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ALTON - Vernon Curvey’s path to an administrative role at Alton High School wasn’t linear, but it worked out exactly like it was supposed to. Curvey is preparing to retire from his assistant principal position at AHS in Alton Community Unit School District #11. He shared more of his story and emphasized that he has always worked to help students succeed, which is his top priority as an educator. “I would like for people to know that I always tried to put kids first,”

EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville Community Unit School District 7 proudly recognizes a dedicated group of educators who have successfully completed the comprehensive LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) professional learning program, made possible through support from the SLD Support Project. This achievement reflects the district’s ongoing commitment to strengthening literacy instruction and ensuring that every student develops the foundational skills necessary

SWANSEA - The Swansea Police Department announced that Chase Carlile graduated from Session 158 of the SWIC Police Academy this past Thursday, April 23, 2026, and will begin a 14-week field training program with the department. “Congratulations to our newest officer, Chase Carlile, on his graduation today from Session 158 of the SWIC Police Academy,” the Swansea Police Department said in a statement. “Officer Carlile will now start a 14-week field training program

BELLEVILLE - As the weather heats up, a doctor at Belleville Memorial Hospital is reminding her patients about the importance of sun protection. Dr. Angie Harris, a BJC Medical Group family medicine physician, encourages community members to prioritize sunscreen and protective clothing to avoid skin damage. She suggests starting with shorter stints in the sun instead of spending hours outside immediately following the dark winter months. “We have long winters here. So when it starts

A “fresh start” can make people feel more hopeful even when nothing has changed yet—not their job, not their relationships, not their habits. The calendar flips, a new notebook opens, a new haircut happens, and suddenly the future feels lighter. That emotional lift is real. It’s also a clue: new beginnings are as much about the mind as they are about the moment. New beginnings matter because they shape what we believe is possible. They can push us to act, help us recover

On April 29, 1945, American forces liberated the Dachau concentration camp near Munich, Germany, exposing the world to clear evidence of the Nazi system of mass imprisonment, forced labor, and murder. For the people held there, liberation meant survival after years of brutality, hunger, and disease. For the wider public, the images and testimonies from Dachau became impossible to dismiss, helping shape postwar justice efforts and the global commitment—imperfect but lasting—to documenting

JERSEYVILLE – A recycling partnership has now been approved by both Jerseyville and Jersey County, clearing the way for a new recycling program amid dump sticker sales and updated recycling guidelines. At their April 28, 2026 meeting, Jerseyville City Council members unanimously approved an intergovernmental agreement between the City of Jerseyville and Jersey County establishing policies and procedures regarding recycling. The same agreement had been approved by Jersey County Board member

EDWARDSVILLE - Junior outfielder Nathan Bukovac had a great day at the plate on April 25, 2026, when he came up with two hits and four RBIs, including a two-run double that helped break open the game in a six-run sixth inning that helped give Edwardsville a 9-3 baseball win over Parkway South of Manchester, Mo., in west St. Louis County, at Tom Pile Field. Bukovac has emerged as a key player and hitter for the Tigers this season, and is currently hitting .333 with no home runs, seven RBIs, an

GRANITE CITY - Charlee Schwaller is one of the key players for the girls' soccer team at Granite City High School, and the junior striker is also the leading scorer for the Warriors as the season is ready to turn into the stretch drive. In a 3-1 loss to Edwardsville on April 23, 2026, at Gene Baker Field, Schwaller had the Warriors' lone goal, but it was a spectacular one, indeed, as her shot deflected off the far post and into the net from distance to give Granite a much-deserved goal, a reward

GODFREY - A local Godfrey resident didn’t think much about it when she discovered a tick bite after sleeping in bed with her dog. Except then she started getting sick. With annual bloodwork coming up and more symptoms appearing every day, the woman, who asked to remain anonymous, called her doctor about testing for tickborne illnesses. It was an “eye roll” moment to even ask, she said, but when the tests came back, both she and her doctor were shocked with the diagnosis:

