FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — A coordinated fugitive apprehension effort involving federal and state law enforcement agencies resulted in 63 arrests, the seizure of 2.5 pounds of narcotics and $15,000 in U.S. currency, officials announced Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. The weeklong operation, dubbed “Operation Safe Christmas,” was conducted across multiple counties in Illinois and in Atlanta, Georgia. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois said the operation
EDWARDSVILLE - Metro-East Lutheran High School musicians participated in the Illinois Music Educators Association District 6 Festival recently, showcasing their talents in various ensembles. The students representing MELHS at the ILMEA District 6 Festival were as follows: Dean Hemmer - Senior Band - Trombone Ganyn Krausz - Senior Chorus - Bass I Rebekah Lindsey - Senior Chorus - Soprano I Emilia Malcomb - Senior Treble Chorus - Alto II Kaitlyn Peterson - Senior Chorus - Soprano
EDWARDSVILLE - Metro-East Lutheran High School’s girls bowling team earned recognition at the recent Gateway Metro Conference Bowling Tournament, held earlier this month. The MELHS' strong performance was highlighted by individual honors for several players. Katie Albrecht and Dani Spann were named to the First Team All-Conference, with Spann achieving the highest girls' score of the day. Both Spann and teammate Charlotte Smith set career-best match scores during the tournament.
EDWARDSVILLE — Lucas Abbott, a junior boys' cross country runner at Metro East Lutheran High School, concluded his 2025 season with a strong performance at the state meet in Peoria, finishing 54th in Class 1A with a time of 15 minutes, 36 seconds. Abbott’s season highlights include winning first place at the Trenton Wesclin Regional with a personal best time of 15:32.4. He also placed fourth at the Trenton Wesclin Sectional, recording a time of 15:34.0. He is a BJ's Printables Male
BETHALTO — Civic Memorial's Glenn Collins is preparing for a standout track and field season in 2026 after a notable cross country campaign in 2025 with the Eagles. Collins has earned recognition as the Tom Lane State Farm Insurance Male Athlete of the Month following his consistent improvement throughout the cross country season. Collins finished 121st at the IHSA Class 2A state meet with a personal record time of 15 minutes, 47.7 seconds for three miles. He posted times of 16:23.4 at th
ALTON - Allie Weiner, a senior at Marquette Catholic High School, has been recognized for her achievements in basketball, highlighting a successful high school sports career marked by leadership and dedication. Weiner, who has played basketball since kindergarten, credits her early love for the sport to shooting hoops with her older brother. Over the years, she has developed into a key player for Marquette Catholic, earning several honors, including a spot on the All-Tournament Team at the Carrollton
MADISON COUNTY — The Madison County Sheriff’s Office hosted its 2025 "Shop with a Sheriff" event, providing children from the local community with a holiday shopping experience. The event at Target was funded by members of the PBPA Unit 118. Employees of the sheriff’s office accompanied the children on the shopping spree, creating a memorable morning for all involved. The event aimed to support families in the community during the holiday season and foster positive relationships
CARROLLTON – Principal Ronda Smith is pleased to announce that four students from Carrollton High School’s graduating class of 2026 have been designated as Illinois State Scholars. The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), the state’s college access and financial aid agency, presents this annual recognition of academic achievement to exceptional Illinois high school students who rank in the top ten percent of graduates from Illinois high schools. This year, nearly
SPRINGFIELD — Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, a new law named after Sonya Massey will require law enforcement agencies in Illinois to conduct more comprehensive background checks on prospective officers before hiring, State Senator Doris Turner announced. The legislation, Senate Bill 1953, was introduced in response to the July 2024 fatal shooting of Massey by Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson during a police encounter at Massey’s home on Hoover Avenue. Grayson was
EDWARDSVILLE — Officials are touting expanded eligibility for the senior freeze exemption after legislation signed Friday opened the door to property tax relief for thousands of Madison County seniors. The new law, Illinois Senate Bill 64, amends the Illinois Property Tax Code to raise income limits for the exemption commonly known as the “Senior Freeze.” Chief County Assessment Officer Jessica L. Dudley welcomed the change, saying the updated income limits strengthen
