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SPRINGFIELD – A new exhibit coming to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum will let visitors explore history using their eyes, ears and hands. It transforms images from Lincoln’s life into three-dimensional objects that visitors can touch while listening to audio presentations explaining his accomplishments and enduring legacy. “Lincoln: Sight, Sound & Touch” opens May 23 and runs through Aug. 24. Everyone can enjoy its unique features, but they offer an especially powerful experience for visitors with impaired vision. This traveling exhibit was created by Tactile Images in cooperation with the National Federation of the Blind. The ALPLM is supplementing the exhibit with touchable facsimiles of artifacts, such as Lincoln’s briefcase, a life mask and Tad Lincoln’s model cannon. Authentic Lincoln artifacts from the ALPLM collection will also be on display, including many commercial items with Lincoln’s image. Many of them

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EAST ALTON - Local women have the chance to enjoy a “Mom Prom” while supporting a good cause. On Saturday, June 28, 2025, community members can come out to Julia’s Banquet Center in East Alton for “A Night to Remember” prom. This ladies-only, 21-and-up event encourages attendees to enjoy the prom while raising money for Dream Home Charities. “It’s like we're high school girls again, going to go to the prom,” said Sherry Gilleland, founder of Dream Home Charities. “We’re really hoping that this is very successful and people are very generous with their donations and we can just all have ‘A Night to Remember.’” Tickets to the Mom Prom cost $50, and attendees are encouraged to sell raffle tickets for the chance to be crowned Prom Queen. Tickets include dinner, dancing, karaoke, and more fun. There will also be carriage rides and photo ops available throughout the night. Gilleland said they are “in

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RIVERBEND - Local community members, nonprofits and businesses have new opportunities to receive training in Mental Health First Aid. The Community Mental Health First Aid Collaborative, founded by Kristina and Isaac Sandidge, will provide discounted or free Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training to Riverbend residents. Businesses or nonprofits can send their staff members to the trainings while providing free seats for community members. Isaac Sandidge explained that MHFA is an important skill for anybody to learn. “Statistically, you’re far more likely to encounter somebody experiencing a panic attack than you are someone experiencing cardiac arrest. You’re more likely to need the Mental Health First Aid skills than you are to need your CPR skills,” Sandidge said. “We want Mental Health First Aid to be just as common and just as accessible as CPR to the general population.” MHFA teaches people how to recognize worsening mental health an

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BETHALTO - Kasey Hardester always wanted to be a teacher, and she has loved every second in her dream career. Hardester teaches special education at the pre-K level at Bethalto East Primary School in the Bethalto Community Unit School District #8. This Teacher Appreciation Week, she is proud of every student she has ever taught, and she can’t wait to see what comes next. “My brain rarely shuts off from ‘teacher mode,’ but I wouldn't change it,” Hardester said. “There is literally never a dull work day! These kids brighten my day every single day I come to work. I may be exhausted by the end of the day, but I still always wake up ready to be here again.” Hardester knew early on that she would one day become a teacher. She enjoyed playing “school” with her little sisters, and she started babysitting at 12 years old. The decision to work with kids was a natural one for her. Because she teaches pre-K, she sees the same students

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GODFREY - Crews from Illinois American Water are repairing a water main break Saturday evening just south of 3043 Godfrey Road in the Village of Godfrey, affecting approximately 144 local customers. The repair is expected to be completed Saturday night. Traffic remains open in both directions on Godfrey Road, though one northbound lane is partially closed between Pleasant Valley Drive and Crestwood Drive. Motorists are advised to drive slowly and follow all traffic signs while passing through the area. A boil water order will be in effect once water service is restored. Illinois American Water will notify impacted customers by phone about the order. The boil water advisory is mandatory when water pressure drops below 20 pounds per square inch in the system. During this time, customers should bring water to a rolling boil for five minutes before using it for drinking or cooking. Water remains safe for bathing, washing, and other common uses. After water tests confirm all regulatory

