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On September 12, one of the most far-reaching events in global history took place in 1683, when the Battle of Vienna ended with the defeat of the Ottoman siege of the city. At the time, the battle mattered because Vienna was a major political and military center in central Europe, and its fall would likely have changed the balance of power across the region. The victory by the combined forces of the Habsburg monarchy, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, and other allies helped halt Ottoman expansion

EDWARDSVILLE – Two drug-related DUI incidents in Edwardsville have resulted in charges against two in separate but similar Madison County cases. Tabatha L. Meyer, 36, of Glen Carbon, was charged on Sept. 2, 2026 with a Class 4 felony count of possession of a controlled substance and a Class A misdemeanor count of driving while under the influence. Meyer allegedly drove a motor vehicle on Center Grove Road in Edwardsville while under the influence of any drug or combination of drugs to

ALTON – Local voters will soon have a chance to hear from candidates running for Madison County and statewide offices in the Nov. 3, 2026 elections. YWCA Southwestern Illinois and the Alton Section of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) are teaming up to host a Candidate Forum on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026 at 7 p.m. in the YWCA gymnasium, located at 304 E. Third St. in Alton. The event is free and open to the public, as both organizations aim to keep voters informed before they cast

SWANSEA – In an effort to expand workforce training, State Senator Christopher Belt helped secure nearly $1.5 million to connect workers with the skills and resources they need to enter in-demand careers while helping employers build the qualified workforce they need to grow. “We have so many wonderful organizations in the Metro East who just want to help people, and all they need is the funds to do it,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “I’m proud to see organizations

This Day in Music History: Mahler’s Giant Eighth Symphony Premieres On Sept. 12, 1910, Gustav Mahler conducted the world premiere of his Symphony No. 8 in Munich, creating one of the defining large-scale events in classical music. The work brought together an orchestra, eight vocal soloists, two mixed choruses and a boys’ chorus for a score of unusual breadth and ambition. Its opening is based on the Latin hymn “Veni, Creator Spiritus,” while its second half sets the

ALTON — The Alton Police Department conducted an impaired driving enforcement effort over Labor Day weekend in Alton as part of statewide safety initiatives aimed at impaired driving and seat belt use, resulting in one fugitive apprehended and 48 speeding citations. The department collaborated with other law enforcement agencies and highway safety partners across the state for the Illinois Labor Day “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Drive High. Get a DUI” campaign.

ALTON – The Alton High School Homecoming Parade may be canceled this year as the city’s Public Works staff prepares to go on strike in two weeks. Teamsters Local 525, the union representing the city’s Public Works Department, announced on Thursday , Sept. 10, 2026 that union members are prepared to strike on Sept. 25 if a fair contract still has not been negotiated. At the Sept. 8, 2026 Committee of the Whole meeting , aldermen questioned whether the city would be able t

ALTON — Ja’Nya Hubbard, a senior lineman on Alton High School’s first girls flag football team, said the Redbirds are focused on learning, improving and staying together in the program’s first season despite some early losses. The Redbirds had some good plays and moments throughout the recent Edwardsville game, did not surrender and fought to the end. “I’m feeling great,” Hubbard said. “I think that the team did a good job, I really think we really

GODFREY - The Alton-Godfrey Rotary Club will present its “Gordon F. Moore Service Above Self” award to Pam Whisler on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026, at Lewis and Clark Commons in Godfrey, recognizing the longtime Godfrey public servant and volunteer for service to others. The dinner will begin at 5 p.m. The Rotary Club said it is presenting the award for only the 10th time in its 105-year history. The honor, named for Dr. Gordon Moore, incorporates Rotary’s motto and is given to

ROXANA - Madison John is taking on key roles for Roxana this fall and spring, playing No. 1 singles in tennis and second base in softball as the 2026-27 school year unfolds, with her play helping the Shells in early fall competition, including a narrow 5-4 home tennis victory over Vandalia. John, a senior, won her No. 1 singles match against Vandalia this season and teamed with Alexis Dopuch for a doubles win. Those results helped Roxana secure the 5-4 victory in its first home match of the season.

