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Community Rallies to Support Uber Driver/Columbia Hockey Coach Facing Lengthy Recovery

5 months ago
COLUMBIA — A fundraiser has been launched to support Allen Lalk, a Columbia Hockey Club coach and Uber driver who was shot in the face early Saturday, May 31, 2025, during a robbery attempt in Columbia, Ill. The incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. when Lalk was held at gunpoint by two passengers and ordered to drive to one suspect’s home. Instead, Lalk diverted the vehicle to the Columbia police station in an effort to seek help, where he was shot as he pulled into the parking lot. Lalk, 52, was rushed into emergency surgery and is now beginning a lengthy recovery process. While he survived the attack, he faces significant medical bills and ongoing expenses related to his recovery. A Collinsville man, 20, and a 17-year-old boy from Cahokia Heights have been charged in connection with the shooting, according to Columbia Police Chief Jason P. Donjon. The suspects fled on foot toward Bolm-Schuhkraft City Park after the shooting. Nicole Sanderson, president of the Columbia

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Wood River Approves Upgrades For Rec Center, Public Works Building

5 months ago
WOOD RIVER – Improvements are coming to two Wood River facilities after the City Council’s recent approval of an architectural design agreement for a new Public Works building roof and a landscaping contract for the Rec Center. City Council members on Monday approved an agreement between the city and AAIC Inc. for the design of a new sloped roof system for the city’s Public Works building. The new sloped roof system will cover the existing roof, including the main building and two building connector structures, according to a design services proposal from AAIC. The new roof will match the existing roof and will feature new gutters, downspouts, and vented soffit panels. AAIC will cover the “Architectural Design” portion of the project, while the civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing engineering and more will be handled by other entities yet to be determined. After designing modifications to the existing rooftop, AAIC will prepare

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Cottage Hills Residents Suffer Injuries In Dog Attack, Deputies Quickly Intervene

5 months ago
COTTAGE HILLS — Madison County Sheriff's deputies responded Monday afternoon, June 2, 2025, to a report of a dog biting individuals inside a home in the 200 block of S. Oak Street in Cottage Hills. Madison County Chief Deputy Sheriff Marcos Pulido said officers were dispatched to the residence after receiving reports of a two-year-old pit bull actively biting someone inside the house. "As the first deputy arrived on scene, while inside the residence, he did observe the dog aggressively cornering one of the residents," Madison County Chief Deputy Sheriff Marcos Pulido said. "The deputy was able to intervene and that resident was safely removed from that area. "It was revealed that an adult male and adult female were bitten by the dog while at this residence. The male suffered minor injuries to his thigh area and the female sustained lacerations to her left hand and left leg." Pulido said Madison County Animal Control took custody of the dog.

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Illegal Immigrant Sentenced To 12 Years For $400,000 In Elder Fraud

5 months ago
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. — An illegal immigrant from India residing in the United States was sentenced to 12 years in prison for his involvement in a fraud scheme that targeted elderly victims across Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana, defrauding them of more than $400,000. Nirav B. Patel, 44, was convicted in February by a federal jury on charges including conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, three counts of wire fraud, and illegal entry into the U.S. Evidence presented at trial showed Patel participated in an imposter scam in which fraudsters posed as government officials to deceive elderly victims into withdrawing life savings under false pretenses. The scheme involved sending text messages and emails warning victims that their Amazon accounts had been compromised. Victims who responded were directed to individuals impersonating federal agents who claimed the victims were targets of identity theft. They were urged to transfer funds to fraudulent U.S. Treasury or Federal

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Swansea Honors Officers For Life-Saving Stabbing Response

5 months ago
SWANSEA - At a Village Board meeting, the Swansea Police Department honored Sgt. Erin Huff and Officer Derek Schackmann for their lifesaving response to a stabbing victim on May 16, 2025. The incident stemmed from a domestic situation originating in another jurisdiction. Upon arrival, Sgt. Huff immediately administered critical medical care to stabilize the victim. Given the severity of the injuries, Sgt. Huff and Officer Schackmann continued providing care in the back of a squad car while a Belleville Police Department officer transported the victim to the hospital. The Swansea Police Department praised the officers for their professionalism, medical skill and composure under pressure. The department also acknowledged the assistance of Belleville Police in achieving a successful outcome.

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