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ALTON – The Wedge Innovation Center Powered by SIUE today announced the hiring of Stephanie Schrage as Community Manager. The former Alton Main Street President brings over 10 years of experience connecting entrepreneurs, fostering collaboration, and driving social impact innovation, exactly the expertise needed to fuel The Wedge's mission as the region's premier startup community. In her new role, Schrage will develop community engagement strategies, coordinate events and programming, and support the network of entrepreneurs, researchers, and professionals at The Wedge. "Stephanie's track record of building vibrant, welcoming communities and her passion for supporting people with big dreams makes her an ideal fit for The Wedge," said J. Scot Heathman, CEO of The Wedge. "Her experience in nonprofit leadership, combined with her deep understanding of community development, will be invaluable as we continue to grow our community of dreamers, doers and thinkers. Stephanie

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ALTON - Enjoy the sounds of multi-platinum selling rock band Puddle of Mudd as they take the stage at the Alton Amphitheater on Saturday, August 2, 2025, with gates opening at 6 p.m. “A Saturday evening on the Alton Riverfront with another multi-platinum selling band like Puddle of Mudd will be a great night for Alton and the region,” said Dan Herkert, Alton Amphitheater Commission Chair. Ticket sales will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 30, 2025. VIP tickets will sell for $65.00, reserved tickets for $46.50, and general admission tickets for $34.25 plus all applicable taxes and fees. Tickets will be available at www.Metrotix.com and through MetroTix outlets. A VIP ticket includes entry to the concert, assigned seating in the VIP area, reserved parking, and access to the VIP tent on the side of the stage with private concessions. A reserved ticket provides entry to the concert and assigned seating at the amphitheater while general admission tickets include entry

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EDWARDSVILLE - Teachers and union members for Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 rallied outside of Liberty Middle School ahead of May’s regular Board of Education meeting. On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, a few dozen District #7 employees donned red and held a rally in the hour before the meeting. Teachers spoke about the need for increased pay and less district spending on “luxury items.” “We are just standing out here to show that we support each other and hoping the public supports us as well,” said Karla Brinkman. “We are rallying because our negotiations are coming up. We’ve had a lot of teachers let go that shouldn’t have been let go. There’s been a lot of spending by the district on superficial things, luxury items like a new gym floor, a new track for the track team, new office buildings over in Edwardsville rather than just using the office buildings like the Hadley House that the district has always used, jus

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What if the simplest way to enjoy a healthy, refreshing treat was literally at your fingertips? Homemade popsicles made from fresh fruit offer a delicious and nutritious alternative to store-bought frozen snacks, loaded with added sugars and artificial ingredients. Not only do they satisfy your sweet tooth, but they also provide a creative outlet to experiment with flavors and textures while utilizing seasonal produce or leftovers before they spoil. Why Choose Homemade Popsicles? In recent years, consumer awareness around clean eating and natural ingredients has surged. According to a 2023 Nielsen report, 65% of Americans prefer snacks made with real fruit and minimal additives. Commercial popsicles often contain high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, and preservatives, which many people aim to avoid. Making your own popsicles empowers you to control what goes into your treat, ensuring it is both wholesome and tailored to your taste. Moreover, homemade popsicles can be a fun

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May 28 has been a date marked by remarkable events across the globe, spanning centuries and touching upon themes of revolution, discovery, culture, and political change. One of the most significant events to occur on May 28 happened in 585 BCE, when the Battle of Halys, also known as the Battle of the Eclipse, took place. This confrontation between the Medes and the Lydians was famously interrupted by a solar eclipse, an event so striking that it halted the fighting and led to a peace treaty. This eclipse was so precisely predicted by the Greek philosopher Thales of Miletus that it stands as one of the earliest recorded instances of scientific forecasting influencing human affairs. The ceasefire marked a rare moment when cosmic phenomena directly impacted the outcomes of earthly conflict. Fast forward to the late 18th century, May 28, 1754, saw a key moment in North American history when the Albany Congress convened in Albany, New York. Representatives from seven of the thirteen

