SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has awarded four grants totaling $669,400 through the Illinois Boat Access Area Development Program to help local governments create boat and canoe access areas on Illinois lakes and rivers. “Investing in boat launches around the state helps communities improve access to public lakes and rivers and creates a better all-around recreation experience for thousands of residents and visitors,” said IDNR Director
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is accepting applications for Natural Areas Stewardship grants through June 12. The grants support projects that promote the stewardship of Illinois’ natural areas. The goal of the program is to increase stewardship efforts at natural areas protected within the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission system. Stewardship needs at sites across the state continue to exceed the capacity of volunteers, organizations and
JERSEYVILLE — Jersey Community Unit School District No. 100 recognized West Elementary crossing guard Kenny Pohlman on School Crossing Guard Day on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, thanking him for his work helping students get to school safely daily. In a statement, the Jersey Community Unit School District praised Pohlman for his commitment “rain or shine” and for “going above and beyond to keep our students safe and our mornings full of smiles.” Pohlman is a true "Difference
CHICAGO – In a major step toward reducing homelessness and expanding access to stable housing, the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) today announced $50 million in state and federal funding to support six new permanent supportive housing developments across Illinois. The investments will create 142 units of affordable housing paired with on-site services for individuals and families living with disabilities, experiencing homelessness, or at risk of housing instability. “My
SPRINGFIELD - The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) are honoring EMS personnel across the state during the 52nd annual EMS week which is May 17-23. This year’s them is Improving Outcomes, Together, which focuses on not only patient outcomes, but also the well-being of our EMS providers. “This year’s theme, Improving Outcomes, Together, truly reflects the work you do every day. Whether responding to medical
CHICAGO – Today, Donald Trump’s Department of Justice announced a $1.8 billion taxpayer fund for his allies, including January 6 insurrectionists, reaffirming this administration as the most corrupt in American history. While working Americans struggle with rising costs, Trump is using taxpayer dollars to reward loyalists, billionaire friends, and convicted criminals. In response, Governor JB Pritzker released the following statement: “Donald Trump is stealing
HIGHLAND – Highland area families and circus fans have a chance to win four free tickets to the all-new Carden Circus Spectacular. Coming to the Madison County Fairgrounds at 2025 Park Hill Drive in Highland, the family-fun circus festivities are set for Thursday, May 28, 2026, starting at 7 p.m. General Manager Arline Carden said The circus is bringing its “all-new” show offerings for 2026, including a brand-new ringmaster, Rulito Videla. Carden said Videla’s act combines
GRANITE CITY - After a year-long review of new ground survey data and aerial imagery, the National Weather Service office in St. Louis has updated its damage assessment of the May 16, 2025, tornado event in the St. Louis metropolitan area, concluding that two tornadoes occurred and that the primary tornado’s path was wider than previously reported. The NWS increased the reported width of the St. Louis tornado to 3,168 yards, or 1.8 miles, calling it the widest tornado in the region since
GRANITE CITY/GLEN CARBON — Drivers across the Metro East region received a brief break from Monday’s heavy rain Tuesday morning, but forecasters said more stormy weather is expected later in the day and evening, including the potential for thunderstorms, lightning, and hail. The Metro East, including the Granite City, Edwardsville, and Glen Carbon vicinities, saw difficult commute travel during Monday evening, May 18, 2026, depicted in the photos above and below. Heavy rainfall
JERSEYVILLE - The Jersey County Historical Society will host its fourth annual One-room School Reunion at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 27, in the front room of the museum, located at 601 N. State St. in Jerseyville. The event is free and open to the public. Jersey County was once home to more than 70 one-room schools. This event celebrates those institutions and the students educated within their humble walls. It also promotes and preserves this unique chapter of local history. Reunion activities
