ALTON – A legal representative for the City of Alton in its lawsuit with Mayor David Goins says the court should dissolve an order blocking two ordinances after the mayor signed them into law himself. Attorney Patrick Watts filed a motion on behalf of the City of Alton to dissolve the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) granted to Goins in his lawsuit against the City of Alton. The motion was filed on Aug. 24, 2026, nearly one month after the TRO was granted. Under the terms of the TRO,
BETHALTO/EAST ALTON - The St. Louis Regional Airport has officially opened a new event space on its property in Bethalto. The Terminal Event Space is a venue that holds up to 100 people, making it perfect for birthdays, graduation parties, showers and other events, said Airport Director Danny Adams. The Terminal celebrated its opening on Aug. 27, 2026, and Adams noted that it’s already gaining a reputation as a unique spot for hosting events. “We’re excited to be able t
WOOD RIVER — A stronger public safety radio network is taking shape across Madison County as the county moves closer to completing its transition to STARCOM21. 911 Director Arron Weber updated the Emergency Telephone System Board on Thursday, reporting significant progress on infrastructure needed to expand radio coverage and move additional agencies onto the statewide network. Work at the Highland, Holiday Shores and Bethalto tower sites continues to advance. The Highland site passed al
HARDIN/BATCHTOWN - A Batchtown man was arrested after the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office investigated a reported domestic disturbance alleged to have occurred June 10, 2026, at a residence in Batchtown, authorities said. The sheriff’s office said it received the report June 11. Corporal Nicholas McCall spoke with victims and witnesses, conducted an investigation and applied for a court-authorized search warrant, which was granted by the Honorable Charles HW Burch. On June 15, la
ALTON - The Alton Amphitheater welcomed a roaring crowd to its annual Jazz and Wine Festival this past weekend. On Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, community members gathered at the amphitheater for their final festival of the season, featuring music by Kasimu Taylor, Playadors and Butcher Brown. This year’s festival also served as a tribute to Miles Davis, who called Alton his hometown. “We’re celebrating how Miles Davis’s legacy lives on through musicians today, but also
BETHALTO - The community is invited to the 107th annual Bethalto Homecoming this weekend. Hosted in Bethalto City Park by the Bethalto Fire Department, the festival includes a carnival, vendor fair, live music and more fun. All proceeds benefit the fire department. Derek Mormino, the department’s president, looks forward to welcoming people and having a great weekend with his hometown. “We’re doing the best we can to put on this event for the community, and hopefully, everybody
WORDEN – A local man charged with child pornography in 2024 was recently sentenced to 14 years in prison. 22-year-old Jared Henke, of the 200 block of W. Ahrens Street in Worden, pleaded guilty to a Class X felony count of child pornography in Madison County court. The charge against Henke was originally filed on Dec. 5, 2024. His guilty plea was entered on the morning of Aug. 31, 2026 before Judge Emily Nielsen. Henke has been sentenced to serve 14 years in the Illinois Department of
ALTON — Alton’s boys soccer team earned its first win over rival Collinsville since 2012 on Saturday morning, edging the Kahoks 1-0 in a semifinal match at Alton as the Redbirds continued a strong start under new head coach Toby Henesey. The victory moved Alton forward in Saturday’s competition and helped build early optimism for a program that finished 6-13-0 last year. The Redbirds are 2-1 overall after opening the season with two wins in their first three matches. Alton late
GODFREY — Marquette Catholic handled the city rivalry atmosphere at Piasa Motor Fuels Field and defeated Alton High 3-1 Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, in the championship game of the Alton Redbird Invitational Tournament, claiming the tournament title after both teams advanced from Saturday morning semifinals. Marquette took a 1-0 lead in the 17th minute when James Fischer scored. The Explorers made it 2-0 by halftime when Parker Belchik scored. Belchik added another goal in the second half
ALTON - Hayner Public Library District will offer a costume swap to help families save money on Halloween costumes. Throughout the month of September, community members can donate clean, gently-used costumes for all ages at Hayner Library. In October, families can come “shop” for costumes and take home one costume per household member in time for Halloween and trick-or-treating. “The costume swap is brand new this year,” said Mary Cordes, Hayner’s executive