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ALTON — The Alton Police Department responded to a reported domestic hostage situation at an apartment complex in the 2400 block of Mills Avenue at approximately 11:56 a.m. on Saturday, May 10, 2025. Officers arrived after receiving a report that a female had been battered by a male subject and was being held against her will. Upon arrival, no one answered the door, prompting officers to continue attempts to make contact while requesting tactical assistance from Metro East SWAT due to the potential severity of the situation. Before a court-authorized search warrant could be executed, the female occupant exited the apartment. The male suspect later surrendered to police without incident. He was taken into custody and transported to the Alton Police Department Jail pending criminal charges. The incident remains under investigation by the Alton Police Department.

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SOUTH ROXANA — A house fire broke out Saturday afternoon, May 10, 2025, in the 400 block of Indiana Avenue in South Roxana. Flames scorched the back of the home when firefighters arrived rapidly. South Roxana Fire Department Lieutenant Michael Cherry, who was on the scene, said the homeowner had left the residence approximately 30 minutes before the fire began. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered fire through the roof on the corners of the house and the entire back porch. Fire crews from South Roxana were assisted by personnel from Roxana, Edwardsville, Rosewood Heights and Wood River fire departments. Cherry said the teams worked to contain the fire primarily to the affected house, with only minor heat exposure reported to the neighboring property. “The fire was through the roof on the corners and the entire back porch when we got here,” Cherry said. “We did the best we could when we got here and we contained it mostly to this house, a little heat exposure

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ST. LOUIS – The American Red Cross of Greater St. Louis in partnership with Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, Inc., will offer two free disaster preparedness classes on May 15, 2025. The Red Cross team will present “Be Red Cross Ready! for Severe Storms,” from 1–2 p.m. and Hands-Only CPR Training from 2–3 p.m. Both sessions will be held in classrooms on the second floor of the Urban League office at 1408 Kingshighway Blvd., St. Louis, Mo., 63113. “Preparing for disasters and emergencies is an important part of keeping our families and communities safe and ready for unplanned events,” said LaKricia Cox Executive Director, American Red Cross of Greater St. Louis. “We are excited to work with community partners such as Urban League to promote preparedness within the St. Louis community.” Be Red Cross Ready! for Severe Storms 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. The Be Red Cross Ready! for Severe Storms presentation addresses

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EDWARDSVILLE — Today, the New Democrat Coalition made a second stop on the New Dems on the Road Tour, an initiative spearheaded by Vice Chair for Policy Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) to get New Dem Members out of Washington to hear from American workers, businesses, industry experts, nongovernmental organizations and local leaders about how to secure policy outcomes that best support working families. Vice Chair Nikki Budzinski hosted Environment, Climate, & Clean Energy Working Group Chair Scott Peters (CA-50) and Rep. Wesley Bell (MO-01) in her district for a roundtable discussion with clean energy business owners, industry and union representatives, academic researchers, and utility service providers. At the roundtable, participants discussed the scaling of energy sources like solar and hydrogen, carbon capture and storage, efforts to pass permitting reform in Congress, job creation, and the Inflation Reduction Act’s clean energy tax credits. The group also discussed the

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GRANITE CITY – Granite City Elks Lodge #1063 recognized Granite City High School seniors Bailey Hanks and Emilee Saggio as Students of the Month for April. The Elks Student of the Month Program is designed to recognize outstanding young men and women for achievements in school and community life-fine arts, hobbies, athletics, church, school, club and community service, industry and farming. Nominees are judged on multiple achievements including leadership skills, good moral character, community involvement, extracurricular activities, honors and award and scholastic ability. Each student receives a $100 U.S. savings bond and an Elks certificate of achievement. BAILEY HANKS Four-year member of concert and marching band and boy scouts ... Volunteer for Boys Scouts and Scouting for Food ... Member of National Honor Society ... Rotary Student of the Month ... Eagle Scout ... Marching Band Section Leader ... Member of SIUE Wind Symphony and Webster YPSO Orchestra

