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July 31st has been a day of significant events that have shaped history across the globe, as well as within local communities like the St. Louis Metro Area. On this day in 1498, the famed explorer Christopher Columbus, on his third voyage, became the first European to discover the island of Trinidad. This event marked a significant moment in the Age of Exploration and the subsequent European colonization of the Americas. Columbus's discovery opened new avenues for trade and cultural exchange but also set in motion the complex and often devastating impacts of colonization on indigenous populations. Fast forward to 1941, and we find ourselves in the midst of World War II. On July 31 of that year, Hermann Göring, a leading member of the Nazi regime, ordered SS General Reinhard Heydrich to prepare the “Final Solution,” a plan that would lead to the Holocaust. This horrific event stands as a somber reminder of the atrocities of war and the importance of vigilance against

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ALTON - Michael Haynes, the Alton Park and Recreation Director, has officially resigned from his position. Haynes confirmed his decision on Tuesday afternoon, July 30, 2024, stating that he has accepted a new role as Director of Operations and Special Projects at Tower Grove Park in the City of St. Louis. Haynes' resignation will be formalized at the upcoming City Council Meeting on August 14, 2024. "This is simply a career move for me and my family," Haynes said. He noted that his decision to resign had been finalized days before the recent sinkhole situation that led to the closure of Gordon Moore Park and had nothing to do with that situation. Haynes has been a key figure in Alton's park and recreation initiatives, and his departure marks a significant transition for the community. This is a letter by Michael Haynes about his career change : Dear fellow Alton residents and our surrounding communities: I am announcing my resignation as Director of Parks and Recreation effective

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BELLEVILLE – The Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation Public Safety Enforcement Group (PSEG) announced the arrest of Robert E. Hyde Jr., 48, of Belleville, on charges of First Degree Murder, a Class M Felony. On June 12, 2024, PSEG agents were called by the East St. Louis Police Department to investigate a homicide that occurred in the 1300 block of 45th Street. The victim, identified as 42-year-old Kenyatta Brown of East St. Louis, was found deceased in the street, having suffered a gunshot wound. The following day, June 13, 2024, the case was presented to St. Clair County State’s Attorney James Gomric, who subsequently filed the First Degree Murder charge against Hyde. On July 29, 2024, the United States Marshals Service apprehended Hyde in Caseyville. He is currently being held at the St. Clair County Jail. Authorities have not released further information regarding the case.

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SOUTH ROXANA – South Roxana prepares for a much-anticipated back-to-school event. From 1 to 5 p.m. on August 10, 2024, the Village of South Roxana and the American Legion will join forces at 417 Sinclair Ave to provide book bags and school supplies to children from South Roxana and Hartford. The event aims to alleviate families' financial burdens during the back-to-school season, ensuring that every child starts the school year with the necessary tools for success. Mayor TJ Callahan shared his enthusiasm for the upcoming event. "This back-to-school event is a wonderful opportunity for our community to unite and support our children. It's about more than just providing supplies; it's about showing our kids that we care about their education and future." American Legion Commander Mike Barton expressed his gratitude for the collaborative effort, stating, "It's truly rewarding to work with the Village of South Roxana to help out our community. When we approached the village about

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TROY – The Goshen Theatre Project is set to captivate audiences with its upcoming production of Disney’s "The Hunchback of Notre Dame." This adaptation, based on Victor Hugo’s classic novel, will be performed outdoors at Silver Creek Elementary School from August 2 to August 4, each evening at 7:30 p.m. Directed by Terry Pattison, the musical features the renowned music of Alan Menken and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. "We are incredibly excited to bring this powerful story to the stage," Pattison said. "Our cast and crew have poured their hearts and souls into this show, and we can’t wait to share it with our community." The production delves into the lives of several characters, including a devoted Archdeacon, a cavalier officer, an esoteric gypsy dancer, and the compassionate bell ringer, Quasimodo. The musical adaptation promises to explore themes of compassion, tolerance, and the triumph of the human spirit, offering a moving experience for audiences of al

