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BETHALTO, Ill. — On July 3, 2025, at approximately 3:10 p.m., the Bethalto Police Department responded to a report of a burglary in progress in the 300 block of West Bethalto Drive. A caller reported seeing a black male going through a vehicle, then leaving and getting into a nearby car, which subsequently left the area. The caller provided the license plate number of the suspect vehicle to the police. Officers confirmed that a large sum of currency had been taken from the victim’s vehicle. With assistance from the Alton Police Department, officers stopped the vehicle hours later. A female was driving at the time and was questioned about the male suspect and his whereabouts, but no credible information was obtained. Police seized the female’s cell phone as part of the investigation. Bethalto detectives obtained information from the leasing company regarding the person who rented the vehicle and secured a search warrant for the seized phone. Surveillance footage

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WEST ALTON- The St. Charles County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the two men who died in a helicopter crash on Thursday morning as 35-year-old Nicholas R. Fulton of Salem, Missouri, and 37-year-old Michael C. Curry of Ashley, Illinois. The crash occurred around 11 a.m. when the helicopter struck power lines, causing them to fall onto a barge and ignite a fire, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. First responders confirmed the helicopter crashed onto the barge and caught fire. J.F. Electric, the employer of one of the victims, released a statement expressing sorrow over the incident. “It is with deep sadness that we confirm a serious incident occurred earlier today involving one of our employees and a subcontractor,” the statement said. “Tragically, the incident resulted in the passing of both the employee and subcontractor.”

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WOOD RIVER - A Brighton-based cat rescue will host a cornhole tournament to raise money for their cats. On Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, at the Wood River Moose, you can come out for “Tossin’ for Tails” to enjoy cornhole, raffles, a 50/50 drawing and more fun in support of Little Cat Rescue of Illinois. Mallory Wolff, founder of Little Cat Rescue of Illinois, noted how important the community’s support is to their mission. “The more that we raise, the more we can help. If funding is not there, then we can’t help. If we don’t have the money in the bank, I can’t take them on,” Wolff said. “There are so many homeless cats. Every year, it amazes me how many cats are out there.” Wolff lives on 98 acres of farmland, and she often rescued stray cats. In 2023, she decided to take this a step further by starting Little Cat Rescue. Her family built a building unit on the property, complete with a “catio” — a ca

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ST. CLAIR COUNTY - The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced ramp closures on eastbound and westbound Interstate 55/64 at the following locations: I-55/64 eastbound exit ramp to Barack Obama Avenue I-55/64 westbound exit ramp to 3rd Street Beginning Saturday, Aug. 9, at 5 a.m., traffic will be restricted at these locations to allow for road construction. All lanes will reopen to traffic by 5 p.m. the same day. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this closure. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone.

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EDWARDSVILLE — Edwardsville resident Tyler Morgan was seriously injured recently after falling 30 feet from a tree into water while working, according to a GoFundMe fundraiser organizer. Haylee Trober, who is coordinating a fundraiser to support Morgan and his girlfriend, Jocelynn, said Morgan was airlifted to Saint Louis University Hospital and admitted to trauma care. He sustained a brain bleed, a compound fracture in his femur, a dislocated hip, a punctured liver, and chipped vertebrae. Morgan underwent surgery to have a rod placed in his femur and is now recovering. “Recovery will be long and Tyler will be out of work for a long time, as well as Jocelynn to be there to help Tyler,” Trober said. She added that workers’ compensation will cover most medical bills, but the couple faces ongoing financial challenges. Trober emphasized that Morgan and Jocelynn prefer not to ask for help but said the fundraiser aims to ease their financial burden during this

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WOOD RIVER, Ill. — Officers from the Wood River Police Department responded to a disturbance call on the 300 block of South Central Avenue on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at approximately 9:11 p.m., after a female caller reported being assaulted outside a residence. Upon arrival, officers began an on-scene investigation and learned that Benjamin T. Hale, a male subject inside the home, allegedly threatened the victim with a firearm earlier that day and was involved in illegal drug activity. The victim also accused another woman, Savannah LeBlanc, of physically battering her. Police obtained consent from Hale to enter the residence, where they detected a strong odor of gasoline and observed suspected controlled substances in plain view. Two other individuals inside the home, Savannah LeBlanc and Michael “Dylan” Bass, were identified and found to have active arrest warrants. During LeBlanc’s arrest, she resisted by kicking the interior of a patrol vehicle

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HOLIDAY SHORES - Ryan Turner of Holiday Shores is seeking financial support to cover urgent veterinary care for his dog, Esme, who has been suffering from a severe throat injury. Turner launched a fundraiser after accumulating nearly $6,000 in medical expenses while trying to diagnose and treat Esme’s condition. Esme’s health issues began when she stopped eating and drinking for several days. Turner initially took her to his home veterinarian, where tests reportedly showed no problems. Despite Turner’s concerns that Esme had ingested something harmful, the vet did not examine her throat or mouth in detail. When Esme’s condition did not improve, Turner was referred to an animal hospital. Turner said: "At the hospital, further tests including X-rays and blood work again failed to identify the cause." After two days of observation, Esme was discharged but soon started bleeding from her mouth. Turner returned her to the hospital, where repeated tests still did no

