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GRANITE CITY - Granite City High School senior Elijah Kolb was honored May 13, 2025, by the GCSD9 Board of Education and Administration as the 2024-25 Scholar-Athlete of the Year, recognizing his achievements in both academics and athletics. Kolb, a two-sport athlete excelling in football and wrestling, recorded seven tackles in a game against Quincy Notre Dame on Oct. 14, 2024. He has earned multiple athletic honors, including the two-time All-Warrior Award and the Kevin Greene Award, and has garnered eight varsity letters across football, wrestling, track, and Scholar Bowl. Kolb is a Stillwater Senior Living Male Athlete of the Month. Academically, Kolb has maintained high honors throughout his high school career and received distinctions such as the Illinois State Scholar and Academic Honors from the College Board. He plans to attend Montana State University this fall to pursue a degree in microbiology on a pre-med track. “I am very grateful and thankful to be nominated

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ALTON – An Alton man deemed a “violent offender against youth” faces his second domestic battery charge and more after allegedly battering someone in public. John T. Anthony, 41, of Alton, was charged on May 23, 2025 with aggravated battery, failure to report annually (both Class 3 felonies), and his second offense of domestic battery (a Class 4 felony). On April 27, 2025, Anthony reportedly struck a family or household member about the face and torso with his fists while in a public place, the parking lot of Quick Stop in Alton. As a “violent offender against youth,” Anthony was also charged with failing to report and provide his current address to the Alton Chief of Police on an annual basis as legally required. A petition to deny his pretrial release states Anthony had outstanding warrants from two previous criminal cases. In one case, he had been charged with aggravated domestic battery and unlawful restraint involving the same victim from this

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GLEN CARBON – Glen Carbon joins a growing list of local communities imposing their own sales taxes on groceries to offset major revenue loss before the state grocery tax expires on Jan. 1, 2026. As Finance Director Kelly Korte explained at Tuesday’s Village Board meeting, the state-imposed 1% sales tax on groceries has historically gone directly to local municipalities. Korte estimated this grocery tax generates approximately $1 million for Glen Carbon, representing a significant revenue loss if the village allowed the tax to expire. Illinois legislators have left the decision to local communities to either impose their own sales taxes on groceries and grocery “services” at the local level or accept the loss in sales tax revenue from the state. Korte said the village’s Finance Committee previously recommended the village continue collecting the grocery tax. Mayor Bob Marcus asked Korte to confirm that this is not a “new tax,” which Korte

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The Loop Trolley will be resuming its services tomorrow.

ALTON - Local artists are encouraged to create art for the Riverbend’s first “Mississippi Riverscapes: The 2025 Plein Air Art Competition.” Jacoby Arts Center and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will sponsor the competition. From June 1–22, 2025, community members can go to eight designated spots along the Mississippi River to paint or draw the landscape. “Artists work in a lot of different ways, but the idea is to go out and enjoy these locations and then have artists communicate that to the community, how beautiful these areas are that are maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,” explained Rachel Lappin with Jacoby. “This is for everybody. Whatever you go out and paint, just submit it and have fun.” A plein air art competition challenges artists to create art on location. Lappin and Elise Ratcliff, who works with the Corps of Engineers, encourage community members to bring their supplies to the eight spots and document

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A Missouri bill that would ban Callery and Bradford pear trees, including five other invasive plants, is headed to Gov. Mike Kehoe's desk.

A driver nearly struck a St. Louis officer over the weekend while police responded to reports of drivers street racing and doing donuts.

The destructive force that is DOGE still somehow manages to exist, despite it not being (depending on which claim is made and when) an official federal agency and/or overseen by anyone specifically identifiable as the head of DOGE. Until recently, everyone — including Donald Trump — knew (and said as much in public) that DOGE […]

BETHALTO - Civic Memorial High School is sending a boys' tennis player to the Illinois state tournament for the first time in a decade. Senior Ryne Breyer, a four-year member of the Civic Memorial tennis team, earned his spot among the state’s top competitors and will compete today. Breyer is a Tom Lane State Farm Insurance Male Athlete of the Month for CM. Breyer’s dedication to the sport has been evident throughout his high school career. Beyond his athletic achievements, he has distinguished himself academically as an Illinois State Scholar and a Silver Medallion recipient. His commitment to both academics and athletics has been recognized by coaches and peers alike. In addition to competing at the state tournament, Breyer plans to continue his tennis career this fall at Illinois College. Breyer's success marks a significant milestone for the Civic Memorial tennis program and serves as an inspiration for future athletes at the school.