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JERSEYVILLE – Cameron Judkins is poised to make significant strides for the Jersey Community High School boys track and field team. A standout member of the 4x100, 4x200, and 4x400 relays, Judkins has been named a Sparklight Male Athlete of the Month for Jersey. "He will be the number one sprinter for Jersey coming into the 2025 season," Head Coach Harold Landon said. "He will replace Casey Borkowski, who graduated, next season. He will be able to run the 100, 200, and 400." Judkins has already demonstrated his potential, securing second place in both the 100 and 200 meters at the Mississippi Valley Conference Freshman-Sophomore Meet. His best time in the 200 meters this season was 24.04 seconds. Again, congrats to Judkins on his Sparklight Male Athlete of the Month honor for Jersey.

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WOOD RIVER - Three individuals from Detroit, Mich. face retail theft charges in Madison County after allegedly stealing items from the Wood River Walmart. Isaiah A. Burnley, 43, Kennedy Miller, 42, and Tramell Miller, 18, all of Detroit, Mich., were charged with one count each of retail theft over $300, each Class 3 felonies. According to Madison County court documents, on July 2, 2024, the three allegedly stole two air conditioner units and a generator with a combined value over $300 from the Walmart located at 610 Wesley Drive in Wood River. The Wood River Police Department presented the cases against all three individuals, who have since been granted pretrial release. The issuance of charges is based solely upon probable cause and is not an indication of guilt. All subjects charged with criminal offenses are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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GODFREY – With the fall semester just weeks away, Lewis and Clark Community College is buzzing with activity in anticipation of another academic year, blazing new trails in higher education. As new projects get underway and the campus calendar fills with events, one woman remains steadfast, serving as a beacon of calm in all the excitement. She’s Sue Keener, executive secretary to the President and Board of Trustees and the newest recipient of the college’s highest honor, the Pantone 286 Award. “Sue is one of our most outstanding team members, who fully embodies the Trailblazer spirit and works diligently behind the scenes supporting the entire team on this campus,” President Ken Trzaska said. “She is not only true Pantone 286 blue; she is also the glue that holds everything and everyone on this campus together.” The prize, named for the Pantone Color System identifier for Lewis and Clark’s “Trailblazer blue,”

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GRANITE CITY – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that deck sealing on the eastbound bridge carrying Interstate 270 over the Chain of Rocks Canal just west of the I-270/Illinois 3 interchange in Madison County will require lane closures starting, weather permitting, at 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. One lane will always remain open. All lanes will reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 5. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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WOOD RIVER - The Pump House Bar and Grill will host a watch party to celebrate local Olympian Jayden Ulrich. At 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, community members are invited to The Pump House to watch Ulrich’s Olympic event. Ulrich, a 2021 East Alton-Wood River High School graduate, will throw discus for Team U.S.A. in the Paris Olympics on Friday. “Obviously, we're a huge supporter of Wood River and the Wood River community, so we’ve been standing behind Jayden the whole time,” said Lauren “Lo” Montgomery, manager of The Pump House. “Anything that brings the community together, we’re always right there with them. The community is a big, big part of what we do here. We wouldn't be who we are without our community. So what’s the best way to give that back?” Located at 1523 E. Edwardsville Road in Wood River, The Pump House will offer their full menu and drinks during the event on Aug. 2. They plan to open 30 minutes

