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ALTON — The Madison County State's Attorney's Office announced on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, that it will not pursue charges related to the death of Roedecker D. Watts, 68, of Alton. The decision comes after a thorough review by the state's attorney's office of the evidence stemming from an investigation initiated by first responders on June 7, 2024. First responders were called to the 200 block of West 19th Street in the early morning hours of June 7, 2024, where they found Watts and another man in the front yard of the residence. Both men were taken to a local hospital with injuries, police reported. Watts was later pronounced dead around 5 a.m. that day. An autopsy conducted by the Madison County Coroner's Office on June 8, 2024, revealed that Watts died from "blunt cervical trauma" complicated by "acute ethanol intoxication." Police reports indicated that there were signs of a physical altercation between Watts and the other man present at the scene. In its statement, the Madison

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ROXANA, — In a triangular wrestling match held Thursday night at Roxana High School, teams from East Alton-Wood River (EAWR), Mascoutah, and Roxana faced off in a series of competitive bouts, with injuries impacting the performance of some wrestlers. In the opening match, EAWR took on Mascoutah, where EAWR managed to secure only two victories out of 13 matches. Tyler Adams won a closely contested match in the 144-pound weight class, finishing with a score of 10-7. Drake Champlin also recorded a win for EAWR, securing a pinfall in the 215-pound weight class. However, the majority of Mascoutah's victories came from forfeits, as EAWR was unable to field a complete team due to injuries. The final score for the match was 70-9 in favor of Mascoutah. Roxana then faced Mascoutah in the second match of the evening. Roxana's wrestlers performed strongly, with Lyndon Thies winning by pinfall in the 175-pound class. Cy Courtney (285 pounds), Ari Walker (120 pounds), and Lleyton Cobine also

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EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced today that a man who attacked a librarian has been convicted and sentenced to the maximum term of five years in prison. Terrell E. Porter, 46, of Alton received the sentence after pleading guilty to one count of aggravated battery. The charge, a Class 3 felony, carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Porter pleaded guilty to punching a librarian at Hayner Public Library in Alton on Oct. 10, 2024. Porter was taken into custody near the library by Alton Police Department officers who responded to a report of a librarian being punched. There was no known motive for the attack. Porter had been the subject of recent misdemeanor complaints in the area for disorderly conduct and trespassing. He has previous felony convictions for drug offenses in 2003, 2009 and 2022, as well as damaging government property in 2024 and violating an order of protection in 2024. “This was an unprovoked attack on

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ALTON — Lauren Wilson, the current Deputy Clerk of Alton, is officially running for City Clerk in the upcoming Consolidated Election on April 1st . With nearly four years of experience in the clerk’s office, Wilson has already proven her dedication to the role, having stepped up as acting Clerk for over two years when needed. “I don’t see myself as a politician — I’m a public servant,” Wilson shared during her appearance on Our Daily Show . “This job is about working for the people, and that’s what I’ve always strived to do.” Wilson described the clerk’s office as the backbone of city government, where all municipal business begins. From managing vital records to preparing resolutions and preserving decades of city history, she emphasized the importance of efficiency and accessibility in the office. “All business flows through the clerk’s office, whether it’s handling contracts or connecting

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ALTON - Jillian Dwiggins is the Art Fahrner-Edward Jones Alton High School Remarkable Redbird of the Month. Nobody puts together a more successful combination of A's, strikes and goals than the most recent Remarkable Redbird, sophomore Jillian Dwiggins. Jillian is in her second year of varsity bowling and is a leader of the Redbird bowling team that placed fourth at the recent Southwestern Conference Tournament. She ranked sixth of all individual bowlers in the Southwestern Conference earlier this year. Jillian went to the state tournament during middle school and also last year as a freshman. Her individual highlights this year was bowling a 299 game, just one pin short of a perfect game of 12 strikes in a row. Jillian, who bowled in her first tournament when she was 8 years old, gives a lot of credit to her parents who have been avid bowlers themselves. With Jillian's talents and interest in bowling, her parents were able to introduce her to the Junior Bowling Club of St. Louis,

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ALTON - The Salvation Army locations in Alton and Granite City are facing a significant shortage of food items for their pantries, prompting a community response through a food drive organized by Freer Auto Body at 4512 North Alby Road in Godfrey. The "Have a Heart" food drive has started and will continue until Feb. 15, 2025. The recent winter storms have slowed typical food donations to The Salvation Army. Community members are encouraged to drop off food donations at Freer Auto Body. Additionally, those who wish to collect items at their own businesses, churches, or other locations can coordinate with the organizers for pickup. Margaret Freer, one of the owners of Freer Auto Body, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “The need in our area is great. In today’s world, no one should be hungry. We should count our blessings every day, and if you have the ability to give, you should help those in need.” She urged the public to participate in the campaign,

