O’FALLON, Ill. – The holiday season has always carried deep meaning at Andria’s Steakhouse. It is a time filled with familiar faces, shared meals, and traditions that span generations. But for many families, the holidays also bring reminders of who is missing. Grief has a way of showing up quietly at the table, especially in December. This year, we are choosing to acknowledge it, honor it, and respond with care. On December 15 and December 29, Andria’s will host two
EDWARDSVILLE - Miccah Butler, a senior shooting guard for the Edwardsville boys basketball team, is off to a tremendous start in the new season and is one of the key players for the Tigers in the 2025-26 season, where the team has started 4-2, and currently 1-1 in the Southwestern Conference. In the first few games of the season, Butler is averaging 12.3 points and 0.5 rebounds per game, along with four assists and a steal. In a Dec. 5 game at East St. Louis, he led the team with 22 points,
ST. CHARLES COUNTY, MO. - St. Charles County Ambulance District Lieutenant Sarah McCarthy, a 23-year veteran of emergency medical services, died Dec. 9, 2025, following complications from a medical emergency while on duty at Station 12 in St. Peters. McCarthy, 48, first experienced chest pain on Nov. 21, 2025, and was transported by colleagues to Missouri Baptist Hospital, where she underwent emergency surgery. After a setback in her recovery on Dec. 4, 2025, she was transferred to Barnes Hospital
ALTON - Confluence Wealth Management recently welcomed nearly 200 guests to their annual client appreciation Christmas party, where they raised $6,195 for the Alton Location of Wreaths Across America. Confluence Wealth Management, a locally owned financial planning and wealth management firm affiliated with Raymond James Financial Services, works with Riverbend residents throughout the community. Co-owners Jack Hoelscher and Robert Diaz were excited to see many of their clients come
CHICAGO – Today, Governor Pritzker signed the Medical Aid in Dying bill (SB 1950), a law that will provide qualified terminally ill patients with the option to seek medication to peacefully end their lives on their own terms in consultation with physicians. To ensure the highest safeguards for patients, the law is effective in September of 2026, which affords participating health care providers and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) significant lead time to implement stringent
GODFREY - Fran Scheurer is the recipient of Godfrey Women’s Club 2025 Silver Spoon Award. The Silver Spoon Award is an honor given each year to a member of Godfrey Women’s Club, who has served the club in an outstanding way. Since joining the club in 2019, Fran has co-chaired the Christmas Carousel Home & Garden Booth for 5 years, holding many craft workshops in her home. This year she co-chaired the Basket Raffle Table for Carousel. Fran has served on the board since 2022. S
Key takeaways: Chronic physical conditions can spawn mental health concerns, like anxiety. But, there are ways to find a balance between getting help and being independent. One-on-one or group therapy can help. Experts also says you should know when you're burnt out and speak up. Caregivers should watch for signs that their loved one is struggling, such as not taking their medicine. A chronic condition like diabetes, lupus, arthritis or brain fog is a lot to handle
EAST ST. LOUIS - Tyonna Woodhouse, a Homeless, Attendance and Truancy Officer at James Avant Elementary in East St. Louis School District 189, has been nominated by the Illinois State Board of Education as one of two Illinois nominees for the national 2026 Recognizing Inspiring School Employees (RISE) Award. The nomination, announced recently, highlights Woodhouse’s leadership in addressing chronic absenteeism and boosting student engagement at James Avant Elementary. The RISE Awards,
ALTON — The City of Alton has officially released a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking a qualified firm or individual to manage Rock Spring Golf Course . The City aims to improve operations, elevate customer experience, and strengthen the long-term sustainability of the course. “We’re excited to take this next step in revitalizing Rock Spring,” said Parks & Recreation Director Lyndsey Younger. “We’re looking for a management partner who can bring new energ
ALTON - The K Miller Foundation will host its sixth annual toy giveaway to celebrate the holidays. From 12–3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, at the Mineral Springs Banquet Center in Alton, you can pick out toys for your children and enjoy several activities and treats. There are no income requirements, though K Miller Foundation founder Kidada Miller asks people to register so they can ensure they have enough toys. Thirty turkeys will also be available to those who reserve them. &ldqu
