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Difference Maker: Family and Friends Honor Greg Mudge's Life Of Kindness and Justice

7 months 1 week ago
EDWARDSVILLE - John Gregory Mudge, Jr., 75, died on Monday, July 21, 2025, following a courageous, years-long battle with cancer. Greg was described by family members as "a man of deep conviction, kindness, and unwavering commitment to justice and community." He was the son of Judge John G. Mudge, Sr. and mother Beverly A. (Fink) Gorman. "He lived his life with purpose and was guided by compassion, service, and marked by an ever-present warmth that made everyone feel seen and valued," his family said. As the owner and operator of Mudge Professional Services, Greg was well-known for his dedication to helping others. Greg was a definite Difference Maker in this area for his lifelong commitment to the region. He was also a long-time board member of the Lincoln School Alumni Foundation and remained an engaged and passionate advocate throughout his life. He was especially active in local political campaigns and causes that uplifted the Metro East communities he loved. “Greg was,

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Alton Farmers' and Artisans' Market Promises "Christmas in July" Fun This Weekend

7 months 1 week ago
ALTON - There will be a special visitor at this week’s Farmers' and Artisans' Market in Alton. This week’s “Christmas in July” theme will welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus to the Alton Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, July 26, 2025. The two characters will visit with kids and take photos throughout the morning. Vendors are also invited to sell their holiday-themed wares. “There's really nothing like the look on a kid’s face when they look across the way and they see Santa Claus in a Hawaiian shirt walking toward them in the middle of summer,” said Sara McGibany with Alton Main Street. McGibany noted that this weekend is also a chance for crafters to “break out their totes of Christmas gear.” Vendors are encouraged to bring holiday-themed crafts and products to share with the community. “A lot of our crafters make specific things for Christmas when it rolls around,” she

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ISP Hosts Women-Led Recruiting Events In Belleville and Chicago

7 months 1 week ago
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) is hosting two all-women recruitment events simultaneously on July 31, 2025, in Belleville and Chicago, to encourage women to explore the many career paths available both as sworn police officers and as civilian employees. ? ISP’s first all-women recruiting event was held in March at the ISP Academy in Springfield, IL and was met with great success. The Southern Illinois event will take place at the Southwestern Illinois College campus, located at 2500 Carlyle Avenue in Belleville, IL 62220, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The northern Illinois event will be held at XS Tennis Village, located at 5336 S. State Street in Chicago, IL 60609, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Both events are free to attend. ? ISP will share employment information and provide opportunities to meet professionals in various law enforcement specialties and attendees can learn about careers within the different divisions of ISP – Academy and Training, Patrol, Crimina

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Libraries, Journalists, And Public Interest Groups Oppose Private Control Of Law

7 months 1 week ago
On July 8, an expanded coalition of library associations, civil society organizations, journalist groups, and other advocates for information access sent a letter to the House Judiciary Committee explaining their opposition to the Pro Codes Act. This coalition has grown significantly from the original group that opposed the bill, now including major organizations like the […]
Mike Masnick

April 2024 Meeting Minutes

7 months 1 week ago

In this meeting we hear from Parker Loveless for Ward 9 Committeeman, Alfred Montgomery for City Sheriff, Adam Layne on parking in the neighborhood, Alderman Browning on recent board bills, Ron Coleman on recent neighborhood happenings, Officer Walker on crime, and events and ways to get involved in the neighborhood.

The post April 2024 Meeting Minutes appeared first on Forest Park Southeast.

FPSE Board

St. Ambrose Catholic School Continues to Enhance Campus Safety with Significant Security Upgrades

7 months 1 week ago
GODFREY — St. Ambrose Catholic School continues to prioritize the safety and security of its students and staff by completing a series of major facility upgrades. In recent years, the school has invested approximately $225,000 into building-wide security improvements. Most recently, St. Ambrose completed two grant-funded projects: the replacement of four sets of main school entrance doors and the installation of security film on all windows and glass surfaces throughout the building. This effort is part of a larger, long-term strategy developed in collaboration with the St. Ambrose Safety and Security Committee, established in 2020. This committee is composed of dedicated parents and parishioners with professional backgrounds in safety, law enforcement, and emergency response. The group meets regularly to review protocols and recommend updates to both school facilities and safety procedures. Early committee recommendations led to a phased approach for improvements. Initial upgrades

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MCT Announces August Service Changes and Public Meetings For Proposed 2026 Modifications

7 months 1 week ago
PONTOON BEACH – Madison County Transit (MCT) has announced a series of service changes set to take effect on Sunday, August 10, 2025, including updates to MCT Micro zones and fixed-route services. In addition, MCT will host public meetings in early August to collect feedback on proposed changes under consideration in 2026. Changes in August include the following: MCT Micro Logistics Valley - The existing MCT Micro zone serving the Logistics Valley area will be replaced with a fixed-route shuttle service due to road construction challenges and passenger feedback. New #23 Logistics Valley Shuttle – A new shuttle will replace the microtransit service operating within the commerce centers. Once IL-111/270 construction has concluded, a new schedule will be released to further improve service to Gateway Commerce Center, Lakeview Commerce Center, and Gateway Tradeport. MCT Micro – Bethalto | Cottage Hills - The microtransit zone will add MCT Wood River Station a

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Night Market Prepares to Wrap Up, Community Encouraged to Join Final Two Events

7 months 1 week ago
ALTON - The community is invited to downtown Alton to enjoy the final two Night Markets of the season. From 7–10 p.m. on Thursday, July 24, and Thursday, July 31, 2025, community members can stop by Sugar Alley — the alley that runs parallel to 3rd Street and intersects State Street — for the Night Market, complete with vendors and live music. Sara McGibany with Alton Main Street noted that the events have been a great summer activity for the Alton community, and she hopes the final two nights go off without a hitch. “It’s wonderful to see the sidewalks bustling with people. All the patio seating has people eating dinner at it. All the shops have reported that they’ve had a lot more foot traffic than a regular Thursday,” McGibany said. “Everything that we had hoped would happen has come true.” This is the first year that Alton Main Street has hosted the Night Market in its new spot. Live music is staged in the greenspace

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Godfrey 'Sexual Predator' Charged With Latest Registration Failure

7 months 1 week ago
GODFREY – A convicted sexual predator from Godfrey faces a new felony charge after his latest failure to register with local authorities. Jason M. Clapper, 42, of Godfrey, was charged on July 14, 2025, with his latest offense of unlawful failure to register as a sex offender, a Class 2 felony. On May 25, 2025, Clapper allegedly failed to register his new address within three days of moving from his previously listed address in the 4700 block of Iriquios Trail in Godfrey. Under the Sex Offender Registration Act, he was legally required to register his new address with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. Charging documents state Clapper had previously been convicted of failing to register as a sex offender in four prior Madison County cases – two from 2012 and one each from 2020 and 2024. According to the Illinois State Police Sex Offender Registry , Clapper was also convicted in Macoupin County of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. Clapper was reportedly

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