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ILLINOIS - Randy Raley is a Democrat challenging Mary Miller to represent the 15th District of Illinois. Raley recently stopped by “Our Daily Show!” with C.J. Nasello to share his goals for his campaign and his plans for the district if elected. He emphasized that he wants to represent the entire district. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a Republican. Let’s find some kind of common ground where we can lift this district up and make life better for everybody,” he said. “If you don’t look like me or pray like me or love like me, I will represent you, too. If you are a churchgoing guy on Sunday and all of that, I will represent you. It’s a big, wide district, and it covers a lot of land. There’s going to be a lot of different interests in the district and it’s going to be hard to put a coalition together, but at least I’m willing to sit and listen.” Raley lived in Missouri for a long time but

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PLEASANT HILL, Ill. – The Culpepper & Merriweather (C&M) Circus is making its way to Pleasant Hill, bringing an authentic “Big Top” circus spectacle for the whole family to enjoy. On Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, the circus is coming to the Pike County Fairgrounds at 210 W. Clay St. in Pleasant Hill, thanks to a sponsorship from the Pike County Fair Association. Described as an “authentic One-Ring, Big Top Circus,” the C&M Circus has been providing quality, local family entertainment for 40 years. Circus Performances are set for 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Circus officials describe each 90-minute event as “an amazing show the whole family will love!” This year’s shows feature an all-new performance lineup for 2025, including: Big Cats presented by Trey Key; Aerialist Extraordinaire Simone on the trapeze; the Perez Daredevil Duo on the Tight Rope and Wheel of Destiny; the high energy Macias family hand and foot juggling; and everyone's favorite Circus

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EAST ST. LOUIS — Dr. Lawrence Rainey has been named interim principal of Dr. Katie Harper Wright Elementary School for the new school year, East St. Louis School District 189 has announced. Dr. Rainey brings extensive experience to his new role, having served as an assistant principal within the district and previously as a special education teacher at Dr. Wright Elementary. He also has experience as a principal outside the district. Known for his warm and approachable leadership style, Dr. Rainey is recognized for building strong relationships with students, staff, and families. The district highlighted his ability to foster a positive school culture and support student success, describing him as a trusted presence in the schools. As interim principal, the East St. Louis School District 189 said Dr. Rainey will continue to lead with "a focus on compassion, dedication, and academic excellence." East St. Louis School District 189 encouraged the community to welcome Dr.

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SPRINGFIELD – Fairgoers who stop by the Governor’s Tent during the 2025 Illinois State Fair can pick up a free pocket-size copy of the Declaration of Independence and learn how their community can join in the statewide celebration of America’s 250th anniversary next year. “The 250th anniversary is not just a celebration of our nation’s past. It's an opportunity to examine how we ended up where we are today and an invitation to consider the future we want to build,” said Gabrielle Lyon, chair of the Illinois America 250 Commission and executive director of Illinois Humanities. “We invite fairgoers to visit our booth in the Governor’s Tent to find out how they can be part of this historic milestone for our nation.” The Illinois America 250 Commission is encouraging communities, libraries, schools, historical societies, cultural institutions, and individuals of all ages to be part of efforts to develop an inclusive commemoration o

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SPRINGFIELD – Fairgoers who stop by the Governor’s Tent during the 2025 Illinois State Fair can pick up a free pocket-size copy of the Declaration of Independence and learn how their community can join in the statewide celebration of America’s 250th anniversary next year. “The 250th anniversary is not just a celebration of our nation’s past. It's an opportunity to examine how we ended up where we are today and an invitation to consider the future we want to build,” said Gabrielle Lyon, chair of the Illinois America 250 Commission and executive director of Illinois Humanities. “We invite fairgoers to visit our booth in the Governor’s Tent to find out how they can be part of this historic milestone for our nation.” The Illinois America 250 Commission is encouraging communities, libraries, schools, historical societies, cultural institutions, and individuals of all ages to be part of efforts to develop an inclusive commemoration o

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SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Acting Director James Jennings is announcing the Agency’s participation in the 2025 Illinois State Fair, with an educational exhibit themed “Together for Healthier Air!” The exhibit, located in Conservation World, will offer interactive games and educational information for young visitors, and adults will also find guidance on ozone, particle pollution, clean energy, air pollution action days, the Air Quality Index, wildfire smoke, and the Illinois EPA’s curriculum on energy. The exhibit will demonstrate how everyone can contribute to healthier air and learn why it is so important. “Each year, we have the opportunity to connect with Illinois residents of all ages by highlighting one of the many topics important to our environment, and this year we will focus on air quality,” said Acting Director Jennings. “We strive to provide educational information to children through games an

