GODFREY – After much discussion and debate, Godfrey officials voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, to pass a lower tax levy than last year, leading to slight savings for homeowners at the cost of village tax revenue. Village Board members were originally set to approve a “flat” tax levy, marking neither an increase or decrease over last year’s levy. Trustee Mike Fisher proposed reducing the levy by 0.5% to lower taxes for homeowners, which was ultimately
EDWARDSVILLE - Chief Judge Christopher P. Threlkeld is pleased to announce that the Illinois Supreme Court has authorized the Third Judicial Circuit Court to post a notice of vacancy for an associate judge. This vacancy is based on the impending resignation of Hon. Janet R. Heflin, effective January 31, 2026. Applications shall be taken from any United States citizen who is an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois, and a resident of the Third Judicial Circuit. Applicants
ALTON - Alton High School students will have the opportunity to take a few new courses next school year. During the Dec. 16, 2025, regular meeting of the Alton Community Unit School District #11 Board of Education, the Board unanimously approved the high school’s plan to offer Health Careers I, Health Careers II, and Introduction to Construction Trades. These classes will provide hands-on learning opportunities for students. “The passion behind these two programs is just amazing,”
CARLINVILLE — Talon J. Gosnell, 24, of Carlinville, was charged with criminal damage to government property, theft, and resisting a police officer. According to court documents, Gosnell allegedly jumped on the hood of a Carlinville Police car, causing damage to the vehicle. He is also accused of stealing cooked food valued at less than $500 from a patron at a cafe. Additionally, authorities say Gosnell fled on foot when a Carlinville Police officer ordered him to stop. All individuals
CAHOKIA HEIGHTS — Authorities have taken a person of interest into custody in connection with two homicides that occurred on the 3900 block of Walnut Street in Cahokia Heights. The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis announced the arrest on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, as part of an ongoing investigation into the incidents. No charges have been filed at this time. Investigators with the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis discovered the body of a woman during the execution of a search
COLLINSVILLE – The Collinsville Community Unit School District 10 Board of Education has approved Tara Glynn as the district’s director of student services, effective July 1, 2026. Tara currently serves as special education supervisor and principal of Hollywood Heights School. The student services director role will be vacant at the end of the 2025-26 school year due to the retirement of current assistant superintendent and director of student services, Bradley Hyre. The student service
CHICAGO — The Powerball® jackpot for tonight’s drawing has climbed to $1.25 billion, offering Illinois Lottery players another exciting opportunity to dream big this holiday season. Wednesday’s drawing marks the second-largest Powerball jackpot of the year, trailing only the record-setting $1.787 billion prize won on September 6 in Missouri and Texas. It is just the second time in Powerball history that back-to-back jackpots have reached the billion-dollar mark. Holiday
VIRDEN — Jacob Monty, 28, of Virden, has been charged with two counts of child pornography, according to court documents. Monty faces Class X felony charges for allegedly collecting and disseminating videos depicting children under the age of 13 engaging in sexual conduct with other individuals. The offenses reportedly occurred on May 9, 2025. The arrest comes after investigators from the attorney general's office and Virden Police searched Monty’s residence in the 300 block of
ALTOn - Laila Davis, a senior at Marquette Catholic High School, is being recognized for her achievements in basketball and her leadership with the 2025-2026 girls' group. Davis is a Tucker's Automotive Repair & Tire Female Athlete of the Month for the Explorers. Over the course of her high school career, Davis has earned several accolades, including the Gallatin Awards 110%, Defensive Player of the Year Award, and the Coach’s Award. She has also been named Athlete of the Month previously
ALTON, IL — Glisson Law is proud to announce that its 5th Annual 12 Days of Glissmas Giveaway is underway, continuing a multi-day social media tradition that has become a holiday favorite throughout the Metro East. Now in its fifth year, the Glissmas Giveaway continues Glisson Law’s mission of spreading holiday cheer while supporting the outstanding local businesses that help make the Alton and nearby areas thrive. Each year, the Glissmas Giveaway offers the community multiple chances
ALTON — Police responded to a report of a woman allegedly shooting at a residence Tuesday night in Alton, but found no evidence of gunfire at the scene. At approximately 9:31 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, the Alton Police Department received a 911 call from a resident in the 3200 block of College Avenue reporting that a woman was firing shots at their home. Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said officers arrived and spoke with the caller, who was also the victim. "A search of the are
ALTON - The Alton Community Unit School District #11 has a new Director of Student Services. The Board of Education has unanimously approved the appointment of Angela Kuchnicki to the role, effective May 1, 2026. During the Board’s regular meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, Kuchnicki expressed her excitement to take on the position and serve students in a new capacity. “I’ve worked at Alton for the past 22 years, and this role represents a meaningful next step for me and
ROXANA — Roxana High School is well-known for its approach to theater, with many outstanding productions over the years. Roxana Thespian Troupe 556 will perform its fall play, A Monster Calls , at the 2026 Illinois High School Theatre Festival in January at Illinois State University. This marks the first time in the school’s history that it has been selected to present a full-length production at the statewide festival, an honor given to only a select number of schools across Illinois.
