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ALTON — William “Bill” Diddlebock, a longtime Alton educator, coach and parks official who spent decades working with local students and athletes, died Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at age 84. Diddlebock was widely known in Alton for his years in School District 11, where he began teaching and coaching in 1965 and remained for 35 years. He taught physical education and health and coached basketball, track and cross country. He also coached tennis at Marquette Catholic and created

EDWARDSVILLE – A monument in the future Goshen Commons park and plaza will highlight eight historic locations around Edwardsville following City Council approval. Aldermen approved the inclusion of eight Edwardsville landmarks to be recognized with a monument at the future Goshen Commons site at their July 21, 2026 City Council meeting. Alderwoman Andrea Miracle abstained. The monument is set to feature one “recognition plaque” to recognize the Kriege Family for their funding

ALTON - From tech classes to a Beatles tribute, The Hayner Public Library District has a variety of free programs coming up in the coming weeks. Executive Director Mary Cordes said that the library is always bustling with patrons and free events. She hopes many community members come out to experience their programs. “What’s not going on at the library?” she laughed. “We’ve got all kinds of stuff.” Through the end of July, the library will continue thei

ALTON - An Alton native living in Oklahoma was killed this weekend. Chamill London, 19, was living in Lawton, Oklahoma, as a soldier with the U.S. Army. London worked in Air and Missile Defense and was preparing for a deployment to Iraq. Her mother, Whittney London, said she was “excited for the journey.” “She was the most beautiful person you would ever meet,” Whittney London said. “She was genuine, funny, and caring. She was determined to live life to

CAHOKIA HEIGHTS - The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis is asking for the public’s help as it continues investigating the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old boy in Cahokia Heights, Ill. Lamerion L. Davis, 16, of Washington Park, Ill., was fatally shot Saturday, July 25, 2026, in the 1100 block of Camp Jackson Road in Cahokia Heights, according to the Major Case Squad. Since the squad was activated, investigators have followed up on about 30 leads while continuing interviews, reviewing evidenc

TROY, Ill. – The Troy/Maryville/St. Jacob/Marine Chamber of Commerce invites residents and visitors from throughout the Metro East to experience Art on the Streets: First Fridays on Friday, August 7, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in beautiful Downtown Troy. The free community celebration will once again transform the streets of downtown into a vibrant outdoor festival featuring live music, local artists, interactive art experiences, food trucks, shopping, family activities, and specials from

EDWARDSVILLE - The summer night is about to get a whole lot faster. The Edwardsville Municipal Band continues its summer concert season this Thursday, July 30, at 7:30 p.m. at the Cleaon Etzkorn Bandstand in City Park with FULL THROTTLE, a program built around momentum, power, and pure drive. The spotlight shines brightly on Henry Fillmore and his traditional circus marches, along with a journey to the edge of the atmosphere with Apollo 11, a twist on the famous Galop Can-Can, the steady drive

EAST ST. LOUIS - Unity Lutheran Christian School will welcome new and returning families for its annual Family Orientation at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, allowing families and students to meet teachers, visit classrooms, and prepare for the start of the 2026-27 school year. The orientation is designed to help families become familiar with classroom routines and expectations while building relationships with teachers before the first day of school. Families will also receive information

EDWARDSVILLE - The Illinois FFA Leadership Camp gave two Edwardsville High School students the opportunity last week to strengthen their leadership skills, build friendships and step outside their comfort zones during a three-day experience centered on teamwork and personal growth. The camp brought together members of the National FFA Organization from across Illinois for activities designed to develop communication, leadership and teamwork. Founded in 1928, the National FFA Organization,

SAINT LOUIS - An Illinois native is in the process of becoming a saint in the Catholic Church, and the community is invited to celebrate this canonization. On Sept. 24, 2026, at The Dome in St. Louis, the church will mark the official beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. There will be several other events, Masses, and activities tied to the beatification in the days leading up to it. Steve Mattern, Senior Vice President for Mission Services with OSF Healthcare, noted that this is especiall