Press conference can be found here or on the BlueRoom Stream: https://youtu.be/5ofi7zRj6rc Springfield, IL — Senate Deputy Minority Leader Sue Rezin (R-Morris) and State Senator Erica Harriss (R-Glen Carbon) recently unveiled a legislative package aimed at strengthening protections for children online by addressing social media harms, sexual exploitation, and minors’ access to adult content. The legislative package is designed to put stronger safeguards in place for children

ALTON — Two Alton men have been charged in connection with a Wednesday, April 22, 2026, shooting in the 2200 block of Locust Street in Alton, after investigators presented the case to the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office and arrest warrants were signed, police said. Anthony L. Shanklin, a 34-year-old male from Alton, and Samuel J. Chatman, a 31-year-old male from Alton, have each been charged with the following offenses: • Count I: Attempted First Degree Murder

GRANITE CITY – A Granite City man accused of robbing someone while armed with a knife has been detained on a major felony charge in Madison County. Donald E. Pleasant III, 28, of Granite City, was charged on April 24, 2026 with one count of armed robbery, a Class X felony. Pleasant allegedly knowingly stole a cross body bag containing personal items from another person by threatening the use of force while armed with a knife on April 23, 2026. A petition to deny Pleasant’s pretrial

EAST ALTON - The East Alton Fire Department will host their inaugural spring barbecue and clay shoot fundraiser. On Saturday, May 2, 2026, community members can stop by the East Alton American Legion Post #794 for the event. Eight teams will participate in the clay shoot earlier in the day, and then the general public can join the fun at 3 p.m. at the legion, where you can enjoy the department’s “nearly famous” barbecue and several raffles. Cabin Fever will play from

GRAFTON — A new memorial honoring U.S. veterans is set to open June 6, 2026, along the Mississippi River in Grafton, with a day of events marking the anniversary of D-Day and featuring the unveiling of a life-size bronze installation of Army Rangers scaling a bluff. The National Memorial of Military Ascent will debut with a morning dedication ceremony and ribbon cutting at 9:30 a.m. at 950 E. Main St., followed by an evening D-Day Celebration Dinner & Dance from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at The

GRANITE CITY – A Granite City area sex offender has been charged in his latest case of failing to register with local authorities. Jamel C. Jimmerson, 38, listed as homeless, was charged on April 24, 2026 with a Class 2 felony count of unlawful failure to register as a sex offender. On April 23, 2026, Jimmerson allegedly failed to report in person on a weekly basis to the Granite City Police Chief while lacking a fixed address in Granite City, as legally required under the Sex Offender

ALTON - The Alton Youth Symphony will offer a concert titled “An Evening of Service and Americana Music” to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States. At 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at St. Paul Episcopal Church in Alton, the symphony’s chamber strings group will perform music from the Civil War to contemporary tunes. Ann Geiler, director of AYS, explained that the goal is to honor service members and celebrate Americana music while showcasing the hard work of the

ALTON - Associated Physicians Group has welcomed a new doctor while Dr. Christopher Green focuses on the new Enhanced Wellness Care program . With locations in Alton, Edwardsville and O’Fallon, Associated Physicians Group is known throughout the area for its top-notch medical care. Especially in Alton, Green and Dr. Scott Morrison noted that they are able to work closely with their staff and nurse practitioners to connect patients with the care they need for primary care, pain

CHICAGO – The Illinois Accountability Commission, housed in the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR), today held its fourth public hearing to reveal never-before-seen footage and brand-new eyewitness testimony from specific incidents targeting Illinoisians. Following Governor Pritzker’s directive for the Commission to examine the roles and responsibilities of key Trump Administration officials during the hearings, all current or former architects of Operation Midway Blitz

CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today opposed a U.S. Department of Labor proposed rule to dramatically alter the standard for how workers are classified as independent contractors under federal law. Raoul and a coalition of attorneys general and state and city labor agencies submitted comments in opposition to the rule, which would lead to more workers being misclassified as independent contractors and leave them without wage, overtime and other protections tied to employee status.