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HARDIN — Donald G. Dawson, 57, of Hardin, was sentenced Aug. 5, 2026, to 10 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections after a Calhoun County jury found him guilty of burglary and theft in connection with tools stolen from a work truck at the Godar Diamond boat ramp, according to the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office. Dawson received credit for 101 days served in pretrial detention. The sentence was handed down by Judge John Frank McCartney, who also presided over Dawson’s

PIASA — Jerion Holoman, a 6-foot-3, 185-pound tight end/linebacker, led the Piasa Birds on Thursday night, Sept. 3, 2026, in Piasa, rushing for 141 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries in a 41-0 rout of North Mac. Holoman, a Southwestern player, has 39 carries for 288 yards and two scores on the three-game season. His longest run is 52 yards. Jerion is an Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Male Athlete Of The Month for the Piasa Birds. “Jerion is our leading rusher who

GODFREY – Godfrey officials are preparing to take action on data centers as they research how other communities are regulating the controversial facilities. Economic Development Director Jim Mager announced at the Sept. 1, 2026 Village Board meeting that a working group has been assembled to recommend rules on data centers in Godfrey. The group currently consists of Mager and Village Engineer Rich Beran, as well as Trustees Gerard Fischer and Rick Lauschke. “We have had a meeting

This Day in Music History: Sept. 4 On Sept. 4, 1962, the Beatles returned to EMI Studios in London and recorded a version of “Love Me Do” with their new drummer, Ringo Starr. The session was a pivotal early step for a group that had signed with Parlophone only months earlier and was still largely known for its Liverpool club appearances. “Love Me Do,” backed with “P.S. I Love You,” became the Beatles’ first single when it was released in Britain on Oct

On September 4, one of the most consequential events in world history took place in 476, when the last Western Roman emperor, Romulus Augustulus, was deposed. The event has long been used to mark the fall of the Western Roman Empire. At the time, it signaled the end of imperial rule in western Europe after centuries of Roman political control. Its importance went far beyond one ruler losing his throne. The collapse of central authority changed how power was organized across Europe, opened the

COLLINSVILLE — A former manager of Woodland Towers Apartments in Collinsville faces charges after police said detectives investigated a report over the past year that an elderly resident had more than $20,000 in unauthorized CashApp transactions and an Airbnb purchase on her account. Collinsville Police said detectives identified Tiffani D. Hobson, 41, of East St. Louis, as a suspect during the investigation. Hobson had been employed as a manager of the apartment complex, Collinsville Police

WOOD RIVER – A Wood River man deemed a “violent offender against youth” faces new charges in Madison County following his latest alleged failure to register with police. Kevan K. Vann, 32, of the 400 block of Pershing Avenue in Wood River, was charged on Aug. 31, 2026 with one count each of failure to register as a violent offender (a Class 3 felony) and retail theft under $300 (a Class 4 felony). On Aug. 28, 2026, Vann allegedly failed to register as a violent offender against

EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville Police Chief Michael Fillback will retire Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, closing a 30-year law enforcement career spent entirely with the Edwardsville Police Department, the city announced Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026. Fillback has led the department for the past five years. He began his career with Edwardsville in August 1996 and is a graduate of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, where he earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees. "It has been an honor

EAST ST. LOUIS — A former Southern Illinois University Edwardsville adjunct instructor and lab manager is facing federal charges after prosecutors said he used a university-issued credit card to pay for more than $100,000 in personal expenses over more than two years. A federal grand jury on Aug. 18, 2026, indicted Jonathan C. Clark, an SIUE lecturer and lab manager, on one count of mail fraud and three counts of wire fraud. Prosecutors allege Clark defrauded the university between Nov.

