GRAFTON – A piece of Riverbend history may soon be making a comeback — at speeds no one saw coming. Local tourism officials confirmed this week that discussions are underway to revive a modern version of the historic “Dinky,” the small railbus that once carried passengers between Alton and Grafton before the Great River Road was built. But unlike the original, this version wouldn’t be slow. Early planning documents describe a high-speed railbus system designed
JERSEYVILLE – Jerseyville residents will soon pay higher yearly fees to use the city dump amid the addition of recycling services through a pending partnership with Jersey County. City Council members unanimously approved a three-year contract with Republic Services for trash hauling and single-stream recycling at city sites and the city dump, as well as major changes to city dump permits and fees, at their Tuesday, March 31, 2026 meeting. Mayor Kevin Stork Stork clarified that the
EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Edwardsville, Illinois, that a 34-year-old Bethalto woman has been sentenced to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to predatory criminal sexual assault of a child and permitting sexual abuse of a child. Ashley L. Rusk received the sentence after pleading guilty on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, to one count of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child and one count of Permitting Sexual Abuse
EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, that an Edwardsville man has been sentenced to 17 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of home invasion and aggravated battery in an attack at a Glen Carbon residence. Circuit Judge Kyle Napp issued the sentence Monday to Timothy P. Rodgers, 40, of Edwardsville, according to Haine’s office. A jury in October found Rodgers guilty of entering the Glen Carbon home of his former father-in-law
EDWARDSVILLE - An Edwardsville High School student received second place out of nearly 200 entries at the SIUE 2026 Annual High School Art Exhibition. Maya Hatch, a senior at EHS, fell in love with ceramics earlier this year in Cassie Flynn’s art class. She then took an independent study art class, which allowed her to finish work on her award-winning piece “The Scavenger and What Remains of Us.” Hatch shared she is proud of the accomplishment and eager to learn more ceramics
ALTON - Community members have the chance to “adopt on the spot” during a 5A’s Animal Shelter event. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, 2026, Ted’s Motorcycle World will host all 5A’s dogs for a “Barks and Bikes” adoption event. Attendees can visit with the 5A’s dogs, play poker, compete in doggy dress-up contests, and enjoy a variety of raffles, snacks and more throughout the day. Proceeds go toward the 5A’s work, but Carol
SPRINGFIELD – Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) and Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07) introduced the Biobased Materials Investment and Production Act to strengthen the domestic supply chain and create new markets for American farmers by incentivizing the production of biobased chemicals and materials. While the United States has made significant strides in biofuels, many other everyday products, from plastics to industrial chemicals, remain dependent on foreign petroleum.
EDWARDSVILLE – A traffic stop by state police has yielded major felony charges against a California woman who allegedly transported over 25,000 grams of fentanyl across state lines into Madison County. Erendira I. Tinajero-Hernandez, 45, of Hungtington Park, Calif., was charged on March 23, 2026 with one count each of controlled substance trafficking and unlawful possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, both enhanced Class X felonies. Tinajero-Hernandez is accused o
ALTON – Alton City Council members have been accused of discriminating against the city’s first Black mayor, prompting a request for state agencies to investigate. Leon Smallwood-Bey, president of the Alton branch of the NAACP, accused City Council members of unfairly targeting Mayor David Goins with certain oversight-related actions at their last meeting on March 25, 2026 . “We are compelled to speak because a troubling pattern has emerged – one that raises serious
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has charged two Affton women after authorities said they fabricated a report that a child was abducted in a stolen vehicle, prompting an Amber Alert and a large-scale search. Ashley Collins, 29, and Kayla Williams, 31, both of the 8900 block of New Hampshire Avenue in Affton, were charged Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in St. Louis County, Mo. Collins is charged with misusing 911 and making a false report. Williams is
SPRINGFIELD, IL — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) released the following statement as steel production resumes at Granite City Works for the first time in two years. “After more than two years of relentless advocacy, Granite City Works is coming back to life. Blast Furnace B has officially restarted, and 500 workers have returned to the mill – once again producing the steel helps power our nation. “Throughout this process, I was proud to stand shoulder t
EDWARDSVILLE – Dozens of high school students from across the 55th Senate District recently traveled to the Illinois State Capitol to participate in State Senator Jason Plummer’s (R-Edwardsville) Youth Advisory Council (YAC), an interactive program designed to give students a firsthand look at state government and the legislative process. “I host this program every year because I believe we should be doing more to engage the younger generation in the governmental process
MADISON – A local sex offender has been charged once again with failing to register and retail theft months after allegedly committing the same offenses in a prior case. Esmond L. Sanford, 51, listed as homeless out of Madison, Ill., was charged on March 26, 2026 with one count each of unlawful failure to register as a sex offender (a Class 3 felony), his second or subsequent offense of retail theft under $300 (a Class 4 felony), and criminal trespass to real property (a Class B misdemeanor).
