SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is calling on Illinoisans to remain vigilant for fraudulent text messages claiming they owe money for traffic violations or tolls. Scam texts, which have surfaced recently, typically claim that the recipient’s vehicle registration or driving privileges are at risk of suspension and prompt immediate action through a link. These messages are phishing attempts designed to instill fear as a means of stealing money or personal information.
VIRDEN - North Mac High School will host a Community Blood Drive with ImpactLife, the provider of blood components for local hospitals. The blood drive will be from 8:45 am to 1:30 pm on Wednesday, January 14 at 231 West Fortune Street, inside Donor Bus. What: North Mac High School Community Blood Drive When: Wednesday, January 14, 8:45 am - 1:30 pm Where: Donor Bus, 231 West Fortune Street, Virden, IL Appointments: To donate, please contact Tina Leonard at (217) 965-4127 or visit www.bloodcenter.org
January 1st, 2026, marks a day of profound significance in global history, a day when the world collectively took a bold step toward securing its environmental future. The implementation of the Global Climate Accord, a landmark agreement reached after years of intense negotiations, came into effect, promising to reshape the way nations address climate change and environmental sustainability. This day not only symbolizes hope and renewal — a fitting theme for the start of a new year —
EDWARDSVILLE — A 51-year-old man from Washington, Indiana, was taken into custody and charged in connection with a robbery at a local bank earlier this week, the Edwardsville Police Department announced Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. Robert Neal was charged with financial institution robbery, possession of a stolen license plate, and theft following the investigation into the Monday afternoon, Dec. 29, 2025, robbery at Chase Bank, located at 248 Harvard Drive in Edwardsville. The Madison Count
EDWARDSVILLE – A South Roxana woman facing her fifth DUI charge and a Granite City man with revoked driving privileges have been charged separately with driving under the influence. Tracy A. Evans, 57, of South Roxana, was charged on Dec. 26, 2025 with a Class 1 felony count of aggravated driving while under the influence, a Class 4 felony count of aggravated assault of a peace officer, and a Class a misdemeanor count of driving while license is suspended. Evans allegedly drove a Ford
GRANITE CITY – A Granite City man accused of assaulting someone with a sword and battering a second victim who tried to intervene remains in custody pending felony and misdemeanor charges. Michael S. Lynch, 45, of Granite City, was charged on Dec. 29, 2025 with one count each of felon in possession of a weapon, unlawful possession of methamphetamine (both Class 3 felonies), aggravated assault, and battery (both Class A misdemeanors). On Dec. 26, 2025, Lynch allegedly knowingly possessed
SPRINGFIELD – As 2025 ends, the Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) is proud to share a year of impactful enforcement actions and successful resolutions that protected workers' rights and ensured fair compensation across the state. From recovering unpaid wages – approximately $2.7 million year-to-date – to enforcing child labor and paid leave laws, IDOL has remained steadfast in its mission to uphold labor standards and support workers. “The Illinois Department of Labor
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois has been awarded $193,418,216 million per year for five years through the $50 billion federal Rural Healthcare Transformation Program (RHTP) fund, which will be utilized to expand equitable access to healthcare and to eliminate barriers to care that many residents of rural communities face. All 50 states applied for the RHTP funding, and a total of $10 billion will be available each year over five years, beginning in fiscal year 2026. While this funding will provide
O’FALLON, Ill. — On Saturday, December 27, 2025, O’Fallon police officers responded to a residence in the 1300 block of Bossler Lane for a well-being check on 72-year-old Terrie Nguyen after family members were unable to reach her. Upon arrival at approximately 1:30 p.m., officers found Terrie Nguyen deceased inside the home. Authorities determined her death to be suspicious and the result of violence. Early in the investigation, 38-year-old David Nguyen, Terrie’s son,
ST. LOUIS - The upcoming peak of the 2026 Quadrantid meteor shower in St. Louis is expected to reach its maximum activity late on Saturday, January 3, 2026, through the early hours of Sunday, January 4, 2026. The shower, known for producing bright fireballs, can deliver between 40 and over 100 meteors per hour under ideal conditions. Early Wednesday morning, Dec. 31, 2025, in St. Louis, a green glow briefly lit up the northern sky before fading near the Gateway Arch, a phenomenon identified
