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EAST ST. LOUIS — A former executive of the Bank of O’Fallon was sentenced to more than five years in federal prison after pleading guilty to charges related to a $2 million check kiting fraud scheme, the U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft announced on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. Andrew P. Blassie, 70, of St. Louis, was sentenced to 63 months in prison and ordered to pay $2,461,887.67 in restitution following his admission to one count of bank fraud and one count of interstate transportation of funds obtained by fraud. The sentencing took place in federal court in East St. Louis. Blassie, who served as the Executive Vice President at the Bank of O’Fallon, engaged in a scheme from September 2023 through September 2024 to inflate his personal checking account balance by depositing checks he knew were backed by non-sufficient funds, the U.S. Attorney said. The checks originated from four personal accounts at three banks and one credit union, according to the indictment. Duri

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MADISON COUNTY — Madison County Coroner Nicholas P. Novacich has identified a 20-year-old man from St. Charles, Mo., whose body was found in the Mississippi River near the Interstate 270 and Chain of Rocks Bridge construction site. Brendon L. Krill was discovered Monday morning, Aug. 11, 2025, by construction workers. Positive identification was confirmed through DNA testing, the coroner’s office said on Sept. 17. Krill had been reported missing after last being seen on June 14, 2025, on Island 522 along the Mississippi River, according to a Missouri Highway Patrol missing person alert. He was described as 6 feet 6 inches tall, weighing 195 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. The alert noted a tattoo of the word “Relentless” on his left arm and that he was last seen wearing pink and green flamingo swim trunks. The final cause of death has not yet been determined, pending the results of a forensic autopsy and toxicology testing. Authorities from the Madison

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ALTON - The 19th annual Mississippi Earthtones Festival invites community members to enjoy a day of conservation, art, music and more on the riverfront. From 12–10 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, at the Alton Amphitheater, the festival will celebrate the Mississippi River with artist booths, live music, vendors and additional fun. The event, hosted by Alton Main Street, the Sierra Club and Jacoby Arts Center, encourages people to come out and show their appreciation for the river. “We’re very committed to keeping this a free, family-friendly event for our community to celebrate the river,” said Sara McGibany. “We have 121 booths and exhibits this year, and we are just really excited to bring everybody down to the riverfront on Saturday.” McGibany and Christine Favilla noted that the festival has family-friendly activities until 6 p.m. Kids can complete 23 activities and fill out a passport for the chance to win a gift card to Funky Planet

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ST. LOUIS – Today, Mayor Cara Spencer is proud to join Gov. Mike Kehoe in announcing that FEMA has approved additional assistance to support clearing debris from private properties in St. Louis following the May 16 tornado. For this mission, FEMA will provide an initial lump sum, in addition to the $100 million that the Missouri General Assembly has provided to the City of St. Louis for disaster relief, with FEMA covering 75% of eligible debris removal costs. The State of Missouri and the City of St. Louis will lead the private property debris removal efforts, with the State procuring a contractor to complete the work and the City obtaining right of entry from property owners before debris can be removed from private property. FEMA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will support with on-the-ground technical assistance, oversight and best practices. “This is a big win for St. Louis and will help us quickly and effectively help St. Louisans get uninhabitable buildings

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TYSONS, VA – Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined policymakers, researchers, industry executives, investors, and academics for the 2025 Quantum World Congress, a global exposition bringing together the world’s quantum leaders to set the agenda for the newest era in technological exploration and experimentation. The Governor offered keynote remarks, speaking to the state’s unprecedented efforts to build out quantum infrastructure in Illinois—the future quantum capital of the world. “The Quantum World Congress is an opportunity for the brightest minds in the field to chart the course toward realizing an exciting vision for our quantum future,” said Governor JB Pritzker . “Quantum has the potential to help solve humanity’s greatest challenges, create billions of dollars in economic value, and fundamentally change the future of society. Innovation at this pace and scale will require a truly global effort, and events like the Quantum World

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GRANITE CITY – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that repairs on eastbound Interstate 270 between Illinois 3 and Riverview Drive in Missouri will require lane closures starting, weather permitting, at 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19. One lane will remain open. All lanes are expected to reopen by 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this lane 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. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on the social media platform X at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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ST. LOUIS – Plaza West Tower, the new 16-story patient care tower at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, will welcome patients beginning in October. The tower will provide private rooms for heart and vascular patients, advanced imaging, and the latest in surgical preparation and recovery. Plaza West Tower is designed to enhance the experience for patients and their families under the expert care of WashU Medicine physicians and BJC HealthCare clinical teams. As a major referral center in the Midwest, and the fifth largest hospital in the country, Barnes-Jewish Hospital provides advanced care for patients with complex conditions, making facilities like the Plaza West Tower vital. Internationally recognized WashU Medicine physicians lead this effort, driving innovation through clinical expertise, pioneering new therapies and advancing research that shapes the future of care. Together BJH and WashU also play a significant role in training the next generation of health care professionals.

