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Reagan Beilsmith is a Leader at Southwestern High School

1 year 9 months ago
PIASA - Through hard work and dedication, Reagan Beilsmith has earned a long list of accolades. For her accomplishments, Reagan Beilsmith is a Student of the Month for Southwestern High School. A senior at the high school, Beilsmith currently serves as the Spanish Club president and is also a member of National Honor Society and Student Government. These memberships require high grades and many hours of community service. Beilsmith participates in cross country, track and field, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She previously competed on the Scholastic Bowl team. As part of her sports, she has earned multiple leadership and MVP awards over the years. She has been a part of Southwestern’s band program for over seven years, and she has received a lot of recognition for her devotion to the band. She plays the drums and has earned Division 1 and 2 ratings for her solos at band competitions, as well as the “Outstanding Band Student Award” every year since

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Gold Coins Boost Alton Salvation Army Campaign

1 year 9 months ago
ALTON - The spirit of Christmas is alive and well in Madison County thanks to the many bell ringers and donors who have contributed to the Red Kettle Campaign. A special thank you goes out to the anonymous individual(s) who placed gold coins in the kettles, making the holidays brighter for many families in our community. The first gold coin was discovered by Salvation Army volunteer Terry Steward in the Wood River Walmart kettle on Dec. 7. The second coin was found by Terry’s brother, Chuck Steward, on Dec. 20. It had been placed in the kettle at Godfrey Schnucks. Counting the kettles is a family tradition for the two brothers. As children, the brothers grew up as soldiers in The Salvation Army. Their mother, Fran Steward, counted kettles for more than 20 years. Terry has volunteered as a kettle counter for 25 years while Chuck has been counting the kettles for 12 years. "We are truly blessed by these coins, valued at $245 each for a total of $490,” said Salvation Army

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Missouri cannabis regulators announce new rules to target ‘predatory’ contracts

1 year 9 months ago
Missouri’s Division of Cannabis Regulation announced new proposed rules Monday afternoon for its marijuana microbusiness program designed to combat predatory practices during the application process.  The division published a draft of the rules on its website and is asking for public feedback before it submits the proposal to the Secretary of State’s office on January […]
Rebecca Rivas

Alton Man Accused In Stalking, Attempted Burglary Case

1 year 9 months ago
ALTON - Justin L. Caldwell, 39, of Alton, was charged with one count of stalking (a Class 4 felony) and three counts of attempted burglary (each Class A misdemeanors). Caldwell allegedly tried entering the victim’s vehicle on three separate occasions - once on Sept. 14, 2024, again on Oct. 4, 2024, and once more on Oct. 28, 2024. On each occasion, he was accused of lifting the car door handle in an attempt to burglarize the vehicle and cause the victim emotional distress. A petition to deny his pretrial release from custody notes Caldwell has tried breaking into the victim’s vehicle “on at least three occasions,” and has admitted to going to the victim’s residence “on at least six occasions.” The petition adds Caldwell has a “high likelihood of willful flight to avoid prosecution” given his prior failures to appear in court for four prior Madison County criminal cases against him. The Alton Police Department presented th

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Quan G. Teamer Charged in Alton Gas Station Shooting

1 year 9 months ago
ALTON — The Alton Police Department, in collaboration with the Metro East SWAT Team, executed a search warrant on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, in connection with a shooting incident that occurred just over a week earlier. The operation took place in the 800 block of Brown Street, Alton. The search was part of an ongoing investigation into a shooting that happened at 4:07 a.m. on Dec. 15, 2024. The Alton Police Department was alerted by a local hospital that a male victim with multiple gunshot wounds had been admitted to their Emergency Department. The victim was subsequently transferred to a hospital in St. Louis for advanced medical care. Investigators determined that the shooting occurred in the parking lot of Circle Gas, located at 911 College Avenue, Alton. Following the investigation, the Madison County State's Attorney’s Office filed charges on Dec. 20, 2024, against 23-year-old Quan G. Teamer of Alton. The charges include aggravated battery with a firearm, reckless

