ALTON - Alton Police Officer Elliott Fergurson seems to be the perfect choice to lead the Explorer Program for the Alton Police Department. He has been in his capacity for two years. Elliott, an Alton High and SIUE graduate with a B.A.S. in criminal justice and corrections, served from September 2006 to November 2009 as an M1A1 Armor Crewman (Tanker) in the U.S. Army. He has a Purple Heart from his Army service time in Iraq. Officer Fergurson explained what happened when he was injured in Iraq: “I was on patrol in Baghdad, Iraq, and my stryker (a stryker is a 19-ton, eight-wheeled armored vehicle) got struck by a rocket and it punctured through the inside of the truck. "It sent shrapnel and knocked me unconscious. I had a mild brain injury. I stayed in Iraq after this happened and went back to the front lines.” Elliott said he felt fortunate to be alive after the strike hit his unit." Elliott was a psychological operations specialist in the U.S. Army with the reserves
Jerry Tovo is a successful commercial photographer, but instead of glossy advertisements or models, his new exhibition at the International Photography Hall of Fame turns the focus on homeless veterans. A former drill sergeant, Tovo discusses his past in the military, the challenges of finding his subjects, and his hopes for change.
A spill from Marathon Petroleum unleashed around 165,000 gallons of crude oil in and around Edwardsville. For nearby residents like Toni Oplt, the environmental disaster raises questions — and concerns about the next spill. The Sierra Club also shares its concerns.
“We got 16 one-gallon bags of meat out of this catch,” laughed Dain. “We’ve fried it, grilled it and made paddlefish tacos the other night. We’ll be having paddlefish for a while!”
Citing the city’s refusal to defend him, a former St. Louis cop has reached a $100,000 settlement in a suit accusing him of stealing from a person he detained.
EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County is continuing to battle litter issues with its Clean Communities Program. During the past year, residents, community groups, and volunteers worked together to pick up litter throughout the county. “Litter was everywhere and the county worked to ‘clean it up,’” Chairman Kurt Prenzler said. Building and Zoning Administrator Chris Doucleff said his department often receives complaints about litter along roads and ditches. “Last year we made picking up litter a priority,” Doucleff said. “And we are doing it again this year.” Doucleff said in March 2021, the county kicked off the Clean Communities litter pick-up program. The grassroots effort took aim at the litter problem by providing the public with resources to assist them in picking up trash. “We offer citizens a resource tool kit,” Doucleff said. The resource tool kit includes reflective safety vests, litter grabbers, gloves, and garbag
Julian Lennon, the late John Lennon's older son, will release a new studio album later this year as part of a new global recording deal with BMG. The project will…
After serving time in prison, Christine McDonald found herself living on the streets of Kansas City and in a pay-by-the-week motel. Robert Richardson, who also has a felony record, settled …
ALTON - Reiniger Jewelers is opening their newest location in Alton at 1633 Washington Avenue, the former location of Maneke Jewelers. Their grand opening is from March 31 to April 2 and will feature drawings to win some valuable giveaway prizes. The March 31 ribbon cutting is set for 11:30 a.m. Giveaway prizes announced so far include a $1,500 gift certificate for Reiniger Jewelers, a Gabriel pendant and Seiko watch, with many more in store. Paul Reiniger, the owner of Reiniger Jewelers, said there are a few things that set them apart from other jewelers. “We do quite a bit of bridal, but we also do custom design, something a little different,” Reiniger said. “And our repair department is very well-known for quality of workmanship. We want to make sure things are maintained properly for the customers.” In addition to carefully vetting the quality of the vendors he buys from, Reiniger also said his experience as a jeweler helps him determine the
An ex-FBI agent who conducted the criminal investigation of former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens in 2018 pleaded guilty Wednesday to evidence tampering and was sentenced to a year of probation. William Tisaby, 69, was hired by St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner to assist in the investigation of allegations that Greitens threatened to release a […]
ALTON - Alton Police Chief Marcos Pulido has a long history with the department that dates back to 1994 when he entered the Alton Police's Explorer Program. He is a firm believer in the Explorer program for youth after his own personal experience that led to him becoming a police officer and ultimately, the chief of police. Chief Pulido is a highly respected police chief/officer across the area and has a very bright future ahead in law enforcement. One of the most important beliefs Pulido has about law enforcement is that people appreciate “authenticity.” He stresses that with all of his Alton Police officers as one of their most important roles in the community is to be "real" with the public. The chief said right now the Explorer program needs candidates, and he wants to bring attention to expanding the program. Chief Pulido vividly remembers doing ride alongs with other officers and the impact those had on him in regard to choosing his career as an officer. “I
Generally, when you talk about disinformation or propaganda, “big tech” companies like Facebook, or media giants like Fox News get the lion’s share of the attention. But as we’ve long noted, local news outlets in the U.S. were hollowed out years ago and replaced with something that looks like news, but is generally just gibberish […]
Camp Indigo Point is a week-long summer camp for LGBTQ youth. While some camps exist like this on the coasts, this one — located in southern Illinois — is the one of the first in the Midwest. It’s now drawn kids from 19 different states, and will take place for the first time this June. The response from parents and kids has been greater than the founders ever anticipated.
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