ALTON – A local man was charged by Alton Police last week with battering and robbing an elderly woman. Jared K. Lewis, 35, of East St. Louis, was charged on April 9, 2026 with one count each of robbery (a Class 1 felony), aggravated battery (a Class 3 felony), and theft (a Class 4 felony). Lewis allegedly knowingly punched a 73-year-old woman in the face without legal justification and took $10 from the same victim by use of force on Jan. 7, 2026. A petition to deny Lewis’s pretria
Godfrey Fire Protection District Chief Eric Cranmer said a pedestrian suffered critical injuries after being struck by a vehicle around 8:30 p.m. Monday, April 13, 2026, in the 5600 block of Humbert Road in Godfrey. Chief Cranmer, who lives near the location, rushed to the scene after receiving calls about the accident. He said he did not know details about how the crash occurred, but the vehicle involved was traveling south toward Alby Street when the pedestrian was struck in the middle of
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - A 32-year-old woman - Chauncia Meekins - was fatally shot late Wednesday, April 8, 2026, while working at a Steak ’n Shake drive-thru on Bellefontaine Road in St. Louis County, after a situation developed with occupants of a vehicle after an order, authorities said. Meekins, a St. Louis resident, died at the scene after the shooting, which happened about 11:35 p.m. on April 8 in the 11000 block of Bellefontaine Road, according to the St. Louis County Police Department.
EDWARDSVILLE - During their work session on Monday, April 13, 2026, the Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 Board of Education received an update about Hamel Elementary School’s upcoming construction and asbestos abatement. Last fall, the Board held several discussions about the district’s priorities and how to spend the remaining bond money. They agreed that Hamel Elementary School was a top priority because it needs asbestos abatement. During the meeting on April
The brain treats a good surprise like a small, private jackpot. You see it in everyday moments: a friend shows up when you didn’t expect them, a package arrives early, a song you love plays in a café, or someone remembers a detail you mentioned once. Even when the surprise is simple, it can brighten your mood fast. That reaction is not random. Humans are built to notice the unexpected—and often to enjoy it—because surprises help us learn, connect, and feel alive. Surprise
On April 14, 1912, the RMS Titanic struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic, setting off one of the most famous maritime disasters in modern history. The ship was considered a triumph of engineering and a symbol of confidence in new technology, yet the collision exposed how quickly that confidence could be undone by nature, limited safety planning, and human decision-making. The tragedy mattered immediately because more than 1,500 people died, many of them immigrants and working-class travelers
GODFREY — Emergency crews responded to a pedestrian that was struck by a vehicle Monday night in the 5600 block of Humbert Road. The Godfrey Fire Department, along with the Madison County Sheriff’s Department, were dispatched just after 8:30 p.m. for a report of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle. Upon arrival, firefighters located the injured pedestrian and quickly determined the severity of the injuries required advanced care. An Arch medical helicopter was requested to the scene.
