Author's note: This is part one of a multi-part series on the parent-teenagers relationship. “Teenagers are working toward independence. That’s the good part. The hard part is that means they lean more toward their peer relationships,” says Sara Bennett, a psychotherapist at OSF HealthCare. “It can leave parents feeling like they’re drifting apart. It can make parents feel like they’re not very important. And it can make the teenagers a little moodier.
EAST ALTON – A local woman accused of stealing more than $14,000 from the East Alton Ice Arena as an employee faces felony charges after a “lengthy investigation.” Kathryn R. McKeon, 39, of Alton, was charged on March 18, 2026 with two Class 2 felony counts of theft of property over $10,000. From Aug. 29, 2022 to April 2, 2025, McKeon allegedly committed a series of acts to knowingly obtain $14,213.36 by deception from East Alton Civic Rink Management Inc. A press release
ALTON - As Alton Community Unit School District #11 prepares to say goodbye to long-time educator Mike Bellm, he is looking forward to retirement. But Bellm noted it will be a bittersweet departure, as he has spent his 33-year career in the Alton School District and has loved every minute. From English teacher to high school principal to his current role as Director of Student Services, Bellm has always prioritized student success, and he is thankful for the school district’s continued
O'FALLON, IL. - O’Fallon Township High School District 203 lifted a soft lockdown at 10:15 a.m. Thursday, March 19, 2026, after a threatening phone call to its Milburn campus was traced by police and determined to be a swatting incident, the district said. The call was received “shortly after the start of the school day on Thursday” at the OTHS Milburn campus in O’Fallon, Illinois, according to a district statement. The O’Fallon Police Department was notified immediately
COLLINSVILLE — A truck struck a utility pole just outside an Ameren Illinois substation in Collinsville on Thursday afternoon, March 19, 2026, knocking out power to about 700 customers, according to Ameren Illinois. The Collinsville Police Department said the crash happened around 3:45 p.m. on Thursday. Ameren Illinois dispatched crews to assess the damage and secure the area, an Ameren spokesman said. The Ameren Illinois spokesman said two power poles were broken and needed to be replaced.
O'FALLON, IL. - For the third year in a row, a goose has returned to O’Fallon Public Safety Department property to lay her eggs, prompting officers to give the bird space and keep her safe while the department again asks the public for help naming her. The department shared the update in a post titled “O’Fallon Public Safety Goose Update – Year 3,” saying the goose has come back “to the same spot on department property to lay her eggs.” “At this
Twice a year, the Sun seems to “hit the reset button” on Earth’s daylight. For a brief moment, the line between day and night looks almost perfectly balanced—yet the details are stranger than the slogan “equal day and night” makes it sound. The spring equinox matters because it’s one of the cleanest, most reliable markers we have for how Earth moves in space. It shapes calendars, traditions, and even the way we notice light in our daily routines. It
The most significant global event linked to March 20 is the 2003 start of the Iraq War, when a U.S.-led coalition launched a military invasion of Iraq. The immediate goal was to remove Saddam Hussein’s government and address claims about weapons programs and regional security. At the time, the invasion reshaped alliances, triggered major debates about international law and the use of force, and set off rapid changes inside Iraq. Its effects still matter today because it influenced the balanc
GODFREY - Vitality Women’s Clinic will host their annual fundraising dinner next month, and a long-time volunteer shared more about the mission that keeps her coming back. Carol Gooding, RN, began volunteering at the clinic in 2014. She explained that the 2014 fundraising dinner was “a turning point” that inspired her to get involved. She added that her adopted son “came out of a very close call with abortion,” which further encouraged her to get involved in Vitality’
BELLEVILLE - Belleville Police say they will increase enforcement in and around city parks on Saturday, March 21, 2026, after a large gathering last weekend at Citizens' Park involved “reckless driving near bystanders, fights, reports of possible firearms, and an officer being battered.” The Belleville Police Department said it is aware of a “social media-promoted event planned for Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Citizens’ and Bellevue Parks” and said