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — Two women have been charged in connection with a series of retail thefts targeting local businesses in Fairview Heights over the past two months, authorities said this week. The Fairview Heights Police Department, following coordinated investigations, identified Shamyia M. Seay, 30, and Jamya C. Newbern, 25, as suspects in multiple incidents involving theft of fragrances and other items from area retailers. On December 8, 2025, the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s
CHICAGO – Today, Governor Pritzker signed the Medical Aid in Dying bill (SB 1950), a law that will provide qualified terminally ill patients with the option to seek medication to peacefully end their lives on their own terms in consultation with physicians. To ensure the highest safeguards for patients, the law is effective in September of 2026, which affords participating health care providers and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) significant lead time to implement stringent
ALTON – During cancer treatment, you shouldn’t have to worry about where you and your family’s next meal is coming from, and certainly not a Thanksgiving dinner, said Jill Pruitt, OPN-CG, LPN, Certified Oncology Navigator at OSF Moeller Cancer Center in Alton (2200 Central Avenue). That’s the simple thought that motivated the OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center Oncology Department in August to create “The Caring Pantry,” a small, grocery-style set up a
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after Senate Republicans rejected Senate Democrats’ proposal to extend the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits to ensure millions of Americans could continue to afford their health care plans in 2026: “Need I remind my Republicans colleagues that their votes have real consequences for the people of this country? “Shame on Republicans for, once again,
Did you know that the vibrant red poinsettia, a staple of holiday décor in millions of homes, is named after a U.S. diplomat rather than a gardener or botanist? The story behind National Poinsettia Day reveals a fascinating intersection of diplomacy, botany, and cultural tradition that has elevated a simple plant into a national symbol. The Origins of the Poinsettia Plant The poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) is native to Mexico and Central America, where it has been known for centuries.
December 12 has long been a date marked by significant milestones across various fields, from politics and science to culture and global diplomacy. On December 12, 1963, Kenya gained independence from British colonial rule, becoming a sovereign nation. This milestone was a significant step in the wave of decolonization sweeping across Africa, inspiring other countries to pursue self-determination and national identity. In the realm of science and exploration, December 12, 1990, marked the launc
BETHALTO - Precision Point Armory offers firearm training and classes for everyone, from the total beginner to the advanced shooter. Ben Julian, owner of Precision Point Armory, decided to start his business because he saw how many people were intimidated by firearms. As someone who is passionate about firearms, it’s important to him to make sure that gun owners are educated about how to properly handle these devices. He works with people who have never held a gun as well as those wh
GRANITE CITY – Separate cases of burglary at a local residence and church have yielded felony charges against two Granite City residents. Christopher T. Weiser, 43, of Granite City, was charged on Dec. 1, 2025 with a Class 1 felony count of residential burglary. Weiser allegedly entered a residence in the 1900 block of Joy Ave. in Granite City on Oct. 23, 2025 without authority and with the intent to commit a theft. A petition to deny Weiser’s pretrial release from custody was file
Friday in the area will be mostly cloudy and chilly, with a high of 35 and a low near 22. Winds will come from the north at around 8 to 14 mph. Rain chances are minimal, with just a slight chance of snow during the night. Through the day Friday, expect mostly cloudy skies with a slow warm-up after a very cold start. The afternoon will stay chilly, with a few hours of sunshine trying to peek through the clouds. Evening and overnight will bring mostly cloudy skies and continued cold conditions. Satur
SPRINGFIELD — Authorities are seeking public assistance in solving a triple homicide that left three people dead, including a 9-year-old boy, at a home on Hoover Avenue in Springfield on Oct. 9, 2025. The victims were identified as 22-year-old Mhy'nesha Day, 21-year-old Devionne Brady, and Cash Russell, 9, who was the juvenile victim in the case. The Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shooting report at the residence in the 3000 block of Hoover Avenue and found the thre
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