WORDEN/EDWARDSVILLE - Worden Elementary School students came together to collect and recycle shoes. The school’s Green Earth Club, led by STEM teacher Gretchen Hertz, works hard to complete projects that benefit the environment while giving leadership opportunities to students. Throughout the month of January, students collected 91 pairs of shoes, which will be recycled into new shoes for residents of impoverished countries or turned into playground mulch. “I think we’re
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — An adult male died in a house fire Friday night, Jan. 23, 2026, in the 3600 block of Paule Avenue, St. Louis County police said. Officers from the South County Precinct responded at 10:20 p.m. on Jan. 23 to assist another agency with the fire. Upon arrival, they found the fire was no longer active, but were informed a resident remained inside the home. Officers located the victim inside, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Detectives from the Bureau of Crimes
A single blizzard could decide whether a family ate well, moved away, or didn’t make it to spring. In early America, winter storms were not just uncomfortable. They shaped where people settled, how they built homes, what they stored, and how they traveled. They also changed the rhythm of community life—who you depended on, what you feared, and what you planned for. Long before snowplows and weather apps, storms acted like a hard test that kept returning every year. The people who
The “reset button” doesn’t exist in most real-life situations—yet people talk about it as if it does. A relationship hits a rough patch and someone says, “We need to hit the reset button.” A team misses a deadline and the manager asks for a “reset.” Even a bad morning can trigger the same idea: wipe the slate clean and start again. The phrase is so common because it captures a wish most people share: a clean break from whatever feels stuck. What
Snow makes ordinary places look expensive. A parking lot turns into a blank canvas. A messy backyard looks clean and calm. Even a row of trash cans can seem almost charming under a smooth white layer. That quick “wow” feeling is part of why humans romanticize snow. It doesn’t just change the temperature. It changes what we think we’re seeing—and what we think we’re living through. The “fresh start” effect: snow hides the clutter Snow is nature’s
On January 26, 1788, the British flag was raised at Sydney Cove, marking the start of a permanent European settlement in Australia. The day mattered immediately because it anchored Britain’s presence in the Pacific and created a new colonial outpost built in large part through the forced labor of transported convicts. It still matters today because it helped shape Australia’s language, institutions, and migration patterns, while also marking the beginning of profound disruption for
EDWARDSVILLE — Edwardsville School District #7 announced on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, that Monday, Jan. 26, will be an E-Learning day due to current weather conditions, prioritizing the safety of students and staff. All district buildings and offices will be closed, but students will continue their education remotely following the district’s eLearning plan. The district advised families to have students restart their devices before the school day to ensure all updates ar
Illinois Department of Transportation crews worked early Sunday, Jan. 26, 2026, to clear state highways across the region amid challenging winter conditions, officials said. Joe Monroe, an operations engineer with the Illinois Department of Transportation, reported around 9 a.m. on Jan. 25, 2026, that all state highways remained open. Monroe and his crews were actively clearing routes throughout the region. He said the plowing operation had been ongoing for the past 24 hours. Monroe had visited
BELLEVILLE - Consumers have the opportunity to learn more about local companies and contractors at the upcoming Home Expo. From Feb. 27 through March 1, 2026, the Home Expo invites consumers to Belle Clair Fairgrounds in Belleville for the chance to connect with local home and remodeling companies. Hosted by the Home Builders and Remodelers Metro East Association, the Home Expo promises three days of fun and information for homeowners. “Are you ready for this? We have over 180 booths
ROXANA — At approximately 10:15 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, a piece of operating equipment at the Wood River Refinery, located at 900 South Central Avenue in Roxana, Illinois, tripped, prompting a safety response, refinery officials said. In accordance with safety protocols, the affected unit depressurized through the refinery’s flaring system, a safety device designed to release excess gases. The flare, which is visible to the surrounding community, was activated
