O'FALLON, IL. — The O’Fallon Police Department issued a reminder Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, about the laws governing electric scooters and e-bikes in Illinois, aiming to address concerns over safety and compliance following a surge in their use since Christmas of 2025. "We figured it may be time to provide the citizens with current laws about the use of these items in the city/state," the O'Fallon Police Department said. "It amazes our officers how many children/teens are riding these
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) announced that $27.8 million in funding for local projects she secured as part of the federal budget process has passed out of the full House of Representatives. After two years of obstruction from House Republicans, the bill now heads to the Senate, where it is expected to be passed and signed into law. “I promised my district that I would not rest until these dollars were brought home. Today, we are one step closer
GODFREY – A local woman who acted swiftly to help save the occupants of a burning home is Godfrey’s latest Good Neighbor Award recipient. Tamara Jones was presented with this month’s Good Neighbor Award by Trustee Sarah Woodman at the Jan. 6, 2026 Public Safety Committee meeting. Woodman said Jones was leaving her home in the Seasons Subdivision one afternoon last October when she saw what appeared to be smoke rising from a house in her neighborhood. “Tamara could hav
If cold air directly caused illness, every walk to the mailbox would come with a guaranteed sore throat. Yet the idea that “being out in the cold will make you sick” is one of the most stubborn health beliefs around. It shows up in family warnings, school rules, and everyday routines—like bundling up a child who insists they “feel fine.” So why do so many people connect cold weather to colds and flu, even though viruses are the real cause? The quick truth: cold
If you’ve ever stayed up late to finish a paper or meet a deadline, you’ve probably said you were “burning the midnight oil.” But the phrase isn’t just a colorful way to describe a long night—it’s a leftover from a time when late-night work had a literal smell, flicker, and cost. Why this phrase still feels so familiar Even with bright LED lamps and glowing laptop screens, “burning the midnight oil” still hits a nerve. It captures a specific
Taken together, January 9 shows how single decisions—by inventors, leaders, activists, and artists—can ripple outward for decades. In 1431, the trial of Joan of Arc began in Rouen, in what is now France. Captured during the Hundred Years’ War, Joan was accused of heresy and other charges by a church court aligned with English political interests. The proceedings were shaped by the conflict of the era: control of territory, legitimacy of rulers, and the power of religious institutions.
BUZZ MAGAZINE – A new book on Illinois’ leaders and actions in the Revolutionary War helps celebrate America 250th anniversary with an array of little-known stories to inspire and excite readers. Illinois in the Revolutionary War provides fast-moving, easy-to-read narrative on the events that took place in present-day Illinois during the American Revolution, forty years before statehood. Many of the stories in the book have been overlooked in the 250 years since they happened. Writt
Friday kicks off with a chilly start near 37 degrees. It stays breezy in the morning with some sunshine breaking through the clouds. By afternoon, temperatures climb to a high of 51 degrees under partly sunny skies and winds from the north-northwest around 10 to 23 mph gusts. Evening brings mostly cloudy conditions and a couple of light showers arrive late, continuing overnight with lows dipping to 37. Winds ease to around 6 mph from the northeast. Allergy levels remain low with good air quality.
