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Edwardsville Man Charged With Stalking, Posting Victim's Explicit Photo Without Consent

2 months 1 week ago
EDWARDSVILLE – A man from Edwardsville faces felony charges after allegedly sharing an explicit photo online without the victim’s consent and threatening to harm the victim and her reputation. Lorenzo M. Barlow, 21, of Edwardsville, was charged with one count each of stalking and nonconsensual dissemination of a sex image, both Class 4 felonies. On Oct. 7, 2025, Barlow allegedly engaged in a course of conduct directed at a victim which he knew or should have known would cause the victim to fear for their safety, resulting in the stalking charge. Barlow reportedly sent the victim a video from outside her home while threatening to harm her, called the victim over 30 times via multiple platforms, sent multiple messages threatening to harm the victim and her reputation, threatened to send the victim’s employer videos of her engaged in sex acts, claimed he had sent such videos to a third party, and posted a nude photo of the victim to his Instagram profile. The state’s

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Behind the Scenes of the 108th Annual Alton Halloween Parade: Planning, Staging and Fun

2 months 1 week ago
ALTON - Riverbend residents are invited to the City of Alton’s 108th annual Halloween Parade. Hosted by the city and the East End Improvement Association, the parade will start at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. Hundreds of spectators will be in attendance. Steve and Greg with the East End Improvement Association look forward to another fun, spooky night for the city. “Halloween is really a big night in Alton,” Steve said. “We have people who come back every year. We have individuals that watch the parade that are in the same spot every year. Get there early.” Since August, the East End Improvement Association has been planning the parade and accepting participant applications. Greg noted that their ten-person committee runs like “a machine,” with everyone working together to make sure the parade goes off without a hitch. This year’s parade marshal is Karen Wilson. Steve and Greg thanked the Alton and Godfrey first responders,

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Marquette Catholic Unveils 2025 Homecoming Court Candidates

2 months 1 week ago
ALTON - Marquette Catholic High School has announced the candidates for its 2025 Homecoming Court. The king candidates include Jack Beaber, Maicol Gonzalez, Ethan Dempsey, Keller Jacobs, Carson Jones, Eli Rodgers, and Jack Rea. The queen candidates are Annie Rea, Alana Taylor, Melanie Marshall, Caroline Cain, Juliana Urhahn, Emma Dempsey, and Maddie Waters. The king and queen will be revealed at the Homecoming Dance scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. The event marks a traditional celebration for the school community.

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Midwest Members Credit Union Sponsors 'Shell Of The Month'

2 months 1 week ago
ROXANA – Midwest Members Credit Union is proud to sponsor the “Shell of the Month” program at Roxana High School. Students from each grade level are selected each month by members of RHS faculty. Each student is awarded a certificate and a Subway gift card. The Seniors selected each month will have the opportunity to compete for a “Shell of the Year” scholarship at the end of the school year. September's Shell of the Month winners are: Senior- Miranda Williams & Max Autery Junior- Jamyra Allen & Easton Johnston Sophomore- Mia Skinner & Dayton Fleenor Freshman- Kaylee Kane & Myles Bertoletti Congratulations to all the recipients Midwest Members Credit Union has been serving your community for over 90 years. To find out more information about Midwest Members Credit Union and what they are doing in your community, please visit www.midmembers.org

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IDOL Congratulates Staunton Fire Protection District on Prestigious National Safety Award

2 months 1 week ago
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Labor’s (IDOL) On-Site Safety and Health Consultation Program (On-Site) is celebrating the Staunton Fire Protection District (SFPD) for earning the 2025 International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Health, Safety and Survival Section Billy Goldfeder Fire Service Organizational Safety Award. The award recognizes people and organizations that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to fire service health and safety. SFPD’s collaboration with On-Site, and its inclusion in federal OSHA’s Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) were highlighted by the IAFC as key factors in the district’s selection. SFPD achieved SHARP designation in May 2017 and remains the only volunteer fire department in the nation to hold the certification. It is also one of only four SHARP-designated fire departments in Illinois. SHARP is a federal recognition program that acknowledges small employers with exemplary safety

