BETHALTO - Slugger Bella Thien finished at the top of the Civic Memorial High School charts for RBIs this past softball season, and a remarkable 468 batting average with eight home runs. Raigen Linton, the CM girls' softball coach, described Bella as a "great hitter for CM" and noted her value to the team. "She was a power hitter on the season," Linton said. "She was a very valuable player." Bella, a shortstop, is a Tom Lane State Farm Insurance Female Athlete of the Month. She is a multi-sport athlete, participating in softball, volleyball, and basketball. Bella earned several honors in volleyball and was named an all-conference player as shortstop in softball. Outside of athletics, Bella was a member of the National Honor Society and the CM student council. She has signed to play collegiate softball and plans to study nursing in college.
EDWARDSVILLE — Alexa Stock, a junior at Metro East Lutheran High School, has been recognized as BJ’s Printables Female Athlete of the Month for her contributions to the school’s girls' soccer team this spring. Stock, a multi-sport athlete, also competes in volleyball and basketball. Rob Stock, head coach of the girls' soccer team, highlighted Alexa’s versatility and leadership on the field. “She played all over the soccer field in the spring as a defender and midfielder,” he said. “At one point, when the two captains were gone, she helped lead the team. She is a very hard worker.” In addition to soccer, Alexa participates in basketball during the winter season and plans to play volleyball in the upcoming fall. Her involvement in multiple sports demonstrates her athletic commitment and ability to contribute across various teams at Metro East Lutheran High School.
REO Speedwagon’s Kevin Cronin is feeling nostalgic about Live Aid, which will be celebrating its 40th anniversary in July.Cronin reveals in a Facebook post that he was just interviewed about the concerts for…
A Rhode Island federal judge blocked an order that would have yanked billions of federal dollars for roads, bridges and airport projects in states that don’t aid in the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. U.S. District Judge John James McConnell Jr. granted a preliminary injunction late Thursday to the 20 Democratic-led states that brought the case […]
WASHINGTON — The next hurdle for Republican leaders in the U.S. Senate and the “big, beautiful bill”: Democrats — and possibly a few of their own members — in a marathon voting session will make last-ditch attempts to change the tax and spending cut measure. The vote-a-rama, as it’s known, is expected to begin sometime […]
Sammy Hagar is celebrating his bandmate Michael Anthony on social media in honor of the bassist's 71st birthday.Hagar posted two pictures of them together on Instagram, one of them from their…
ALTON - In May 2025, 95-year-old Bob Becker experienced a memorable turkey hunt on his family’s property in Calhoun County. Despite some early distractions from hens attacking decoys and several jakes passing by without a clear shot, Becker ultimately succeeded in harvesting a turkey after spotting it near the edge of the woods. Becker, who will turn 96 in September 2025, has maintained an active hunting lifestyle throughout his life, focusing primarily on waterfowl, deer, and turkey. His family’s land in Calhoun County has been in their possession for over a century. Becker’s extensive involvement in outdoor activities includes a career at Winchester and leadership roles as president of the Migratory Waterfowl Federation and the Illinois Federation for Outdoor Resources. Cheryl Roberts, his daughter, reflecting on Becker’s recent hunt, noted that he always says this "could be his last hunt." "You never know at 95," she said. Despite his age, Becker has continue
I need to say something that will be deeply uncomfortable for many of you: if you have friends, family, or colleagues defending what’s happening right now, their old sane selves may not be coming back. Let me be specific about what I mean. This week, Donald Trump posted explicit orders on Truth Social directing federal law enforcement […]
EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville brought science and justice to life during the inaugural Forensic Murder Mystery Camp, held June 9–13 at the Southwestern Illinois Justice & Workforce Development Campus in Belleville. The immersive summer program welcomed high school students to explore the real-world intersection of forensic science and law through lab work, courtroom simulations, and mentorship from leading professionals. The camp marked a successful multi-institutional collaboration among SIUE’s Department of Forensic Sciences, SIU Carbondale’s Simmons Law School, the Southwestern Illinois Police Academy, Saint Louis University, and the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA). It was designed to activate the Belleville site with high-impact learning experiences that introduce students to the critical thinking, communication, and investigative techniques central to careers in forensic science and legal studies. Participants include
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