JERSEYVILLE - The Downtown Country Christmas Festival returns to Jerseyville with a day of free holiday fun. From 1–5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in City Center Park in downtown Jerseyville, community members can enjoy several free activities, including games, inflatables, visits with Santa, an ugly sweater contest and more. The evening will conclude with a Christmas tree lighting ceremony and a parade. “Especially this year, when things seem a little tight, what a grea
ALTON — The 32nd annual Community Tree Lighting at Lincoln-Douglas Square was once again a rousing success on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, featuring the arrival of Santa Claus, caroling, cookies, hot cocoa, and speeches. The event culminated at 6:45 p.m. Friday when Mayor David Goins hit the switch that illuminated the holiday tree. Organizers aim to bring the community together, foster holiday spirit, and collect donations for The Salvation Army, which launched its Kettle campaign during
PIKE COUNTY — One person was killed and two others injured after a small plane crashed Sunday night, Nov. 23, 2025, in a field north of Interstate 72, west of Exit 35, according to the Pike County Sheriff’s Department. The department was notified of the possible crash at 9:39 p.m. on Nov. 23. Upon arrival, a deputy located a passenger along the interstate. Emergency personnel then located the downed aircraft nearby. The plane was carrying four people — one pilot and thre
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Authorities have identified the man fatally shot by airport police officers during an early morning incident at St. Louis Lambert International Airport on Nov. 21, 2025. The deceased has been named as 31-year-old Darius Kennedy of Peoria, according to a statement from the St. Louis County Police Department released Monday. The shooting occurred at approximately 1:05 a.m. in Terminal 1 when officers conducting routine security checks encountered Kennedy armed with
ALTON – Alton officials are set to consider delaying the effective date of their city-wide elimination of late night liquor licenses on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025. A resolution appears on Monday’s Committee of the Whole agenda which would allow businesses to keep their late night liquor licenses until April 1, 2026. If approved, the item would go next to the Alton City Council on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025 for final approval. The City Council meeting was moved from its usual Wednesday
HARDIN — The Calhoun football Warriors 2025 team concluded their season with a 12-1 record, falling narrowly to Brown County 14-13 in the IHSA Class 1A playoffs on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. The Warriors remained competitive until the final seconds of the game, demonstrating strong effort from both players and the coaching staff. Throughout the season, the team received robust support from the Warriors cheer squad, which played a significant role in creating an energized atmosphere at
ST. CLAIR COUNTY — Courtney Branon, a 35-year-old woman from Collinsville, died Tuesday morning in a four-vehicle crash on Interstate 64 in O’Fallon, authorities said. The fatal collision occurred around 8 a.m., Nov. 18, 2025. Branon was driving a Ford Bronco when she was involved in a crash with two tractor-trailers and a utility work truck, according to the St. Clair County Coroner’s Office and Illinois State Police. Branon’s death has left her children without thei
Big bookworm, reporting for duty. I enjoy reading as much as I enjoy surfing the internet and writing for fun. As such, I grew up in libraries around the Riverbend region. And recently, I’ve rediscovered my love for these spaces, their resources, and the people who make them great spots to chill. Let me back up. As the child of voracious readers, I spent a lot of time in the local library when I was very young. My parents would take me to the free events, the storytimes, the annual Summer
What if the Thanksgiving holiday we celebrate today was shaped by centuries of evolving customs rather than a single historic feast? The story of Thanksgiving in the U.S. is a fascinating tapestry of cultural influences, historical events, and regional practices that have transformed it from a simple harvest celebration into a national holiday symbolizing gratitude, community, and reflection. Origins of Thanksgiving: More Than One Story Contrary to popular belief, Thanksgiving does not originate
What if the secret to a memorable Thanksgiving wasn’t just the turkey or the stuffing, but the pie that concludes the feast? Consider this: according to a 2023 survey by the American Pie Council, 89% of Americans say pie is the essential dessert for holiday celebrations. Yet, many struggle to perfect that elusive flaky crust or the ideal filling consistency. Baking the perfect Thanksgiving pie is an art and a science, blending technique, timing, and quality ingredients to create something
