BELLEVILLE — Mark Heffernan will lead the Belleville Police Department after the City Council approved Mayor Jenny Gain Meyer’s appointment of him as police chief, according to an announcement citing his experience and commitment to serving the community. The council approved the appointment at a meeting this week. “We look forward to working with him as he leads the Belleville Police Department and continues his dedication to serving our citizens,” the departmen
CAHOKIA HEIGHTS — A van carrying Belleville West students crashed near Pocket Road and Illinois Route 15 around 8 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, killing a 17-year-old student and sending multiple students to area hospitals. The cause of the crash is under investigation. The van apparently struck a light pole in the accident and also caught fire. First responders arrived quickly after being dispatched and transported some students to hospitals. A 17-year-old student was pronounced dead
GODFREY - The Village of Godfrey will host their annual Fall Festival this weekend, complete with kids’ activities, food trucks, Highland cows and more. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2026, community members can stop by Glazebrook Park to enjoy the festival and the Great Godfrey Maze. Director of Parks and Recreation Chris Logan and Economic Developer Jim Mager shared their excitement to bring people together and celebrate the community. “We’re really happy
ALTON - In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony's Health Center is encouraging women to prioritize their breast health through regular screenings, education and preventive care. Throughout October, OSF Saint Anthony's will offer opportunities for women to learn more about breast health and the importance of early detection, including Mocktails and Mammograms on Wednesday, October 14, an event designed to connect women with preventive health resources, screenings
JERSEYVILLE – A suspect is now in custody facing major felony charges in the case of an occupied vehicle shooting in Jerseyville. Casey C. McGee Jr., 27, of Jerseyville, was charged on Sept. 23, 2026 with four Class X felony counts of attempted first degree murder, a Class 1 felony count of aggravated discharge of a firearm at an occupied vehicle and four Class 4 felony counts of aggravated assault/discharge firearm. On Sept. 21, 2026, McGee allegedly fired a Ruger 9mm semi-automatic
GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College will host its annual Resource & Wellness Fair, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, in The Commons, offering a variety of health, wellness and community resource activities for students, employees and the general public. The fair is designed to promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being while connecting attendees with valuable health resources and support services available throughout the community. Activities scheduled throughout the day include:
WOOD RIVER – A Wood River woman who has allegedly stolen almost $30,000 in SNAP benefits since 2022 now faces felony charges. Allison M. Schardan, 27, of Wood River, was charged on Sept. 16, 2026 with one count each of theft of government property (a Class 1 felony) and state benefits fraud (a Class 2 felony). From May 9, 2022 to Jan. 31, 2026, Schardan allegedly knowingly obtained $29,506 in Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from the State of Illinois by means
ALTON/GODFREY - Students in the Alton Community Unit School District #11 enjoyed a special visit from Fredbird and former Cardinals pitcher Al Hrabosky. On Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, North Elementary School students gathered in the gym for a presentation about taking care of themselves and others. Principal Lisa Harris noted that the Cardinals assembly was a fun way to share the school’s goals with students. “One of our messages here at North is, we say, ‘One school, one
Vaccines are something many people associate with childhood: a series of shots following a schedule that gradually becomes less demanding. But adulthood comes with its own list of recommended immunizations, and keeping track of them can be surprisingly difficult. That is why doctors often use annual physicals and preventive visits to review a person’s vaccination history and determine what vaccines are due. Vaccine schedules can be pretty confusing. Talha Khan, MD, a family medicine physician
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO. - An adult man died in a single-vehicle crash near Hunters Ford Road and Rock Tree Drive in St. Louis County on Tuesday night, Sept. 22, 2026, police said. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Officers from the St. Louis County Police Department’s West County Precinct responded to the crash at 9:57 p.m. on Tuesday. St. Louis County Police said they found the driver in an overturned vehicle with injuries sustained in the crash. He was pronounced dead
