GODFREY - Godfrey Mayor Mike McCormick noted that the village is growing, and he is proud to be a part of this community. McCormick shared that conversations about the recreation center are continuing, and he is eager to see what happens next. He is also proud of how Glazebrook Park has grown and clarified that the roundabout project will start soon. “2026, what am I most excited about?” McCormick reflected. “Just the way our programs are growing and just the thought
A strange thing happens when two people land in the same situation: one feels trapped, and the other starts building a life. Same job, same town, same limits—yet their experience looks completely different. That gap is where the phrase “bloom where you’re planted” lives. At first glance, it can sound like a cheerful poster line. But it has staying power because it points to a real choice many people face: Do you wait for the “right” conditions, or do you fin
On May 8, 1945, the fighting in Europe during World War II came to an end when Nazi Germany’s surrender took full effect, a moment widely marked as Victory in Europe (VE) Day. For people living through the war, it meant the bombing stopped in many places, prisoners began to be freed, and governments could finally turn from survival to rebuilding. The day mattered immediately because it closed the European chapter of the deadliest conflict in modern history, even as the war continued in
BETHALTO - Bethalto Community Unit School District #8 middle school students have developed a love for reading. Trimpe Middle School’s new Eagles Read program invites students to track their time spent reading in exchange for prizes. Teacher Suzie Moore, who recently took over the program, thanked the community for their generous donations and noted that people can still donate snacks or help out next year in their efforts to encourage more reading. “This is my first year runnin
BELLEVILLE - Community members who want to make a difference in a child’s life have the opportunity to train to become a Court-Appointed Special Advocate. Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers work with kids who have experienced neglect or abuse and who are typically in the foster care system. These volunteers spend five hours a month visiting with their assigned child and writing court reports. The judge then uses this information to make decisions in the best interest
MARYVILLE, Ill. — The Maryville Police Department issued 21 citations for distracted driving violations and four other citations in April during an aggressive Distracted Driving Awareness Month Enforcement Campaign, the department said. “Distracted driving remains a serious problem in Maryville, and one moment of inattention can change lives forever,” said Sgt. Brian Gessi of the Maryville Police. “High-visibility law enforcement is one way to remind drivers that safe drivin
EDWARDSVILLE – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has announced the names of 1,997 graduating students for the 2026 spring semester. Commencement takes place at SIUE on Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9. Schedules are posted on the commencement website . New this year will be the Commencement Festival in Lot A . Visitors and the campus community can enjoy visiting food trucks and photo opportunities with graduates and family. For questions, contact the Commencement Office at
GLEN CARBON - Elite FT is offering a new summer camp — and a flash sale — to provide a fun experience for kids. For 12 weeks this summer, campers can enjoy crafts, games, outdoor time and more at The Sports Academy in Glen Carbon. There are rates for single days and single weeks, or campers can enjoy the full summer with Elite FT. Until Monday, May 11, 2026, you can pay full price for one camp and receive 50% off another. “We are, for the first time ever, offering
Edwardsville, Illinois — A Madison County jury found Timothy J. Dubois, a 42-year-old Fayette County man, guilty of abducting a woman at knifepoint from the parking lot of a Collinsville Starbucks and forcing her to drive to Troy, where he raped her, State’s Attorney Tom Haine said today. The verdict followed a little more than an hour of jury deliberations, Haine said. Dubois, of Shobonier, was convicted of aggravated criminal sexual assault (Class X enhanced felony), aggravated
GODFREY – Levis Lane in Godfrey will see another speed bump installed after neighborhood residents called for additional measures to curb recklessly fast driving in the area. Members of the Godfrey Public Safety Committee unanimously rejected a petition to remove the current speed bump on Levis Lane at their May 5, 5026 meeting. Instead, they unanimously approved the addition of another permanent speed bump on Levis Lane. Jerry Kelly, a year-long neighborhood resident who initially
