BUNKER HILL — The Bunker Hill Fire Department responded to a structure fire on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, morning on Bluebird Lane in rural Bunker Hill. When firefighters arrived on scene at the farmhouse, it was fully involved, fire officials said. The Shipman and Brighton Fire Departments also assisted at the scene, providing mutual aid. The farmhouse was vacant at the time of the fire and appeared to be a total loss. No injuries were reported.
COLLINSVILLE - Antonio Dean III is a key part of the Granite City High boys basketball team and is one of its leaders as the Warriors look ahead to the second half of the season after the holidays. Dean is a Stillwater Senior Living Male Athlete of the Month for the Warriors. Dean is among the leading scorers for Granite, averaging 9.9 points-per-game, and is also averaging 0.9 rebounds-per-game to go along with 10 assists and 16 steals as the Warriors are currently 8-7 after losing all four
January 3rd and 4th have always been days marked by notable events across the globe. Moving back to the 19th century, January 3, 1868, marked a significant episode in history when the Meiji Restoration officially began in Japan. This political revolution restored practical imperial rule under Emperor Meiji and initiated Japan’s rapid modernization and industrialization. The effects of the Meiji Restoration were far-reaching, propelling Japan onto the world stage as a major economic and
EDWARDSVILLE — Tia and Thomas H. of Edwardsville welcomed the first baby of 2026 at Anderson Hospital on Jan. 1, 2026. Their son, Howard, affectionately known as Howie, was born at 5:19 p.m., weighing 10 pounds and 1 ounce. The hospital announced the birth, referring to the family as the “First Family of 2026.” Anderson Hospital expressed their honor in being part of the family’s special moment.
Duckworth Reacts to Trump’s Actions in Venezuela WASHINGTON, D.C. – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement regarding Trump’s actions in Venezuela: “The American people believed Donald Trump when he promised on the campaign trail that he would get our nation out of foreign wars, but this morning we awoke to another stark reminder that he is—and has always been—a liar who has never cared about keeping hi
GRANITE CITY – Residents of Belleville, Ill., and Columbia, Mo., accused of illegally possessing weapons face felony charges in Madison County. Dominick M. Roberts, 36, of Belleville, was charged on Dec. 18, 2025, with aggravated unlawful possession of weapons, a Class 4 felony. Roberts is accused of knowingly carrying a black SCCY 9mm semi-automatic handgun in his vehicle on Nov. 25, 2025. Charging documents state the weapon was uncased, loaded, and immediately accessible at the time
ALTON - Princess Theater manager James Reilley invited the newspaper carriers for the Alton Evening Telegraph to see the film Old Clothes at the Princess Theater as a special treat on January 1, 1925. Reilley thought seeing child actor Jackie Coogan (the first major Hollywood child star) would make “a fine New Year’s present for the carriers and kindly made the offer.” The carriers were all children themselves (and all boys, as far as I can tell), and there wasn’t
MACOMB - Julietta Marini of Glen Carbon was selected to receive the Lincoln Laureate Award representing Western Illinois University. The award, presented each fall by the governor of Illinois, recognizes an outstanding senior from each four-year degree-granting institution in the state. The Abraham Lincoln Civic Engagement Award honors students who demonstrate leadership and service aimed at improving humanity, as well as excellence in both curricular and extracurricular activities. Recipients
Heading into a new year, it feels like a great time to mix things up. So, after several years interviewing leaders in health and medicine to get their insight for this column, I thought it seemed only fair to turn the tables and have a colleague interview me. The result was a great discussion that touched on issues big and small — and that may provide a peek behind the curtain of medical research and how I incorporate health recommendations into my own life. Much of your work focuses
SPRINGFIELD – A copy of the Emancipation Proclamation signed by Abraham Lincoln is now on display at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum as part of a special exhibit, giving the public a rare chance to see the historic document on its anniversary, Jan. 1. Lincoln’s proclamation ordered an end to slavery in Southern states that took up arms against the United States during the Civil War, which included more than three-fourths of the nation’s enslaved African Americans
