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.

Madison County Pumpkin Recycling Program Keeps Growing After Four Years

MADISON COUNTY — Rusty Wheat is asking residents to give their leftover pumpkins another use through his Chain Gang Harvest Recycling Program, collecting uncarved, unpainted pumpkins for wildlife, area petting zoos, and farmers. Wheat, a community volunteer and environmental advocate, said he has operated the program for four years....

I-270 Mississippi River Bridge Completed

MADISON COUNTY — The Illinois and Missouri departments of transportation were joined by local leaders and industry partners today to cut the ribbon on the new Interstate 270 Chain of Rocks twin bridges crossing the Mississippi River, the centerpiece of a combined $531.6 million investment to improve safety and mobility while creating jobs and economic opportunity along a critical freight and travel corridor. The bridges are the latest achievement made possible by Gov. JB Pritzker’s historic Rebuild Illinois capital program, which is delivering billions of dollars in major projects across the state this fall.

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...

MADISON COUNTY SENIOR CENTER NUTRITIONAL MENU

The Madison County Senior Center, located at 107 Spruce St., serves lunch from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. The actual cost of each meal is $9.23. The center’s suggested contribution is $6 for those age 60 and older, while guests under age 60 are charged $8.

Jersey County property transfers: See who bought and sold homes Nov. 2-6

Home sales in Jersey County include a house in rural Jerseyville that sold for $330,000

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

Illinois Route 66: Where the Mother Road Begins

Lawsuit alleges Onder mocked Black people, targeted Ferguson

St. Louis attorney Jim Onder routinely mocked Black people, imitated African American speech and once said Black residents could not read, according to a lawsuit accusing him of plotting a campaign to discredit Ferguson after city officials rejected tax breaks for his proposed data center. The lawsuit, filed Nov. 5...

Alton Lays Over Data Center Consulting Agreement

ALTON – Alton officials are holding off on an agreement with a consulting firm to study the potential economic and environmental impacts of a proposed data center. Committee of the Whole members laid over a resolution authorizing a professional services agreement between the City of Alton and Stantec Consulting Services Inc. at their Nov. 9, 2026 meeting.

Illinois health officials prep to transfer patients from metro-east hospital

Illinois regulators are preparing to potentially transfer patients out of Gateway Regional Medical Center in Granite City and ambulances are being sent to other hospitals. The hospital is still open, but the Illinois Department of Public Health confirmed Gateway and another medical center owned by the same company are on bypass status due to “staffing instability.” St. Louis-based KMOV first reported the development. The operators of the 278-bed safety net hospital have been late paying staff. An IDPH spokesman said that the agency had alerted the state’s labor and employment security departments about unmet payroll at Gateway and at Vista Medical Center in Waukegan, Illinois. Both hospitals are owned by California-based company American Healthcare Systems. “Gateway and Vista are private, for-profit hospitals whose operations and finances are managed by American Healthcare Systems. Their lack of communication, transparency, and responsible financial management and contingency planning is extremely concerning,” the spokesman for the IDPH said in an email. “The Illinois Department of Public Health’s highest immediate priority is the health and safety of the patients and has been working and communicating with hospital administrative leaders in this regard.” Representatives from Gateway Regional Medical Center and American Healthcare Systems did not respond to

Sealed bids sought by Dec. 4 for Madison County properties, mobile homes

By Tribune Staff • Madison County, as trustee, has completed its tax deed proceedings on real estate properties that were delinquent for 2022 and for mobile homes that were delinquent for 2023 and prior real estate taxes. The county, as trustee, will now offer for sale the real estate...

Montgomery County EMA Winter Weather Preparedness

Winter weather preparedness week has begun. Residents are urged to prepare for the usual snow, and cold temperatures that come with a midwestern winter here in Illinois. Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency Director, Dan Hough, mentions that emergency management planning consists of multiple different categories. The main category is planning ahead.

Madison County approves zoning variances near Troy

By Randy Pierce • Two requests for variances from property owners near Troy have been approved unanimously by the Madison County Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) as the first step in a three-part process. The results of the public hearings conducted by the ZBA concerning these matters have been...

Bethalto Council Approves Additional Class F Liquor License and Riverbend Enterprise Zone Changes

Edwardsville Police Will Employ Drone for Veterans Day Parade

The Edwardsville Police Department will use remotely piloted aircraft at the Edwardsville Veterans Day Parade on November 11, 2026. The Police Department drones, operated by trained and certified personnel, will provide an added vantage point to help monitor the event and support personnel on the ground. This allows our officers to respond quickly to any concerns and helps ensure a safe environment for all in attendance.

Alton delays vote again on redevelopment deal for former Elijah P.'s site at 401 Piasa St.

Alton delays data center review after a speaker questions Stantec’s independence

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

Silver Creek replaces Marine on the construction update list; THS, TMS remain

After site grading and earthmoving, lime stabilization happened, followed by site drainage during the week of Oct. 16 and concrete preparation during the week of Oct. 23. At Triad High School, the mezzanine took shape as structural steel has been installed; same with the lobby. Concrete slabs and steps have been poured in both areas and steel has formed the catwalk section within the theater.

Granite City officials respond to Iowa Street sinkhole after Facebook post

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.