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ST. LOUIS — Two Belleville East High School students showcased their talents at the 15th Annual St. Louis Teen Talent Competition on Jan. 18, 2025, held at the Fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis. Seventeen-year-old Hannah Joyner performed Stevie Wonder's "Don’t You Worry ‘bout a Thing," while 16-year-old Jillian Ritter, known as Jillyb, presented her original song "Too Good to be True." Joyner, a senior, has developed her vocal skills through self-teaching and training with Steve Neale Music. Her dedication has led to significant opportunities, including performances of the national anthem at CITY SC matches. "I want to bring my signature style and talent to the stage," Joyner said, expressing her excitement about the competition. Jillian Ritter, a junior, aspires to be a pop artist and has received training at Patterson Performing Arts. "I am passionate about creating and sharing my own music," she stated, emphasizing her commitment to pursuing her artistry after

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CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced $7 million in funding for the Tech Incubator Enhancement Grants Program (TIEG) to support entrepreneurship and innovation in key growth industries through startup incubators. This grant funding will strengthen Illinois’ technology network by increasing the resilience of existing technology incubators. Grantees will be selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process. “Here in Illinois, we’re providing the critical support that startups need to grow and drive the future of technology,” said Governor JB Pritzker . “Thanks to the TIEG program grants, we’re strengthening our innovation system, modernizing incubators, and solidifying Illinois as a leader in cutting-edge industries. I highly encourage all eligible entities to apply for this funding opportunity." TIEG was designed to modernize and revitalize

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EAST ALTON – A new addition to the Wilson family arrived at 6:49 p.m. on August 24, 2023, at St. Luke's Hospital. Tauren Matthew Wilson, weighing 8 pounds 3 ounces and measuring 21 inches long, is the son of Daniel and Darcy Wilson, who reside in East Alton. The Wilsons, who have been married, welcomed their second child into the family. The couple's first child, Danny, is four years old. Tauren's maternal grandparents, Mike and Myla Dixon, are from East Alton, while his paternal grandparents, Bill and Sandi Grebe, live in Granite City. Tauren also has great-grandparents, Bill and Margie, who reside in East Alton. The family is celebrating this joyful occasion as they expand their household with the arrival of their new son.

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OAK LAWN - Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced the addition of 5,150 publicly funded preschool seats as the result of the fiscal year 2025 Early Childhood Block Grants. The grants mark the second year of Governor JB Pritzker’s Smart Start Illinois plan, which aims to expand access to early childhood education by increasing the number of preschool seats available to working families. A total of 11,000 seats have been added under Governor Pritzker’s leadership. “This is another historic step forward for early childhood education in Illinois, bringing us 5,150 seats closer to our goal of Universal Pre-K,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Every Illinois child deserves our full investment starting in their earliest years. Smart Start Illinois will put our children on the path to growth and opportunity while making our communities stronger, healthier, and more connected.” "When we educate our children,

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COLLINSVILLE — The Collinsville Police Department recognized significant personnel changes during a promotional ceremony held Tuesday evening, following the recent appointment of Chief Brett Boerm as the new Chief of Police. Lieutenant Mark Kuechle has been promoted to the rank of major/assistant chief of police, a position in which he will oversee all operational functions of the department. Sergeant Brad Akers has moved to lieutenant and will be reassigned to the patrol division. At the same time, Police Officer Jay Edwards has been elevated to sergeant and will command one of the department's four patrol squads. In addition to the promotions, the department introduced Jeremy Moore as its newest police officer. Moore is currently attending the police academy at Southwestern Illinois College. "Congratulations Major Kuechle, Lieutenant Akers, and Sergeant Edwards on your well-deserved promotions and welcome aboard Officer Moore," the department stated. The Collinsville

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EAST ST. LOUIS - In a demonstration of community service and collaboration, members of AmeriCorps joined students from the Peace Warriors program at Gordon Bush Alternative Center and East St. Louis Senior High School recently for a Day of Service honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The initiative took place at the Flyers Feeding Families Mobile Food Pantry, where participants worked together to serve the East St. Louis community. The event aimed to embody the spirit of Dr. King's legacy by promoting unity and support within the community. The Peace Warriors program, which focuses on leadership and service, played a central role in the initiative, highlighting the importance of volunteerism and civic engagement among local youth. The collaboration between AmeriCorps and the Peace Warriors is part of a broader effort to foster community involvement and address food insecurity in the area. Participants emphasized the significance of their work, noting that such initiatives help

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EDWARDSVILLE – The Edwardsville Police Department announced on Friday, January 24, that a 24-year-old Edwardsville man was taken into custody and is facing charges stemming from an investigation into the distribution of child pornography. The investigation began on September 11, 2024, based on information received from the Illinois Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC). On Thursday, January 23, 2025, the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office issued a formal charging document known as a criminal information on the suspect: James Tyler Berry M/W, 24 years of age. The criminal information included the following offenses: COUNT 1 – Child Pornography, a class X felony COUNT 2 – Child Pornography, a class X felony COUNT 3 – Child Pornography, a class X felony COUNT 4 – Child Pornography, a class 2 felony COUNT 5 – Child Pornography, a class 2 felony COUNT 6 – Child Pornography, a class 2 felony COUNT 7 – Chil

