Few phrases feel as instantly personal as “the cold shoulder.” One minute you’re chatting like normal, and the next you’re getting short answers, no eye contact, and a silence that seems to have weight. It’s not just rudeness—it’s a message. The interesting part is that this expression may have started as something much more literal than a frosty attitude. Depending on which origin story you follow, “cold shoulder” comes from either a real
On February 4, 1945, leaders of the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union opened the Yalta Conference, a wartime meeting that helped shape how Europe would be governed after World War II. Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin met in Crimea to settle urgent questions: how to finish the war against Nazi Germany, how to handle liberated countries, and what kind of international system might prevent another global conflict. At the time, the stakes were immediate—armies
BETHALTO/WOOD RIVER - Hit-N-Run will bring back its drive-thru service on a limited schedule starting Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, reopening first at its Bethalto location after what owner Dwight Fowler described as "strong customer demand." The Bethalto Hit-N-Run drive-thru is set to reopen from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at 515 North Bellwood Drive in Bethalto. The Wood River Hit-N-Run is expected to open its drive-thru on Monday, Fowler said. “A lot of feedback showed people wanted it, and w
The day starts off very cold with temperatures near 15 degrees and a feels like of 13. Mostly clear skies in the early morning make for a brisk start. As the morning progresses, clouds will intermittently break, offering some sunshine but the cold persists with highs topping out around 29 degrees. Winds from the north at about 7 mph, gusting up to 14 mph, keep the chill in the air noticeable. By evening, the skies will clear again, leaving mainly clear and cold conditions as temperatures drop towar
JERSEYVILLE – Jerseyville officials are looking into adding recycling services at the city dump site. Mayor Kevin Stork gave a brief update on the city’s search for new trash and recycling options at the Feb. 3, 2026 Jerseyville City Council meeting. This comes after several residents spoke out against an exclusive city-wide contract for residential trash pickup at a packed public hearing last month . Jerseyville residents have long requested some type of recycling service , whic
SATURDAY, JANUARY 31 PLAY IT AGAIN SPORTS ROUNDUP BOYS BASKETBALL BELLEVILLE EAST 68, BELLEVILLE ALTHOFF CATHOLIC 54: East led Althoff at halftime 30-25, and went on to win in a crosstown rivalry game at Glenn Schott Center. Kyle Johnson led the Crusaders with 18 points, while Luke Smith had 16 points, and Michael Franklin, Jr. scored 10 points. The Lancers are now 9-14, while Althoff slips to 11-12. COLUMBIA 47, PINCKNEYVILLE 45: In a shootout at Pinckneyville, the host Panthers le
EDWARDSVILLE – The Edwardsville Police Department will be able to equip its officers with special crisis care response kits, thanks to a $13,875 grant awarded by the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation®. The crisis care response kits contain items used to administer aid in the event of a critical emergency until medical personnel can arrive. They will be placed in all active police fleet vehicles for quick access to improve the department’s lifesaving capabilities. “We
LOUISVILLE, IL. — Darren Bailey, former State Senator and candidate for Governor, is urging lawmakers to enact recently introduced legislation to opt the state into the federal “No Tax on Tips” policy. House Bill 4519 would give hospitality workers the same state tax benefits they currently enjoy on the federal portion of their taxes. It would exempt state taxes on tips up to $25,000. “It is time for both Democrats and Republicans to act in the best interests of
TROY, IL. – The Tri-Township Public Library and its Board of Trustees are proud to announce a landmark update to its membership policy. Following a unanimous vote during the board meeting on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, the library has officially approved the expanded Cards for Kids Act. This initiative ensures that every child between the ages of 5 and 18 within the community now has access to the library’s full suite of resources at no cost. By removing financial and residency barriers,
ALTON – Sheila Goins is proud to announce the opening of its fifth annual Black History Month exhibit, which will take place from February 9 through the end of the month. The exhibit will be open to the public from 8 AM to 5 PM, mirroring the hours of Alton City Hall. This year, First Lady Sheila Goins is thrilled to present an enriching showcase of the profound contributions made by African-American pioneers in Alton, Illinois. “I am especially excited to share the robust history