JERSEYVILLE – A local educator recently presented plans to transform a small piece of vacant land in downtown Jerseyville into a pocket park showcasing community artwork and more. Erica Heitzig, a workforce development coordinator and family and consumer sciences teacher at Jersey Community High School, proposed a community partnership project using a vacant Jerseyville lot to City Council members on Sept. 1, 2026. Heitzig sees the vacant grass lot at the corner of West Arch and State

WOOD RIVER - The community can help local kids enjoy the holiday season at an upcoming fundraiser. From 6–10 p.m. on Nov. 14, 2026, Riverbend Rescue will host its third annual Keys for Kids program at Rustic Roots in Wood River. The event will feature a catered meal, dueling pianos, a full bar, a 50/50 drawing and raffle baskets. All proceeds go toward Riverbend Rescue’s mission to provide necessities and gifts for kids in the local school districts during the holidays. “Everybody

WOOD RIVER - Peyton Adams, a senior at East Alton-Wood River High, is being recognized for volleyball after four years of work in the sport and in the classroom. Adams, who is coached by Bethany Hoyland, said the accomplishment reflects “working hard all four years of high school in volleyball and my schoolwork.” Adams is a Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athlete Of The Month for the Oilers. Adams has played volleyball for 10 years and said the sport has been meaningful because

WOOD RIVER - Brady Barker, a senior at East Alton-Wood River High, is being recognized this year for soccer after working his way from junior varsity earlier in high school to a captain’s role on his varsity team. Barker said his path in the sport has shaped his growth. “I went from JV my freshman and sophomore year, and I didn’t get to play my junior year, and now I am a captain on my team this year,” Barker said. Barker has played soccer for five years. He said the

PIASA - Southwestern High School senior outside hitter Briann Anderson, No. 16, received praise from head girls' volleyball coach Derek Dempsey for her "versatility and leadership" in a recent interview. Coach Dempsey singled out Anderson for not only her play at the net, but across the floor and as a four-year starter. Briann is the epitome of an all-around player on the girls' volleyball court, the coach said. "Briann is not only great at the net but the rest of the floor,” Coach

PIASA — Carter Watson, a 6-foot-3 junior quarterback for the Southwestern Piasa Birds, has been recognized this season as an Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Male Athlete Of The Month after emerging as a leader on offense and contributing as a three-sport varsity athlete. Watson is a mainstay for the Piasa Birds at quarterback and is also listed as a defensive end. He also plays varsity baseball and basketball for Southwestern. Last year, he completed 19 of 52 passes for 305 yards

JERSEYVILLE – A sex offender accused of failing to notify police after moving into a motel in Jerseyville faces a felony in Jersey County. Joey M. Seidelman, 27, listed as homeless out of Lincoln, Ill., was charged on Aug. 25, 2026 with a Class 3 felony count of unlawful failure to register as a sex offender. On Aug. 21, 2026, Seidelman allegedly knowingly failed to register as a sex offender with the Jersey County Sheriff’s Office within three days after establishing a residence

ST. LOUIS - St. Louis Metropolitan Police District 4 detectives are seeking suspects wanted in connection with a shooting around 12:15 a.m. July 19, 2026, in Downtown, where police said a group of subjects shot at each other in the 900 block of South Broadway. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police made an announcement with the suspects' pictures this week. A preliminary investigation found that no injuries were reported, but nearby cars and property sustained ballistic damage during the incident.

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that lanes that have been closed for construction will reopen, where possible, for the Labor Day weekend to minimize travel disruption. Non-emergency closures will be suspended from 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, to 11:59 p.m. Monday, Sept. 7. The following lane closures will remain in place during the holiday weekend. The public can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through these areas. Drivers are urged

CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker sent a letter to President Donald Trump demanding that his administration immediately restart construction on the Brandon Road Interbasin Project. The administration ordered work stopped at the end of July, and more than a month later the State of Illinois has received no explanation for the stoppage. Governor Pritzker also directed the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to restate its request for an emergency meeting of the project’s

CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul co-led a coalition of 22 states in challenging the Trump administration’s attempt to prohibit states from using federal Medicaid funds for gender-affirming care for low-income minors and some young adults. “At a time when our country faces a true healthcare crisis due to spiraling costs of care, a shortage of providers, and rural hospital closures leaving communities with no providers for miles, the Trump administration is attempting t