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Two Men Arrested Involving Juvenile Victims in Separate Incidents on Same Day

3 weeks 5 days ago
ALTON — Alton Police arrested two men accused of separate aggravated battery incidents involving juvenile girls on Monday, April 13, 2026, in Alton, authorities said, on Friday, April 17, 2026, crediting the victims’ reports and a surveillance review for helping investigators quickly identify suspects. The Alton Police Department said officers first responded Monday to the area of College Avenue in Alton after a report of an aggravated battery involving a 16-year-old female victim.

Weekend Lane Closures On Eastbound I-64 In St. Clair County

3 weeks 5 days ago
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced weekend lane closures on eastbound Interstate 64 between Illinois 159 and Illinois 157 in St. Clair County. Beginning at 6 a.m. Saturday, April 18, traffic will be reduced from three lanes to one lane for sign installation. Two lanes are expected to reopen by 7 p.m. Saturday, weather permitting. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this closure. Drivers are urged to

Road Closures Will Impact Saint Anthony's Health Center

3 weeks 6 days ago
ALTON - The City of Alton will be conducting road work on Central Avenue next week. As a result, OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center will be impacted by road closures near the hospital campus along Central Ave, from Elm Street to State House Square (“The Circle”), Monday, April 20 through Thursday, April 23, 2026, between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. each day (weather permitting). All vehicle traffic must enter and exit the OSF Saint Anthony’s campus through the Emergency Departmen

Jerseyville Students Excel At IHSA Journalism Sectional

3 weeks 6 days ago
JERSEYVILLE - Journalism and yearbook students from Jersey Community Unit School District No. 100 earned multiple placements Saturday, April 11, 2026, at the IHSA Journalism Sectional competition, with four students advancing to the IHSA State Tournament, the district said. At the sectional competition, Shayla Friedel placed sixth in Headline Writing, Haylie Eilerman placed fourth in Infographics, Sierra Williams placed fourth in News Writing, Kiley King placed sixth in Photo Storytelling,

Ex-Owner Of Zapp Thai Restaurant In Edwardsville Faces Multiple Felony Charges

3 weeks 6 days ago
EDWARDSVILLE/BELLEVILLE - Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has charged the former owner of Zapp Thai Restaurant Inc. in Edwardsville, alleging he defrauded the state of more than $100,000 in sales tax revenue, authorities said. The Attorney General’s office charged Saran Puribhat, 54, of Belleville, with two counts of theft of government property exceeding $100,000, Class X felonies punishable by up to 30 years in prison; one count of sales tax evasion exceeding $100,000, a Class

Illinois designates stretch of Route 140 as Cpl. Tommy N. Miller Memorial Highway

3 weeks 6 days ago
SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois State Senate has joined the Illinois House of Representatives in adopting HJR 6 on Thursday to designate Illinois Route 140 as it travels through Meadowbrook as the ‘Cpl. Tommy N. Miller Memorial Highway’. The resolution was sponsored in the House by State Representative Amy Elik (R-Alton) and in the Senate by State Senator Erica Harriss (R-Glen Carbon). “We have been working to get this road-naming resolution passed for five years now,”

Community Invited to Groundbreaking for Goshen Commons in Downtown Edwardsville

3 weeks 6 days ago
EDWARDSVILLE – The City of Edwardsville is inviting the community to attend as the Goshen Commons downtown park project takes a big step forward. Mayor Art Risavy and City officials will be joined by Rep. Katie Stuart and other guests at 9 a.m. Monday, April 20, 2026, for a groundbreaking at the site of the planned pedestrian plaza and park space in the heart of downtown Edwardsville. Goshen Commons will repurpose one block of St. Louis Street between North Main Street and Second Street

Jersey County Imposes New Tax On Short Term Rentals

3 weeks 6 days ago
JERSEYVILLE – Short term rental properties across Jersey County will be subject to a new 5% tax after recent County Board approval of certain Hotel and Motel Tax changes. Jersey County Board members approved a recommendation from the county’s Legislative Committee to codify changes to the Hotel and Motel Tax Ordinance on April 16, 2026. County Board Member Jeremy Beasley cast the sole vote against codifying the changes. County Board Chairman Gary Krueger said Jersey County will

Bethalto Police Chief On Paid Administrative Leave

3 weeks 6 days ago
BETHALTO — Bethalto Police Chief Jason Lamb has been placed on paid administrative leave, according to the Bassett-Gabriel Law Office. The law firm confirmed Friday morning, April 17, 2026, that Lamb is on paid administrative leave. Bassett & Gabriel Law Office, PC is the Village Of Bethalto Attorney. The law office said it could not release any other information at this time about the investigation. Lamb was placed on administrative leave in early March 2026. Bethalto Mayor Gary Bost

Edwardsville High School Welcomes Senior Citizens to Connect with Students at Breakfast Event

3 weeks 6 days ago
EDWARDSVILLE - Senior citizens connected with students at Edwardsville High School’s inaugural Senior Breakfast. On Friday, April 17, 2026, senior community members were invited to the high school for a free breakfast, where they also heard updates about the district and enjoyed orchestra and choir performances by students. Administrators expressed their gratitude for these community members and were eager to welcome them to the newly renovated high school. “It’s special,”

