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ALTON - On a recent episode of “You’re Beautiful” with Brian Trust , Mike Roper spoke about his philosophy on life based on his relationship with God. Roper shared that he doesn’t regularly go to church, but he grew up in the church and still has a close relationship with God. He explained that he mostly tries to emulate Christ through his interactions with others by being kind. “At the end of the day, I just try to be a good person,” he said. Roper believes that he has “some bigger purpose,” and he is “constantly trying to figure out” what that purpose is. He feels he was “spared” by God. This is why Jeremiah 29:11 — “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” — resonates so strongly with him. Roper isn’t afraid to talk about his past, and he hopes his story helps other people

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WOOD RIVER – A man from Wood River remains in custody on felony domestic battery charges, his latest in a history of domestic violence against the same victim. Jonathon E. Harszy Sr., 32, of Wood River, was charged on Aug. 5, 2025 with one count each of aggravated domestic battery (a Class 2 felony) and his second offense of domestic battery (a Class 4 felony). On Aug. 4, 2025, Harszy allegedly intentionally strangled a household or family member by wrapping his arm around the victim’s neck and applying pressure to impede the victim’s normal breathing. He was additionally accused of pushing the same victim to the ground and kicking them while on the ground. The Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to deny Harszy’s pretrial release from custody, noting he was previously convicted of domestic battery in 2021, also in Madison County. The petition states Harszy claimed he needed “a place to stay” and was allowed back

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) is reminding motorists about school zone speed laws and sharing the road safely with buses as schools around the state prepare to open their doors for the new academic year. ISP reminds motorists they are required to slow down in school zones. Posted school zones have a speed limit of 20 miles per hour and are in effect from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on school days when children are present. Driving while talking or texting on a hand-held cellular device is strictly prohibited and fines are increased within a school zone. ? Adults are encouraged to promote safe walking habits with their children, including using sidewalks, crossing the street at designated crosswalks, and not walking in-between cars. The majority of students transported by bus to or from school are injured or killed while outside the bus. Most children injured in the area around the bus, often called the “danger zone,” are struck by motorists who fail to stop

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A new study reveals that Illinois ranks eighth for juvenile drug abuse arrests in the U.S. The research conducted by Florida-based personal injury lawyers Anidjar & Levine analyzed juvenile arrest data from 2016 to 2020, sourced from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). The average annual juvenile arrest rates for drug abuse were calculated to identify the top 10 states with the highest rates per 100,000 youths. Illinois ranks eighth with an average of 442 arrests per 100,000 youths, which is 49.5% higher than the national average of 295.7. Between 2016 and 2020, Illinois recorded its peak rate of 822 arrests in 2019 and a low of 281 in 2018. Looking at the study, a spokesperson at Anidjar & Levine commented, “The data shows that Illinois reported the eighth-highest juvenile arrest rates for drug abuse in the U.S. “These figures highlight a growing trend of substance exposure among children and teenagers. Factors such as peer pressure,

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ST. LOUIS, MO. — During National Wellness Month, the American Red Cross encourages people to prioritize their personal health and well-being while helping to save lives with a blood or platelet donation. Donors of all blood types – especially those with type O positive or B negative blood – are asked to make an appointment now to prevent a further drop in donor turnout. In August, the Red Cross will provide free A1C screening – a test commonly used to screen for prediabetes and diabetes – for all donors who make a successful blood, platelet or plasma donation. Fasting is not required for this test, and donors will be able to view their confidential results one to two weeks after their donation in the Blood Donor App or their donor account at RedCrossBlood.org. Donors will receive one A1C test result in a 12-month period. August also brings changes in routines. Back-to-school plans, the start of fall sports and final summer vacations may be top of min

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EDWARDSVILLE – The Edwardsville Police are proud to be one of over 200 law enforcement agencies across Illinois participating in the statewide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” “Drive High Get a DUI,” and “Click It or Ticket” campaigns this Labor Day. From Aug. 15 through the early morning hours of Sept. 2, officers will be out in force, focused on stopping impaired driving, enforcing seat belt laws, and reducing other dangerous driving behaviors. “Driving under the influence — whether it is alcohol, cannabis, or any impairing drug — is not just risky, it’s illegal. We’ll be patrolling for impaired driving and seatbelt violations, because our goal is to protect the people of Edwardsville. We want our community to enjoy the holiday weekend safely and responsibly,” said Lt. Matt Senci. This local effort is part of a larger statewide campaign supported by the Illinois Department of Transportation, which administer

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ALTON – Alderwoman Martha Pfister’s proposal to ban Alton bars from selling alcohol later than 1 a.m. is up for consideration at tonight’s Committee of the Whole meeting. The resolution would introduce an ordinance to remove the entire section of the Alton City Code allowing for “late night liquor licenses,” effectively banning all bars in the city from selling alcohol past 1 a.m. Currently, bars with a late night liquor license are allowed to sell alcohol from 1 to 2 a.m. on Monday through Friday, and from 1 to 3 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. If the ordinance receives final approval, the late night liquor sale ban would go into effect on Dec. 31, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Last month , two downtown bars had their late night liquor licenses revoked after a hearing with Mayor David Goins. Prior to the hearing, Pour Decisions Co-Owner Brian Trust claimed the city was unfairly targeting his business and called for them to either allow his bar to keep its

