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SPRINGFIELD – Summer brings many great things: hot weather, warm beaches, family vacations, and now in its 250th year, a major milestone in America’s independence. This Fourth of July, the Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC) urges everyone to celebrate responsibly by practicing safe alcohol consumption and firework safety. While professionally conducted fireworks displays are expected throughout the state and across the country, some firework enthusiasts may try to celebrate

MARYVILLE - Anderson Hospital has remained an independent health system since 1977, allowing it to build strategic partnerships that support its mission and expand access to care for the communities it serves. One of those longstanding relationships has been with Mercy’s cancer services team, whose physicians have cared for many Anderson patients over the years within the Warren Billhartz Cancer Center. Following Mercy's decision to transition its oncology services back to Missouri in August,

The Alton Post of the American Legion organized its sixth annual Independence Day picnic for the 1926 Fourth of July weekend. An article in the Alton Evening Telegraph on July 6, 1926 described the celebration. The event “drew the biggest crowd ever known” in Rock Spring Park, with approximately 8,000 people in attendance at the height of the festivities. One special part of the 1926 Legion event was the Sesquicentennial celebration, described as a “typical old-fashioned

The Illinois Liquor Control Commission is urging residents to celebrate the upcoming Fourth of July responsibly, warning that alcohol impairment and illegal consumer fireworks can increase the risk of injuries during holiday festivities in Illinois. As the nation marks its 250th year of independence this summer, the commission said professionally conducted fireworks displays are expected across Illinois and the country. But it also cautioned that most fireworks are illegal in Illinois, including

PIASA - Zack Bean of the Southwestern Piasa Birds wrestling team was named an Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Male Athlete of the Month after what coaches described as a year of significant improvement, including a fourth-place finish at the IHSA 1A East Alton-Wood River Regional. Bean, who competed in the 113-pound class during the 2025-2026 season, finished fourth at the regional. He lost 27-12 in the third-place match to Eli Quartz of Freeburg. Jacobi Cobbs of Althoff placed first

GLEN CARBON — Father McGivney Catholic High School junior Omar Avalos has been named to the 2026 IHSA Class 2A All-State Team after leading McGivney at the plate during a 27-10 season under head coach Chris Erwin, the school announced. Avalos led McGivney batters with a .519 average and a .636 on-base percentage. He also recorded 35 RBIs, 18 doubles, three triples, 35 stolen bases and 56 hits. Erwin described Avalos as “probably our top player.” Avalos is a Byron, Carlson,

Freedom is one of the few ideas powerful enough to make people sing in public, wave flags, light fireworks, tell old family stories, and cry at parades. That reaction says something important. Humans do not celebrate independence only because of politics or national history. They celebrate it because independence speaks to a basic human need: the desire to make choices, protect dignity, and live without being controlled by someone else. Whether the occasion is a national holiday, a family milestone,

On July 3, one of the most significant events in global history took place in 1863, when the Battle of Gettysburg ended during the American Civil War. The three-day battle was fought in Pennsylvania and became the war’s deadliest single clash. It mattered at the time because it stopped Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s invasion of the North and marked a turning point in the conflict. It still matters today because it showed how one battle can reshape a nation’s future, influence

LEBANON - State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) is hosting Mobile Office Hour on July 9th in Lebanon. This free event gives his constituents the opportunity to discuss the state legislature and to talk about issues important to them. Rep. Schmidt says in-person meetings with his constituents help him understand real issues and how to find solutions. “Hearing directly from my constituents about the issues affecting them and their families is valuable to me,” Schmidt

GODFREY/EAST ALTON/WOOD RIVER — Mid Illinois Gymnastics and Midwest Members Credit Union recognize a senior, Brooklyn Ruot, as a Female Athlete of the Month as she prepares to begin college after being named valedictorian of East Alton-Wood River High School and completing another outstanding gymnastics season. Coach Kristin Bower said Ruot has spent the past six years at Mid Illinois Gymnastics and is known in the gym for her “grit, determination, dedication, loud personality, even

