ROXANA — The Roxana School Board announced Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, that Dr. Courtney Castelli will become the district’s new superintendent beginning in 2026, succeeding Debra Kreutztrager, who is retiring at the end of the current school year. The board voted 3-2 in favor of Castelli’s appointment. She currently serves as superintendent of the Smithton School District in Smithton, Missouri, which has an enrollment of 535 students. Castelli brings more than 20 years of experienc
EDWARDSVILLE – Whether you prefer joyful holiday concerts, classic movies, outdoor festivals, ice skating or a grand tree lighting, it’s all happening in Edwardsville. “The holidays are a special time in Edwardsville, with a fantastic mix of family-friendly events and opportunities to celebrate the season,” Mayor Art Risavy said. “There’s truly something for everyone to enjoy, whether you like cozy indoor fun or want to explore some crisp, cool outdoor attractions.”
JERSEYVILLE - You can share the magic of Christmas with your little ones while helping a local nonprofit. Starting on Thursday, Nov. 27, through Dec. 26, 2025, the North Pole Elf Hotline invites kids to call into the hotline every day for an updated message about what’s happening in the North Pole. If you use a special link to sign up , a portion of proceeds will go to Got Faith? Ministry in Jerseyville. “I am ridiculously excited for the kids to have this magic,”
Did you know that Black Friday sales in the United States generate over $9 billion in revenue annually, making it one of the most significant retail events worldwide? Beyond the surface frenzy of doorbuster deals and crowded stores lies a fascinating history and cultural significance that shapes consumer behavior and retail strategies today. Understanding the origins and importance of Black Friday provides insight into modern commerce and the evolving relationship between shoppers and retailers.
SPRINGFIELD – As Illinois residents gear up for holiday shopping, travel, and online celebrations, the Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT) and Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) are reminding everyone to stay alert to cyber scams that often lurk at the end of the year. With more purchases, donations, and digital communication taking place online, cyber criminals take advantage of the season’s increased activity and distractions.
ALTON - Rosetta “Rosie” Brown, Alton Alderwoman of the Fourth Ward, hopes to represent District 111. Brown (D) has challenged incumbent State Representative Amy Elik (R) for the position. In a recent interview on “Our Daily Show!” with C.J. Nasello , Brown spoke about her views and her goals if she wins the seat. “You’ve got to make a believer out of people. I’m not going to wait until I actually win this election to do the work,”
ST. LOUIS — Firefighters are battling a large fire that broke out early Friday morning, Nov. 28, 2025, in a cluster of warehouses just south of downtown St. Louis, consuming multiple structures and prompting a significant multi-agency response. The blaze was first reported around 3 a.m. at the historic Crundin Martin Warehouse facility, a century-old brick complex near 2nd Street and Gratiot, the St. Louis Fire Department reported. Flames quickly spread, engulfing about five vacant warehouse
Friday will bring a cold day with intermittent clouds. Expect a high of 36 and a low of 30. Winds will come from the west-southwest around 6 mph, gusting up to 10 mph. It will feel colder, with a "feels like" temperature dropping to 16 in the morning and up to 39 during the day. There's a slight chance of snow late Friday night, with 1 to 3 inches accumulating before dawn. Morning hours will start with some sun but clouds will gradually increase through the afternoon. By evening, skies will become
November 28 stands as a date marked by pivotal moments that have shaped the course of history across continents and centuries. The date marks significant political events, such as the declaration of independence by Albania in 1912. On November 28, 1912, Albania proclaimed its sovereignty from the Ottoman Empire, a critical step in the nation's journey toward establishing its identity and governance in the modern era. In more recent times, November 28 has been a day of technological progress
What if one small act of kindness on Thanksgiving could ripple out to change countless lives in your community? While Thanksgiving is often associated with family gatherings and feasts, it also presents a powerful opportunity to reconnect with the spirit of gratitude through meaningful community engagement. Giving back on this day can transform not only the lives of others but also enrich your own sense of purpose and connection. Recognizing the Need: Understanding Community Challenges Before
