EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has created a new Theater and Dance Hall of Fame as part of the program’s 50th anniversary celebration, and Edwardsville High School theater director Ashley Melton is among the inaugural honorees, Edwardsville High School Orchestra Director and Fine Arts Department Chair Victoria Voumard announced this week. The Theater and Dance Hall of Fame was established “to recognize individuals whose contributions, achievements,
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Joshua M. Divine on Thursday sentenced a St. Louis felon caught twice with guns, including after a police chase, to a total of 27 years in prison. After a two-day bench trial in October, Judge Divine found Roosevelt Easley, 40, guilty of two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. On Thursday, Judge Divine sentenced Easley to 25 years for that case and two more years for violating his supervised release in a 2018 case in which he pleaded guilty
JERSEYVILLE – This Teacher Appreciation Week, Jamie Lumma recalled the student “firsts” and milestones that have made her 32-year career with Jersey 100 especially meaningful as she prepares for retirement this year. After teaching first grade at Dow Elementary School for 17 years, Lumma transitioned to first grade at Grafton Elementary School when Dow closed in 2011. She was also a proud recipient of the Meritorious Service Award from the Illinois State Board of Education in
HARTFORD - The Lewis and Clark State Historic Site invites community members to join them for their annual Departure Event to celebrate the day Meriwether Lewis and William Clark embarked on their expedition from Camp Dubois. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, and Sunday, May 10, 2026, the Hartford site will have military reenactors, artisan demonstrations, artifacts and more hands-on experiences for visitors to enjoy. Ben Pollard with the historic site encourages people to come
CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker is calling out Republicans’ attempt to funnel $1 billion in taxpayer money to Donald Trump’s White House ballroom vanity project and demanding every dollar go to working families and small businesses crushed by Trump's tariffs instead. In response, Governor JB Pritzker released the following statement: “Republicans are physically incapable of telling Trump ‘No.’ As people continue to struggle under the weight of Donald
EDWARDSVILLE - Timothy J. Dubois of Shobonier was found guilty Thursday, May 7, 2026, on all 10 counts in a kidnapping and aggravated criminal sexual assault case stemming from a Nov. 11, 2022, incident in Collinsville. When the verdict was read, Dubois showed no emotion about it. The Madison County State's Attorney's Office said on Thursday that Dubois faces up to 80 years in prison when he is sentenced. The trial began with the victim's testimony, in which she gave what was described as
EDWARDSVILLE — A crash involving a Ford Edge SUV and a Suzuki motorcycle sent the motorcycle driver to an area hospital Wednesday night, May 6, 2026, authorities said. The incident occurred around 8:20 p.m. Wednesday at the intersection of Troy Road and Fifth Avenue in Edwardsville. The Edwardsville Police and Fire Departments responded. The motorcycle driver was taken to an area hospital for evaluation and treatment of injuries that were not life-threatening. The driver of the other vehicl
JERSEYVILLE – Diane Fessler says connection is key to helping each unique student succeed. As a second grade teacher at East Elementary in Jerseyville, Fessler is getting ready to retire this year after a 33-year career with Jersey Community Unit School District 100. Fessler fondly recalled a personal connection she felt while working with a family member, which inspired her to foster the same sense of connection with her students as a teacher. “I remember working with my Grandma
JERSEYVILLE – Julie Muenstermann has helped students across Jersey 100 succeed for the past 32 years. This Teacher Appreciation Week, she reflected on her path into a rewarding – and sometimes unpredictable – career. Muenstermann has taught K-12 physical education in every building in Jersey Community Unit School District 100. She currently teaches at Jersey Community High School and is preparing for retirement this year after 32 years with the district. “I am truly
O’FALLON, Ill. — HSHS Home Care invites community members to join them for butterfly release ceremonies at locations throughout southern Illinois at these Hospital Sisters Health System hospitals: HSHS Holy Family Hospital, Greenville Wednesday, May 13 at 4 p.m. in the fountain area (front of the hospital) HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, O’Fallon Wednesday, May 20 at 5:30 p.m. in front of the Health Center HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital, Highland