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EDWARDSVILLE - Lydia Fernandez of the Paddlers Swim Club in Granite City had a good showing at the Southwestern Illinois Swimming Association championship meet July 21, 2024, at the Chuck Fruit Aquatic Center on the campus of Edwardsville High School. Fernandez was a part of the girls 11-12 200-yard medley relay team that came in third at 2:33.84, finished seventh in the 50-yard freestyle at 34.09 seconds, came in sixth in the 100-yard individual medley at 1:27.29, finished fourth in the 50-yard breaststroke at 43.66 seconds, and was a member of the 200-yard freestyle relay team that placed third at 2:15.30. Lydia is a Stillwater Senior Living Female Athlete of the Month for Granite City. In her interview, which was conducted during the meet, Fernandez expressed satisfaction with her overall performance, cutting her times down in all of her races. "I dropped time on almost every one of my races, so I think did well overall," she said. During the meet, almost all the Pirates swimmer

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GLEN CARBON - A man from Athens, Ill. faces multiple charges after assaulting an EMS worker and more during an incident of public indecency on Old Troy Road in Glen Carbon. Daniel G. Adams Jr., 43, of Athens, Ill., was charged with aggravated assault of an EMS worker (a Class 4 felony), public indecency (a Class A misdemeanor), obstructing a peace officer (a Class A misdemeanor) and being a pedestrian under influence of alcohol or drugs (a petty offense). According to a petition to deny Adams’ pretrial release, the incident unfolded on July 15, 2024 after officers responded to a report of a male lying near the roadway on the shoulder of Troy Road. Officers, believing the man potentially needed aid, began using a drone to locate him using thermal imaging - but upon seeing the drone, Adams reportedly engaged in an act of public indecency. "Officers located the defendant, shirtless, laying the side of the roadway, clearly intoxicated," the petition states. “He provided

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GODFREY - With the fall semester just weeks away, Lewis and Clark Community College is buzzing with activity in anticipation of another academic year, blazing new trails in higher education. As new projects get underway and the campus calendar fills with events, one woman remains steadfast, serving as a beacon of calm in all the excitement. She’s Sue Keener, executive secretary to the President and Board of Trustees and the newest recipient of the college’s highest honor, the Pantone 286 Award. “Sue is one of our most outstanding team members, who fully embodies the Trailblazer spirit and works diligently behind the scenes supporting the entire team on this campus,” President Ken Trzaska said. “She is not only true Pantone 286 blue; she is also the glue that holds everything and everyone on this campus together.” The prize, named for the Pantone Color System identifier for Lewis and Clark’s “Trailblazer blue,” is given annually

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CHICAGO - Governor JB Pritzker today signed into law Senate Bill 3646, the Child Labor Law of 2024, which updates child labor regulations to the 21st century by repealing the existing statute and replacing it with a modern framework. “While neighboring states weaken their child labor laws, in Illinois we’re modernizing our regulatory framework to further protect minors from unscrupulous employers," said Governor JB Pritzker. "Minors should be able to experience safe, age-appropriate work in an educational setting, and I’m proud of the added protections my administration and the General Assembly advanced through this bill.” SB 3646 is intended to provide a structure for minors to engage in safe, age-appropriate work, while protecting their health and access to education. The bill sets standards for working conditions for children aged 15 and younger, including limiting hours of work and updating the list of jobs that minors cannot hold. The Illinois Child Labo

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(This is one in a series of stories about featured art at the Edwardsville Art Fair in Downtown Edwardsville) EDWARDSVILLE - Three ceramic artists are showcasing their unique approaches to the medium, bringing a variety of styles and techniques to Edwardsville Art Fair from Sept. 27-29, 2024. Dana Cattani, Tim and Pam Frye, and Maria Soliman each bring their distinct perspectives to ceramic art, demonstrating the versatility and creativity inherent in the craft. Cattani, who works almost entirely with slabs of clay, emphasizes the unique qualities of hand-built ceramics. "Working almost entirely with slabs of clay allows for a different type of artistic freedom in ceramics," Cattani said in a statement. "Due to the nature of hand-building, our resulting pieces are unique with an intentional and charming wonkiness to them." Tim and Pam Frye, a duo known for their collaborative efforts in ceramics, combine hand-building and wheel-throwing techniques to create their pieces. "The