ALTON - During their regular meeting on March 18, 2026, the Alton Community Unit School District #11 Board of Education recognized the March Optimist Students of the Month. Amelia Patino was recognized as the Optimist Student for Alton Middle School, while Reagan Owen was named the Optimist Student for Lewis and Clark Elementary School. Alton Middle School Principal Dr. Brian Saenz introduced Patino as “an exceptional and hard-working student who consistently comes to class prepared,
ALTON - Alton’s North Elementary School has raised over $5,000 for the Light the Night campaign. This three-week campaign encourages students and families to donate to Blood Cancer United, previously known as the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. As they finish up their third week of fundraising, they are sitting at over $5,100 raised, beating last year's record of $4,850. Teacher Kim Scheurer and Principal Lisa Harris expressed their excitement to teach the kids about giving back. “
JERSEYVILLE – One vehicle overturned during a two-car collision in Jerseyville with multiple injuries reported on Thursday, March 19, 2026. Major John Wimmersberg of the Jerseyville Police Department said the crash was called in at 1:01 p.m. and involved a white Nissan Altima and blue Dodge Grand Caravan at the intersection of IL-16 and June Street. Wimmersberg said the driver of the Nissan was traveling northbound on June Street and failed to yield at the intersection, striking the
EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County prosecutors have filed a Class X felony charge against a Wood River man accused of sending an email to an Illinois legislator threatening to kill the lawmaker, police officers, and members of the government, State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced Thursday, March 19, 2026, in Edwardsville. Spencer G. Frymire, D.O.B. 11/6/2002, is charged with: • Count 1: Making A Terrorist Threat (class X felony). • Count 2: Electronic Harassment (class 4 felony).
EDWARDSVILLE - Administrators and volunteers at Columbus Elementary School in Edwardsville have come together to offer an art club for third grade students. When Principal Cole Kringlen assumed his role last year, he felt there was a need for more extracurricular activities for the kids at Columbus. He partnered with Abby Carlson, a third grade teacher, to begin offering Art Club for third graders once a month after school. The experience has been a major success while giving kids access
GRAFTON - The City of Grafton has been notified by the Illinois State Comptroller’s office that funds in the amount of $878,577.00 are shortly forthcoming for the purchase of the Grafton ferry boat, Eagle II, from Calhoun Ferry Company. At the City Council meeting on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, Mayor Morrow presented a framed copy of the Comptroller’s official notice to Denise Knight and Wayne Baalman of the Calhoun Ferry Company. George Andres, Ferry Task Force Leader, submitted the
GRANITE CITY - The Madison County Board has voted to block a Commercial Solar Energy Facility from building near Granite City. During their regular meeting on March 18, 2026, the Madison County Board was asked to approve a Special Use Permit for Arena Libra Solar, LLC, to develop a Commercial Solar Energy Facility in an Agricultural District in Nameoki Township near Granite City. Last month, the Board voted 21–1 to postpone this vote until they could learn more. The Madison
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has issued charges against Sam Thang, 38, of the 4600 block of Hamburg Avenue in St. Louis, accusing him of statutory sodomy or attempted statutory sodomy and two counts of child molestation involving a victim who was under 14, authorities said. The charges were issued on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in St. Louis County, Missouri. Thang is charged with: Statutory Sodomy or Attempted Statutory Sodomy – Deviate
EDWARDSVILLE - A jury on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, found Victor S. Dantzson, a 52-year-old Granite City man, guilty of breaking into a woman’s home on Benton Street in Granite City and attacking a police officer who responded, after jurors deliberated for less than an hour. Madison County State's Attorney Tom Haine said the verdict was returned Wednesday afternoon in Edwardsville, where Associate Judge Emily Nielsen presided over a trial that began Tuesday. Dantzson was convicted of residentia
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services (SASC) and Foreign Relations Committees (SFRC)—once again slammed Donald Trump for launching an illegal attack against Iran without Constitutionally-required authorization from Congress, without any known imminent threat to our national security and without a plan to mitigate the instability that will come next as the Administration continues to spend more than
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