ALTON - Residents in Alton have been watching the roof and upcoming tower restoration work at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 519 E. Fourth St. in Alton, as crews address aging materials at the historic church, Father Nathan said this week. Father Nathan said the project includes roof work, tower work, and restoration work. He said the roof needs replacement after “30-some years” and that the new roof “will be much more durable and match the rest of the church.” “It
ALTON - The Alton Municipal Band will open their season with a concert tonight. At 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 4, 2026, community members can gather at Riverview Park in Alton for the concert, themed “June is Bustin’ Out All Over.” This will be followed by the same concert at 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 7, at Haskell Park. Chairman Adam Rogers expressed his excitement to kick off the band’s summer concert series. “We are going to start our 136th season tonight,”
ALTON — Lilly Hannigan, who recently completed her junior year at Marquette Catholic, has emerged as a key contributor for the Explorers’ track and field team, with coach Billy Sprague describing her as “a dynamic athlete” and a leader for the team in 2026. Lilly Hannigan is a Tucker's Automotive Repair & Tire Female Athlete Of The Month for Marquette Catholic High School. Hannigan has been an important member of Marquette’s 4x100-meter relay in recent years. O
MACOUPIN COUNTY - The Macoupin County Fair Pageant has introduced its 2026 Fair queens, naming Ruby Lowder as Miss Macoupin County Fair. Charlee Steward was announced as Junior Miss Macoupin County Fair, and Mae Lewis-Hahn as Little Miss Macoupin County Fair. The Macoupin County Fair Pageant organizers said it was proud of the three winners and looked ahead to their roles representing the fair over the coming year. The pageant identified the winners as: Miss Macoupin County
ILLINOIS - A UK man is traveling to the States to bicycle the entire length of Route 66 — with one leg. Aaron Moon is a Royal Marine Commando veteran who plans to break the world record for the fastest bicycle ride from Chicago to Los Angeles along Route 66. That’s 2,517 miles in 22 days, starting in late July. He explained that the goal is to prove that you can do anything you set your mind to, while raising money for Wounded Warrior Project, Blesma, and Team Forces to support
ROXANA - Roxana's Gianna Stassi is a powerful two-spring sports athlete for Roxana's Shells. In 24 hours recently, Gianna played a regional soccer final at night against Marquette Catholic at Public School Stadium in Alton, then made a trek to the IHSA Girls State Track and Field Championships and competed in the 3,200 meters the following morning. She performed at high levels for both teams. Stassi is one of the Shells' biggest offensive weapons in soccer, but is all over the field and also
ROXANA - Mason Crump finished his Roxana Shells baseball career with two hits and an RBI and now will move his career on to Indian Hills Community College next season, his head baseball coach, Jerry Wheaton, said after Wednesday's sectional semifinal game. Mason broke the Roxana High School career strikeout record this spring, previously held by Logan Reardon at 235. Mason is also at the top of the charts for career wins on the mound for the Shells. Crump is a Midwest Members Credit Union Male
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced a $500,000 settlement with Rushmore Energy that resolves allegations the alternative retail electric supplier (ARES) engaged in fraudulent, unfair and deceptive business practices to mislead Illinois consumers into paying more for electricity than consumers who stayed with their default public utility. Once approved by the court, the consent order will require Rushmore Energy to pay restitution to eligible Illinois customers who received
COLLINSVILLE - The Collinsville Police Department is urging residents in Collinsville, Illinois, to take steps to protect their property as warmer weather increases property crimes and vehicle break-ins across the community. The same principles explained by the Collinsville Police Department apply everywhere throughout the area. In a community safety reminder, the Collinsville department said it is seeing an “uptick in property crimes and vehicle break-ins” and said
EDWARDSVILLE – A domestic battery convict accused of an unprovoked vehicular invasion and attack on two people in the Edwardsville Dairy Queen parking lot faces his latest felony charges in Madison County. Curtis Johnson Jr., 34, of Collinsville, was charged on June 2, 2026 with a Class 1 felony count of vehicular invasion, two Class 3 felony counts of aggravated battery, and a Class 4 felony count of domestic battery, his second or subsequent offense. Johnson allegedly knowingly entered
ALTON – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that lane closures on Illinois 255 between Seminary Road and the Illinois 255/U.S. 67 split north of Godfrey in Madison County will begin Monday, June 8, weather permitting. One lane will remain open in each direction. The closures are necessary for pavement resurfacing. The project is expected to be completed by the end of October. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, obey all construction signage, and refrain from
EDWARDSVILLE – The City of Edwardsville is jump-starting its Route 66 centennial celebration this month with a week’s worth of fun activities for all ages, including concerts, a movie under the stars, a pickleball tournament, a 10K race, a visit by Lightning McQueen of “Cars” fame and, of course, the extravaganza that is the Edwardsville Route 66 Festival on Saturday, June 13. And it’s just the beginning, with additional concerts, a movie premiere and speakers planne
SPRINGFIELD - The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) announced today the recipients of the 2026 Small Equipment Grant Program. A total of $6 million was awarded to 260 fire departments/districts and EMS providers across the state. The program was established to provide grants of up to $26,000 each for the purchase of small firefighting and ambulance equipment. “It is essential that our first responders have the funding and equipment they need to serve their communities,”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – After U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) last week called for immediate Inspector General (IG) oversight of Donald Trump’s costly, illegal war against Iran, the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General (DoD OIG) announced that it will serve as lead IG for Operation Epic Fury, following designation by the Chair of the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE). In her letter to CIGIE Chair Cheryl Mason last week Friday, Duckworth
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) is reminding employers and workers that the Family Neonatal Intensive Care Leave Act ( PA 104-259 v) took effect June 1, 2026. The law provides eligible employees with unpaid, job-protected leave when their child is admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Under the law: Employers with 16 to 50 employees must provide up to 10 days of unpaid leave. Employers with 51 or more employees must provide up to 20 days of unpaid
ALTON - Alton High School students and the Hayner Public Library District have collaborated to publish a new book. “Get Outside! A Survey of Alton Area Parks Past and Present” was researched and written by Reneé B. Johnson with Hayner’s Genealogy and Local History Library. Lexa Browning-Needham, the project supervisor and graphic communications teacher at Alton High School, worked with her Graphic Design Club students to compile photography, complete the layout, an
Some of the oldest monuments on Earth work like giant calendars. That fact changes how many ancient sites look once you know what to watch for. A ring of stones, a temple doorway, a carved pillar, or a bonfire ritual was often more than a religious symbol. It could also be a way to mark the longest day of the year and the turning point that came with it. For ancient cultures, this moment mattered deeply. It shaped farming, worship, trade, and daily routines. It also inspired stories and customs
On June 4, the most widely remembered global event is the 1989 military crackdown on protests centered around Beijing’s Tiananmen Square. In the spring of that year, large crowds of students, workers, and residents had gathered to call for political reform, greater openness, and action against corruption. The Chinese government declared martial law and sent troops into the capital, leading to many deaths and injuries, though the exact number has never been fully confirmed. At the time,
ALTON — Rosetta Brown and Tammy Perry Are Continuing Their Highly Anticipated Youth Summer Road-Trip Program With A Night Out To See “Michael” On June 9th At The Alton Cinema. The Annual Program, Designed To Provide Safe, Engaging, and Memorable Summer Experiences For Local Youth, Chose This Exciting Event. Attendees Will Get To Experience The World Of “Michael” At The Alton Cinema Located At The Alton Square Mall. "We Are Thrilled To Continue Our Summer Programming
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