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representatives Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13) and Mike Carey (R-OH-15) introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to renew the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) – a federal program that helped low-income households afford access to high-speed internet. The Affordable Connectivity Program, established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, ran out of funding in May – ending assistance for over 23 million American households. Bipartisan companion legislation has been introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), J.D. Vance (R-OH), Peter Welch (D-VT), Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV). For nearly three years, the Affordable Connectivity Program helped families afford the high-speed internet services they need to work remotely, complete online coursework, attend telehealth appointments and more. The Secure and Affordable Broadband Extension Act would restore the program and provide eligible households

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BELLEVILLE - Caritas Family Solutions is celebrating the 77th anniversary of its founding as an Illinois nonprofit human services agency on July 31. The agency serves more than 6,300 people, is the largest provider of foster care in the southern Illinois region and touches the lives of 1,700 foster children annually. The day, known as Caritas Day, is dedicated to raising awareness about the lives they touch through its programs and services. The nonprofit also has other service lines which include pregnancy care for women experiencing homelessness, adoption, counseling, community family stabilization for families experiencing homelessness and independent living for adults with disabilities. “Every year as we celebrate Caritas Day, our staff takes a moment to reflect on all of the lives our agency has touched,” said Caritas Family Solutions CEO Gary Huelsmann. “We are so proud of the growth and milestones we’ve achieved within the past year, like moving

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ALTON - Get ready for a day of fun, community, and giving! On Saturday, August 3, from 9 am to 11 am, Beyond Basketball is teaming up with YWCA and the Alton Community Boxing Club for an exciting Back-to-School Giveaway at the YWCA GYM, located at 304 E. Third St., Alton. This event promises to be a fantastic morning for the whole family, with free backpacks and supplies perfect for youth in grades K-12. But that's not all! We're also firing up the grill for a delicious barbecue, featuring free hotdogs, hamburgers, chips, and drinks for all attendees. Meet representatives from Beyond Basketball, YWCA, and the Alton Community Boxing Club, who will be on hand to share information about various fall youth programs. This is a perfect opportunity to learn about the amazing activities and support available to your children this coming school year. Since 2022, Beyond Basketball has been dedicated to enriching the lives of youth aged 11-17 through competitive basketball and other engaging

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ALTON – In preparation for the annual Duck Pluckers Ball, Alton Memorial Health Services Foundation is hosting an online raffle that will open Monday, Aug. 5. The event website where raffle tickets may be purchased starting Aug. 5 is www.virtualauction.bid/duckpluckers The featured item is a 2024 CF Moto Camo C600 four-wheeler from Midwest Motor Sports in Hartford. There will only be 500 chances available for that raffle. Cost is $50 per ticket. Other online raffle items will include: Booze Boat: An inflatable boat filled with a variety of liquor donated by area bars and restaurants. Freezer of Beef: Donated by B&M livestock and AMHSF, the freezer is 5 cubic feet for a quarter beef. Bourbon collection: A collection of hard-to-find bottles of bourbon donated by Colman’s Country Campers and Barry and Gaye Julian. Tickets for these three raffles are $20 each. You must be 21 years or older to win and present a valid state-issued ID to collect your winnings.

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ALTON - The Summer Reading Program might be over, but the Hayner Public Library District still has lots of great activities and events planned for the community to enjoy. Mary Cordes, Hayner’s executive director, noted that the Summer Reading Program went well and the kids and teenagers who participated had fun. She said the kids read almost 5,000 books and the teens read 150 books during the six-week program. “I am so proud,” Cordes said. “I’m really proud of our teens and kids this summer…I’m proud of the staff. For six weeks, there was something every single day for six weeks for the kids to do. That’s a lot of work, so huge, huge, huge props to because they were amazing this summer.” Cordes pointed out that the Summer Reading Program allows kids to stay engaged and practice their reading skills. This ensures that they don’t lose any of these skills in between school years. The Summer Reading Program is als

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