Mayor Cara Spencer has vowed to improve the city's emergency management system after an investigation revealed multiple failures in the response to the May 16 tornado, including ineffective siren equipment and a lack of communication between city officials.
Applications are now open for the Progress 64 West Entrepreneurial Scholarship Program. The Progress 64 Entrepreneurial Scholarship offers high school seniors in the St. Louis region a $5,000 award to support their education and entrepreneurial goals. To apply, students must submit an Executive Summary of a business plan that outlines their concept, market analysis, competitive […]
EDWARDSVILLE — The murder trial of Stanford Stokes began Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Madison County, where he faces charges including three counts of first-degree murder for the fatal shooting of Jarred Hayes. Assistant State’s Attorney Audrey Paulda told the court that Stokes went to a residence at 914 East 7th Street in Alton after becoming angry that his on-again, off-again girlfriend would not answer her phone. According to Paulda, Stokes kicked in a side door, entered the home, and found his girlfriend in bed with another man. Paulda said Stokes took a gun from the girlfriend’s purse and fired shots. Evidence presented by the prosecution includes a voicemail recording of the incident, captured because Stokes allegedly forgot to hang up the phone upon entering the residence. In contrast, Madison County Public Defender Ginny Smith argued that Stokes acted in self-defense. Smith said Stokes went to the home because he could not reach his girlfriend and had been
COTTAGE HILLS – A sex offender from Cottage Hills was charged last week with his latest failure to register as legally required. Casey S. Cato, 48, of the 1400 block of 1st Street in Cottage Hills, was charged on Aug. 12, 2025 with a Class 2 felony count of unlawful failure to register. As a registered sex offender, Cato allegedly failed to report a change of address to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office within three days as legally required. He had previously been convicted of the same offense in Madison County in 2013. The Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to deny Cato’s pretrial release from custody, stating he has “repeatedly failed to register as a sex offender and has eluded law enforcement attempts to get him in compliance.” According to the Illinois State Police Sex Offender Registry , Cato was initially convicted of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a victim 13-16 years of age. The victim was 14 years ol
Anheuser-Busch announced a $15 million investment in its St. Louis Brewery as a part of a broader $300 million commitment to U.S. manufacturing jobs on Aug. 19.
GODFREY — The Illinois Department of Transportation has intermittent lane closures on West Delmar Avenue from State Street in Alton to Illinois 3 in Godfrey that started Monday, Aug. 18, 2025. IDOT Operations Engineer Joe Monroe said the closures, necessary for pavement rehabilitation, are expected to last until the end of the month, with flaggers maintaining two-way traffic. Motorists should anticipate delays and are encouraged to seek alternate routes. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, obey construction signage, remain alert to changing conditions, and avoid using mobile devices in the work zone. The lane closures come as part of ongoing preparations for a larger infrastructure project to construct a double roundabout near Pierce Lane, West Delmar, and the end of the Homer Adams Parkway in Godfrey. Monroe said the paving project being conducted at present by IDOT in Godfrey is not just the typical oil and chip-based work, but has a Fog Sealant and other advancements for th
Cheap Trick has announced a new set of fall tour dates.The latest additions to the Rock & Roll Hall of Famers' schedule start Oct. 12 in Oxford, Alabama, with the band playing…
ALTON - Courtney McLaughlin wants to see Alton build a skate park, and almost 700 people are behind her. In May 2025, McLaughlin started an online petition calling on the City of Alton to build a safe and accessible skate park. As of this writing, she has close to 700 signatures from Riverbend residents encouraging the city to take action. “The energy of a skate park, especially when it is accessible, rideable, equipped, and done the right way, the energy there with the community, the kids, the adults, the friendships, the groups, the events — it’s something that you cannot match,” McLaughlin said. McLaughlin acknowledged that Alton’s current skate facilities exist, but they are not “accessible” or “rideable.” With broken equipment, she believes it’s better to “just shut it down and condemn it” and build a new space altogether. “Not only is the area a little bit dangerous, but the park
Support us on Patreon » As we’ve been thinking and writing about the intersection of democracy and technology, especially burgeoning AI technology, we always come back to the core issues of user control and user freedom. Recently, Chris Riley of the Data Transfer Initiative wrote an excellent piece for Tech Policy Press about the need for […]
From Leader Publications: Northwest High School students got to use a newly completed multipurpose addition come the first day of school on Monday, Aug. 18. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the school on Monday to mark the completion of the 15,900-square-foot, two-story addition that is attached to the school’s gymnasium and houses a storm […]
TROY – The Troy/Maryville/St. Jacob/Marine Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the dates for the 2025 Fall City/Village Wide Garage Sales. This community tradition gives residents the opportunity to declutter, shop, and connect with neighbors while supporting local communities. The sales will be held across the four communities on the following dates: Village of St. Jacob – September 4–6 | 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM Village of Maryville – September 5–6 | 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM Village of Marine – September 18–20 | Times set individually by sellers City of Troy – September 19–20 | 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM Residents are encouraged to register their addresses online to be included in the official garage sale listings and interactive map. To register your address: https://garagesale.troycoc.com/garagesalesignup.php To view the interactive map of sales: https://garagesale.troycoc.com/search.php “This event is always
Self-driving vehicle technology continues to advance, prompting a wave of liability and safety regulations from state lawmakers. This year, lawmakers in Arizona, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada and the District of Columbia enacted legislation to regulate driverless vehicles, according to a database from the National Conference of State Legislatures. While much of the legislation aims to update […]
NEW YORK — After a year in the U.S. Navy, Loceny Kamara said he was discharged in 2023, because while on base he had developed mental health issues, including severe anxiety and nightmares, and had fallen into alcoholism. Kamara, 23, went to rehab and managed to get sober for some time while living with family […]
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