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COLLINSVILLE — The Illinois State Police announced the results of Roadside Safety Checks conducted in Madison and St. Clair counties during June, aimed at reducing impaired and unsafe driving. According to Captain Casey Faro, commander of ISP Troop 8, the enforcement efforts resulted in 101 total citations and arrests, along with 36 written warnings. Among the citations were 1 for driving under the influence, 9 for other alcohol or drug-related offenses, 14 for occupant restraint violations, 27 for registration offenses, 45 for driver’s license violations, and 8 for insurance violations. Alcohol and drug impairment remain significant factors in traffic safety concerns. State data estimates that such impairment contributes to more than 47% of all fatal motor vehicle crashes in Illinois. Nationally, an alcohol-related traffic fatality occurs every 39 minutes. The Roadside Safety Checks are part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety by removing dangerous impaired drivers

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ST. LOUIS – Riding high on the critical acclaim of My Fair Lady and undeterred by May’s devastating tornado that heavily damaged their home, the historic Union Avenue Christian Church, Union Avenue Opera proudly presents an emotionally resonant double bill: Tom Cipullo’s Josephine and Ruggero Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci . Performances are July 25, 26, August 1, and 2 at 8:00PM and will take place in their home venue. Directed by Kathryn Frady and conducted by Stephen Hargreaves, this unique pairing explores the fragility of identity, the intimacy of performance, and the masks we wear both onstage and off. From the glamour and personal resilience of Josephine Baker to the searing emotional unraveling of Canio in Pagliacci , this double bill confronts the very essence of performance and the human condition. Manna K. Jones stars in Josephine , portraying the legendary St. Louis-born entertainer in a powerful performance that channels Baker’s charisma,

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ALTON - Families are invited to a Back-to-School Celebration where the first 500 kids will receive free school supplies. From 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, community members can stop by Alton Square Mall to visit with vendors, enjoy a pizza lunch, and take home school supplies. The first 500 kids ages 4–12 will receive paper, pens, pencils, crayons and more, and organizers with OSF St. Anthony’s Health Center expect over 800 attendees. “We’re looking forward to it,” said Randy Schorfheide. “It’s always a great day.” Schorfheide encourages families to arrive early for the chance to receive school supplies. He explained that the registration table is outside the main OSF Rehab entrance at the mall. There will be 21 vendors inside the mall, as well, including the Hayner Public Library District, Centerstone, and the Alton Community Unit School District #11. OSF St. Anthony’s Health Center’s radiology

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BELLEVILLE, Ill. — Early Friday morning, the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department responded to an armed vehicular jacking at 126 Adeline Drive in Belleville, Illinois. At approximately 1:06 a.m. on July 11, 2025, a woman reported that several armed black male suspects approached her while she was seated in her Dodge Challenger, pointed assault rifles at her, and ordered her to exit the vehicle. After the victim complied, the suspects entered the Dodge Challenger and fled the scene at a high rate of speed, striking a nearby parked vehicle. Belleville Police officers observed the stolen vehicle traveling rapidly with a Chevrolet Impala following closely behind. A radio broadcast was issued to multiple law enforcement agencies via ISPERN to alert them of the incident and the fleeing vehicles. The stolen Dodge Challenger was later stopped on Anderson Lane in Belleville. An armed suspect fled on foot from the vehicle, prompting the establishment of a perimeter and a search

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is reminding residents of Jo Daviess and Carroll counties that a black bear has been observed by multiple landowners over the past several weeks in the vicinity of Mississippi Palisades State Park and, in recent days, frequenting private residences south and east of Galena. Seeing a bear may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and their presence should not necessarily be perceived as a threat to human safety. Nevertheless, it’s important to remember bears are wild animals and should be treated as such. IDNR encourages residents throughout Jo Daviess and Carroll counties to avoid direct encounters with this bear and to check their property for food sources that may attract it to their residences. Through learned behavior, bears often investigate anything that may yield a food reward, such as bird feeders, barbeque grills, garbage cans, and dog food. Once a bear finds a food source, it will likely return,

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CHAMPAIGN - On Friday, July 11, 2025, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) led an important discussion on the future of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Program in Illinois, held at Wagner Machine Company, a local business participating in the program. The event brought together key stakeholders to address concerns over the Trump Administration’s proposal to eliminate the program, which has been a cornerstone of economic growth and job creation in the district. “The impact the MEP program has had on our district cannot be overstated,” said Congresswoman Budzinski . “MEP has aided local business, generating millions in new investments and creating and maintaining good-paying jobs right here at home. Threats to this program are yet another attempt by the administration to cut funding that is doing real good in our communities. Today's tour made clear that if we are going to truly support small and mid-sized manufacturers like Wagner, we must