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and three of their Senate Democratic colleagues today sent a letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Martin Makary raising concerns about recent changes to the FDA that will weaken the Human Foods Program, which spearheads all food safety and nutrition efforts at FDA. The Senators’ letter comes as Secretary Kennedy has slashed staffing at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), terminating 10,000 employees, including 19 percent of the FDA workforce. “The Human Foods Program oversees 78 percent of food in the United States. It enforces federal laws, coordinates with other federal agencies and state and local governments, and distributes public health information. Further, it combats diet-related chronic diseases, such as heart disease and certain cancers, that shorte

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ALTON – The Salvation Army of Madison County will celebrate National Salvation Army Week May 12-18, 2025 with open houses at both of its locations and with a Dine to Donate collaboration with several local restaurants. Scooters at 5330 Godfrey Road in Godfrey will donate a portion of their proceeds from Tuesday, May 13, to support local Salvation Army youth programs. Alton’s Old Bakery Beer at 400 Landmarks Blvd, and Brown Bag Bistro at 318 East Broadway, will join the e?ort on Wednesday, May 14. On Thursday, May 15, Applebee’s in Granite City will share a portion of their proceeds from those presenting a Salvation Army flyer, available at both corps o?ces. Visitors can learn firsthand how The Salvation Army provides food, shelter, counseling and hope to youth and adults in Madison County at open houses at the Corps facilities: Wednesday, May 14, from 1:15- 2:45 p.m. 525 Alby Street in Alton Thursday, May 15, from 2-6 p.m. 3007 East 23rd Street in Granite

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CHICAGO – During National Travel and Tourism Week (May 4-10), Governor Pritzker announced that more than 41 million visitors visited Illinois state parks and historic sites, the highest number in nearly 15 years. The surge coincides with increases in investments and efforts by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and the Illinois Office of Tourism to attract local, national, and international travelers by improving recreational opportunities, investing in park facilities and infrastructure, and featuring Illinois parks and historic sites prominently in the state’s Middle of Everything tourism campaign. “With world-class parks coupled with historic sites, it’s no surprise that more visitors continue to flock to the Middle of Everything to experience all Illinois has to offer,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This year’s increase in visitors reflects a growing enthusiasm to experience Illinois’ natural beauty and the positive impact

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) and Ranking Member of the CST Aviation Subcommittee—issued the following statement after Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Sean Duffy announced his new plan to modernize our nation’s air traffic control system: “For years, I’ve sounded the alarm that we must modernize our air traffic control system in order to safeguard the flying public. After the deadly DCA crash, multiple near-misses and a terrifying equipment failure impacting Newark, it is encouraging that Secretary Duffy and the Trump Administration recognize how urgent this matter is and are calling for new funding to upgrade our nation’s aging air traffic control technology and facilities. “While this may be a positive development, we shouldn’t forget that these are the same officials who just months ago indiscriminately

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SPRINGFIELD – The Fort de Chartres Rendezvous, a popular annual tradition in Randolph County, will take place June 7 and 8 at the Fort de Chartres State Historic Site. Rendezvous hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 7, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, June 8. Highlights include a flintlock muzzleloader shooting competition; period food, drink, and entertainment; artisan and craft demonstrations; 18th-century children’s games; militia and military events; and more. The Rendezvous is free and open to the public. Special event parking is available for $10 per car. Donations are welcome. The site is at 1350 Illinois 155, about four miles west of Prairie du Rocher. The event is hosted by Les Coureurs des Bois de Fort de Chartres and sponsored by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), which manages the site, and Les Amis du Fort de Chartres. The Fort de Chartres State Historic Site marks the location of the last of three successive forts named “de Chartres&rdquo

