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ALTON - The Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau is boasting “record-breaking” tourism growth and statistics for the region, including increases in both the number of visitors and the amount of money visitors are spending during their time here. Cory Jobe, President & CEO of the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau, responded to a recent announcement from Governor J.B. Pritzker that there has been strong tourism growth state-wide - Jobe said the same is especially true for the Riverbend region. “In our Great Rivers & Routes region of Southwest Illinois, we have seen amazing tourism growth over the last 18 months,” Jobe said, adding that 2022 was a “stellar year” for the six-county region. “We saw a 6.5% increase in hotel revenues coupled with a 26% increase in visitors to Southwest Illinois.” The theme of the organization’s marketing campaign for the area has been ‘The Great Outdoors Inside the Midwest.’ Jobe

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EAST ST. LOUIS - This is one of those stories that people often don't want to hear about — a story about a highly regarded athlete and how his fate was turned upside down with a summer crime spree. Such is the case of Jamariante N. Burgess, now 21, of East St. Louis. Burgess and his co-defendant, Armon R. Simpson, 19, of St. Louis, have admitted to participating in a string of violent carjackings in the Metro East. Burgess received a 192-month sentence, meaning he will serve 16 years in prison. Simpson will serve 208 months in his sentence. Both men pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit carjacking, one count of carjacking and one count of use of a dangerous weapon to commit a crime of violence. At the time of the crimes, Simpson was 17. He was certified by the Court to be treated as an adult in the case. Burgess was 19 years old at the time of the crime spree in the summer of 2021. Burgess was a member of East St. Louis' football team that went 14-0 and won a stat

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COLLINSVILLE - The Collinsville Police Department is hosting its eighth annual 5K to support Special Olympics Illinois, but there’s a sweet, sprinkled twist. The 5K Run/Walk begins at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 29. Registration and packet pick-up begins at 6 a.m. that day. There will be three donut stops along the race route. The donuts are encouraged but not mandatory, so contestants can decide whether to forgo the stops and keep running, or eat a donut and shave one minute off their overall time. “We were trying to find something that was a little different than your normal 5K, so we’re kind of making fun of the stereotype of police and donuts,” Trent Ross, a Collinsville police officer and the race organizer, said. Ross works closely with Special Olympics Illinois . He wanted this fundraiser to help the organization and connect the community with the police department. Special Olympics is an important part of Ross’s life, and his experience

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EAST ST. LOUIS – A U.S. District judge sentenced a Belleville man to spend 15 years in federal prison after he pled guilty to four counts of production, distribution, and transportation of child sexual abuse material. U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe had this statement about the case: "Zachary R. Dennert, 21, will serve 10 years of supervised release following his prison sentence. The defendant targeted young boys on social media, gained their trust by pretending to be a young girl and exploited his victims for sexual images. “His sentence reflects the severity of his manipulative behavior, and I applaud the investigative agencies for their work in bringing this offender to justice.” According to court documents, Dennert created social media profiles on several platforms purporting to be a teenage female in 2020. Using the profiles, he contacted numerous male minors and requested explicit images. Dennert received images from victims ranging in age from 11 to 15 years

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ALTON - Centerstone, a national leader in behavioral health and addiction services, has announced the release of its eighth comic book, Spark Demystified . The Spark comics are a series of comic books geared toward children and teens with each issue addressing common topics in an approachable yet factual way. The latest issue tackles teen vaping, while past issues have tackled other age-appropriate topics such as bullying, depression, online safety, relationships, drugs, and underage drinking. Spark Demystified , the latest issue from Centerstone’s comic book series, covers teen vaping and how the use of e-cigarettes is unsafe for kids and teens, and can lead to substance use disorders. The comic also addresses peer pressure, which is cited as the one of the most common reasons why middle and high school student try vaping or e-cigarettes. “I know things,” Spark the superhero says in the latest issue. “Vaping can be really, really addicting. It’s