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MARYVILLE/TROY - Community members have the chance to win a half-a-million-dollar home while helping local kids. The Home Builders and Remodelers Metro East Association (HBRMEA) is sponsoring a raffle where the grand prize is a new home in Troy, Illinois, or $300,000 cash. Tickets cost $100 and only 20,000 tickets will be sold. All proceeds go to Make-A-Wish Illinois and Make-A-Wish Missouri/Kansas. “Right now in Missouri and Illinois, there are over 2,000 kids waiting for wishes,” said Shannon Stelling with HBRMEA. “This project can make such an impact and cut into that number by a large amount to help these kids get their wishes come true…I encourage everyone to come out and support this project.” The home drawing will take place on April 29, 2025, live on Fox 2. The winner can choose between the new home in Troy or the $300,000. The house, valued at over $500,000, is 1,800 square feet with an unfinished basement. It has three bedrooms,

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While respiratory illness season storms on, one virus continues to be the unfortunate leader of them all. Influenza, or the flu, is dominating the other viruses like COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), norovirus, Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) and others, according to Doug Kasper, MD, an infectious disease specialist with OSF HealthCare. He adds that the increase in flu cases is “typical and expected” for this time of year. The strain of flu that is circulating is an Influenza A strain, which is also predicted. Flu at highest rate and climbing "Seasonal influenza rates are increasing each week, per the CDC. That refers to the number of positive tests that are being seen at access sites, like (OSF) PromptCare, urgent care, emergency departments and primary care offices," Dr. Kasper says. "The percentage of tests returning positive for influenza is climbing and it's at its highest level for our season." This comes just days after the Chicago Department of Public

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SAINT LOUIS, MO. - Principia School invites middle schoolers and jazz enthusiasts across the Greater St. Louis region to enjoy a jazz clinic and concert at their first annual Principia Middle School Jazz Honors Festival. On Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, middle school jazz musicians from schools across the region can attend a jazz clinic from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Principia School, located at 13201 Clayton Road, St. Louis, Missouri. Emanuel Harrold, a two-time Grammy Award winner and St. Louis-based musician, will lead the clinic. The day concludes with a free concert, open to the public, at 5 p.m. in Ridgway Auditorium. “We want to be a great musical neighbor,” said Keith Evans, percussion instructor. “Come be a part of this. Here's what we have going on on our campus. We’d like this family to grow. Music is the only language that is universal.” The middle school jazz clinic costs $35 and includes lunch and snacks. Evans said students will rehearse and

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Did you know that breakfast eaters tend to consume about 100 fewer calories throughout the day compared to those who skip the morning meal? While many of us may reach for the same familiar toast or cereal each morning, there exists a treasure trove of unique breakfast ideas that not only satisfy hunger but also elevate our mornings into a delightful culinary experience. Embracing variety in breakfast can be the key to starting your day with energy and enthusiasm. Let’s explore some innovative options that can transform your morning routine. Breakfast Bowls: A Canvas of Flavors Breakfast bowls are a wonderful way to combine different flavors and textures into one delicious meal. They encourage creativity and customization based on personal preferences or what’s available in your pantry. Savory Oatmeal Bowl: Instead of the traditional sweet oatmeal, prepare a savory version. Cook steel-cut oats and top them with sautéed spinach, a poached egg, crumbled feta cheese,

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Welcome to January 24, a day that has witnessed a multitude of significant events throughout history, shaping politics, culture, science, and society. In 1984, a groundbreaking event took place that would forever change the landscape of technology and communication. Apple Inc. launched the Macintosh computer, introducing a user-friendly interface that brought personal computing to the masses. This innovative product not only revolutionized the way people interacted with computers but also set the stage for the modern digital age. The Macintosh was notable for its graphical user interface, which was a stark departure from the text-based systems prevalent at the time. This launch marked the beginning of a new era in technology, influencing countless innovations that followed. Fast forward to 1965, when a significant moment in space exploration occurred. The United States launched the first successful test of the Saturn I rocket. This was a groundbreaking achievement for NASA, as th

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BETHALTO — Madison County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a traffic crash in the 1700 block of South Moreland Road Thursday night, Jan. 23, 2025. Preliminary investigations indicate that a northbound vehicle crossed into the opposing traffic lane, resulting in a collision with a southbound vehicle. Both vehicles sustained extensive damage; however, no injuries were reported. Madison County Sheriff's Department is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

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Among the New Year’s resolutions worldwide, many people have pledged to find and stick with a healthy diet. But there’s a lot more to it than just grabbing every “reduced fat” item off the grocery store shelf. Karen Whitehorn, MD, an OSF HealthCare internal medicine physician, hears questions all the time about diets. Her first question back is usually: what do you want out of your diet? Do you want to be healthy? Lose weight? Manage a medical condition? Sort through the details, and you’ll find the best option. Exploring the popular options U.S. News and World Report each year consults a panel of medical and nutrition experts to rank the best diets. The Mediterranean diet topped the list. Dr. Whitehorn says this diet is based on the eating habits of people who live near the Mediterranean Sea. It’s a plant-based diet, incorporating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, brown rice and seafood. An added benefit: recent research shows the Mediterranean

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