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ALTON – An agreement to lay the groundwork for a planned Germania Brew Haus drive-thru location in Alton will soon face consideration from city officials. The Alton Committee of the Whole is set to vote Monday, May 12, 2025, on a redevelopment agreement between the city and G1 Germania Brew Haus Alton, LLC, to redevelop property at 700 E. Broadway in Alton. The coffee shop announced earlier this year that it plans to relocate from its original location just down the street at 617 E. Broadway, which will remain open during the construction of the new site. Among the new features planned at the next Brew Haus are a dedicated drive-thru, rooftop and all-season patio seating, and more. Under the terms of the agreement, the city would reimburse Germania for up to $75,000 of the redevelopment cost upon the project’s completion, which would be paid out of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds. The full scope of the project is described as “professional services and site

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ALTON - Alton Main Street is gearing up for their annual Night Markets. On every Thursday evening in June and July, except for July 3, 2025, community members can come to Sugar Alley in downtown Alton for an evening of live music, vendors, art and more. Alton Main Street Executive Director Sara McGibany expressed her excitement for another busy summer. “There’s all kinds of wonderful things happening downtown,” McGibany said. “We are so excited about the new home of the Night Market. This is really going to be an epicenter of all the activity this summer. We’re super excited about it.” Night Markets were previously located on Broadway, but they will now take place in Sugar Alley. The stage will be set up in the greenspace between Catdaddy’s and Chez Marilyn on 3rd Street in downtown Alton. “We are just really good at pivoting,” McGibany said. “We just roll with it. Whatever happens, we are able to figure it out.”

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BRIGHTON/COTTAGE HILLS – Two area residents face felony charges in separate cases of stolen vehicle possession. Chase S. Manns, 22, of Brighton, was charged on April 30, 2025 with a Class 2 felony count of unlawful possession of a stolen motor vehicle (a Class 2 felony) and possession of a controlled substance (a Class 4 felony). On Feb. 23, 2025, Manns allegedly received and possessed a blue 2018 Ford Fusion with an Illinois registration number, knowing the vehicle was stolen. He was additionally accused of possessing an undisclosed amount of a substance containing fentanyl. The case against Manns was presented by the Alton Police Department and he was granted pretrial release from custody. Brian A. Schaake, 42, of Cottage Hills, was charged in an unrelated case with a Class 2 felony count of unlawful possession of motor vehicles. On March 19, 2025, Schaake allegedly possessed a blue 2005 Chevrolet Silverado with a Pennsylvania registration number, knowing it to have been

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ALTON – Three Alton residents face charges of domestic battery and more in a series of separate criminal cases. Scottie D. Sinks, 38, of Alton, was charged on April 28, 2025 with two Class 3 felony counts of aggravated battery and Class A misdemeanor counts of domestic battery, violation of an Order of Protection, and criminal damage to property. On April 27, 2025, Sinks allegedly bit one victim’s arm, causing a laceration, and struck another victim with a shoe; he is also accused of throwing the latter victim to the ground, causing abrasions. He was also charged for being present at an address he was prohibited from under an Order of Protection, where he reportedly damaged electronics and a motor vehicle mirror. The case against Sinks was presented by the Alton Police Department, and he was remanded to jail for his initial court appearance. Phillip M. Schuyler, 39, of Alton, was charged on May 1, 2025 with a Class 2 felony count of aggravated domestic battery and a

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BETHALTO - Stacey Hoffmann goes out of her way for her students. Hoffmann is an Extended Curriculum special education teacher for first through third grades at Parkside Primary School in the Bethalto Community Unit School District #8. She also coordinates the Parkside Buddy Program, which pairs students with two buddies to play with during recess. This Teacher Appreciation Week, she is reflecting on her 27 years in the Bethalto School District and her plans for more to come. “I have always loved working with children and have a deep desire to make a positive difference in their lives,” Hoffmann said. “I believe that education is one of the most powerful tools we can offer young people to help shape their futures. By supporting students and their families, I aim to help them make the most of their educational opportunities and prepare them for success both in school and beyond.” Outside of school, Hoffmann stays busy with her family. Her oldest daughter

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