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JERSEYVILLE – A new event space is one step closer to opening in Jerseyville. Members of the Jerseyville City Council on Tuesday unanimously granted a request to rezone a green building at 209 S. Washington St. from R-5 (multi-family residential) to B-3 (retail business) for special use with alcohol. Property Owner Tammy Shireman confirmed at Tuesday’s meeting that this is the latest step in reopening the building as an event space. Mayor Kevin Stork wished her “good luck.” Known locally as the historic Bell Telephone building, the newly renovated Washington Street property is being transformed into a wedding venue and event space called “The Bell Haus.” According to their Facebook page, The Bell Haus is a joint venture between Shireman and her daughter, Jamie, who will be finalizing the building’s Bell Haus transformation “over the next several months.” They describe the “quaint space” as an ideal venue for small-scale

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JERSEYVILLE/HIGHLAND - The Riverbend region will welcome Carden Circus today. On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in Jerseyville, and Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Highland, community members can enjoy Carden Circus , an international act with motorcycle stunts, archery, aerialists, animals and more fun for people of all ages to enjoy. Performers look forward to sharing their acts with local families. “The circus is fun,” said Arline Carden, the fifth-generation manager of Carden Circus. “They’re really, really, really going to be excited to come and see it. If they come, I promise they’re not going to regret it. They’re going to be enjoying it so much.” In Jerseyville, the show starts at 7 p.m. on May 27 at American Legion Post 492. In Highland, community members can come at 7 p.m. on May 29 to the Madison County Fairgrounds. Carden encourages attendees to arrive an hour before showtime to enjoy all of the preshow fun. Families can check out

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ALTON - As artificial intelligence becomes more popular, a local clinical psychologist reflects on how AI can be useful in therapeutic settings — and how it comes up short. Dr. Ari Lakritz, PsyD, works with OSF St. Anthony’s Psychological Services Department. Lakritz noted that a lot of people utilize AI to help them accomplish tasks, and this technology can be useful as a motivator to finish therapy homework or process emotions in between sessions. But he noted that overreliance on AI might also have downsides. “This was kind of inevitable when they made AI. It’s going to help you with your term papers, it’s going to help you with your homework, and maybe it’ll be your therapist one day,” he said. “It’s all very new and you can’t really make huge generalizations because you don’t really have this longitudinal data that’s three, five, ten years out, but you do have some observations about how people use

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SPRINGFIELD - Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is warning Illinoisans to keep on the lookout for text message scams claiming to be from the “Illinois State Department of Motor Vehicles” that threaten to suspend vehicle registration and driving privileges. The text messages are phishing attempts designed to trick residents into giving up personal or financial information. Recipients should not respond or open any links found in unsolicited texts and emails. “Phishing scams are unfortunately an increasingly prevalent threat in our modern society, seeking to cheat Illinoisans out of their personal information and hard-earned money,” Giannoulias said. “Please remain vigilant to avoid these scams and report them to protect yourself and others from falling victim to fraud schemes.” The office only sends text messages to remind residents about scheduled DMV appointments. It does not send text messages regarding driver’s license or vehicle registration

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EDWARDSVILLE - From a young age, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Michael Denn, PhD, has loved aviation and rocketry. Denn, instructor in the SIUE School of Engineering’s Department of Mechanical Mechatronics Engineering, has taken his passion for and years of expertise in the aerospace industry and propelled them into an impressive pedagogy that has caused many of his students’ learning to soar. A recent accolade for Denn’s persistent and consistent excellent teaching is the 2025 Faculty Award – St. Louis Section from the St. Louis Chapter of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). Denn was recognized at the AIAA annual awards banquet on Thursday, May 22 at Orlando’s Events Centers in Maryland Heights, Mo. “The Faculty Award recognizes faculty members who has provided outstanding support to an AIAA student branch and individual student members at his/her university or provided outstanding education to