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ALTON — The USS LST-325, a World War II-era landing ship turned floating museum, will be docked at the port of Alton from Sept. 18 to 22, 2025, offering daily tours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Commissioned in 1943, the USS LST-325 played a significant role in the European theater of World War II, participating in key invasions including Sicily and Normandy. Designed to carry tanks, vehicles, and troops directly onto hostile beaches during assaults, the vessel was vital to the success of Allied operations despite its modest top speed of about 11 miles per hour. Often referred to as the "last ship there" or "large slow target," the LST-325’s importance lay in its ability to deliver essential equipment and personnel during amphibious assaults rather than speed. Visitors to the ship can purchase tours for $20 per adult and $10 for children aged 6 to 17. Children 5 and under may tour for free. The museum aims to educate the public about the ship’s service not only in World

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CHICAGO - This week, Governor JB Pritzker joined a coalition of 17 other state governors, issuing a joint letter urging House Speaker Mike Johnson, Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Leader John Thune, and Leader Chuck Schumer to extend the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits (ePTCs). With the tax credits set to expire at the end of the year and insurers already beginning to set 2026 rates, this united front of state leaders represents an effort to lock in lower premiums for working families. Without Congressional action, the effects of premium surges will be felt nationwide for years. “For many hardworking families across Illinois, these tax credits keep affordable healthcare within reach,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Families shouldn’t have to choose between having healthcare and putting food on the table. Republicans in Congress had no issue cutting taxes for billionaires, so they should have no issue extending tax relief for their own constituents

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – As Donald Trump continues threatening to deploy the National Guard into Chicago, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) in introducing legislation to enhance oversight and accountability of the President’s domestic deployment of the National Guard. The Safeguarding the Use of the National Guard (SUN) Act would require the President to submit a comprehensive report to Congress within 15 days of deploying the National Guard for civilian law enforcement support, except in the case of a natural disaster. “Donald Trump seems determined to deploy our military to police American cities with absolutely zero regard for the lasting impact this will have on readiness, public trust and our national security,” said Duckworth. “Our servicemembers did not sign up to intimidate and police their fellow Americans across the country, and Congress has a responsibility

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CAHOKIA HEIGHTS - Cahokia Heights Police Department announced promotions for three officers this week, marking the first departmental advancements in more than two years. Chief Thomas L. Trice promoted Sgt. Derek Ruberstell to Master Sergeant, recognizing his nearly three decades of service with the agency, including previous experience as a Cahokia Police Sergeant. Master Sgt. Ruberstell will take on the role of department policy expert and oversee several administrative duties aimed at advancing the department’s mission. Additionally, Officer Jonathan Williams and Officer William Catanzaro were promoted to detective and assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division. Both officers have more than 10 years of law enforcement experience and have been commended for their performance as patrol officers. Their new roles are expected to strengthen the department’s investigative capabilities. “Join me in celebrating all of these dedicated officers who bring it every

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JERSEYVILLE – The Jerseyville City Council passed a series of several items on Tuesday related to this year’s Downtown Country Christmas Festival, set for Nov. 29 to Dec. 31, 2025. The following items were unanimously approved: A $7,000 tourism grant submitted by Downtown Country Christmas Festival Inc. for marketing of the 2025 festival events. Approval of the usage of City Center Plaza on Saturday, Nov. 29 from 4 a.m. to 12 p.m. for the festival. A motion to waive the rental fee for Downtown Country Christmas Festival Inc. to use City Center Plaza. The approval of certain road closures during the festival: Jefferson Street from East Arch to East Pearl Street; Pearl Street from State Street to Jefferson Street; alley connecting East Pearl and East Arch Street; each to be closed from 12 to 6 p.m. during the festival. The south end of the alley connecting East Spruce and East Pearl Streets, as well as city parking lots C and D, will also be closed from

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BELLEVILLE - The Belleville Daughters of the American Revolution rang bells outside of the Belleville Courthouse to commemorate Constitution Day. At 4 p.m. EST on Sept. 17, 2025, across the country, DAR chapters rang bells and held signs encouraging people to celebrate the U.S. Constitution. In Belleville, DAR Constitution Week Chairperson Becky Juelfs was eager to join her sisters. “Just knowing that it was a national moment that others were participating in was very special,” she said. Juelfs and the DAR regent Debbie Belter read speeches and welcomed DAR members to the bell-ringing ceremony. A few members made signs so passing cars knew they were commemorating Constitution Day. Anita Gajewski, who serves as the principal at Legacy Christian Academy in Fairview Heights, brought her class to the bell-ringing. The kids answered questions about the Constitution and its amendments. “The kids were well-prepared,” Juelfs said. “They knew a lot of

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EAST ST. LOUIS — A double stabbing early Thursday morning, Sept. 18, 2025, in East St. Louis left one man dead and another injured, authorities said. The incident occurred around 3:15 a.m. Thursday inside a vacant building at the Orr-Weathers Apartment Complex, located at Missouri Avenue and North 14th Street, according to East St. Louis Police. East St. Louis Police said the stabbing involved two men. Officers responding to the scene found one man stabbed across the street from the vacant building. He was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Police later located a second man inside the vacant building, possibly on the eighth floor, who had also been stabbed. That man was pronounced dead at the scene. The circumstances surrounding the stabbings remain under investigation.

