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ALTON - The Alton Police Department officially welcomed Officer Mathew Wilson to its ranks at the beginning of November. Wilson, who has been attending the Illinois State Police Academy, was sworn in to serve the Alton community. The Alton Police Department expressed confidence in Wilson’s performance at the academy and highlighted its anticipation for his contributions to maintaining professionalism within the force. “We look forward to having him serve the Alton community

ALTON – An Alton Police investigation has led to a local man’s arrest after police found messages of him grooming and soliciting someone he believed to be a 14-year-old child. Charles D. Sanders, 52, of Alton, was charged on Dec. 4, 2025, with one count each of indecent solicitation of a child (a Class 3 felony), solicitation to meet a child, and grooming (both Class 4 felonies). From Oct. 17-25, 2025, Sanders allegedly knowingly solicited an individual he believed to be

ST. LOUIS/CHICAGO - Theta Hughes, 27, was reported missing after last being seen at the St. Louis Amtrak station on the morning of Dec. 3, 2025. Authorities say Hughes boarded a train at 6:35 a.m. on Dec. 3, 2025, in St. Louis and was scheduled to arrive in Chicago at 11:40 a.m., but she never reached her destination. On Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, she was found and reported recovering in a hospital near Chicago. Hughes was last spotted near Union Station on the 500 block of West Jackson Boulevard

BUZZ MAGAZINE – For those of you dreaming of a white Christmas, your odds in Illinois are not good. And while we commonly associate Christmas in the Land of Lincoln with cold weather, the average highs on Santa’s big day are surprisingly moderate. The National Weather Service defines a white Christmas as having at least an inch of snow on the ground by 6 a.m. on Christmas morning. In much of the state, that happens less than half of the time. For the St. Louis metro area, historically

GRANITE CITY - Granite City Community Unit School District #9 delayed dismissal for some students on December 5, 2025, following an incident in the community earlier that day. A Granite City Police officer was shot around 2:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in an incident near Pizza World in Granite City, just down the street from Granite City High School. Granite City School District officials credited the Granite City Police Department for their cooperation and communication during the event,

BUZZ MAGAZINE – Most people have fond childhood memories of varying places and experiences. Sadly, too many have seen the places that held those memories succumb to disrepair and ultimately demolition. Such was about to happen to the Lincoln Square Theater in Decatur just a few years ago until Lavelle Hunt and friends stepped in. Designed by the distinguished local architectural firm of Aschauer and Waggoner, the theater was built in the captivating Art Nouveau and Beaux Arts styles, givin

MARYVILLE – A man accused of fleeing from police is among two Missouri residents facing felony charges in Madison County after allegedly possessing stolen vehicles. Wardell Wilson, 38, of Florissant, Mo. was charged on Nov. 14, 2025 with one count of unlawful possession of a stolen motor vehicle, a Class 2 felony. Wilson was allegedly knowingly in possession of a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan bearing a Missouri registration number on April 15, 2025 which he reportedly knew had been stolen.

GRANITE CITY — U.S. Steel announced it will restart one of its blast furnaces at Granite City Works, leading to new job opportunities in the Metro East region, Gov. JB Pritzker said, and he is ecstatic about the decision. The decision, driven by consumer demand, will bring new, good-paying jobs and significant investment to the facility, Pritzker stated in a news release. He credited collaboration among the state government, community members, elected leaders—including Congresswoman

ALTON – Simmons Hanly Conroy, a national leader in the legal representation of mesothelioma patients and their families, is pleased to announce that John A. Barnerd, firm partner and management committee member, was named to St. Louis Small Business Monthly magazine’s “Top People To Know in Southern Illinois” list for 2025. Published every December, the list recognizes and celebrates Southern Illinois influencers who are helping to drive the success of regional businesses.

