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ST. LOUIS - With the holiday season in full swing, it’s easy for spending to snowball. First Mid Bank & Trust (First Mid) is sharing tips to help people make smart financial choices to keep spending under control and avoid post-holiday debt. “Holiday spending tends to creep up every year, and while prices rise with inflation, paychecks don’t always keep pace,” said Stas Wolak, Chief Retail Banking Officer at First Mid. “When wages don’t rise at the

GRANITE CITY – Three men from Granite City have been charged in separate cases of stolen vehicle possession, including one man who fled from officers at high speeds into St. Louis. Douglas S. Ray, 45, of Granite City, was charged on Dec. 9, 1979 with one count each of offenses related to motor vehicles (a Class 2 felony) and aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer (a Class 4 felony). On Nov. 2, 2025, Ray was allegedly knowingly in possession of a 2022 Dodge Durango

COLUMBIA - At the Columbia City Council meeting this week, emergency medical personnel from Columbia and Dupo were recognized for their successful resuscitation of a patient in cardiac arrest. Columbia EMS Paramedics Jason Nonn and Brandon Layton, along with Dupo EMS Captain Melissa Schertz and EMT Shelly Acord, received the ZOLL Clinical Save Award for their coordinated efforts. ZOLL's Clinical Save Award Program celebrates the success stories of our customers who have saved a life using

SMITHTON - An East St. Louis woman died in a two-vehicle crash in Smithton Wednesday night, Dec. 3, 2025, authorities said. Estelle Stamps, 34, of the 600 block of South 42nd Street, was identified as the victim by the St. Clair County Coroner's Office. Illinois State Police said the crash occurred at about 10:22 p.m. Wednesday on Illinois 159 just north of Douglas Road. Stamps was pronounced deceased at the scene, the coroner's office said. Another person suffered injuries in the crash and

EDWARDSVILLE – Two New York residents face major felony charges in Madison County after bringing over 5,000 grams of cannabis into Illinois. Zachary M. Parise, 21, of Long Beach, N.Y., and Victor S. Parise, 49, of New York, N.Y., were both charged on Nov. 19, 2025 with one count each of cannabis trafficking and unlawful manufacture or delivery of cannabis (each Class X felonies). On Nov. 17, 2025, the two allegedly knowingly possessed and brought over 5,000 grams of cannabis from the

EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville High School announced its students selected for the Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) All-State Conference, scheduled for Jan. 29-31, 2026, in Peoria. The list, released Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025, includes band, choir, and orchestra participants who earned spots to represent the school at the statewide event. Victoria Voumard, Edwardsville High School’s Orchestra Director and Fine Arts Department Chair, confirmed the selections and shared a group photo

Did you know that the average American consumes over 1,000 cookies annually? Cookies are more than just sweet treats; they are often a centerpiece in social gatherings, evoking nostalgia and fostering connection. Hosting a holiday cookie exchange party is a delightful way to bring friends and family together, share cherished recipes, and create new memories. But what does it take to orchestrate such an event successfully? This guide will walk you through the essential steps to host a memorable

ALTON — The Alton Police Department announced this week that Officer Bill Reed has been named Officer of the Month for October 2025 and promoted to the rank of sergeant. In October, Reed led a complex investigation involving violations of an Order of Protection. Recognizing the victim’s fear and need for additional support, Reed extended his efforts beyond the initial report. He coordinated with detectives, sought additional investigative resources, and followed the case through

December 4 has always been a day marked by significant milestones across the globe, touching on advancements in technology, culture, politics, and human achievement. Moving back in time, December 4 has been the backdrop for several notable historical events. In 771 AD, King Carloman, co-ruler of the Frankish Kingdom alongside his brother Charlemagne, died unexpectedly. This event left Charlemagne as the sole ruler, setting the stage for the expansion of the Carolingian Empire, which would pla

Today expect a partly sunny but quite cold day with a high of 22 and a low of 7 degrees. Winds will come from the northeast at 7 mph with gusts up to 12 mph. The temperature feels close to the actual reading, with a "feels like" high around 20 degrees. Morning will start chilly and clear, becoming partly sunny by midday. The afternoon remains cold with intervals of sunshine and light breezes. Evening and overnight conditions will be partly cloudy and very cold, with lows dipping to around 7 degrees.

