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MCT Unleashes Four More Sculptures On MCT Trails

5 months 2 weeks ago
PONTOON BEACH – Just in time for spring, Madison County Transit (MCT) and Agency for Community Transit (ACT) have welcomed four new "Trail Critter" sculptures along the MCT Trails, expanding the popular "Art on the Trails" initiative. Building on the success of the eight sculptures introduced in 2023, the latest additions bring color, creativity, and whimsy to four new areas along the MCT Trails. Produced by artist Jeffie Brewer, each sculpture is crafted from durable steel, painted vibrant colors, and thoughtfully placed along the MCT Trails throughout Madison County, transforming the trails into an interactive outdoor gallery that blends art, nature, and community engagement. The sculptures were a gift to the MCT Trails from ACT. The latest critters to join the MCT Trails family include: “Cory – The Calf at the Confluence” – Measuring an impressive 10 feet in length, this striking lilac colored bison stands proudly along the MCT Confluence Trail,

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How to watch the St. Louis mayoral debate on FOX 2

5 months 2 weeks ago
Thursday is officially debate night. Incumbent Tishaura Jones goes head-to-head with challenger Cara Spencer in a live, televised debate as the highly-anticipated election for St. Louis Mayor draws closer.
Joey Schneider

Peachy Paws Owner Reflects on New Location After Godfrey Village Vote

5 months 2 weeks ago
GODFREY - Amber Dyer, the owner of Peachy Paws, took “paws” to reflect and express her appreciation for the Village of Godfrey amid a recent vote that will allow her to expand her business to a new location. On March 4, 2025, the Godfrey Village Board of Trustees voted to rezone 1610 W. Delmar Avenue from R-3 Single Family Residential to B-4 Highway Business. This rezoning will allow Dyer to open her dog grooming business, previously located at 509 Pearl Street in Godfrey, at the new location. “I got a little emotional at the meeting because of all the support I was getting from everybody,” Dyer said. “I’ve always lived in Godfrey…I’ve grown up here, I went to school here, I was raised here, and I don’t want to leave here.” Dyer thanked Godfrey Mayor Mike McCormick and Building and Zoning Administrator Tony Cain, adding that they treated her “like family” throughout the process. McCormick noted how

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Missouri Man Charged In Maryville Laundromat Burglary

5 months 2 weeks ago
MARYVILLE – A Missouri man authorities say targets Madison County for his criminal activity faces new charges after breaking into a Maryville laundromat. Gage L. Wille, 29, of St. Charles, Mo., was charged with burglary, a Class 2 felony, and possession of burglary tools, a Class 4 felony. Wille allegedly broke into a Sudz Wash laundromat at 112 W. Perry St. in Maryville on Jan. 9, 2025, intending to commit a theft. He was found with an orange pry bar in his possession, which court documents describe as “suitable for use in breaking into a building.” A petition to deny his pretrial release states Wille burglarized the business before fleeing the scene. Wille previously failed to appear in court from a prior theft case and has “been in warrant status since October 2019.” “It appears this defendant has no connection to Madison County and comes here only with the intent to steal,” the petition states of Wille. The Maryville Police Department

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U.S.-made beer, bourbon, motorcycles and more on tariff list in Trump trade war with EU

5 months 2 weeks ago
WASHINGTON — The European Union released a lengthy list Wednesday of U.S. goods, from Kentucky bourbon to household appliances, slated for retaliatory tariffs in response to President Donald Trump’s taxes on steel and aluminum imports that went into effect overnight. The 27-nation bloc announced late Tuesday it plans to impose the countermeasures starting April 1 […]
Ashley Murray

OSFM Announces $4 Million in Grants for Essential Tools and Equipment

5 months 2 weeks ago
SPRINGFIELD - The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) announced today the recipients of the 2024 Small Equipment Grant Program. A total of $4 million was awarded to 178 fire departments/districts and EMS providers across the state. The program was established to provide grants of up to $26,000 each for the purchase of small firefighting and ambulance equipment. This program is an innovative approach to a problem that has long caused difficulties for fire departments and not-for profit ambulance services in Illinois, particularly those that have hardships in generating the necessary revenue for small equipment. The purpose is to allow eligible applicants the opportunity to purchase small equipment that they may otherwise not be able to purchase. The OSFM received 347 applications, requesting around $7.7 million in funding for this grant period. "Grant programs like our Small Equipment Grant Program are critical in providing fire departments and ambulance providers with

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Illinois Unemployment Rate Stable, Jobs Nearly Unchanged in January

5 months 2 weeks ago
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that nonfarm payrolls were almost unchanged, down -1,100 (0.0%), while the unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.9 percent in January, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and released by IDES. The December monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report, from +8,800 to +12,200 while the revised unemployment rate was 4.9 percent, -0.3 percentage point lower than the preliminary December unemployment rate of 5.2 percent. The January payroll jobs estimate and unemployment rate reflect activity for the week including the 12th. Compared to a year ago, total nonfarm payroll jobs increased by +36,000 jobs. The industry groups with the largest jobs increases included: Private Education and Health Services (+27,500), Government (+25,300), and Leisure and Hospitality (+5,800). The industry groups with the largest jobs decreases included:

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Robin Restaurant opens this week in Maplewood

5 months 2 weeks ago
Maplewood’s newest restaurant, Robin Restaurant, is set to open on Thursday, March 13. Chef Alec Schingel hosted a media event on Monday, and on Tuesday the Maplewood City Council quickly approved the restaurant’s liquor license. From a press release: “Following two years of pop-ups and private dinners branded as “The Robin Project,” Chef Alec Schingel […]
Doug Miner

Davidsmeyer Criticizes Democrats' Bad Bills & Misplaced Priorities

5 months 2 weeks ago
SPRINGFIELD – At a Capitol news conference Tuesday, Assistant Republican Leader C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Murrayville) criticized the bad bills and misplaced priorities of the Democratic supermajority in the Illinois General Assembly. “Illinois is facing significant problems with our budget, with public safety, with high taxes and the high cost of living,” Rep. Davidsmeyer said. “With the State of Illinois facing a $1.2 billion budget shortfall, Democrats are pushing bad bills that will make Illinois’ budget problems even worse.” Last week, the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (CGFA), which Davidsmeyer co-chairs, released its FY 2026 Economic Forecast and Revenue Estimate and FY 2025 Revenue Update . CGFA projected a $737 million State budget shortfall for FY26 and an additional $500 million shortfall for the current fiscal year. The Auditor General recently released an audit of the taxpayer-funded healthcare program

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