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
ALTON - Alton Community Unit School District #11 elementary school students competed in their annual spelling bee. On Wednesday, May 6, 2026, students from East, North and West Elementary Schools competed to become the district’s top speller. Director of Curriculum Jody Meggos explained that the event is a chance for the students to push themselves academically and have fun. “It’s just another way that we’re encouraging students to stay tuned in with the academics
SMITHTON - State Rep. Kevin Schmidt, R-Millstadt, will host a tire recycling event and food drive Saturday, May 9, at Smithton Community Park in Smithton, Illinois, offering residents a way to dispose of old tires while collecting nonperishable food items for local food pantries across the 114th District. The event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the park, 65 Memorial Drive. “The purpose of this event is to give my constituents a way to recycle their old tires while also collecting
COLLINSVILLE – Continental Realty Corporation (CRC) announced it has completed an off-market acquisition of a 14-property retail portfolio spanning seven states and encompassing more than two million square feet of retail space from US Properties Group, including · Collinsville Plaza - 29,000 square feet - in Collinsville, Illinois. The acquisition includes a mix of well-located retail assets supported by strong market fundamentals and consistent in-place performance. With this
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 Tue
RANTOUL – Today, Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), the Village of Rantoul, and Combe Incorporated announced new investments in Rantoul. Combe will invest $30 million to expand and retain its manufacturing operations in East Central Illinois, which is supported by a $5 million grant from the State of Illinois. “Combe’s expansion is a great example of how the State of Illinois works with companies and communities
CHICAGO — Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today announced lower fees and technology improvements for employers and savers of the Illinois Secure Choice Savings Program, which will take effect in June 2026. “A decade ago, too many Illinois workers didn’t have an easy way to save for retirement at work, so we set up a low-cost solution,” Frerichs said. “Now, workers have saved more than $300 million thanks to our Secure Choice retirement program. But we
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) encourages farmers and agrichemical facilities to take part in a free agrichemical container recycling program. Beginning in the middle of July and continuing into August, sites throughout the state will collect containers that are recycled to make shipping pallets. “Each year, this program gives farmers and agrichemical facilities an easy way to responsibly dispose of empty pesticide containers,” said IDOA Director
Across the Riverbend area, more property owners are looking at pole barns and post-frame buildings for practical, long-lasting space. For some, that means a farm building or equipment storage. For others, it means a garage, workshop, hobby building, commercial-use structure, or a general-purpose storage building that fits their property better than a traditional build. Before getting too far into pricing or design ideas, it helps to take a step back and think through how the building will actually
SPRINGFIELD – Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today announced $56 million in funding is available for the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) for Public Infrastructure ($25 million), Housing Rehabilitation ($15 million), Community Revitalization ($13 million), and Emergency Assistance ($3 million). Grantees will be selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process. “Here in Illinois,
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) will distribute more than $796,000 over the next three years to expand access to fresh, locally grown produce and boost the competitiveness of the state’s specialty crop industry. This funding is made possible through the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. An application for grant funding will be available this week on the Illinois Department of Agriculture website and must be returned to the Department by noon
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) has recovered significant unpaid wages and assessed penalties against three employers found in violation of the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act (PWA), reinforcing the agency’s commitment to protecting workers and ensuring a level playing field for law-abiding contractors. In separate enforcement actions, IDOL recovered a combined total of more than $398,000 in back wages for 29 workers. General Energy Corp. Following an investigation
GODFREY – After a lengthy discussion, Godfrey village trustees unanimously approved an agreement for architectural services from AAIC for a Recreation Center at their May 5, 2026 meeting. Before the item came up for a vote, Recreational Center Committee member Mark Lorch said Godfrey has over 3,300 kids involved in outdoor recreational programs, but only about 440 in indoor programs. He advised trustees that it might “take a while to fill that Rec Center” with kids and others,
EDWARDSVILLE - An Edwardsville High School senior is leading a community art project to paint the EHS pedestrian tunnel. With just a few weeks left in her high school career, Jazmin Hayes decided she wanted to leave a legacy at the high school and beautify the tunnel for the students and staff members who use it every day. She approached art teacher Cassie Flynn, and they worked together to create a plan. Painting begins next week and Hayes couldn’t be more excited. “I feel
EDWARDSVILLE — For many first-time buyers, the biggest barrier to homeownership isn’t finding the right house — it’s coming up with the cash to get in the door. In Madison County, a local program aims to close that gap, offering financial assistance to help residents move from renting to homeownership. The Madison County HOMEbuyer Assistance Program provides eligible applicants up to $15,000 to assist with down payment and closing costs, easing one of the most significant
GRANITE CITY – The Rotary Club of Granite City recognized juniors Chaze Baiter and Tyler Nonn as Students of the Month for May. Students were nominated by teachers, and were chosen on the basis of academics, as well as scholastic, extracurricular and civic honors and awards, and organization membership and leadership. Each honoree received a framed certificate and a gift card, and was recognized at the Mayors’ Prayer Breakfast on March 24, 2026. CHAZE BAITER High Honor Roll
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey on Wednesday sentenced a former high school basketball coach to 90 months in prison for sending sexually explicit photos to students and engaging in sexually explicit conversations with them. Lee Anthony Bogan Jr., 29, was working at a St. Louis area high school at the time. Bogan, known as “Coach Teejay,” used a social media application to contact high school students beginning in the spring of 2024. Bogan sent photos of his
GODFREY — Lewis and Clark Community College student Abigail Johnes is building a future in architecture while balancing a full academic load, leadership roles and extensive community involvement in Calhoun County. A 2025 graduate and valedictorian of Brussels Community High School, Johnes is pursuing an associate degree in architecture at LC, with plans to graduate in 2027. She is an active member of the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS), where she serves as
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