PONTOON BEACH/ALTON - A family in the Metro East is mourning the death of 17-year-old Janecia Gardner after a fatal crash in Pontoon Beach, and is raising money to help cover funeral and medical costs, as her sister, Quinessa Gardner, was also hospitalized after the accident. The crash happened at about 11:27 p.m. on May 2, 2026, north of 2188 Illinois State Route 111 in Pontoon Beach. Janecia Gardner, of Alton, was killed, and Quinessa Gardner, 32, of Pontoon Beach, was hospitalized. Joy Wilkerso
EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has created a new Theater and Dance Hall of Fame as part of the program’s 50th anniversary celebration, and Edwardsville High School theater director Ashley Melton is among the inaugural honorees, Edwardsville High School Orchestra Director and Fine Arts Department Chair Victoria Voumard announced this week. The Theater and Dance Hall of Fame was established “to recognize individuals whose contributions, achievements,
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Joshua M. Divine on Thursday sentenced a St. Louis felon caught twice with guns, including after a police chase, to a total of 27 years in prison. After a two-day bench trial in October, Judge Divine found Roosevelt Easley, 40, guilty of two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. On Thursday, Judge Divine sentenced Easley to 25 years for that case and two more years for violating his supervised release in a 2018 case in which he pleaded guilty
JERSEYVILLE – This Teacher Appreciation Week, Jamie Lumma recalled the student “firsts” and milestones that have made her 32-year career with Jersey 100 especially meaningful as she prepares for retirement this year. After teaching first grade at Dow Elementary School for 17 years, Lumma transitioned to first grade at Grafton Elementary School when Dow closed in 2011. She was also a proud recipient of the Meritorious Service Award from the Illinois State Board of Education in
HARTFORD - The Lewis and Clark State Historic Site invites community members to join them for their annual Departure Event to celebrate the day Meriwether Lewis and William Clark embarked on their expedition from Camp Dubois. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, and Sunday, May 10, 2026, the Hartford site will have military reenactors, artisan demonstrations, artifacts and more hands-on experiences for visitors to enjoy. Ben Pollard with the historic site encourages people to come
CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker is calling out Republicans’ attempt to funnel $1 billion in taxpayer money to Donald Trump’s White House ballroom vanity project and demanding every dollar go to working families and small businesses crushed by Trump's tariffs instead. In response, Governor JB Pritzker released the following statement: “Republicans are physically incapable of telling Trump ‘No.’ As people continue to struggle under the weight of Donald
EDWARDSVILLE - Timothy J. Dubois of Shobonier was found guilty Thursday, May 7, 2026, on all 10 counts in a kidnapping and aggravated criminal sexual assault case stemming from a Nov. 11, 2022, incident in Collinsville. When the verdict was read, Dubois showed no emotion about it. The Madison County State's Attorney's Office said on Thursday that Dubois faces up to 80 years in prison when he is sentenced. The trial began with the victim's testimony, in which she gave what was described as
EDWARDSVILLE — A crash involving a Ford Edge SUV and a Suzuki motorcycle sent the motorcycle driver to an area hospital Wednesday night, May 6, 2026, authorities said. The incident occurred around 8:20 p.m. Wednesday at the intersection of Troy Road and Fifth Avenue in Edwardsville. The Edwardsville Police and Fire Departments responded. The motorcycle driver was taken to an area hospital for evaluation and treatment of injuries that were not life-threatening. The driver of the other vehicl
JERSEYVILLE – Diane Fessler says connection is key to helping each unique student succeed. As a second grade teacher at East Elementary in Jerseyville, Fessler is getting ready to retire this year after a 33-year career with Jersey Community Unit School District 100. Fessler fondly recalled a personal connection she felt while working with a family member, which inspired her to foster the same sense of connection with her students as a teacher. “I remember working with my Grandma
JERSEYVILLE – Julie Muenstermann has helped students across Jersey 100 succeed for the past 32 years. This Teacher Appreciation Week, she reflected on her path into a rewarding – and sometimes unpredictable – career. Muenstermann has taught K-12 physical education in every building in Jersey Community Unit School District 100. She currently teaches at Jersey Community High School and is preparing for retirement this year after 32 years with the district. “I am truly
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