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January 6th is a date steeped in remarkable events that have shaped history across the globe. Moving back in time, on this day in 1838, Samuel Morse demonstrated the practicality of the telegraph for long-distance communication. This invention revolutionized how information was transmitted, shrinking the world in ways previously unimaginable. The telegraph laid the groundwork for the communication technologies we rely on today, from telephones to the internet, forever changing commerce, journalism,

This morning starts off chilly with clouds blanketing the sky and temperatures near 31 degrees. As the day progresses, skies will clear occasionally with intermittent clouds giving way to some sunshine by afternoon. The high temperature will reach 56 degrees, but a brisk west wind gusting up to 26 mph will keep it feeling cooler. Evening brings clear skies and colder air moving in with temperatures dropping again. Overnight, look for clear and crisp conditions with a low near 31 degrees, with light

WOOD RIVER – Wood River City Council members passed multiple items at Monday’s meeting to fund the latest phase of the Edwardsville Road Water Line Improvement Project. Public Services Director Michael Velloff said the scope of the project’s third phase includes improving the water main from Whitelaw Avenue to 3rd Street. The current 4-inch cast iron water main will be replaced by a 12-inch PVC water main, with Velloff estimating a completion date of around June 30, 2026.

EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville High School’s Marching Tigers traveled to London over winter break to perform in the London New Year’s Day Parade, showcasing their talents on an international stage. The trip, which took place during the holiday break, included visits to several historic sites across the city. Band directors Ryan Lipscomb and Dean Anderson led the group, which spent months preparing for the prestigious event. Victoria Voumard, Edwardsville High School’s

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is urging residents to take precautions against the spread of influenza (flu) and other seasonal respiratory illnesses, as rates continue to climb across the state. Flu activity in the state has climbed to “Very High” in recent days, the most severe of five categories of respiratory illness activity, as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In addition, COVID-19 rates have climbed

PIASA - Southwestern senior Bram Buettel has distinguished himself both on the soccer field and in cross country, while maintaining strong academic performance, according to Coach Steve Mitchell. Buettel, a senior and team captain, played a versatile role in soccer, serving as a center midfielder and contributing both offensively and defensively. He is an Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Male Athlete of the Month for the Piasa Birds. Coach Mitchell described him as "a good athlete and

ALTON - Karen Crites, a teacher at St. Mary’s Catholic School, was recently named the Most Inspirational Teacher in the Riverbend. The Boys and Girls Club of Alton hosted their annual Boots ‘n Bandanas fundraiser in November and declared Crites the winner of this prestigious award. Crites teaches social studies at the middle school level at St. Mary’s. Crites said she was “very surprised” when she learned her colleagues had nominated her and “shocked”

PIASA - Southwestern High School’s girls volleyball team is looking ahead to the 2025 season with optimism, and one of the leaders next year will be junior outside hitter Briann Anderson and fellow outside hitter Vivian Zurheide. Anderson, standing 5-foot-9, also plays forward on the Piasa Birds girls basketball team. Briann is an Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month. According to Southwestern girls volleyball coach Derek Dempsey, Anderson showed significant

EDWARDSVILLE - As the New Year begins, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville invites students to set goals and envision the next steps in their educational journeys. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville invites these individuals and their guests to add a campus visit to their calendars this spring. “Whether you are just beginning the college search process or have already narrowed your list to your top schools, visiting campus is one of the surest ways to help you decide if that

ALTON - St. Mary’s Catholic School will host an open house so families can learn more about the school and the education it provides. From 12–2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2025, community members are invited to St. Mary’s elementary school in Alton to meet with teachers, tour the classrooms, and learn more about the St. Mary’s community. Principal Mary Rivera looks forward to sharing information about the school with parents and prospective families. “It is