Did you know that the average American household spends nearly 12 hours preparing food during the holiday season? This intense period of cooking can quickly overwhelm even the most seasoned home chefs if their kitchens are not adequately prepared. Setting up your kitchen thoughtfully before the rush can make holiday cooking more efficient, enjoyable, and less stressful. Assessing Your Kitchen Space and Equipment Before diving into recipes and shopping lists, take stock of your kitchen’s
November 24 has been a day marked by pivotal events across the globe, spanning centuries and touching on politics, science, culture, and more. In 1859, the publication of Charles Darwin’s 'On the Origin of Species' sparked widespread debate and fundamentally altered scientific and religious perspectives on evolution and natural history. It quickly became a focal point for discussions that continue to this day about the origin and development of life on Earth. In the realm of politics
Expect a mostly cloudy day with some showers mainly early on in. High temperatures will reach around 55 degrees with a low near 49 overnight. Winds will be out of the south-southeast at about 9 to 15 mph, making it feel a bit chilly. Morning hours bring some light drizzle and dense fog that could reduce visibility to a quarter mile or less, creating potentially hazardous driving conditions until 9 a.m. After mid-morning, showers will taper off but clouds will linger throughout the day. Expect
HAZELWOOD, Mo. — Clifton Miller, 85, who has dementia, went missing from his home on Georgetown Drive in Hazelwood, Mo., on November 1, 2025. Miller, a black male standing 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing 240 pounds, has white and gray hair and is balding. He was last seen possibly wearing a suit coat, a light blue t-shirt, and black Stacey Adams dress shoes. Missouri Valley Search and Rescue, along with volunteers, conducted a search in the Hazelwood area on Saturday, but did not fin
CARLINVILLE - Frederic J. Skinner, 21, of Carlinville, was charged with Criminal Trespass to a Building. Skinner allegedly entered the Fast Stop gas station in Carlinville after he had been previously notified that he was not allowed at the location. Macoupin County court records indicate Skinner was released from custody and was given conditions for his pre-trial release. All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
JERSEYVILLE — Kyle L. McBride, 38, of Jerseyville, was charged with domestic battery causing bodily harm following an incident on November 4, 2025. According to charging documents, McBride allegedly struck the victim in her head with his boots, causing knots on her head. The Macoupin County Sheriff's Department filed the charges. All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
ALTON – An Alton resident accused of knowingly setting fire to a trash can near a Hit-N-Run convenience store faces multiple charges in Madison County. Elsaventer Branch, 44, of Alton, was charged on Nov. 17, 2025 with a Class 2 felony count of arson and a Class C misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct. On Nov. 16, 2025, Branch allegedly damaged a trash can by means of fire which was located in front of the Hit-N-Run convenience store at 1818 Washington Ave. in Alton. Charging documents
ALTON/GODFREY - A fire broke out Saturday evening, Nov. 22, 2025, at the State Farm Insurance agency operated by Dwight Tungett in Godfrey in the 30 block of Delmar Avenue with an Alton address location, prompting a response from two local fire departments. The fire agencies arrived around 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the business located near the border of the Godfrey Fire Protection District and Alton Fire Department territories. Alton firefighters arrived approximately one minute before Godfrey
November 22 and 23 have long been dates etched into global history, marked by events that have shaped politics, culture, and society in profound ways. Arguably the most impactful event on this day came in 1963, when the world was stunned by the assassination of United States President John F. Kennedy. On November 22, 1963, President Kennedy was fatally shot while riding in a motorcade through Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas. This tragic event not only shocked the American public but also sent
SPRINGFIELD – As the holiday season approaches, Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs is encouraging people to find memorable gifts, including a vintage Mickey Mouse wristwatch and a 14-karat yellow gold pendant with a small diamond, during an online ICash auction November 21-30. “Our online auction is a wonderful opportunity to discover rare and memorable finds, either for yourself or for that special someone who will appreciate them as gifts,” said State Treasurer Frerichs,
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