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ST. LOUIS - The Board of Estimate and Apportionment has approved sending the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget to the Board of Aldermen for review and approval. The $1.41 billion budget reflects a modest 0.2% increase over the previous fiscal year, prioritizing strategic investments in all City employees, public safety infrastructure and neighborhood stabilization. “This is a responsible budget that ensures our City’s fiscal stability while investing in our hard-working staff, better

GODFREY – Vice President of Finance and Operations Mary Schulte, of Jerseyville, retired April 30 after nearly 30 years of service to Lewis and Clark Community College. Schulte had served as Vice President of Finance since 2012 but had been with the college since November 1997. Over the course of her LC career, she served in various positions within the finance area, including Associate Vice President of Finance (2005). “Mary is a top-notch CFO and legend at LC for her grit,

ALTON - The roar of engines and the rush of riverfront excitement return this summer as the IHRA Alton Midwest Nationals F1 Powerboat Championships powers back into Alton, Illinois for its third annual running, July 17–19, 2026, at Riverfront Park. Fans can once again experience the high-speed spectacle of the IHRA Formula 1 Powerboat Championship Series, presented by Simmons Hanly Conroy LLP, the City of Alton, Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau, and Enjoy Illinois as elite drivers

WOOD RIVER - Wood River Main Street looks forward to celebrating the town’s growth with several upcoming events. Executive Director Kristen Burns jokes that the downtown district is “like dumpster city” right now as several construction projects are underway. But she emphasized her excitement to see “this energized revitalization,” and she is eager to mark Wood River’s expansion with the upcoming farmers’ market, Independence Day celebration, an

GODFREY - The 18th annual Christmas in July fundraiser is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on July 24, 2026, at Freer Auto Body at 4512 N. Alby St., Godfrey, with organizers seeking raffle ticket sellers to support local families in need through purchases that fund personal hygiene items, coats, and toys for Christmas. Margaret Freer, an owner of Freer Auto Body, said the Christmas in July event relies heavily on raffle ticket sales, noting that “the majority of the money is made from

EDWARDSVILLE - For Grace Lane, helping kids is at the center of education. Lane teaches fourth grade at Columbus Elementary School in the Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7. This Teacher Appreciation Week, she is reflecting on how much she enjoys working with the kids and supporting them through the school year. “My favorite part of my job is making connections and building relationships with students. As their teacher, you really become part of their life for a year,”

EDWARDSVILLE - Amy L. Bryant, 43, of Madison County, Illinois, has been charged with five counts of criminal sexual assault of a male minor, according to a charging document filed on Monday, May 4, 2026, by the Madison County State’s Attorney Office. Thomas A. Haine, the state’s attorney for Madison County, charged that the alleged offenses occurred “from on or about October 1, 2023, through on or about April 15, 2025,” in Madison County. The defendant is identified

BETHALTO - Deana McDonough always knew she wanted to work in special education. It took some time, but her life led her to where she was meant to be. McDonough is the District Behavior Interventionist who works closely with students at Wilbur Trimpe Middle School in the Bethalto Community Unit School District #8. This Teacher Appreciation Week, she is remembering why she chose this job. “I became a teacher to help empower students,” she said. “I am passionate about teaching

ALTON - Meme Evans loves building relationships with her students. This is one of Evans’s strengths as a fourth grade teacher at West Elementary School in the Alton Community Unit School District #11. This Teacher Appreciation Week, she remembers why she started working in the education field and her passion for helping students succeed. “My favorite part of the job is building relationships with the students. They are all unique and have something to teach me,” she said.

ALTON - Joy Sawyer didn’t always expect to become a teacher, but she has definitely found the right path for her. Sawyer is a K–1 Special Education Instructional Class teacher at Lovejoy Elementary School in the Alton Community Unit School District #11. This Teacher Appreciation Week, she is grateful for the decisions and experiences that led her to this career so she can help students shine. “Teachers are many things to a student, really, to a family,” Sawyer said.