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St. Louis Region Offers Dozens of Programs Building the Manufacturing Workforce of the Future

2 months 1 week ago
ST. LOUIS - With October marking National Manufacturing Month, a time when communities across the country celebrate modern manufacturing, the St. Louis region stands out as a hub for manufacturing education and workforce development with a well-established network of programs and centers of excellence that continue to grow in both in scale and impact. These programs are helping to address the rising demand for skilled workers in advanced manufacturing, aerospace and avionics, and the St. Louis Regional Freightway is continuing its efforts to promote their availability and educate students and career seekers about the tremendous career opportunities they lead to. “Advanced manufacturing is a thriving, targeted industry sector in the St. Louis region, and the strength of the aerospace subsector is particularly noteworthy,” said Mary Lamie. Lamie is head of St. Louis Regional Freightway, which launched the St. Louis Regional Aerospace and Aviation Task Force in 2024 to hel

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Duckworth Statement on Israel and Hamas Agreeing to Peace Deal

2 months 1 week ago
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released the following statement after Israel and Hamas agreed to phase one of the U.S.-led peace agreement: “Just over two years after Hamas’s brutal attack against Israel on October 7th, 2023 and the ensuing bloodshed and heartbreak suffered by Palestinians and Israelis, we are finally welcoming the first phase of a peace agreement that could end the fighting, bring all the hostages home and alleviate the horrific humanitarian crisis in Gaza. “I deeply hope that Hamas, Israel and all parties involved agree to and implement their respective conditions of each phase of this agreement. “We should all hope that this announcement marks a turning point in the years-long effort to secure a de-escalation of tensions in the region that ultimately results in a two-state future which strengthens the safety of Israel, brings home all remaining hostages, eliminates the threat pose

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Governor Pritzker Announces Global Quantum Computing Pioneer, Pasqal, to Establish U.S. Headquarters in Illinois

2 months 1 week ago
CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced Pasqal , a global leader in neutral-atom quantum computing, will establish their U.S. headquarters as a future tenant of the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park ( IQMP ) on Chicago’s South Side. With support from the State’s Manufacturing Illinois Chips for Real Opportunity Act ( MICRO ) Program, Pasqal will invest more than $65 million in their first U.S. location and create 50 new full-time jobs. Pasqal’s facility will include a space to house one of the company’s quantum processing units onsite. In addition to the State’s MICRO incentives, Pasqal has secured a $15 million loan from the Illinois Finance Authority/Climate Bank to support their U.S. project. “Pasqal’s decision to establish its U.S. headquarters in Illinois marks another major milestone for Illinois’ quantum ecosystem,” said Governor

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Illinois Fall Trout Stocking Delayed Due To Warmer Temperatures

2 months 1 week ago
SPRINGFIELD – The stocking of catchable trout for the fall season is on hold until water temperatures are more suitable for the trout, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) announced today. Unusually warm weather in Illinois this fall has delayed the cooling of lakes and ponds across the state. Trout stocked in waters warmer than 68 degrees could experience high mortality. IDNR will stock the early catch-and-release sites as soon as water temperatures cool. Sites are expected to be stocked by Oct. 31. The public will be provided stocking updates on IDNR’s ifishillinois.org website and social media channels for IDNR. While the official opening date for the fall trout season remains Saturday, Oct. 18, anglers should be aware that trout will not be present at many sites on opening day. The stocking delay also will affect the early-season catch-and-release opportunities at sites statewide. IDNR biologists are monitoring water temperatures statewide, and

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Shooting leaves man in critical condition in St. Louis

2 months 1 week ago
A man is in critical condition after being shot late last night just south of downtown St. Louis. The shooting occurred around 10:15 p.m. on Gratiot Street, near Old Route 66. Police discovered the victim and transported him to the hospital, where he remains in critical condition. Authorities are currently investigating the incident, but no [...]