NASHVILLE, Ill. — A Nashville Community High School baseball coach and local teacher, Chad E. Malawy, was charged in Washington County Circuit Court after an investigation by the Illinois Attorney General’s Office and the Nashville Police Department into alleged sex crimes, authorities said. He entered a not guilty plea on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. T.J. Matthes, of the St. Louis-based firm Rosenblum, Schwartz, Fry and Johnson, is representing Malaway in the case. Malawy, 54
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - Munyaradzi Chiturumani has been taken into custody without incident, authorities said, after St. Louis County Police investigated a child abduction and stabbing tied to a domestic incident Wednesday, July 1, 2026, in the 1400 block of Shadycreek Court. The St. Louis County Police Department said additional information will be disseminated as it becomes available. According to previously released information, officers from the Central County Precinct responded at about 5 p.m.
JACKSONVILLE - State Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Murrayville) is inviting aspiring photographers in the 100th District to participate in his “America 250” Photo Contest to update the decor in his Capitol office in Springfield. “On July 4, 2026, our nation will mark an extraordinary milestone: 250 years since the founding of the United States of America,” Rep. Davidsmeyer said. “As part of America’s 250th birthday celebration, I am encouraging families
EDWARDSVILLE - The Third Judicial Circuit on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, distributed pocket-sized copies of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution to members of the public at the Madison County Courthouse and the Criminal Justice Center in Madison County, marking the approach of the Fourth of July, Chief Judge Christopher Threlkeld announced. Judges and staff presented the copies throughout the day on July 1, 2026, to litigants, lawyers and others at the circuit’s two
BETHALTO - Bethalto Community Unit School District No. 8 announced that Mary Jo Burson, a third-grade teacher at Parkside, was selected for a grant from the Illinois Retired Teachers Association Foundation to support hands-on learning experiences in her classroom. The district said Burson wrote the grant to fund more than $400 in activities for students who finish assignments early or have free-choice time. The grant will support a makers space she is creating, with resources
GRANITE CITY – A man accused of attempting to commit an act of arson in a Granite City park has been ordered released from custody. 50-year-old Frank H. Genovese of Granite City was charged on June 16, 2026 with a Class 3 felony count of attempted arson and a Class A misdemeanor count of resisting a peace officer. Genovese allegedly knowingly “broke open a bag of gasoline on a wooden pavilion at Civic Park” in Granite City on the same day, according to charging documents.
PIASA - Vivian Zurheide, a Southwestern High School senior and standout three-sport athlete, was named an Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month for her most recent performances on a softball field. Zurheide recently concluded her softball career at Southwestern with a .488 batting average, 39 hits, 13 doubles, 31 RBIs and six home runs as a senior for the Piasa Birds. Edwards said Zurheide is “an athlete that won't soon be forgotten at Southwestern High School.&rdquo
O'FALLON, Mo. — O'Fallon, Mo., Police are investigating a fatal shooting that happened Tuesday afternoon, June 30, 2026, on the Winghaven exit ramp from westbound Interstate 64 after what authorities described as an apparent road rage incident between two drivers. The victim has been identified by police as Luke J. Sherman, 35, who was pronounced dead at the scene and who was an O'Fallon, Mo., resident. Officers responded at about 4 p.m. to a 911 call reporting a shooting on the exit
ALTON – A local man previously convicted of fleeing police was recently charged with the same offense after allegedly leading Alton officers on two high-speed chases in one day. David A. Hallstead, 39, of Godfrey, was charged on June 24, 2026 with three Class 3 felony counts of aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer, as well as a Class A misdemeanor count of driving on a revoked license. Hallstead allegedly knowingly attempted to flee from an Alton Police officer on tw
ALTON - The Alton Police Department has named Detective Lee Bazzell its Officer of the Month for April 2026 after his work on a shooting investigation helped lead to the arrest and charging of two suspects within days, according to the department. In April 2026, Bazzell responded to assist in the investigation of a shooting that left a 21-year-old victim with life-threatening injuries. During the investigation, he did not accept that a nearby surveillance system had failed to capture
