Whenever Paul Engelman’s wife left the house to join friends at their monthly book club gathering, the Rockford resident found himself looking for something to do. With all their children grown and out of the house, he could watch a sporting event or knock out some items from his honey-do list. But what he really was looking for was a social outlet of his own. Over the years, Engelman has had plenty of male friends. Guys he grew up with, attended school with or served with in the military.
At-home technology for diabetes continues to evolve, giving people more peace of mind that the disease is in check while they enjoy their day. But how do you know you have the right device for your health and lifestyle? Jennifer Adcock, RN, BSN, CDCES, a certified diabetes care and education specialist at OSF HealthCare, has a roadmap. She says there are two main categories: Insulin pumps: These deliver insulin into your body to mimic the body’s natural production. This helps keep bloo
GRANITE CITY – The Rotary Club of Granite City recognized juniors Jersey Egberg and Adalynn Knowlton as Students Of The Month for February. 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 Mayors’ Prayer Breakfast on March 24, 2026. JERSEY
BUNKER HILL — The Bunker Hill Fire Department Co. 1 hosted an ice rescue training session Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. The ice training included 20 members from Station 1 in Bunker Hill, Station 2 in Shipman, and 10 members of the Brighton Betsy Ann Fire Protection District for a six-hour program. The Bunker Hill Fire Department said the training was intended to sharpen ice rescue skills and strengthen teamwork with mutual aid partners. “It was a productive, educational,
EDWARDSVILLE – A local woman accused of criminally neglecting her elderly husband for five days faces a felony charge in Madison County. Bonnie E. Hajny, 60, of Edwardsville, was charged on Feb. 5, 2026 with a Class 3 felony count of criminal abuse or neglect of an elderly person. Charging documents state that in addition to being the victim’s wife, Hajny was also his legally defined caregiver. Hajny allegedly observed the victim “fall in their shared home and observed he
CASEYVILLE - A man accused of fleeing police in two separate incidents in Caseyville, Ill., including one in which a utility terrain vehicle overturned during a pursuit, has been charged with multiple offenses, the Caseyville Police Department said. Bobby J. Mahan, a white male born April 13, 1972, was formally charged Feb. 11, 2026, after cases were presented to the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office, police said. The charges stem from incidents on Oct. 12, 2025,
O'FALLON, IL. - The O’Fallon Police Department welcomed a new officer to its ranks on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, swearing in Officer Maci Stein during a ceremony that included department staff, fellow officers, and family members. Stein joined the department after serving three years with the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, according to the O’Fallon Police Department. She is originally from Freeburg and earned a bachelor’s degree in criminology from Missouri State
EDWARDSVILLE - Local financial advisor John Morrissey of Benjamin F. Edwards recently appeared on “Our Daily Show!” with CJ Nasello to share practical guidance on improving financial health. During the interview, Morrissey discussed common money myths and offered straightforward advice on budgeting, saving, debt, and long-term investing. “Money is very emotional. A lot of people don’t want to think about it,” Morrissey said. He explained that one of the simplest
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), along with U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX-37), today introduced the Stop Corporate Inversions Act , a bill to stop business practices known as inversions—corporate deals that allow U.S. companies to shift their corporate citizenship from the United States to a low-tax foreign jurisdiction, while keeping their executives and headquarters in the United States. This is accomplished
ALTON - The Three Rivers Project of Sierra Club Illinois is calling for volunteers to support a litter clean-up in celebration of Presidents’ Day! This litter clean-up will help rid the creek environment and walking path of debris that harms habitats, threatens aquatic life, pollutes our rivers, and endangers coastal environments. Learn more and register to volunteer at https://sc.org/prez2026 . The clean-up is hosted by the Three Rivers Project of Sierra Club Illinois and will launch