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Gov. Pritzker Announces Two Appointments to Boards and Commissions

1 year 9 months ago
CHICAGO - Building on a strong team of diverse experts in their fields, Governor JB Pritzker announced the following appointments in his administration. Illinois Health Benefits Exchange Advisory Committee Anusha Thotakura will serve as a Member of the Illinois Health Benefits Exchange Advisory Committee.* Thotakura currently serves as the Director of Illinois Citizen Action, where she successfully led efforts to ban price gouging for generic and off-patent prescription medication. Previously, she served as Special Projects Manager for the Progressive Turnout Project and was a Graduate Civics Fellow with the Blue Haven Initiative. Thotakura earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master of Public Policy from Harvard University. Stephanie Altman will serve as a Member of the Illinois Health Benefits Exchange Advisory Committee.* Altman is the Director of Healthcare Justice and Senior Director of Policy at the Shriver Center on Poverty

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Alton Sex Offender Faces Theft, Meth, Other Charges

1 year 9 months ago
ALTON - An Alton man accused of failing to register as a sex offender faces multiple other charges in two Madison County criminal cases. Patrick J. Wooldridge, 45, listed as homeless out of Alton, was charged in one case on Dec. 13, 2024 with violating the Sex Offender Registration Act (a Class 2 felony) and unlawful possession of less than five grams of methamphetamine (a Class 3 felony). In that case, Wolldridge reportedly failed to register as a sex offender with local authorities on a weekly basis as required for homeless individuals under state law. The charging documents note he had previously been convicted of the same offense in Madison County court in 2021. In another case filed on the same day, Wooldridge was charged with one count each of theft and unlawful use of a credit or debit card, both Class 4 felonies. On Nov. 23, 2024, he reportedly stole an individual’s purse wallet and house keys and knowingly used their stolen debit card to obtain merchandise.

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Stillwater Senior Living Male Athlete Of Month: Granite City Sophomore Landon Harris Shines at State Cross Country Championship

1 year 9 months ago
GRANITE CITY - Granite City High School sophomore Landon Harris was recognized by the Board of Education on Dec. 10, 2024, for his impressive achievement in cross country, qualifying for the 2024 IHSA Class 3A Cross Country Championship. Harris secured a time of 15:05.20, making him the 12th-fastest sophomore and earning him a 78th-place finish in the competition. Landon is a Stillwater Senior Living Male Athlete of the Month for the Warriors. This marks the second consecutive year that Harris has qualified for the state cross country meet, demonstrating his consistent performance in the sport. In addition to his cross country success, Harris has also excelled in track and field, having run under 2 minutes in the 800 meters and posting a time of 4:21.97 in the 1600 meters last spring. During the Board meeting, Harris was joined by Granite City High Principal Tim McChristian, GCHS Cross Country Coach Aaron Werths, and GCSD9 Board Vice President Eric Stacy, who all acknowledged

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Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athlete Of The Month: East Alton-Wood River Student Balances Athletics and Academics

1 year 9 months ago
WOOD RIVER - Sierra Holbrook-Blair, a senior at East Alton-Wood River High School, is being recognized for her contributions to the cheerleading team. Holbrook-Blair, who has transitioned from soccer to cheerleading, credits her success to a supportive environment and a positive mindset. Sierra is a Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month. Holbrook-Blair began her cheerleading journey this year, having previously played soccer, where she served as a captain during her junior year. "I came into this new sport with unease but gained a positive attitude that I could do anything if I just put my mind to it," she said. The welcoming nature of her teammates and coaches, particularly head coach Alison Beachum, helped her adjust to the new atmosphere. In addition to her athletic commitments, Holbrook-Blair is actively involved in various extracurricular activities, including the National Honor Society, Big Sisters, Renaissance, Student Council, Spirit Club, and Senior Mentor.

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