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WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02), who is leading articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, voted against the funding package that includes a two-week funding deal for the Department of Homeland Security. The funding package passed 217-214. “Secretary Kristi Noem is taking taxpayer dollars to weaponize her agency and unleash her Gestapo agents in cities across the country,” said Rep. Kelly. “Instead of exercising our considerable

ALTON - Officers, dispatchers, citizens and community leaders from across Southern Illinois gathered recently, at The Regency for the 33rd Annual SILEC/SIPCA Awards Banquet, where Alton Police Department Officer Beuttel received a Life Saving Award for actions taken during a July 5, 2025, house fire and Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford was sworn in as treasurer of the Southern Illinois Police Chief’s Association. The Alton Police Department said Officer Beuttel was recognized “for hi

COTTAGE HILLS - Community members have a unique opportunity to play pickleball while fundraising for an ambulance. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, Alton Memorial Health Services Foundation will host a Duck Pluckers Pickleball Tournament at Grip & Sip in Cottage Hills. Participation in the tournament costs $40 a player with 16 mixed doubles teams in the beginner/intermediate and advanced divisions. All proceeds go toward AMHSF and their goal to purchase an ambulance fo

ALTON – A local woman with a criminal past faces new charges after allegedly breaking into an Alton home and illegally using another victim’s credit or debit card. Mariah C. Moore, 28, of Alton, was charged in two felony cases filed on Jan. 28, 2026. Moore was charged in the first case with a Class 2 felony count of burglary. On Jan. 26, 2026, she allegedly knowingly entered a residence on Oakwood Avenue in Alton with the intent to commit a theft. This marks the latest case of

PEORIA - The massive group of Edwardsville High School students was standouts at the Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) All-State from Jan. 28-31, 2026. The group of musicians rehearsed all weekend, culminating in what was described as "a fantastic performance" by the EHS Fine Arts Department Chair at Peoria Civic Center. Victoria Voumard/Orchestra Director/EHS Fine Arts Department Chair/ILMEA Senior Orchestra Rep provided this information: EHS All-State Music Students: Ell

JERSEYVILLE — Jersey Community Unit School District No. 100 had five students recognized as All-State performers during a week at the Illinois Music Education Conference (IMEA) Jan. 28-31, 2026, where the JCHS Jazz Ensemble also performed. The Jersey Community School District commended the All-State performers — Zoey Barnett, Chloe Hartman, Islee Hileman, Willow McCoy and Benjamin Zimmerman — and noted that the Jazz Ensemble “had the distinct honor of performing

ALTON - Area residents Cody Jackson, Gabby and Ralph need help after a total-loss house fire on Jan. 30, 2026, left them without a home and killed their family dog and cats, according to organizer Hannah Hosick of Alton. Hosick said the fire left the three with “only the clothes on their backs” and in need of “everyday essential items.” “This is set up to help get them through the process of completely starting over,” Hosick wrote. Hosick described the loss

Metro-East Lutheran High School First Semester Honor Roll 2025-2026 EDWARDSVILLE - The following students have been named to the Honor Roll at Metro-East Lutheran High School for the first semester of the 2025-2026 school year. Grade Honor Roll with High Distinction (g.p.a. 4.0) Metro-East Lutheran High School 9 Mitchelll Althardt, Swansea 9 Lucas Cook, Bethalto 9 McKenzie Cordero, Collinsville 9 Austin Imhoff, Alhambra 9 Reagan Moss, Edwardsville 9 Anna Mosser, Staunton

EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County Board Chairman Chris Slusser will serve as chair of the East-West Gateway Council of Governments, guiding regional transportation, infrastructure and economic development planning across the bi-state St. Louis metropolitan area. The East-West Gateway Board elected Slusser to the position on Jan. 30. East-West Gateway serves as the metropolitan planning organization for the St. Louis region, coordinating long-range transportation planning, federal funding

WOOD RIVER — A bicyclist was struck by a motorist on the morning of Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026. Wood River Police and Fire Departments both responded to the incident. The motorist stayed at the scene after the bicyclist was struck, authorities said. The man on the bicycle was transported for evaluation to a local hospital, Wood River Fire Chief Wade Stahlhut said. Stahlhut said the injured person “was alert and oriented” before being taken for evaluation. There was no other information

