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BRIGHTON - Lillian Cambron is seeking community support for the family of Eric Ottwell, who died in a motorcycle accident on the night of his birthday. She said Ottwell, a disabled veteran and father of two, was known for his strong character and dedication to his children. Riding a motorcycle was an activity Eric greatly enjoyed, Cambron said. He is survived by his two children, Noel and Eric Jr., both graduates of Southwestern High School. Noel is set to begin studies in the nursing program at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville this fall. Cambron described Ottwell as a devoted father and a loyal friend who frequently went out of his way to help others. "In light of this tragedy, I encourage donations to assist Ottwell’s children during this difficult time," she said. Contributions can be made through a GoFundMe page set up to support the family. PLEASE donate to help this family in a time of need: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-erics-kids-after-tragic-loss

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ALTON – Alderwoman Martha Pfister is proposing an ordinance to close all bars in Alton at 1 a.m. after late night liquor licenses were revoked for two downtown bars . The late night liquor licenses for Pour Decisions and Hiram’s Bar previously allowed the businesses to sell alcohol as late as 2 a.m. on weekdays and 3 a.m. on weekends. Business owners associated with both establishments have indicated these were some of their most profitable hours. Before the late night license for Pour Decisions was revoked, co-owner Brian Trust accused the city of unfairly targeting his business over loitering and other issues that have persisted throughout downtown even before the bar opened. He suggested the city either allow Pour Decisions to keep its license or shut down all bars at 1 a.m., leading to the launch of his Stand Up Alton movement. After meeting with Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford about the topic earlier this summer, Pfister is now introducing an ordinance to close

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ALTON - The Board of Directors of the Oasis Women’s Center has named Marcy Jacobs as Interim Executive Director after the sudden passing of longtime Executive Director Margarette Trushel. Jacobs, who retired from Oasis Women’s Center in 2024 after thirty-five years serving as Client Services Coordinator, graciously stepped back into her leadership role at the center, providing stability and familiarity during an uncertain time. “The Board is extremely grateful to Marcy for returning to Oasis to serve as the Interim Executive Director,” says Board of Directors President, Mary Cordes. “Marcy has the experience, compassion, and dedication which we need at the helm after Margarette’s death.” “To say that the staff at Oasis are the best is an understatement,” says Cordes. “Margarette served our community for forty years in her role as Executive Director. Her dedication to serving and advocating for victims of domestic violence

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GRAFTON - Grafton’s inaugural Spanky Fest encourages everyone to come out and enjoy an evening of live music, raffles, a silent auction and more fun in honor of Police Chief Eric “Spanky” Spanton. From 5–11 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at the Grafton Pub, the community is invited to celebrate Spanky’s birthday by donning their best Hawaiian shirts and spending the evening with the community. All proceeds from the raffle and auction will go back to the Grafton Police Department. Christine Spanton, who helped organize the event, expressed her appreciation for the community’s support following Spanky’s passing. “We want to honor his birthday in a way he would want, and that is to support the Grafton Police Department,” Christine said. “The community, Grafton and all of Jersey County, has been so supportive.” Outlaw Opry will play from 7–11 p.m. Grafton Pub will offer drink specials and their full menu wil

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ALTON - Alton resident Gary Chronister is seeking financial assistance as he battles advanced liver cirrhosis, a condition he attributes to untreated hepatitis C contracted during his incarceration in the Missouri prison system. Now living at home and reliant on Social Security, Chronister faces mounting medical expenses and basic living costs that exceed his income. “I’m on Social Security now, but it’s not enough. My monthly check doesn’t cover the basics — mortgage, water, electricity — let alone medical costs,” he said in a personal statement. He describes daily pain and exhaustion as he confronts the progression of his liver disease. Chronister has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover housing and medical expenses during this critical health crisis. In his appeal, he emphasized the importance of dignity and stability as he fights for his life. “I’m not asking for much — just a chance to stay in my home, keep

