MEADOWBROOK/BETHALTO – Family members, veterans, local officials, and community members gathered Saturday as State Representative Amy Elik (111th-Alton) and State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) officially dedicated the "Cpl. Tommy N. Miller Memorial Highway" along Illinois Route 140 through Meadowbrook, ensuring the sacrifice of a local Marine who gave his life in Vietnam will never be forgotten. "Today, we honored a young man who left home to serve his country and never had
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, announced the award recipients of the Local Food Infrastructure Grant Program, distributing nearly $4 million in fiscal year 2026 funding to support the continued expansion of Illinois’ local food system. Two Jersey recipients, one Greene County recipient and one Madison County recipient were announced. The four in the region were: Fritz Meat and Processing, Jersey County, $57,721.50. Three
VIRDEN – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced a Virden, Illinois man pleaded guilty to possessing child sexual abuse material. Jacob Monty, 29, pleaded guilty today in Macoupin County Circuit Court to two Class 2 counts of possessing child sexual abuse material involving a victim under the age of 13. Monty’s sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 28. “Individuals who possess child sexual abuse material are perpetuating the exploitation and abuse of children across the globe,&rdquo
ST. LOUIS — For only the second time in history, the American Red Cross has declared a national blood crisis — and patients may already be feeling the impact. Donors are asked to act immediately to help save lives. Blood donations have fallen to a four-year summer low, worsening this season’s emergency blood shortage. All blood types are needed, but the situation is especially dire for type O blood as the Red Cross is now limiting distribution of these blood products to
A lemonade stand can teach more about American history than some school lessons. A child behind a folding table, a hand-lettered sign, and a pitcher of something cold may look simple. Yet that small setup sits at the crossroads of business, family life, neighborhood culture, and ideas about independence. The lemonade stand has become a symbol of youthful effort and small-scale enterprise, especially in the United States. It also carries a longer and more interesting story than most people expect.
On July 28, one of the most far-reaching events in world history took place in 1914, when Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. That decision turned a regional crisis in the Balkans into the opening act of World War I. At the time, leaders across Europe were tied together by alliances, military plans, and rising mistrust, so a conflict between two countries quickly pulled in many others. The war reshaped borders, toppled empires, and changed everyday life for millions. It still matters today
MADISON COUNTY - The Madison County Sheriff’s Office has added Deputy Sheriff Lauren Tamburello to its Patrol Division, the agency announced on Monday, July 27, 2026. “Please join us in welcoming the newest member of our Patrol Division - Deputy Sheriff Lauren Tamburello,” Madison County Sheriff Jeff Connor said. Tamburello will start field training this week. She had most recently been a Fairview Heights Police officer. She is also a Collinsville High School graduate
HIGHLAND – A Highland man accused of sexually assaulting a minor for over four years remains in Madison County custody. Jeremy D. Yann, 42, of the 600 block of 8th Street in Highland, Ill. was charged on July 22, 2026 with three counts of criminal sexual assault, each Class 1 felonies. Yann allegedly committed multiple acts of sexual assault against the same victim, who was under 18 years of age at the time the acts were committed. Yann is accused of assaulting the victim for more than
ALTON — William “Bill” Diddlebock, a longtime Alton educator, coach and parks official who spent decades working with local students and athletes, died Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at age 84. Diddlebock was widely known in Alton for his years in School District 11, where he began teaching and coaching in 1965 and remained for 35 years. He taught physical education and health and coached basketball, track and cross country. He also coached tennis at Marquette Catholic and created
EDWARDSVILLE – A monument in the future Goshen Commons park and plaza will highlight eight historic locations around Edwardsville following City Council approval. Aldermen approved the inclusion of eight Edwardsville landmarks to be recognized with a monument at the future Goshen Commons site at their July 21, 2026 City Council meeting. Alderwoman Andrea Miracle abstained. The monument is set to feature one “recognition plaque” to recognize the Kriege Family for their funding