CARROLLTON - Whether you’re getting married soon or just looking for a fun day in Carrollton, the Walnut Hall Estate Wedding Market has something for you. From 12–3 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, 2026, Walnut Hall will host their fourth annual free Wedding Market complete with vendors, a bar, giveaways and more fun. Organizers are still accepting vendors who want to showcase their products, and they are eager to give couples tours of the Walnut Hall wedding venue. But even if you
EAST ALTON - Janet and Dennis Weber of East Alton say they experienced “love at first sight” when they met April 11, 1980. Janet Weber said the couple has been living together since April 21, 1980, and later married on Dec. 21, 1990. “We have been living together since April 21, 1980," Janet said. "It was love at first sight, actually." "It just works,” Janet Weber wrote of their special relationship. “Not one thing that’s special, it’s everyday with
CARLINVILLE, Ill. – Blackburn College has announced its Dean’s List for the Fall 2025 semester. Students named to the Dean’s List must earn a grade point average of 3.6 or higher for the semester. Area students include: Alton, IL Alexis Weber Taylor Weber Brighton, IL Cassidy Gaither Granite City, IL Breann Bailey Jerseyville, IL Molli Bohannon Clayton Brunaugh Ashley DeSherlia Abigail Droege Caroline Gibson Ayden Kanallakan Elizabeth Kemper Shelb
CARLINVILLE – Blackburn College and Lewis and Clark Community College have signed the first in a series of articulation agreements, expanding access to affordable, high-quality bachelor’s degrees through clear transfer pathways. The agreement was signed during a ceremony on Thursday, Feb. 5, at Lewis and Clark Community College’s Godfrey campus. The signing ceremony featured Blackburn College President Larry K. Lee and Lewis and Clark Vice President of Academic Affairs Susan
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Illinois members of the National Rural Health Association (NRHA), who presented him with their Rural Health Legacy Award for his dedication to protecting access to health care in rural communities. During today’s meeting, Durbin spoke with the health care leaders about providing care to Illinoisans after congressional Republicans rammed through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which cut $1 trillion
A holiday built around hearts and romance began with a public execution. That jarring contrast is part of what makes Valentine’s Day so interesting. The familiar symbols—red roses, love notes, chocolate—feel soft and sweet. Yet the roots of the day reach back to a mix of early Christian martyr stories, older Roman festivals, and centuries of changing ideas about love. Valentine’s Day didn’t “start” as one neat tradition. It was stitched together over time
On February 12, 1947, Britain announced it would end its rule in India and transfer power no later than June 1948. The statement, delivered by Prime Minister Clement Attlee to the British Parliament, marked a turning point for one of the world’s largest colonies and for the global system of empires that had shaped politics and trade for centuries. At the time, it mattered because it set a deadline that forced decisions about how power would be handed over, how borders might be drawn, and
This morning starts mostly cloudy with temperatures near 33 degrees. As the day moves along, clouds will break to reveal some afternoon sunshine. Winds will come from the south-southeast at 8 to 17 mph. The high temperature is expected to reach 53 degrees. By evening, the sky will turn mostly cloudy again with temperatures cooling into the 40s. Overnight, it will stay cloudy with lows around 31 degrees and a light southeast breeze at about 7 to 13 mph. Tomorrow looks mostly sunny with a high near
ALTON – It’s official: the Godfrey Timberwolves will have “priority scheduling” at Diamond #8 in Gordon Moore Park for the next five years. At their Feb. 11, 2026 meeting, Alton City Council members unanimously approved an agreement passed earlier this week by the Committee of the Whole for the organization’s use of Diamond #8 until 2031. The agreement grants the Godfrey Timberwolves “priority scheduling” at the baseball diamond, but does not guarantee
ALTON - Aaron Wilson is sharing a personal love story with the community about his wife, Lauren Wilson. Lauren is the Alton City Clerk. Aaron Wilson describes their marriage and what he says sustains their relationship. Wilson said he and Lauren Wilson were married on June 6, 2015, in Alton. He described their relationship as being built on “teamwork and consistently covering each other’s blind spots.” In a shared memory, Wilson wrote to his spouse, “You care deeply
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