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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County prosecutors have charged a 54-year-old St. Louis man with first-degree robbery in connection with a holdup at a liquor store on Old Halls Ferry Road, authorities said Monday. The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office said May 25, 2026, that Willie Scott, of the 100 block of Chambers Road in St. Louis, was charged in the May 18 robbery of Randall's Wines and Spirits in the 11000 block of Old Halls Ferry Road. Scott is being held on a $150,000 cash-only

EDWARDSVILLE/GRANITE CITY - Madison County prosecutors on Friday, May 22, 2026, charged Albert Lee “Buddy” Zigler, 70, with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the 1993 killing of Randy Gail Sperino, a case that authorities said had remained unresolved for more than three decades. The charges were announced Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at the Madison County Administration Building boardroom by Madison County State's Attorney Thomas Haine and Madison County Sheriff Jeff

GREENE COUNTY — The Greene County Historical & Genealogical Society has been awarded grant funding to develop the Porch Stories Project, a digital oral history and community memory project focused on preserving the stories, photographs, and lived experiences of people connected to Greene County. The Porch Stories Project will collect recorded interviews, community-submitted photographs, local memories, and stories from across the county. The project is designed to honor the everyday lives

MACKINAW, Ill. — Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) paid tribute to our nation’s fallen servicemembers at the Mackinaw American Legion “Emery Whisler” Post #607 Memorial Day Observance Ceremony. Duckworth joined local leaders including Village President Josh Schmidgall, Post 607 Commander Stu Schmidgall, Post 607 Vice Commander Tom Neely as well as Veterans and servicemembers at the Mackinaw Township Cemetery to honor those who were killed in the line

MADISON COUNTY - Illinois State Police said one person was killed and another was injured Friday afternoon, May 22, 2026, in a two-vehicle crash on Illinois 4 at Rose Road in Madison County. ISP Troop 8 responded to the scene at about 3:36 p.m. Friday after a reported fatal crash involving a truck-tractor semi-trailer and a passenger vehicle, according to preliminary information released by police. One occupant was pronounced dead, and one occupant was taken to an area hospital with injuries,

ST. LOUIS — As we move toward Memorial Day, the American Red Cross calls on people to schedule their blood or platelet donation appointments now to help medical centers stay ready and respond quickly to emergencies. Having blood products immediately available is a key part of summer safety. With millions of Americans expected to hit the road around Memorial Day and spend time boating, swimming, camping and enjoying the outdoors, the risk of traumatic accidents rises. Blood and platelets

ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police said Tuesday, May 26, 2026, that a man killed after being struck by a vehicle near West Florissant Avenue and Carl Avenue in Jennings has been identified as Terrence Covington, 40, of the 5700 block of Hodiamont Avenue in Jennings. The St. Louis County Police Department said detectives with the Bureau of Crimes Against Persons and Accident Reconstruction are investigating the fatal collision, which happened at 1:44 a.m. Friday, May 23, 2026, near

ALTON - Alton Main Street proudly announces their lineup of regional musicians that have been booked to perform throughout the organization’s 2026 event season. Get ready to enjoy the sounds of live music floating through the air in historic Downtown Alton! Nine weeks of live bands have been scheduled for the Night Market on Broadway, which takes place every Thursday in June and July from 7:00-10:00 p.m. Offering a diverse mix of styles and sounds, there’s something for everyone

RALEIGH – Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 8 Special Agents arrested 41-year-old Justin D. Maloney of Raleigh, IL, for First Degree Murder (Class M Felony) following a homicide investigation conducted at the request of the Saline County Sheriff’s Office. On May 20, 2026, shortly after 9 p.m., the Saline County Sheriff's Office responded to a 911 call reference a residential burglary in progress at a residence on Chapel Road in Raleigh, IL. Upon

Optimistic people are not the ones who ignore problems. In many cases, they are the ones who notice problems clearly and still believe something can be done about them. That idea gets at the heart of the psychology of optimism. Optimism is often mistaken for cheerfulness, blind positivity, or a “good vibes only” attitude. But in psychology, optimism is something more practical. It is a general expectation that the future can turn out well, especially when effort, learning, and persistence