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EDWARDSVILLE - Thijson Heard, a senior for the Metro-East Lutheran baseball team, returns to the club for his final year, coming off a successful basketball season for the Knights, advancing to their first Sweet Sixteen bid in Class 1A before losing the sectional final to Greenfield Northwestern at White Hall North Greene. Heard hit .410 in the 2025 baseball season for the Knights and had 25 hits, 21 RBI, eight doubles, two home runs, and posted a 1.60 ERA on the mound with 42 strikeouts. Heard joined the team after the Knights' successful basketball season ended, where he was one of the stars of the team. Heard is a BJ's Printables Male Athlete of the Month for the Knights for his baseball efforts this past spring. "I'm excited to pitch," Heard said during the baseball season, expressing a love of the game both on the mound and at the plate. "I just wanted to have fun in the season, and just compete." Heard said his success on the basketball court this past winter motivated him

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ALTON — Alton Main Street, the Sierra Club Illinois’ Three Rivers Project, and Jacoby Arts Center are excited to announce the return of the Mississippi Earthtones Festival, taking place at the Alton Amphitheater on Saturday, September 20th, from noon to 10:00 p.m. This beloved event draws approximately 5,000 community members and visitors to Downtown Alton to celebrate the river through art, music, and conservation efforts. Throughout the day, live performances will fill the air, featuring local musicians and entertainers. Visitors can explore nature-inspired, handcrafted, and eco-friendly wares from local artists. Jacoby Arts Center has curated an engaging lineup of performances and interactive art experiences, and commissioned installations will transform the festival grounds. Booth space is fully booked, hosting over 25 environmental education exhibits, more than 70 eco-conscious artists and makers, and 12 culinary vendors, all dedicated to celebrating our river and

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CHICAGO – The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) are urging residents to use caution when outdoors because of unhealthy air quality. According to the national Air Quality Index (AQI), air quality values for particulate matter, also known as particle pollution, in multiple Illinois Sectors are higher than anticipated due to impacts from Canadian wildfire smoke, triggering a Red Air Pollution Action Day. The Red Air Pollution Action Day applies to the following Illinois counties: Jo Daviess, Stephenson, Carroll, Whiteside, Rock Island, Mercer, Henry, Bureau, Putnam, Henderson, Warren, Hancock, McDonough, Knox, Stark, Marshall, Peoria, Woodford, Fulton, Tazewell, Winnebago, Boone, Ogle, De Kalb, Lee, La Salle, McHenry, Lake, Kane, DuPage, Cook, Kendall, Will, and Grundy. Additionally, Illinois is downgrading air quality forecasts for Bloomington and Normal (McLean County) from Moderate (Yellow) to Unhealthy

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GRANITE CITY – Domestic battery cases filed against two Granite City residents include a woman accused of battering a pregnant victim and a man charged with attacking an elderly family member. Iraesha J. Oliver, 28, of Granite City, was charged on July 22, 2025 with one count each of aggravated battery (a Class 3 felony) and battery (a Class A misdemeanor). On July 21, 2025, Oliver allegedly caused bodily harm to the victim, who was pregnant at the time of the offense, by striking them about the head with her hands and grabbing the victim’s hair. Oliver’s case was presented by the Granite City Police Department. She was granted pretrial release from custody with additional conditions. Under the conditions of her release, Oliver is ordered to have no contact with and remain at least 500 feet away from the victim in this case at all times. She was also ordered to refrain from entering or remaining at the victim’s residence and cannot possess any firearms while

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TROY — The Troy Police Department announced a full closure of approximately 300 feet of Country Lane in Troy from Thursday, July 31, through Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025, for necessary reconstruction work aimed at improving roadway safety. The closure will affect the section of Country Lane east of Troy Road. Residents and motorists are advised to use a detour route by continuing east on Country Lane to Baurer Road, then heading north on Baurer Road to access Highway 40. “We kindly request the understanding of all residents and motorists during this time,” the Troy Police said in a statement. “The work is essential for improving roadway safety and keeping disturbances to the shortest duration possible.” During the construction period, residents within the closure may experience temporary loss of driveway access. The department noted there will be a drop in elevation greater than one foot as the new pavement is reconstructed. Drivers are urged to exercise patience

