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ALTON — The City of Alton has officially released a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking a qualified firm or individual to manage Rock Spring Golf Course . The City aims to improve operations, elevate customer experience, and strengthen the long-term sustainability of the course. “We’re excited to take this next step in revitalizing Rock Spring,” said Parks & Recreation Director Lyndsey Younger. “We’re looking for a management partner who can bring new energ

ALTON - The K Miller Foundation will host its sixth annual toy giveaway to celebrate the holidays. From 12–3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, at the Mineral Springs Banquet Center in Alton, you can pick out toys for your children and enjoy several activities and treats. There are no income requirements, though K Miller Foundation founder Kidada Miller asks people to register so they can ensure they have enough toys. Thirty turkeys will also be available to those who reserve them. &ldqu

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — Two women have been charged in connection with a series of retail thefts targeting local businesses in Fairview Heights over the past two months, authorities said this week. The Fairview Heights Police Department, following coordinated investigations, identified Shamyia M. Seay, 30, and Jamya C. Newbern, 25, as suspects in multiple incidents involving theft of fragrances and other items from area retailers. On December 8, 2025, the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s

CHICAGO – Today, Governor Pritzker signed the Medical Aid in Dying bill (SB 1950), a law that will provide qualified terminally ill patients with the option to seek medication to peacefully end their lives on their own terms in consultation with physicians. To ensure the highest safeguards for patients, the law is effective in September of 2026, which affords participating health care providers and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) significant lead time to implement stringent

ALTON – During cancer treatment, you shouldn’t have to worry about where you and your family’s next meal is coming from, and certainly not a Thanksgiving dinner, said Jill Pruitt, OPN-CG, LPN, Certified Oncology Navigator at OSF Moeller Cancer Center in Alton (2200 Central Avenue). That’s the simple thought that motivated the OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center Oncology Department in August to create “The Caring Pantry,” a small, grocery-style set up a

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after Senate Republicans rejected Senate Democrats’ proposal to extend the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits to ensure millions of Americans could continue to afford their health care plans in 2026: “Need I remind my Republicans colleagues that their votes have real consequences for the people of this country? “Shame on Republicans for, once again,

Did you know that the vibrant red poinsettia, a staple of holiday décor in millions of homes, is named after a U.S. diplomat rather than a gardener or botanist? The story behind National Poinsettia Day reveals a fascinating intersection of diplomacy, botany, and cultural tradition that has elevated a simple plant into a national symbol. The Origins of the Poinsettia Plant The poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) is native to Mexico and Central America, where it has been known for centuries.

December 12 has long been a date marked by significant milestones across various fields, from politics and science to culture and global diplomacy. On December 12, 1963, Kenya gained independence from British colonial rule, becoming a sovereign nation. This milestone was a significant step in the wave of decolonization sweeping across Africa, inspiring other countries to pursue self-determination and national identity. In the realm of science and exploration, December 12, 1990, marked the launc

BETHALTO - Precision Point Armory offers firearm training and classes for everyone, from the total beginner to the advanced shooter. Ben Julian, owner of Precision Point Armory, decided to start his business because he saw how many people were intimidated by firearms. As someone who is passionate about firearms, it’s important to him to make sure that gun owners are educated about how to properly handle these devices. He works with people who have never held a gun as well as those wh

GRANITE CITY – Separate cases of burglary at a local residence and church have yielded felony charges against two Granite City residents. Christopher T. Weiser, 43, of Granite City, was charged on Dec. 1, 2025 with a Class 1 felony count of residential burglary. Weiser allegedly entered a residence in the 1900 block of Joy Ave. in Granite City on Oct. 23, 2025 without authority and with the intent to commit a theft. A petition to deny Weiser’s pretrial release from custody was file

Friday in the area will be mostly cloudy and chilly, with a high of 35 and a low near 22. Winds will come from the north at around 8 to 14 mph. Rain chances are minimal, with just a slight chance of snow during the night. Through the day Friday, expect mostly cloudy skies with a slow warm-up after a very cold start. The afternoon will stay chilly, with a few hours of sunshine trying to peek through the clouds. Evening and overnight will bring mostly cloudy skies and continued cold conditions. Satur

SPRINGFIELD — Authorities are seeking public assistance in solving a triple homicide that left three people dead, including a 9-year-old boy, at a home on Hoover Avenue in Springfield on Oct. 9, 2025. The victims were identified as 22-year-old Mhy'nesha Day, 21-year-old Devionne Brady, and Cash Russell, 9, who was the juvenile victim in the case. The Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shooting report at the residence in the 3000 block of Hoover Avenue and found the thre

ST. LOUIS – This week, City, State and civic partners from the Tornado Recovery Advisory Committee mobilized a new effort to reach out to tornado-impacted residents who may still be living in or by damaged structures to ensure they have a plan to stay safe and warm throughout the winter and connect them with available short-term housing options. “During the brutal cold weather of the past two weeks, we opened shelters for anyone who needed a place to be safe and warm, but we recognize

GRANITE CITY – The Rotary Club of Granite City recognized juniors Audrey Martinez and Emily Sahrhage as Students of the Month for November. 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 Mayor's Prayer Breakfast on March 24, 2026. Audrey Martinez Second

ALTON — Lieutenant Seth Stinnett of the Alton Police Department graduated from the FBI National Academy on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, becoming the 13th officer in department history to complete the prestigious program, Chief Jarrett Ford announced. The graduation ceremony for the 296th session took place at the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, where 254 law enforcement officers from 47 states, the District of Columbia, 24 countries, four military organizations, and two federal civilia

BELLEVILLE - Students from Whiteside Elementary School in Belleville, Illinois, left their marks on the steel beam that will complete the structure of the school’s new 13,550-square-foot addition. Groups of students had messy fun dipping their hands in paint, adding colorful handprints to the eight-foot beam. S. M. Wilson & Co., the project’s construction manager at risk, has placed the beam to complete the building’s framework. The project will then shift to masonry work

SPRINGFIELD, IL, Madison County has been issued a tentative property assessment equalization factor of 1.0793, according to David Harris, director of the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR). The property assessment equalization factor, often called the "multiplier," is the method used to achieve uniform property assessments among counties, as required by law. This equalization is particularly important because some of the state's 6,600 local taxing districts overlap into two or more counties

ALTON – An Ameren Illinois representative recently outlined the company’s position after the Alton City Council voted 4-3 to force the relocation of a downtown powerline. Erin Frew, owner of the historic Snyder Block building at 301 Piasa Street, has repeatedly called for the bare overhead powerlines running less than six feet from her building’s facade to be relocated to allow maintenance to be performed on the building and to mitigate what she has consistently described

JERSEY COUNTY — Just after 11 p.m. on Dec. 3, 2025, the Jersey County Sheriff’s Office K9 Deputy Justin Decker stopped a red minivan on South State Street in Jerseyville, leading to an arrest on drug charges. Four individuals were inside the van at the time of the stop, according to the Jersey County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff and officers from the Jerseyville Police Department assisted with the traffic stop. Albert A. Pace II, 61, was arrested after drug paraphernalia

MITCHELL – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that rehabilitation of a crossing by Union Pacific railroad on Illinois 203/East Chain of Rocks Road between Engineers Road and Nameoki Road near the Interstate 270 exit ramp in Madison County will require a full closure, weather permitting, on Monday, Dec. 15. A posted detour will be in place to safely guide motorists around the closure, which is expected to conclude on Tuesday, Dec. 16. Motorists can expect