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SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Acting Director James Jennings is announcing the Agency’s participation in the 2025 Illinois State Fair, with an educational exhibit themed “Together for Healthier Air!” The exhibit, located in Conservation World, will offer interactive games and educational information for young visitors, and adults will also find guidance on ozone, particle pollution, clean energy, air pollution action days, the Air Quality Index, wildfire smoke, and the Illinois EPA’s curriculum on energy. The exhibit will demonstrate how everyone can contribute to healthier air and learn why it is so important. “Each year, we have the opportunity to connect with Illinois residents of all ages by highlighting one of the many topics important to our environment, and this year we will focus on air quality,” said Acting Director Jennings. “We strive to provide educational information to children through games an

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SPRINGFIELD – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today encouraged Illinois families to visit his office’s tent at 2025 Illinois State Fair, which is located on Grandstand Avenue and offers many free resources focused on enhancing public safety and protecting seniors from new and emerging cyber scams. “I encourage all families to visit the Attorney General’s tent to learn about the important services my office provides and how we work to protect residents throughout the year,” Raoul said. “Staff from the Attorney General’s office will be on hand to demonstrate our work to protect children online and to provide tips to avoid consumer fraud. Visitors to the tent can also learn more about the ways my office is working to address the impacts of violence and to defend the rights of all Illinoisans.” Children visiting the Attorney General’s tent can learn and have fun at the interactive photo station where Buddy and Browser, the animated online

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CAHOKIA HEIGHTS — The Cahokia Heights Police Department held its first National Night Out event this past week, aiming to strengthen community ties and promote neighborhood safety. The event took place recently in Cahokia Heights as part of a nationwide campaign designed to foster police-community partnerships. National Night Out is an annual initiative that encourages residents and law enforcement to come together to build safer, more caring neighborhoods. The Cahokia Heights Police Department expressed appreciation for the community’s participation and support during the event. In a statement, the Cahokia Heights Police Department said, “Your presence and support meant everything as we came together to build stronger community ties and celebrate unity.” They also affirmed their ongoing dedication and commitment to the city’s businesses and residents. The Cahokia Police Department also added, “It is a great day to be a Cahokia Heights

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ALTON - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the type of aircraft involved in the crash into a barge in the Mississippi River near the Melvin Price Lock and Dam as a Hughes 369D helicopter. Crystal Essiaw, a spokesperson for the FAA, said the time of the accident was 11:05 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, and also confirmed the aircraft did crash into a barge on the Mississippi River. The Hughes 369D is a light turbine helicopter that is a versatile aircraft and is described as one known for speed, maneuverability, and compact size. The FAA also confirmed again that two people were on board the aircraft at the time of the crash, and they died. "The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the incident, with the NTSB leading the inquiry and providing updates as they become available," the FAA said. The FAA described the information as preliminary and subject to change. The FAA plans to post a preliminary accident report, typically the next

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Did you know that cats have been companions to humans for nearly 9,000 years? Despite their long-standing presence in human society, cats have often lived in the shadows of their canine counterparts when it comes to public recognition. International Cat Day, however, shines a spotlight on these enigmatic creatures, celebrating their unique bond with humans and the important roles they play in our lives. But how did this day come to be, and why does it matter so much to cat lovers and animal advocates worldwide? The Origins of International Cat Day International Cat Day was established in 2002 by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), an organization dedicated to animal protection around the globe. The day was created to raise awareness about cats’ needs and to promote their welfare, both as beloved pets and as essential members of many ecosystems. While cats have been revered in various cultures throughout history—from the sacred felines of ancient Egypt to

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August 8th is a day marked by groundbreaking achievements, pivotal moments, and remarkable events spanning centuries and continents. In 1588, the English navy, under the command of Lord Charles Howard and Sir Francis Drake, defeated the Spanish Armada in a decisive naval battle that altered the balance of power in Europe. This victory was pivotal in establishing England as a dominant maritime force and limiting Spanish influence, shaping the geopolitical landscape of the time. Moving forward to the 20th century, August 8, 1945, was a day of intense and somber significance during World War II. The Soviet Union declared war on Japan, launching a massive offensive against Japanese forces in Manchuria. This action hastened Japan’s surrender and contributed to the end of the war, underscoring the complex dynamics of global conflict and diplomacy. On a different note, August 8, 1963, saw the establishment of the Great Train Robbery in the United Kingdom, a high-profile heist that

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O'FALLON, Ill. – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, with the Department of Justice (DOJ), Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin and New York Attorney General Letitia James, filed a proposed settlement today requiring broad divestitures to resolve the challenge to UnitedHealth Group Inc.’s (UnitedHealth) $3.3 billion acquisition of Amedisys Inc. Among those divestitures is an Amedisys home health location in O’Fallon, Illinois. “This divestiture will help preserve health care service competition in the area, which is essential to preserving access, quality and affordability in home health care services for the most vulnerable patients,” Raoul said. “This collaboration with the Department of Justice and my fellow attorneys general allows us to ensure a competitive labor market for local nurses and health care professionals and to protect older residents and those managing chronic conditions.” The propose

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