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Employees Raise $1,405 for the Main Street Community Center In Edwardsville

2 weeks 2 days ago
EDWARDSVILLE — Revity Credit Union employees raised $1,405 for the Main Street Community Center in Edwardsville through the credit union’s ongoing Jeans for Generations program, which allows employees to donate to a selected charity in exchange for wearing jeans and tennis shoes on Fridays and Saturdays. The March contributions were dedicated to the Main Street Community Center, which supports adults 50 and older with programs and services aimed at helping them stay healthy, active

Bethalto Police Charge Alton Man With Domestic Battery, Assault, Weapon Offenses

2 weeks 2 days ago
ALTON/BETHALTO – An Alton man with a history of domestic violence faces his latest set of felony charges after an alleged assault and domestic battery involving an illegally possessed firearm. Jonathan L. Brown, 38, of Alton, was charged on March 10, 2026, with one count each of possession of a firearm by a repeat felony offender (a Class X felony), unlawful possession of weapons by a felon (a Class 2 felony), his fourth or subsequent offense of domestic battery (a Class 3 felony) and

OSF HealthCare names Zach Yoder president of three Western Region hospitals

2 weeks 2 days ago
PEORIA – OSF HealthCare is pleased to announce Zach Yoder, MHA, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE, as the president of three Western Region OSF hospitals. Effective Sunday, March 29, Yoder will transition to president of OSF HealthCare Holy Family Medical Center in Monmouth, OSF HealthCare Saint Luke Medical Center in Kewanee and OSF HealthCare St. Mary Medical Center in Galesburg. Yoder has been serving as interim president of OSF St. Mary Medical Center and OSF Holy Family Medical Center for

Madison County Drug Court Marks 30 Years as Illinois' First Program

2 weeks 2 days ago
MADISON COUNTY — On April 2, 2026, the Madison County Drug Court will celebrate a major milestone: its 30th anniversary. As the first drug court established in the State of Illinois, this anniversary marks three decades of innovation, perseverance, and life-changing outcomes. The celebration will coincide with a drug court graduation ceremony, where 14 participants will complete the rigorous program and take their next steps toward long-term recovery. Founded in 1996, the Madison

Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program Workshops For Local Governments, Communities

2 weeks 2 days ago
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation is hosting 11 workshops throughout the state to help local governments and communities learn about and apply for funding opportunities through the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program. Organized through IDOT’s ongoing Special Programs Assistance Conferences, the workshops will help stakeholders identify projects that qualify and learn how to craft successful applications. Each session will take place over two days, with

ICC Approves Over $370 Million For Rail Safety Improvements

2 weeks 2 days ago
CHICAGO – On Thursday, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) approved its annual five-year Crossing Safety Improvement Program (FY 2027-2031) to implement life-saving safety upgrades at highway-rail crossings. The plan authorizes $376 million in funding for grade crossing safety improvements and highway-rail grade separations at approximately 387 crossing locations. “Illinois is home to more than 10,000 public highway-rail crossings. The ICC’s Crossing Safety Improvement

Ventura, Didech, Other Illinois Lawmakers, Push for Plug-In Illinois Act to Expand Balcony Solar

2 weeks 2 days ago
SPRINGFIELD – Today, State Senator Rachel Ventura and State Representative Daniel Didech joined fellow General Assembly members and clean energy advocates to launch a campaign to pass legislation enabling plug-in solar in Illinois. The Plug-In Illinois Act (SB3104/HB4524) would unlock access to affordable solar power for millions of Illinoisans who cannot install rooftop solar – because they are renters, apartment dwellers, or can’t afford the upfront cost – by removing

SIUE Alumni Provide Insightful Sessions for Students

2 weeks 2 days ago
EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admissions staff and multiple campus partners hosted admitted students for the academic year 2026-27 along with their families. During two weeks in March, the SIUE delegation, which included alumni, greeted more than 100 students in venues across Chicago and St. Louis, Mo. as well as high school counselors from nearly 40 suburban Chicago high schools. "What stood out in Chicago was the energy across all the events. At the student receptions,

Zapp Thai Owner Indicted On Tax Evasion, Wire Fraud, Theft Charges

2 weeks 2 days ago
EDWARDSVILLE – An Edwardsville restaurant owner accused of filing false tax returns to avoid paying over $100,000 in sales taxes to the State of Illinois was recently indicted by a grand jury. Saran Puribhat, 54, of Belleville, was indicted on two counts of theft of governmental property over $100,000 (both Class X felonies), one count of sales tax evasion (a Class 1 felony), one count of wire fraud (a Class 3 felony) and 35 counts of fraudulent filings of sales tax returns (each Class

Three Accused of Defrauding the Elderly via Gold Bar Scam

2 weeks 2 days ago
ST. LOUIS – Three people accused of involvement in a conspiracy that stole $8 million from elderly victims have been federally charged in St. Louis and arrested. Raj Chauhan, 33, Monarch Sachdev, 28, and Elon Harper, 27, were each indicted on Feb. 4, 2026, with one count of wire fraud. Chauhan was the final defendant to appear in U.S. District Court in St. Louis, where he pleaded not guilty Friday. All three were arrested in February outside Missouri: Harper was arrested in Maine, Sachdev