ALTON – Two men from Godfrey face felony charges after separate alleged burglaries in Alton. Mario L. Gray, 62, of Godfrey, was charged on Jan. 28, 2026 with one count each of felon in possession of a weapon and burglary, as well as two counts of theft, each Class 3 felonies. Gray allegedly entered a pickup truck with the intent to commit a theft on Aug. 5, 2025, when he is also accused of stealing multiple leaf blowers, trimmers, a chainsaw, and other lawn and garden equipment from tw

ALTON - New Frontiers Home Furnishings is celebrating its 48th anniversary with its biggest sale of the year through the month of February. Ed, Barb and Cathie, representatives with New Frontiers, stopped by “Our Daily Show!” with CJ Nasello to talk about their experience with the store and how they have seen it grow over the past several decades. Located at 101 W. 3rd in Alton, New Frontiers is a full line furniture store that has an amazing history over the past 48 years.

ALTON - The Hayner Public Library District has something for everyone this month, from cooking to Valentine’s Day programs and more. Executive Director Mary Cordes explained that the library is committed to providing the community with free, fun activities and experiences, in addition to their resources. She hopes many people engage with the library’s offerings. The Hayner Cookbook Club will meet again at 6 p.m. on Feb. 19, 2026, at the Alton Square Mall library branch.

Photos courtesy of Rosewood Heights Fire Department. COTTAGE HILLS — The Cottage Hills Fire Protection District responded at 2:04 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, to a reported structure fire in the 600 block of Wood River Avenue in Cottage Hills, according to the district. The district said the fire “was extinguished quickly” with assistance from mutual aid departments. “With the help and quick responses from its mutual aid departments, the fire was extinguished quickly,”

ALTON - If you’re a history buff, you’re in luck. The Hayner Public Library District has a few history-centered events planned for the month ahead. The library will offer “The Vintage Voices Players: The Lovejoy Legacy” on Feb. 12, 2026, followed by “George Provenzano, PhD – The Deaths and Funerals of Abraham and Mary Lincolns’ Two Sons: Eddy and Willie” on Feb. 25, 2026, and “Discover Washington D.C.: A Monumental Journey”

ALTON/EAST ST. LOUIS — Alton and East St. Louis are among several cities highlighted by the Illinois Tourism Office for this Black History Month for their museums and historical sites that document Black history, offering educational and reflective experiences for visitors. These institutions provide opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to explore the history, movements, and milestones that have shaped life in Illinois and beyond. They also encourage personal connections

EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 unanimously approved asbestos abatement bid packages for Lincoln Middle School. During the Board’s regular meeting on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, the Board discussed renovation and demolition at Lincoln Middle School to abate the asbestos. The final bids came in at a combined $307,300, which is over $200,000 under the district’s estimates. The first action item was to approve the asbestos abatement bid package #1 for

GRANITE CITY – The Rotary Club of Granite City recognized juniors Alexa Clark and Baylee Fischer as Students of the Month for January. Students were nominated by teachers, and were chosen on the basis of academics, as well as scholastic, extracurricular, and civic honors and awards, and organization membership and leadership. Each honoree will receive a framed certificate and a gift card and will be recognized at the Mayors’ Prayer Breakfast on March 24, 2026. ALEXA CLARK Secondar

GRANITE CITY - Johnathon Daniel Klee, of Granite City, a firefighter who served the communities of Madison and Long Lake, died early Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. He was 29. Klee began his firefighting career in 2013 with the Madison Fire Department, where he served for a decade before joining the Long Lake Volunteer Fire Department in 2023. The Long Lake Fire Department announced that he served his community with dignity and respect. They asked the public to keep his family and friends in their thought

CHICAGO — A quick stop on the way to a doctor’s appointment proved lucky for April and Randy of Ashton, who won a $350,000 Lucky Day Lotto ® jackpot. The co-workers and friends have been playing the lottery together for a few years. “People always told us, ‘You’re never going to win,’” said Randy. “But we’d laugh and say, ‘One day we’ll hit it.’” That day arrived on January 7 , when a Quick Pick ticket purchased