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Municipal Band is delighted to announce its upcoming concert, showcasing a blend of captivating melodies from diverse folk traditions around the world. The concert will be held on the Cleaon Etzkorn Bandstand at City Park on Thursday, July 13 at 8 p.m. and is under the direction of Dr. Rubén Darío Gómez. The band extends a warm invitation to all music enthusiasts, families, and friends to join them on a musical journey spanning continents, as they bring to life the rich and vibrant sounds of Greece, Russia, the United States, Columbia, and more. Concessions available during the event will directly benefit the SIUE Suzuki Tour Group. For more information about the Edwardsville Municipal Band and its upcoming events, please visit them on Facebook, Instagram, or on the City of Edwardsville website.

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ALTON - Revity Credit Union employees joined together to raise $1,065.00 in the month of June to benefit Alton Pride through their Smile for Jeans Program. The Smile for Jeans Program is funded by Revity Credit Union employees who make monthly, monetary donations out of their own pockets to a local organization. By donating $15 or more to a specific organization, Revity employees are able to wear jeans and tennis shoes on Fridays and Saturdays during that month. Nothing gets better than seeing a smile on an organization’s face when Revity Credit Union presents them with a jeans donation check. Revity Credit Union’s 2023 Smile for Jeans Program focuses on supporting our local communities that we work, play and live in. During the month of June, Revity employees proudly raised $1,065.00 for Alton Pride. Alton Pride is a charitable and educational organization established to bring awareness, understanding, and advocacy to the LGBTQ+ community with an emphasis on th

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ALTON - A $5,312.50 payment to Alton Main Street was the subject of some debate before a split vote at the Alton Committee of the Whole meeting on July 10. Alderman Raymond Strebel raised further questions about the city’s proposed payment to the organization, which he called a “misappropriation of funds.” At the last meeting, Strebel made a motion to separate this bill from the rest and lay it over to this meeting, which passed. At this meeting, he said he had more time to look over the information but still couldn’t justify the payment because he believes the Tourism Tax funds can only be used for Riverfront Park improvements. A representative for the city attorney said whether or not the organization can be paid with tourism funds depends on how one defines efforts to bring visitors into the city - her interpretation was that these funds could be used for any project within the Alton area meant to enhance tourism. Strebel disagreed. “It says

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PEARL - The Pike County Sheriff's Office has reported that John M. Roos, a Jerseyville resident, 71, died in a fatal motorcycle crash on State Highway 100, south of Pearl on Sunday. Pike County Sheriff David Greenwood said the sheriff's office responded to a single-unit motorcycle crash on State Highway 100, approximately 2 miles south of Pearl. "The motorcycle was traveling northbound and struck a deer that ran into its path," the sheriff said. "The operator of the motorcycle was pronounced dead at the scene." Assisting the Pike County Sheriff's Office at the scene were the Spring Creek Fire Department and Pike County EMS.

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ALTON - Charges have been announced in the alleged bank robbery that took place on July 5, 2023, at the Carrollton Bank, 120 Homer Adams Parkway in Alton. "At 4:04 p.m. on July 5, the Madison County Sheriff's Office responded to Carrollton Bank, 120 Homer Adams Pkwy., Alton, in reference to a bank robbery," Madison County Deputy Police Chief Marcos Pulido said. "Preliminary investigation revealed that a Black male, wearing a light gray sweatshirt and light colored blue jeans, entered the bank, inferred he had a weapon and demanded cash. No injuries were reported. "The suspect then fled on foot. A witness observed a subject matching this description running nearby, on Martin Luther King Boulevard, in a wooded area, near the Alby Street overpass. "A short time later, a subject was observed in that area, quickly entering a black passenger vehicle, that immediately fled upon seeing law enforcement. A vehicle pursuit ensued in which the driver fled on West Delmar, in Godfrey, then continued

