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ALTON - Marquette Catholic senior Hanna Marshall is a two-sport athlete for the Explorers who just wants to have as much fun as possible in her final year of high school. This fall she's playing volleyball and come spring she plays soccer. She has played both sports at Marquette for all four years now. She mentioned that fall is her favorite season, but soccer will always be her preferred sport. Last season, her volleyball team recorded a 24-9-2 record. Unfortunately, they bowed out in the first round of the postseason, something Hannah does not want to do again. "I want to go further than just regionals. I want to have a good season with the team," she said. The Explorers went out in the Regional Semifinals against No. 8-seeded Litchfield. It was quite the upset to end their season. Hanna and the team are using that as motivation to capture just their second Regional Championship in program history. The photo of Hanna above was taken at Marquette's 1st Annual 'Blue and White Volleybal

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police Crimes Against Persons detectives and the Accident Reconstruction Unit are investigating a fatal motor crash near the intersection of Mackenzie Road and Langley Avenue which later resulted in the death of an adult female. On August 21, 2022, at 4:53 PM, St. Louis County police officers from the Affton Southwest Precinct responded to a call for service for a motor vehicle accident near the intersection of Mackenzie Road and Langley Avenue. Arriving officers located five motor vehicles involved in a motor vehicle crash. Preliminary investigation has revealed a Ford Focus was stopped southbound on Mackenzie Road, waiting to turn onto Langley Avenue, when it was rear-ended by a Volkswagen Jetta, resulting in a muti-vehicle accident. The driver of the Focus, a 67-year-old female, was conveyed to an area hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries. An 8-year-old rear passenger of the Focus was conveyed to an area hospital for minor injuries.

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ALTON - Senior Services Plus (SSP) is hosting a Pickleball Tournament fundraiser for the United Way of Greater St. Louis on Saturday, September 10 th , 2022 at their wellness center located at 2603 N Rodgers Drive in Alton. SSP is excited to partner with EmpowerMe Wellness to host a Pickleball Tournament on Saturday, September 10 th , 2022. All proceeds will be donated to the United Way of Greater St. Louis. Players must be 55 or older and will register in teams of two. There will be two divisions, open doubles and mixed doubles, and registration is $50 per team. Register by 8/30 to get a free t-shirt. The tournament will be double elimination with each team guaranteed at least two games. Prizes will be awarded to the winning team in each division. Games will be played on one outdoor court and one indoor court. This event is open to the community. Please register by calling the Senior Services Plus Wellness Center at 618-465-3298 x 109. For event inquiries, please contact the SSP

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STAUNTON - The surrounding communities are invited to rediscover The Macoupin Art Collective in Staunton, IL. The MAC is a non-profit art school created with the goal of bringing Art To All, serving over 20,000 children and adults since 2017. Three years ago, they moved into their current building and began renovations, including a vibrant new facade and a 60-foot mural by world-renowned artist Cbabi Bayoc. Inside, The MAC is equipped to hold classes in a large variety of mediums: glass, clay, fabric, metal, and more. The MAC would love everyone to stop by to see all that’s new. On the night of Fri, Sept 2, from 6 pm to 8 pm, The MAC is holding a community open house and Gallery Opening reception for their newest display: Capture: Heat To Toe, a photography exhibit by Christopher Smejkal of Edwardsville, IL. This show will be held in two parts, the second being located in The Blackbird Bakery next door and is called: 3, 2, 1 Contact. Both exhibits will feature candid moments of

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SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White tested positive for the COVID-19 virus yesterday. Secretary White has mild symptoms and is conducting work from home while in quarantine. White is double vaccinated and twice boosted. He is following appropriate CDC and IDPH quarantine guidelines.

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DU QUOIN, IL. - Illinois State Police (ISP) is looking forward to welcoming fairgoers back to the Du Quoin State Fair in 2022. The fair opens Friday, August 26th, and continues through Monday, September 5th. “As the ISP celebrates 100 years of serving the citizens of Illinois, we stand ready to serve all who come out to the fair this year to enjoy all it has to offer,” said ISP District 13 Commander Captain Joshua Anderton. “The ISP will have plenty of Troopers on site to ensure a safe and enjoyable Du Quoin State Fair,” he added. Troopers will be assigned to the State Fair to provide public safety with walking patrols, gate security, monitored surveillance cameras, and undercover officers. The Du Quoin Fire Department and area ambulance services are also prepared for emergencies during the event and the First Aid Station is located on the north end of the Grandstand. Fairgoers are reminded to stay hydrated as the Du Quoin area is expected to have moderate

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BETHALTO - An East Alton woman has been charged in Madison County Circuit Court with offenses of Aggravated Domestic Battery and Aggravated Battery. The woman was Alexis M. Broyles, 31, of the 100 block of Wesley Drive, East Alton. This is the report from the Bethalto Police Department: "At 11:08 p.m. on Wednesday, August 24, 2022, the Bethalto Police Department was dispatched to the area of Old Oak Trailer Park, 100 Wesley Drive, for a female who appeared to be bleeding from a head injury. Officers responded and located the victim who was suffering from serious lacerations to her face. The victim was transported to a St. Louis regional hospital for treatment. "The victim, who was identified as a household member of Alexis Broyles, told officers that Broyles struck her with a household lamp, which caused the injuries to her face. Officers attempted to locate Broyles but were unable to locate her. A search warrant was obtained and executed on the home, but at this point,

