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GLEN CARBON - As temperatures rise and air conditioning use increases, Illinois families are facing yet another financial blow: higher electricity bills. At a time when households are already grappling with inflation, the latest rate increases couldn’t come at a worse time. While recent grid auctions may be the trigger, the real issue lies in flawed energy policies and bureaucratic delays that are now catching up with us. In March 2025, Ameren Illinois received updated electric rate results from the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), the regional grid operator for southern Illinois. These revealed a staggering spike in capacity auction prices from just $30 per megawatt to an unprecedented $666. As a result, electricity rates will increase for many customers beginning June 1. This sharp rise is not due to utility mismanagement, but rather a broader policy failure that has left our grid under-resourced and our state unprepared. These rate hikes are not inevitable.

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ALTON - Alton’s Parks and Recreation Department will host a day camp for eight weeks this summer. Students entering first through fifth grade are eligible to enroll in the summer camp. There are eight weeks of camp, from June 2 to July 25, 2025, and families can enroll their child by week for $130 per week. “It’s just to give another, cheaper opportunity for parents to send their kids to a fun summer camp, especially the ones that love outdoors and being at the park,” explained Lyndsey Younger, Parks and Recreation Director. “We have a lot of fun activities planned for them.” The day camp runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. For $15 a week, parents can also take advantage of a before-care option from 7:30–9 a.m., or they can pay $20 for after-care until 5 p.m. The day camp takes place at Gordon Moore Park and the Muenstermann Building. Daily activities include time on the playground, games, crafts, science experiments,

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JACKSONVILLE - Jersey's Dax Goetten qualified for the state boys tennis tournament in singles, while the doubles team of Jaxon Brunaugh and Issac Wargo went through in doubles as the Panthers won the IHSA Class 1A sectional tournament over the weekend at Jacksonville High. The Jersey tennis boys are Sparklight Male Athletes of the Month. The Panthers won with 25 points, with Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin Catholic coming in second with 21 points, Quincy Notre Dame Catholic was third at 20 points, the host Crimsons were fourth at 16 points, Marquette Catholic finished fifth with eight points, and had no state qualifiers, Hillsboro was sixth with six points, Bunker Hill came in seventh with four points, Rochester was eighth with two points, and Lincoln failed to score, and finished in ninth place. The semifinalists in both singles and doubles qualified for state, and Goetten won his quarterfinal match over Adam Smith of QND to qualify for state 6-1, 6-1, In the semifinal, Goetten

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GRANITE CITY - Granite City High School senior Elijah Kolb was honored May 13, 2025, by the GCSD9 Board of Education and Administration as the 2024-25 Scholar-Athlete of the Year, recognizing his achievements in both academics and athletics. Kolb, a two-sport athlete excelling in football and wrestling, recorded seven tackles in a game against Quincy Notre Dame on Oct. 14, 2024. He has earned multiple athletic honors, including the two-time All-Warrior Award and the Kevin Greene Award, and has garnered eight varsity letters across football, wrestling, track, and Scholar Bowl. Kolb is a Stillwater Senior Living Male Athlete of the Month. Academically, Kolb has maintained high honors throughout his high school career and received distinctions such as the Illinois State Scholar and Academic Honors from the College Board. He plans to attend Montana State University this fall to pursue a degree in microbiology on a pre-med track. “I am very grateful and thankful to be nominated

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ALTON – An Alton man deemed a “violent offender against youth” faces his second domestic battery charge and more after allegedly battering someone in public. John T. Anthony, 41, of Alton, was charged on May 23, 2025 with aggravated battery, failure to report annually (both Class 3 felonies), and his second offense of domestic battery (a Class 4 felony). On April 27, 2025, Anthony reportedly struck a family or household member about the face and torso with his fists while in a public place, the parking lot of Quick Stop in Alton. As a “violent offender against youth,” Anthony was also charged with failing to report and provide his current address to the Alton Chief of Police on an annual basis as legally required. A petition to deny his pretrial release states Anthony had outstanding warrants from two previous criminal cases. In one case, he had been charged with aggravated domestic battery and unlawful restraint involving the same victim from this

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GLEN CARBON – Glen Carbon joins a growing list of local communities imposing their own sales taxes on groceries to offset major revenue loss before the state grocery tax expires on Jan. 1, 2026. As Finance Director Kelly Korte explained at Tuesday’s Village Board meeting, the state-imposed 1% sales tax on groceries has historically gone directly to local municipalities. Korte estimated this grocery tax generates approximately $1 million for Glen Carbon, representing a significant revenue loss if the village allowed the tax to expire. Illinois legislators have left the decision to local communities to either impose their own sales taxes on groceries and grocery “services” at the local level or accept the loss in sales tax revenue from the state. Korte said the village’s Finance Committee previously recommended the village continue collecting the grocery tax. Mayor Bob Marcus asked Korte to confirm that this is not a “new tax,” which Korte

