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JERSEYVILLE - Jersey Community High School students are eager to present the Halloween-themed fall play, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” At 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30, and 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31, and Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, community members can check out the play at the high school. Tickets are available online and every cast and crew member is excited to share their hard work. Cara Rojas, the high school’s Spanish teacher and theater director, can’t wait to

Twenty-five years ago, a device small enough to fit in a pocket helped change the scale of a music collection. On Oct. 23, 2001, Apple introduced the iPod, making a computer-based library portable through a compact player designed to hold up to 1,000 songs. It was not the first digital music player, but its combination of storage, navigation and integration with iTunes helped reshape how people carried and organized recorded music. That shift makes its introduction the defining milestone for

GLEN CARBON - When Kristen M. Jacobs, M.D., opened Ooh La La Spa, Anti-Aging & Wellness 18 years ago, the aesthetics industry looked significantly different than it does today. As the only aesthetic physician in the area, Dr. Jacobs has continued to evolve her practice alongside the industry, expanding services to offer a comprehensive approach to beauty, wellness and aging. From aesthetic treatments and skincare to wellness services, Ooh La La combines medical expertise with personalized care

This Day in History: October 23, 2026 On October 23, 1956, a demonstration in Budapest grew into the Hungarian Revolution, one of the Cold War’s most significant challenges to Soviet control in Eastern Europe. Students and other protesters demanded political freedoms, the withdrawal of Soviet troops, and changes to Hungary’s communist government. When security forces fired on demonstrators, the unrest became an armed uprising. Soviet forces crushed the revolution in November, and

GLEN CARBON — Jeff Garde is inviting the community to meet “The Undead” at his home this October as his family’s Halloween yard display returns for its 14th year. The display at 54 Oakshire Drive in the Fairfield subdivision near Father McGivney High School operates nightly from 6:30 to 10 p.m. through Halloween. A candy giveaway begins at 6 p.m. Oct. 30, continuing a tradition that drew more than 300 visitors last year. “We always do it on Oct. 30 because the Edwardsville

MADISON COUNTY - The Madison County Sheriff’s Office held its annual Trunk or Treat on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, bringing together participants in costumes, decorated trunks and candy donations supported by two organizations. The sheriff’s office described the turnout as “outstanding” thanking attendees, donors, staff and volunteers. "The Tyler Timmins Memorial Foundation and Mustache March 4PD donated candy, contributions the sheriff’s office said helped

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) today announced that he has helped secure $25.1 million in federal funding for Evansville Western Railway to improve approximately 124.5 miles of freight rail infrastructure stretching from Evansville, Indiana to Okawville, Illinois. “Southern Illinois has always played an important role in keeping America’s economy moving, and our railroads are a big part of that,” said Bost. “Whether it’s moving coal,

BELLEVILLE — A second volunteer recruitment fair on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, will seek people to staff the new Emergency Weather Overnight Center, which will shelter people who have no place to stay when temperatures fall to 20 degrees or below. The fair will run from 1 to 2 p.m. Oct. 24 at the McCormick Center, 301 S. First St. in Belleville. Prospective volunteers can tour the building and learn about the program and their responsibilities. People seeking shelter will be screened and

OSF HealthCare is testing a new way to help patients stay on track with their medications using automated text messages to identify missed refills and connect people with pharmacists. The pilot program focuses on patients taking medications for chronic conditions, including high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Using insurance data, the system identifies people who may be falling behind on prescriptions and sends targeted reminders. OSF officials say this approach could reach more patients

JERSEY COUNTY – Jersey County authorities charged a man from Missouri this week with driving under the influence and other offenses. James C. Robinson of Florissant, Mo., was charged on Oct. 19, 2026 with one count each of resisting a peace officer (a Class 4 felony), obstructing identification, driving while under the influence of alcohol, driving on a revoked license and transportation or possession of alcoholic liquor in a motor vehicle by a driver (each Class A misdemeanors). Robinson