BETAHALTO - Two young sisters in Bethalto spent part of July 2026 turning handmade bracelets into groceries for local blessing boxes, stocking food at several sites and planning to do more as supplies run low. Rainah Deardeuff, 7, and Rylah Deardeuff, 3, sold handcrafted bracelets for $3 and also received donations for charities on July 25, 2026, at their home and in Bethalto, Illinois. Using the money they raised, the girls bought groceries for blessing boxes in the community. The blessing

SPRINGFIELD – Two bipartisan measures sponsored by State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) and State Representative Kevin Schmidt (114th-Millstadt) were signed into law Friday, improving government transparency and expanding recognition for Illinois veterans. House Bill 2137 requires local governments, counties, and municipalities that already maintain a public website to post information directing residents to where audit reports and financial statements can be accessed through

SPRINGFIELD – Today, the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) announced nearly $1 million in grants to support organizations providing vital services to veterans and their families across Illinois for the first quarter of FY27. The grants are part of the Veterans’ Cash Grants program, which aims to address critical issues facing veterans, including homelessness, post-traumatic stress treatment, behavioral health treatment, and workforce development. The grants are funded

CHICAGO – Illinois’ Cemetery Relief Grant Program is already laying the groundwork for a future in which abandoned and neglected cemeteries are no longer overlooked. Launched last August, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) provides eligible local governments, not-for-profit organizations, and cemetery authorities with grants of up to $20,000 to clean, restore, and maintain cemeteries that have fallen into disrepair. This past Spring, IDFPR

Fatal Crash Investigation Involving Moped on ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police are investigating a crash involving an SUV and a moped that killed a 52-year-old man Saturday afternoon, July 25, 2026, near Jennings Station Road and Hildred Avenue in Jennings. Officers from the City of Jennings Precinct responded at 2:56 p.m. Saturday, July 25, 2026, to a call for service for a motor vehicle crash near the intersection, according to the St. Louis County Police Department

GODFREY - Longevity Senior Living in Godfrey offers five levels of assisted living, and they’re happy to welcome you when the time is right. Located on Airport Road in Godfrey, Longevity Senior Living has a number of services that aim to help aging community members enjoy their golden years. Allison Combs, director of sales and marketing, noted that the senior living community is a chance for seniors to connect and get the medical assistance they need. “We are like a stationary

JERSEYVILLE – Two local men were charged with battery in Jersey County last week following an alleged violent altercation at the Jersey County Fairgrounds the week prior. Lord Tyriq S. Hamilton, 22, of Alton, and Michael A. Malloy, 18, of Elsah, were both charged on July 22, 2026 in Jersey County court with one count each of aggravated battery in a public place, both Class 3 felonies. Charging documents state the two were involved “in an altercation and had to be pulled away from”

ST. LOUIS - Two drivers were killed, and a passenger was critically injured late Sunday, July 26, 2026, in a wrong-way crash on Interstate 64 at Jefferson Avenue, where investigators say a Mazda CX entered the highway from Forest Park Parkway and traveled in the wrong direction before colliding with a Ford Explorer. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department's Accident Reconstruction Unit is investigating the crash, which happened around 11:40 p.m. Sunday, July 26, 2026, according to a preliminary

HARDIN - The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office announced July 26 that Jeremy Gwartney has joined the department as its newest deputy sheriff after being sworn in by Judge Charles H.W. Burch and later accepting a full-time role following an intergovernmental agreement signed July 1, 2026, with the Village of Hardin. Gwartney was initially hired as a part-time deputy, according to the sheriff’s office. He accepted a full-time position with the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office after

Some of the best ideas arrive when we stop trying so hard to have them. That is one reason summer often feels unusually creative. People sketch more, start side projects, rearrange their homes, write in notebooks, and suddenly feel drawn to music, cooking, photography, or travel planning. It is not magic. It is a mix of lighter routines, more sensory experiences, and a mental shift that gives the brain room to connect ideas in fresh ways. Why creativity often feels easier in summer Creativity