ALTON - From tech classes to a Beatles tribute, The Hayner Public Library District has a variety of free programs coming up in the coming weeks. Executive Director Mary Cordes said that the library is always bustling with patrons and free events. She hopes many community members come out to experience their programs. “What’s not going on at the library?” she laughed. “We’ve got all kinds of stuff.” Through the end of July, the library will continue thei
ALTON - An Alton native living in Oklahoma was killed this weekend. Chamill London, 19, was living in Lawton, Oklahoma, as a soldier with the U.S. Army. London worked in Air and Missile Defense and was preparing for a deployment to Iraq. Her mother, Whittney London, said she was “excited for the journey.” “She was the most beautiful person you would ever meet,” Whittney London said. “She was genuine, funny, and caring. She was determined to live life to
CAHOKIA HEIGHTS - The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis is asking for the public’s help as it continues investigating the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old boy in Cahokia Heights, Ill. Lamerion L. Davis, 16, of Washington Park, Ill., was fatally shot Saturday, July 25, 2026, in the 1100 block of Camp Jackson Road in Cahokia Heights, according to the Major Case Squad. Since the squad was activated, investigators have followed up on about 30 leads while continuing interviews, reviewing evidenc
TROY, Ill. – The Troy/Maryville/St. Jacob/Marine Chamber of Commerce invites residents and visitors from throughout the Metro East to experience Art on the Streets: First Fridays on Friday, August 7, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in beautiful Downtown Troy. The free community celebration will once again transform the streets of downtown into a vibrant outdoor festival featuring live music, local artists, interactive art experiences, food trucks, shopping, family activities, and specials from
EDWARDSVILLE - The summer night is about to get a whole lot faster. The Edwardsville Municipal Band continues its summer concert season this Thursday, July 30, at 7:30 p.m. at the Cleaon Etzkorn Bandstand in City Park with FULL THROTTLE, a program built around momentum, power, and pure drive. The spotlight shines brightly on Henry Fillmore and his traditional circus marches, along with a journey to the edge of the atmosphere with Apollo 11, a twist on the famous Galop Can-Can, the steady drive
EAST ST. LOUIS - Unity Lutheran Christian School will welcome new and returning families for its annual Family Orientation at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, allowing families and students to meet teachers, visit classrooms, and prepare for the start of the 2026-27 school year. The orientation is designed to help families become familiar with classroom routines and expectations while building relationships with teachers before the first day of school. Families will also receive information
EDWARDSVILLE - The Illinois FFA Leadership Camp gave two Edwardsville High School students the opportunity last week to strengthen their leadership skills, build friendships and step outside their comfort zones during a three-day experience centered on teamwork and personal growth. The camp brought together members of the National FFA Organization from across Illinois for activities designed to develop communication, leadership and teamwork. Founded in 1928, the National FFA Organization,
SAINT LOUIS - An Illinois native is in the process of becoming a saint in the Catholic Church, and the community is invited to celebrate this canonization. On Sept. 24, 2026, at The Dome in St. Louis, the church will mark the official beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. There will be several other events, Masses, and activities tied to the beatification in the days leading up to it. Steve Mattern, Senior Vice President for Mission Services with OSF Healthcare, noted that this is especiall
BETAHALTO - Two young sisters in Bethalto spent part of July 2026 turning handmade bracelets into groceries for local blessing boxes, stocking food at several sites and planning to do more as supplies run low. Rainah Deardeuff, 7, and Rylah Deardeuff, 3, sold handcrafted bracelets for $3 and also received donations for charities on July 25, 2026, at their home and in Bethalto, Illinois. Using the money they raised, the girls bought groceries for blessing boxes in the community. The blessing
SPRINGFIELD – Two bipartisan measures sponsored by State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) and State Representative Kevin Schmidt (114th-Millstadt) were signed into law Friday, improving government transparency and expanding recognition for Illinois veterans. House Bill 2137 requires local governments, counties, and municipalities that already maintain a public website to post information directing residents to where audit reports and financial statements can be accessed through
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