Edwardsville girl’s Halloween costume prompts invite from ‘The Rock’

A 10-year-old wrestler who dressed as Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson for Halloween has been invited by Johnson to a movie premiere in California.

Experience Burger Perfection At This Timeless Old-School Drive-In Hidden Away In Beautiful Illinois

Somewhere in Wood River, Illinois, tucked along a quiet street and covered by a canopy that’s seen more happy customers than most restaurants ever dream of, King Louie’s Drive-In is waiting for you. It’s not hiding exactly, but it’s not shouting either, and that quiet confidence is part...

Maull’s barbecue sauce is back

Get those “park” steaks ready, St. Louisans. Maull’s is making a comeback. According to its website, the St. Louis barbecue sauce brand will return December 1, closing out its 100th year with new packaging and the promise of the same bold, tangy, flavor that generations of St. Louisans grew up with.

St. Louis never forgot this soup. Now we’ve lost the man who perfected it.

I love soup. Always have. I’ve written about soup, collected soup recipes from readers and even launched a Wednesday Super Soup Spectacular in Morning Light. Yes, I actually called it that. But there is one soup that stands above the rest, at least in my memory. Famous-Barr’s French Onion...

Byway Discovery Center Grand Opening

People Started Giving Homemade Lasagnas To Neighbors. What Happened Next Was Incredible.

For the last six years, I’ve seen firsthand how compassionate we can be toward our neighbors in need. That’s all thanks to my involvement with Lasagna Love, a grassroots nonprofit that connects neighbors who want to cook for neighbors who could use a homemade meal. When the pandemic...

Local Food Inspections November 2 - 6

The following food establishments were inspected by the Madison and St. Clair County Health Departments between November 2 and 6. November 2 Trackside Bar & Grill- Collinsville 10 (Pf) Handwashing sink shall be provided with paper towels, continuous towel system supplying user with clean towel, heated-air hand drying device or air-knife system Reference 6-301.12. MENS RESTROOM MISSING PAPER TOWELS. PIC ADDED PAPER TOWELS TO DISPENSER DURING INSPECTION. CORRECTED. 51 ( C) Plumbing needs repair. Repair according to Illinois and local plumbing code. Reference 5-205.15.KITCHEN HAND SINK HAS A LEAK. REPAIR OR REPLACE. November 3 SOS Soup Kitchen-First United Presbyterian Church- Collinsville 19 (P) Food was not reheated to 165F within 2 hours, before being placed in hot holding. Reference 3-403.11. ROAST BEEF WAS COOKED AND COOLED YESTERDAY. BEEF IS BEING SLICED AND PLACED IN CROCKPOTS WITHOUT REHEATING MEAT TO AT LEAST 165F FOR HOT HOLDING. CORRECTED BY PLACING MEATS IN OVEN UNTIL REACHING AT LEAST 165F. Jimmy Johns- Collinsville 16 (Pf) Food contact surfaces and utensils shall be clean to sight and touch. Wash, rinse, sanitize routinely. Reference 4-601.11. ONION SLICER STORED ON RACK FOUND STILL DIRTY. CORRECTED BY PLACING IT INTO 3C SINK TO BE PROPERLY CLEANED AND SANITIZED.

The Unassuming Bar In Illinois That People Will Happily Drive Hours To Reach

There’s a yellow brick building on a corner in Alton, Illinois that doesn’t care about your expectations, and that’s precisely why Fast Eddie’s Bon Air is worth every mile of the drive. The outside tells you everything you need to know before you even touch the...

This Unassuming Illinois Eatery Has Homemade Pies Locals Keep Talking About

Not every great restaurant announces itself with a marquee sign or a line around the block, and Blue Springs Cafe in Highland, Illinois is proof of that. It sits there quietly, doing its thing, while the people who know about it keep coming back and the people who don’t are missing out on something genuinely wonderful.

The Rock invites Edwardsville family to ‘Jumanji’ premiere

Brooklynn Keppler’s Halloween costume catches The Rock’s attention, leading to an invitation for the Edwardsville family to attend the “Jumanji: Open World” premiere.

Wine & Whiskey for the Watershed returns Nov. 12

Proceeds support conservation, habitat restoration and environmental education at the Watershed Nature Center.

Hallmark Just Crowned the 2026 Merriest Christmas Town in America

Want to visit a place that looks plucked straight out of a Hallmark Christmas movie? Head to Carlinville, Illinois. The sweet little 5,000-person (and some change) town was just crowned the winner of Hallmark Channel's inaugural Merriest Christmas Town contest. Earlier this year, the network put out the call: Which...

Granite City Singer-Songwriter Dana Michael Anderson's Music

Dana Michael Anderson was a singer-songwriter from Granite City, Illinois, whose recorded work included albums and live performances. He died in 2023. Dana's recorded work included albums released during his lifetime. His brother, JB Anderson, said a coroner contacted him in August 2023 to inform him that Dana had died by suicide, as detailed by BroBible. Dana's obituary, published through Central Cremation Center, states that he passed away at his residence on August 10, 2023.

World's Largest Catsup Bottle: Collinsville's claim to fame

Illinois Route 66: Where the Mother Road Begins

Granite City Fresh Market Coming to Bellmore Village

The Granite City City Council meeting opened on November 4, at 7pm. The minutes from the previous meeting were passed unanimously. In presentation of communications, representatives from Bellmore Village gave a presentation on the planned renovations of the stores they purchased, one of which will be Granite City Fresh Market. The market will offer a deli counter and fresh high quality produce. In public correspondence Susie Rodgers spoke first, on the behalf of Heather Groetecke. She read a statement from Groetecke that revolved around the "No" result of the recent referendum asking whether residents were in favor of data centers. She praised the community for standing together, calling for transparency and resisting a data center. Jacob Sudabris spoke next echoing the same sentiment as Grotecke, that the residents resisting the data centers are valid in their criticisms of the board and their concerns are not unfounded. As proven by the recent ballot initiative, they are speaking for the majority. He hopes the board will hear that message and adapt. Leslie Budoris followed Jacob, also sharing the same message as the first two speakers. She does not want a data center at all, under any circumstance. James Bailey was the next

Drive To This Remote Missouri Restaurant Where The Steaks Will Leave You Absolutely Speechless

Some restaurants are easy to find, and some restaurants are worth finding, and Annie Gunn’s in Chesterfield, Missouri is the rare kind that manages to be both at the same time. You just have to be willing to drive a little, and trust that what’s waiting for you at...

The No-Frills Bakery In Missouri That Serves The Most Legendary Donuts You Will Ever Taste

Nobody puts a giant cartoon hand holding a pink sprinkle donut in their shop unless they understand something fundamental about joy. Old Town Donut Shop in St. Peters, Missouri understands joy, and it delivers that joy in the form of some of the finest donuts you will ever have the pleasure of eating.

This Missouri Gift Shop Is Packed With Hand-Painted Christmas Ornaments And Festive Collectibles

A tiny gold ornament shaped like Missouri’s first state capitol building sits on a shelf here, plated in 24K gold. That’s the kind of keepsake this little shop treats as normal. The shelves also hold hand-painted glass from Christopher Radko and Old World Christmas. I like how one...