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - The summer just got sunnier with the first wave of sunflower blooms at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area. The beloved sunflower fields attract people from all over the region to take pictures and enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime view. The sunflower season also highlights the organization’s messages about conservation. “It’s just an incredible sight to see them,” Dan Zarlenga, who works with the Missouri Department of Conservation, said. “We’re not talking about a couple sunflowers here and there, like some people might put in their landscaping or around their homes. We’re talking about fields of hundreds or maybe even thousands of these sunflowers. And that is quite a sight, seeing them all in a row like that.” Zarlenga explained there are multiple fields throughout the Conservation Area. The planting times are staggered, so several “waves” of sunflowers will bloom through August. The first wave blooms around

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GRAFTON - Rosemary Ritchie received a plaque of appreciation presented by Mayor Mike Morrow and Alderman Rus Roy during the Grafton Historical Society meeting at the Visitor’s Center on Sunday, July 9, 2023. The mayor expressed the city’s sincere thanks to Rosemary for her years of service at the historical museum since 2007. Her friendly smile welcomed both national and international visitors and she was always willing to answer questions, sharing her extensive knowledge of Grafton past and present. “It’s been a privilege to be here,” Rosemary said. Asked what she will miss most, she stated, “I’ll miss the people! Visitors come here from all over the world—they come from Elsah and St. Louis, from every state in the Union, and even from as far away as Japan and other countries.” “Rosemary is a true ambassador for Grafton,” said Mayor Morrow. “We will miss her and wish her well.” Displays and artifacts integral

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SPRINGFIELD – If you’re looking to strike it rich - the Illinois Lottery has a few life-changing jackpots up for grabs tonight and tomorrow, with a combined prize total of $1.174 million. The Powerball jackpot for tonight’s drawing has ballooned to an eye-watering $675 million - the ninth largest in the game’s history, while the Mega Millions jackpot has climbed to a mouth-watering $480 million for tomorrow night’s drawing - the second largest jackpot of 2023. Also for tonight’s draw, the Lotto jackpot is now at a whopping $19.1 million - the largest Lotto jackpot of the year and the second largest in nearly five years. On Saturday, a lucky Illinois Lottery player became a newly-minted millionaire after matching all five Powerball numbers to win $1 million. The winning ticket was purchased at Fas Mart, located at 15766 Manchester Rd. in South Beloit, IL. The winning numbers in the Saturday, July 8 draw were: 7-23-24-32-43. So far this year,

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SPRINGFIELD - One of the rising stars of the Statehouse pressroom in the era (see accompanying story) had local roots. “He was, as far as I see it, the best investigative reporter in America in his prime,” said Taylor Pensoneau, a former St. Louis Post-Dispatch political reporter who worked closely with Pound in the Statehouse, in an exclusive interview. “And his prime lasted a long time.” Pound graduated from Affton High School in St. Louis in 1961, a product of a working-class family who struggled to make ends meet. As Pound once said, “a nickel was a big thing when I was a kid.” “Ed was a classic example of a gritty kid coming from nowhere to make good,” reflected Pensoneau. "In his case, really big-time success.” “Ed and I were out to save the world,” laughed Pensoneau. “That sounds crazy, but that’s really how we thought. We had different personalities, but we were like-minded individuals, and w

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JERSEYVILLE - A Jerseyville woman has been charged with failing to register as a sex offender in Jersey County, while a Godfrey man with three prior DUIs has been charged with a fourth and several other charges, according to recent Jersey County court filings. Tiffany L. Ford, 43, of Jerseyville, was charged with unlawful failure to register as a sex offender. Court records state Ford failed to register with the Jersey County Sheriff’s Department within three days after she established a residence in the county - specifically, from June 13 to July 6. Ford was charged with a Class 3 felony and her bail was set at $30,000. Jon G. Deneef, 37, of Godfrey, was charged with aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol on July 3. Court records state that he drove intoxicated on Beltrees Road, west of State Highway 3 in Jersey County. He was also charged with unlawful possession of less than five grams of methamphetamine and unlawful possession of less than 15 grams of