EDWARDSVILLE - Students from across Madison County came together for Unified Field Day at Edwardsville High School. On Friday, March 27, 2026, students who participate in Special Olympics enjoyed a morning of activities and sports. Kayla Magruder, who helps oversee Special Olympics at Edwardsville, explained that the event was a fun experience for students and teachers alike, all of whom were able to learn more about Unified sports and the opportunities available. “The purpose is
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police have identified an 18-year-old St. Louis man as the victim in a fatal shooting Sunday afternoon, March 29, 2026, in the 11800 block of Kingsfont Place, and detectives are asking the public for information as the homicide investigation continues. The deceased was identified as Joshua Sutton, 18, of the 7200 block of Burwood Drive, St. Louis, MO 63121. Officers from the St. Louis County Police North County Precinct responded at 4:18 p.m. Sunday, March
ST. LOUIS - Be part of one of the largest volunteer clean-up events in the metro area and help beautify the Mississippi and Missouri River watersheds. Open Space STL and its partners invite the public to be part of the 2026 Confluence Trash Bash, happening April 11th in the St. Louis area. Confluence Trash Bash partners for 2026 include; Great Rivers Greenway , MSD Project Clear , the Earthways Center , Saint Louis County Parks and Recreation Department , Missouri Department of
BETHALTO - Civic Memorial High School will install a new elevator this year. During the Bethalto Community Unit School District #8 Board of Education’s regular meeting on March 26, 2026, the Board voted unanimously to release up to $80,000 in Operation and Maintenance Funds for the project. Christopher Schomber, Bethalto’s business manager/chief school business officer, noted that the project is ready to begin. “We finally have all the pieces of the financial puzzle together,”
ALTON - A retirement party is set for Dena Grubb, a beloved longtime employee at Johnson’s Corner, ahead of her final day on the job. The party is scheduled for Tuesday, March 31, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Johnson’s Corner. Johnson's Corner owner Cathy Johnson said Friday, April 3, 2026, will be Grubb’s last day, and that Grubb will work all day for those who want to see her and say goodbye. “Everyone loves Dena,” Johnson said in a post announcing the event. "Sh
ALTON - Marquette Catholic High School students and staff presented a memorial plaque on Friday, March 27, 2026, to Cynthia Down, the widow of SSgt. and Capt. William R. Down, in partnership with the Til Valhalla Project. Marquette Catholic students James Sehorn, Carson Jones, Noah Menke, Melanie Marshall, Kaylin St. Peters, Juliana Urhahn, and Dakota Nelson took part in the presentation, along with staff members Mike Roberts and Jon Podner, according to information provided by Podner, who i
ALTON - Alton Area Community Organizations and community leaders will hold their 5th Annual Community Easter Egg Hunt and Family Fun Day from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at Rock Spring Park, offering free activities and resources for families. The event, which is free and open to the public, is being coordinated in part by Kim Brice-Hollis of the CLB Foundation, along with a committee that includes Leon Smallwood-Bey of the 100 Men Movement, James Hickman of Mr. Everything, Alderwoman
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