EDWARDSVILLE - Jaimee Henderson loves getting to know her students. Henderson teaches math at Edwardsville High School. She also spent several years as a coach. This Teacher Appreciation Week, she is thankful for the opportunity to teach — and learn from — these kids. “I’ve always loved helping people. I enjoyed my school experiences growing up and know that having dedicated teachers to guide me through is a big part of that,” she shared. “It’s
EDWARDSVILLE - Colbee Molina loves watching her students achieve their goals. Molina is a special education teacher for third through fifth grade students at Woodland Elementary School in the Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7. This Teacher Appreciation Week, she is proud of the work she does to support her students and hopeful that she can continue to be an encouraging role model in their lives. “I wanted to provide a welcoming and positive environment to students. I
BETHALTO - Lindsey Steinmann is a cheerleader for her students. Steinmann is a reading specialist for second and third grade students at Parkside Primary School in the Bethalto Community Unit School District #8. This Teacher Appreciation Week, she is grateful for the chance she has to help kids learn and watch them grow. “I’ve always wanted to make a positive impact in the community in some way, and becoming a teacher was my way of doing that,” she said. “I love
A lot of people swear they get their best ideas when they’re “not trying”—on a walk, in the shower, or while cleaning the kitchen. That isn’t just a cute story about inspiration. It’s often a sign that your brain is responding to changes in light, routine, and energy in ways that make creativity easier to access. Creativity is not a magical switch. It’s a mix of attention, mood, memory, and willingness to take small risks. Spring can nudge all of those
ALTON – An Alton man with domestic battery convictions dating back to 2014 across Madison and Macoupin Counties has been detained in his latest such case. John T. Tanner, 37, of Alton, was charged on April 29, 2026 with two Class 3 felony counts of domestic battery, his fourth or subsequent such offenses. On April 18 and 28, 2026, Tanner allegedly knowingly made physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature against two household or family members in separate incidents. Charging
JERSEYVILLE – Raised by educators herself, Melanie Fessler says her passion for learning won’t stop after retirement. Fessler has taught grade levels K-12 at all Jersey 100 schools and marks 32 years with the school district as she prepares for retirement this year and reflects on her career for Teacher Appreciation Week. Being raised in a household of educators gave Fessler a firsthand look at the positive impact dedicated teachers can have on their communities. When she became
On May 7, 1945, Germany’s top military leaders signed the act of unconditional surrender to the Allied powers, effectively ending the war in Europe in World War II. The signing took place in Reims, France, after months of Allied advances and the collapse of Nazi control across the continent. At the time, it mattered because it stopped the largest and deadliest fighting in Europe and confirmed that the Nazi state could no longer wage war. It still matters today because it reshaped borders,
EDWARDSVILLE — The trial of Timothy J. Dubois, of Shobonier, Illinois, continued Wednesday with the second day of testimony in the 2022 Collinsville kidnapping and aggravated criminal sexual assault case. The day began with testimony from the victim, who provided a detailed and emotional account of the events of Nov. 11, 2022. She testified that while on her way to work in Collinsville, she stopped at the Starbucks located at 1077 Collinsville Crossing Blvd to pick up a mobile order.
EDWARDSVILLE – Two out-of-state residents face felony charges in two cannabis-related cases filed in Madison County last week. Bijan Gianni Namdar, 39, of Anaheim, Ca., was charged on April 29, 2026 with one count each of cannabis trafficking and unlawful possession with intent to deliver cannabis, both Class X felonies. On April 17, 2026, Namdar allegedly knowingly brought 5,000 grams, amounting to just over 11 pounds, of cannabis into the State of Illinois from the State of California.
JERSEYVILLE – A Jerseyville man and Missouri woman face felonies in two unrelated Jersey County cases involving the illegal use of a victim’s debit card and damage done to another victim’s vehicle. Tanner J. Reno, 21, of Jerseyville, was charged on May 1, 2026 with a Class 4 felony count of unlawful possession of the debit card of another and a Class A misdemeanor count of theft. The charges stem from an alleged incident on April 25, 2026, when Reno is accused of obtaining
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