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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — Sergeant Tony Flinn of the Fairview Heights Police Department graduated from the National Public Safety Innovation Academy (NIA) in Polk County, Fla., after completing an intensive eight-week executive-level program designed to prepare law enforcement professionals for future command and administrative leadership roles. The program, which brings together public safety leaders from across the country, provided Sgt. Flinn with training from nationally recognized experts

BETHALTO — Bethalto Police Chief Jason Lamb has announced that juveniles have been identified in connection with the break-in of Christmas donation boxes at City Park’s Christmas Village . The incident occurred at 5:19 p.m. on Dec. 8, 2025, and was captured on video, which helped police identify the individuals responsible. “The individuals responsible for the damage have come forward and have been identified as juveniles,” Chief Lamb said. He added that the department

BELLEVILLE/EDWARDSVILLE — As some of the coldest temperatures of the season approach this weekend, the St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency is urging residents to take precautions to stay warm and protect vulnerable populations. The agency advised checking on neighbors and elderly individuals and ensuring pets are kept safe from the harsh conditions. Residents in need of a warming center can contact the United Way at 2-1-1 for updated shelter information. The U.S. National Weather

EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County, IL- Governor JB Pritzker recently shared that he is open to considering improvements to the SAFE-T Act. I appreciate his willingness to reexamine the law, and I welcome an honest conversation about what is—and isn’t—working for public safety in Illinois. I am still waiting for the Governor to finally step up and do something about correcting the deficiencies in the SAFE-T ACT. Law enforcement across the state has raised consistent concerns about

GRANITE CITY – A convicted felon from Granite City accused of battering a pregnant woman and pointing a firearm at her faces multiple new felony charges. Son T. Nguyen Jr., 37, of Granite City, was charged on Dec. 1, 2025 with one count each of felon in possession of a weapon, aggravated battery (both Class 3 felonies), his second or subsequent offense of domestic battery (a Class 4 felony), and aggravated assault (a Class A misdemeanor). On Nov. 29, 2025, Nguyen allegedly struck a household

A December 10, 1925 article in the Alton Evening Telegraph announced that a “school traffic force” composed of older students at each city school would be created to handle automobile traffic near school buildings (and attempt to keep the younger students out of the street) under the terms of a resolution adopted the day before by the City Council. Alderman S.L. Moore of the Seventh Ward presented the resolution and stated that many cities have a similar system. For example,

GODFREY - DK Dance Productions will host their annual Holiday Show this weekend. On Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, dancers will perform at Hatheway Hall at Lewis and Clark Community College. Dancers from the DK Dance Productions Alton location will perform at 11 a.m., followed by a 1 p.m. performance by the Florissant dancers and a 3 p.m. performance by the Jerseyville dancers. The show’s “Cozy Christmas” theme promises a fun holiday vibe. “We are super excited

GRAFTON — Raging Rivers WaterPark plans to expand its attractions starting in May of 2026, introducing new amenities aimed at enhancing the visitor experience. The additions include an RV park with more than 60 spots, of which over 30 will offer full hookups, as well as an 18-hole miniature golf course, axe-throwing, and a bocce ball course. “We will have a lot of fun activities to do here at Raging Rivers. We got to this idea from the get-go when the owner bought the park; they

Did you know that the ancient Mayans were among the first to enjoy a beverage made from cacao beans, but it was nothing like the sweet hot chocolate we savor today? Instead, their drink was bitter, spiced, and served cold. Fast forward thousands of years, and hot chocolate has evolved into a comforting, sweet indulgence enjoyed worldwide. Making hot chocolate at home allows you to control the ingredients, tailor flavors to your preference, and create a truly personalized treat. Whether you prefer

December 11 has been a date marked by significant milestones across the globe. One of the most impactful events occurred on December 11, 1997, when the Kyoto Protocol was adopted in Kyoto, Japan. This international treaty was a landmark step in global environmental diplomacy, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. The agreement set binding targets for industrialized countries, reflecting a growing global awareness of environmental issues. It marked the first major