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HARDIN - The Calhoun County Sheriff's Office made three arrests that started with a traffic stop at 5:52 p.m. on August 21 by a deputy on the Illinois River Road near Franklin Hill Road, Calhoun County. Subsequent to an investigation, the driver, Pamela J. Gorman, age 50, of Alorton, Illinois was arrested on the following charges: Improper Lane Usage, DUI - Drugs, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (Crack Cocaine), Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Additionally, a passenger, Erica S. Adams, age 34, of East St. Louis, Illinois, was arrested for the following offenses: Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (Crack Cocaine), Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Illegal Transportation of Alcohol by Passenger. A Deputy with the Jersey County Sheriff’s Office arrived and assisted with the stop. Gorman and Adams were taken into custody and transported to the Greene County Jail. Deputies with the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office conducted

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - On Thursday, August 25, 2022, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued warrants on suspect John Cowan, 63 years of age, of the 1200 block of Congress Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri 63138, for Murder First Degree and Armed Criminal Action. A mugshot of Cowan is attached. Cowan is being held on $1,000,000 cash only, no 10% bond. Please note, charges are merely an accusation and Defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law. The probable cause statement reads: On August 24, 2022, officers were dispatched to a shooting in the 1200 block of Congress Avenue. A witness stated that the victim and the defendant had been in a verbal altercation in the living room of the home. The defendant then arms himself with a 12 gauge shotgun, follows the victim into the kitchen and shoots the victim once in the stomach. Officers recovered the firearm in the living room and found the victim to be deceased on the kitchen floor. Th

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EDWARDSVILLE - Registered voters are now eligible to request a Vote by Mail Ballot. August 10 was the first day the County Clerk’s Office could accept a request. Ballots will be mailed to those who request a Vote by Mail Ballot beginning on September 29. County Clerk, Debbie Ming-Mendoza, said in the first week, the County Clerk’s Office has received over 150 requests for Vote by Mail Ballots. The clerk’s office has also received 1,300-plus permanent Vote by Mail requests following the June 28 Primary Election. "The last day a Vote by Mail Ballot can be requested is November 3," Mendoza said. Vote by Mail became a popular way to cast your ballot during the COVID Pandemic. Mendoza said, “The County Clerk’s Office works to provide every opportunity for Madison County residents to carry out their constitutional right to vote. I want registered voters to be confident that no matter how you cast your ballot it is counted with the utmost integrity. Voters

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JERSEYVILLE - Liberty Village of Jerseyville hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony from 1-3 p.m. on Thursday afternoon to celebrate the recent addition of their newest memory care program, “Memory Lane - Fitness for the Mind.” The event saw a large turnout from the public and featured guest speakers including State Senator Steve McClure and Liberty Village staff members, in addition to demonstrations of new memory games in the village’s courtyard and tours of the newly-redone interior. State Senator Steve McClure, who represents the 50th Senate District of Illinois, introduced himself to the crowd as “the youngest-looking member of the State Senate, but I’m not the youngest,” and noted the lack of similar memory programs in the region. “This is a beautiful campus, and I think one of the issues that we have in this region - particularly lately - is there are not enough facilities that offer treatment options that help people with memory issues,”

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EDWARDSVILLE - Each Year on the day of the Edwardsville D.A.R.E. Car Show, Officer Jarrod Sprinkle is likely the busiest person at the event. Sprinkle and the other volunteers and officers spend several hours planning the event, which always has a little something for everyone. This year, Jarrod even had his son, Blake , as a volunteer which had special meaning for him. Sprinkle loves his role in the community as the D.A.R.E. officer for Edwardsville School and has a tremendous impact on the children each year. He said the program goal is to help more than 2,000 kids "make better choices in their lives, "not just stay off drugs." Officer Sprinkle thanked the devoted volunteers and other officers who assisted with the event and the business sponsors.

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ALTON - The final JK-BEC Movie Night at James Killion Park will conclude with “Spiderman No Way Home” on Saturday night (August 27) at James Killion Park at Salu. This week’s sponsor is AARP Illinois. The movie starts at dusk. There will be free snow cones, hot dogs, and popcorn for kids. Those who attend are asked to bring blankets and lawn chairs. Jeff Scott, a spokesperson for AARP, said this sponsorship is just another way AARP tries to use part of a program called “Livable Communities” and how to make a community better. “Events such as the Movies In The Park in Alton jump out as a chance for kids, grandparents, mothers, and fathers to get out to have a good evening,” Scott said. “It is a chance for families to have a good evening and we cherish those kinds of opportunities.” Scott said: “Spiderman No Way Home” is a wonderful movie and he is thankful to be able to show it at James Killion Park. “This is

