I-255 will close for four months during $62.2M project

The Illinois Department of Transportation will host a public meeting to discuss a $62.2 million reconstruction project on Interstate 255 scheduled for 2027.

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...

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.

Volunteers needed for Belleville's overnight center. Here's how you can help

St. Paul United Church of Christ will host an informational meeting Nov. 18 for people interested in volunteering at an overnight center for people without shelter during dangerously cold weather. The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the church, 115 W. B St. Attendees will learn about the Emergency Weather Overnight Center at the McCormick Center, 301 S. First St. in Belleville, which will provide shelter when temperatures fall to 20 degrees or below. People seeking shelter will be screened and transported from the Salvation Army in Belleville. A hired security guard will be stationed at the center, according to the church. The City Council approved the center in August. The McCormick Center is owned by the Catholic Diocese of Belleville, which is encouraging other area cities to offer similar winter services.

Lane Closures Scheduled On Westbound I-55/I-64/US 40 In St. Clair County

EAST ST. LOUIS – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced a lane closure on westbound Interstate 55/I-64/U.S. 40 between Illinois 3 and the Poplar Street Bridge in St. Clair County for bridge repairs. Beginning at 9 a.m. Monday, Nov. 9, two westbound mainline lanes will be closed at...

Edwardsville, Glen Carbon area restaurant inspections Nov. 2-6

All information is from the Madison County Health Department’s website.

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

Southern Illinois Hides 6 Restaurants Worth Driving Hours For Fried Chicken

Some of the best meals in Illinois come from places you would drive right past without a second look. A gravel lot, a plain sign, maybe a farmhouse porch, and then a plate of crackling, golden chicken that ruins every drive-thru for you. Southern Illinois is full of these quiet...

Part of I-255 to shut down in St. Clair County. Here's what we know

The Illinois Department of Transportation plans a $62.2 million construction project on Interstate 255 between Illinois 3 and Illinois 157. The project includes resurfacing, bridge repairs, safety improvements, new lighting, upgraded signs and drainage improvements, according to IDOT. Construction is scheduled to begin in spring or summer 2027. I-255 will be closed in both directions between Illinois 3 and Illinois 157 for about four months, with the highway expected to reopen in fall 2027. IDOT said the full closure will allow crews to finish the work in one construction season, rather than about two years with staged construction. The project is a continuation of work on I-255. IDOT shut down a 3.5-mile stretch from Illinois 15 to 157 for nearly six months in February 2025. In 2020, the agency a seven-mile stretch of the highway from Collinsville Road in southern Madison County to Illinois 15. The highway was opened in 1984. Five phases are planned to upgrade its road deck and bridges. For years, state officials designated I-255 as one of the worst stretches of highway in Illinois. St. Clair County Chairman Mark Kern, at the time the restoration project began, compared driving on the road before its restoration to

Collinsville City Council Unanimously Approves $21.6 Million Capital Improvement Plan

Collinsville’s City Council Meeting on Tuesday, November 10 started with roll call, having all councilpeople present, an invocation from Father Rosa of Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, and the pledge of allegiance. They began with recognition of Michaela Cercherer as Telecommunicator of the Year. Police Chief Brett Boerm spoke about Cercherer’s first two years with the police department were exemplary. She worked in multiple life-saving efforts this year, and while the department has many unsung heroes, Boerm was very proud that Michaela was the second person in their department to be acknowledged for this state-wide award. Next Mayor Jeff Stehman and council acknowledged 314 Vandalia Street as the winners for Yard of the Year. Stehman then read the Proclamation that November 2026 is National American Indian Heritage Month in Collinsville. City Manager Derek Jackson then began a presentation on the 2027 Capital Improvement Plan. The Capital Improvement Plan, or CIP, is a rather large document providing an overview of the many individual projects and total spending for 2027, the total being $21,604,589. The project types broke down to vehicles needed, infrastructure improvements, new equipment, and facility improvements across all departments. Jackson broke down the numbers by department, fund, and

Fairmount Park Casino and Racing Announces Facility Improvements, New Racing Schedule for 2027

Fairmount Park Casino and Racing Announces Facility Improvements, New Racing Schedule for 2027

Kay Weber on Belleville’s 46th Annual Thanksgiving Art and Craft Fair

PREVIEW: Bearcat Football Closes 2026 Season on the Road at Truman State

Kirksville, MO - McKendree University football heads to northeast Missouri for the final time in 2026, closing out the season Saturday against Truman State. The Bearcats will look to finish the year on a high note against a Bulldog team that has found its stride down the stretch and enters the weekend on a four-game winning streak with an opportunity to clinch an outright GLVC Football Championship with a win.

Breese Central and Okawville in Volleyball Final Fours

Three area high school girls volleyball teams are in the IHSA state semifinals. Breese Central, Okawville and Mascoutah won supersectional matches Monday night to advance to the Final Four in their classes. Central was a 25-14, 26-24 winner over Red Bud in the Nashville Class 2A Supersectional. The Lady Cougars...

Glen Carbon committee approves prairie restoration

The village approved a three-year, $37,450 agreement with Native Plant STL to restore about 1.5 acres of prairie at Green Space East.

This Edwardsville restaurant has some of the best barbecue in US, report finds

A family friendly barbecue restaurant in Edwardsville was recently named one of the best in the nation by National Barbecue News . Doc’s Smokehouse was named one of the 28 best “Best of the Best Barbecue Restaurants in America” in National Barbecue News’ August guide. The establishment is known for its signature sandwiches , specialty burgers, nachos and tasty side dishes. “Doc and Susan Richardson (owners of Doc’s Smokehouse) count it an honor and a privilege to represent the St. Louis Metro area, as well as the state of Illinois,” an Aug. 13 press release said. “The National Barbecue News endorsement as the “Best of the Best” speaks volumes about their staff and their commitment to excellence.” To be eligible for the Best of the Best Barbecue Restaurants in America list, an establishment must be taste-tested without notice or announcement by an affiliate of National Barbecue News, the press release said. The recognition lasts one year before the restaurant is re-tested. Doc’s Smokehouse is the “first, and currently the only, barbecue restaurant to achieve this honor in the St. Louis metro area,” according to the press release. In addition to its popular regular menu items, Doc’s Smokehouse offers a special

High School Football Preview Show: Quarterfinal Week

In honor of Veterans Day, we’re putting the High School Football Preview Show on the free side of the website today. Enjoy the breakdown from Tim Schweizer, Steve Bridge, Mike Wennmacher and Derek Parris as they talk SHG vs Centralia and Rochester vs Highland ahead of the 4A quarterfinals on Saturday. This show can be also be heard live on WMAY 97.7 FM on Saturday at 3 pm.

The day after retirement, this Illinois couple opened their own apple orchard

The day after Steve Miller, an author and former energy industry worker, retired in 2013, he and his wife Lugene launched their next adventure: opening Liberty Apple Orchard in Edwardsville, Illinois. “We have lived all over the country,” Steve said. “We picked apples everywhere we went, and we wanted to...

Emerson names local educators for 2026 Excellence in Teaching Awards

A crystal apple awaits seven local teachers at Emerson's awards ceremony

Illinois Families Fill Their Pantries At These 8 Old-School Meat Markets Making Their Own Smoked Sausage

Some of the best food in Illinois hides behind plain storefronts with hand-painted signs and a smoky smell drifting out the door. You walk in expecting a quick errand and walk out with a cooler full of brats, sausage sticks, and summer sausage you did not plan to buy. These...