SPRINGFIELD – Today, Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Office to Prevent and End Homelessness announced $2 million in new investments for several community organizations in Springfield and the surrounding area to support local efforts to address and combat homelessness in Central Illinois. These investments from the Home Illinois grant exemplify the State’s commitment to reaching functional zero homelessness – a goal where the state prevents homelessness whenever possible an
COLLINSVILLE – A Centralia man accused of attempting to rob a Collinsville liquor store remains in custody pending a felony charge. Jesse L. Kempfer, 45, of Centralia, Ill. was charged on Dec. 9, 2025 with a Class 2 felony count of attempted aggravated robbery. Kempfer allegedly entered the Sav-On Liquor at 809 St. Louis Road in Collinsville with the intent to commit an aggravated robbery on Dec. 5, 2025. Charging documents state Kempfer wore a ski mask during the offense and ordered
EDWARDSVILLE — Edwardsville police officers, retirees and family members joined about 28 children Saturday morning, Dec. 13, 2025, for the 16th annual Christmas with a Cop program, aiming to brighten the holiday season for local families. The event began with breakfast at Chick-fil-A before participants shopped together at the Edwardsville Target store. The program pairs current and former members of the Edwardsville Police Department with children selected in coordination with Edwardsvill
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS - Two Fairview firefighters have completed the Basic Operations Firefighter Academy, a weekend training program that began in July 2025. Firefighters Jacob Damen and Chase Green graduated from the academy, which was conducted by the University of Illinois Fire Service Institute. The training aimed to enhance the skills and knowledge necessary for effective firefighting operations. The Fairview Fire Department recognized the achievement with a photo featuring Chief Winters,
GRANITE CITY — The Granite City Police Officers PBPA Unit 15 hosted the annual Shop with a Hero event on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, at the Granite City Township Building, providing support and holiday cheer to 29 children from the community. Since its inception in 2017, the Shop with a Hero program in Granite City has assisted more than 150 children, typically serving between 18 and 25 kids each year. This year’s event expanded to include 29 participants, each receiving a $250 Walmart
CARLINVILLE - There’s a new vodka soda brand on the market, and its founders are proud to start up in their local hometown. Greenhead, a premium vodka soda brand, got its start in Carlinville with business partner Josh Carnduff and Alec Benting. The drinks have a “clean, crisp taste” with no artificial sweeteners, and they’re inspired by Carnduff and Benting’s shared love for the outdoors. As the brand gains popularity, Carnduff said they hope to give back and
EAST ST. LOUIS – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced lane restrictions will be encountered on the mainline eastbound I-55/64 between the Poplar Street Bridge and Barack Obama Blvd beginning Tuesday, December 16 at 7 a.m., weather permitting. These two left lanes on the Poplar Street Bridge entering Illinois will be closed. The collector distributor lanes with access to exit ramps will remain open. Keeley and Sons along with IDOT District 8 Operations crews
Gary and Christine Huelsmann are pleased to announce the engagement of their Daughter, Mariah, to Sean Miller. Mariah is a AHS 2013 grad with a BA in Anthropology from SIUE, an M.A. in History from UMSL and is an Archives Technician. Sean is the son of Gloria Weeces Miller of Jefferson City, MO., and Danny Miller of Washington, MO. Sean is a 2004 JCHS Grad, and an IT Systems Engineer. The two will be married at St.s Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Jan. 10, 2026, and will reside in St. Louis,
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has issued its first-ever comprehensive report on how alcohol is used, and sometimes misused, by Illinois residents. The report, entitled “Alcohol Use in Illinois ,” collects and analyzes data from multiple sources, including IDPH’s own Illinois Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS) and Illinois Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey (YBRS). Data from the report can be used by state and local healt
ALTON — At 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, Wreaths Across America held its 19th annual ceremony at Alton National Cemetery, 600 Pearl Street, to remember fallen veterans, honor those who serve, and teach children the value of freedom (Photos by Mike Cruz ). The event centers on laying Veteran Balsam wreaths on 560 graves, an effort carried out by children and veterans alike. The temps were low 12-13 degrees at 11 a.m. but that didn't stop the young or older adults from carrying o
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