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a public health alert Monday for ham salad products containing recalled breadcrumb items that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The alert covers “RESER’S FINE FOODS Ham Salad” in 12-ounce tubs with a sell-by date of Sept. 1, 2025, and “Molly’s Kitchen Ham Salad” in 5-pound tubs with a sell-by date of Aug. 31, 2025. The recall stems from Reser’s Fine Foods, Inc., a Topeka, Kansas-based establishment, which found that it used FDA-regulated breadcrumb products subject to a recall by Newly Weds Foods due to potential Listeria contamination. FSIS is warning consumers that these products, which bear the USDA mark of inspection, should not be consumed. Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can cause listeriosis, a serious infection primarily affecting older adults, pregnant women and their newborns, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

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ALTON - A local band has released their second EP to rave reviews. Rock Crown, a rock band based out of Alton, recently released the EP “Better Late,” available on all streaming platforms as well as local stores Mojo’s Music and Riverbend Records. In a recent interview on “Our Daily Show!” with C.J. Nasello , band members shared their favorite songs and recounted the story behind the music. “It’s kickass,” said one band member. “It’s going to blow you away.” The band released their first EP, “A Good Place for Zen,” in 2024. But as they started work on their second, they quickly realized that while the second EP is more “coherent,” the recording process was more difficult as they were a band of “perfectionists.” The band ultimately recorded each song three times. While this was complicated, it was possible because they’re “doing it DIY,” meaning they

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BETHALTO — Lauren Hardy, left fielder for the Civic Memorial girls softball team, recently completed a notable four-year career with the Eagles, finishing with a .333 batting average, 34 RBIs and 68 hits. Hardy is a Tom Lane State Farm Insurance Female Athlete of the Month for her contributions to the girls softball team. Hardy was a key player both in the outfield and at the plate during the past season, according to Raigen Linton, head girls softball coach at Civic Memorial. "She doesn’t miss many balls hit into the outfield and has done well at hitting in her Eagles career. She will be missed," Linton said. This season, Hardy recorded a .306 batting average with 19 hits, seven RBIs and seven doubles. She was one of five seniors on the Eagles roster this year.

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RIVERBEND - As summer continues, an Ameren Illinois representative is providing some basic electric safety tips to help community members stay safe. Whether you’re flying drones over power lines or using your phone in the pool, there are a few ways to avoid a potentially dangerous or even fatal situation. Brian Bretsch with Ameren Illinois encourages community members to have a conversation with their kids about these topics at any point in the year, but especially in the summer when kids are more likely to be outside and around electricity. “It’s always a good time to talk to your kids about some electric safety tips,” Bretsch said. “We’re just asking parents to err on the side of caution and just have that conversation.” As drones become more popular, Bretsch urges caregivers to talk to their children about what to do if a drone becomes entangled in power lines or falls into a substation. He acknowledges that many kids would rathe

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GRANITE CITY - The Granite City Police Department issued a public service announcement Thursday, July 31, 2025, warning residents about a phone scam involving calls that appear to come from City Hall. According to the Granite City Police Department, numerous residents have received calls from a number associated with City Hall in which the caller demands immediate payment of fines, claiming that the recipient or a family member will face trouble if the payment is not made over the phone. The police department clarified that these calls are spoofed and do not originate from City Hall. Officials emphasized that the City of Granite City will never request payment over the phone. Residents are advised to be cautious and not to provide any personal or financial information in response to these calls. Anyone with questions or information about these types of calls, or who wants to file a report, should contact the Granite City Police at 618-877-6111.

