ALTON — Chapel and Keller Dentistry has announced that Dr. Nick Berkenbile, D.M.D., is joining their practice in February 2026. Dr. Berkenbile was born in Alton, and raised in Edwardsville. He is a 2016 graduate of Marquette Catholic High School. He completed his undergraduate studies at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, where he majored in biology and minored in chemistry. He earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicin
ST. LOUIS - A fundraiser organized by Morgan Stewart is seeking financial support for Ashley Gingery, a healthcare worker and mother of four who, according to the fundraiser, is facing mounting medical needs and bills after a work-related injury and an assault by a patient. The fundraiser, titled “Supporting Ashley Gingery During an Unimaginable Time,” says Gingery has worked in health care for 11 years and has faced “more challenges than anyone ever should” over the
PONTOON BEACH – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that lane closures are scheduled at the Interstate 270/Illinois 111 interchange in Madison County beginning, weather permitting, at 9 a.m. Monday, Feb. 16, for guardrail repairs. On Illinois 111 , the outside lanes at the new I-270/Illinois 111 interchange will be closed. One lane will remain open to traffic through the work zone. The work on Illinois 111 is expected to be completed by the end of the week, weather
EAST ST. LOUIS - East St. Louis School District 189 recognized a slate of grade-level champions from its District Spelling Bee, praising students for their “dedication, preparation, and courage to take the stage” this week. The district announced the winners in a message that celebrated “academic excellence across our schools” and listed champions in three divisions: 3rd and 4th grade, 5th and 6th grade, and 7th and 8th grade. “We are incredibly proud
COLLINSVILLE - Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 announces Dorris Intermediate School Assistant Principal Leah Davis was honored by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) through their Those Who Excel/Teacher of the Year program. The recognition was announced by ISBE on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. Davis is being honored with the Award of Meritorious Service in the School Administrator category. The Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year Awards recognize individuals making
SPRINGFIELD – As Illinois communities prepare to celebrate the nation’s semiquincentennial on July 4, the Illinois America 250 Commission today unveiled the first ever Passport to Illinois, inviting residents and visitors alike to explore the powerful places, people and events in Illinois that have shaped the nation’s history. The limited-edition keepsake Passport to Illinois uplifts undertold stories of people and places that have contributed to making good on the ideals
EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville High School junior Grace Capron is taking on a months-long fundraising and advocacy campaign to support Blood Cancer United, a group formerly known as The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, through a student leadership program she joined last April 2025. Capron is participating in Student Visionaries, which she described as “a philanthropic leadership program through Blood Cancer United.” While the official campaign runs seven weeks, she said the work started
BETHALTO - Residents at Villa Rose Senior Living Community in Bethalto enjoyed a Valentine’s Day-themed senior prom. On Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, staff members dressed in suits and prom dresses and residents danced to music by Chuck Cannon. The fourth annual senior prom was a reminder to all that there’s “magic” in the Villa Rose “family,” said Executive Director Cindy Cannon. “We just want to keep them engaged. We want them to act like young kids,”
ALTON – Alton Police recently charged a local resident with using his vehicle to batter a pregnant victim among other offenses. Chance K. Sneddon, 20, of Alton, was charged on Feb. 11, 2026 with two counts of aggravated battery (both Class 3 felonies) and one count each of reckless driving, driving while license is suspended, and aggravated assault (each Class A misdemeanors). On Feb. 9, 2026, Sneddon allegedly caused bodily harm to a victim he knew was seven months pregnant by intentionally
WOOD RIVER - The Riverbend East Rotary Club has recognized East Alton-Wood River High School students Morgan Eberlin and Noah Norton as its January Service Above Self award winners, citing their involvement and leadership in school activities, according to information provided by Rick Hooks. The club recently presented Service Above Self certificates to Eberlin and Norton. A photo provided with the announcement shows Club President Mark Smith presenting the certificates to the students. “Morgan
EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville High School Robotics ended its first season in the FIRST Robotics – Decode League with a 10-5-0 record and the Judge’s Choice Award, presented tonight at the Central South Illinois regional tournament, a state qualifier, after the team switched leagues amid declining participation in its former Bot Ball competition. After many years competing in the Bot Ball league, the team moved this year to FIRST Robotics – Decode for its first-ever season in
EDWARDSVILLE - Chief Investigator Lee Brousseau of the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office is recovering at a Chicago hospital after doctors amputated a foot injured in an on-duty car crash eight years ago, officials said. The amputation was performed on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, at Gottlieb Memorial Hospital, part of Loyola Medicine, in Chicago, by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Kamran Hamid. Hamid said the surgery “went great” and that Brousseau is “doing very well.”
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today encouraged Illinoisans to be vigilant when dating online to avoid becoming a victim of a romance scam. “You may be hoping to meet a special someone online or through a dating app this Valentine’s Day but be mindful of red flags that could indicate they are not who they claim to be. Romance scammers take advantage of victims’ openness and trust,” Raoul said. “If you think you may be a victim of a romance scam,
GREENFIELD - Noelia Martinez-Voigt, an art teacher at Greenfield CUSD 10, has been named the 2026 Illinois Outstanding Early Career Educator of the Year, according to information released Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2026. Greenfield CUSD 10 announced the honor in a message that congratulated Martinez-Voigt and said the recognition reflects her “dedication, passion, and outstanding impact on our students and school community.” The Illinois State Board of Education recognizes one Outstanding
HARDIN - The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office reported on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, that all ferries in the area are open, after earlier ice conditions prompted multiple closures and service changes along the river. In a "ferry update," the sheriff’s office said the Brussels Ferry, Kampsville Ferry, and Golden Eagle Ferry are all open. The update follows announcements in January 2026 that ferry operations would be curtailed after a collection of heavy ice in the area rivers
EAST ALTON – A Belleville man accused of stealing over $500,000 worth of brass and copper from Wieland in East Alton faces five felony charges. Joseph D. Bevenue, 44, of Belleville, was charged with four counts of theft, including two Class 1 felonies and two Class 3 felonies, as well as a Class 4 felony count of possession of a controlled substance on Feb. 5, 2026. From Oct. 1 to Dec. 12, 2025, Bevenue allegedly committed a series of deceptive acts to obtain 4 coils/sheets of yellow
CAHOKIA HEIGHTS - On Friday afternoon, Feb. 6, 2026, a woman was taken into custody after authorities said a school employee in Cahokia Heights received repeated telephone threats. The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department said it was contacted at 2:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, by officials from Cahokia School District 187 about threats received by telephone at a school at 1900 Mousette Lane in Cahokia Heights. The department said its resource officers assigned to the school immediately
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today announced that the Trump administration has cut $100 million in critical funding for local public health departments, and for HIV prevention and monitoring, chronic disease surveys, and more. Funding for these programs was allocated by Congress and is also being stripped from three additional states – all led by Democratic governors - and represents the latest politically-motivated action by the Trump administration
GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College invites prospective students and their families to explore all the college has to offer during its upcoming Discover Day Open House, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, from 3-5 p.m. The event will take place in The Commons on the college’s Godfrey Campus and offers an inside look at why so many students choose L&C as the first step in their higher education journey. Guests can connect with faculty and staff, explore career and transfer pathways, an
BETHALTO - A lifelong Bethalto Community Unit School District #8 educator received major recognition at Civic Memorial High School. On Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, Civic Memorial officially renamed its Student Commons after Willard Wallace, a former principal and well-known community member who has built a legacy of service in Bethalto. Staff and community members filled the Willard Wallace Student Commons with applause as a tearful Wallace accepted the recognition. “Wow. I don’t
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