BETHALTO – Leaders of the Bethalto Police and Fire Departments gave updates this week on their total calls for service, new equipment, pending grants, and more. At the April 13, 2026 Village Board meeting , Fire Chief Jay Grant said his department has taken on 175 calls for help so far this year as they prepare to switch over to a new STARCOM radio dispatch system. “All the radios are installed,” Grant said. “Dispatch is finishing up their consoles this week ... an
PIASA — Southwestern freshman pitcher Sydney Timpe delivered a dominant complete-game performance Saturday, April 11, 2026, striking out 14 batters and allowing three hits as Southwestern beat Marquette Catholic 16-2 at Gordon Moore Park. Timpe, an Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month for Southwestern, was credited with the win after going the distance in the circle. Timpe’s head coach, Amanda Edwards, said the freshman has made an immediate impact
BRIGHTON – A Brighton man accused of attacking another individual over “inappropriate messages” the victim allegedly sent the suspect’s wife faces criminal charges in Madison County. David W. Gotter, 56, of Brighton, was charged on April 10, 2026 with one count each of aggravated battery (a Class 3 felony) and criminal damage to property (a Class A misdemeanor). Gotter is accused of knowingly striking another individual in the face and head without legal authority,
GODFREY - Vitality Women’s Clinic has several volunteer opportunities available. Vitality Women’s Clinic is a pro-life, faith-based pregnancy center that works with individuals experiencing unplanned pregnancies. Executive Director Jackie Duty, Center Manager Lori Saunders, and long-time Vitality advocate Sandra explained that they are expanding their volunteer programs and looking for people who want to give back through their nonprofit. When a patient comes to Vitality,
EDWARDSVILLE – The Edwardsville Police Department is applying for two state grants to assist with traffic enforcement and retail theft investigations. City Council members unanimously approved two resolutions last week allowing the Police Department to apply for the Organized Retail Crime Grant from the Illinois Attorney General’s Office and the Sustained Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Grant through the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). The department is seeking
Samuel Caughran ALTON - Samuel Caughran, Kennedy Lacey and Lucille Cassenti , all students at Alton High School, were honored as Students of the Month for April 2026 during a regular meeting of the Rotary Club of Alton-Godfrey at Gentelin’s on Broadway Restaurant. Samuel Caughran was recognized for his academic performance, extensive school involvement, and long-standing commitment to community service. Caughran’s service background is rooted in the Rotary principle “Service
Lucy Cassenti ALTON - Lucille Cassenti, Kennedy Lacey and Samuel Caughran , all students at Alton High School, were honored as Students of the Month for April 2026 during a regular meeting of the Rotary Club of Alton-Godfrey at Gentelin’s on Broadway Restaurant. Lucy Cassent was recognized for her academic performance, extensive involvement in school music programs and math competitions, and community service. Cassenti has pursued high-level coursework and earned awards including
ALTON - Kennedy Lacey, Lucille Cassenti and Samuel Caughran , all students at Alton High School, were honored as Students of the Month for April 2026 during a regular meeting of the Rotary Club of Alton-Godfrey at Gentelin’s on Broadway Restaurant. Kennedy Lacey Kennedy Lacey, a senior at Alton High School, has a 4.16 GPA and has been consistently placed on the Academic High Honor Roll. She is dual-enrolled at Lewis & Clark Community College and Saint Louis University and plans t
GRANITE CITY – Granite City Elks Lodge #1063 recognized Granite City High School seniors William Taylor and Sunny Valle as Students of the Month for April. The Elks Student of the Month Program is designed to recognize outstanding young men and women for achievements in school and community life-fine arts, hobbies, athletics, church, school, club and community service, industry and farming. Nominees are judged on multiple achievements including leadership skills, good moral character,
STAUNTON – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that rehabilitation of a crossing by Norfolk Southern railroad on Illinois 4 between Renken Road and Spangle Road south of Staunton in Madison County will require a full closure beginning Monday, April 27, weather permitting. A posted detour will be in place to safely guide motorists around the closure, which is expected to conclude Friday, May 1. Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through
CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced more than $4.85 million in grant funding has been awarded to 66 grantees through three grant programs – the Tourism Attractions Grant Program ($2 million), Tourism Marketing Partnership Grant Program ($2.25 million), and Tourism Private Sector Grant Program ($598,900) – as part of the State’s efforts to build upon the record-breaking tourism industry
EAST ST. LOUIS - East St. Louis School District 189 is celebrating National Assistant Principal Week this week, and one of those who stands out is Kim Jones-Riley. Jones-Riley is an Assistant Principal at Gordon Bush Alternative Center in East St. Louis. The East St. Louis School District 189 singled Jones-Riley out for her leadership and impact on students and staff. The Gordon Bush Alternative Center Principal Darnell Spencer praised Jones-Riley for her “unwavering commitment
ALTON - Seventy-five Alton High School juniors were inducted into the National Honor Society, a major accomplishment. On Tuesday, April 14, 2026, families and staff members crowded the school’s auditorium to watch the induction ceremony. Advisor Angela Laaker noted that the organization is a great way to build leaders, and the ceremony was a chance to celebrate their new members. “I think they're going to be bigger and better people because of it,” she said. Students
GODFREY - A 54-year-old man was seriously injured after being struck by a vehicle Monday night, April 13, 2026, while crossing Humbert Road in Godfrey, according to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies responded at 8:45 p.m. Monday, April 13, 2026, to the 5600 block of Humbert Road just south of North Mill Spring Drive for a reported vehicle-pedestrian collision, the sheriff’s office said. Investigators determined a vehicle traveling southbound on Humbert Road struck a pedestrian
ALTON - Graceful Treasures will kick off their flea market season this weekend. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, 2026, community members can stop by the warehouse at Milton Schoolhouse for a flea market sponsored by the vintage store Graceful Treasures. Owner Kimberly Grace encourages everyone to come out and see what the market has to offer. “It is an actual, good old-fashioned flea market where there’s rusty, crusty, old, all the way to newer home decor,”
ALTON - Marquette Catholic boys tennis notched another big triumph over Hillsboro 9-0 on Monday, April 13, 2026, at Gordon Moore Park. Hubert Allen’s No. 1 singles win over Hillsboro’s Mark Mattson, 6-3, 6-4, was rated as one of the biggest Explorers' victories of the day. The Explorers squad has been sensational throughout the 2026 season to date. With the win on Monday, Marquette moves to a flawless 5-0 record. Nathan Joehl is the head coach for Marquette boys tennis for 2026
ELSAH - Principia College will host their annual Dance Production with the theme “Seasons of Life” this weekend. At 8 p.m. on April 16, 17 and 18, 2026, and 2 p.m. on April 18, 2026, community members can come to the Duvall Theatre in the McVay Center for the Performing Arts on Principia’s campus. The show features students from over 12 majors as well as several alumni. To Erin Lane, chair of Principia’s dance program, this collaboration and connection demonstrates
JERSEY - Advanced STEM students from Jersey Community High School tested their engineering skills against other area high school teams at the Lewis and Clark Community College Trebuchet Competition, where one Jersey team placed second and another finished sixth. The Jersey Navy team of Brayden Cox, Jack Deist, Caden Klunk and Brady Maxeiener won second place, and the Jersey White team of Aaron Hughes, Bryce Hutchens, Shane Lamer and Lucas Long earned sixth, according to Jersey Communit
ALTON - The Alton Police Department will host its 11th annual “Ballin’ With a Cop” youth basketball event from noon to 2 p.m. on May 9, 2026, at the YWCA gym in Alton, partnering once again with A Precious Organization and the YWCA of Southwestern Illinois to bring local kids together with officers for food and a scrimmage game. The event is scheduled for the YWCA Gym at 304 E. Third St. It will include pizza, drinks, and cookies, along with a basketball scrimmage
If you’ve ever wondered why Tax Day lands on April 15—why that date, of all dates—the answer isn’t “because that’s when the government wants it.” The deadline is a patchwork of history, politics, and practical timing, shaped by wars, paperwork, and a few calendar quirks. Tax Day feels like a fixed point on the American calendar, but it’s actually the result of decisions that changed as the country changed. The modern income tax is younger than
stLouIST