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Does your pin oak look like it’s breaking out in little bumps? Those odd, round growths are called twig galls, and they’re more than just a cosmetic nuisance. In spring, tiny gall wasps—no bigger than a grain of rice—lay their eggs just under the bark of new shoots. As each larva grows, your oak responds by building a hard, knobby shell around it. That shell is the gall. When the wasp finally matures, it chews its way out, leaving a telltale hole—and the cycle begins again on fresh twigs. Twig galls form because your tree is trying to protect itself. The chemical signals from the wasp egg trick the plant into redirecting nutrients and hormones to build the gall. Inside, the larva finds both food and shelter. While a few galls here and there won’t kill your tree, a heavy infestation can sap vital resources from young shoots. Over time, your oak’s new branches will be stunted, uneven, or even die back before they mature. The damage goes beyon

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MARYVILLE - The Home Builders and Remodelers Metro East Association has had a busy year so far, and they’re still working to support consumers and businesses throughout the region. Shannon Stelling stopped by “Our Daily Show!” with C.J. Nasello to talk about some of the HBRMEA projects and initiatives. She encouraged people to utilize the HBRMEA as a resource to find reputable builders and remodelers, and she emphasized that the organization aims to help consumers get what they need to be successful home owners. “You always have the Home Builders & Remodelers Association that are all local companies that can be trusted here in the area that can help you,” she said. “If you’re not sure and you want a good reference, call the HBR.” In addition to acting as a resource, the HBRMEA advocates for homeowners. Stelling explained that the local chapter is currently working with municipalities like Granite City and Belleville to pioneer

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PHOTOS: Carlos A. Marcanos-Gonzales, Keyler G. Barreto, and Jose Mora Herrera. EDWARDSVILLE – Three Venezuelan natives have been charged with orchestrating a scheme to steal cash from an Edwardsville bank ATM. Carlos A. Marcanos-Gonzales, 27, Keyler G. Barreto, 19, and Jose Mora Herrera, 24, were each charged on May 23, 2025 with attempted theft (each Class 3 felonies) and computer tampering (each Class 4 felonies). On May 22, 2025, the three allegedly accessed the locked panel of an ATM at the Bank of Madison County in Edwardsville in attempt to steal over $10,000. Each are accused of taking part in an ATM theft scheme involving the installation of a computer program to cause the ATM to dispense money without authorization. Petitions filed to deny each of the defendants’ pretrial release describe the incident as follows: “Defendant and two co-defendants were located near the scene of an ATM alarm activation at Madison County Bank,” the petitions state.

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ALTON — The Memorial Day Sunset Ceremony at Alton National Cemetery on Monday, May 26, 2025, honored those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the nation through a series of musical performances, tributes, and reflections. The event began with a percussion assembly by Alton High School students, followed by the Alton Fire Department Pipes and Drum’s rendition of "Scotland The Brave." The AHS AFJROTC Color Guard presented the colors, and Cary Pulaski performed the National Anthem. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Elijah Baird and sisters Charlotte and Celeste Phillbrook. City of Alton Mayor David Goins delivered the invocation, emphasizing the importance of remembering the sacrifices made by service members. "As we gather here today at this National Cemetery, we come together to honor the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation," Goins said. "Though they are no longer with us in body, their memories remain etched in our memory and

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ALTON — The 20th Annual Memorial Day Sunset Ceremony on Monday evening, May 26, 2025, took on special significance as the late Richard Baird was honored for his long-standing dedication to the event and the community. Baird coordinated the ceremony for 19 years and contributed to this year’s event before his death on April 19, 2025. On Monday night, he was remembered for his service, leadership, and commitment to preserving the Alton National Cemetery. The Monday ceremony took place at Alton National Cemetery, where Baird’s son, Robert Baird, served as master of ceremonies. Robert, principal of St. Ambrose School, spoke about his father’s efforts prior to starting the Sunset Ceremony, including leading a crucial cleanup of the cemetery. “In the beginning, we realized we needed to initiate some improvements,” Robert said. “It was a passing idea one day — wow, that looks terrible, let’s do something about it.” Richard