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ALTON - Local artists are encouraged to create art for the Riverbend’s first “Mississippi Riverscapes: The 2025 Plein Air Art Competition.” Jacoby Arts Center and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will sponsor the competition. From June 1–22, 2025, community members can go to eight designated spots along the Mississippi River to paint or draw the landscape. “Artists work in a lot of different ways, but the idea is to go out and enjoy these locations and then have artists communicate that to the community, how beautiful these areas are that are maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,” explained Rachel Lappin with Jacoby. “This is for everybody. Whatever you go out and paint, just submit it and have fun.” A plein air art competition challenges artists to create art on location. Lappin and Elise Ratcliff, who works with the Corps of Engineers, encourage community members to bring their supplies to the eight spots and document

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BETHALTO - Civic Memorial High School is sending a boys' tennis player to the Illinois state tournament for the first time in a decade. Senior Ryne Breyer, a four-year member of the Civic Memorial tennis team, earned his spot among the state’s top competitors and will compete today. Breyer is a Tom Lane State Farm Insurance Male Athlete of the Month for CM. Breyer’s dedication to the sport has been evident throughout his high school career. Beyond his athletic achievements, he has distinguished himself academically as an Illinois State Scholar and a Silver Medallion recipient. His commitment to both academics and athletics has been recognized by coaches and peers alike. In addition to competing at the state tournament, Breyer plans to continue his tennis career this fall at Illinois College. Breyer's success marks a significant milestone for the Civic Memorial tennis program and serves as an inspiration for future athletes at the school.

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ST. LOUIS, MO – The American Red Cross has opened a shelter at Ferguson Nazarene Church, 1309 Elizabeth, Ferguson, MO. Individuals staying at the 12th and Park Recreation Center location were taken by bus to the new shelter in Ferguson. 12th and Park Recreation Center is now returning its facility to its normal operations and programs. Current shelter locations are as follows: Ferguson Nazarene Church, 1309 Elizabeth, Ferguson, MO Refresh Community Church, 829 N. Hanley Rd., St. Louis, MO 63130 Friendly Temple Outreach Center, 6356 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, St. Louis, MO 63133 Peter and Paul Community Services (Garfield Building) 2612 Wyoming, St. Louis MO 63118 No ID or proof of residency is required. Red Cross services are free and available to all. Download the free Red Cross Emergency app for real-time alerts, open shelter locations and expert advice in both English and Spanish. Financial Assistance Available: The American Red

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ALTON - The Alton River Dragons will auction limited-edition jerseys during their June 4, 2025, 6:35 p.m. home opener game against the Quincy Dog Paddlers at Gordon Moore Park to support the Alton Fire Department and the Alton Police Department’s K-9 Division. All proceeds from the auction will be donated directly to these two local organizations. The event, set to take place in Alton, encourages fans and community members to arrive early for a special announcement honoring an individual important to the community and first responders. The Alton River Dragons hope the event will raise awareness and provide financial support to the city’s emergency services. https://tickets.altonbaseball.ticketsocket.com/events Alton IL Fire Department Alton Police Department

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SWANSEA — The Swansea Police Department took part in the annual Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 26, 2025, honoring veterans and remembering those who have fallen in service to the nation. The Swansea Police Department showcased its Honor Guard, Bicycle Unit, and newly formed ATV Unit during the event. In a statement, the department expressed gratitude to all veterans, emphasizing the significance of the day. “We were honored to showcase our Honor Guard, Bicycle Unit, and our newly formed ATV Unit. It’s always a privilege to take part in this meaningful community event,” the Swansea Police Department said. The parade serves as an opportunity for the community and local officials to pay tribute to the sacrifices made by military members. The department’s participation highlighted its commitment to honoring and remembering those who served.

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EAST ST. LOUIS — Kenneth Watts, a Truancy Officer with East St. Louis School District 189, is retiring after 17 years of dedicated service, the district announced Tuesday, May 27, 2025. Watts has spent nearly two decades working to remove barriers to student attendance and ensure access to education for all students in the district. His role involved making home visits, collaborating with families, and encouraging students to maintain their academic progress. Throughout his tenure, Watts focused on building relationships and providing support while also holding students accountable, a combination district officials say has had a lasting impact on the school community. “Mr. Watts led with compassion and consistency,” the district said in a statement. “His presence will truly be missed across the district.” East St. Louis School District 189 expressed gratitude for Watts’ commitment and the legacy he leaves behind after nearly two decades o

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SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is monitoring a black bear sighting in southwestern Illinois, with the animal first observed Monday, May 26, 2025, in St. Clair County and confirmed by an IDNR wildlife biologist Tuesday, May 27, 2025. The bear has been seen multiple times in the same area and has caused damage to some private property bee hives, though it has had no direct interaction with humans. While black bear sightings in Illinois are rare, the IDNR notes they are not unprecedented during summer months. Bears from neighboring states with established populations, including Missouri and Wisconsin, occasionally move into Illinois. Previous confirmed sightings have occurred in counties such as Jo Daviess, Lake, Saline, Pope, Williamson, and Jackson. The IDNR advises residents to avoid direct encounters with bears and to remove potential food sources that could attract them. Bears have a strong sense of smell and can detect food odors

