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MCT Announces August Service Changes and Public Meetings For Proposed 2026 Modifications

3 months 2 weeks ago
PONTOON BEACH – Madison County Transit (MCT) has announced a series of service changes set to take effect on Sunday, August 10, 2025, including updates to MCT Micro zones and fixed-route services. In addition, MCT will host public meetings in early August to collect feedback on proposed changes under consideration in 2026. Changes in August include the following: MCT Micro Logistics Valley - The existing MCT Micro zone serving the Logistics Valley area will be replaced with a fixed-route shuttle service due to road construction challenges and passenger feedback. New #23 Logistics Valley Shuttle – A new shuttle will replace the microtransit service operating within the commerce centers. Once IL-111/270 construction has concluded, a new schedule will be released to further improve service to Gateway Commerce Center, Lakeview Commerce Center, and Gateway Tradeport. MCT Micro – Bethalto | Cottage Hills - The microtransit zone will add MCT Wood River Station a

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Night Market Prepares to Wrap Up, Community Encouraged to Join Final Two Events

3 months 2 weeks ago
ALTON - The community is invited to downtown Alton to enjoy the final two Night Markets of the season. From 7–10 p.m. on Thursday, July 24, and Thursday, July 31, 2025, community members can stop by Sugar Alley — the alley that runs parallel to 3rd Street and intersects State Street — for the Night Market, complete with vendors and live music. Sara McGibany with Alton Main Street noted that the events have been a great summer activity for the Alton community, and she hopes the final two nights go off without a hitch. “It’s wonderful to see the sidewalks bustling with people. All the patio seating has people eating dinner at it. All the shops have reported that they’ve had a lot more foot traffic than a regular Thursday,” McGibany said. “Everything that we had hoped would happen has come true.” This is the first year that Alton Main Street has hosted the Night Market in its new spot. Live music is staged in the greenspace

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Godfrey 'Sexual Predator' Charged With Latest Registration Failure

3 months 2 weeks ago
GODFREY – A convicted sexual predator from Godfrey faces a new felony charge after his latest failure to register with local authorities. Jason M. Clapper, 42, of Godfrey, was charged on July 14, 2025, with his latest offense of unlawful failure to register as a sex offender, a Class 2 felony. On May 25, 2025, Clapper allegedly failed to register his new address within three days of moving from his previously listed address in the 4700 block of Iriquios Trail in Godfrey. Under the Sex Offender Registration Act, he was legally required to register his new address with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. Charging documents state Clapper had previously been convicted of failing to register as a sex offender in four prior Madison County cases – two from 2012 and one each from 2020 and 2024. According to the Illinois State Police Sex Offender Registry , Clapper was also convicted in Macoupin County of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. Clapper was reportedly

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FEMA acting chief says response to Texas flood catastrophe was ‘outstanding’

3 months 2 weeks ago
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration official running the Federal Emergency Management Agency testified Wednesday the response to flash flooding in Texas over the Fourth of July weekend served as an “outstanding” model for the rest of the country. His conclusions about the catastrophic flooding, which had a death toll of 135 and included extensive search and […]
Jennifer Shutt

Agencies Collaborate To Apprehend Tanner Eyler; He Now Faces Multiple Charges

3 months 2 weeks ago
JERSEY — Tanner T. Eyler, 28, was charged with multiple felonies on July 22, 2025, following events that unfolded in and around Pere Marquette State Park in Grafton this past weekend, according to Jersey County State’s Attorney Ben Goetten. Eyler faces charges including Possession of a Firearm by a Repeat Felony Offender, a Class X felony; Unlawful Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, a Class 2 felony; and Theft, a Class 3 felony. He is currently being held at the Jersey County Jail. On Sunday, July 20, 2025, Deputy Jeff Klunk of the Jersey County Sheriff’s Office encountered Eyler near a pickup truck that had run off Scenic Drive. Eyler fled into the woods down a steep ravine as Deputy Klunk approached. Subsequent investigation revealed the pickup and an attached camper had been stolen from Missouri several days prior. Additionally, Eyler had reportedly fled from police in the East Alton area the previous evening while driving the stolen vehicle. Following Eyler’s

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American Fascism

3 months 2 weeks ago
Today on TAP: Is it alarmist to point out the parallels?
Robert Kuttner

Stay Cool and Follow the Rules at the Pool this Summer

3 months 2 weeks ago
SPRINGFIELD - The popularity of residential pools has increased over recent years raising the risk for accidental drownings meaning homeowners and parents need be extra vigilant to protect kids who have access to the water. Public pools are a popular summer destination for people to beat the heat, but they can pose some hidden dangers. “Pools have been a popular way to cool off this summer, but we can’t afford to get complacent — drownings can happen in an instant and often without a sound. It’s not like the movies,” said Illinois State Fire Marshal Michele Pankow. “If children are in or around the pool, stay off your phone, put down your book, and keep your eyes on them at all times. Staying cool at the pool is fun — but it comes with serious responsibility.” Statistics from the American Red Cross show a four-sided isolation fence (separating the pool area from the house and yard) reduces a child’s risk of drowning 83% compared

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Jersey County Felon Charged With Multiple Crimes After Chase

3 months 2 weeks ago
GRAFTON – On July 22, 2025, Jersey County State's Attorney Ben Goetten charged Tanner T. Eyler (age 28) with multiple felony charges stemming from his actions on July 20 in and around Pere Marquette State Park in Grafton. Eyler was charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Repeat Felony Offender (Class X felony), Unlawful Possession of a Stolen Vehicle (Class 2 felony), and Theft (Class 3 felony). Eyler is being held at the Jersey County Jail. On July 20, Jersey County Sheriff's Office (JCSO) Deputy Jeff Klunk, while patrolling along Scenic Drive, came across Eyler standing near a pickup which had run off the road. As Deputy Klunk made contact with Eyler, he fled into the woods down a steep ravine. Subsequent investigation revealed that the pickup, along with a camper, had been stolen from Missouri days prior. In addition, on the evening prior, Eyler fled in the stolen pickup from police in the East Alton area. JCSO Deputies and Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)

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