GILLESPIE - A Litchfield man was charged July 8, 2026, by the Macoupin County State’s Attorney’s Office with residential burglary, possession of a stolen vehicle, and attempted possession of a stolen vehicle in connection with an incident a day earlier in Gillespie, according to the Gillespie Police Department. David W. Hammann, 39, of Litchfield, was charged with one count of Residential Burglary (Class 1 Felony; Not Eligible for Probation), one count of Possession of
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul co-led a bipartisan coalition of 50 attorneys general in calling on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to strengthen its “Know Your Customer” (KYC) rules to help prevent scammers from using the U.S. communications network to make illegal robocalls. KYC rules require phone companies to know who is making calls through their networks and what kinds of business these customers are conducting. With that information, phone companies
CHICAGO – In 2024, Governor JB Pritzker signed a budget creating the first-ever child tax credit in the state of Illinois. In 2025, he signed a budget doubling it. Today, working families in Illinois are eligible for up to $600 in annual tax relief to help pay for groceries, clothes, school supplies, childcare, or other essentials needed to support their families. Gov. Pritzker knows that costs are too high for too many Illinois families, and he is committed to making the state a
GLEN CARBON - The Glen Carbon Police Department said it is aware of a social media video involving an arrest that occurred over the weekend and confirmed that one individual is in custody, Lt. Jeffrey Blind announced on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. Blind said the case remains an active and ongoing investigation and that no additional information can be released at this time. “We want to reassure the community that at no time was there a threat to public safety,” Lt. Blind said. The
WOOD RIVER - Captain Scott Crump, B-Shift commander for the Wood River Fire Department, marked 16 years on the job over the weekend, the department announced. Including his paid-on-call time, Crump has served the City of Wood River for 21 years, according to the post. The department congratulated Crump and wished him a happy anniversary.
PONTOON BEACH - Pontoon Beach Police Chief Chris Modrusic issued the following statements after the arrests in a recent homicide in the region. "On behalf of the Pontoon Beach Police Department, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to everyone who assisted in the successful homicide investigation. "Thank you to the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis and all of its investigators for their professionalism, dedication, and tireless work throughout this investigation. Your expertise
PONTOON BEACH - Charges have been filed against four people in the July 26, 2026, homicide of Ceontae D. Matthews in Pontoon Beach, Illinois, after an investigation by the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis that included 45 leads, interviews, and evidence collection, authorities announced. The killing occurred in the early morning hours of Sunday, July 26, 2026, in the 4000 block of Pontoon Road in Pontoon Beach. After what authorities described as a thorough investigation, the Major Case Squa
MEADOWBROOK/BETHALTO – Family members, veterans, local officials, and community members gathered Saturday as State Representative Amy Elik (111th-Alton) and State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) officially dedicated the "Cpl. Tommy N. Miller Memorial Highway" along Illinois Route 140 through Meadowbrook, ensuring the sacrifice of a local Marine who gave his life in Vietnam will never be forgotten. "Today, we honored a young man who left home to serve his country and never had
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, announced the award recipients of the Local Food Infrastructure Grant Program, distributing nearly $4 million in fiscal year 2026 funding to support the continued expansion of Illinois’ local food system. Two Jersey recipients, one Greene County recipient and one Madison County recipient were announced. The four in the region were: Fritz Meat and Processing, Jersey County, $57,721.50. Three
VIRDEN – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced a Virden, Illinois man pleaded guilty to possessing child sexual abuse material. Jacob Monty, 29, pleaded guilty today in Macoupin County Circuit Court to two Class 2 counts of possessing child sexual abuse material involving a victim under the age of 13. Monty’s sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 28. “Individuals who possess child sexual abuse material are perpetuating the exploitation and abuse of children across the globe,&rdquo
ST. LOUIS — For only the second time in history, the American Red Cross has declared a national blood crisis — and patients may already be feeling the impact. Donors are asked to act immediately to help save lives. Blood donations have fallen to a four-year summer low, worsening this season’s emergency blood shortage. All blood types are needed, but the situation is especially dire for type O blood as the Red Cross is now limiting distribution of these blood products to
A lemonade stand can teach more about American history than some school lessons. A child behind a folding table, a hand-lettered sign, and a pitcher of something cold may look simple. Yet that small setup sits at the crossroads of business, family life, neighborhood culture, and ideas about independence. The lemonade stand has become a symbol of youthful effort and small-scale enterprise, especially in the United States. It also carries a longer and more interesting story than most people expect.
On July 28, one of the most far-reaching events in world history took place in 1914, when Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. That decision turned a regional crisis in the Balkans into the opening act of World War I. At the time, leaders across Europe were tied together by alliances, military plans, and rising mistrust, so a conflict between two countries quickly pulled in many others. The war reshaped borders, toppled empires, and changed everyday life for millions. It still matters today
MADISON COUNTY - The Madison County Sheriff’s Office has added Deputy Sheriff Lauren Tamburello to its Patrol Division, the agency announced on Monday, July 27, 2026. “Please join us in welcoming the newest member of our Patrol Division - Deputy Sheriff Lauren Tamburello,” Madison County Sheriff Jeff Connor said. Tamburello will start field training this week. She had most recently been a Fairview Heights Police officer. She is also a Collinsville High School graduate
HIGHLAND – A Highland man accused of sexually assaulting a minor for over four years remains in Madison County custody. Jeremy D. Yann, 42, of the 600 block of 8th Street in Highland, Ill. was charged on July 22, 2026 with three counts of criminal sexual assault, each Class 1 felonies. Yann allegedly committed multiple acts of sexual assault against the same victim, who was under 18 years of age at the time the acts were committed. Yann is accused of assaulting the victim for more than
ALTON — William “Bill” Diddlebock, a longtime Alton educator, coach and parks official who spent decades working with local students and athletes, died Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at age 84. Diddlebock was widely known in Alton for his years in School District 11, where he began teaching and coaching in 1965 and remained for 35 years. He taught physical education and health and coached basketball, track and cross country. He also coached tennis at Marquette Catholic and created
EDWARDSVILLE – A monument in the future Goshen Commons park and plaza will highlight eight historic locations around Edwardsville following City Council approval. Aldermen approved the inclusion of eight Edwardsville landmarks to be recognized with a monument at the future Goshen Commons site at their July 21, 2026 City Council meeting. Alderwoman Andrea Miracle abstained. The monument is set to feature one “recognition plaque” to recognize the Kriege Family for their funding
ALTON - From tech classes to a Beatles tribute, The Hayner Public Library District has a variety of free programs coming up in the coming weeks. Executive Director Mary Cordes said that the library is always bustling with patrons and free events. She hopes many community members come out to experience their programs. “What’s not going on at the library?” she laughed. “We’ve got all kinds of stuff.” Through the end of July, the library will continue thei
ALTON - An Alton native living in Oklahoma was killed this weekend. Chamill London, 19, was living in Lawton, Oklahoma, as a soldier with the U.S. Army. London worked in Air and Missile Defense and was preparing for a deployment to Iraq. Her mother, Whittney London, said she was “excited for the journey.” “She was the most beautiful person you would ever meet,” Whittney London said. “She was genuine, funny, and caring. She was determined to live life to
CAHOKIA HEIGHTS - The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis is asking for the public’s help as it continues investigating the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old boy in Cahokia Heights, Ill. Lamerion L. Davis, 16, of Washington Park, Ill., was fatally shot Saturday, July 25, 2026, in the 1100 block of Camp Jackson Road in Cahokia Heights, according to the Major Case Squad. Since the squad was activated, investigators have followed up on about 30 leads while continuing interviews, reviewing evidenc
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