ST. LOUIS — Ongoing heavy snowfall continues to disrupt travel across the St. Louis area Sunday morning, Jan. 25, 2026, with an additional 1 to 5 inches expected through the afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. As of 9 a.m, Sunday, Collinsville reported the highest area snowfall total with 9 inches. Lambert International Airport in St. Louis recorded 8.8 inches, while Brighton, Grafton, and Edwardsville reported between 7.5 and 7.8 inches. National Weather Service in St
MADISON COUNTY/ST. LOUIS - At approximately 4:20 a.m. Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, a Madison County Sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop a black Chevrolet Silverado on Nameoki Road in Granite City for a traffic violation and to investigate suspected criminal activity, according to Chief Deputy Marcos Pulido. The driver fled, prompting a multi-jurisdictional vehicle pursuit that extended through Granite City, unincorporated areas, and neighboring cities. Pulido said several local police departments
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) approved a fiscal year 2027 recommended budget that increases funding to continue to support the implementation of the higher education strategic plan, A Thriving Illinois , meant to remove barriers and advance equity across the state’s higher education system. The approved budget recommends an overall 4.5% increase, which represents an increase of $121.5 million, in higher education funding, excluding the State University
WOOD RIVER – Midwest Members Credit Union is proud to sponsor the “Oiler of the Month” program at EAWR High School. A Senior student is selected each month by members of the East Alton-Wood River faculty. Each student is awarded a certificate and a Subway gift card. The Seniors selected each month will have the opportunity to compete for a $1,000.00 “Oiler of the Year” scholarship at the end of the school year. January's winner is Peyton Stark. Peyton is a Senior
4th Grade High Honor Roll Vivian Kerkemeyer Theadora Mendoza Vivienne Morrissey Nolan Nixon Lucas Pulaski 4th Grade Honor Roll Avenly Burns Brenna Grant Declan Gregory Jackson Hoefert Vincent Hollinger Margaret Kessler Lea Kiel Jonah Krueger 5th Grade High Honor Roll Chrisley Bechtold Sophie Hoefert Hunter Johnson Reid Pruetzel Lily Yemm 5th Grade Honor Roll Colton French Thatcher Gregory Cayla Kory Lucas Lacy Jordan McCormick Samantha McCormick 6th
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) is seeking nominations for the 2026 induction class of the Senior Illinoisans Hall of Fame, which honors the accomplishments of Illinois residents aged 65 and older. “Senior Illinoisans across the state carry unique histories, perspectives, and accomplishments that deserve to be celebrated,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “I highly encourage Illinoisans who know an older adult that made a lasting impact in their
EDWARDSVILLE - Community members are invited to mingle and talk history at the Madison County Historical Society’s upcoming winter wine and cheese reception. From 4:30–7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, at 715 N. Main Street in Edwardsville, Madison County Historical Society (MCHS) encourages members of the public to enjoy an evening of snacks, sips and live jazz. Attendees can chat about local history and get to know the society. “You’ll just have a lovely evening,&rdquo
A convention of the members from the local district of the Illinois Ice Cream Manufacturers’ Association met at 1:30 p.m. on January 21, 1926, in the Rose Room of the Mineral Springs Hotel. The meeting concluded with a banquet, also at the Mineral Springs Hotel. Representatives from surrounding towns, among them Litchfield and Jerseyville, “and a number of ice cream men from St. Louis.” One of the main purposes of the meeting was to hold a reception for the president of
SPRINGFIELD, IL. - Krista Phillips of Effingham County was selected from a field of 75 contestants Sunday evening as the 68th Miss Illinois County Fair Queen and will reign over the 2026 Illinois State Fair and DuQuoin State Fair. Phillips was chosen during the final day of the 115th Annual Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs (IAAF) convention at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield. Krista, 21, of Effingham, will graduate from the University of Illinois-Champaign in May 2026 with a bachelor’s
BELLEVILLE — The Belleville Police Department and the City of Belleville officially welcomed two new officers on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. Officers Hardin and Winegarner were sworn in as lateral hires, joining the department in their new roles. The department extended congratulations to both officers and expressed appreciation for their decision to serve the Belleville community. The ceremony marks the latest step in the department’s efforts to strengthen its ranks
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