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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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Alton Aldermen To Consider Ban On Late Night Liquor Sales

2 weeks 1 day ago
ALTON – Alderwoman Martha Pfister’s proposal to ban Alton bars from selling alcohol later than 1 a.m. is up for consideration at tonight’s Committee of the Whole meeting. The resolution would introduce an ordinance to remove the entire section of the Alton City Code allowing for “late night liquor licenses,” effectively banning all bars in the city from selling alcohol past 1 a.m. Currently, bars with a late night liquor license are allowed to sell alcohol from 1 to 2 a.m. on Monday through Friday, and from 1 to 3 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. If the ordinance receives final approval, the late night liquor sale ban would go into effect on Dec. 31, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Last month , two downtown bars had their late night liquor licenses revoked after a hearing with Mayor David Goins. Prior to the hearing, Pour Decisions Co-Owner Brian Trust claimed the city was unfairly targeting his business and called for them to either allow his bar to keep its

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UPDATE: Man Shot, Killed in Kingsway East

2 weeks 1 day ago

UPDATE: The victim has been identified as 50-year-old Jose Williams. Homicide Detectives identified and arrested a 54-year-old man for his role in this incident. Homicide Detectives are investigating a shooting that happened on August 8 in the 2900 block of N. Kingshighway. Shortly after 9 a.m., officers received a call for a shooting at the […]

The post UPDATE: Man Shot, Killed in Kingsway East appeared first on St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.

Evita Caldwell

Rep. Kevin Schmidt and Rep. David Friees Have Coffee Talk In New Athens On Aug. 12

2 weeks 1 day ago
NEW ATHENS - New Athens residents will have the opportunity to meet with State Representatives Kevin Schmidt and David Friees during a Coffee Talk event scheduled for Tuesday morning, Aug. 12, 2025. The event, hosted by Rep. Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) alongside Rep. David Friees (R-Red Bud), will take place on Aug. 12 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the New Athens Community Hall, located at 406 Chester St., New Athens. The informal gathering is designed to allow constituents to engage directly with their elected officials and discuss state legislation in a relaxed setting. The event is free and open to the public. For additional details, interested individuals can contact Rep. Schmidt’s office at (618) 215-1050 or visit his website at repschmidt.com.

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Rusty Wheat's "Chain Gang" Reflects on Trash Cleanup in Madison County

2 weeks 1 day ago
ROXANA - Rusty Wheat, known for his trash cleanup efforts along Illinois Route 143 in Wood River and Roxana, noted that there’s plenty of “good, bad and ugly” in his work. Wheat started the one-man Chain Gang initiative, which picks up trash along the road once a week. He explained that he has fought hard to keep the roads clean, and he hopes the community helps him continue his efforts. “Not everybody gets as fired up about trash as I do,” he laughed. Wheat has worked closely with the Madison County Board, including Board Chairman Chris Slusser, to advocate for trash cleanup in the county. He noted that the Village of Roxana recently secured a $5,000 grant to help with cleanup efforts, and while Wheat is pleased about this, he is disappointed that more local municipalities did not apply for the grant. He urges County Board members to collaborate with the mayors in their towns and push for more concentrated efforts to clean up or prevent the

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Trump mobilizes national guard in D.C., vows similar crackdown in Democratic cities

2 weeks 1 day ago
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump asserted control Monday of the District of Columbia police force and mobilized 800 National Guard troops in the nation’s capital under what he declared a “crime emergency.” Trump took the step despite a three-decade low in violent crime in Washington, D.C., while warning he may pursue similar action in other Democratic-led […]
Ariana Figueroa, Jacob Fischler