Civic Memorial High School Students and Staff Shave Their Heads for Childhood Cancer Research

2 weeks 3 days ago
BETHALTO - Civic Memorial High School had an exciting assembly as 18 students and several staff members shaved their heads for childhood cancer awareness. On Friday, March 27, 2026, the school community came together for a St. Baldrick’s fundraiser and head-shaving event organized by the National Honor Society. Students and staff could sign up to shave their heads, with fundraising proceeds going to St. Baldrick’s to fund childhood cancer research. “It just touches th

Alton Museum of History and Art Faces Ongoing Closure and Repair Challenges

2 weeks 3 days ago
ALTON - The Alton Museum of History and Art, closed since the COVID-19 Pandemic era in 2020, and Executive Director Brian Combs spoke on "Our Daily Show!" with host C.J. Nasello on Friday, March 27, 2026, about the museum and its future. Combs cited ongoing building problems; the museum is located at Loomis Hall on the Southern Illinois University campus in Alton. While repairs have been made over time, he said much more needs to be done with the building. He also cited what he described as distan

Collinsville Man Sentenced to 21 Years for Armed Robbery Of Designer Cross-Body Bag In Granite City

2 weeks 3 days ago
GRANITE CITY - Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced on Friday, March 27, 2026, that a 19-year-old Collinsville man has been sentenced to 21 years in prison after pleading guilty to armed robbery stemming from the theft of a designer cross-body bag in Granite City. Jalon O. Mathis pleaded guilty Friday in Circuit Court to a charge of armed robbery, a Class X felony, Haine said. Mathis admitted that, while armed, he stole the bag from a victim on June 23, 2025, in Granite

Alton High School Job Program Serves Up Fish Fry for Community Partners

2 weeks 3 days ago
ALTON - Alton High School students hosted a fish fry to thank administrators and community members for their work. On Friday, March 27, 2026, students in the cooperative work training program served meals to teachers, administrators, hospital workers, first responders, partner companies and more. Joe Michalski, the teacher who oversees the program, explained that this community service element is an important part of their work. “It’s a thank-you to the community,” he

27 Honored For Life-Saving Efforts With Scott Yankey

2 weeks 3 days ago
O’FALLON, Ill. — HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital honored 27 members of its clinical team with the DAISY Team Award on Wednesday, March 25, for saving the life of Scott Yankey. Scott Yankey, father of two, was cooking dinner with his family when he suddenly started experiencing severe angioedema, a deep swelling under the skin that can restrict breathing. A multidisciplinary team from the emergency department – including physicians, nurses, a physician assistant,

Glen Carbon Approves Gas Station, Convenience Store Site Plan

2 weeks 3 days ago
GLEN CARBON – A new gas station and convenience store is coming to Glen Carbon, along with a slight change to an Orchard Town Center site. At their March 24, 2026 meeting, village trustees unanimously approved the site plan for a new gas station and convenience store set to be built on approximately 2.39 acres in Meridian Plaza. The site’s exact location is listed as 82 Magnolia Drive, just off Illinois 157. The site plan developed by Thouvenot, Wade & Moerchen Inc. (TWM) shows

Juan P. Bautaย II Named a 2026 'Unsung Hero'

2 weeks 3 days ago
ALTON – Simmons Hanly Conroy , a national leader in the legal representation of mesothelioma patients and their families, is pleased to announce that Juan P. Bauta II , a partner in the firm’s Miami office, has been selected for the Daily Business Review and Law.com’s 2026 Florida Legal Awards. Bauta won in the “Unsung Heroes” category, which recognizes meaningful and often unseen contributions to legal practice. The Florida Legal Awards annually honor

25 Years of Service Milestone Reached by Shiloh Police Sgt. Kyle Bade

2 weeks 3 days ago
SHILOH - Detective Larry Wise and Sgt. Kyle Bade were recognized Tuesday night, March 24, 2026, at a Village of Shiloh Board meeting, where Wise received the 2025 Officer of the Year award, and Bade was honored for reaching 25 years of service to the Village of Shiloh, according to the Shiloh Police Department. “Tonight we recognized two of our own at the Village of Shiloh Board Meeting,” the department said in a statement. Wise was awarded “the 2025 Officer o

Twin-Co, Inc. Offers Fresh Remodeling with "Old-School" Business Tactics

2 weeks 3 days ago
ALTON/GODFREY - A locally-owned contracting company goes above and beyond for customers. Twin-Co, Inc. was established in 1981. They offer bathroom and kitchen remodeling, windows, doors, decks and other home services. Lance Griggs took over the company about three years ago, and he makes a point to adhere to “old-school” business tactics like being available for customers and sticking to what he knows. “All you’ve got to do is be consistent. I think the deal is,

Alton To Seek Over $288,000 In Grants For 2026 Park Upgrades

2 weeks 3 days ago
ALTON – Alton is officially applying for grant funds of over $288,000 to cover the cost of several park improvement projects planned around the city. City Council members unanimously approved a resolution on March 25, 2026 allowing the city to apply for Park Enhancement Program (PEP) grant funds from Madison County. If the city’s application is approved, the full grant amount would fund upgrades at Rock Springs Park, Gordon Moore Park, Hellrung Park, and Riverview Park. $175,000