GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College’s Avionics program will offer three courses in Fall 2026. Designed to expand opportunities and provide hands-on experience, the courses will prepare students interested in careers in aviation and aircraft maintenance. Intro to Aircraft Systems (AVIO-131) 9 – 10:50 A.M. Tuesdays and Thursdays, Aug. 25 – Oct. 15 Introduces the basics of flight, aircraft systems, FAA regulations, and foundational aircraft electrical knowledge.
MILLSSTADT - State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) recognized Good Morning Cafe as his ‘Business of The Month’ for April. Rep. Schmidt visited with the owners Chelsea Vogel Martinez and Irepan Martinez to present them with an official certificate from the Illinois House of Representatives. “It was a pleasure to meet Chelsea Vogel Martinez and Irepan Martinez to learn more about the family-owned business here in Millstadt,” said Schmidt. “Chelsea buil
COLLINSVILLE/GRANITE CITY— A donation drive is set for Saturday, May 16, 2026, collecting suitcases, canned goods and toiletries for The Good Samaritan House in Granite City. The event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon at American Legion Post 365 in Collinsville. Jimmy Ford and the Madison County Republican Party will host the Saturday event at the American Legion 365 Post. “We're proud to support the incredible work being done at The Good Samaritan House, especially while families
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, released a Critical Incident Briefing video related to an officer-involved shooting that authorities say occurred on March 29, 2026, in Shrewsbury, Mo., during what investigators described as a hostage situation inside a home. The Critical Incident Briefing video for the officer-involved shooting that occurred on March 29, 2026, in Shrewsbury, Mo, can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/QM0IlWkC0VI According to previously release
EDWARDSVILLE – The Edwardsville Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education approved a contract for Dr. Allen Duncan Jr. to serve as superintendent during its work session on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Duncan was appointed interim superintendent on January 12, 2026, after serving as acting superintendent since September 25, 2025. His appointment as superintendent will officially begin on July 1, 2026. Dr. Duncan brings deep institutional knowledge and a strong commitment to District
ALTON - The Alton Educational Foundation is pleased to announce that nominations are now being accepted for the Alton High School Wall of Fame Induction Class of 2026. Members of the community are encouraged to submit nominations between now and June 12 for deserving recipients. The Alton High Wall of Fame recognizes excellence in a wide array of fields and individuals from any one or more of the following areas can be nominated: 1) Graduates of Alton High School (must have graduated prio
EAST ST. LOUIS — A federal jury on May 6, 2026, convicted Anthony D. Bradley Jr., 37, of possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon after a two-day trial stemming from an October 2024 encounter in East St. Louis, authorities said. Bradley, described in court documents as a prior felon, was indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2024. Officers observed him possessing a firearm on Oct. 28, 2024, during a proactive crime suppression detail that included the John De Shields housin
ALTON - From an art gallery’s expansion to a local church’s anniversary celebration, downtown Alton has a busy summer ahead. Community members gathered for the “What’s Up Downtown” quarterly information exchange on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at The Wedge in Alton. Hosted by Alton Main Street , the goal is to provide an opportunity for downtown businesses and organizations to share more about their work. Stephanie Schrage and J. Scot Heathman with The Wedge encouraged
A sincere “thank you” can lift someone’s mood for hours—yet the person saying it often feels better, too. That’s the twist: appreciation isn’t just a polite extra. It changes how our brains read the world, how we treat other people, and even how we handle stress. What appreciation really is (and what it isn’t) Appreciation is noticing value and naming it. It can be directed at a person (“I appreciate how you stayed calm”), an experience
On May 13, 1846, the United States Congress voted to declare war on Mexico, formally launching the Mexican–American War. The fighting had already begun along the Rio Grande, but the declaration turned a disputed border clash into a full-scale conflict between neighboring countries. At the time, the war mattered because it decided control over huge stretches of North America and reshaped national borders. It still matters today because the treaty that ended the war helped set the modern
ALTON - YWCA Southwestern Illinois proudly announces the completion of a major renovation of its nearly 100-year-old gymnasium, transforming the longtime community space into a vibrant, modern, and welcoming center for youth, families, and community programs. The renovation became possible largely through the extraordinary generosity and leadership of Jayne and John Simmons, whose significant contribution helped bring new life to one of the YWCA’s most heavily utilized spaces. Their investment
JERSEYVILLE – Douglas “Brian” Figge was sworn in on Tuesday to fill a vacancy on the Jersey County Board left by former Chairman Gary Krueger, who died late last month . After observing a moment of silence, County Board members unanimously approved a resolution of sympathy to the Krueger family following his death on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. “Gary faithfully served the citizens of Jersey County as a dedicated public official, serving as former Mississippi Township Trustee
EDWARDSVILLE - Liberty Middle School administrators and the Edwardsville Police Department are investigating a social media post and related rumors, Principal Melissa Edwards told families on May 12, 2026. In the message to Liberty families, Edwards said the school was aware of the post and circulating rumors and that officials were working “together to thoroughly investigate this matter.” She did not specify what was contained in the post or where it appeared. “At this time,
GLEN CARBON - Rainy conditions set the backdrop for a strong day from Father McGivney Catholic High School’s boys track and field teams as the Griffins finished second at the recent Gateway Conference Boys Meet, highlighted by a conference championship in the 4x800 relay, a win in the 800 meters, and pole vault. Father McGivney finished second in the meet with 121 points behind Metro East Lutheran with 121 points. “Our track & field teams powered through tough conditions and delivered
EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville High School recently took home first place in the IHSA Journalism State Final. Amanda Thrun, who teaches English and oversees the student publications at EHS, took several students to the state competition in Bloomington last month. Students competed with the top high school journalists in Illinois. “It’s certainly a way to represent our school in a different way,” Thrun said. “We have an awesome performing arts program. We have awesome
MACOUPIN COUNTY - Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said a Virden man was sentenced Tuesday to 16 years in prison in Macoupin County Circuit Court after pleading guilty to disseminating child sexual abuse material and aggravated criminal sexual abuse, in a case Raoul described as part of ongoing efforts with federal and local law enforcement to apprehend offenders who download and trade such material online. Jacob R. Rogers, 38, was sentenced after pleading guilty to one count of Class X felon
ALTON - The Alton Police Department is stepping up seat belt enforcement across Alton as part of Illinois’ 2026 “Click It or Ticket” campaign running Friday, May 15 through Tuesday, May 26, 2026, a period that coincides with increased Memorial Day travel. “Buckle up every trip, every time,” Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said. “Seat belts save lives, and we are committed to keeping our roads safe.” Chief Ford said officers will conduct high-visibility
ALTON - Martha Pfister, alderwoman for Alton’s Ward 2, says it’s “an exciting time” in the City of Alton. As summer approaches, Pfister is spending more time in her ward and paying attention to the sidewalk infrastructure and the homes. She stressed the importance of listening to constituents and having conversations about the city’s comprehensive plan, and she shared that sidewalk infrastructure and the code enforcement process are two of her top interests righ
SPRINGFIELD – As the weather warms up and more people head outside, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is reminding everyone to leave young birds and other animals alone when they encounter them in the wild. Well-intentioned people may believe they’re helping nature by taking possession of young rabbits, fawn deer, baby birds and other animals that appear to be orphaned or abandoned. However, in nearly all cases, human intervention does more to hurt animals than
CHICAGO — The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) today announced the launch of a new online submission option designed to simplify and modernize the way Illinois consumers file complaints against financial institutions amid a federal step back in enforcement. For the first time, the portal will accept complaints for both the Division of Banking (DOB) and the Division of Financial Institutions (DFI), creating a unified and more accessible process for
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