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Annual Trailnet "I Scream For Ice Cream" July bike ride Sunday morning was a hit again, with more than 600 participants. The ride started and finished at The Cyclery at 2427 Troy Road in Edwardsville and was co-spored by Trailnet Racing and The Cyclery. Fitz's Root Beer provided delicious beverages and Ice Caps Creamery was also there with ice cream scoops. Prairie Farms provided mini dip cones and Urban Chestnut was there with ice-cold beer. There were also food trucks on hand for the delight of participants. The bike courses ranged from 10 miles to 51 miles, including 10-mile, 23-mile, 35-mile, and 51-mile courses. The Cyclery also had a sale with many discounted items for those in attendance. A police escort took participants to a nearby trail and back."We always do our big sales event with this," The Cyclery Manager David Parks said. "Trailnet does a phenomenal job of putting on so many rides around here."Parks added: "We had 624 people out there riding. The

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EDWARDSVILLE - It officially feels like summer in St. Louis and the Metro East now that the humidity and extreme heat have arrived. As temperatures rise, Joe’s Market Basket is educating people on how to best maintain your yard. Hot weather and humidity can be tough on plants, which can sometimes mean extra maintenance and care. General Manager of Joe’s Market Basket, Andy Klos, has several simple stress-free tips on how to protect your greenery from the heat. “Even with adequate watering, plants can suffer with the hot, humid conditions,” said Klos. “I advise people to water when they’re drinking their morning coffee, between 6 and 8 a.m. before it starts to get too hot. If you get out there midday, the sun can evaporate the water before it gets to the roots. I also tell our customers to be mindful of overwatering and to follow the recommended amount of water for each plant.” Mulching is another way to help protect your plants from the

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ALTON - Pride Month is over, but resources for LGBTQ+ youth are available year-round in the Riverbend community. Alton Pride, a local LGBTQ+ organization, is preparing for their second annual Alton Pride Festival in September. In the meantime, they offer a support group with plans of eventually opening a youth center. “It is not just about a one-day party. It is about giving back to the community,” Michael Paynic, a member of the Alton Pride organization and owner of Bubby and Sissy’s , said. “It’s more about support for kids these days that really feel like they’re not accepted in their families or in the community… support for people trying to just be themselves.” Alton’s first Pride celebration was last year. There were bands, drag performances, vendors, food trucks and a “youth zone” for younger kids with bounce houses and crafts. Paynic said that an estimated 1,500–2,000 people attended the event,

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ROXANA - The Roxana School District has a major fundraiser ongoing to purchase a 12-foot by 18-foot flag that will electronically roll down in the middle of Larry Milazzo Gymnasium when the National Anthem is played. Bob Coles, the South Roxana Chief of Police and a current board member of the Roxana, said: "We at Roxana Community Unit School District #1 want to emphasize and promote patriotism and respect for our nation’s flag. Our flag represents the sacrifices made by many men and women and is a unifying symbol of our freedom and liberty. "Donations of any amount will help make this flag a reality. Please make your check payable to Roxana Schools Foundation or pay here electronically." Coles continued and said, speaking as a chief of police and former military service member, his personal viewpoint about the flag is it is a testament to "our shared values and the unwavering dedication to our nation." "The sight of our nation's flag waving high in the sky represents the principles

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SPRINGFIELD - Today, the pressroom of the Illinois State Capitol is a barren place, with few reporters and minimal coverage of the important workings of state government. A half-century ago, it was a far different story. The Statehouse pressroom of the 1960s and 1970s was a hive of activity, a smoke-filled room full of scribes clicking away on ink-ribbon typewriters, while nursing cups of lukewarm coffee. With little money and even less sleep, everyone was stretched to their limits, going to any length to scoop the competition. News was breaking all the time, and there were always stories to be found – many that shaped the course of Illinois politics. It was the wild and wacky world of the Statehouse pressroom in the era, which produced some of the best journalism and investigative reporting in Illinois history. For Taylor Pensoneau, it is a time of pride and wonder. “Those years were just remarkable,” said Pensoneau, a political writer for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

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