BETHALTO - During their regular meeting on June 25, 2026, the Bethalto Community Unit School District Board of Education learned about ways to implement artificial intelligence. Director of Teaching and Learning Alyssa Smith explained that the district’s AI Committee, which was created last year, recently went to a training and finalized their first recommendation of how to implement AI in the district. The Board of Education meetings, which are recorded and posted to the district’s
A road trip can turn three boring hours on a map into one of the most memorable parts of a trip. That is part of the mystery. Flying is faster. Trains can be easier. Video calls let people stay home. And yet many people still love loading a car with snacks, arguing over playlists, and watching the landscape slowly change outside the window. Road trips ask for more time and effort than other forms of travel. In return, they offer something people often want more than speed: freedom, connection,
June 26 is closely tied to one of the defining moments of the modern era: the signing of the Charter of the United Nations in 1945. On that day in San Francisco, representatives of 50 countries agreed on the framework for a new international organization created to prevent another world war. The charter mattered immediately because it offered a structure for diplomacy, collective security, and international cooperation after years of global destruction. It still matters today because the United
CAHOKIA HEIGHTS - State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) is highlighting a new law he helped pass that reduces prescription drug costs, increases accountability for pharmacy middlemen, known as pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), and delivers vital support to both rural and medically underserved pharmacies across the 114th District. Representative Kevin Schmidt was Co-Sponsor and helped pass the Prescription Drug Affordability Act (Public Act 104-0027), which puts patients first
ALTON – The City of Alton is facing fines of over $13,000 from the Illinois Comptroller’s Office over financial reports that were due nearly nine months ago. The issue was raised by Alderman Michael Velloff, who cited a “Fine Notification” from the Illinois Comptroller’s Office included in the Alton City Council’s meeting packet for June 24, 2026. The city is currently facing a growing fine of over $13,650 regarding “delinquent Annual Financial Reports”
ALTON — Auto Butler, a full-service car wash in Alton, permanently closed this past week after 20 years in business as owners Lisa Heims-Stout and Gary Stout retire and transfer the property to Club Car Wash, Heims-Stout said. Club Car Wash purchased only the property, and the Auto Butler operation will not continue, the owners said. A sign on the front door of the old Auto Butler business reads as follows: "Thank you for all the years of supporting Auto Butler. To receive a refund for
GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College is inviting the community to its annual Summerfest event on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. The event will run from 4-7 p.m. and be held in The Commons and The Grove on the Godfrey Campus. The free, family-friendly event will feature a balloon twister, live music, food trucks, bingo, face painting and a bracelet making station. “Summerfest is a great opportunity to enjoy your summer together, as a family,” said LC Recruiter Kimberly Hausman.
ALTON - The Alton Police Department is urging residents and visitors to plan ahead for Fireworks on the Mississippi on Friday, July 3, 2026, at the Alton Amphitheater, where thousands are expected to gather for the finale of Alton’s three-day “250 on the Mississippi” celebration. The free public event in Alton will open its gates at 5 p.m., followed by a performance by The LustreLights at 6:30 p.m. The evening is scheduled to conclude with a fireworks display over the Mississippi
JERSEYVILLE – Jerseyville officials quickly approved multiple items at their June 23, 2026 City Council meeting, including library trustee reappointments and TIF applications for two buildings. Library Trustees Reappointed City Council members approved the reappointment of three trustees to the Jerseyville Public Library Board. These include Josh Hileman, Jerry Schleper, and Kevin Weber. Each of the three trustees will serve terms set to expire on June 30, 2029. Mayor Kevin Stork adde
ALTON - The City of Alton will celebrate America’s semiquincentennial with three days of fun at 250 on the Mississippi. From Wednesday, July 1, 2026, to Friday, July 3, 2026, community members can enjoy a variety of activities, live music, crafts, food and fireworks in downtown Alton. Sponsored by Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau, the experience promises to be a fun few days for all. “We're so excited to have 250 on the Mississippi here in Alton to really celebrate
