BETHALTO - It was an exciting morning for senior students at Civic Memorial High School as they learned more about available scholarships. On Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, senior students gathered to engage with the high school’s CM Next initiative, which encourages students to think about their future after graduation. As part of this, all students learned more about their individual scholarship offers through VU Scholarships, a program offered by the Bethalto Community Unit School District
WOOD RIVER – Wood River officials have placed new restrictions on where future businesses and transitional living facilities can be located within the city. A series of three zoning-related ordinances gained unanimous approval from City Council members at their Sept. 8, 2026 meeting. “Transitional living facilities” are the subject of one ordinance, which only allows such facilities to be located with I zoning districts. These refer to “any dwelling house containing
BETHALTO - The Bethalto Volunteer Fire Department welcomed an impressive crowd to the 107th Bethalto Homecoming. From Sept. 4–7, 2026, the homecoming offered a carnival, vendors, live music and plenty more fun to enjoy. The event serves as a fundraiser for the fire department. Riverbend residents enjoyed the homecoming tradition and look forward to another great event next year. “I think the community really enjoys this because it’s a time to get together,” said voluntee
Weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are more popular than ever, leading people to seek options that are quicker, cheaper and involve less prying questions than a traditional in-person doctor visit. But here’s a statistic that should give you pause: Casey Zaring, RPh, PharmD, a clinical pharmacist at OSF HealthCare, says a 2023 audit by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration found 95% of online pharmacies were not legitimate. This leads to concerns about getting bilked out of
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — An adult male died Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, after a single-vehicle crash near South Lindbergh Boulevard and Lemay Ferry Road, St. Louis County police said. Officers from the South County Precinct responded at 11:05 a.m. Sept. 10, 2026, to a call for service at the intersection. Police said officers found the driver in the vehicle with injuries sustained in the crash. The driver was taken to an area hospital for life-saving treatment but died from his injuries,
EDWARDSVILLE - An Edwardsville photographer is among the artists who will showcase their work at the Edwardsville Art Fair event Sept. 25-27, 2026, at Edwardsville City Park. Also included here are other artists who will be present that weekend. Artist: Jeff Bohnert Medium: Photography Location: Edwardsville, IL Artist Statement: "My work explores the quiet, magnetic pull of places, those fleeting intersections of light, atmosphere, and emotion that most people pass by without noticing.
GODFREY — Women in the Riverbend are invited to connect, learn, and grow at the upcoming LeadHERship Seminar, taking place Friday, September 25, at Enjoy Church in Alton. Presented by the RiverBend Growth Association and co-sponsored by Cope Plastics and Waggoner Equipment Rental, the LeadHERship Seminar is designed to empower women through professional development, meaningful connections, and conversations focused on leadership, personal growth, and success. The event will bring together
EAST ST. LOUIS — A former Bethalto attorney appeared in federal court Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, on 15 federal charges alleging he stole more than $400,000 from bank accounts belonging to minors he had been appointed to represent in Madison County. David K. Elliott, 41, was indicted by a federal grand jury Aug. 18, 2026, on bank and mail fraud charges related to his appointments as guardian ad litem for four minors. The indictment alleges Elliott used fraudulent court orders to withdraw
ALTON - Alton’s film industry is coming to life with new filming and economic development opportunities. “Herbert West: Reanimator” is a psychological horror movie that was filmed in Alton earlier this summer. Between this movie, which will likely premiere in theaters later this year, and the “Food Is Love” TV show’s decision to center several episodes around Alton, John Simmons believes Alton’s film industry is on the rise. “The future
O'FALLON — The NAACP Illinois State Conference of Branches is pleased to announce the 89th Annual NAACP Illinois State Conference Convention, hosted by the NAACP O'Fallon Branch, September 18–20, 2026, at the Regency Conference Center, 400 Regency Park, O'Fallon, Illinois. This year's convention theme, "We the People," is a reminder that equal rights, quality education, accessible healthcare, and diversity, equity, and inclusion are within reach when communities come together with
Kids are back in school, and between early bus rides, a packed day of classes and after-school activities, they can get hungry. So, what should parents pack to give their children the energy they need throughout the day? Nicole O’Neill, RD, a dietitian with OSF HealthCare, says parents should remember that kids have different nutritional needs than adults. “They need fuel, so you have to give them good fuel,” she says. “Things like protein, fiber and fats are going
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC)—is pushing to require the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) by law to provide clarity and due process to officers whose promotions are withheld, delayed or removed, including the more than 40 whose careers were already blocked by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. In her letter, Duckworth urged SASC and U.S. House Armed Services Committee (HASC) leadership to adopt
ALTON - Alton Community Unit School District #11 staff members have the opportunity to move their bodies and build the district’s culture with Wellness Wednesdays. For three years now, Lawrence Gordon has invited ACUSD11 staff members to join him for these weekly workouts. Gordon, who owns U FIT Fitness and Wellness in Godfrey, takes participating staff members through weight training, circuit training, and other basic workouts with the goal of building camaraderie and encouraging fitness
JERSEYVILLE – Wyatt Perry makes a positive impact on his fellow students and teachers every day at Jersey Community High School. For helping others and showing kindness to all, Perry has been named a September 2026 Jersey State Bank Student of the Month at Jersey Community High School. Currently in his freshman year at JCHS, Perry has been a member of Blue Crew for three years, Glow Crew for two years and Special Olympics for one year. He also won 2nd place in the shot put competition
JERSEYVILLE – From repeatedly setting cross country records to showing strong character and community involvement, Brenley Kelly is a highly driven Jersey Panther. For her strong work ethic and competitive spirit, Kelly is being honored as a September 2026 Jersey State Bank Student of the Month at Jersey Community High School. As a junior and High Honor Roll student at JCHS, Kelly has been involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for three years, including two years as a leader.
BELLEVILLE — Alton Police Officer Zach Oster graduated Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, from the Southwestern Illinois College Police Academy in Belleville, completing the academy portion of his training before continuing in the Alton Police Department’s Field Training Program, the department said. Oster will continue developing his skills with a field training officer, according to the department. The Madison County Sheriff’s Office also announced that Deputies Morales
EDWARDSVILLE - A conversation about student journalism and freedom of the press at the university level is heating up at SIUE, with the police now involved. SIUE’s student newspaper, “The Alestle,” has received backlash from SIUE administrators following a conversation between reporters and SIUE’s Communications Director Nicole Franklin. In July 2026, Franklin told a reporter that she would sit in on an interview and record the conversation. When asked if her presence
EDWARDSVILLE – Record enrollment is fueling a historic fall semester at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, led by the largest incoming class in University history and driving overall enrollment to its highest level in more than a decade. Just a few short weeks into the semester, this new class is exploring all that SIUE has to offer, adding vibrancy to the campus and community. SIUE welcomed 2,323 first-time, first-year students for fall 2026, surpassing the previous University recor
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced upcoming lane closures on westbound Interstate 55/I-64/U.S. 40 between Illinois 3 and the Poplar Street Bridge in St. Clair County for bridge repairs. Beginning at midnight Monday, Sept. 14, two westbound mainline lanes will be closed at this location. The two outer lanes and ramps will remain open during the closure. All lanes are expected to reopen on or before 5 a.m. Friday, Oct. 2, weather permitting. Motorists
GRANITE CITY — Yesterday, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) met with leadership at Gateway Regional Medical Center to address serious concerns surrounding patient-safety and the hospital's ongoing financial crisis. In an exclusive interview with KTVI’s David Amoletti, Budzinski shared what was discussed in the closed-door meeting and emphasized what must be done to ensure the community continues to have access to quality care and hospital staff have the resources they need. Watch
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