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KISS rocker Gene Simmons is set to be celebrated at Operation Smile’s annual Smile Fiesta gala.Simmons will be honored with the Universal Smile Award.Also being honored at the gala is actor Harrison…

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ST. LOUIS, MO – The American Red Cross has opened a shelter at Ferguson Nazarene Church, 1309 Elizabeth, Ferguson, MO. Individuals staying at the 12th and Park Recreation Center location were taken by bus to the new shelter in Ferguson. 12th and Park Recreation Center is now returning its facility to its normal operations and programs. Current shelter locations are as follows: Ferguson Nazarene Church, 1309 Elizabeth, Ferguson, MO Refresh Community Church, 829 N. Hanley Rd., St. Louis, MO 63130 Friendly Temple Outreach Center, 6356 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, St. Louis, MO 63133 Peter and Paul Community Services (Garfield Building) 2612 Wyoming, St. Louis MO 63118 No ID or proof of residency is required. Red Cross services are free and available to all. Download the free Red Cross Emergency app for real-time alerts, open shelter locations and expert advice in both English and Spanish. Financial Assistance Available: The American Red

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This is the second time this year that a car has crashed through the building's roof.

ALTON - The Alton River Dragons will auction limited-edition jerseys during their June 4, 2025, 6:35 p.m. home opener game against the Quincy Dog Paddlers at Gordon Moore Park to support the Alton Fire Department and the Alton Police Department’s K-9 Division. All proceeds from the auction will be donated directly to these two local organizations. The event, set to take place in Alton, encourages fans and community members to arrive early for a special announcement honoring an individual important to the community and first responders. The Alton River Dragons hope the event will raise awareness and provide financial support to the city’s emergency services. https://tickets.altonbaseball.ticketsocket.com/events Alton IL Fire Department Alton Police Department

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SWANSEA — The Swansea Police Department took part in the annual Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 26, 2025, honoring veterans and remembering those who have fallen in service to the nation. The Swansea Police Department showcased its Honor Guard, Bicycle Unit, and newly formed ATV Unit during the event. In a statement, the department expressed gratitude to all veterans, emphasizing the significance of the day. “We were honored to showcase our Honor Guard, Bicycle Unit, and our newly formed ATV Unit. It’s always a privilege to take part in this meaningful community event,” the Swansea Police Department said. The parade serves as an opportunity for the community and local officials to pay tribute to the sacrifices made by military members. The department’s participation highlighted its commitment to honoring and remembering those who served.

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EAST ST. LOUIS — Kenneth Watts, a Truancy Officer with East St. Louis School District 189, is retiring after 17 years of dedicated service, the district announced Tuesday, May 27, 2025. Watts has spent nearly two decades working to remove barriers to student attendance and ensure access to education for all students in the district. His role involved making home visits, collaborating with families, and encouraging students to maintain their academic progress. Throughout his tenure, Watts focused on building relationships and providing support while also holding students accountable, a combination district officials say has had a lasting impact on the school community. “Mr. Watts led with compassion and consistency,” the district said in a statement. “His presence will truly be missed across the district.” East St. Louis School District 189 expressed gratitude for Watts’ commitment and the legacy he leaves behind after nearly two decades o

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SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is monitoring a black bear sighting in southwestern Illinois, with the animal first observed Monday, May 26, 2025, in St. Clair County and confirmed by an IDNR wildlife biologist Tuesday, May 27, 2025. The bear has been seen multiple times in the same area and has caused damage to some private property bee hives, though it has had no direct interaction with humans. While black bear sightings in Illinois are rare, the IDNR notes they are not unprecedented during summer months. Bears from neighboring states with established populations, including Missouri and Wisconsin, occasionally move into Illinois. Previous confirmed sightings have occurred in counties such as Jo Daviess, Lake, Saline, Pope, Williamson, and Jackson. The IDNR advises residents to avoid direct encounters with bears and to remove potential food sources that could attract them. Bears have a strong sense of smell and can detect food odors

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