Expect a cold day with a high near 35 and a low around 29 degrees. Winds will be light but noticeable, coming from the south at about 7 mph with gusts up to 17 mph. Temperatures will feel a bit colder, dipping into the low 20s in the shade. There is a 65% chance of light snow this afternoon, so keep that in mind if you have outdoor plans. This morning will start mostly clear with temperatures in the upper 20s. As we move into the afternoon, clouds will thicken and intermittent snow showers and

ALTON – Alton city officials narrowly voted on Wednesday to force Ameren Illinois to relocate powerlines a local business owner has consistently called a public safety hazard . City Council members voted 4-3 to pass a resolution invoking Section 4.2 of the city’s Franchise Agreement with Ameren to “relocate Electric Facilities for Public Safety.” Aldermen Chris Bohn, Martha Pfister, Michael Velloff, and John Meehan voted in favor of the item, while Aldermen Rosetta

Key Takeaways Studies show that early menopause can increase the risk of heart disease in women. When estrogen levels drop during menopause, it can lead to higher cholesterol, blood pressure and body fat levels. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women of all ages. Hormone replacement therapy is an option to discuss with your health care provider. Early menopause (menopause that occurs before age 45) has been found to increase the risk of heart disease.

Key takeaways: People with diabetes should plan their lunches to keep their blood sugar in check. Generally, choose food high in protein, fiber and healthy fats. Avoid processed meat and fried food. At restaurants, ask to substitute ingredients. Dessert is OK as long as you don't overindulge. Know the signs of low blood sugar, like feeling shaky, anxious, having blurred vision and even passing out. Have a plan. It's something any health care provider will tell a person wit

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today denounced the low hiring standards of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recruits amid a surge in hiring. The Trump Administration announced their goal of onboarding 10,000 new agents by the end of the year—which would double the number of deportation officers, from roughly 6,000 to 16,000. Durbin also spoke out on the Administration’s so-called

CHIGAGO – Deputy Governor of Health and Human Services (HHS), Grace Hou, and Director of Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR), Jim Bennett, today presented IDHR’s annual Human Rights Awards to Youth Outlook and Mano a Mano Family Resource Center in recognition of International Human Rights Day, December 10, during a ceremony at 555 W. Monroe St., Chicago. Youth Outlook’s and Mano a Mano Family Resource Center’s work embodies the fundamental principle that huma

SPRINGFIELD – State Representative Amy Elik (R-Alton) has been ranked one of the most effective lawmakers in the General Assembly by the Center for Effective Lawmaking. “It is an honor to be recognized as one of the most effective legislators in Illinois,” said Rep. Elik. “The people I represent do not care about political theater - they care about results. I always fight to deliver.” The Center for Effective Lawmaking, a nonpartisan research group made up

ALTON - Mrs. Stacie Franke is pleased to announce that 22 students from the Alton High School graduating class of 2026 have been designated as Illinois State Scholars. Nearly every high school in Illinois participates in the Illinois State Scholars program, which identifies and honors the highest academically performing seniors across the state. This year, 22 outstanding students from Alton High School earned this prestigious recognition; their names are listed below. “Alton High School

HIGHLAND - Layna Powers is a well-rounded student. For her accomplishments, Layna Powers is a Platinum Transportation Student of the Month for Highland High School. Powers, a senior, has competed on the cross country and track and field teams for three years. She loves running and has completed multiple full and half marathons. This year, she aimed to run a half marathon every month, and she just finished this goal a few days ago. She also participates in Spanish Club and Media Production.

JERSEYVILLE – At Jersey Community High School, students in the Welding and Electricity programs are getting hands-on experience to meet a rising demand for skilled tradespeople. The work of students in these programs were highlighted in a social media post last week from Jersey Community Unit School District (CUSD) 100. The teachers leading these programs recently shared more insights behind the photos and highlighted the benefits their courses have to offer. Electricity Students