a Better Bubble™

Aggregator

Missouri AG’s efforts to undo Jackson County property assessments dealt another blow

1 year 1 month ago
State officials’ hopes of rolling back Jackson County property assessment increases are floundering after a circuit court judge dismissed a lawsuit by the State Tax Commission on Wednesday.  The commission in August ordered Jackson County to reverse most of its 2023 property valuations, arguing they had been performed illegally and resulted in huge increases in […]
Allison Kite

Texas, California Residents Face Money Laundering Charges In Madison County

1 year 1 month ago
EDWARDSVILLE - Two individuals from out of state face the same set of felony charges in two separate but related cases of money laundering. Michael J. Reese, 40, of Moreno Valley, Calif., and Lester A. Vega, 47, of Fort Worth, Texas, were charged with two counts each of money laundering, all classified as Class 1 felonies. On Nov. 13, 2024, the two allegedly drove a Freightliner tractor-trailer through Madison County, Illinois. The vehicle was reportedly carrying approximately $255,000 in U.S. currency which was placed “in heat-sealed bags hidden behind a refrigerator.” According to court documents, the currency had been “criminally derived” and was concealed in an effort “to avoid a transaction reporting requirement.” The charges against both individuals were filed on Nov. 15, 2024. Both have since been granted pretrial release from custody. The issuance of charges is based solely upon probable cause and is not an indication of guilt.

Continue Reading

Grafton Welcomes New Officer Daniel Meredith to Police Force, Swears In Interim Chief

1 year 1 month ago
GRAFTON - Grafton’s newest police officer was sworn in at the City Council meeting on Tuesday night, November 19, 2024. Officer Daniel Meredith graduated from the police academy in 2016 and worked as a full-time certified officer in Belleville, Illinois before coming to the Grafton police department in April 2024. The city is happy to officially welcome Officer Meredith to the force. The City Council accepted the retirement of Police Chief Eric Spanton, who has faithfully served the city and residents of Grafton since 2017 when he had just retired as a 28-year veteran of the Illinois State Police. The community is grateful for his service and guidance during his term of office. Grafton has greatly benefited from his experience and leadership and the police department is on solid footing because of these attributes. SGT Dave Womack was sworn in as Interim Chief of Police and will work with retired Chief Spanton to ensure good communication and a smooth transition. SGT Womack

Continue Reading

Madison County Officer Killed in 1852 to be Honored During National Police Week

1 year 1 month ago
EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County Police Officer Isom Thomas Gillham is finally receiving recognition after being killed in the line of duty in 1852. During the Madison County Board’s regular meeting on Nov. 20, 2024, Madison County Sheriff Jeff Connor shared information about Gillham, one of the first police officers to be killed in the line of duty in Madison County. Connor explained that Gillham will be recognized on the Madison County Fallen Officer Memorial that they are currently working to build at the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. “We’ve recently been working to create a new Fallen Officer Memorial in front of the Sheriff’s Office, and in that process, we’ve been doing some research, locating a Madison County Sheriff Constable we found out that had been killed in the line of duty that was not recognized,” Connor said. “And what we found out is that on Dec. 11, 1852, we found the deputy that was killed in the line of duty in

Continue Reading

City of St. Louis Water Division Lifting Precautionary Boil Water Advisory for Parts of North and South City

1 year 1 month ago
ST. LOUIS - The Precautionary Boil Water Advisory that was issued by the City of St. Louis Water Division on Nov. 19, 2024 for portions of North and South city has been lifted effective 8 p.m. on Nov. 20, 2024. The Water Division conducted several tests on water samples collected in the affected areas and has verified the water is not contaminated and is safe to consume.

Continue Reading

Members of U.S. Senate back disaster aid request amid increasing storm severity

1 year 1 month ago
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration’s request for nearly $100 billion in natural disaster response and recovery funding is on track to sail through the U.S. Senate after both Republicans and Democrats expressed strong support during a Wednesday hearing. Members of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, however, voiced concerns with how the federal government prepares for […]
Jennifer Shutt