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I-55/70 Closure Near Collinsville in Madison County Begins June 13  

1 month ago
COLLINSVILLE – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that a full closure of Interstate 55/70 northbound/eastbound between Illinois 157 and Illinois 159 in Madison County will start, weather permitting, at 9 p.m. Friday, June 13, for bridge repairs. The closure is expected to remain in place for 17 calendar days. During that time, motorists should follow the marked detour as follows: Northbound/eastbound I-55/70: Take I-255 northbound to I-270 eastbound to reconnect with I-55 northbound, I-70 eastbound, or I-55/70 southbound/westbound. All lanes are scheduled to reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, June 30. Motorists should allow extra travel time for trips, especially during the first few days of the closure, and pay attention to additional signage on the marked detour route. Drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes, and are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices

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Webster Groves Architect Jim Buleski Dies

1 month ago
From The Webster-Kirkwood Times:  Bulejski, James “Jim” Michael, 64, of Webster Groves, passed away on May 21, 2025, after a courageous fight with cancer. Jim grew up in Florissant, Missouri, and graduated from McCluer North High School in 1979. He went on to attend Kansas State University to study architecture. After graduating, he began a successful […]
Rachel Finan

SBA Announces June 30 Deadline for Tornado Disaster Loan Applications

1 month ago
ATLANTA - The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding small businesses and private nonprofits (PNP) organizations of the June 30 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by a tornado occurring July 14-15, 2024. The disaster declaration covers the Illinois counties of Bureau, LaSalle, Marshall, Peoria, Putnam, Stark and Woodford. Under this declaration, the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs with financial losses directly related to this disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises. EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the small business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, an

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GCSD9 Registration Open for 2025-26 School Year

1 month ago
GRANITE CITY – Granite City Community Unit School District #9 announced enrollment and registration is now open for the 2025-26 school year. Families can register by using your SKYWARD account, and will have to make a designation to receive bus transportation. For all NEW enrollments, visit our Enrollment/Registration website for required documents prior to visiting our enrollment center. In accordance with enrollment and registration requirements, families currently restricted from accessing the Online Registration option will soon receive further instructions to complete the registration process. James J. Greenwald Administration Building 3200 Maryville Road Granite City, IL 62040 Admin Office Hours: Monday through Thursday: 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Friday: 7 a.m.-Noon Enrollment Office Hours: Monday through Thursday: 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Friday: 7-11 a.m. Students will not be allowed to attend school on the first day if not registered or enrolled.

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DeSales Plans Carondolet Mixed Use Project

1 month ago
From NextSTL: DeSales Community Development plans a mixed-use development at Virginia and Eiler in the Carondelet neighborhood called Virginia Plaza. It aims to provide mixed-income housing, commercial space, and amenities for the community. It is a combination of rehabs and new construction. The architect is Naismith-Allen Inc. The general contractor is Roanoke Construction. Project website. DeSales submitted a zoning-only […]
Rachel Finan

OSF Saint Anthony's To Sponsor First-Ever Summer Camp For Seventh and Eighth Graders To Explore Health Careers

1 month ago
ALTON – Now that school’s out, there’s no doubt a variety of activities that can fill a junior high student’s calendar to stay occupied during the summer. We’ll find them on the athletic fields, around the pool or on a beach, maybe even exploring current or new hobbies. Maybe not so surprisingly, one area of focus that many junior high/middle school-aged students begin turning their interest to is career exploration. While it's not uncommon for career exploration to begin in high school, experts now recognize that junior high/middle school is a more suitable time to begin discovering career passions and interests. This allows students to engage in exploration with less stress and a greater openness to different possibilities. With the goal of assisting Riverbend region junior high/middle school students with an interest in a health care career, OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center will be sponsoring its first-ever Health Care Camp for Riverbend

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Clayco’s Bob Clark Shares Life Vision With S&T Grads

1 month ago
From Missouri University of Science and Technology:  Robert “Bob” Clark, founder of Clayco, offered Missouri University of Science and Technology graduates some inspiration from his story, his life and his career, along with some of his successes and failures, during two commencement ceremonies at Missouri S&T. Clark spoke during Missouri S&T commencement ceremonies held at […]
Rachel Finan

Firearm Used In Domestic Battery; Granite City Man Detained

1 month ago
GRANITE CITY – A man from Granite City remains in custody after using a firearm during a domestic assault and battery. Brandon L. Fletcher, 42, of Granite City, was charged on May 30, 2025 with felon in possession of a weapon (Class 3 felony), domestic battery (Class A misdemeanor), and aggravated assault (Class A misdemeanor). On May 30, 2025, Fletcher allegedly assaulted a household or family member with a Smith and Wesson M&P .380ACP firearm by placing the firearm to their mouth. A petition from the State’s Attorney’s Office to deny Fletcher’s pretrial release states officers responded to a reported domestic disturbance before contacting the victim. The victim told officers Fletcher “began to make threats and retrieved a firearm” before the situation escalated further. “Upon retrieving the firearm, the defendant placed the firearm to the victim’s mouth,” the petition states. “Officers located the defendant, and he was

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Judge preserves work permits, deportation protections for 5,000 Venezuelans

1 month ago
WASHINGTON — A federal judge in California has blocked the Trump administration from invalidating work permits and other documents that granted legal status to 5,000 Venezuelans, a subset class of the nearly 350,000 whose temporary legal protections the U.S. Supreme Court last month allowed to be terminated. The Saturday order from U.S. District Judge Edward […]
Ariana Figueroa

Collinsville Man, Cahokia Teen, Face Multiple Charges After Incident With Uber Driver At Police Parking Lot

1 month ago
COLUMBIA - The Monroe County State’s Attorney, Ryan Webb, has issued charges against a Collinsville man and a Cahokia 17-year-old for a Sunday morning, June 1, 2025, after an incident with an Uber driver in the Columbia Police Department parking lot. Collinsville’s Kareem Weaver, 20, has been charged with the following: Vehicular Invasion (Class 1 Felony). Attempted Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking (Class 1 Felony). Aggravated Unlawful Restraint (Class 3 Felony). Aggravated Kidnapping (Class X Felony). A 17-year-old Cahokia Heights juvenile has been charged with the following: Attempted First Degree Murder (Class X Felony). Aggravated Battery With A Firearm (Class X Felony). Vehicular Invasion (Class 1 Felony). Attempted Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking (Class 1 Felony). Attempted Discharge Of A Firearm (Class 1 Felony). Aggravated Unlawful Restraint (Class 3 Felony). Aggravated Kidnapping (Class X Felony). The juvenile is being held at the Juvenile Detention

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Hayner Library Kicks Off Free Summer Reading Program for Kids and Teens

1 month ago
ALTON - The Hayner Public Library District has kicked off their Summer Reading Program. This program is made up of free events for kids and teens to enjoy. Participants also complete reading challenges for the chance to win prizes. Mary and Sharon, librarians who oversee the program, explained that it’s a chance for kids to learn to love reading. “The point — I mean, obviously, it’s to have fun. It’s so the kids come into the library and associate the library as a fun place, a place to make memories,” Mary explained. “But also, there’s a thing called the summer slide…where kids’ literacy rates sort of start to slide down. So the Summer Reading Program, the point is to get kids in the library, get them reading, keep their reading going so that they don’t have that academic slide backwards. So it’s fun for them, but there’s also the ulterior motive of keeping them reading and keeping them engaged wit

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