MARYVILLE/ALTON - Prior to Patriot Day on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, that marks the anniversary of the 9-11 tragedy 25 years ago, Maryville Christian School students showed appreciation for local first responders at the school in Maryville on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026. The students delivered handmade cards, food and a thank-you basket during events described by the school as taking place this morning and this afternoon to thank those who serve and protect the school and communities.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO. — Chauncey Bishop, 61, of St. Louis, died Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, after a single-vehicle crash near South Lindbergh Boulevard and Lemay Ferry Road, St. Louis County police said. Officers from the South County Precinct responded at 11:05 a.m. Sept. 10 to a call for service at the intersection. They found Bishop in the driver’s seat suffering from injuries sustained in the crash, police said. He was taken to an area hospital for life-saving treatment but was pronounce

ALTON - A Duke Bakery window became part of a marriage proposal Wednesday morning, Sept. 9, 2026, when an unnamed area man arranged for “Marry Me” to be spelled out in delicious doughnuts at the bakery’s storefront at 819 Henry St. in Alton’s Middletown Historic District for a woman who walks the neighborhood each morning. Amy Hollis, one of the owners of Duke Bakery, said the proposal happened outside the bakery and that the woman said yes. “On Wednesday we had

EDWARDSVILLE — State Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, released the following statement reflecting on the 25th anniversary since the terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001: “We all remember where we were on September 11, 2001; we remember how time stood still, watching the unimaginable unfold before our eyes. The impact of that attack has reverberated in our country’s DNA ever since, from creating the Department of Homeland Security to bolstering TS

EDWARDSVILLE — Lincoln Middle School students gathered around the school’s flagpole Friday morning to remember and reflect on the events of September 11, 2001, during the school’s annual Patriot Day observance. The event was organized by Lincoln 8th grade social studies teachers John Ginestra and Tom Newell as an opportunity for students to learn about and honor the significance of September 11. The ceremony brought together students, staff, Lincoln band and choir members, schoo

ALTON/GODFREY - Students with Alton High School’s Marching 100 will be out in the community playing their instruments and asking for donations. On Saturday morning, Sept. 12, 2026, musicians will be outside Duke Bakery, Mister Donut and Joe K’s, and anyone who donates to the band program will receive a button. The goal, explained Band Director Matt Chesner, is to connect the Alton Community Unit School District #11 music program with the community and to raise money for the students.

CHICAGO — Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years, today joined volunteers at Chicago Union Station to help pack 520,000 meals that will be donated to the Greater Chicago Food Depository as part of a day of service commemorating the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Photos from the event are available on the Senator’s website . “Twenty-five

ALTON - The local chapter of the Sierra Club is looking for volunteers, and you can support their mission to help the environment. The Piasa Palisades chapter of the Sierra Club organizes environmental cleanups, events, and other educational opportunities throughout the year. As they approach the Mississippi Earthtones Festival and its corresponding clean up — their biggest event of the year — leader Christine Favilla is asking the community to join their efforts. “We

ALTON - Calvary Baptist Church’s Awana program gives children an opportunity to learn more about God, grow in their faith, and build friendships through fun and engaging activities. From 5–7:15 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, the Awana Club will kick off at Calvary Baptist Church. This is a completely free program for kids ages 2 to fifth grade. The Awana Club meets weekly from 5–7:15 p.m. on Sundays. As part of Calvary’s mission to connect people to Christ and His

COLLINSVILLE – State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) announced she has secured $100,000 in state funding to support the City of Collinsville’s ongoing work to add specialized PFAS treatment to its water treatment system. “Addressing PFAS is a significant undertaking, and I know this project will require substantial resources,” said Senator Harriss. “This funding is one piece of that larger effort, and my hope is that it helps ease the burden on local taxpayers