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS), a leading Catholic health ministry with operations in Illinois and Wisconsin, announced today that Mark Thorn, MBA, FACHE, has been named Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for HSHS’ Southern Illinois Market. He begins his role Jan.26, 2026. In this role, Thorn is responsible for monitoring financial performance and maintaining appropriate financial plans and forecasts, serving as key financial liaisons to market executives
GRANITE CITY — Seven Granite City High School students earned Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) certifications through their Introduction to Cybersecurity course, the school district announced this week. The certifications, awarded by Cisco, a global leader in IT training and networking, recognize students’ job-ready skills in cybersecurity and IT support. Among the students, seven received the Cybersecurity certification, three earned the IT Support certification,
SWANSEA — The Swansea Police Department announced the passing of retired Sergeant Greg Woolery on Christmas Day, 2025, at the age of 70, following a prolonged battle with an aggressive illness. Woolery served a total of 36 years in law enforcement, beginning his career with the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department, where he worked for eight years. He then dedicated 28 years to the Swansea Police Department, retiring in 2013 as a sergeant. Throughout his tenure, Woolery was recognized
ALTON – A sex offender residing in Alton faces a new felony charge after repeatedly failing to register with local authorities. Terrance T. Holmes, of the 1900 block of N. Rodgers St. in Alton, was charged on Dec. 26, 2025 with a Class 3 felony count of violating the Sex Offender Registration Act. On Dec. 24, 2025, Holmes allegedly failed to register as a sex offender with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office in Madison County, where he resides, as required under the Sex Offender
ALTON - Community members have a unique opportunity to see award-winning photography at Elysian Gallery this weekend. Like many small businesses in the downtown Alton shopping district, Elysian Gallery has created a special experience for the 17th annual Alton Eagle Ice Festival . Throughout Friday, Jan. 2, and Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, community members can stop by the gallery located in Mineral Springs Mall to see photos by nature photographer Lonnie Gatlin. Gatlin has over 30 years
COLLINSVILLE/GRANITE CITY – Collinsville and Granite City Police have filed felony charges against two after separate incidents of stabbing on the same day. Audrie B. Lively, 19, listed as homeless out of Collinsville, was charged with a Class 3 felony count of aggravated battery on Dec. 29, 2025. She allegedly stabbed another individual in the chest with a knife on Dec. 25, 2025. A petition to deny her pretrial release from custody was filed by the Madison County State’s Attorney’s
RIVERBEND - RiverBender.com , Raging Rivers WaterPark and Shivers Frozen Custard thank all who participated in their annual Holiday Lights Contest and congratulate the three winners. “We’re so proud of our community for showing up and celebrating the holidays with us,” said RiverBender.com owner John Hentrich. “We wanted to spread holiday cheer, and our readers absolutely shared the spirit.” Throughout the month of December, Riverbend residents
What if the way we ring in the New Year is more than just a party? Every year, billions of people around the world participate in rituals that trace back thousands of years, embodying hopes, fears, and cultural identities. New Year's Eve traditions are not merely festive customs but living links to humanity’s shared history and diverse expressions of renewal. The Historical Roots of New Year's Celebrations The concept of marking the passage of time is as old as civilization itself. Ancient
December 31st has always been a day of reflection and anticipation, marking the close of one year and the dawn of another. Arguably the most significant event tied to December 31st in recent history is the official launch of the Euro currency in 1999. At midnight on this day, eleven European countries took a bold step towards economic integration by adopting the Euro as their official currency for electronic transactions. This monumental decision was not just about convenience or finance; i
This morning starts off with partly cloudy skies and a chilly temperature around 29 degrees. As the day moves into the afternoon, expect partly sunny conditions with highs reaching about 42 degrees. Winds will pick up from the west at around 9 miles per hour, gusting up to 21 mph. Evening brings partly cloudy skies again, perfect for any New Year's Eve plans, but make sure to bundle up as temperatures drop. Overnight, skies remain partly cloudy with lows near 26 degrees and lighter winds from the
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