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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police have identified the motorcyclist killed in a crash Monday morning, July 13, 2026, on Lemay Ferry Road as Matthew Middeke, 48, of New Baden, Illinois. The St. Louis County Police Department said officers from the South County Precinct responded at 7:17 a.m. Monday, July 13, 2026, to a call for service for a motor vehicle crash in the 2500 block of Lemay Ferry Road. When officers arrived, they found an SUV and a motorcycle had been involved in the crash.

GLEN CARBON — The Village of Glen Carbon announces the upcoming retirement of Village Administrator Jamie Bowden, who will conclude his nearly 15 years of service to the community following a planned transition period. Bowden, who will reach his 15th employment anniversary with the Village in October, has announced his intent to retire from his role as Village Administrator. His retirement marks the conclusion of a career dedicated to public service and supporting the continued growt

CHICAGO – As temperatures rise across Illinois and families head to pools, lakes, beaches and splash pads to stay cool, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Servies (DCFS) is reminding caregivers to use a simple life-saving strategy to help keep children safe around water: designate a Water Watcher. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4; and the second leading cause of unintentional injury

WEST ALTON, Mo. — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Rivers Project Office said Lincoln Shields Recreation Area will temporarily close beginning at 6 a.m. Friday, July 17, for the Alton Powerboat Nationals. The recreation area in West Alton will reopen at 7 a.m. Monday, July 20, according to the Rivers Project Office. The closure applies to Lincoln Shields Recreation Area and Lincoln Shields Access Area, the agency said. For more information, the Rivers Project Office can be reached

ST. LOUIS - St. Louis Metropolitan Police District 5 detectives are asking for the public’s help identifying and locating people wanted for questioning in connection with a June 19 shooting in St. Louis’ Wells/Goodfellow neighborhood that left a 22-year-old man wounded, authorities said Tuesday, July 14, 2026. According to information released July 14, 2026, detectives said the shooting happened shortly before 1:30 p.m. June 19, 2026, in the 5800 block of Selber Court. A preliminary

EDWARDSVILLE - The Cross-River Crime Task Force seized illegal firearms and narcotics and made numerous arrests during a countywide deployment Friday, July 10, 2026, in Madison County, authorities said, as officers from multiple local agencies worked alongside state and federal partners. Among the arrests were individuals found in possession of firearms and illegal narcotics, including fentanyl and methamphetamine, according to the task force. Officers also located and arrested several fugitives

On July 15, 1410, one of medieval Europe’s most important battles reshaped the balance of power in the region. At the Battle of Grunwald, also known as Tannenberg, the allied forces of the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania defeated the Teutonic Order, a powerful military and religious state that had dominated parts of the Baltic region for generations. The victory mattered immediately because it weakened a major regional power and changed relations among the kingdoms and

GLEN CARBON – Multiple streets in Glen Carbon are set for improvements later this year. Trustees voted unanimously on Tuesday, July 14, 2026 to accept the lowest bid of $884,899.06 from Christ Brothers Asphalt for the village’s 2026 Street Rehabilitation Program. Their bid was the lowest of five bidders and came in $344,228.94 below the village engineer’s estimate of over $1.2 million. According to a memo from Public Works Director Scott Slemer, this year’s program include

JERSEYVILLE – Several community members flocked to downtown Jerseyville for the 2026 Jersey County Fair Parade, with a patriotic theme tying the event to the nation’s 250th anniversary. With over 100 entries in this year’s parade, attendees saw plenty of red, white, and blue across multiple creative floats. The theme for the 2026 parade and fair is “Party Like It's 1776: Happy Birthday America!” Each year, a panel of judges awards plaques and prize money to the

BETHALTO - Residents approaching retirement or already retired will have an opportunity Aug. 6, 2026, in Bethalto to hear from local professionals about how retirement income, Social Security, health care, taxes, investments and estate planning work together during a free workshop hosted by Bill Kinkel of Genesis Wealth Management Group. There is another event in Bethalto at the Bethalto Senior Citizen Center at 100 E. Central Ave., Bethalto, 62010, set for July 28, 2026. The event runs from