Alton, Illinois’ First Police Motorcycle ALTON - In 1912, Alton police chief Joseph Lachance was frustrated by speeders endangering the public. Drivers knew the police had no vehicles other than an ambulance. One man even sped up passing city hall as a frustrated patrolman ordered him to stop. The chief considered borrowing the East St. Louis motorcycle cop for a few days as a “moral deterrent.” In February 1913, the city council approved the purchase of an Hendee Manufacturing
BENTON – A federal district judge sentenced a St. Clair County tax preparer to 37 months’ imprisonment after she admitted to filing false tax returns and falsifying her personal income and clients’ business expenses. Dormeshia A. Haire, 38, pleaded guilty in April 2026 to one count of false statements on tax return, one count of wire fraud, and three counts of aiding and abetting in submitting false and fraudulent returns. Haire was indicted in April 2024 but continued
ALTON — Tab’s Cafe, the restaurant Tabitha Craig-Robinson and her husband, Dan, opened in 2022 at 400 State St. in Alton, officially closed Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, after a family loss, slower business and the strain of operating the cafe as a two-person team. Craig-Robinson said Dan recently lost his younger brother, who died suddenly. Dan is 51, and his brother was 50. “My husband’s youngest brother passed away,” Craig-Robinson said, adding that the loss “took
PONTOON BEACH – State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) announced $40,000 in state funding for the Village of Pontoon Beach to support improvements along Engineer Road. “Good roads are something our communities depend on every day,” said Senator Harriss. “I’m glad we were able to bring this funding back to Pontoon Beach and help with improvements along Engineer Road.” The funding will help the village complete needed road work while reducing the amount
GRANITE CITY — A man shot by law enforcement officers on Monday morning, Aug. 24, 2026, in Granite City died from his injuries, Illinois State Police confirmed Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, after authorities said officers and deputies responded to reports of a man armed with multiple weapons at a home on Edison Avenue at East 20th Street. Granite City Police officers and Madison County Sheriff's deputies arrived at the scene on Aug. 24, 2026, around 10:20 a.m. Granite City Police officers
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is sharing the following upcoming events and noteworthy items for September. State parks, historic sites, and museums have events throughout the month and the fall is a great time to explore the outdoors. Sept. 1 Public duck and goose hunting area permit second lottery opens Statewide The public duck and goose hunting permit lottery is open statewide Sept. 1-15. Go online for an application. Sept. 1 Bobcat permit lotter
EAST ST. LOUIS – State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) continues to donate his legislative pay raise to local organizations across his district. He voted against politician pay raises and chose to help less fortunate families in our community. This month, he donated soap, paper towels, and toilet paper to Jeremiah's Food Pantry in East St. Louis. “Stronger communities are built when we come together to help families in need,” said Schmidt. “I’m proud to
CHICAGO – In two new proclamations, Governor JB Pritzker recognized August 31 as International Overdose Awareness Day and September as National Recovery Month in Illinois. International Overdose Awareness Day acknowledges the impact of drug overdoses on individuals, families, and communities while highlighting ways to reduce drug overdose deaths. National Recovery Month celebrates people in recovery from behavioral health challenges and promotes evidence-based treatment and recovery practices.
SPRINGFIELD – The State Treasurer’s Office made $1.45 billion in investment earnings from the state investment portfolio during Fiscal Year 2026, Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced today. Treasurer Frerichs is the state’s Chief Investment and Banking Officer. He is responsible for investing state revenue in the state investment portfolio . “Every dollar we earn in interest for the people of Illinois is a dollar that lawmakers don’t have to raise in taxes
ST. LOUIS — A deep partial lunar eclipse turned much of the full moon red over St. Louis on the night of Aug. 27-28, 2026, as local skywatchers and the St. Louis Planetarium tracked peak viewing late Thursday night, Aug. 27, 2026, because the eclipse covered a vast majority of the moon’s face. The eclipse created a reddened “blood moon” effect visible across the Scientific American coverage area, including St. Louis. The event coincided with a bright full moon, giving
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