COLLINSVILLE – Illinois State Police (ISP) Troop 8 Commander, Captain Casey Faro, announces the ISP will conduct Alcohol Countermeasure Enforcement (ACE) patrols in Madison and St. Clair counties during December. ACE patrols allow the ISP to focus on preventing, detecting, and taking enforcement action in response to violations associated with impaired driving and illegal transportation or consumption of alcohol or drugs. The ISP has zero tolerance for impaired driving in Illinois. Officers

Did you know that St. Nicholas Day is celebrated in over 20 countries with distinct customs that range from gift-giving to elaborate parades? This lesser-known holiday, observed on December 6th, honors the historical figure of St. Nicholas—an early Christian bishop famed for his generosity and kindness. While many associate the holiday with children receiving small gifts in their shoes, there are numerous inventive ways to celebrate that can bring communities and families together, deepen

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On CNN’s AC360 with Anderson Cooper, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) sharply criticized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s unlawful, unauthorized military strikes in the Southern Hemisphere. Duckworth also slammed the Department of Defense for misleading the public and putting our servicemembers in legal jeopardy and at greater risk of retaliation from our enemies. Video of the full interview can be found on the Senator’s YouTube. Key Quotes: &ldquo

BUZZ MAGAZINE – Cammie Corlas Quinn has been writing uplifting stories about small-town life for over twenty-five years. Now, those stories are part of a heartfelt collection. Going Home: Stories of Small-Town Central Illinois is a charming, nostalgic book about the joys, struggles, and love that Quinn experienced while growing up in rural Illinois in the 1960s and 1970s. “I enjoy sharing stories of hope whenever possible,” said Quinn. “The book offers a positive lens

BUZZ MAGAZINE – Think Rudolph is a funny name for a reindeer? It could have been Reginald, Rollo, or Rodney. Over eight decades ago, those were a few of the names considered for the red-nosed reindeer by Robert May, an Illinois copywriter whose creativity brought Rudolph to life in a 1939 storybook for Chicago-based department store giant Montgomery Ward. Today, the hit song and iconic television special, which premiered sixty years ago this December 6, overshadow the original, as the firs

GRANITE CITY — After a several-hour manhunt, authorities apprehended DJ Marshall at approximately 3 a.m. Saturday in connection with a shooting involving a Granite City police officer. Earlier that day, police responded to the 2000 block of Johnson Road, where Marshall allegedly fired multiple shots at an officer, striking him. The injured officer was promptly transported to a hospital in the St. Louis area for medical treatment. Following the arrest, Granite City Police expressed gratitude

GRANITE CITY — The Illinois State Police are assisting in the search for 26-year-old DJ Marshall of Granite City, who is suspected of shooting a Granite City Police officer on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. At approximately 2:19 p.m. Friday, officers from the Granite City Police Department responded to a call in the 2000 block of Johnson Road. Upon arrival, officers encountered Marshall, who reportedly pulled out a firearm and fired multiple shots, striking one officer before fleeing on foot. T

GRANITE CITY — Granite City Police released photos of a potential person of interest in the shooting of an officer that occurred around 2:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in the vicinity of the Pizza World parking lot. Following the incident, officers established a perimeter on Madison Avenue in Granite City, where they believe the person of interest is either under a deck or inside a nearby house. A large number of law enforcement personnel have surrounded the residence as they continue

GRANITE CITY — An officer was shot Friday afternoon, Dec. 5, 2025, in the parking lot of Pizza World on Johnson Road, authorities confirmed. The incident occurred around 2:20 p.m., according to Granite City Police Chief Gary Brooks. Police responded to the 2000 block of Johnson Road when a suspect fired multiple shots at an officer, striking him. The injured officer was immediately transported to a hospital in the St. Louis area for treatment. Chief Brooks said he spoke with the officer

GRANITE CITY — Officials delayed dismissal at Frohardt Elementary School on Friday afternoon, Dec. 5, 2025, due to a large police presence in the area, the Granite City School District said. Chris Mitchell, spokesperson for the district, said the school on Johnson Road is holding students and staff inside “out of an abundance of caution” until authorities give an official all-clear. Mitchell confirmed that all students and staff are safe. The police presence was reported around

GLEN CARBON - You can help spread Christmas joy with a toy and food drive this weekend. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, you can drop off toys and nonperishable food items at Kellerman Investigations in Glen Carbon. Attendees can enjoy cookies, cocoa, photo opportunities and raffles while donating to Toys for Tots and St. Cecilia Food Pantry. “Anything that somebody can do, whether it's canned goods or a couple of toys, that collectiveness is community,” said