis. That’s where all of the available sugar is not being used by your cells. Your cells need
JOLIET — Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined elected officials and advocates to sign the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA), SB 25, marking a historic measure to lower utility bills for working families while securing Illinois’ long-term energy future. Building upon the Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA) and the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), CRGA tackles rising electricity costs driven by private grid operators, expands cost-saving energy resources, and continues
EDWARDSVILLE - The Madison County Sheriff’s Office announced the promotions of three deputies, effective immediately, recognizing their contributions and assigning them to new roles within the department. Detective Matt Werner has been promoted to captain and will serve as the patrol commander. Detective Jared Fravell has been elevated to lieutenant and will continue his work in the investigations division. Detective Jason Thatcher has been promoted to sergeant and will als
CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is accepting applications for the 2026 DCFS Scholarship Program. Through the program scholarships will be awarded to current and former youth in care for the upcoming school year, with four awards reserved for the children of veterans and two awards presented to students pursuing degrees in social work in honor of Pamela Knight and Deidre Silas, two DCFS caseworkers who succumbed to injuries sustained in the line
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