EDWARDSVILLE - Rowan Weller is a senior-to-be for a highly successful boys basketball team at Edwardsville High School, and is adapting to his role of carrying more of the scoring load for the Tigers as the summer season is coming to an end. Weller and the Tigers played very well in a 60-44 win over Romeoville of suburban Chicagoland in Edwardsville's first game of their Edwardsville Live showcase event June 26 at Lucco-Jackson Gym. Last season, Weller was the second-leading scorer on the team,
EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Municipal Band will move its Thursday, July 2, 2026, concert to the Edwardsville High School Auditorium at 6161 Center Grove Road because of projected heat, while keeping its 7:30 p.m. start time and concession plans in place, the City of Edwardsville said on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Guest soprano Caitlin Towell is scheduled to appear. She is a high-honors graduate of the University of Illinois and Oklahoma City University, who is returning to the local ensemble
JERSEYVILLE - The Jersey County Fair once again promises to be a fun community experience for all. With events starting on July 11 and running through July 19, 2026, community members are invited to enjoy everything the annual fair has to offer, from carnival rides and 4-H livestock judging competitions to a demolition derby and beauty pageant. Tiffany Phillips, one of the fair’s organizers, noted that the fairgrounds are a great place to engage with the community and bring people
SPRINGFIELD – Over 20 new laws are set to take effect in Illinois starting July 1, 2026, bringing changes to senior driving tests, pandemic-era business practices, and more. License Renewal Driving Tests Not Needed For Some Seniors HB1226 no longer requires Illinois drivers ages 79-86 to take a driving test in order to renew their license. Drivers in this age group will still need to renew their licenses in person at a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) facility and pass a vision screening
EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine is urging retailers and families in Illinois to take note of a new state law that immediately bans the sale of intoxicating hemp products to people younger than 21. The law, Senate Bill 3222, was recently signed in Illinois and applies to products such as Delta-8, THC-P, HHC and similar substances that had previously been sold outside the state’s regulated adult-use cannabis market. Haine’s office said the measure is
SHILOH - Officials broke ground Monday, June 29, 2026, on a new Shiloh Police Department headquarters in Shiloh, Illinois, a $10.5 million project that local and state leaders said is intended to expand space for officers and improve public safety services in the community. The ceremonial groundbreaking was held at 10 a.m. Monday. The new building, at 105 High St. in Shiloh, is estimated to be ready in about a year and will replace the department’s current station, which official
GODFREY - Community Christmas organizers are seeking help selling raffle tickets and promoting upcoming dine-to-donate events ahead of the annual Christmas in July fundraiser, scheduled for Friday, July 24, 2026, at Freer Auto Body in Godfrey. Margaret Freer, one of the Freer Auto Body owners, said the campaign still has “several unsold raffle tickets” with more than three weeks remaining before the event. Freer asked for volunteers to pick up ticket packs and help sell them, while
CHICAGO– Attorney General Kwame Raoul filed an amicus brief defending the validity of the Firearm Industry Responsibility Act (FIRA) against claims that it is preempted by a federal statute, the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA). Raoul’s brief was filed in an interlocutory appeal arising out of numerous cases brought against Smith & Wesson Brand Inc. (Smith & Wesson) by victims of the fatal 2022 shooting at the Highland Park, Illinois Independence Day parade. The
SPRINGFIELD — The world’s fastest dirt track draws more than racing fans to the Illinois State Fairgrounds each summer. Tucked in the south end of the infield is the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) Community Garden, which was celebrated today with a proclamation from Governor JB Pritzker. Community Garden Day in Springfield drew a crowd of gardeners, local and state officials, community partners and others to the carefully tended plots. The Illinois Department of Agriculture
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is sharing the following upcoming events and noteworthy items for July 2026. State historic sites throughout Illinois have planned events to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. In addition, July is National Recreation and Parks Month. July 2 Tot Time: Fish Frenzy Illinois State Museum at Dickson Mounds Lewistown | Fulton County Staff from the Illinois River Biological
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