BETHALTO/EAST ALTON - The St. Louis Regional Airport has an exciting weekend ahead, and you’re invited as they mark their 30th annual Wings-n-Wheels Fly-In. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, community members can tour planes, enjoy the Speed Demons Car Show, and check out food trucks, vendors and kids’ activities. More fun is planned from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, with free Young Eagles Flights available for kids ages 8–17, the Bethalto
WOOD RIVER — The Madison County Board approved a $387,375 appropriation to support breast and cervical cancer screenings and diagnostic services for eligible women. The funding supports the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (IBCCP), which provides free screenings, diagnostic testing and care coordination through the Madison County Health Department. The program serves more than 500 local women annually. “Early detection of breast and cervical cancer saves lives,”
TROY, Ill. — A 48-year-old Troy woman died Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, after a truck she was using on her property apparently rolled down an incline and struck her, according to Madison County authorities. Madison County Coroner Nicholas P. Novacich identified the woman as Justina M. Wilbur. A family member found Wilbur unresponsive near a garden at her home, and 911 was notified at approximately 4:57 p.m. on Friday. She was taken by ambulance to Anderson Hospital, where medical staff pronounced
This Day in Music History: September 23 Bob Marley’s final concert, played Sept. 23, 1980, at Pittsburgh’s Stanley Theatre, stands as the day’s most consequential musical milestone. Marley and the Wailers were on the U.S. leg of the Uprising tour, carrying reggae’s language of spiritual conviction, social justice and communal resilience to a broad international audience. The Pittsburgh performance came at the end of a career that had transformed Jamaican music into a global
On September 23, one of the most consequential events in modern world history is the 1806 arrival of the Lewis and Clark Expedition back in St. Louis after more than two years of travel across North America. Sent by U.S. President Thomas Jefferson after the Louisiana Purchase, the expedition set out to map lands little known to the United States, establish relations with Native nations, and search for a practical route to the Pacific. At the time, the journey mattered because it expanded geographic
From juried art and live music to community festivals, fundraisers, markets and family activities, the Riverbend has a packed slate of upcoming events. Find even more options on the complete RiverBender.com Events calendar. RBGA LeadHERship Seminar will bring women of all ages and backgrounds together Friday, Sept. 25, at Enjoy Church in Alton for an annual half-day program designed to inspire, uplift and empower. Doors open at 11 a.m., with the seminar beginning at 12:30 p.m. and concluding
GLEN CARBON – An electric vehicle charging station is coming to Schon Park in Glen Carbon. Glen Carbon Village Board members voted unanimously on Sept. 22, 2026 to purchase an electric vehicle charger to be installed in Schon Park. Trustees also approved a related agreement with the Electrification Coalition and Ameren Illinois. Public Works Director Scott Slemer said the project consists of a dual output charging station. “We’ll have dual outputs, so you’ll be able t
JERSEYVILLE – Jerseyville residents are invited to an upcoming Neighborhood Block Party offering attendance-free fun for the entire family and a chance to connect with fellow neighbors. The Jerseyville Public Library is celebrating National Good Neighbor Day this Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026 with its fourth annual Neighborhood Block Party from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Attendees of all ages can gather on Lafeyette Street, which will be closed off to traffic. The free event will feature storytelling,
September is Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month, and one woman is sharing her story after a rupture nearly took her life. Kari Rixstine says what started as a routine morning walk with her dogs quickly turned into a medical emergency. She now wants people to know the warning signs and why a sudden, severe headache should never be ignored. It was a Monday morning walk that Kari Rixstine will never forget. She had just said goodbye to her husband, Tim, and walked about a half block with her dogs
ST. LOUIS – A Columbian national illegally present in the United States on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, admitted assaulting a federal agent on Interstate 64 in April. Jhon Fredy Blanco Rodriguez, 22, pleaded guilty Tuesday in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of assaulting a federal agent. He admitted that on the morning of April 8, federal agents saw him leave a residence and enter a vehicle registered to a known illegal alien. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agents
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