JERSEYVILLE – Three Macoupin County residents face felonies in Jersey County for their alleged involvement in a string of retail thefts across two Jerseyville stores. The following individuals were each charged on May 6, 2026 with three counts of retail theft, including two Class 2 felonies and one Class A misdemeanor: Avery W. Heyen, 18, of Girard, Ill. Brandon A. Whitworth, 18, of Carlinville, Ill. Jonathan E. Walch, 20, of Atwater, Ill. The three allegedly knowingly stole
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County police detectives are investigating the drowning death of a 64-year-old man whose body was recovered Monday from Spanish Pond Lake after witnesses reported he may have fallen into the water while boating. Officers from the St. Louis County Police Department’s North County Precinct responded about 4:03 p.m. Sunday, May 10, 2026, to the 12500 block of Spanish Pond Road in Spanish Lake Park for a possible drowning, police said. At about 10:20 a.m. Monday,
JERSEYVILLE — Jersey Community High School's FFA chapter was recognized for a “successful year” at the Section 15 Banquet, where Jerseyville earned top Greenhand and Discovery team honors and placed second overall in the varsity team standings among 16 schools. Jersey Community Unit School District 100 shared the results in a post, saying FFA members Mary Jones and Lucy Boes “were also recognized for their achievements this year with their SAE projects.”
ALTON — Effective May 11, 2026 , the public boat launch ramps at Alton Marina are officially closed due to low water. As of today, the river level at Alton Marina stands at 413 feet above sea level , providing approximately 3-4 feet of water within the harbor . According to the latest forecast from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) , water levels are expected to remain steady at 413 feet for the next seven days. During this period, the public launch ramps will remain closed
ALTON - Alton Police Department members took to the basketball court at the YWCA Southwestern Illinois in Alton for one of their beloved community events called “Ballin' With a Cop” on Saturday, May 9, 2026. The Alton Police Department said the main purpose of the gathering was to connect with local youth. “Today was all about community, connection, and basketball at Ballin' With a Cop,” the Alton Police Department said in a statement. “Members of the Alton Police
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS - Fairview Heights Police Chief Steve Johnson on Monday released a message from a citizen praising an officer’s response to a reported wallet theft at a local Lowe’s store. In the release dated Monday, May 11, 2026, Johnson shared an email in which the citizen said they were “the victim of a wallet theft at our local Lowe’s” and the writer credited Fairview Heights Police Officer Jacob Montagnani with quickly locating a suspect and recovering
EDWARDSVILLE – The Edwardsville Police Department is joining law enforcement agencies across Illinois for the 2026 “Click It or Ticket” campaign running May 15-26, 2026 during the Memorial Day travel period. In addition to regular duties, officers will be conducting high-visibility patrols targeting seat belt violations. Buckle up or expect to be stopped and cited. Illinois law requires all drivers and passengers to wear seat belts. While usage increased to 93% in 2025, unrestrained
GODFREY - Gerard Fischer is excited to see how Godfrey will grow in the next few years. Fischer, a village trustee, is also heading the committee overseeing the recreation center. As Godfrey takes more steps towards building a recreation center, he believes the “dream” is becoming closer to a reality. “The more and more we talk and the more and more we have meetings, after the meetings, I’m saying to myself, ‘Wow, this might really happen,’”
CHICAGO – The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) is now accepting applications from units of local government for grant funding dedicated to supporting local affordable housing needs and community revitalization efforts across Illinois. Offered through IHDA’s Strong Communities Program (SCP), this initiative provides financial assistance to allow local governments to address vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated residential properties within their communities. Through leveragin
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today announced Illinois has been named a “high-performance” state for emergency preparedness, the highest ranking a state can receive, in a newly released report by Trust for America’s Health. The annual report evaluates states on their ability to respond to various public health emergencies using ten key indicators including incident management, patient safety, and health security surveillance, among othe
CHICAGO – In a case brought by Attorney General Kwame Raoul and a coalition of 24 state attorneys general, a court entered an order invalidating President Trump’s latest efforts to impose illegal tariffs on products purchased by American consumers and businesses. Calling Trump’s actions “contrary to law,” a federal court granted summary judgment, striking down those tariffs. “I applaud this judgement, holding President Trump and his administration accountable
CASEYVILLE - Charges were filed Friday, May 8, 2026, against a Missouri man after Caseyville Police said he fled from officers during a traffic stop tied to a reported order-of-protection violation, leading authorities on a 24-minute pursuit that ended on Interstate 270 near the Chain of Rocks Bridge in Illinois. Ramon L. Chillers, 44, is charged with felon in possession of a weapon, aggravated battery, unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle, aggravated fleeing police, criminal
CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker and Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi today announced $12 million in grants for projects that will help boost the health and safety of children by making walking, biking, and rolling to school safer and more accessible, boosting quality of life throughout the state. The popular Safe Routes to School program is funding 68 proposals by local governments and schools that range from improving neighborhood infrastructure to supporting community educational
EDWARDSVILLE — State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) is pleased to announce a new round of Traveling Office Hours taking place throughout May, providing residents with additional opportunities to connect with her office and receive assistance with state services. “These Traveling Office Hours are an important way for my team to stay connected with the communities we serve,” said Senator Harriss. “Whether you need help navigating a state agency or simply want to
MADISON – The Illinois Department of Transportation is continuing multiple coordinated improvements along the Interstate 55/70 corridor in St. Clair County to improve safety, mobility and road conditions. Beginning Monday, May 18, lane closures will be in place at the following locations to allow for pavement and structure repairs. Eastbound I-55/70 Between Exchange Avenue and Black Lane, traffic will be reduced to: Two lanes during peak hours (approximately 4 p.m. to 6 p.m
GLEN CARBON - Father McGivney Catholic High School announced that senior Zoe Oller has received the prestigious Edwardsville Neighbors Young Philanthropist Scholarship, a $2,500 award honoring graduating seniors for service and leadership. Father McGivney officials said the annual award recognizes students who “show a passion for giving back and making a positive impact in their communities through service and leadership.” “We are proud of Zoe for representing the Griffin community
SPRINGFIELD, IL. - Prom is an exciting milestone for high school seniors. As students celebrate the end of one chapter and the beginning of another, the focus should be on staying safe, planning ahead, and making responsible choices even when faced with peer pressure. The Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC) recognizes the importance of these moments and encourages families to prioritize safety, so the memories of prom remain positive. The Serious Risks of Underage Drinking: Risks of
Forgetting a loved one’s birthday rarely hurts because of the missed cake. It hurts because the day was supposed to say, “I see you, and you matter to me,” and it didn’t happen. That reaction points to something bigger than calendars and parties. Humans mark special days for loved ones because we need reliable ways to show care, create shared meaning, and hold relationships steady in a busy life. A date acts like a small anchor. It gives love a place to land. Special
The first time you watch a family move a couch up a narrow staircase, you see something strange: people who argue about everything suddenly become a single, coordinated team. Someone steadies the bottom. Someone shouts directions. Someone takes the hit when the couch scrapes the wall. They may not even like each other in that moment, but they keep going—because it’s family. Humans celebrate family for the same reason we keep showing up for it. Family is one of the strongest ways
Gratitude doesn’t just reflect happiness—it can create it, even when nothing else changes. Think about the last time you got stuck in traffic, spilled coffee, or opened your inbox to bad news. Now imagine a different moment: a friend texts, “I’m proud of you,” or a stranger holds the door when your hands are full. The events are small, but your mood can swing fast. Gratitude works in that same “small but powerful” space. It shifts what your mind chooses
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