GRANITE CITY - Eli Miller is one of 10 sophomores on a young Granite City High School wrestling team, and finished fourth in the 190-pound weight class at the William "Red" Schmitt Holiday Tournament on Dec. 30, 2025, at Granite City Memorial Gym. He lost a close third-place match to Killian Rauch of Belleville East by fall at 1:38. It was a great overall tournament for Miller, despite going 2-3 overall in the two days of competition. His wins came over Tucker Mosbauch of Normal Community West
CALHOUN COUNTY — After 19 years of service, Sheriff William “Bill” Heffington announced his retirement from the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, effective immediately on Dec. 31, 2025. The announcement was made by the Sheriff’s Office at their Calhoun County headquarters in Hardin, Ill. Sheriff Heffington, 67, said his decision to retire was influenced by physical challenges, including issues with his hips and knees, which have made it difficult for him to
LAS VEGAS — Dr. Taylor Marie Gerson, a microbiology Ph.D. candidate at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, was named the 2025 UNLV Rebel Grad Slam 3-Minute Thesis Champion on Dec. 16, 2025, the day she also received her doctorate during the Graduate College Commencement. Carolyn Kelly, Taylor's aunt, an area resident, said: "Our family is extremely proud of Taylor and her accomplishments, but even more excited to see what positive changes she can bring to the world population
ALTON – Alton Police have filed charges against a local resident in his latest felony case of domestic battery. Broderick D. McGee, 58, of Alton, was charged on Dec. 23, 2025 with two counts of aggravated domestic battery (both Class 2 felonies), aggravated battery (a Class 3 felony), and his second or subsequent offense of domestic battery (a Class 4 felony). The day prior on Dec. 22, 2025, McGee allegedly knowingly and without legal justification caused great bodily harm to a family
ALTON - Join the January 13, 2026, Sierra Club Speaker’s Series for a discussion about what communities can do to slow down the onslaught of proposed data centers pushing into all areas of Illinois and learn how the Sierra Club is engaging nationally and across the state. The program is from 6:30 to 7:30 PM at the Old Bakery Beer Co., 400 Landmarks Blvd., Alton, IL 62002. Participants can come early and enjoy a delicious meal from Old Bakery into the venue. Sally Burgess, Downstate
ALTON – Separate cases of unlawful weapon possession in Madison County have yielded felony charges against two Alton residents. Robert M. Clay, 19, of Alton, was charged with a Class 4 felony count of aggravated unlawful possession of weapons on Dec. 18, 2025 Clay reportedly carried a black Smith & Wesson handgun in his vehicle on Nov. 4, 2025, which was unlawful for him to possess as a person under 21 years of age and not engaged in lawful activities under the Wildlife Code. The Granite
GRANITE CITY - Brayden Drew, a senior wrestler competing at the 165-pound weight class for Alton High, won the championship in his class at the 64th William "Red" Schmitt Holiday Wrestling Tournament in Granite City on Dec. 30, 2025, getting a 12-1 win over Colin Peyton of Batavia, getting a third period takedown and two near falls of four points each to win the bout and the title. Drew won all five of his matches en route to the championship, and in a post-match interview, was extremely happy
Letter To The Editor: Seventy years ago, after Christmas morning mass, Mrs. Betty (Vincent) Guccione noticed two men mulling around the church. She approached them, asking their plans for Christmas day. When they both stated they had no plans, she invited them back to her house to have breakfast with her family. This act of kindness started a yearly tradition of Christmas breakfast at the Guccione residence. Over the years, as children came along, and more friends were invited, the number
ALTON — David Davis, a retired machine adjuster and group leader with 40 years of experience at Olin, was the head grandpa for this year’s Christmas Wonderland at Rock Spring Park. The annual holiday lights display, featuring more than 4 million lights, was held from Nov. 28, 2025, through Dec. 28, 2025. Because of the Grandpa Gang's efforts, visitors were able to see cascading waterfalls, lighted trees, and hundreds of light displays that have become a beloved tradition in
GRANITE CITY - Granite City Police responded to multiple reports of shots fired on New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, 2025, during celebrations that prompted concerns over public safety. Officers investigated two incidents where individuals were recklessly discharging firearms into the air or ground, leading to the execution of separate search warrants at two residences. As a result of the warrants, several people were taken into custody, and officers confiscated eight firearms along with
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