EDWARDSVILLE - Donors to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s annual Giving Tuesday campaign, themed “Cougar Nation Gives Back,” contributed $427,989.10 in philanthropic support through scholarships, program enhancements, faculty support, and state of the art facilities, an 19.2% percent increase from last year. The campaign drew 990 gifts from 828 unique donors, with an average gift of $432.31, highlighting the generosity and broad engagement of the SIUE community.
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — The Department of Justice announced the results of Operation Relentless Justice, a nationwide enforcement effort conducted from Dec. 3 to Dec. 17, 2025, aimed at identifying, tracking, and arresting child sex predators. One charged in Operation Relentless Justice was a Granite City man. Robert Jackowski, 31, of Granite City, Illinois, a former Marissa police officer, was charged with one count of transportation of child pornography in St. Clair County. Others charged
JERSEYVILLE – Jerseyville Police and Fire personnel responded quickly to a residential fire in the 500 block of West Pine Street on Monday morning, Dec. 22, 2025. While the blaze had since been contained, Jerseyville firefighters were still working around 9:45 a.m. on Monday to clear fire-damaged debris from the inside of the still-smoking structure, using ladders to clear debris from the upper floor of the two-story home as officers secured the perimeter of the scene. Jerseyville
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO. — St. Louis County police are investigating a homicide that occurred Saturday night, Dec. 20, 2025, in the 6600 block of South Lindbergh Boulevard, resulting in the death of a 47-year-old man. Officers from the St. Louis County Police Affton Southwest Precinct responded at 9:33 p.m. Dec. 20, 2025, to a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, they found the victim, identified as Jason Manes of Imperial, Mo., deceased at the scene. Preliminary findings indicate that
BELLEVILLE - This Christmas, a local 14-year-old hopes to celebrate with her forever family — and, soon, her “forever dog.” Belleville’s Kassie, 14, is raising money to adopt a service dog to help manage her seizures. Kassie began experiencing seizures at age 11. On Thanksgiving, she experienced three seizures in one day. As the seizures have worsened, her family and doctor agree that a service dog could go a long way in aiding Kassie’s safety and independence.
GRANITE CITY - Pizza World in Granite City presented a check for $17,955.17 to Police Officer Tyler Timmons last week as part of a fundraiser supporting the officer. The funds were raised through the restaurant’s Dine to Donate program, which drew significant community participation. Officer Timmons was shot on Dec. 5, 2025, near the Pizza World location in Granite City. The incident led to the charging of 26-year-old DJ W. Marshall on Dec. 18, 2025. Marshall faces multiple felony
GRANITE CITY — Telecommunicator Jason Sitzes, a dispatcher with the Granite City Police Department, has died after battling cancer, the department announced Monday, Dec. 22, 2025. Sitzes served in various roles within the emergency medical services and fire communities before dedicating the last two years of his career to dispatching for the Granite City Police Department. “It is with regret that we inform you, Telecommunicator Jason Sitzes has lost his courageous battle with
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO. — St. Louis Regional Bomb and Arson Unit detectives are investigating a fatal house fire that occurred early Sunday morning, Dec. 21, 2025, in the 6800 block of Parker Road. The deceased has been identified as Shardai Spates, 34, of the address of the fire. St. Louis County Police officers from the North County Precinct responded to the fire at approximately 12 a.m. on Dec. 21, 2025. Upon arrival, officers found the residence fully engulfed in flames. The homeowner
Did you know that nearly 70% of people report feeling stressed when hosting guests, largely due to last-minute preparations and unexpected challenges? Hosting holiday guests can be a rewarding experience, but it often requires thoughtful planning and organization to ensure everyone feels comfortable and welcome. Creating an inviting environment goes beyond just cleaning; it involves anticipating needs, managing space efficiently, and fostering a warm atmosphere. Assessing Your Space and Guest
December 22 has been a date marked by remarkable moments in history, spanning the realms of exploration, politics, culture, and science. Going back several centuries, December 22, 1807, saw the United States enact the Embargo Act under President Thomas Jefferson. This legislation aimed to pressure Britain and France, who were at war, by banning American ships from trading with foreign ports. While designed to protect American interests and avoid entanglement in European conflicts, the embargo
