BELLEVILLE/EDWARDSVILLE - CASA of Southwestern Illinois needs volunteers who are willing to be “a voice” for children in the foster care system. On Saturday, April 25, 2026, CASA will host an annual dinner and fundraiser at The Leclaire Room in Edwardsville. Community members are invited to come out and support the work of CASA, or Court-Appointed Special Advocates. These volunteers advocate for kids in court and help judges make decisions in the best interest of the child.
ALTON – Alton officials voted 6-1 on Wednesday, April 9, 2026, to further delay proposed cuts to Alton’s share of Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau funding until 2027. On April 8, 2026, City Council members approved an amendment to a previously postponed resolution which would have slashed the amount Alton contributes to the Bureau’s funding by approximately 68% via ordinance. The approved amendment shifts the date of the vote from May 15, 2026 to April 12, 2027. Alderwoman
SWANSEA — Federal authorities alerted Swansea Police to a social media post containing terrorist threats targeting Swansea Police Department officers, prompting an investigation that led to the arrest of a 28-year-old man and a felony charge, police said. The FBI notified the Swansea Police Department about the threats, and the department’s Criminal Investigations Division began investigating and identified a suspect, according to information released by police. Detectives developed
ALTON/GODFREY - Oasis Women’s Center will host a trivia night fundraiser to build up essential services in the Riverbend community. On Saturday, April 25, 2026, community members can join Oasis at the Alton Wood River Sportsman’s Club in Godfrey for an evening of trivia, a 50/50 raffle, a silent auction and more. Oasis Executive Director Jenna Giess explained that proceeds go toward helping domestic violence survivors, and these services are as needed as ever. “The amount
Planting has never been just a farming task. In many ancient societies, it was treated like a high-stakes appointment with the universe—so important that people built holidays around it, timed it by the stars, and backed it with songs, feasts, and strict rules about what you could or couldn’t do. That can sound dramatic until you remember what was at stake. A missed window for sowing could mean hunger months later. Ancient holidays that “marked planting season” were no
On April 9, 1940, Nazi Germany launched a surprise invasion of Denmark and Norway, an operation known as Weserübung. In a matter of hours Denmark was occupied, while Norway began a longer, harder fight that drew in British and French forces. At the time, the attack mattered because it reshaped control of the North Sea and the route of vital resources—especially Swedish iron ore—while giving Germany better access to Atlantic shipping lanes. It still matters today because it shows
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County police are investigating a late-night shooting in a business drive-thru that left an adult woman dead and an adult man injured, authorities said. The double shooting happened about 11:35 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in the 11300 block of Bellefontaine Road, according to the St. Louis County Police Department. Officers from the North County Precinct responded to a call for service for a shooting and found two victims inside a business with gunshot injuries,
ALTON – Alton Fire Chief Jesse Jemison Jr. was honored at this week’s City Council meeting for his 33 years of service and his positive impact on the Alton community. Rouzell Porter, president of the Southern Illinois chapter of the 100 Black Men of America, gave a presentation commending Chief Jemison for reaching the significant milestone with the Alton Fire Department. “Since you first put on the uniform, you have been a constant calming presence for our neighbors
MADISON COUNTY – Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced a Madison County judge found a registered sex offender is a Sexually Violent Person (SVP). The case was prosecuted by the Attorney General’s office. Madison County Circuit Court Judge Amy Maher ordered Louis Arnold, 49, to be remanded to the custody of the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). Arnold had been detained in the IDHS Treatment and Detention Facility awaiting his trial. “The history of this
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - Colonel Kenneth Gregory, chief of the St. Louis County Police Department, announced he will retire effective May 1, 2026, ending a 46-year law enforcement career that began in December 1979 with the department. “After 46 years of service, the time has come for me to step aside and begin a new chapter,” Gregory said. “It has been an honor, a privilege, and an absolute pleasure to serve the residents of St. Louis County and to work alongside the dedicated me
ST. LOUIS –The owner of a fossil replica company was indicted Wednesday and accused of fraudulently seeking disability benefits. Scott A. Taylor, 50, is still on probation from a prior disability fraud case. The new indictment, on one count of making a false statement, accuses him of applying for Social Security disability benefits on Jan. 28, 2026, claiming that he had not worked since 1993. The indictment says Taylor has been self-employed since 2014. A charge set forth in an indictment
ROXANA — Roxana High School senior Ava Cherry, a multi-sport athlete and standout softball center fielder, has been named a Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month, an honor recognizing achievements in athletics and academics in Roxana. Cherry, a triathlete throughout her four years at Roxana, has played volleyball, basketball, and softball. She will be joined in the Midwest Members Credit Union recognition with her best friend and Roxana teammate, Lilli Ray, who
ALTON - Alton Community Unit School District #11 has a unique program that allows community stakeholders to provide input to administrators. The Reimagine Alton project asks community members to come together and brainstorm ways to improve Alton schools. Over the past year, the group has met multiple times and will present their ideas to the Board of Education in June. Superintendent Elaine Kane noted that the goal is to help the community by building up the school district. “Strong
The Office Urges Consumers to Report Scam Attempts to scamalert@ilsos.gov SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is warning motorists across the state about a growing wave of scam texts and phone calls impersonating the Secretary of State’s office and attempting to trick residents into sending money or sharing sensitive personal information. This week, the scammers have resorted to new text threats and even phone calls claiming to be from the Secretary o
EAST ALTON – The Environmental Education Department at the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC) has been named the 2026 Organization of the Year by the Environmental Education Association of Illinois (EEAI). The honor recognizes the team’s outstanding and ongoing efforts to advance environmental education opportunities across the state of Illinois. “I am incredibly proud of our team and the work we do each day,” said Director of Environmental
CHICAGO — A set of numbers passed down from mother to daughter — and one lucky online Lotto® ticket — turned a Southern Illinois Lottery player into a millionaire overnight. The winner, who has chosen to remain anonymous, played a combination of family birthdays and anniversaries — a tradition inherited from her mother. She revealed that her mother had played those same Lotto numbers years ago but missed out on a $6.4 million jackpot after forgetting to submit the playslip
ALTON - Alton Main Street is seeking community-minded volunteers to join its team for the 2026 season. As historic Downtown Alton continues to experience a surge in economic development and cultural activity, the organization is inviting residents to lend their time and talents to a diverse lineup of festivals, markets, and beautification projects. The 2026 calendar features a wide array of service opportunities catering to various interests, including: Community Events: Volunteers are needed
O’FALLON – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that westbound Interstate 64 will be reduced to one lane between Illinois 159 and Illinois 157 in St. Clair County for pavement work. The lane closures will occur during the following weekends, weather permitting: April 10-13 Beginning at 8 p.m. Friday, April 10, westbound traffic will be reduced to one lane. All lanes are expected to reopen by 6 a.m. Monday, April 13. April 17-20 Beginning at 8 p.m. Friday
ALTON - The Alton Community Unit School District #11 will host a public meeting about special education services to help local kids with disabilities. At 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, 2026, parents of homeschooled or private-schooled children who live within the district are invited to the in-person meeting at Alton High School. Charmain Downton, Director of Special Education, will explain the district’s resources and special education services that are available. The district
ROXANA - Roxana catcher Lilli Ray, a senior and one of two key team leaders alongside Ava Cherry, has emerged as a top contributor for the Shells’ highly successful 2026 girls softball team, according to coach Pat Brannon. Ray and Cherry are both signed to attend Lincoln Land Community College to play softball. Coach Brannon said Ray is a “great ball player” and "great person." He said Ray and Cherry are “two big leaders of this team.” He added, “Both
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