HIGHLAND — Incoming Edwardsville High School senior Aleigha Fazio, 17, of Edwardsville, was crowned the 2026 Miss Madison County Fair Queen on July 25, 2026, in Highland. Fazio succeeds retiring 2025 fair queen Shayden Hogg. Fazio competed in the 16-21 age category. Aleigha is a 5-foot-6 running back/defensive back for the Tigers and has been preparing for the upcoming 2026 fall season. Other Miss Madison County Fair Queen participants were as follows: Pocahontas ' Emma Jackson. Alton&rsquo
GRANITE CITY – A Granite City man who allegedly tried to kill an elderly victim by swerving off the road to strike them with his vehicle remains jailed on multiple charges. 64-year-old Tony S. Accardi of Granite City was charged on July 15, 2026 with a Class X felony count of attempted first degree murder, two counts of aggravated battery including a Class 2 and Class 3 felony, and a Class A misdemeanor count of fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer. Accardi allegedly struck
CAHOKIA HEIGHTS - A 16-year-old was shot multiple times and pronounced dead Saturday night, July 25, 2026, in Cahokia Heights, Illinois, prompting the activation of the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis, authorities said. The Cahokia Heights Police Department responded at about 7:57 p.m. Saturday, July 25, 2026, to the 1100 block of Camp Jackson Road for a report of a shooting, according to Alton Police Lt. Andrew Pierson, public information officer for the Major Case Squad of Greater St.
On July 26, one of the most far-reaching events in modern global history is the 1945 Potsdam Declaration, when the United States, the United Kingdom, and China called on Japan to surrender and outlined the terms that would shape the end of the Second World War in Asia. Issued near the close of a conflict that had already caused immense destruction across continents, the declaration mattered because it set out the political framework for ending the war and warned of “prompt and utter destruction”
The clearest major turning point tied directly to July 25 is the 1943 fall of Benito Mussolini in Italy during World War II. That day mattered immediately because it signaled the collapse of one of Europe’s main Fascist governments at a critical moment in the war. It still matters because it showed how military defeat, public strain, and political division can quickly unravel even a powerful dictatorship. By mid-1943, Italy had suffered years of war losses, economic hardship, and growing
ALTON - Alton Community Unit School District #11 families are reminded to stop by the in-person registration next week to ensure their students are ready for the school year. All families must attend in-person to register their children for the 2026–2027 school year. Registration will take place in the gymnasium at Alton High School. Caregivers are asked to bring a photo ID and other necessary documents. From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, families with last names starting
EAST ALTON — The East Alton Police Department has added Officer Andrew Heil-Watson as its newest member, with the department saying he officially joined on July 13, 2026, after being ceremonially pinned at the July 7, 2026, Village Board meeting. The department announced Heil-Watson’s addition and said he is a 2022 graduate of Roxana High School. The East Alton Police Department welcomed Heil-Watson to its team. “He is excited to serve the East Alton community and is committed
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt led a new law that will protect consumers from being charged fees when service providers fail to give adequate notice before arriving at a residence. “I don’t think that people should be left holding the bag if a company failed to communicate with them,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “If a service provider fails to follow the rules and shows up without proper notice, we shouldn’t be stuck paying extra fees.” Senat
Don’t sleep on the cancer prevention benefits of a healthy breakfast. Whether it’s oatmeal, whole-wheat toast, berries in Greek yogurt or other healthy combinations — starting the morning with simple, whole foods is a great way to help lower the risk of cancer while also energizing your day and boosting your overall health. Try to steer away from refined and processed foods like pastries, white bread, sugary cereals, sausage and bacon. These are popular choices, but they can
EAST ST. LOUIS — East St. Louis School District 189, in its ongoing commitment to student welfare, is proud to announce a significant partnership with Gaggle ReachOut, launching a 24/7 crisis line dedicated to providing immediate support and counseling for students in need. This innovative service offers both a phone line and a chat feature, ensuring accessible, round-the-clock assistance. Phone / Text: 618-228-3622 The Gaggle ReachOut crisis line is more than just a helpline; it’s
ALTON - Justice Haynes played a key role for the Alton High girls track and field team during the 2026 season, contributing in the sprints and relays while also competing for the Redbirds in a pivotal role on the girls basketball team. Haynes advanced from the O'Fallon Girls Track and Field Sectional in the 100 meters after posting a time of 12.26 at O’Fallon. She later placed 34th in the event at the IHSA State Meet in Charleston with a time of 12.77. In addition to the 100, Haynes poste
ALTON – Alton officials this week unanimously rejected a new short-term rental as the city finalized stricter regulations on such properties. A resolution considering a Special Use Permit to allow the operation of a Type B short-term rental unit at 409 E. 3rd Street was voted down 0-6 at the July 22, 2026 Alton City Council meeting . Alderwoman Rosie Brown was absent. Under the Alton City Code , short-term rentals are classified as either “Type A” or “Type B.”
