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The Untold Story Of How Ed Martin Ghostwrote Online Attacks Against A Judge — And Still Became A Top Trump Prosecutor

6 months 2 weeks ago
This story was originally published by ProPublica. Republished under a CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 license. The attacks on Judge John Barberis in the fall of 2016 appeared on his personal Facebook page. They impugned his ethics, criticized a recent ruling and branded him as a “politician” with the “LOWEST rating for a judge in Illinois.” Barberis, […]
Mike Masnick

Hayner Library Outlines Special May Programs

6 months 2 weeks ago
ALTON - The Hayner Public Library District has a long list of fun activities coming up this May. Mary Cordes, Hayner’s executive director, shared more about the library’s upcoming events and year-round services. She noted that the library’s events are well-attended, and she looks forward to welcoming more bookworms and novice library users to all three Hayner locations over the next few weeks. “Because so popular and they’re so big, it’s a great problem to have, just trying to make sure we haven’t double-booked our programming rooms and trying to find new places to have programming and that kind of stuff,” she laughed. “It’s a good problem to have.” Throughout the month of May, Hayner has partnered with Madison County Transit to celebrate National Bike Month with a bicycle drive. Community members can drop off their unwanted bicycles at the downtown Hayner library, and MCT will pick them up and donate them to

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Granite City Man Faces Multiple Felonies After Armed Attack On Juvenile

6 months 2 weeks ago
GRANITE CITY – An 18-year-old from Granite City faces six felonies after striking a juvenile with a firearm, firing the weapon near an occupied parking lot, and more. Leiland O. Ruckel, 18, of Granite City, was charged on April 25, 2025 with the following offenses: Armed Violence (Class X felony) Aggravated Battery (Class 3 felony) Aggravated Battery (Class 3 felony) Reckless Discharge of a Firearm (Class 4 felony) Aggravated Unlawful Possession of Weapons (Class 4 felony) Mob Action (Class 4 felony) On April 18, 2025, Ruckel and a juvenile allegedly struck a 14-year-old victim about the head and body at a public place in the 4200 block of West Chain of Rocks Road in Chouteau Island, Ill. Ruckel was reportedly armed with a 9mm handgun during the incident, which he is accused of firing recklessly in the vicinity of an occupied parking lot. A petition was filed to deny Ruckel’s pretrial release, adding the situation quickly escalated after Ruckel approached

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Beginners Night

6 months 2 weeks ago

Looking to try out chess in a welcoming, judgment-free environment? Come to the Saint Louis Chess Club to learn and play with other beginners! Led by our friendly and experienced […]

The post Beginners Night appeared first on Explore St. Louis.

Myranda Levins

Illinois American Water Proudly Recognizes American Water Charitable Foundation 2025 Water and Environment Grantees

6 months 2 weeks ago
BELLVILLE - The American Water Charitable Foundation , a philanthropic non-profit organization established by American Water (NYSE: AWK), the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., recently announced 11 organizations were awarded a 2025 Water and Environment grant, supporting communities served by Illinois American Water. "We are thankful to the American Water Charitable Foundation for this funding opportunity,” said Kristie Baumgartner, Executive Director, Alton Educational Foundation. “The Alton Summer Watershed Academy will provide our high school students with hands-on experiences in studying regional watersheds and ecosystems." The Water and Environment grant is part of the American Water Charitable Foundation’s Keep Communities Flowing Grant Program, focusing on three pillars of giving: Water, People and Communities. Due to the volume of grant applications received, each application was evaluated on a competitive basis. The Foundatio

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Maplewood resident Brad Jackson files second suit against city

6 months 2 weeks ago
Maplewood resident Brad Jackson has filed a second law suit against the city of Maplewood. It’s in Missouri case.net, case number 25SL-CC03975. Jackson filed a suit in August last year against the city of Maplewood; Maplewood Mayor Barry Greenberg; Kate Bethel, owner of Maven Bath and Candle Co., and Isaac Chosich, an employee at Maven. […]
Doug Miner

Grow Closer to God at "Soul Travel Explorations" Conversation in Alton

6 months 2 weeks ago
ALTON - You can join a free conversation about spirituality and developing your relationship with God. At 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 1, 2025, community members are invited to River Bend Yoga in Alton for “Soul Travel Explorations,” the final installment of the three-part “Raise Your Spiritual IQ!” series. This final conversation will talk about who you are as Soul, an “eternal, creative spark of God,” and how to grow closer to God on your spiritual journey. “ our true identity,” explained organizer Flora Van Koten. “We’re all individual sparks of God, on our own divine journey back to the heart of God. So Soul Travel, in its simplest terms, is an individual moving closer to the heart of God.” The May 1 conversation invites attendees to “discover the wonder of you” by discussing the meaning of Soul and how you can develop your relationship with the Holy Spirit. Van Koten and organizer Sheila

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GCSD9 To Celebrate Arbor Day May 2

6 months 2 weeks ago
GRANITE CITY – Granite City Community Unit School District #9 is collaborating with the Granite City Tree Advisory Board to celebrate Arbor Day on Friday, May 2, 2025. The celebration and tree planting at Maryville 1-2 Education Center begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by a luncheon. Activities will continue at Wilson 1-2 Education Center at 1 p.m. "We are excited to partner with GCSD9 to celebrate Arbor Day by planting native trees at Maryville and Wilson School," said Carole Valencia, Granite City Tree Advisory Board Committee member. "The trees that we plant at these schools will bring beauty, shade, and happiness to children for years to come." Nine trees will be planted at each school for a total of 18, and a proclamation will be read by the City of Granite City Mayor Mike Parkinson. "We are thrilled to partner with the Granite City Tree Advisory Board for this year’s Arbor Day celebration," said GCSD9 Superintendent Dr. Don J. Harris. "Collaborating to plant trees

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