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EDWARDSVILLE — Eric M. Blumenstock, 38, has been charged with two felonies stemming from incidents at the Madison County Courthouse on Sept. 10, 2025. Blumenstock faces a Class X felony count of Making Terrorist Threats. Authorities allege he intended to create fear by stating he planned to “shoot up” the courthouse located at 200 N. Main St. in Edwardsville, which they say caused a reasonable expectation of an imminent terrorist act. In addition, Blumenstock is charged with a Class 3 felony count of Threatening a Public Official. Prosecutors say he knowingly conveyed a threat to Lt. Senci, a peace officer, verbally stating an intent to take the officer’s life. Under Illinois law, the charges cite statutes 720 ILCS 5/29D-20(a) for making terrorist threats and 720 ILCS 5/12-9(a)(1)(o) for threatening a public official. Blumenstock is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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HARDIN – Illinois American Water continues to make strategic improvements in the Village of Hardin’s water and wastewater systems that enhance customer service, water quality and system reliability. Illinois American Water has invested an estimated $2 million in the Village of Hardin water and wastewater systems since the company acquired the systems in June 2022. Hardin is a village and county seat of Calhoun County. It is located about 43 miles southwest of St. Louis, near Jerseyville. Water and wastewater services are provided to approximately 500 customers in the Village of Hardin. W ater System There have been noticeable improvements in the historic aesthetic discoloration issues in portions of the Hardin community’s water system. “We have received positive feedback from our customers in Hardin, particularly on water quality,” said Brendan St. Peters, Senior Supervisor of Operations, Illinois American Water. A major improvement

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An increasing number of immigrants without legal status — even some who have lived here for decades — are finding it easier to seek opportunities in other countries than to stay in the U.S. amid threats of detention and deportation. “This has never happened in our country before. We have had periods of voluntary departure, […]

EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County is now taking applications for the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) starting next month. Madison County Community Development announced funding is available to assist income-eligible households with their natural gas, propane and/or electric bills and furnace assistance for inoperable heating systems. The program will begin by taking applications Oct. 1 for: Adults 60-year-old and older, Individuals with disabilities, Families with children under the age of six and Households that are disconnected from their utilities, have a disconnection notice or have less than 25% in their propane tank. All other income eligible households can start applying Nov. 1. Applications will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis through Aug. 15, 2026, or until funding is exhausted. Households that receive a one-time benefit may return during the program year for a Reconnection Assistance or Furnace Assistance benefit(s), if needed. T

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Vice President JD Vance says the national unity he's “desperate” for after the assassination of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk cannot be had with people who condone political violence. The Republican vice president commented Monday as he wrapped up an…

Missouri Democrats see turning to the public as the best way to stop a new GOP-friendly congressional map from taking effect despite their minority status in the state legislature.

CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined students, alumni, and administrators from the City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) at Harold Washington College to discuss the impact of heightened federal immigration enforcement efforts on community college students, particularly those with vulnerable legal status. With federal deployments growing in Chicago, the Governor spoke directly to the fears and needs of undocumented students, faculty, and staff navigating new challenges and uncertainty. “City Colleges is a tremendous example of an institution providing effective systems of support for immigrant students—especially as they are being targeted by the federal government in this turbulent time,” said Governor JB Pritzker . “Right now, our communities are facing genuine fear as Trump intensifies his federal deployments, and the State of Illinois remains committed to lifting up organizations and institutions that are helping people know their rights and providing

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Gov’t Mule has announced details for their annual year-end shows.The Warren Haynes-led group is set to play three shows in New York at the end of the year, starting Dec. 28 at Proctors…

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – America’s Blood Centers (ABC), the national organization of community-based, independent blood centers that supply 60 percent of the nation’s blood, is marking Sickle Cell Awareness Month this September with a nationwide call for more diverse blood donors to meet the critical needs of patients living with sickle cell disease and other conditions requiring precisely matched blood. Donated blood from communities of color is essential for patients whose transfusion needs go beyond basic blood type matching. For individuals with sickle cell disease—an inherited blood disorder affecting about 100,000 people in the United States —regular blood transfusions are often the difference between crisis and survival. Yet, fewer than 12 percent of all U.S. blood donations today come from communities of color, even though one in every 365 African American births is affected by sickle cell disease. “Community blood centers are dedicated t

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Republican Councilman Mark Harder, of Ballwin, will introduce a resolution "honoring the life and legacy" of Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist who was killed last week in a shooting.

