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EDWARDSVILLE — A Madison County jury found an Alton man guilty of harassment of a witness Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026, for directing relatives to make Facebook posts intended to influence a potential witness in his upcoming attempted murder trial, Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced. Steven Foster Jr., 39, was convicted after the jury deliberated for about an hour. Earlier this year, while in the Madison County Jail awaiting trial on three counts of attempted murder,

EDWARDSVILLE – Agriculture helped grow Madison County into the thriving community it is today. To honor our local farmers who continue to cultivate this legacy, Edwardsville Children’s Museum (ECM) is excited to announce that its newest exhibit, Little Sprouts Farm , an interactive farm-themed playspace, is ready to take root. At Little Sprouts Farm , kids can engage in hands-on, imaginative play. Mini-farmers will have the chance to “milk” a cow,

JERSEYVILLE - The Jersey County Business Association, with the help of member businesses, provided new district employees with a “welcome bag” at the school district’s new employee orientation Wednesday, August 12th. The bags were filled with school supplies, treats, and more to help teachers and staff during their first days on the job. Local businesses were quick to offer support and generous donations for the bags as soon as the request came out. For over twelve years,

ALTON/GRANITE CITY – Two local men accused of leading police on a high-speed chase in a stolen car before crashing and fleeing the scene on foot face felony charges in two connected cases. Jared M. Heil, 25, of Alton, and Rodriquez T. Harris, 32, of Granite City, were each charged in Madison County with Class 2 felony counts of offenses related to motor vehicles. Harris also faces a Class 4 felony count of aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer. Heil and Harris were bot

COLLINSVILLE — Deputy Clerk Kelley Wilke, a full-time member of the Collinsville Police Department staff since 2017, is remembered for her dedication to the department and community, with memorial services scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, in Collinsville. The Collinsville Police Department said it was “deeply saddened” to share that it had lost a member of its full-time staff. “Kelley’s outgoing personality and desire to help others made her an integral

WOOD RIVER - The OSF HealthCare community came together to celebrate the blessing of a new primary care facility in Wood River . On Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026, Wood River officials and OSF leaders welcomed community members to a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony of the new facility, located at 1853 Vaughn Road in Wood River. Attendees could tour the clinic and learn more about the new primary care options in town. “There’s a need for it within our community,” said

EDWARDSVILLE – A local man accused of intimidating and assaulting an employee in Edwardsville while on pretrial release faces additional charges in Madison County. Timothy J. Chesus, 51, listed as homeless out of Wood River, was charged on Aug. 5, 2026 with a Class 3 felony count of intimidation and a Class A misdemeanor count of aggravated assault. Chesus allegedly threatened to inflict physical harm on an employee of MOD Pizza in Edwardsville while brandishing a knife on June 14, 2026.

ST. LOUIS — A 2-year-old girl reported missing Wednesday morning, Aug. 12, 2026, from her home in the city’s Dutchtown neighborhood was found safe about 1:30 p.m., the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department said. Police said officers responded just before 8 a.m. to the 3800 block of Minnesota Avenue after the child’s mother reported waking up to find the front door open and the girl gone. The child was later found safe in the 3700 block of Michigan Avenue in the Gravois

HAMEL – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced lane closures on Interstate 55 at the Illinois 140 bridge in Madison County beginning Monday, Aug. 17, weather permitting, for bridge maintenance. The northbound and southbound lanes will be reduced nightly from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. The project is expected to be completed in mid-to-late September. Motorists should expect long delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this closure. Drivers are urged to reduce

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt carried a law that allows the Illinois Emergency Management Agency to earn interest on idle funds to help offset program expenses and reduce reliance on budget appropriations. “Just like any bank account, it is wise to not let funds sit idly by without purpose,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “This law allows the Illinois Emergency Management Agency to generate a modest, passive revenue without increasing fees or state taxes. This is

ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department asked for the public’s help in finding Janyla Hughley, a 2-year-old girl reported missing after police said she walked out of her home early Wednesday morning in the 3800 block of Minnesota Avenue in the city’s Dutchtown neighborhood. Police described the search as “urgent” and encouraged people in the area to check doorbell cameras if they have them from the early morning hours until now. Janyla

SPRINGFIELD – This time of year can be expensive as kids get ready to head back to school. Comptroller Susana Mendoza is urging families to set up a game plan before they venture out to buy school supplies, and stick to a set budget so they don’t accidentally overspend. “Every child deserves a strong start to the school year. By planning ahead and shopping smart, Illinois families can save money and focus on what matters most—helping students succeed," Comptroller Mendoza

EDWARDSVILLE — The Madison County Mental Health Board is accepting applications for Fiscal Year 2027 funding to support programs addressing mental health, substance use and other identified community needs. The Notice of Funding Opportunities, or NOFOs, includes Mental Health Aid to Agencies and Opioid Settlement Funding and launches a refined funding process built around local data and community input. The funding priorities grew from regional focus groups, the board’s July 2026

BETHALTO - Civic Memorial High School senior students threw a “parking lot party” to decorate their parking spots and celebrate the first day of school. Bethalto Community Unit School District #8 students and teachers returned to the classroom on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026. Civic Memorial Principal Justin Newell was eager to welcome students back to school, and he is proud of the senior class for their work decorating the parking lot as they prepare to graduate. “We are

ALTON – A legal fight between the City of Alton and its mayor is now on hold. A hearing in the case of Mayor David Goins vs. City of Alton originally scheduled for 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026 before Judge Sarah Smith has been postponed indefinitely. A representative of the mayor's office confirmed the hearing has been postponed and that a new date has not yet been set. Madison County court records show the case has been reassigned to a new judge following a motion from Patrick

MASCOUTAH — During the America 250 celebration, a Sunday school class at Zion Lutheran Church in Mascoutah looked to colonial history as Margaret Truitt of the Looking Glass Prairie Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, portrayed Abigail Adams to share the story of Founding Father and President John Adams’ wife. The presentation was part of the country’s 250th birthday celebration, which provides opportunities to reflect on people, places and things during colonial

SAUGET - A hazardous materials fire prompted officials to order residents and businesses to shelter in place Wednesday morning, Aug. 12, 2026, in parts of Sauget, Cahokia Heights and East St. Louis, south of Missouri Avenue between South 50th Street and South 19th Street, before the order was lifted at 8:56 a.m., the St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency said. The agency said the fire involved trichloroisocyanuric acid, which it described as an irritant to the eyes, skin

ALTON - Community members gathered for the quarterly “What’s Up Downtown” meeting to hear updates from local entrepreneurs and business owners about their work. On Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, Alton Main Street hosted the quarterly gathering at The Wedge in Alton. Downtown professionals shared information about their businesses and their goals for the future. Julia Steele with Alton Pride encouraged people to join the fifth annual Pride Festival on Sept. 12, 2026, on Belle Street

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS - Fairview Heights Police are investigating a shooting that wounded a female victim Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 11, 2026, at the Trailway Motel in Fairview Heights. The Fairview Heights Police Department said the shooting occurred at approximately 12:15 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026. Police said the victim sustained a gunshot wound and was transported to a local hospital for treatment, police said. Investigators have identified a suspect in connection with the shooting

WOOD RIVER — Wood River residents will receive a notice within the next few days after recent testing detected PFAS, in the city’s drinking water at 6.7 parts per trillion, above the Illinois standard of 4 parts per trillion, City Manager Steve Palen said in a message to residents. PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are synthetic "forever chemicals" used since the 1940s to make products resist water, grease, and heat. The notification is required because the result exceeds