MARINE, Ill. – A man from St. Louis charged with invading a Marine residence, injuring one of the home’s occupants and resisting police is now detained in Madison County. Jermain T. Rivers, 33, of St. Louis, was charged on Oct. 5, 2026 with a Class X felony count of home invasion, a Class 2 felony count of aggravated domestic battery and a Class A misdemeanor count of resisting a peace officer. Rivers is accused of knowingly entering an occupied home in Marine, Ill. without authority

ALTON - A local group known as Greater Alton Community Development Corporation has announced a new name and renewed focus on building up the Alton community. Now known as Brick Town, the organization oversees the Overnight Warming Locations (OWLs) and aims to promote housing and neighborhood stability, resident engagement, and leadership development while coordinating homelessness services. Executive Director Megan Armentrout-Steward and OWL Development Director Martha Pfister explained mor

CALHOUN COUNTY – Two contested races for different County Commissioner terms are on the ballot for Calhoun County voters this November, as well as a few uncontested races and two public questions. Incumbent Independent Deann J. Koster-Fester faces Democrat challenger Platrick Klunk and Republican challenger Michael Jason Leverich as each bid for a full six-year term as a commissioner on the County Board. The only other contested race this election sees Demoract Loren Kulp face Republican

EDWARDSVILLE - Students at Columbus Elementary School in Edwardsville are learning how to regulate their emotions with the new Jaguar Den. Jamie Unger, the school psychologist, worked together with Principal Cole Kringlen to open the Jaguar Den, a room with sensory stations, fidget toys and more. The goal is to help kids who are experiencing big emotions to reset and return to class ready to learn. “It’s just one more tool in our Columbus toolbox,” Kringlen said. “

ALTON - Alton High School’s Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) chapter is bringing back its textile recycling drive this fall, giving community members an opportunity to clean out their closets while helping people in need throughout the Metro East. The drive will collect new and used textiles, including clothing, shoes, blankets, towels, sheets, curtains and other household items. Items are accepted regardless of condition, including those that are torn, stained o

GREENE COUNTY – Two contested races and two public questions highlight the ballot for Greene County Voters as Election Day approaches on Nov. 3, 2026. In the race for Greene County Sheriff, Republican Chris Weller faces Democrat Ben Picou to replace Sheriff Rob McMillen, who did not seek re-election. The only other contested race facing Greene County voters is for County Treasurer, in which incumbent Republican Phil Warren faces Democrat challenger Kory E. Chapman. Incumbent County Clerk

JERSEY COUNTY – Jersey County residents face a few choices this election cycle as certain County Board seats are up for grabs. Jersey County Board seats for Districts 1, 2, 3 and 4 mark the only contested races facing county voters, with early voting well underway and Election Day on Nov. 3, 2026. Incumbent Republican David Crone is being challenged by Democrat Marci Collins for the one open board seat in District 1. Another incumbent Republican, Jared Mills, faces Democrat challenger Fredrick

ALTON - Alton High School’s choir program has an impressive batch of musicians, and many were recently recognized at the state level. Director Leah Galbraith noted that students “performed beautifully” at their recent fall concert, and they are now preparing for their Christmas concert on Dec. 9, 2026. But in the meantime, a few students were selected to compete through the Illinois Music Educators Association (ILMEA), which is a big honor. Galbraith is proud of her musicians

JERSEYVILLE – Free Halloween fun for the whole family is coming to Jerseyville this weekend from the Jerseyville Public Library and Jersey County Business Association. The Annual Jerseyville Halloween Festival returns this year from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026 at City Center Park, located across from the Stadium Theater on Pearl Street. Shopping at participating businesses along State Street will also be available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. An all-ages costume contest begins

GODFREY - Carver’s BBQ is a favorite local restaurant in Godfrey, and now they’re taking their family recipe nationwide. Jeff Carver and his mother, Betty Healy, have worked together to develop Carver’s barbecue sauce, which they hope will soon hit shelves across the region. In the meantime, you can enjoy the bottled sauce at the Carver’s BBQ restaurant or at their catered events. Carver and Healy are proud of the work they’ve put in to create a new product bearing