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NEW ATHENS - New Athens residents will have the opportunity to meet with State Representatives Kevin Schmidt and David Friees during a Coffee Talk event scheduled for Tuesday morning, Aug. 12, 2025. The event, hosted by Rep. Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) alongside Rep. David Friees (R-Red Bud), will take place on Aug. 12 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the New Athens Community Hall, located at 406 Chester St., New Athens. The informal gathering is designed to allow constituents to engage directly with their elected officials and discuss state legislation in a relaxed setting. The event is free and open to the public. For additional details, interested individuals can contact Rep. Schmidt’s office at (618) 215-1050 or visit his website at repschmidt.com.

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ROXANA - Rusty Wheat, known for his trash cleanup efforts along Illinois Route 143 in Wood River and Roxana, noted that there’s plenty of “good, bad and ugly” in his work. Wheat started the one-man Chain Gang initiative, which picks up trash along the road once a week. He explained that he has fought hard to keep the roads clean, and he hopes the community helps him continue his efforts. “Not everybody gets as fired up about trash as I do,” he laughed. Wheat has worked closely with the Madison County Board, including Board Chairman Chris Slusser, to advocate for trash cleanup in the county. He noted that the Village of Roxana recently secured a $5,000 grant to help with cleanup efforts, and while Wheat is pleased about this, he is disappointed that more local municipalities did not apply for the grant. He urges County Board members to collaborate with the mayors in their towns and push for more concentrated efforts to clean up or prevent the

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ALTON - Chestnut Health Systems is offering free virtual training on the use of NARCAN®, a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses. The training sessions, conducted via Zoom, are designed to be user-friendly and accessible, allowing participants to join anonymously from home. The trainings take place every third Thursday of the month at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., with the next session scheduled for Aug. 21, 2025. There are no tests or quizzes involved, making the experience straightforward and engaging. In addition to the virtual sessions, Chestnut Health Systems also provides free in-person training for individuals and groups, including families, churches, offices, book clubs, libraries, food pantries, homeless shelters, and businesses. Those interested in attending the Zoom training or seeking more information can register by emailing Marianne Drainer at mdrainer@chestnut.org. To sign up for the next training, or for more information, email mdrainer@chestnut.org . Chestnut als

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EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. –August 10, 2025 -- The Edwardsville High School Marching Band has officially kicked off its 2025-2026 season with its annual summer band camp, marking the beginning of what promises to be the longest and most exciting season in the program’s history. In addition to competing at major national events, the award-winning ensemble will represent the United States on the international stage by performing in the prestigious 40th annual London New Year’s Day Parade in January 2026. The season began with the band’s first community performance held Friday, August 8 and culminates with the highly anticipated trip to London. With nearly 150 students participating this year, the EHS Marching Band continues to thrive thanks to the commitment and dedication to the members, directors, staff, boosters and parents. “The dedication these students show is truly remarkable,” said Band Director Ryan Lipscomb. “Band camp is an intense and rewarding

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GRANITE CITY — Granite City students appear ready for the 2025-2026 academic school year to begin after a Back To School Bash late last week. Precoat Metals hosted the Back to School Bash, providing free bookbags, school supplies, and refreshments to students in the Granite City School District #9 as the 2025-26 academic year begins. The event took place at Granite City High School and included hot dogs, snow cones, cotton candy, and other treats for attendees. The celebration aimed to support students and ensure they start the school year prepared. Volunteers from the Granite City High School Student Council, National Honor Society, and Renaissance program assisted in organizing and running the event. Granite City School District officials expressed gratitude for the partnership with Precoat Metals and the student volunteers. “We are so grateful for your support and partnership in our mission to uplift and prepare our students,” the district said in a statement.

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CASEYVILLE — A boil water order was issued Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, for parts of the Village of Caseyville, affecting residents on South Main Street from the railroad crossing to Morris Street, as well as all homes on Brookside Drive, Twin Drive, Spicer Drive, and Timberline Lane. The Village of Caseyville advised residents in these areas to boil all water used for drinking, cooking, or brushing teeth until further notice. The boil order is expected to remain in effect until Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. Officials have not provided details on the cause of the boil order or when it will be lifted. Residents are urged to follow the advisory to ensure safety.

