RANDOLPH COUNTY — Curtis Scott Sheeler, 65, was found deceased near his home in Randolph County on Tuesday morning, July 8, 2025, following a multi-agency search prompted by his family’s missing person report. Sheeler had been reported missing on Sunday, July 5, 2025, when family members requested a welfare check at his residence. The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office initiated a search that evening, which included checking Sheeler’s home, surrounding areas, and the homes of friends. Despite initial efforts, Sheeler was not located until the next day. On July 8, the sheriff’s office coordinated a larger search involving multiple agencies, including the Sparta Fire Department, Franklin County Office of Emergency Management Special Operations (OEMC) K-9 team, Baldwin Fire, Red Bud Fire, Ellis Grove Fire, Prairie Du Rocher Fire, and Med Star Ambulance Service. Sheeler’s body was discovered in an area adjacent to his property during the coordinated
O'FALLON - Lauren Jackson, a woman who says she can't wait to make a difference in her students' lives, has accepted a position with the O’Fallon School District as a new Autism teacher at Estelle Kampmeyer Elementary. Jackson also said she has "always wanted to be a teacher ever since I was a little girl, and it’s surreal to have that dream come true.” Jackson attributes her university studies, practicum experience, and student teaching to preparing her to work with students of all abilities. She is very excited to join the O’Fallon School District 90 team. “I have appreciated the warm welcome I have received since I accepted my position,” she said. “Everyone has been so kind and has made me more than excited to begin this new chapter in my life.” Lauren loves to craft in her free time, spend time outdoors, and also spend time with her friends and family.
A federal judge in Maryland on Wednesday denied the Trump administration’s attempts to dismiss a lawsuit by wrongly deported Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was returned to the United States last month. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis submitted a brief paperless order that did not elaborate on her reasoning for denying two government requests to dismiss […]
WASHINGTON — Interest accrual on the debt of nearly 7.7 million student loan borrowers enrolled in the Saving on a Valuable Education plan will resume Aug. 1, the U.S. Education Department said Wednesday. The Biden-era income-driven repayment plan better known as SAVE saw legal challenges from several GOP-led states beginning in 2024, creating uncertainty for […]
Two pending lawsuits over a 2024 federal rule protecting certain reproductive health information from disclosure are on hold while the Trump administration decides whether to appeal a Texas judge’s June decision that declared the rule unlawful and void. U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk issued an opinion nullifying the federal rule that shielded reproductive health information from […]
St. Louis firefighters and family gathered to pay their respects to Lee Kraus, a 27-year veteran of the department who died on July 1 while on duty, and shared stories of his kindness and dedication.
ALTON - The eighth annual Trinity Festival is returning to Alton. Starting at 12 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, community members can come out to Milton Schoolhouse for the festival, featuring 16 bands and musicians, even more vendors, and lots of fun for a good cause. Proceeds from the festival go to Trinity’s Way, a local nonprofit that supports environmental and animal rights organizations in memory of Trinity Buel. “It’s all in Trinity’s name,” said Greg, one of the organizers. “That’s how this all started. She couldn’t live her own dreams anymore, so we’re trying to fulfill them for her.” Trinity Festival is an annual event that brings the community together to enjoy music and vendors. Previously hosted in Calhoun County, organizers decided to return to Alton this year and host the event at Milton Schoolhouse. There will be two stages at Milton, with performances from 12 p.m. to midnight on Aug. 2. You can
JERSEYVILLE – A little bit of rain hasn’t stopped the Jersey County Fair from kicking off with a strong start this year. Fair President Phil Ringhausen said despite the rain delaying the Jersey County Fair Parade on Tuesday, the fairground festivities are now in full swing. He said last night’s free concert in the grandstands, and both of yesterday’s livestock shows, went well with even more exciting events on the schedule. Tonight’s Fair Queen Pageant is set for 7 to 11 p.m., and Ringhausen said there’s no shortage of contestants this year. “We never have a problem getting our Little Miss ,” he said, adding there are 16 Little Miss contestants in the 2025 Pageant. “They come out of the woodwork for that – but we also have six Senior contestants going tonight, so we ought to have a really nice pageant.” Rodeo fans can expect an even bigger and better show than last year, as Ringhausen said they went with a new promoter
(The Center Square) – Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe signed a bill Wednesday that prohibits foreign money from funding ballot issue campaigns, making it the ninth state to enact such legislation.
The first hearing in the case seeking Sheriff Alfred Montgomery’s removal from office featured procedural wrangling, a trial date and the presentation of birth certificates.
There could be more retired teachers returning as substitutes and more home-schooled students will be able to participate in sports and other school activities, thanks to a stack of bipartisan education bills signed Wednesday by Gov. Mike Kehoe. Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe signed 13 bills Wednesday, including numerous education provisions passed in a handful of […]
I recently sat through this hour-long interview between New York Times opinion columnist Ross Douthat and Peter Thiel. It was honestly a somewhat hypnotic experience for me. And on reflection, deeply disturbing. Not because Thiel said anything overtly monstrous—quite the opposite. He was thoughtful, articulate, intellectually sophisticated. He demonstrated genuine insight into technological stagnation, political decay, and civilizational risk. […]
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