Annual squirrel bloodbath in Carlinville needs to stop | Opinion

Chicago has squirrels on the brain. Lincoln Park residents worry about a billionaire feeding luxury nuts to squirrels , but instead making for fat rats, while the intended recipients (so called rats with fluffy tails) gorge on macadamia nuts. Downstate squirrels have it much worse. Every winter Carlinville hosts a wildlife killing contest called “Squirrel Bowl.” But as of October, Carlinville has a new claim to fame as Hallmark has named it America’s “Merriest Christmas Town .” Hallmark celebrities descended on Carlinville for the surprise announcement. In addition to bragging rights, a Hallmark holiday movie will be filmed there in 2027. This will bring economic benefits to the region. However, it’s unlikely that Hallmark knew about the "Squirrel Bowl" when choosing Carlinville as “merriest.” More: Carlinville named Hallmark's Merriest Christmas Town Carlinville’s annual wildlife killing contest occurs before Super Bowl. It began in 2016, growing significantly with hundreds of hunters entering. Competitors hunt in teams. Youth and adult hunters participate. Squirrel Bowl awards prizes in categories based on criteria including dead squirrel weight. Prize categories include “Big Fox Squirrel winner” and “Big Gray Squirrel winner” for youth and adult hunters. The event raises money for charity. Squirrel Bowl isn’t unique.

Byway Discovery Center Grand Opening

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.

Wood River City Council asked to consider small liquor bottle ban

County Board member asks Wood River City Council to consider small liquor bottle ban

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...

Village of Bethalto Council Meeting

The Village of Bethalto Council meets on the second Monday of the month. City Council makes laws, budgets City money, can investigate City agencies and employees, and generally serves as the legislative division of the municipal government.

District 7 reviews 2027-28 calendar with earlier semester end, full spring break

“Our goal is for all of the students of District 7 to be performing at grade level,” Superintendent Allen Duncan said as the district reported plans to focus more heavily on math proficiency.

City of Alton - Committee of the Whole Meeting

10 Facts About Cahokia Mounds in Illinois

Stick around until the end—one overlooked detail reveals how archaeologists know exactly what these ancient builders were thinking.

New Chain of Rocks Bridge opens to four lanes on I-270

New Chain of Rocks Bridge opens after years of work, with another lane still to come

Granite City officials respond to Iowa Street sinkhole after Facebook post

GRANITE CITY, Ill. (First Alert 4) - A contractor for Illinois American Water worked Monday on a sinkhole under Iowa Street in Granite City after an 11-year-old boy found a hole at the edge of the road Saturday. A.J. Buchen walked past the hole and looked into it with an...

Granite City Students Win Madison County Recycling Poster Honors

GRANITE CITY – Granite City Community Unit School District #9 is proud to announce that Granite City High School students Addison Courtney and Kylie Selph Stratton have been named winners in the Madison County Green Schools Program’s 2026 America Recycles Day Poster Contest. Courtney and Selph Stratton were...

This Illinois City Park Becomes A Dazzling Christmas Wonderland With Millions Of Lights

Four million lights. That’s the number, and a group of retired volunteers called the Grandpa Gang puts them up by hand every single year. They start in September, long before most of us think about holiday decorations. By the day after Thanksgiving, a quiet city park in Illinois glows like a giant snow globe.

Blackburn Annexation Passes Maryville Village Board

The Maryville Village Board meeting opened at 6pm on November 4 with Trustee Rod Schmidt absent. The meeting began with public comments. Page Durham, a resident of Collinsville, was the first to speak, and she began by handing the board an informational flier. She came representing the Madison County Farm Bureau, a non profit representing 1,300 land owners and farmers within the county. Durham spoke on behalf of the annexation of the Regal property, which the Farm Bureau opposes for various reasons stated on her handout. The annexation itself is for the Blackburn Manor subdivision and the surrounding area. She acknowledged the annexation is working within state limits, but the bureau would like the board to adopt an agricultural zoning area for the property. Their intention is to keep farmland as farmland. Allowing the farmers to use that land as they always have. She then offered her services to the board and the staff in the creation of said agricultural zone. Dwayne Regal spoke next. His property is the one in question regarding the annexation. He isn't ready to hook up to city water yet, and he currently prefers his well water. Regal wanted to know if the annexation will

Macoupin County voters oust one incumbent board member, support separation from Chicago

Three of four referendums approved, including one to create special ambulance service in Medora

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

Missouri sets public hearings on Ameren’s proposed West Alton power plant

WEST ALTON, Mo. (KBSI) — Missouri regulators will hold two public hearings this month on Ameren Missouri’s proposed natural gas power plant. Ameren wants to build the 2,100-megawatt West Alton Energy Center in St. Charles County. The utility says the plant would help meet growing electricity demand across its service area, including in Southeast Missouri.

St. Louis County Hosting Free Tire Recycling Event for Residents Nov. 9

FLORISSANT, Mo. – St. Louis County residents can safely dispose of unwanted tires for free during a tire recycling event Monday, Nov. 9, aimed at reducing mosquito breeding grounds and preventing rodent infestations. The event will take place from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., or until capacity is reached, at the North Household Hazardous Waste […]

Highland Historical Society celebrates Christmas

• The Highland Historical Society is ready to welcome guests back to The Latzer Homestead for their annual Christmas tour. Tour the beautiful 1901 home, once owned by the Father of PET milk, Louis Latzer, in its near original state. Built in 1901, the Latzer Homestead housed Louis Latzer, his...