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Alton, Bethalto Residents Face Felonies In DUI Cases

3 months ago
ALTON/BETHALTO – Two local residents have been charged in separate cases with driving under the influence, including an Alton man accused of injuring someone in a motor vehicle accident before leaving the scene. Deshon R. Womack, 30, of Alton, was charged on July 30, 2025 with leaving the scene of an accident involving injury (a Class 4 felony) and two counts of driving while under the influence (both Class A misdemeanors). Womack is accused of driving on Piasa Street in Alton while under the influence of alcohol on March 19, 2025. He was reportedly involved in a motor vehicle accident at Piasa and West 3rd Street, which resulted in personal injury to the victim, before unlawfully leaving the scene of the accident. The Alton Police Department presented the case against Womack, who was ordered released from custody. A 61-year-old Bethalto resident was charged in an unrelated case filed on July 31, 2025 with a Class 2 felony count of aggravated driving while under the influence.

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No, The UK’s Online Safety Act Doesn’t Make Children Safer Online

3 months ago
Young people should be able to access information, speak to each other and to the world, play games, and express themselves online without the government making decisions about what speech is permissible. But in one of the latest misguided attempts to protect children online, internet users of all ages in the UK are being forced to prove […]
Paige Collings

Alton High to Induct Seven "Wall of Fame" Recipients on Thursday

3 months ago
ALTON – The Alton Educational Foundation is pleased to announce that seven individuals will be inducted into the Alton High School Wall of Fame for 2025. This year’s induction class includes: Katie Ammann, Richard Baird, David Elson, David Goins, J. Richard (Dick) Miller, Steve Thompson and Karen Wilson. Baird and Miller are being posthumously inducted. The recipients and their families will be honored on Thursday, August 7 at the Foundation’s “Partners in Education” Luncheon hosted at 11:30 a.m. in the Lewis and Clark Community College Commons. The Alton High Wall of Fame recognizes excellence in a wide array of areas and individuals from any one or more of the following groups: 1) Graduates of Alton High School (must have graduated prior to 2015 for consideration as a Class of 2025 Inductee) AND/OR 2) Retired employees of the Alton School District AND/OR 3) Community members who have achieved excellence in their respective field and/or community

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Tucker's Automotive Tire and Repair Female Athlete of Mo.: Marquette Catholic's Brianne Bagwill Shines in Trap Shooting

3 months ago
ALTON - Marquette Catholic’s Brianne Bagwill has emerged as a standout trap shooter since joining the school’s squad. Bagwill is a Tucker's Automotive Repair & Tire Female Athlete of the Month for Marquette after another strong season in 2025. Bagwill, who lives in Godfrey, discovered her interest in shooting after accompanying her family to a gun range. “She went and shot handguns at the range and really liked it,” said her mom and trap coach Abby Bagwill. After learning about Marquette’s trap team, she attended her first practice and has been committed ever since. Brianne has developed a passion for the sport and a strong connection with her team. She is currently exploring colleges that offer trap shooting programs as she prepares to make her choices for her future outside Marquette Catholic High School. Marquette Catholic has expressed strong support for Bagwill’s involvement on the team, highlighting her dedication and contributions. As she

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Affordable Instrument Rentals Available at Halpin Music as School Year Starts

3 months ago
ALTON - Halpin Music can help all aspiring musicians find the instruments they need. As the school year starts up, Halpin’s instrument rentals will become even more popular among students, parents and music teachers. With different rent-to-own options, these rentals are a great way to help your hopeful instrumentalist be successful. “Our rental program is really the product of all of those years and refining the program to make it the absolute best for not only the student, but the parents and the music educator as well,” said Mark with Halpin. The instrument rentals are divided into three tiers. Group A — flutes, clarinets, trumpets, trombones, snare kits, percussion/bell kits, violins and violas — cost $35 per month or $216 per school year. Group B — alto saxes, single French horns, cellos, oboes, combo percussion/snare kits, student baritones — cost $55 per month or $360 per school year. Group C — tenor saxes, double French

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Alton Gang Rivalry Testimony Expected In Trial Of Ra'Niya Steward Murder Suspect

3 months ago
ALTON – Madison County prosecutors plan to present evidence and testimony showing a dispute between rival gang members lead to the 2024 fatal shooting of 13-year-old Ra'Niya Steward of Alton . Two aspiring gang members are accused of carrying out the shooting to “earn their stripes” and membership into the Alton-based “Little Mexico” gang. Five individuals have been charged in connection to Steward’s murder: Keith A. Sanders, Vito Crowder, Alvin Perry III, Dakota Perry, and Raysean Colvin. Colvin pleaded guilty last month to first degree murder and was sentenced to 35 years in prison, but trials have not yet taken place for the other four defendants. Madison County prosecutors expect Crowder and Dakota to testify in the first degree murder trial against Sanders. On Aug. 1, 2025, the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a motion to “allow the introduction of defendant Keith Sanders’ gang affiliation or membership.”

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Alton Man Sentenced to 14 Years for May 2024 Belle Street Shooting

3 months ago
EDWARDSVILLE — An Alton man was sentenced to 14 years in prison for a May 2024 shooting that endangered residents of a Belle Street neighborhood. Rondell L. Sanders, 32, was found guilty in May on three counts related to the incident. After about two hours of jury deliberation, Sanders was convicted of aggravated discharge of a weapon on two counts and obstruction on a third count. He received a 14-year sentence on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, for the first count, seven years for the second count, and three years for obstruction, all to be served concurrently. Sanders must serve 85% of the sentence before eligibility for release. According to court evidence and testimony, Sanders was involved in a feud with an individual living at a Belle Street residence. On May 22, 2024, gunfire was directed from a vehicle toward that home and a neighboring property. Although no injuries were reported, some bullets narrowly missed a 3-year-old child inside one of the homes. At the sentencing

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