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ALTON – A 72-year-old Alton man remains in custody on criminal charges of sexual abuse and more against a 14-year-old victim. David A. Gray, 72, of the 100 block of East 14th Street in Alton, was charged on July 3, 2025 with the following offenses: Attempted criminal sexual assault (Class 2 felony) Aggravated criminal sexual abuse (Class 2 felony) Indecent solicitation of a child (two counts, both Class 3 felonies) Battery (two counts, both Class A misdemeanors) Gray is accused of committing and attempting to commit acts of sexual abuse by use of force against a female victim who was 14 years old at the time of the offenses. He is also accused of soliciting the same victim and asking them to perform sexual acts on at least two occasions, as well as inappropriately touching and forcibly kissing the same victim. The investigation began after the victim reported the sexual abuse to the Alton Police Department on June 5, 2025, according to the state’s petition

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JERSEYVILLE — The Jersey County Fair rodeo on Thursday night, July 10, 2025, drew one of the largest crowds in recent memory, according to Phil Ringhausen of the fair. The event nearly reached a sellout. This year’s rodeo featured Whippoorwill, a new rodeo company brought in to elevate the quality of the show. Whippoorwill Rodeo of Macedonia, Illinois, is owned and operated by past, present, and future rodeo champions. With over 25 years of rodeo experience on both sides of the arena as rodeo contestants & stock contractor’s the company's overall mission is to keep the legacy of America’s original extreme sport alive for generations to come. The company's other part of the mission is to preserve the values of Western heritage and the cowboy way of life. “We had changed rodeo companies not because of any issues, but because we wanted a different grade of show,” Ringhausen said. “They did a phenomenal job with entertainment. Rated No. 1 in

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ALTON - Residents of the 1st Ward are invited to attend a community meeting scheduled for Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will take place at City Hall. Chris Bohn, the 1st Ward alderman, announced the gathering and said John Mitchell, the newly appointed Public Works Director, will be present to address questions about upcoming projects, road conditions, and other related concerns. The meeting offers an opportunity for residents to engage directly with local officials regarding public works and community issues. Bohn expressed anticipation for the event, encouraging attendance.

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O’FALLON – An ordinance to keep a 1% sales tax on groceries in place to offset over $1 million in potential revenue loss is set for a final vote from the O’Fallon City Council. The ordinance received a first reading at this week’s City Council meeting and is set for a second reading and vote for final approval at their next meeting on Monday, July 21, 2025. The need for such an ordinance stems from the Illinois General Assembly’s vote in 2024 to repeal the state grocery tax effective Jan. 1, 2026. Since 100% of the proceeds from the state grocery tax went directly to local municipalities, O’Fallon joins a growing list of communities faced with either replacing the state grocery tax with a local version or finding another way to make up for the significant revenue loss. “If the grocery tax is not retained, the General Fund would experience a loss of approximately $1.2 million per year,” according to the City Council meeting documents

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ALTON - Felyncia Matlock has launched a fundraiser to support the family of 17-year-old Shabrya L. Hudson, who died in a tragic shooting incident on the early morning of July 4, 2025. The fundraiser, hosted on GoFundMe , aims to assist the grieving family with financial burdens during this difficult time. Shabrya was described by Matlock and her family as, "Our loving, and beautiful 17-year-old babygirl, was taken from us far too soon. Her loss has left her family devastated, heartbroken, and overwhelmed by grief. She was a sweet, joyful spirit who loved music and spending time with her family. A young life full of promise, taken far too soon." Matlock said the fundraiser was created in response to numerous inquiries from people wanting to help. "Donations will be used to ease immediate expenses, allowing the family to focus on healing without additional financial stress," she said. "The campaign emphasizes that any contribution, regardless of size, will be deeply appreciated."

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CHICAGO/TROY, IL. – Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) to announce seven grant awards totaling more than $13 million for 46 new all-electric school buses. Triad Community Unit School District 2 was named in the grants and will receive $767,325 as part of the program, the governor's office said. The full list of those receiving grants is below. The funding will allow school districts and student transportation companies to retire older diesel-powered buses and provide e the necessary charging infrastructure for the new electric buses, helping improve air quality to students and the surrounding communities. "Electric school buses are major win for our children, our schools, and our communities," said Governor JB Pritzker . "I'm proud that the investment from the State of Illinois is helping put these vehicles on the road, get our kids an education, and keep our air clean." The grants are funded by Illinois’

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WEST ALTON, MO – Annually, the US Army Corps of Engineers selects a single partner to bestow the national Excellence in Partnership (EIP) Award. The EIP Award recognizes exceptional contributions by a partner supporting the recreation and environmental stewardship programs within the Corps of Engineers. At the Audubon Center at Riverlands annual “Ahhh-dubon” event on July 3rd, the award was presented to the Mississippi River Water Trail Association (MRWTA) by the St. Louis District USACE Commander, COL Pannier. The MRWTA is a St. Louis based group made up entirely of volunteers who are passionate about developing safe recreation opportunities on the Mississippi River. Since forming in 2005, MRWTA has contributed over 20,000 volunteer hours by providing skills training and public paddling events, promoting water safety, picking up trash, and bringing together people and organizations who want to recreate on big rivers and their backwater sloughs. The trail itself

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EDWARDSVILLE — Edwardsville High School science teacher Sara Chapman has received the ACS-Hach High School Chemistry Grant from the American Chemical Society, the Edwardsville School District 7 announced this week. The competitive grant, which provides up to $1,500 to high school chemistry educators in the U.S. and its territories, will fund the purchase of two safety shields for the high school’s chemistry department. These shields are designed to enhance laboratory safety and improve the hands-on learning experience for students. “Thank you for your continued commitment to student safety and science education at EHS,” the district said in a statement recognizing Chapman’s achievement. The grant highlights the district’s ongoing focus on maintaining safe and effective environments for science instruction.