Chilly conditions start the day with lows near 41. Morning hours will bring intermittent clouds with some sunshine breaking through. By the afternoon, expect times of clouds and sun with a high near 50 degrees. Winds will be breezy out of the south-southeast around 9 mph, gusting as high as 18 mph. Evening settles in mostly clear with partly cloudy skies and temperatures easing into the upper 40s. Overnight, skies will remain partly cloudy with lows dropping to about 41 degrees and winds calming
Let’s take a journey through time to explore some of these remarkable moments on Dec. 20 and 21. In the 18th century, December 20, 1803, was a pivotal day in European history when the United Kingdom took control of the Dutch Cape Colony in southern Africa. This strategic acquisition played a crucial role in British naval dominance and the expansion of its colonial empire, impacting regional politics and trade routes for years to come. Moving forward to the 19th century, on December 20,
Did you know that the winter solstice has been observed by humans for over 5,000 years? From ancient stone circles to modern-day rituals, this astronomical event has captivated civilizations across the globe, symbolizing much more than just a calendar milestone. The winter solstice marks a pivotal moment in the Earth's journey around the sun—a moment that has inspired myths, festivals, and reflections on renewal and balance. Understanding the Winter Solstice: Beyond the Astronomical Event
SPRINGFIELD – Part-time workers may be dissuaded from taking time off to donate a life-saving organ due to fears of losing their job. That will change come Jan. 1, thanks to a new law championed by State Senator Christopher Belt ensuring part-time workers are covered for this time away. “We need all the organ donors we can get,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “I received a life-saving kidney transplant, so I know firsthand that donations save lives. This law removes barriers for
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Reps. Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) and Mike Bost (IL-12) introduced legislation to remove outdated eligibility barriers that prevent modern family farms from accessing U.S. Department of Agriculture loan programs. The USDA Loan Modernization Act updates eligibility standards to better reflect the structure of today’s multi-generational, family-run farms. This bill would expand access to operating, emergency, and real estate loans for producers in Central
MADISON COUNTY – Felony charges have been filed against a local man and woman accused in separate cases of possessing a stolen vehicle, title, and more. Tyler M. Buckingham, 24, of Wood River, was charged on Dec. 11, 2025 with one count each of unlawful possession of a stolen motor vehicle (a Class 2 felony) and possession of cannabis with the intent to deliver (a Class 3 felony). Buckingham was allegedly in possession of a Kia Rio bearing an Illinois registration number which he knew
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs is returning $100,000 in missing money to food pantries throughout the state. Each December, Frerichs’ office focuses on returning money through the ICash program to nonprofit groups that help people in need. This year, Frerichs decided to help food pantries that saw resources stretched and demand spike when the federal government shutdown stopped food assistance to many Illinois families in November. “Food pantries always
WOOD RIVER - Allison Schardan knew something was wrong with her 3-year-old son when the normal bumps and bruises of childhood started to intensify. In October, Carsen, a loving, vibrant toddler, began to bruise easily and often. It confused Schardan, who also noticed red dots on his skin, called petechiae. She asked her mom, a nurse, who agreed there was “something going on with his blood.” The pediatrician drew labs and discovered Carsen’s platelet count was at a nine.
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois will soon have an official state bean starting Jan. 1, thanks to a new law championed by State Senator Doris Turner. “Our state’s symbols highlight the important pieces that make Illinois what it is,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “The soybean powers our farms, fuels our economy and feeds our future.” Turner’s law designates the soybean as the official state bean of Illinois. According to the Illinois Soybean Association,
ST. LOUIS - 2026 will mark the opening of the MetroLink extension to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport, completion of the Secure Platform Plan, debut of a new fare system, next steps with the alternatives analysis for Bus Rapid Transit and an ongoing commitment to increasing transit accessibility and safety on both sides of the river — all in the midst of an ever-changing funding landscape at the local, state and federal levels. Much is at stake, and the area’s transit advocacy organization
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