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ALTON - A’myiah Pittman was crowned Miss Jewel of Distinction at the Alton Section National Council of Negro Women Inc. Debutante Ball. The event was held this past Saturday, July 23, 2022. Anya Robinson was chosen as First Runner-Up and Kyla Gerhardt was chosen Second-Runner-Up. In addition to being crowned Miss Jewel of Distinction, Pittman won the Talent Contest as well as awards for Leadership and Community Service. Kaliyah Newby received the Miss Congeniality award. E'Niya Fields was also a Debutante participant. Bonnie Fox, a member of the Alton Section National Council of Negro Women Inc. Debutante Ball committee and a spokesperson, said: “The Debutante Ball is the flagship event for the Alton Section of NCNW. This is a biennial event; the first Ball was held in the 1980s and was chaired by the late Alice Ann Martin. In keeping with the Mission in part "to harness the power of Black and other minority women to ensure access to and full participation in the social-economic-political

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police Crimes Against Persons detectives are investigating a homicide in the 1200 block of Congress Avenue which resulted in the death of an adult male. At 2:38 p.m. on August 24, 2022, St. Louis County Police officers from the North County Precinct responded to a call for service for a shooting in the 1200 block of Congress Avenue. Responding officers located an adult male inside a residence suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene. A suspect was taken into custody. St. Louis County Police Department’s Crimes Against Persons detectives are leading the investigation. The investigation is very active at this time. Additional information will be disseminated as it becomes available. Please contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210 to speak with investigators if you have any information regarding this incident. To remain anonymous or potentially receive a reward, please contact

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D. F. Stauffer Biscuit Co., Inc. is voluntarily recalling 44-ounce Market Pantry White Fudge Animal Cookies because they may contain metal. The product comes in a clear plastic jug formed to a bear shape. The products were distributed to Target stores nationwide. No other lots or products are affected. The recall affects only the following Best By Date, Lot Numbers, and time stamps, printed on the back side of the bear jug on the product label, below the nutritional panel. Best By Date Jug Lot Numbers Case Lot Number Time Stamp UPC code 21FEB2023 Y052722 Y052722 From 15:00 to 23:00 085239817698 The recall was initiated when metal (wire) was found inside a portion of the cookies. Foodborne foreign objects that are hard, sharp, and large are more likely to cause serious injury or dental injury. Foodborne foreign objects that are flexible, not sharp, and smaller in length are more likely to cause minor injuries such as transient choking or small lacerations

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ALTON - The 39th Annual Glassworkers Reunion for all former Owens-Illinois employees is set for September 17, 2022. There will be a cash bar from 5 to 6 p.m. and then dinner will be served at VFW Post 1308, Alton. From 1929-1983 the Owens-Illinois Glass Company was the world’s largest glass-producing factory located in Alton. As a major employer to Alton residents, it boosted the economy and made Alton a highly successful industrial town in the 20th century. Tickets this year will be $20 and payment has to be completed with a reservation form by Sept. 3, 2022. Bob Myers, who is in charge of publicity for the event, said there will be no walk-ins for this year’s event. He said the annual reunion is always “a bright point” for all of us both in town and out of town to see each other from the old Glassworks.” For those who want to make a reservation, and find they cannot attend or receive a form to attend, contact Bob at (618) 917-4919. Cancellations must

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Police D.A.R.E. Car Show is always a big fundraiser for the Edwardsville School District Program and this year's edition this past weekend had fantastic weather and a large turnout of cars and attendees. Edwardsville Police D.A.R.E. Jarrod Sprinkle said there were a ton of cars and the event had "a little something for everyone." The entries were packed in the Edwardsville High School parking lot. Those in attendance seemed to enjoy their walk back through the prized vehicles of the past. "We had silent auctions, a raffle, a performance by the dance team and Air Evac team landed and all kinds of events. It was a great event it raised several thousand dollars to support our D.A.R.E. programs, which are so important for our community. This is always our main fundraiser for D.A.R.E." Sprinkle said a goal is to always build the show into something better this year and he felt the 2022 edition on the 30th anniversary was definitely something special.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) released the following statement after President Biden announced his plan to cancel $10,000 in federal student loans per borrower: “I appreciate that many young people and their families are struggling with the burden of student loan debt. But there are many hardworking Americans who attended a trade school, work in the service industry, run a small business, or stayed home to raise a family who are struggling too. It is unfair to make them shoulder the cost for those who decided to attend college. We must continue working to find solutions that make college more affordable and accessible, but President Biden’s plan is nothing more than a taxpayer giveaway to score political points.”

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ALTON - It's that time of year again. With August winding down, it means that Halloween is right around the corner. With a little more than two months to go until the spooky holiday, Spirit Halloween stores are beginning to reopen. Spirit Halloween just put up a small banner on the outside window of its store in Alton saying that it will open soon and that they are hiring. The store is inside the old Shop ‘n Save building located at 1721 Homer M. Adams Parkway. According to its website, the franchise has over 1,400 stores across the United States and claims to be the largest Halloween retailer in North America. "At a store near you, you’ll find only the best Halloween costumes, Halloween decorations, and our exclusive animatronics that’ll have you ready for every spooky celebration." While it's not quite certain the exact date the store will open, the website just says early September. At this time the hours of the store have not been released either. To apply fo

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