ALTON — As Marquette Catholic High School prepares to begin its historic 100th school year this fall, school leaders are actively studying the possibility of launching a comprehensive capital campaign to strengthen the school's future for generations to come. Marquette Catholic is currently in the feasibility phase of the capital campaign planning process, meeting with longtime supporters, alumni, parents, and community leaders to gauge interest and gather feedback before determining whethe

ALTON - OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center is being recognized by the American Heart Association for its ongoing dedication to providing outstanding cardiovascular and stroke care through the Get With The Guidelines® program. The recognition highlights the medical center’s sustained excellence, with two or more consecutive years of meeting rigorous national benchmarks for quality and patient outcomes in heart failure, stroke and resuscitation care. “For patients

SPRINGFIELD, IL — 1st MidAmerica Credit Union announced the development of its newest branch in Springfield, located at 800 West Stanford Ave., furthering the credit union’s commitment to meeting members where they are and expanding access to convenient, relationship-focused financial services across Illinois. The branch will feature a design that reflects the evolving needs of members while maintaining the personalized service that has defined 1st MidAmerica for over 90 years. Th

ALTON - Sam’s Pawn Shop, a family-owned business at 208 E. Broadway in Alton, is closing after 35 years in business, with its final day set for Aug. 1, 2026, as the owners move toward an online-only business model, according to information provided by the shop. The closing sale includes fixtures, shelving and remaining inventory, and all outstanding pawns, loans and layaways must be redeemed by Aug. 1, 2026, the business said. The shop also said customers should stop in or call 618-462-5696

MARYVILLE - Maryville Women’s Center has moved to a new facility in Maryville after nearly 30 years in the community, relocating to 4972 State Route 159, according to an announcement dated June 10, 2026. The practice said the new office is about a mile from its previous location and is next to Walgreens and Domino’s. Maryville Women’s Center said its providers and staff are welcoming patients to the new building, which includes more exam rooms and updated amenities. “This

ST. LOUIS, MO — The American Red Cross is declaring an emergency blood shortage as the blood supply fell nearly 25 percent in June. Blood donors are urgently needed to give now to help ensure patients receive lifesaving medical care without delay. The shortage is especially serious for platelets and types O positive and B negative blood. A steep decline in blood donations since the end of May has created a growing gap between supply and patient need. Currently, Red Cross distributions

METRO EAST, Ill. — A rescue dog once enrolled in a shelter program for animals facing uncertain futures has been named Illinois’s Best in State in the Pet Lovers’ Choice Awards, the first fan-voted, nationally broadcast awards show celebrating America’s dogs and cats. Thor, adopted through CARE STL (Center for Animal Rescue and Enrichment of St. Louis), will represent Illinois in the national round beginning July 14. Three years ago, Thor was known as King Boo. Because

GLEN CARBON – Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSofSI) welcomes three new members to their Board of Directors: Members-at-Large Erin Barriger and Abigail Zajac, as well as ex-officio Girl Board Member Anna Kennedy. They were elected by council delegates during the organization’s annual meeting this spring. GSofSI’s Board of Directors assist the council with strategic planning, financial oversight, fund development, and interaction with the community. Erin Barriger is the Directo

GODFREY – A Godfrey resident remains in custody in Jersey County on charges of domestic battery and more. David L. Heape, 44, of Godfrey, was charged on July 10, 2026 in Jersey County court with one count each of domestic battery (a Class 4 felony), unlawful possession of methamphetamine (a Class 3 felony), unlawful interference with the reporting of domestic violence, and theft (both Class A misdemeanors). On July 9, 2026, Heape allegedly knowingly committed an act of domestic battery

EAST ST. LOUIS - One teenager has been charged as an adult for the murder of five individuals in East St. Louis this past weekend. A 16-year-old has been charged as an adult in connection with the killings of five people and the shootings of two others this past weekend in East St. Louis, according to the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office. The St. Clair County State's Attorney's Office announced a 12-count indictment against Ja’ymier Davis, 16, charging him with fiv