CARBONDALE — An effort to help individuals with severe mental illness has doubled in participation. Centerstone recently expanded its Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program to provide comprehensive, community-based support for adults living with serious mental illness across several counties in Illinois. ACT is available in Madison, St. Clair, Jersey, Jackson, Union, and parts of Franklin and Williamson counties. The program serves adults age 18 and older who are diagnosed with serious
ST. CLAIR COUNTY - St. Clair County animal shelter officials and volunteers relocated dozens of animals as severe storms and the threat of flash flooding on Monday, May 18, 2026, raised concerns that rising water could overtake the facility, according to county officials and the shelter director. St. Clair County Animal Control staff, assisted by the County Public Building Commission, worked to evacuate animals from the County Animal Control Facility as storms “continued to
Food often tastes better outside—even when it’s the exact same sandwich you’d eat at your kitchen table. The bread isn’t fresher. The filling didn’t change. Yet the meal feels like a small event, not just a routine. That shift says a lot about how humans respond to space, senses, and shared experience. Outdoor meals are more than a trend or a hashtag. They tap into basic parts of how we pay attention, how we relax, and how we connect with other people. From picnics
On May 19, 1536, Anne Boleyn—queen of England and the second wife of King Henry VIII—was executed at the Tower of London. At the time, her death marked a turning point in a fast-moving political and religious struggle over who would control the English crown and what shape the nation’s church would take. It mattered immediately because it cleared the way for Henry to remarry again in his search for a male heir and strengthened the king’s ability to reshape the rules of
WOOD RIVER – Two redevelopment projects are moving forward in downtown Wood River, including three new businesses and six loft apartments. At their May 18, 2026 meeting, City Council members approved two Tax Increment Financing (TIF) agreements for redevelopment projects on Ferguson Avenue. These include an agreement with JAME Properties LLC for 53 E. Ferguson Ave. and a separate agreement with AMERICAINS LLC at 84 E. Ferguson Ave. The Illinois Secretary of State’s Office lists
ALTON — At 2 p.m. on Friday, May 22, 2026, Soulcial Kitchen will unveil its newest mobile addition — The Chef & The General food truck — at the Block Party for Good in downtown Alton. The debut marks far more than the launch of another food truck. It is the next chapter in Soulcial Kitchen’s Currency of Caring movement and a public statement that food, done right, is one of the most powerful tools we have to restore dignity, build community, and remind every neighbor
HARDIN — Repairs began Monday, May 18, 2026, on the Joe Page Bridge in Hardin, with two-way traffic maintained by temporary signals. IDOT said construction is projected to be completed by June 30, 2027. “IDOT is investing $22 million to maintain the bridge in a state of good repair,” IDOT said. “This work will include daytime lane closures.” IDOT urged motorists to plan for delays during the work. “Motorists should expect long delays and are encouraged
EDWARDSVILLE - The University of Illinois Extension’s Madison County 4-H is recognizing senior Karlie Knebel as the school year comes to an end, highlighting her experiences in the youth program and her plans to attend Murray State University to study animal and equine science. Knebel, whose parents are Corey and Stacey Knebel, said the best part of participating in 4-H was the people she met through her club and at the fair. She is completing five years in 4-H. “The
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. Mike Bost welcomed a group of St. Clair County police officers to Washington during National Police Week, including Fairview Heights Police Officer Molly Muennich, whom he described as having been shot in the line of duty last May and was honored at the U.S. Capitol. Bost said Muennich was shot in the face at close range after what he described as a routine call that “quickly turned dangerous.” Despite what he called critical injuries, Bost said, Muennich
ST. LOUIS — St. Louis Metropolitan Police on Monday, May 18, 2026, identified a man whose body was pulled from the Mississippi River last week as 20-year-old Antonio Arellano-Banda, 20. Arellano-Band's body was discovered along the riverbanks in the Carondelet neighborhood. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department confirmed Monday morning, May 18, 2026, that Arellano-Banda was the victim recovered after officials were called Wednesday, May 13, 2026, to the area of South Broadway
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