METRO EAST ST. LOUIS – Governor JB Pritzker has signed Illinois House Bill 1910, a measure amending the Illinois Local Library Act to help combat the state’s opioid epidemic. Beginning January 1, 2026, all public libraries will be required to keep an opioid antagonist — such as naloxone (NARCAN®) — available at all times. The law also requires that libraries take reasonable steps to have at least one trained person present during operating hours who can recognize an opioid overdose and administer the medication. Under the Illinois Good Samaritan Act , library personnel who administer naloxone in good faith are protected from liability, helping ensure they can respond without hesitation during an emergency. To help libraries meet these requirements, Chestnut Health Systems™ offers free naloxone (NARCAN®) resources and training where attendees will: Learn about the opioid epidemic Learn when and why to administer naloxone Learn how to administer

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EAST ST. LOUIS – Weeks into the start of the new year, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School’s (CHS) New Director Kimberly Allen shares her vision, along with goals for students, faculty and the school. SIUE alumna Allen, who worked at the CHS for four years as a faculty associate for special education, has returned to the school with a wealth of knowledge. Allen earned a bachelor’s in special education in 2008 and a Master of Educational Administration in 2012, both from SIUE. The new administrator answered questions about her new role. What is your education expertise background? My expertise lies in both special education and educational administration, which has equipped me with a deep understanding of how to support diverse learners, while also leading school-wide initiatives that promote equity, achievement and organizational effectiveness. With experience and an educational background in both the public schoo

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St. Louis police are looking for four people who stole a large amount of mail from the United States Post Office building in Downtown West.

ALTON - The Alton and Greater Godfrey Democrats will host their 45th annual banquet. On Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, community members are invited to the Alton VFW for the event. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the banquet starts at 6 p.m. Attendees can enjoy food, a 50/50 raffle, a wine pull raffle, and networking. “It’s about awakening and reconnecting the Democratic Party, bridging the gap between the old and the young, empowering each other, collaborating, mentorship, community service, and just getting back to the roots of why the Dems are here for the people,” explained Carolyn Caruthers. Tickets to the banquet cost $55 and you can purchase tickets online . Caruthers noted that the banquet’s theme is “Awakening and Reconnecting the Democratic Party.” Caruthers said they hope to attract younger people who want to be involved in local politics. She said the region’s voting count has been lower in recent years, and the banquet’s

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Count Usher among those who want to see Metallica shred Super Bowl halftime.The R&B star, who headlined the big game's halftime show in 2024, named the metal legends as his…

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CARLINVILLE - Community members are invited to a candlelight vigil in honor of Charlie Kirk. On Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, the Macoupin County Courthouse will serve as the meeting spot for a prayer vigil. The prayer starts at 7 p.m., but organizer Rawley Eldridge encourages people to come as early as 5:30 p.m. for conversations. “What I would like it to look like, and what it should look like, is just everybody gathering together and showing remorse for the family that lost their father and their husband,” Eldridge said. “We can all pray together, share stories on why we believe he made an impact and how he reached us in different ways.” Bibles, candles and rosaries will be available while supplies last. Eldridge also hopes to order t-shirts; you can message him through the official Facebook event page for more information or to place your order. He shared that Kirk’s work had “a pretty big impact” on his own life. He resonated

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Voters have approved 25 of 27 previous attempts to reject proposed new laws by the Missouri General Assembly