BETHALTO – Three Bethalto police officers were recently awarded for their lifesaving efforts. Acting Chief Ryan Dugger presented Lifesaving Awards to Patrolman Alex Dodge, Detective Brad Henry, and Sergeant Jordan Lind at the April 13, 2026 Bethalto Village Board meeting . Fire Department Paramedic Patrick Kelly also earned a Lifesaving Award but was not present at the meeting. Dugger said the three officers arrived at the 500 block of Spencer Street on April 7, 2026 in response to an
HARDIN - Law enforcement officials from the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office traveled to Augusta, Georgia, on Feb. 28, 2026, to apprehend Timothy R. Whitaker, 57, of Augusta on allegations of theft and wire fraud after an investigation that began with a complaint in Calhoun County, Illinois, authorities said. Whitaker is accused of theft in the amount of $10,000 to $100,000 and wire fraud, according to the sheriff’s office. The investigation began June 12, 2025, when the Calhoun
GRAFTON - In an effort to reduce overdose deaths and increase access to life-saving resources, a new 24/7 Naloxone (Narcan) access box has been installed in the Jersey County community. This initiative ensures that anyone can access Narcan at any time — day or night — free of charge and without judgment. Naloxone, commonly known as Narcan, is a medication that can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose. With opioid-related emergencies continuing to impact communities across the country,
EAST ST. LOUIS - Illinois State Police special agents have arrested a Summerfield man and charged him with first-degree murder and attempted murder after the shooting death of his 31-year-old son in East St. Louis, authorities said. Anthony L. Powe, 49, was arrested by Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 6 Public Safety Enforcement Group special agents, police said on Monday, April 13, 2026. Powe is charged with first-degree murder, a Class M felony, and attempted
JARVIS TOWNSHIP - Madison County Coroner Nicholas P. Novacich has identified a man who died on April 12, 2026, after being struck by a train on railroad tracks in Jarvis Township in Madison County. The victim was Lonnie L. Dickerson, 56, a man who the coroner said was unhoused. The incident occurred on the tracks east of Lockman Road and Longhi Road in Jarvis Township. Authorities were contacted through 911 at about 11:18 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, 2026. Madison County Coroner’s Office
EDWARDSVILLE — As temperatures begin to rise, Madison County Community Development is aiding vulnerable residents in a way to stay safe and cool. Through its Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program, the department will provide free window air conditioning units to qualifying low-income households that include elderly residents, individuals with certain medical conditions, or families with young children. The program is designed to help residents who may be particularly vulnerable
WOOD RIVER - Taven Wardein, a senior at East Alton-Wood River High, is being recognized for cross country and track and field after a year of training that he said helped him improve his personal record time while maintaining a grade point average above 4.0. Wardein said his progress came from consistent work, including summer practices. “The last year I have been in cross country, and I have worked very hard to make myself the best I can be and widen my personal record time,” he said
EDWARDSVILLE - Students at Lincoln Middle School will learn about autism throughout April, which is Autism Awareness Month. Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 has a CASTLE program specifically designed for students on the autism spectrum. This program, along with Lincoln Middle School’s social workers, administrators, and Student Council, have arranged a month of programming that aims to celebrate neurodiversity and inclusion. “I hope our kiddos enjoy it. More
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - Two men killed in a shooting in Country Club Hills have been identified as Demetrius Wagner and Alex Taylor, both 29, as St. Louis County police continue to investigate the double homicide that occurred late Thursday, April 9, 2026, in the 5600 block of Gatesworth Avenue. The St. Louis County Police Department said Monday that Wagner, of the 5600 block of Gatesworth Avenue in St. Louis, and Taylor, of the 1300 block of North Garden Drive in St. Louis, were pronounced dead
ALTON — Senior Margaret Powers has been named the latest Remarkable Redbird and is recognized for her kindness, perseverance, and dedication to making a difference in the lives of young children. Margaret has a strong passion for giving back, particularly to students at the Early Childhood Center in the Alton School District. She is one of more than 15 upperclassmen selected to work alongside teachers and children, gaining valuable hands-on experience while supporting early childhood education
ALTON - An Alton-based law firm has introduced a new partner. Keith Short and Associates recently welcomed attorney Dan Farroll to their ranks. Keith Short, who owns the practice and attended law school with Farroll, expressed his excitement to join forces with Farroll as they help people with medical malpractice, workers’ compensation, car accidents, and other legal cases. “It’s just been a very curated, very thought-out growth,” Short said. “Every single
COLLINSVILLE - Last week, the Collinsville Police Department, working with more than a dozen other local agencies and the Collinsville Community Unit School District #10, conducted a multi-agency active-shooter drill at Dorris Intermediate School. Collinsville Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Reis, who organized the training exercise, said the drill was designed to strengthen coordination among responding agencies during a high-risk incident. “The recent Active Shooter Drill proved to be a highly
EAST ST. LOUIS – Illinois State Police (ISP) conducted a violent crime suppression detail on April 8 - 9, 2026, in St. Clair and Madison counties, focusing its efforts on East St. Louis and neighboring Metro East communities. The operation utilized intelligence and technology to focus enforcement efforts on known high crime areas, violent offenders, and structured criminal groups in the communities of the Metro East. Detail Results: Arrests: 20 Felony Charges: 30 Criminal Charges:
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