GLEN CARBON – The Father McGivney Catholic High School girls basketball team rosters eight upperclassmen, six of whom are seniors. It rosters four sophomores and one freshman. Her name is Elle Willenborg, and she’s made her presence known. Willenborg had her best shooting performance of the season on Wednesday, November 26, in her team’s home-opening win over Roxana. She scored a team-high 14 points, including four three-pointers in the first quarter. For her recent success,
ALTON - There’s a new church in Alton with a unique mission. At 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, you can experience the first official service of Confluence Faith Community at The Conservatory in Alton. Lead Pastor Kyle and Lay Minister Peggy shared that they wanted to create a space that’s welcoming to all, healing for those who need it, and focused on building community through Christ. “The question that we have in Confluence is, how can we come alongside and walk with
ALTON – Alton Pride’s fourth annual Thanksgiving Food Drive Competition was a huge success. Twelve area businesses and organizations participated in the competition, which ran from October 27 to November 16. A total of 3,007 non-perishable food items were donated over the three weeks. Partnering again with MMK Endeavors, the donated items were sorted, bagged and paired with turkeys to make Thanksgiving meals for families in the Riverbend Area and surrounding communities. This year,
O'FALLON/BELLEVILLE - The holidays will be much more merry and bright for some adults with developmental disabilities, thanks to a generous donation of $1,200 from the O’Fallon Fire Department. This generous gift to Caritas Family Solutions’ Secret Santa program will ensure residents in the Community Integrated Living Arrangements (CILA) program have Christmas presents to open this year. “My daughter works at Caritas, and she asked me to share a post on Facebook about
CHICAGO – Ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Attorney General Kwame Raoul is reminding Illinois residents to exercise caution when shopping both online and in person. Raoul is also reminding shoppers to review the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) recent recalls and product safety warnings before shopping this holiday season. The CPSC’s up-to-date list highlights hundreds of items with recalls or safety warnings, including toys, clothing, furniture and househol
BELLEVILLE – Illinois American Water wants to help customers and the general public protect their residential plumbing and wastewater systems by providing important tips for disposal of Fats, Oils and Cooking Grease (FOGs). “Protecting your pipes can prevent expensive repairs—properly disposing of fats, oils, and greases keeps plumbing clear, reduces sewer backups, and helps ensure safe, clean water for our communities,” said Rebecca Losli, president of Illinois American
WOOD RIVER - The Holiday Traditions Night Market promises tons of fun in downtown Wood River. From 4–7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, community members can enjoy a vendor fair, carriage rides, s’mores and hot cocoa, visits with Santa, a petting zoo and a Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Ferguson Avenue in downtown Wood River. Kristen Burns with Wood River Main Street expressed her excitement to host the third annual event. “Come have fun with us,” Burns said.
JERSEYVILLE - Kids can enjoy a special visit with Santa this holiday season. From 6–8 p.m. on Dec. 6 and 13, 2025, Got Faith? Ministry in Jerseyville will host a free visit with Santa where kids can chat with the man himself, make their own toy, and pick out a gift for their caregivers. Jersey County’s official Santa, Steve Pegram, who also oversees Got Faith?, can’t wait to celebrate with the kids. “They’re going to take a picture with Santa, a selfie with
COLLINSVILLE – Forty-six members of the Collinsville High School Class of 2026 have been named Illinois State Scholars. The Illinois State Scholars program recognizes students with superior academic potential based on achievements during high school. To be eligible, a student must: ? Attend an approved Illinois high school. ? Rank in the top half of their high school class at the end of the sixth semester (end of junior year). ? Have a qualifying ACT or SAT score from tests taken between
ALTON – After 15 years of requests from a local business owner for Alton and Ameren officials to address a “public safety hazard” in front of her building, Alton aldermen voted this week to further delay taking action. Erin Frew, owner of the historic Snyder Block building at 301 Piasa St. in downtown Alton, has consistently called on City Council members to compel Ameren Illinois to relocate bare overhead powerlines hanging less than six feet from the building’s
stLouIST