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GODFREY – An attempt to override Godfrey Mayor Mike McCormick’s veto of a village-wide 1% grocery tax was ultimately unsuccessful on Tuesday night after much discussion and debate. An item to reconsider the mayor’s veto of the grocery tax received a 3-3 vote, which fell short of the two-thirds supermajority needed for it to pass. Voting to uphold the veto were Trustees Karen MacAtee, Sarah Woodman, and Gerard Fischer, while Trustees Rick Lauschke, Mike Fisher, and Craig Lombardi voted to override the mayor’s veto. Godfrey differs from most local communities which have voted to implement locally collected 1% sales taxes on groceries to offset major revenue losses once a state-level grocery tax expires in 2026. Instead, trustees voted in July to approve a 0.75% general sales tax increase in an effort to more fairly split the tax burden between village residents and visitors. Village Board members then voted on Sept. 2, 2025 to pass a 1% grocery tax

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ALTON - The Alton Area Landmarks Association will host their 53rd annual Historic Building Tour, allowing community members to tour historic homes in Alton. From 12–5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, you can tour over 20 homes in Alton, from the McPike Mansion to Pfeiffenberger houses. This self-guided tour takes you through the historic district and allows you to visit the homes and learn from their owners. “The house tours are a way of getting people into Alton and getting into the streets and neighborhoods that maybe they haven’t been on before to see historic homes,” explained Terry with the Alton Area Landmarks Association. “One of the basic tenets is that the way to save houses in Alton is to get people to come and buy them and move here and live here. So that’s the big push of the house tours, to get people to come and enjoy the house tour.” Tickets to the Historic Building Tour cost $10 for AALA members and $15 for the general

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Did you know that the average office worker spends up to 6 weeks a year just searching for misplaced items? This staggering statistic highlights a hidden drain on workplace efficiency that many overlook. Beyond the obvious distractions, the physical environment where you work plays a crucial role in shaping your productivity levels. An organized workspace isn’t just about aesthetics—it directly impacts focus, stress levels, and the quality of output. The Psychology Behind an Organized Workspace Our brains are wired to respond to order and clarity. Cluttered environments often lead to cognitive overload, where the brain struggles to filter out irrelevant stimuli. This overload can reduce attention span, increase stress hormones, and impair decision-making abilities. Studies in environmental psychology show that workers in tidy, well-organized spaces tend to complete tasks faster and with fewer errors. One illustrative example comes from a study conducted at Princeton University

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September 18 has witnessed a remarkable array of events throughout history, spanning continents, cultures, and fields of human endeavor. Let's journey through time and explore some of the most impactful events that occurred on September 18. One of the most globally significant events on September 18 occurred in 1931, when the Mukden Incident ignited the conflict that would lead to the Japanese invasion of Manchuria, marking a critical escalation in the lead-up to World War II. On this day, Japanese military personnel staged an explosion on a railway line near Mukden (now Shenyang, China), which they falsely blamed on Chinese dissidents. This pretext allowed Japan to launch a full-scale invasion of Manchuria, establishing the puppet state of Manchukuo and setting the stage for broader hostilities in East Asia. The international response was complex and contributed to tensions that would later engulf the world in war. Moving back in time, on September 18, 1793, the cornerstone of th

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GRANITE CITY – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that repairs on eastbound Interstate 270 between Illinois 3 and Riverview Drive in Missouri will require lane closures starting, weather permitting, at 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19. One lane will remain open. All lanes are expected to reopen by 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this lane 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. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on the social media platform X at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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EDWARDSVILLE - During their regular meeting on Sept. 17, 2025, the Madison County Board voted 17–6 to have a day of remembrance in honor of Charlie Kirk. The resolution, brought forth by Dalton Gray and the Executive Committee, named Kirk as “one of the nation’s strongest defenders of freedom of speech” and “a martyr for the cause of faith, freedom and free speech.” In Madison County, Oct. 14, 2025 — Kirk’s 32nd birthday — will be recognized as a day of remembrance. Several public comments and comments from Board members addressed the resolution before the vote. As the public comment portion concluded, Chairman Chris Slusser thanked all speakers for their time. “Charlie Kirk would have wanted everyone to get a chance to speak tonight whether he agreed with them or not, so we let everyone speak,” Slusser said. During the public comment portion of the meeting, six speakers spoke against the day of remembrance

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