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JERSEYVILLE – Jerseyville is the latest Riverbend community to keep a sales tax on groceries in place after the state’s own grocery tax is set to expire in 2026. 100% of the proceeds from the state’s 1% sales tax on groceries have gone directly to local municipalities since the state first imposed them in 1990. Faced with significant revenue loss, municipalities were given the option to pass their own ordinances imposing 1% sales taxes on groceries and grocery “services” within their communities. Jerseyville officials first considered retaining the 1% grocery tax at the city level in April of 2025. According to a breakdown of city revenues contained within Jerseyville’s Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan , sales tax accounted for nearly 60% of intergovernmental revenues in 2024, amounting to over $3.5 million. While the 1% grocery tax retention wouldn’t raise prices any further for consumers, it also wouldn’t lower them, effectively

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ALTON - The Alton Community Unit School District #11 Board of Education voted unanimously to create a Community Engagement Coalition. This coalition will engage 20–25 community members to gather feedback about the school district, student performance, safety and security, and school climate. Superintendent Elaine Kane explained that the district has outlined a strategic plan by working with staff members, students and the Board of Education, and now they want to hear from the larger community. “We really now are ready to open up and involve our community stakeholders,” she said. “We’re looking for people who are interested and invested in the schools who want to be part of the process of helping us to make really good decisions that are in the best interests of the broader community.” Kane said there will be two “layers” to this community engagement, starting with the formation of a group that will operate similarly to a steering

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GRANITE CITY - Becky Hansel is appealing to the public for support as her 16-year-old niece, Trinity Waelterman, of Granite City, battles stage 4 alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, an aggressive form of cancer that has spread throughout her body. The family is facing significant physical, emotional, and financial challenges amid Trinity’s ongoing treatment. Trinity’s cancer originated in her soft tissue and has metastasized to multiple areas including her legs, arms, shoulders, neck, spine, pancreas, and lungs. The survival rate for this type of cancer is approximately 7%, underscoring the severity of her condition. The treatment plan involves a 46-week chemotherapy regimen. The first week of each cycle includes three different chemotherapy drugs administered to aggressively target the cancer. Weeks two and three each involve a single chemotherapy drug to allow Trinity’s body to recover. This cycle repeats every four weeks, continuing for the full 46 weeks. Terry Waelterman,

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EDWARDSVILLE – The Edwardsville Police announced it issued 35 citations during the Memorial Day “Click It or Ticket” enforcement period. “Through the Memorial Day enforcement campaign, we helped make Illinois roads safer and spread the word that seat belts save lives,” said Lt. Matt Senci. During the enforcement period, Edwardsville Police wrote 19 citations for seat belt violations and wrote 16 citations for other violations. The “Click It or Ticket” campaign is funded with federal highway safety funds administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation. For more information on safe driving practices, visit ItsNotaGameIllinois.com .

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ST. LOUIS - In addition to other services, the American Red Cross is now providing financial assistance to qualifying individuals whose homes were impacted by the May 16th tornadoes. To qualify, an individual’s home must have been classified by Red Cross as having sustained major damage or was completely destroyed. Red Cross teams have been assessing damage to homes across the Greater St. Louis area to make these determinations. Everyone whose home was damaged is asked to go to www.redcross.org/gethelp to review the information about qualifications and to fill out the online form. For those who qualify to receive assistance, Red Cross will send personalized text messages and emails or call with instructions on how to access financial assistance. To receive the assistance, individuals must respond to the text, email or phone call. For questions regarding this process, call 1-800-Red-Cross. Numerous additional Red Cross services are available to those impacted by the tornado

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ST. LOUIS - The American Red Cross has opened an additional shelter located at Peter & Paul Community Services: Garfield Building , 2612 Wyoming St., St Louis, MO 63118. Four shelters are open: Shelters were opened within a few hours of the tornado hitting. The number of individuals seeking a place to stay in the shelters has grown to more than 200 individuals. Shelters are located at the following sites and all have availability: Peter & Paul Community Services: Garfield Building, 2612 Wyoming St. St Louis, MO 63118. 12th & Park Recreation Center, 1410 S. Tucker Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63104 Refresh Community Church, 829 N. Hanley Rd., St. Louis, MO 63130 Friendly Temple Outreach Center, 6356 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, St. Louis, MO 63133 Individuals displaced by the tornado are encouraged to come to the shelters for water, meals, snacks and a safe place to stay overnight. Trained Red Cross volunteers are available to offer disaster mental health and health car

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ST. LOUIS - Today, St. Louis City's Board of Aldermen will introduce two bills to support residents who were displaced or whose homes were severely damaged by recent storms. The scope of an existing ordinance, which established the City’s Impacted Tenants Fund in 2024, will be expanded to include tenants displaced by natural disasters. The original legislation made funds available to tenants forced to relocate due to condemnation for occupancy as a result of landlords’ failure to comply with code requirements. The Impacted Tenants Fund was initially funded with $100,000.00 in American Rescue Plan Act funds and financed annually using a portion of the fines collected for municipal building code violations. “We passed the original bill knowing that displacement causes profound hardship for individuals and families. Recognizing that the recovery and rebuilding process will extend over months and years, it is essential for the City to proactively support tenants in

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