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) today graduated the largest cadet class in the last 25 years. ISP welcomed 95 new troopers today from Cadet Class 150 at a graduation ceremony at the Westside Christian Church in Springfield. The new troopers will report to all ten ISP Troop locations throughout the state on Sunday, July 13, 2025. Cadet Class 150 marks the 22nd cadet class graduation under Governor JB Pritzker and ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. Since 2019, 692 troopers have joined ISP. “I am proud to congratulate Cadet Class 150 on their graduation and commend them on their commitment to the people of Illinois,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “As the largest class in 25 years, the brave men and women of Cadet Class 150 exemplify the core values of the Illinois State Police and will serve our state with honor, integrity, and pride.” “It’s a privilege to swear in the largest ISP cadet class in the past 25 years,” said ISP

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COLLINSVILLE - Collinsville Police is attempting to execute two new felony warrants for Demarco Robinson, who is accused of check kiting across the Metro East area and defrauding UMB Bank of more than $65,000. The warrants, filed this week, charge Robinson with Financial Institution Fraud involving amounts between $10,000 and $100,000. Robinson is making his second appearance on the Collinsville Police Department's "Fugitive Friday" Facebook series. Investigators from the Collinsville Police Department and UMB Bank have been focusing on Robinson for several months. Despite being on pre-trial release, authorities say Robinson continues to commit fraud against the bank. Separately, Robinson, who was arrested a few weeks ago following his first appearance on the police department's Fugitive Friday, is again wanted after failing to appear in court. Officials urge anyone with information on Robinson’s whereabouts to contact the Collinsville Police Department at 618-344-2131, extensio

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ST. LOUIS, MO (July 10, 2025) —The American Red Cross shelter located at Crossroads College Prep School, 500 DeBaliviere Ave. in St. Louis, will close at noon on Friday, July 11. Since opening, Crossroads was one of several shelters the Red Cross opened that served as a vital resource for individuals and families displaced by the May 16th tornado. Red Cross Shelter Transition Teams are working closely with all remaining families in the shelter to ensure everyone has a safe and appropriate house solution prior to the closure of the shelter. During the peak of the disaster response at the latter part of May and beginning of June, we had five shelters open serving nearly 260 people. Over the course of the response, since May 16th, we have served 912 different individuals in our shelters. That represents 510 families. In addition, Red Cross has provided help to individuals who our partner, Urban League of Metropolitan Saint Louis, Inc., has supported with housing solutions.

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CARROLLTON – Michelle Berg, director of the McCully Heritage Project in Kampsville, IL, will tell about the development of this destination recreational area located in the scenic hills and valleys of Calhoun County. Her presentation will follow a brief business meeting scheduled to start at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 20, 2025, in the historic Lee-Baker-Hodges House on the Carrollton Public Square. The McCully Heritage Project was started in the 1970s by the late Howard and Eva McCully, after they sold their St. Louis area plant nursery business and moved to Calhoun. Both passed away in the mid-1990s and are buried on site. The 940-acre area offers miles of hiking and horseback riding trails, two ponds for fishing and turtle watching, a wetland, forests, native grasslands and natural beauty overlooks. Camping facilities, including the Watkins Place Cabin, are available to groups of nature lovers, but some do require a reservation. The well-maintained property offers restrooms,

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ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department is investigating an incident involving a man who intentionally threw fireworks at people and property over the recent holiday weekend. The police department was alerted earlier this week after a video showing the man’s actions was posted on social media. According to the SLMPD, the suspect was seen near The Wheelhouse and on Washington Avenue in St. Louis setting off fireworks into a crowd. In one part of the video, the man, who was a passenger in a car, threw a firework at a vehicle at an intersection. The police have launched a Bomb and Arson investigation, which remains ongoing. Authorities are urging anyone who was injured or believes they were a victim of the suspect to contact a Bomb and Arson detective at (314) 444-5380.

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BRENTWOOD, Mo. — Panera Bread plans to close its fresh dough facility in Brentwood, Mo., by Sept. 12, 2025, resulting in the loss of 72 jobs, according to a notice filed with the State of Missouri. The facility, located at 2511 S. Hanley Ave. in Brentwood, will shut down permanently as part of Panera’s nationwide shift from traditional fresh-dough production to a “par-baked” model, the company confirmed in a letter from Chief People Officer Alycia Gonzalez. The layoffs will affect 17 tractor-trailer drivers, as well as bread mixers, packers, panners and management staff. Under the par-baked system, bread and other baked goods are partially baked off-site by partner companies and then finished in Panera stores throughout the day. The transition began last year and is expected to be completed by 2026. Panera has stated that the change aims to streamline operations and improve product consistency. Founded in the St. Louis region in 1987 as the St. Louis Bread

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