EDWARDSVILLE – A historic building in downtown Edwardsville is one step closer to its transformation into the future home of the Edwardsville Arts Center . Edwardsville City Council members unanimously approved a Professional Services Agreement with Gray Design Group for improvements to 246 North Main Street. The city announced in October that the former Edwardsville Frozen Foods Building at the site is set for a major renovation into the new Edwardsville Arts Center location.

CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul with a bipartisan coalition of 50 attorneys general, today launched the second phase of Operation Robocall Roundup, an effort by the multi-state Anti-Robocall Litigation Task Force to crack down on robocalls across the country. As part of an ongoing investigation, Raoul and the task force sent letters to Inteliquent, Bandwidth, Lumen and Peerless directing each company to stop transmitting suspected illegal robocalls across their networks. “Today’s

GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College recently forged a new agreement with University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) that will allow Legal Studies transfer students to earn guaranteed acceptance while saving thousands on tuition during their first two years of college. This 2+2 pathway will allow students who have earned an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal Studies from LC to transfer to the Legal Studies program at UIS. The agreement establishes a clear pathway,

ALTON - Alton Main Street presents First Fridays, a late night art and shopping experience which spans 20 locations across the Downtown Alton district. This series is held on the First Friday of October, November and December, providing shoppers with an opportunity to check out new shops and galleries and visit familiar favorites to experience art and great specials at each business during special, late night shopping hours. Participants are offering a variety of discounts, refreshments, an

EDWARDSVILLE – An Alton man faces a felony for his latest DUI offense after he reportedly drove under the influence of drugs and alcohol in Edwardsville. Shawn O. Bell, 42, of Alton, was charged with a Class 4 felony count of aggravated driving under the influence and a Class A misdemeanor count of driving while license is revoked. Bell allegedly drove a Hyundai Tiburon on New Poag Road in Edwardsville while under the combined influence of alcohol and or other drugs or intoxicating compounds

ALTON - The 36th annual ABOB Olde Alton Arts and Craft Fair invites the community to shop and support music students in Alton Community Unit School District #11. On Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, and Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, The Alton Band and Orchestra Builders (ABOB) will host the fair at Alton High School. Shoppers can enjoy handmade items and gifts from vendors across the Midwest, and proceeds from the fair will benefit the district’s music program. “It’s just an incredible

WOOD RIVER — On Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025, the Wood River Police Department’s Telecommunications Center faced a challenging day managing multiple critical incidents simultaneously, including a serious morning crash on Illinois 143 and a major house fire in Roxana . The dispatch center, which serves the communities of Bethalto, Roxana, South Roxana, Hartford, Wood River, and East Alton, is staffed by 10 individuals and led by Joe Petrokovich. Police Chief Brad Wells praised the telecommunication

SPRINGFIELD – With the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) new $45 penalty set to catch travelers off guard starting February 1, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is taking action to reduce the Time Tax by making it easier than ever for Illinois residents to get their REAL ID. “With costs rising across the board, Illinoisans shouldn’t have to pay a $45 penalty just to get on a plane, especially when that fee is higher than some flights themselves,”

MARYVILLE - Maryville Christmas School is spearheading a series of holiday giving projects aimed at supporting children in need this season. The efforts include preparing Samaritan’s Purse Christmas Shoeboxes, collecting toys and warm clothing, and organizing a fundraising event through the school’s “Christmas Cottage.” Linzi Foreman, a representative from Maryville Christmas School, shared details about the initiative, which is currently underway. The Samaritan’s

CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced an additional $10 million in funding for the Job Training and Economic Development (JTED) Program for workforce training and wrap-around services that will bolster equitable workforce recovery for Illinoisans struggling to gain meaningful employment. As part of Illinois’ workforce recovery efforts, JTED grants focus on helping increase employment among workers and