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TROY, Ill. — The Troy Police Department announced it will join nearly 200 law enforcement agencies across Illinois in a statewide crackdown on impaired and unbelted driving during the upcoming Labor Day holiday. From Aug. 15 through the early morning hours of Sept. 2, 2025, officers will increase patrols focused on enforcing laws against impaired driving and seat belt violations. The department will participate in three campaigns: “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” “Drive High Get a DUI,” and “Click It or Ticket.” These initiatives aim to reduce dangerous driving behaviors related to alcohol, cannabis, and other impairing substances, as well as to promote seat belt use. “Driving under the influence — whether it’s alcohol, cannabis, or any impairing drug — not just risky, it is illegal,” the Troy Police said in a statement. “We’ll be patrolling with zero tolerance for impaired driving, because our goal

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EAST ST. LOUIS - With great pride and excitement, East St. Louis School District 189 proudly introduces a dynamic new team of school leaders for the 2025–2026 school year — each dedicated to academic excellence, student growth, and building strong school communities. Quanshanda Nicholson, Principal of Lincoln Middle School - After years of transformative leadership at James Avant Elementary, Principal Nicholson has been appointed to lead Lincoln Middle School. Under her leadership since 2018, the elementary school saw significant gains in student achievement. Accolades earned at Avant include 2025 Model School presenter, 2025 Award of Excellence (School Leadership Team) from the Illinois State Board of Education, 2025 and 2024 America’s Healthiest School All Star, 2023 Award of Excellence (Principal) from the Illinois State Board of Education, and the 2020 Bayer School of Excellence. She has a proven track record of building strong relationships with staff, creating

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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — Volunteers with the Fairview Heights & Friends Trekking for Trash organization collected 27 bags of trash during a cleanup event held Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, near the Fairview Heights Metro Link Station. The group, which is affiliated with the Fairview Heights Beautification Commission, brought together 22 volunteers, including several first-time participants and a newly appointed Eagle Scout. The group's goal is to address an area identified as heavily littered and to promote community pride and environmental responsibility. “We had a beautiful day yesterday to trek and trek we did,” the group posted following the event. Trekking for Trash regularly organizes such efforts to improve the local environment. The next cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. For more information about the Fairview Heights & Friends Trekking For Trash group, contact Mark Burgdorf at markaburgdorft@gmail.com or call (618) 680-4136.

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ST. LOUIS — The Historic Lemp Mansion Restaurant and Inn was struck by lightning at approximately 3:28 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025, causing damage to the building and disrupting some services, officials said. The lightning struck the northernmost chimney, directly hitting a corner of the 1860s structure at 3322 DeMenil Place in St. Louis, dislodging bricks that fell onto the adjacent parking area. General Manager Matt Bell reported that the incident occurred during a heavy downpour and resulted in exterior brick damage as well as a power surge that affected the phone system, internet service, and some electronic d evices. “During an unexpected heavy downpour the building was struck by lightning," Bell said. "We had exterior damage to the bricks. The subsequent power surge damaged our phone system and internet service as well as some electronic devices and lights,” Bell said. “The staff and guests, although surprised, are all safe and no one was harmed. "In

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EDWARDSVILLE — Carlyn Underwood, a first-grade teacher at Midway Elementary School, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise $300 for a new classroom rug. After 12 years of teaching, Underwood said the current rug, which serves as a central gathering spot for stories, lessons, and play, has become stained and frayed from extensive use. With school budgets stretched thin, Underwood is seeking community support to provide her students with a fresh and comfortable space during whole group time and free choice activities. “My old one has been well-loved but is now stained and a little worse for wear,” Underwood said in her online fundraiser. “It would be amazing if I could get a new rug for my students to sit on.” The fundraiser is intended to create a welcoming environment that enhances the classroom experience. Underwood expressed gratitude in advance for any donations received, emphasizing that any amount would be appreciated. Click here for the

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SPRINGFIELD — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) and Congressman Adrian Smith (NE-03), co-chairs of the Biofuels Caucus, announced the introduction of the bipartisan Ethanol for America Act. This legislation would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to finalize rulemaking to make the E15 fuel label clearer and more consumer-oriented. It would also confirm the compatibility of E15 with existing underground fuel storage and dispensing equipment, ensuring business owners are not required to make costly and unnecessary infrastructure changes. Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced companion legislation in the Senate. "I’ve long been a strong advocate for year-round E15, having seen firsthand the benefits it brings to consumers at the pump and to the farmers across Central and Southern Illinois," said Congresswoman Budzinski. "We should be doing everything we can to expand access, not create barriers, which is why I’m

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JERSEYVILLE — After some solid law enforcement work by Jersey County Sheriff's Sgt. Chris Jones and Deputy Justin Decker with a K9, a suspect was apprehended on Krause Drive in Jerseyville, Clarence F. Smith, after illegal drugs were discovered in his vehicle. On July 5, 2025, after a traffic stop of Smith's vehicle, Jersey Deputy Decker deployed his K9, Jax, to establish probable cause for a vehicle search. Jersey County Sheriff Nick Manns said during the search, officers found approximately one ounce of suspected crystal methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Smith was arrested at the scene, and his vehicle was towed. Sheriff Manns announced that on July 22, 2025, Jersey County State’s Attorney Ben Goetten charged Smith with Possession of Methamphetamine, a Class 1 felony. If convicted, Smith faces a prison sentence ranging from four to 15 years. Smith is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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