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Granite City's LilyRose Cockrum Named Alma Irene Aitch Scholarship Award Recipient

5 days 2 hours ago
GRANITE CITY – Granite City High School 2025 graduate LilyRose Cockrum was chosen for the inaugural Alma Irene Aitch Scholarship for Madison County Illinois High School Seniors, as announced by Madison County Regional Superintendent, Dr. Robert W. Werden, along with Mannie Jackson and Dr. Ed Hightower. The $1,000 award is presented to 10 graduating seniors from across Madison County who have demonstrated high academic achievement, personal drive, and excellence throughout their four-year high school careers. The Aitch Scholarship is named in honor of Alma Irene Aitch, a former teacher at Lincoln School whose leadership and encouragement profoundly impacted her students and their future generations. Beloved for her deep love of school and community, Ms. Aitch’s legacy lives on through this scholarship. Created through the collaborative efforts of Jackson, Hightower, and Werden, the scholarship recognizes and rewards students who have demonstrated hard work and

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Mississippi River Festival is "Magical" for Attendees and Organizers

5 days 2 hours ago
ALTON - According to organizers, the second year of the renewed Mississippi River Festival was once again “magical.” On Friday, June 27, 2025, the Mississippi River Festival kicked off at 7 p.m. after a delayed start due to weather, featuring vendors, interactive art installations, food trucks, beer tents, and live music at the Alton Amphitheater. The fun continued on Saturday, June 28, with a minor midday rain delay. Organizers Nick Bifano and Zack Johnson were eager to welcome the thousands of people who traveled from across the region to enjoy the shows. “This was our second year, moving into year three. It’s like, ‘Okay, what’s the best thing for this festival?’ But also, there’s this side mission of, ‘What brings the most honor to Alton, and then in turn, to the whole region?’” Bifano said. “I think we’re going to make mistakes along the way because we’re just humans trying to do cool stuff.

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Guns kill more US children than other causes, but study finds state policies can help

5 days 3 hours ago
More American children and teens die from firearms than any other cause, but there are more deaths — and wider racial disparities — in states with more permissive gun policies, according to a new study. The study, published in the medical journal JAMA Pediatrics last week, analyzes trends in state firearm policies and kids’ deaths […]
Nada Hassanein

North Carolina US Sen. Thom Tillis announces retirement after drawing Trump wrath

5 days 3 hours ago
WASHINGTON — North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis announced Sunday he won’t seek reelection when his term ends next year, opening up a seat that will become central to control of Congress during next year’s midterms. Tillis’ announcement came just hours after he voted against moving forward with Republicans’ tax and spending cuts package, eliciting a […]
Jennifer Shutt

Collinsville Police Officer Ross and K9 Rocky Team Up For 12 Arrests

5 days 4 hours ago
COLLINSVILLE - The Collinsville Police Department has named Officer Trent Ross as its May Officer of the Month for his active role in combating criminal activity in the area. Officer Ross, along with his K9 partner Rocky, made 12 arrests within Collinsville and provided assistance to neighboring law enforcement agencies on eight occasions. The Collinsville Police Department recognized Ross’s efforts in maintaining safety not only within city limits but also in surrounding communities. “Thank you Trent for your efforts to keep the Metro East safe for all,” the Collinsville Police Department said in a statement.

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