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) voted against a Continuing Resolution that would provide additional funding for the Department of Homeland Security, citing ongoing failures in leadership, accountability, and public safety. “The American people have witnessed firsthand the deadly consequences of mismanagement and a complete lack of accountability at DHS. That must change now. Congress has a responsibility to ensure that federal agencies protect public safety
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. Mary Miller said in two recent social media posts on her two Facebook pages that “mass migration from regions that reject Western values” is bringing ideologies “like Sharia law” to the United States and that “a strong majority of Americans support enforcing immigration laws and deporting illegal aliens,” while criticizing “Democrats” and part of the news media. Miller, an Illinois Republican, made the
CHICAGO — Governor JB Pritzker reaffirmed his commitment to the core principles he outlined in his FY2025 budget proposal to manage Illinois pension commitments through a set of proposals designed to build on the state’s recent fiscal progress and further reduce long-term risk for taxpayers and retirees. The plans follow steps already taken that have produced Illinois’ strongest pension funded ratio in nearly two decades and reflects a continued focus on doubling down on fiscal
JACKSONVILLE - Congratulations to students who were named to the Illinois College Dean's List for Fall 2025. Candidates for the Dean's List must complete at least 12 graded semester hours and post a grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale. All grades must be "C" or better, no more than one "C" grade is allowed and the student must have no “Incomplete” grades. The students are as follows: Bailey Abbott, Junior, Banner, IL Katy Adler, First Year, Mead, CO Ysabell
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02), who is leading articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, voted against the funding package that includes a two-week funding deal for the Department of Homeland Security. The funding package passed 217-214. “Secretary Kristi Noem is taking taxpayer dollars to weaponize her agency and unleash her Gestapo agents in cities across the country,” said Rep. Kelly. “Instead of exercising our considerable
ALTON - Officers, dispatchers, citizens and community leaders from across Southern Illinois gathered recently, at The Regency for the 33rd Annual SILEC/SIPCA Awards Banquet, where Alton Police Department Officer Beuttel received a Life Saving Award for actions taken during a July 5, 2025, house fire and Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford was sworn in as treasurer of the Southern Illinois Police Chief’s Association. The Alton Police Department said Officer Beuttel was recognized “for hi
COTTAGE HILLS - Community members have a unique opportunity to play pickleball while fundraising for an ambulance. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, Alton Memorial Health Services Foundation will host a Duck Pluckers Pickleball Tournament at Grip & Sip in Cottage Hills. Participation in the tournament costs $40 a player with 16 mixed doubles teams in the beginner/intermediate and advanced divisions. All proceeds go toward AMHSF and their goal to purchase an ambulance fo
ALTON – A local woman with a criminal past faces new charges after allegedly breaking into an Alton home and illegally using another victim’s credit or debit card. Mariah C. Moore, 28, of Alton, was charged in two felony cases filed on Jan. 28, 2026. Moore was charged in the first case with a Class 2 felony count of burglary. On Jan. 26, 2026, she allegedly knowingly entered a residence on Oakwood Avenue in Alton with the intent to commit a theft. This marks the latest case of
PEORIA - The massive group of Edwardsville High School students was standouts at the Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) All-State from Jan. 28-31, 2026. The group of musicians rehearsed all weekend, culminating in what was described as "a fantastic performance" by the EHS Fine Arts Department Chair at Peoria Civic Center. Victoria Voumard/Orchestra Director/EHS Fine Arts Department Chair/ILMEA Senior Orchestra Rep provided this information: EHS All-State Music Students: Ell
JERSEYVILLE — Jersey Community Unit School District No. 100 had five students recognized as All-State performers during a week at the Illinois Music Education Conference (IMEA) Jan. 28-31, 2026, where the JCHS Jazz Ensemble also performed. The Jersey Community School District commended the All-State performers — Zoey Barnett, Chloe Hartman, Islee Hileman, Willow McCoy and Benjamin Zimmerman — and noted that the Jazz Ensemble “had the distinct honor of performing
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