WOOD RIVER/COTTAGE HILLS - A local mom is advocating for maintenance and an accessible playground at Wood River Township Park. Cottage Hills resident Makayla Hawks lives near the park and believes it has become an “eyesore” in recent years. In addition to vandalism and closed bathrooms, the park’s playground equipment is “tangled-up, broken and rusted.” As the mother to twin boys with cerebral palsy, Hawks wants to see an inclusive playground installed as well
GRANITE CITY – A 30-year-old from Granite City accused of sending and requesting explicit photos while messaging a 13-year-old child over Snapchat is now in custody. Douglas J. Britt, 30, of the 1700 block of Ferguson Avenue in Granite City, was charged on July 20, 2026 with one count of child sexual abuse material (a Class 1 felony), grooming (a Class 4 felony), sexual exploitation of a child (a Class A misdemeanor) and unlawful possession of a firearm (a Class 3 felony). From June
COLLINSVILLE – A Collinsville resident and Edwardsville Parks & Recreation employee faces major felony charges after allegedly reproducing videos of child sexual abuse material. Keith Grotefendt, 52, of the 700 block of Maple Street in Collinsville, was charged in Madison County court on July 23, 2026 with six Class X felony counts of child sexual abuse material. Grotefendt allegedly captured multiple screen recordings of video files depicting sexual acts between adults, infants, and
The death of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham from an aortic dissection has brought renewed attention to a rare but life-threatening medical emergency that doctors say requires immediate diagnosis and treatment to improve the chance of survival. An aortic dissection occurs when a tear develops in the wall of the aorta, the body's largest artery, allowing blood to separate the layers of the vessel wall. Bill Novak, MD, a cardiologist at OSF HealthCare, says it’s like a crack in a pipe
GODFREY - Godfrey's Alyssa Marquis, Bachelor of Science, Forensic Psychology, recently graduated from Quincy University this past spring. Quincy University hosted its 163rd Spring Commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. on May 16, 2026, in Quincy University's Football Stadium. The 2026 spring graduating class is composed of 186 undergraduates and 22 graduate degree recipients. Brian McGee, PhD, university president, conferred degrees. Sam Banks '76, current member of the Quincy University Board of Trustees
CAHOKIA HEIGHTS - Illinois health officials have approved a construction project in Cahokia Heights to build a new state-of-the-art Touchette Regional Hospital (TRH). The $231 million investment in healthcare was supported by the TRH President Brad Goacher, community leaders, and legislators including State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt). “This project reflects our commitment to expanding access to high-quality healthcare, and I’m proud to have joined community
GODFREY - Freer Auto Body was once again bustling as community members gathered for Christmas in July. From 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on July 24, 2026, community members could stop by Freer Auto Body in Godfrey for a sloppy joe lunch and to enter a raffle for major prizes. All proceeds from Christmas in July will go toward Community Christmas, a local initiative that aims to supply families with toys, clothes, food, hygiene items and more during the holiday season. “It’s just
ALTON - Alton Mayor David Goins has issued a response to the Alton City Council's vote to reappoint existing mayoral appointments, except for two individuals. Greg Caffey, Director of Planning and Development, and Rodney Caffey, City Attorney, did not receive sufficient votes for reappointment. The separation between the city and these two employees is effective immediately. Mayor Goins said in response to the council decisions: “While I do not agree with the decision of City Council,
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