FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS - The Southwestern Illinois chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness will host their first official NAMIWalks event. On Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, community members can join the event at Moody Park in Fairview Heights. The opening ceremony starts at 9 a.m. and the 1.5-mile walk kicks off at 9:30 a.m. There will be resources, live music, a kids’ zone, raffles, and more fun throughout the morning until 12:30 p.m. “It is a walk to raise awareness about
JERSEYVILLE – A Jerseyville man awaiting sentencing on battery and mob action charges is back in Jersey County custody after previously being released . 18-year-old Lucas C. Roberts of Jerseyville was booked into the Jersey County Jail at 8:21 p.m. on Oct. 8, 2026. Jersey County Sheriff’s Office records indicate Roberts was arrested by the Jerseyville Police Department and taken back into custody after reportedly violating the terms of his pretrial release. Roberts is still awaiting
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — After fights involving a crowd of roughly 250 teenagers led to two arrests near local restaurants, Fairview Heights Police reminded parents and teenagers ahead of Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, that officers would monitor the area to prevent further disturbances. The department’s message followed incidents after football games on Oct. 2, 2026, and Sept. 25, 2026. Fairview Heights Police said they would work to maintain a safe environment for businesses, employees
BETHALTO - Community members can enjoy a pancake breakfast while supporting aspiring aviators this weekend. From 7:30–11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 864 will host their breakfast at the St. Louis Regional Airport. Adults cost $10 and kids ages 4–12 cost $5. Kids 3 and under eat for free. All proceeds go toward EAA Chapter 864’s scholarships. “We’re really dedicated to bringing other people in,”
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today, as part of a coalition of 45 states and territories, sought court approval of a settlement with Ascend Laboratories (Ascend), Citron Pharma (Citron) and Mayne Pharma (Mayne). The settlements will resolve allegations that the generic drug manufacturers engaged in a widespread, long-running conspiracy to artificially inflate and manipulate prices, reduce competition and unreasonably restrain trade with regard to numerous generic prescription
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the USS Lincoln finally returns to port today in San Diego after over 300 days at sea, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) is renewing her call for public hearings to investigate the toll that Trump’s illegal war against Iran has had on our servicemembers, including the brave troops aboard the Lincoln , other ships and across bases in the region who suffered deteriorating conditions, rationed meals and dwindling supplies. Last month after Duckworth joined
ALTON – An Alton man with multiple prior convictions has been released from custody following new felony weapon and drug offenses. Brian E. Merrifield, 45, of Alton, was charged on Oct. 2, 2026 with two Class X felony counts of possession of a firearm by a repeat felony offender, two Class 1 felony counts of delivery of a controlled substance and one count each of possession of a controlled substance and resisting or obstructing a peace officer, both Class 4 felonies. Merrifield was allegedly
ALTON — CATco has announced plans to return the former Ursuline Convent to its previous owners after asbestos findings showed the required work exceeded what the organization could sustainably undertake. CATco (Cultural, Agronomic and Technological Community) said in a statement to neighbors, supporters and the community that the ownership transfer for the property at 845 Danforth St. in Alton has not been finalized. The organization had planned to restore the convent in phases and turn
Why People Enjoy Mystery A locked door can be more interesting than an open one—even when there is nothing remarkable behind it. The moment we are told we cannot see what is inside, an ordinary space becomes a question. We start imagining possibilities, searching for clues, and wanting an answer. Mystery changes how we pay attention. That pull helps explain why people read detective novels, follow strange news stories, solve escape-room puzzles, and keep watching a series long after the
A masked figure and a sweeping score began an extraordinary journey on Oct. 9, 1986, when Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera” premiered at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London. The production would become Broadway’s longest-running show, demonstrating how a musical’s songs, characters and theatrical spectacle could sustain an international audience for decades. Forty years later, that opening stands among Oct. 9’s most consequential musical milestones.
This Day in History: October 9, 2026 On October 9, 1874, representatives of 22 countries signed the Treaty of Bern, creating the General Postal Union—the organization later renamed the Universal Postal Union. Before this agreement, sending a letter abroad often meant dealing with different fees and separate arrangements between countries. The treaty established a more coordinated international postal system, making communication across borders simpler and more predictable. That change
EDWARDSVILLE – A St. Louis resident charged with robbery and mob action in Edwardsville was ordered released from custody pending trial. 18-year-old Armond D. Gordon of St. Louis was charged on Sept. 30, 2026 with two counts of robbery (both Class 2 felonies) and one count of mob action (a Class 4 felony). The Edwardsville Police Department presented the case to Madison County prosecutors. Gordon allegedly stole a Louis Vuitton satchel, bracelet and U.S. currency from one individual and
SPRINGFIELD – The Trump Administration’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has officially denied the State of Illinois’ request for a major disaster declaration after severe storms, derecho, flooding, and tornadoes devastated communities across the state this August. In a letter dated October 7th, Trump’s FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton stated that assistance for affected counties was “not warranted.” “Our communities are still picking up
CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and thirty-three other state financial regulatory agencies have reached a $2.5 million settlement with Coinme Inc. (NMLS ID 1185542), a Seattle-based cryptocurrency money transmitter and kiosk operator, for violations of Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and anti-money laundering (AML) laws that safeguard the financial system from illicit use. Under the terms of the settlement, Coinme has agreed to terminate its virtual currency
SPRINGFIELD – Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) today announced $1.8 million in available funding for the Local Food Infrastructure Grants (LFIG) program. This funding bolsters food access in Illinois and supports items such as refrigerated vehicles, livestock processing, community kitchens, and more. These grants strengthen local and regional food supply chains, which increases access to Illinois agricultural products for communities across the state.
DEKALB – Today, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) joined Aermec North America leadership and the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation to break ground on the Italian-based HVAC company’s first U.S. manufacturing site. The company’s $15 million investment will support the development of an over 186,000-square-foot facility and create 30 new full-time jobs in the DeKalb region. “Aermec chose to locate its first U.S. manufacturing
ST. LOUIS — In October, the American Red Cross asks people to book a time to give blood or platelets to help keep the blood supply as strong as possible this fall. The seasons may change, but the need for blood is constant. Donors of all blood types are being called on to roll up a sleeve and give hope to hospital patients who rely on transfusions. While October can be a shoulder season between severe summer and winter weather, it is often unpredictable. When the blood supply is stable,
GODFREY – Godfrey officials voted 5-1 to keep three speed bumps in place on Levis Lane as residents report harassment from drivers and urge alternative solutions. Members of the Godfrey Public Safety Committee cast their votes on Oct. 6, 2026 after multiple residents called for the speed bumps to be removed or replaced with other anti-speeding measures. Trustee Craig Lombardi cast the sole vote against keeping the speed bumps on Levis Lane. Residents claimed during public comments tha
EDWARDSVILLE — Sophomore wide receiver Serena Shapiro helped Edwardsville High School’s girls flag football team stay unbeaten with a 32-0 victory over Peoria High on Oct. 5, 2026, at Tiger Stadium, advancing the Tigers to the IHSA regional final as they pursue a return to the state tournament. She also did the same against Belleville East on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, with another stellar performance. Edwardsville improved to 16-0 with the Belleville East win. Serena is an Edison's
WOOD RIVER — A truck struck a Taco Bell in Wood River on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, causing major damage and closing the restaurant for an undetermined period. Wood River Police said the driver reported losing the brakes and swerving to avoid a car stopped at a traffic light. Wood River Police Chief Wells said no injuries were reported. The Wood River Fire Department received a report of the crash at approximately 10:35 a.m. Thursday. Wood River firefighters and Wood River police officers
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