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Edwardsville Arts Fair to Feature Jewelry Artist Kara Hayes and Artists Bruenger and Renee

2 weeks 1 day ago
EDWARDSVILLE - These are three additional artists who will be featured at the upcoming Edwardsville Arts Fair Sept. 26-28, 2025, at Edwardsville's City Park. The artists featured today are Kara Hayes, Allison Norfleet Bruenger and Kimberlyn Renee. Artist #1: Kara Hayes Medium: Jewelry Artist Statement: "My intention is to create timeless, wearable art that strikes an emotion and sparks a conversation of wonder. These conversations are meant to connect strangers through the shared admiration of art. I challenge my medium to include layers of precious metals fused into hand cut and individually designed fused glass stones. I am a dual artist marrying my metal fabrication skills with my fused glass stones. "Through my many techniques, I create an illusion within my stone work and strong durable metal designs that stand the test of time. This year's collection is inspired by time. How time is measured & valued shows repetitively through each design. Time is our only true

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Body Discovered Near Mississippi River By Interstate 270 In Madison County

2 weeks 1 day ago
MADISON COUNTY - At 8:06 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, Madison County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to the area of the Mississippi River near Interstate 270, regarding a report of a body found. Sheriff's deputies and detectives met with employees from a construction company who directed law enforcement to a body floating at this location, Chief Deputy Marcos Pulido said later on Monday. Madison County Sheriff's detectives and Madison County Coroner's Office investigators recovered the body, Chief Deputy Pulido said. The investigation remains active, and attempts to identify the body are ongoing.

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Life Saving Award: Alton Officer Beuttel Saves Two Individuals From Dangerous House Fire

2 weeks 1 day ago
ALTON — Alton Police Officer Jacob Beuttel has been awarded the Life Saving Award for his swift and courageous actions that prevented potential injury or death in a dangerous situation that developed on July 5, 2025. At approximately 5:43 a.m. on July 5, 2025, Officer Jacob Beuttel responded to a structure fire in the 3400 block of Meridocia Street in Alton, where two individuals were reported trapped inside. Upon arrival, the officer found heavy smoke and large flames emanating from the rear of the residence and discovered Deborah J. Richardson and Steven M. Harris stranded on a deteriorated second-story deck with no safe means of escape. The Alton Police said the deck of the home involved was missing steps, lacked a handrail, and had rotted boards, posing a significant danger to anyone attempting to descend. "Officer Beuttel bypassed the missing stairs, removed lattice from the side of the deck, and climbed the unstable structure to reach the trapped occupants and their two

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Local Business Owner Shares Life Philosophy Based on Faith

2 weeks 1 day ago
ALTON - On a recent episode of “You’re Beautiful” with Brian Trust , Mike Roper spoke about his philosophy on life based on his relationship with God. Roper shared that he doesn’t regularly go to church, but he grew up in the church and still has a close relationship with God. He explained that he mostly tries to emulate Christ through his interactions with others by being kind. “At the end of the day, I just try to be a good person,” he said. Roper believes that he has “some bigger purpose,” and he is “constantly trying to figure out” what that purpose is. He feels he was “spared” by God. This is why Jeremiah 29:11 — “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” — resonates so strongly with him. Roper isn’t afraid to talk about his past, and he hopes his story helps other people

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Wood River Man Detained In Second Domestic Battery Case

2 weeks 1 day ago
WOOD RIVER – A man from Wood River remains in custody on felony domestic battery charges, his latest in a history of domestic violence against the same victim. Jonathon E. Harszy Sr., 32, of Wood River, was charged on Aug. 5, 2025 with one count each of aggravated domestic battery (a Class 2 felony) and his second offense of domestic battery (a Class 4 felony). On Aug. 4, 2025, Harszy allegedly intentionally strangled a household or family member by wrapping his arm around the victim’s neck and applying pressure to impede the victim’s normal breathing. He was additionally accused of pushing the same victim to the ground and kicking them while on the ground. The Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to deny Harszy’s pretrial release from custody, noting he was previously convicted of domestic battery in 2021, also in Madison County. The petition states Harszy claimed he needed “a place to stay” and was allowed back

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ISP Reminds Motorists About School Bus and School Zone Safety

2 weeks 1 day ago
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) is reminding motorists about school zone speed laws and sharing the road safely with buses as schools around the state prepare to open their doors for the new academic year. ISP reminds motorists they are required to slow down in school zones. Posted school zones have a speed limit of 20 miles per hour and are in effect from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on school days when children are present. Driving while talking or texting on a hand-held cellular device is strictly prohibited and fines are increased within a school zone. ? Adults are encouraged to promote safe walking habits with their children, including using sidewalks, crossing the street at designated crosswalks, and not walking in-between cars. The majority of students transported by bus to or from school are injured or killed while outside the bus. Most children injured in the area around the bus, often called the “danger zone,” are struck by motorists who fail to stop

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llinois Among Top U.S. States Most Affected by Juvenile Drug Abuse

2 weeks 1 day ago
A new study reveals that Illinois ranks eighth for juvenile drug abuse arrests in the U.S. The research conducted by Florida-based personal injury lawyers Anidjar & Levine analyzed juvenile arrest data from 2016 to 2020, sourced from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). The average annual juvenile arrest rates for drug abuse were calculated to identify the top 10 states with the highest rates per 100,000 youths. Illinois ranks eighth with an average of 442 arrests per 100,000 youths, which is 49.5% higher than the national average of 295.7. Between 2016 and 2020, Illinois recorded its peak rate of 822 arrests in 2019 and a low of 281 in 2018. Looking at the study, a spokesperson at Anidjar & Levine commented, “The data shows that Illinois reported the eighth-highest juvenile arrest rates for drug abuse in the U.S. “These figures highlight a growing trend of substance exposure among children and teenagers. Factors such as peer pressure,

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American Red Cross Offers Free A1C Screening for August Donors

2 weeks 1 day ago
ST. LOUIS, MO. — During National Wellness Month, the American Red Cross encourages people to prioritize their personal health and well-being while helping to save lives with a blood or platelet donation. Donors of all blood types – especially those with type O positive or B negative blood – are asked to make an appointment now to prevent a further drop in donor turnout. In August, the Red Cross will provide free A1C screening – a test commonly used to screen for prediabetes and diabetes – for all donors who make a successful blood, platelet or plasma donation. Fasting is not required for this test, and donors will be able to view their confidential results one to two weeks after their donation in the Blood Donor App or their donor account at RedCrossBlood.org. Donors will receive one A1C test result in a 12-month period. August also brings changes in routines. Back-to-school plans, the start of fall sports and final summer vacations may be top of min

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Edwardsville Police Join Statewide Labor Day Traffic Safety Effort

2 weeks 1 day ago
EDWARDSVILLE – The Edwardsville Police are proud to be one of over 200 law enforcement agencies across Illinois participating in the statewide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” “Drive High Get a DUI,” and “Click It or Ticket” campaigns this Labor Day. From Aug. 15 through the early morning hours of Sept. 2, officers will be out in force, focused on stopping impaired driving, enforcing seat belt laws, and reducing other dangerous driving behaviors. “Driving under the influence — whether it is alcohol, cannabis, or any impairing drug — is not just risky, it’s illegal. We’ll be patrolling for impaired driving and seatbelt violations, because our goal is to protect the people of Edwardsville. We want our community to enjoy the holiday weekend safely and responsibly,” said Lt. Matt Senci. This local effort is part of a larger statewide campaign supported by the Illinois Department of Transportation, which administer

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