BUZZ MAGAZINE – Country Bend Campground in Litchfield was recntly recognized with an ANDIES Award at this year’s Campground Owner’s Expo (COE) in Branson, Missouri in December, earning top honors for excellence in its new rack card design. The ANDIES AWARDS were created by Anderson’s Brochure Distribution Service to highlight outstanding print marketing in the outdoor hospitality and tourism industries. Country Bend Campground was one of just a handful of campgrounds
JERSEYVILLE - Meredith Gray of Jersey Community Unit School District No. 100 has become the all-time leading rebounder for the JCHS girls basketball team, surpassing the previous record of 865 rebounds held by Shelby Woelfel Sackmann. Gray achieved this milestone recently. The Jersey basketball sensation has averaged nearly 20 points and close to 10 rebounds per game for the Panthers. In addition to her basketball success, Gray also excelled in girls' volleyball this season, recording
JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – Governor JB Pritzker signed a controversial battery storage and energy omnibus bill into law Thursday. Senate Bill 25 , also known as CRGA, is another example of flawed green energy policies that Illinois ratepayers are already all too familiar with. Pritzker’s signing of SB 25 comes on the heels of a study released last month by three state agencies that detailed the ‘credible risk’ of electricity shortages across Illinois within the next five
GLEN CARBON - Erin Kretzer, who will be a senior midfielder and striker for the Father McGivney Catholic girls soccer team this coming spring, has signed a letter of intent to play for Quincy University in the fall of 2026. Kretzer was a key player in the Griffins' run in the IHSA Class 1A tournament run that ended in the Round of 16 last season in the sectional final against Columbia at George Martz Field at Belleville Althoff Catholic, as the Griffins lost to the Eagles 1-0. Last season
SOUTH ROXANA – Village officials in South Roxana took action this week to seek grant funds for pedestrian safety improvements and put rules in place regarding low-speed electric scooters and bicycles. On Jan. 6, 2026, Village Board members unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the Village of South Roxana to apply for the ACT Community Action Grant for pedestrian safety enhancements within the village. The Agency for Community Transit (ACT) offers the Community Action Grants Program
EDWARDSVILLE — The Madison County Sheriff’s Office sold one of its surplus vehicles to the Grantfork Fire District for $1, continuing a county practice aimed at extending the useful life of public assets while supporting local emergency services. Madison County Sheriff Jeff Connor said the department regularly evaluates its fleet to determine when vehicles are no longer practical for patrol use. “When that happens, we look for ways to repurpose them so they can continue serving
MARYVILLE, Ill. — The Maryville Police Department concluded its holiday traffic enforcement campaign, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” “Drive High, Get a DUI,” and “Click It or Ticket,” with officers issuing multiple citations but no impaired driving arrests, officials reported. The campaign ran from Dec. 12, 2025, through Jan. 5, 2026, focusing on removing impaired drivers from the roads and ensuring motorists used seat belts properly. During this
CAHOKIA HEIGHTS - SIHF Healthcare hosted a retirement celebration in November 2025 at the Centreville Health Center to honor Dr. Theodore Ross, who is retiring after 36 years of service. The event brought together staff, family and community members, including the East St. Louis High School Jazz Quartet, to recognize Dr. Ross’ exceptional service and contributions to SIHF Healthcare. Attendees at the celebration reflected on Dr. Ross’ meaningful impact and commitment to SIHF
ALTON — YWCA Southwestern Illinois is issuing a final call to the community to submit nominations for the 2026 Women of Distinction (WOD) program. Nominations will be accepted through Friday, January 16, 2026, at 5:00 PM. Each year, YWCA’s Women of Distinction program honors extraordinary women whose leadership, service, and commitment have made a lasting impact in their professions, communities, and beyond. Since its inception, the Women of Distinction Academy has grown to include
ALTON - Alton resident and business owner Dan King will make his debut on the television game show Wheel of Fortune at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 on KSDK Channel 5. King, owner of Heaterz Hot Chicken, will take a spin at the iconic puzzle wheel, buying vowels and consonants as he attempts to solve the puzzles. To celebrate King’s appearance, a watch party is scheduled at Alton Sports Tap starting at 5 p.m., ahead of the broadcast. Attendees can enjoy a chicken tender
GRANITE CITY – Scott Credit Union has announced the recipients of its 2025 “With You” Grant Program, recognizing two schools from the Granite City Community Unit School District #9 for their dedication to student success. Granite City High School and Grigsby Elementary School were recognized for their commitment to student success. The nominations were submitted by Denise Albrecht , a math teacher at GCHS and Marisela Luna , an ELL teacher at Grigsby and Maryville Elementary
SPRINGFIELD - In partnership with the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS), Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced the recipients of the third annual John Lewis Youth Leadership Award (JLYLA), honoring two outstanding young Illinois leaders whose service reflects the enduring legacy of the late Congressman John Lewis. Amari’ah Carter of Belleville and Jocelyn Solis of Rockford, both 21-years-old, were recognized for their exceptional leadership, civic engagemen
stLouIST