ALTON – For the 15th consecutive year, Simmons Hanly Conroy has renewed its platinum sponsorship of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), reaffirming a partnership that has made the firm the nonprofit's longest-running corporate supporter. Simmons Hanly Conroy is widely recognized as one of the nation's largest mass torts firms and a leader in the legal representation of mesothelioma patients and their families. The renewed sponsorship reflects the firm's ongoing investment

On May 26, one of the most far-reaching events in world history took place in 1896, when Tsar Nicholas II was crowned ruler of the Russian Empire in Moscow. At the time, the ceremony was meant to confirm the strength and continuity of one of the world’s largest monarchies. Instead, it became closely linked with the tensions that would later shake Russia and reshape much of the 20th century. Nicholas II would be the last Russian tsar, and his reign saw war, unrest, revolution, and the collapse

ALTON — The 21st Annual Sunset Memorial Day ceremony was held May 23, 2026, in Alton, bringing together local officials, veterans, students, and community members to honor those who died in military service. The event featured a welcome and closing remarks by Bob Baird, a presentation of colors by the Alton High School Junior ROTC Color Guard, an invocation and benediction by Alton Mayor David Goins, and guest remarks from Air Force veteran Joe Boston. Alton High School student Evelyn

ALTON - Crowds gathered in Alton on Monday, May 25, 2026, for the city’s 159th consecutive Annual Alton Memorial Day Parade, continuing what organizers described as a longstanding community tradition. The parade, held on Memorial Day in Alton, marked another year of participation from residents and local groups, according to Steve Schwartz, a parade spokesperson. “The crowd comes out year after year. We always have great participation from the community coming out and watching th

ALTON - Sam Roberts, a retired U.S. Marine Corps Reserve sergeant major and owner of Roberts Motors, served as grand marshal of the Alton Memorial Day Parade, an honor parade organizers said was in recognition of his military service and commitment to the community. Parade Chairman Greg Erler said the committee “unanimously and enthusiastically” wanted to honor Roberts for “his service to our country and unwavering commitment to our community.” Steve Schwartz, a spokesperson

ALTON - A World War II-era B-25 Mitchell bomber flown by pilots Mike Marino and Charlie Bramstedt passed over the Alton Memorial Day Parade at 10 a.m. Monday, May 25, 2026, marked what organizers said was the first time a B-25 had appeared over the event. The flyover featured a North American B-25 Mitchell, a twin-engine American medium bomber produced during World War II and named after airpower pioneer Gen. Billy Mitchell. The aircraft served in every theater of the war and is known for its

ALTON — Rayna Raglin, an Alton senior who won state titles in the 100-meter and 200-meter races, was celebrated Monday, May 25, 2026, at the Alton Memorial Day Parade. Raglin was smiling throughout the parade, with thousands in attendance in Alton. The recognition came two days after she won the 100 and 200 meters and placed eighth in the 400 at the IHSA Class 3A Girls State Track and Field Meet on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Eastern Illinois University’s O’Brien Field in Charleston.

ALTON — The 159th consecutive Alton Memorial Day Parade drew an estimated 60 to 70 entries Monday, May 25, 2026, with organizers highlighting a first-time flyover, returning longtime groups, and several new entrants as standout features of this year's event. “It was a great parade,” Steve Schwartz, a spokesperson for the Memorial Day Parade, said. Schwartz said the commemorative flyover was a first for the parade and one of the day’s most notable moments. He identified

EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville High School orchestra students and Orchestra Director Victoria Voumard performed Sunday, May 24, 2026, in the Edwardsville Symphony Side-By-Side Concert on the Stage by the Downtown Edwardsville Library in Edwardsville. Voumard said the concert featured Edwardsville High School students performing alongside the Edwardsville Symphony. Voumard said the students and director delivered “a sensational performance” during the event Sunday night. The

Memorial Day was not originally about barbecues, mattress sales, or the “start of summer.” It began as a day for the dead. That difference matters. For many Americans, Memorial Day is familiar but blurry. People know it is a federal holiday. They may know it honors members of the military. But the deeper story is often lost behind long weekends and store promotions. The holiday grew out of grief on a massive scale after the Civil War, and over time it became a national day of remembrance