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.

Woman taken into custody after entering Lincoln Middle School

The city said an incident report has not been completed, and further details were not available.

Man charged in 2 cases after 5-hour East Alton standoff

After SWAT response in East Alton, man faces charges in two separate cases

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...

Edison’s Entertainment Complex, The Outlet sold to new owners

“Being able to be a part of delivering joy and enjoyment” has been one of the most satisfying parts of owning Edison’s, founder Matt McSparin said.

Alton man faces multiple retail theft charges after October, November incidents

38-year-old Alton man charged in thefts from Walgreens, Farm and Home Supply, Kohl’s

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.

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

Collinsville Collector Finds Skull in Creek

On October 29, Collinsville resident John Russell went down to Canteen Creek with his daughter and one of her friends to look for Native American artifacts such as arrowheads. What they found that day was anything but ancient. In the stretch of the creek behind the Catsup Bottle, Russell found a human skull. When asked what he though when he discovered the skull "I can't believe it." Russell said he Has walked that stretch of the creek thousands of times. Recognizing that it was a human skull, Russell called the Collinsville Police Department who met him at the creek. Russell said Officer Jenkins gave him a pair of evidence gloves and sent him back out to where he saw the skull to bring it to the bank and lay it down at the officers' feet on a tarp. Russell and the girls were then asked to leave the site. After the medical examiner studied the teeth still attached to the skull, two missing peiple in the area have been ruled out, including Donald Farris Jr. who has been missing from the area four years ago. The Madison County Coroner's Office turned over the skull to an anthropoligist in hopes that

Granite City Man Detained After Alleged Battery Involving Shovel

GRANITE CITY – A local man has been charged with allegedly using a shovel as a weapon in his third felony case of battery this year in Madison County. Brandon L. Williams, 30, of Granite City, was charged on Oct. 30, 2026 with a Class 3 felony count of aggravated battery. Williams allegedly knowingly struck another individual on the head with a shovel without legal justification on Sept. 3, 2026.

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.

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

11-year-old spots hole along Granite City street, leading crews to discover sinkhole beneath road

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...

Doc’s Smokehouse earns ‘Best of the Best’ barbecue honor

Doc’s Smokehouse and Catering earns its ninth “Best of the Best Barbecue Restaurants in America” honor from Barbecue News in the past 10 years.

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

St. Louis man charged with strangling pregnant South Roxana woman

26-year-old St. Louis man charged with strangling pregnant family member, pulling her hair

The Telegraph's Alton area headlines for Nov. 9 over past 100 years of history

Nov. 9 headlines include towboat pilots launch SOS for captain’s liver transplant in 1991

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.

Missouri basketball forward Mark Mitchell injury update

Fifth-year Missouri basketball forward Mark Mitchell missed most of the Tigers’ game against Southern Illinois Edwardsville after he suffered a head injury injury in the opening minute of the contest. There is currently no available information on whether or not Mitchell will play for the Tigers in their next game, which is Sunday on a neutral court against Marquette in Chicago. "Mark, you know, I think he got cracked pretty good across the across the nose," Mizzou coach Dennis Gates said postgame. "I'm not sure if it was stitches or it was just a nosebleed. I'm not sure, but I trust our trainers, and we'll evaluate him, and we'll have something for you guys later on. But I just don't have that information." The star forward pulled in a rebound on MU’s first defensive possession of the game, but collided with SIUE guard Dahrio McCaskill as he came back down to the court. Mitchell, who was an All-SEC forward and led MU in scoring in each of the past two seasons, immediately fell to the court holding his face. Team trainers brought towels, and Mitchell appeared to be holding the towels to his nose. He went to the locker room