Cinco de Mayo isn’t Mexico’s Independence Day—and that single mix-up explains why the holiday can feel confusing on both sides of the border. The date marks a specific battle, fought in a specific place, under pressure from a much bigger global story. Over time, it turned into a symbol of pride and resistance in Mexico, then grew into a broader celebration of Mexican heritage in the United States. Understanding its roots makes the day feel less like a party theme and more lik

In the early 1800s, Europe was reshaping itself after years of war, and May 5 carried one of those turning points. In 1818, Napoleon Bonaparte died in exile on the island of Saint Helena. His rise had helped spread new ideas about law and government, while his wars redrew borders and left deep scars across the continent and beyond. At the time, his death closed a chapter that many Europeans had lived through as a constant crisis. Over the long term, the debates his career sparked—about

MILLINGTON, Tenn. – Lt. Brittaney Hughes, whose family lives in Fenton, Mo., serves the U.S. Navy assigned to U.S. Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (NMRTC) Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Hughes graduated from Lee’s Summit North High School in 2012. Additionally, Hughes earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Missouri in 2016 and a master's in nursing in 2022 from Liberty University. Hughes joined the Navy 10 years ago. “I joined the Navy to practice

WOOD RIVER – Wood River City Council members approved the appointments and reappointments of several city officials at their May 4, 2026 meeting. With little discussion, councilmen unanimously approved the appointments of new and existing members of the city’s Traffic Commission, Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, Fire & Police Commission, Parks & Recreation Commission, Library Board, Police Pension Board, Appearance Board, and Vaughn Hill Cemetery Commission. Aside

EDWARDSVILLE - Sofia Rossetto is a senior striker for the girls' soccer team at Father McGivney Catholic High School and has found the back of the net nine times this season. Her latest goal may be the most important of the season to date. Rossetto scored in the 79th minute on April 29, 2026, to rescue a point for the Griffins in a 1-1 draw at Edwardsville in a thrilling match at Tiger Stadium, which saw Edwardsville dominate the play for the first 20 minutes of the match, with McGivney slowly

GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College will celebrate its 55th annual Commencement, May 20, 2026, featuring alumna and former Illinois Senator Rachelle Aud Crowe as the event’s keynote speaker. The ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. at the Hatheway Cultural Center’s Ann Whitney Olin Theatre. “It is a tremendous honor to welcome former Sen. Crowe to Lewis and Clark,” said LC President Ken Trzaska. “She is a longtime friend and passionate advocate

ALTON - Intermittent daytime lane closures are set to begin Thursday, May 7, at the intersection of Illinois 100 and U.S. 67 in Alton as the Illinois Department of Transportation evaluates pavement conditions. The Illinois Department of Transportation announced the closures today for the intersection in Madison County, weather permitting. The agency said the lane closures are necessary for the evaluation of pavement conditions. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate

EDWARDSVILLE – Madison County authorities filed several charges against a Missouri man accused of attempting to burn down an Edwardsville business, burglarizing and damaging cars and buildings in the process. Mark R. Ross, 38, of Springfield, Mo., was charged on April 28, 2026 with four counts of burglary (each Class 2 felonies), two counts of criminal damage to property (both Class 4 felonies), and one count each of aggravated intimidation (a Class 2 felony) and attempted arson (a Class

RIVERBEND - As spring storms pick up, Ryan Darr encourages community members to speak to local, licensed contractors about hail damage. Darr, with Michael Ryan Exteriors , noted that the past few weeks have been riddled with hail and heavy storms. A lot of people aren’t sure what to do after a storm causes hail damage — or how to even know if there is damage in the first place. That’s where a roofing contractor like Michael Ryan Exteriors can help. “Before you cal

ST. LOUIS - Three women, including a Ritenour High School senior - Jordyn Williams - who had recently been crowned prom queen, were killed Friday night, May 1, 2026, in a three-vehicle crash on Lewis and Clark Boulevard in St. Louis County. The crash was reported at 8:32 p.m. May 1, 2026, on southbound Lewis and Clark Boulevard north of Haviland Drive, Missouri State Highway Patrol investigators said. A 2013 Cadillac SRX traveling southbound sideswiped a 2020 Lexus RX350, causing the Lexus to