JERSEYVILLE – Several classic cars and trucks were on display for Liberty Village residents and community members at the retirement community’s second annual car show on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. Marketing Director Lorie Hunter with Liberty Village said the car show has grown since last year’s highly successful event . The annual event is held in collaboration with the White Hall Drag-O-Way car club. “Last year we had one and it was a very big success,” Hunter
ST. LOUIS – A man who was indicted nearly six years ago and accused of a $28 million fraud scheme involving apartment complexes in Missouri and Oklahoma was extradited from Israel Thursday. Michael Fein, now 47, was indicted Aug. 20, 2020, on one count of bank fraud and one count of wire fraud. The indictment accuses Fein of routinely providing false information on loan applications to obtain financing and refinance loans on projects for the company he co-owned, T.E.H. Management and
PONTOON BEACH - Madison County Transit celebrated the opening of a new pedestrian/bike bridge in Pontoon Beach. The MCT 111 Trail Bridge crosses over IL-111. During a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, June 25, 2026, MCT Managing Director SJ Morrison expressed his appreciation for the communities that worked to install the bridge. “It takes vision, it takes support, it takes financial backing in order to make a project like this happen, and that only happens if you have the support
JERSEYVILLE – A Jerseyville man accused of violating the conditions of his 24-month sentence for domestic battery may face re-sentencing amid more recent felony charges. Elias L. D. Fraley, 34, of Jerseyville, was charged on June 15, 2026 with a Class 4 felony count of criminal damage to property. Fraley allegedly caused over $500 in damage to another individual’s 2024 Kia sedan which was located in Fieldon at the time of the offense. The Jersey County State’s Attorney’s
COLLINSVILLE - The State Park Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a fully involved house fire in the 2900 block of Princeton Street in Collinsville on Wednesday morning, June 24, 2026. Mutual aid was requested, and crews from Fairmont City, Caseyville, and the French Village Fire Departments battled the blaze, according to the St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency. The home suffered significant damage. No injuries were reported, and a cause of the fire also has not been
CAHOKIA HEIGHTS - A 66-year-old Waterloo man died after an Illinois Route 157 crash late Wednesday morning, June 24, 2026, that also injured multiple people. The Illinois State Police Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit assisted Cahokia Heights Police in the investigation, authorities said. Michael A. Kuhlmann, 66, of Waterloo was pronounced dead at a hospital emergency room following the crash, according to the St. Clair County Coroner's Office. Multiple people were also taken to a nearby hospital
CAHOKIA HEIGHTS - Members of the Cahokia Heights Fire Department joined city officials, community leaders, law enforcement officers and the Jonas family in Cahokia Heights to dedicate a stretch of Bond Avenue as “Lt. Gregory Jonas Memorial Avenue,” honoring the late lieutenant’s service and sacrifice. The designation covers Bond Avenue from South 43rd Street to South 47th Street in Cahokia Heights. State Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, and State Sen. Christopher Belt, D-Swansea,
HARDIN — Illinois American Water on June 25, 2026, lifted the boil water order for customers in the City of Hardin after tests confirmed that water samples meet all regulatory standards. The action affects customers in Hardin, where impacted residents will receive a notification from Illinois American Water informing them that the boil water order has been lifted. Illinois American Water said the order was lifted based on test results showing the water meets all regulatory standards.
EDWARDSVILLE/GRANITE CITY - Free clothing, food, toys and more are available this weekend in Edwardsville. From 1–3 p.m. on June 27, 2026, at the Cardinal Portable Buildings in Edwardsville, community members can enjoy a meal and DJ while also picking up free clothing, shoes, toys and other supplies. Hosted by Wolf Pack Den of Hope, the community pop-up giveaway is for anyone who needs a hand up this summer, no questions asked. “It’s for anyone that’s trying to ge
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ahead of the four-year anniversary of the Supreme Court’s disastrous Dobbs decision that overturned the constitutional right to choose, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) slammed Donald Trump and the radical, anti-freedom movement that has women’s lives in danger and continues to push for extreme laws that would lock up women and doctors, prohibit safe and effective medication and ban IVF. At U.S. Senate Democratic Senate Pro-Tempore Patty Murray’s
stLouIST