ROXANA — The Roxana Shells cheerleading squad secured fourth place in the Small Varsity Division at a competition held Saturday, earning a spot in the Illinois Cheerleading Coaches Association (ICCA) State Competition scheduled for January 2026 in Springfield. The Roxana girls are Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athletes of the Month. The Shells’ performance qualified them to join other top teams from the region, including Columbia, East Alton-Wood River, Farmington

WOOD RIVER - Hailey Handler, a senior at East Alton-Wood River High School, has been recognized for her dedication and resilience in basketball. Handler, who has played the sport since fourth grade, credits her persistence through numerous injuries and her competitive nature for earning this acknowledgment. Handler is a Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month for the Oilers. Handler expressed gratitude toward her parents for their unwavering support and belief in her abilities.

CHICAGO — An Illinois iLottery player has kicked off the new year in a big way, becoming Illinois’ first $1 million winner of a draw-based lottery game in 2026, after scoring the Lucky Day Lotto® jackpot in yesterday evening’s drawing. The winning online ticket for the Sunday, January 4 evening drawing matched all five numbers to capture the $1 million prize. The winning numbers were: 19-28-30-40-42. In total, nearly 32,000 winning Lucky Day Lotto tickets were purchased

GODFREY - Godfrey will temporarily suspend its yard waste drop-off site on Stamper Lane for the winter after Jan. 10, 2026, village officials announced. The site is scheduled to reopen in mid-March, weather permitting. Residents with full bags of yard waste during the closure can arrange limited drop-off by calling (618) 466-1483 for scheduling. Existing yard waste bag stickers will remain valid throughout the suspension period. In addition, Christmas trees will be accepted for recycling through

EDWARDSVILLE — David A. Murray of Bethalto has been sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to failure to report an accident resulting in death, a Class 1 felony, in Madison County. Murray entered his guilty plea on April 28, 2025, to the charge stemming from a Dec. 29, 2024, crash on Humbert Road in Alton. The accident resulted in the death of Steven J. Coryell, 58, at the scene of the accident. According to court documents, Murray, the driver of a 2017 Ford F-150, failed

EAST ST. LOUIS — The Illinois State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting that left a 40-year-old woman dead near a convenience store in East St. Louis on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. The incident occurred around 10:08 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, near the 4500 block of South State Street in East St. Louis as troopers were responding to a report of a stolen vehicle. According to preliminary information, troopers attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver reversed and struc

ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police are investigating a homicide that occurred early Monday morning, Jan. 5, 2026, in the 2000 block of Switzer Avenue in Jennings. Officers from the City of Jennings Precinct responded at 2:27 a.m. Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, to a shooting report, where they found an adult male who had been shot. St. Louis County Police said the victim died at the scene from his injuries. Detectives from the Bureau of Crimes Against Persons are leading the investigation, whic

EAST ST. LOUIS — The Finance Team at East St. Louis School District 189 received high marks after an external audit was presented recently during a meeting of the District 189 Financial Oversight Panel. Auditors from Baker Tilly delivered their findings at the panel meeting, confirming that the district earned an unmodified audit opinion, commonly referred to as a "clean" audit. This designation represents the most favorable outcome under auditing standards. “Our Financ

WEST ALTON - Sallie Mottley and her children are seeking community support following the sudden death of her husband, Ronald Mottley, who was found deceased after a car accident in West Alton, Mo., on Missouri Highway 367 on Dec. 26, 2025. The accident occurred when their family vehicle went off the road, flipped upside down, and landed in a line of trees. Authorities believe Ronald may have suffered a massive heart attack, which caused him to lose control of the vehicle. Fortunately,

JERSEYVILLE – A recent alleged domestic violence incident has resulted in a new felony charge against an area man with a violent criminal past. David A. Depper, 39, listed as homeless out of Kane, was charged on Jan. 2, 2026 with one count of domestic battery, a Class 4 felony. Depper allegedly committed an act of domestic battery and caused bodily harm to a household or family member on Dec. 31, 2025. Charging documents note Depper had previously been convicted of domestic battery in