Jersey County Board Approves Recycling Partnership At Jerseyville Dump

3 weeks 6 days ago
JERSEYVILLE – Residents across Jersey County will soon have access to the Jerseyville city dump site with newly added recycling services under a recently approved partnership between the city and county. Jersey County Board members unanimously approved an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Jerseyville regarding recycling at their April 16, 2026 meeting. Vice Chairman Mark Wagner said the county will be responsible for the hauling of recyclables to the dump and associated costs,

Why Spring Weather Can Throw Off Your Sleep

3 weeks 6 days ago
The weirdest part of a “perfectly normal” night is waking up at 3 a.m. and feeling wide awake for no clear reason. You went to bed on time. You didn’t drink coffee late. And yet your sleep feels lighter, choppier, and easier to lose. That pattern often has less to do with willpower and more to do with what’s happening outside your window. Spring weather changes several of the body’s sleep cues at once—light, temperature, humidity, and even the air you breathe.

Bay of Pigs, Benjamin Franklin's Death, and More: Why April 17 Echoes Through History

3 weeks 6 days ago
On April 17, 1961, a U.S.-backed force of Cuban exiles landed at the Bay of Pigs on Cuba’s southern coast, aiming to overthrow Fidel Castro’s government. The invasion quickly unraveled, ending in a decisive defeat for the attackers. At the time, it mattered because it exposed the limits of covert power and pushed the United States and Cuba into a deeper, more hostile standoff. It still matters today because it helped lock the Caribbean into Cold War rivalries, strengthened Cuba’s

OSF Wound Care Center Earns Recognition for Center of Distinction ย 

3 weeks 6 days ago
ALTON - OSF St. Anthony’s Wound Care Center of Excellence has been awarded the prestigious Center of Distinction award by Healogics ® , the nation’s largest provider of advanced wound care services. The Center achieved outstanding clinical outcomes for twelve consecutive months, including a patient satisfaction rate higher than 92 percent. This recognition is a testament to the exceptional care and dedication demonstrated by the Center’s physicians, leaders, and

Senate approves Belt measure expanding suicide prevention education and 988 access

3 weeks 6 days ago
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt’s measure to increase access to life-saving mental health resources and strengthen suicide prevention efforts across the state passed the Senate. “This legislation strengthens access to support for individuals facing a mental health crisis,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “This will also give students tools and lessons to understand their feelings and know where to turn for help.” Belt’s measure would require numerou

Two Adults and Three Juveniles Charged In Alton Shooting

3 weeks 6 days ago
ALTON - The Alton Police Department said charges have been filed in connection with a shots-fired investigation stemming from an April 11, 2026, incident on East 4th Street, citing the use of video evidence and license plate reader technology to identify vehicles involved. “This case is a strong example of how technology, teamwork, and persistent investigative work can quickly lead to those responsible for reckless and dangerous behavior,” Chief Jarrett Ford said. “Gun violenc

Missouri Man Charged With Fleeing Alton Police Twice In Two Days

3 weeks 6 days ago
ALTON – A Missouri man accused of fleeing from multiple Madison County law enforcement agencies within two days faces charges in two felony cases. Jeremy W. Chaffin, 46, of Troy, Mo., was charged on April 2, 2026 with a Class 4 felony count of aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer in a case presented by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. In a separate but similar case presented by the Alton Police Department on the same day, Chaffin faces four total counts

Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Recording His Sexual Abuse of 5-Year-Old

3 weeks 6 days ago
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Cristian M. Stevens on Thursday, April 16, 2026, sentenced a man who recorded his sexual abuse of a five-year-old to 30 years in prison. When Marshall Williams, 41, pleaded guilty in November to one count of production of child pornography, he admitted sexually abusing the victim and recording the abuse with his cell phone in March of 2024. After the victim’s aunt found the videos, she alerted the victim’s mother and they confronted Williams,

O'Fallon Officers Provide Safe Space for Nesting Goose

3 weeks 6 days ago
O’FALLON, IL — A goose that returned to O’Fallon Public Safety property this spring 2026 for the third consecutive year to lay eggs has been given space by officers to keep her safe, said O’Fallon Police. The department asked the public to help name her through a vote on its police Facebook page. The name selected was Sgt. Waddles, O'Fallon Police said. On April 16, 2026, the O’Fallon Police Department announced that “Sgt. Waddles” had “welcomed

Byron, Carlson, Petri & Kalb Male Athlete Of Month: Father McGivney High Senior Liam Schmidt Shines in Multi-Sport Athletics

3 weeks 6 days ago
GLEN CARBON - Father McGivney Catholic High School senior Liam Schmidt was honored as one of 26 students selected to the Illinois High School Association All-Academic Team, the school said recently, recognizing achievements that extend beyond athletic competition. The school said the honor requires athletes to be All-State, compete in multiple sports, and maintain strong grades. Schmidt is also a Byron, Carlson, Petri & Kalb Male Athlete of the Month for the Griffins. In outdoor track