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JERSEYVILLE - There’s a new band in the Riverbend area, and they promise not just a concert, but a show. Almost Legends is currently seeking a guitarist and bassist to round out their lineup and begin playing at venues across the region. Bud Ramsay, who organized the band, explained that they plan to offer a different setlist at every show, complete with costumes, audience interactions and the vocal stylings of karaoke champs. “We’re going to have a blast,” Ramsay said. “I’m telling you, this is a disclaimer, you are going to have fun when you come and see Almost Legends.” Ramsay hails from Las Vegas, where he was involved in the World Cup Karaoke Contest. Approximately 30 finalists from the Greater St. Louis region competed in last year’s contest, and several of them are now a part of the Almost Legends band. While many bands play the same sets at every show, Ramsay said Almost Legends stands out because their setlist varies.

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GRANITE CITY - Natalie Kondrich was a strong senior midfielder who usually came off the bench for Granite City High's girls soccer team this past spring in 2025. featured play that was steady and consistent all season, providing a spark for the Warriors. Kondrich felt she played well overall in the season. "I think I did OK," Kondrich said. "We had our ups and downs, but every team as those." When she looks back at the just completed season, Kondrich will have many good memories of playing for the Warriors. "Probably just showing up to practice every day will be one of my favorite memories," Kondrich said of her Granite City high school soccer career, "and having fun, all the girls." She also spared a thought for head coach Ken Prazma, who stepped down and announced his retirement after the Warriors' final game. "I think he definitely enjoyed coaching us, and we definitely love him," she said. "We hope he has great things coming." As for Kondrich, her plans include attending

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ALTON - Community members can come out and enjoy a fun night for a great cause in memory of Anthony Geisen. From 6–11 p.m. on Aug. 23, 2025, at the Alton VFW, Anthony’s family and loved ones will honor him with the second annual Forever 20 memorial fundraiser to raise money for Marquette Catholic High School scholarships in his name. Attendees can enjoy a chicken and beer dinner, live music by Lady Luck, raffles, an auction and more fun. “We think about him every day. But this is one day of the year where everybody, people in the community who have supported us so much, can all come together and just celebrate his life,” said Sara, Anthony’s mother. Sara and organizers Katie and Tricia have worked hard to make this year’s event a fun one. There will be a bourbon pull with top-shelf bourbons and 52 chances to win. Organizers thanked the 16 sponsors and several local businesses who have donated raffle and auction items. They added that whoever

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EDWARDSVILLE – Race riots were a form of nationwide terrorism against Black people, according to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville alumna and filmmaker Tiffany B. Lee, CEO of Think Black Cultural Media Group and Executive Director of Heritage Programs, Inc. Lee, who earned a bachelor’s in psychology from SIUE in 1998 and holds a master’s in communications, has produced a 17-minute documentary short, “I Bear Witness: The Untold Stories of American Race Riots;” and a limited interview series, “I Bear Witness: Freedom Fighters on the Frontlines.” She is producing a full-length, 60-minute documentary, “I Bear Witness: The Untold Stories of Southwest Missouri Race Riots . “I wanted my work to move the conversation past the idea of a race riot as being an anomaly and begin the conversation of the race riot as a form of nationwide terrorism against Black people,” said Lee, the East St. Louis native who served as

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SPRINGFIELD – As students close out summer break and begin shopping for school supplies, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced that applications are now being accepted for the Safe Routes to School program. The program provides funding for projects that make walking, biking and rolling to school a safer option for students, encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle from an early age. “Safe Routes to School improvements not only give kids safe, healthy choices to get to school, but they strengthen entire communities,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi. “We encourage our local partners to apply and look forward to seeing another round of impressive community-led projects.” Administered by IDOT using federal funds, Safe Routes to School advances projects that improve safety and reduce traffic – as well as related fuel consumption and air pollution – in areas around schools from kindergarten through high school. Th

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