a Better Bubble™

Aggregator

Missouri Man Charged In Maryville Laundromat Burglary

1 month 2 weeks ago
MARYVILLE – A Missouri man authorities say targets Madison County for his criminal activity faces new charges after breaking into a Maryville laundromat. Gage L. Wille, 29, of St. Charles, Mo., was charged with burglary, a Class 2 felony, and possession of burglary tools, a Class 4 felony. Wille allegedly broke into a Sudz Wash laundromat at 112 W. Perry St. in Maryville on Jan. 9, 2025, intending to commit a theft. He was found with an orange pry bar in his possession, which court documents describe as “suitable for use in breaking into a building.” A petition to deny his pretrial release states Wille burglarized the business before fleeing the scene. Wille previously failed to appear in court from a prior theft case and has “been in warrant status since October 2019.” “It appears this defendant has no connection to Madison County and comes here only with the intent to steal,” the petition states of Wille. The Maryville Police Department

Continue Reading

U.S.-made beer, bourbon, motorcycles and more on tariff list in Trump trade war with EU

1 month 2 weeks ago
WASHINGTON — The European Union released a lengthy list Wednesday of U.S. goods, from Kentucky bourbon to household appliances, slated for retaliatory tariffs in response to President Donald Trump’s taxes on steel and aluminum imports that went into effect overnight. The 27-nation bloc announced late Tuesday it plans to impose the countermeasures starting April 1 […]
Ashley Murray

OSFM Announces $4 Million in Grants for Essential Tools and Equipment

1 month 2 weeks ago
SPRINGFIELD - The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) announced today the recipients of the 2024 Small Equipment Grant Program. A total of $4 million was awarded to 178 fire departments/districts and EMS providers across the state. The program was established to provide grants of up to $26,000 each for the purchase of small firefighting and ambulance equipment. This program is an innovative approach to a problem that has long caused difficulties for fire departments and not-for profit ambulance services in Illinois, particularly those that have hardships in generating the necessary revenue for small equipment. The purpose is to allow eligible applicants the opportunity to purchase small equipment that they may otherwise not be able to purchase. The OSFM received 347 applications, requesting around $7.7 million in funding for this grant period. "Grant programs like our Small Equipment Grant Program are critical in providing fire departments and ambulance providers with

Continue Reading

Illinois Unemployment Rate Stable, Jobs Nearly Unchanged in January

1 month 2 weeks ago
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that nonfarm payrolls were almost unchanged, down -1,100 (0.0%), while the unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.9 percent in January, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and released by IDES. The December monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report, from +8,800 to +12,200 while the revised unemployment rate was 4.9 percent, -0.3 percentage point lower than the preliminary December unemployment rate of 5.2 percent. The January payroll jobs estimate and unemployment rate reflect activity for the week including the 12th. Compared to a year ago, total nonfarm payroll jobs increased by +36,000 jobs. The industry groups with the largest jobs increases included: Private Education and Health Services (+27,500), Government (+25,300), and Leisure and Hospitality (+5,800). The industry groups with the largest jobs decreases included:

Continue Reading

Robin Restaurant opens this week in Maplewood

1 month 2 weeks ago
Maplewood’s newest restaurant, Robin Restaurant, is set to open on Thursday, March 13. Chef Alec Schingel hosted a media event on Monday, and on Tuesday the Maplewood City Council quickly approved the restaurant’s liquor license. From a press release: “Following two years of pop-ups and private dinners branded as “The Robin Project,” Chef Alec Schingel […]
Doug Miner

Davidsmeyer Criticizes Democrats' Bad Bills & Misplaced Priorities

1 month 2 weeks ago
SPRINGFIELD – At a Capitol news conference Tuesday, Assistant Republican Leader C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Murrayville) criticized the bad bills and misplaced priorities of the Democratic supermajority in the Illinois General Assembly. “Illinois is facing significant problems with our budget, with public safety, with high taxes and the high cost of living,” Rep. Davidsmeyer said. “With the State of Illinois facing a $1.2 billion budget shortfall, Democrats are pushing bad bills that will make Illinois’ budget problems even worse.” Last week, the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (CGFA), which Davidsmeyer co-chairs, released its FY 2026 Economic Forecast and Revenue Estimate and FY 2025 Revenue Update . CGFA projected a $737 million State budget shortfall for FY26 and an additional $500 million shortfall for the current fiscal year. The Auditor General recently released an audit of the taxpayer-funded healthcare program

Continue Reading

Illinois Joins Poison Centers Nationwide to Highlight the Dangers of Poisonings and How to Reduce Risk, Injury

1 month 2 weeks ago
CHICAGO – The Illinois Poison Center (IPC), the nation’s oldest poison center, joins poison centers around the country to raise awareness about poison dangers and educate the public on ways to further protect their loved ones during National Poison Prevention Week (NPPW), which runs from March 16–22, 2025. This year’s theme is “When the unexpected happens, Poison Help is here for you.” For more than 70 years, poison centers have provided vital information and resources to families to help reduce the threat of poisoning and save lives. “Poison risks remain a constant threat to individuals of all ages,” says IPC Medical Director Michael Wahl, M.D. “Our team of pharmacists, nurses, and poison information experts are available 24/7 to answer questions, offer guidance on treatment, and help prevent harm. No concern is too big or too small, and all calls are free and confidential.” In 2024, IPC handled 72,500 cases involving

Continue Reading