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ALTON — The City of Alton held its 158th Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 26, 2025, continuing a longstanding tradition to honor fallen veterans. Organized and sponsored by the East End Improvement Association, the parade drew significant community participation and took place along a route through Upper Alton. The event began at 10 a.m. Monday, with parade participants assembling at Alton Middle School. The procession traveled up College Avenue to Washington Street, then down to Edwards Street, over to Main Street, back up College Avenue, and finally down Washington Street to the Upper Alton Cemetery. Bill Varble, a Vietnam War ranger and local veteran, served as this year’s parade marshal. Steve Schwartz, who helps oversee the parade, emphasized the significance of Memorial Day and the parade’s role in remembering those who have served. “Memorial Day is for the fallen. That’s the importance. Let’s not forget what this day and what this parade

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators John Ossoff (D-GA) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) in reintroducing legislation to ban stock trading by Members of Congress. The Ban Congressional Stock Trading Act would require all members of Congress, their spouses and dependent children to place their stocks into a qualified blind trust or divest the holding—ensuring they cannot use inside information to influence their stock trades and make a profit. “As Donald Trump continues to corruptly enrich himself and his billionaire friends through luxury jets from foreign powers, suspicious market manipulation and shady cryptocurrency scams, Congress must lead by example to help restore trust and integrity in government,” said Duckworth. “That is why I’m proud to help reintroduce the Ban Congressional Stock Trading Act to ensure every Member of Congress complies with this commonsense, ethical best practice.” The American people

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EDWARDSVILLE – Metro-East Lutheran High School has officially released its full Honor Roll lists for the fourth quarter of the 2024-25 school year. Grade 9 Honor Roll with High Distinction (g.p.a. 4.0) Abby Ayer, Shiloh Liam Hazelwonder, Godfrey Marion Hemmer, Caseyville Claire Houck, Maryville Collin Hudzik, Edwardsville Calista Stults, Collinsville Honor Roll with Distinction (g.p.a. 3.75-3.99) Elijah Ball, Worden Madison Dunn, Edwardsville Lyla Eggebrecht, Wood River Oliver Elmer, Edwardsville Noah Gray, Collinsville Caitlyn Hardage, Caseyville Lily Hartzel, Troy Moira Krueger, Glen Carbon Laynie Menard, Glen Carbon Preston Menossi, Edwardsville Ally Packer, Edwardsville Cole Payne, Edwardsville Matthew Redden, Edwardsville Henry Reiseck, Hamel Molly Schulmeister, Staunton Ryan Sullivan, New Douglas Owen Trackwell, Maryville Lily Walloch, Collinsville Josie Wright, Edwardsville Honor

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today issued the following statement after a federal judge ruled that the Trump administration’s executive order targeting the law firm Jenner & Block LLP is unconstitutional and entered a permanent injunction blocking the administration from enforcing the order. Since taking office, President Trump has issued unconstitutional executive orders targeting several law firms that have represented or employed political opponents of the administration or have expressed viewpoints disfavored by the administration. In April, Raoul co-led a coalition of attorneys general filing an amicus brief in support of Jenner & Block’s lawsuit challenging the order. “I am pleased the court recognized that this executive order is blatantly unconstitutional and has barred the Trump administration from enforcing it. Allowing a U.S. President to punish law firms based on who they employ or represent is not only unconstitutional, but

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CHICAGO – As co-chair of the Attorney General Alliance’s (AGA) Organized Retail Crime Working Group, Attorney General Kwame Raoul partnered with the AGA to convene local, state and federal law enforcement officials, legal professionals and industry leaders for an Auto Theft Symposium in Chicago. The symposium brought together law enforcement representatives with auto industry leaders OnStar and General Motors to discuss collaborative theft prevention strategies to deter and reduce vehicular hijacking and auto thefts throughout Illinois. The symposium featured presentations by leaders from the FBI, Chicago Police Department, General Motors and OnStar. Discussions focused on the impact auto thefts have on public safety at large, as well as the role public-private law enforcement collaborations play in reducing vehicular hijacking, auto thefts and related crimes. Raoul convened the symposium following conversations with the Cook County Sheriff’s Department and Lemont

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