ALTON - A special education teacher has gone above and beyond to support students by creating a food bank at Alton High School. Tammy Wood, who teaches at AHS, recently collaborated with students, staff members, and the St. Louis Area Foodbank to create the Bird Loft. During the Alton Community Unit School District #11 Board of Education’s regular meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, Wood was recognized for her contributions to the district to ensure every student has access to food.
Did you know that Americans use approximately 4 million tons of wrapping paper each year, much of which ends up in landfills? Beyond the environmental impact, mass-produced wrapping paper often lacks a personal touch that makes a gift truly memorable. What if you could transform this ritual into an opportunity for creativity, sustainability, and meaningful expression? Making your own DIY holiday gift wrap offers a rewarding way to enhance gift-giving while reducing waste. Why Choose DIY Gift
December 17th has long been a day marked by remarkable events that have left lasting imprints across the globe. One of the most revolutionary events in modern history occurred on December 17, 1903, when the Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, achieved the first powered, controlled, and sustained heavier-than-air human flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. This monumental breakthrough in aviation opened the skies to humanity, setting in motion a global transformation in transportation, warfare,
Expect a cool day with a high near 52 and a low around 43. Winds will be light from the east-northeast at about 6 mph, gusting to 16 mph. This morning starts with mostly clear skies, transitioning through the day to intermittent clouds and sunshine. The afternoon will bring about 5.8 hours of sun and highs in the low 50s, making for a pleasant but brisk day. Tonight, clouds increase with breezy conditions and a 60% chance for a few light showers late, possibly accompanied by some thunder. Winds
SPRINGFIELD – Hunters in Illinois took a preliminary total of 81,225 deer during the seven-day 2025 Illinois firearm deer season that concluded Dec. 7. Comparatively, hunters harvested 82,496 deer during the 2024 firearm season. The preliminary harvest for the second weekend of the firearm season Dec. 4-7 was 29,816 compared with 27,835 deer harvested during the same period in 2024. The preliminary harvest for the first weekend of this year’s firearm season Nov. 21-23 was 51,409
EDWARDSVILLE – The Edwardsville Police Department may soon get its first-ever drone pending an application for up to $18,000 in grant funding. Edwardsville City Council members voted unanimously on Tuesday to approve a resolution authorizing the Police Department to apply for a Pride in Service Grant from CSX. Freight transportation company CSX offers the Pride in Service Grant to help first responders buy certain equipment, including drones. The Edwardsville Police Department will
ALTON - OSF HealthCare and Shared Medical Services, Inc. (SMS) and are excited to announce the deployment of the mobile GE HealthCare Omni Legend Digital PET/CT system, bringing next-generation molecular imaging to communities across the OSF Ministry. Designed to significantly improve diagnostic accuracy, efficiency and patient access, the Omni Legend represents a major advancement in mobile PET/CT capabilities for both rural and urban populations. As is tradition for OSF HealthCare, the mobile
stLouIST