GILLESPIE - A Gillespie teenager was charged Tuesday, June 30, 2026, by the Macoupin County State’s Attorney’s Office with two misdemeanor counts stemming from allegations that he spray-painted a brick wall at Dee Dee’s Florals on May 16, 2026. Damien J. Bentancourt, 18, a white male born April 24, 2008, was charged by the Macoupin County State's Attorney’s Office with one count of Criminal Damage to Property (Class A Misdemeanor) and one count of Criminal Defacement

EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Police Department said it will use remotely piloted aircraft at the upcoming Independence Day Celebration on July 4, 2026, at the American Legion to help monitor the event and support personnel on the ground. The Edwardsville Police Department said the drones will be operated by trained and certified personnel and will provide “an added vantage point” during the celebration. The department said the aircraft will help officers respond

ALTON - The Alton Police Department said it is reminding local retailers in Alton that a new state law now prohibits the sale of intoxicating hemp products to anyone younger than 21, and that officers will actively enforce the measure through investigations and random compliance checks. The Alton Police Department said the law applies immediately to intoxicating hemp products such as Delta-8, THC-P, HHC and similar substances that had previously been sold outside Illinois’ regulated

ALTON/EDWARDSVILLE/FOSTERBURG - A local writer is sharing the stories of his best friend after losing him. Bill Roseberry, known for his local journalism, has started a new storytelling adventure with “The Reedy Chronicles.” This magazine tells the adventures of Roseberry and his best friend, Jason Reedy, who passed away in January 2025. Roseberry noted that “The Reedy Chronicles” is growing on Substack in addition to his other writing projects, and he is grateful

CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul and a coalition of 21 other attorneys general won their case challenging a new rule from the U.S. Department of Education that unlawfully restricted eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, which allows government and nonprofit employees to have their federal student loans forgiven after 10 years of qualifying public service. The U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts granted Raoul and the coalition’s

ALTON – The 5th Annual OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center Back-to-School Celebration will be held on Saturday, July 25, from 10:00 a.m. to Noon at Alton Square Mall (200 Alton Square, Alton, IL 62002). This year’s Back-to-School Celebration is FREE, and the event is open to the public. The first 500 children aged 4-12 will receive a free backpack filled with school supplies, including notebooks, paper, pens, pencils, and crayons. “The need for this event is greater

BELLEVILLE - The Belleville Police Department is urging residents to celebrate Independence Day safely and legally over the holiday weekend in Belleville, reminding the public that most consumer fireworks are prohibited under Illinois law and city ordinance and that extra officers will be on patrol. In a public safety message posted ahead of the Fourth of July, Belleville Police said aerial fireworks, firecrackers, bottle rockets and Roman candles are prohibited within the city

ALTON/GODFREY - The Hayner Public Library District has made headlines in recent weeks as they begin the process of designing a new building. Executive Director Mary Cordes shared more about where they are in this process and what people can expect. “It’s one of the things where we don’t even know if we can do a new library. We’re still in the very early stages. We’re trying to figure this whole thing out,” she said. Cordes emphasized that the library might

TROY - The Troy/Maryville/St. Jacob/Marine Chamber of Commerce said June 26 that it has added 50 new members since Jan. 1, 2026, a milestone the organization said reflects continued momentum in the local business community it serves in Troy, Maryville, St. Jacob, Marine and surrounding areas. The chamber said the new members represent a range of industries and services, adding “fresh energy, new ideas, and added strength” to its network. It said the increase highlights the value of

TROY – Over three tons of suspected illegal fireworks were seized from two Troy residents accused of illegally selling the fireworks from a tractor-trailer which has also been seized. The investigation began after a Troy Police Department detective received a call on May 22, 2026 concerning possible illegal fireworks, according to an affidavit filed in support of forfeiting the seized property. The call came from a concerned resident who reported that her neighbors, Jason and Rachel Ellis