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.

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...

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

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.

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.

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...

Byway Discovery Center Grand Opening

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

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

Alton Committee of the Whole: Data Center Concerns, Tax Levy and Pebble Creek Bridge Funding

Alton residents raised concerns during public comment about a proposed data center at the former steel mill site, citing questions about environmental impacts, noise, electricity demand and the lack of long-term studies. Speakers urged officials to take more time and called for independent review. Council members discussed postponing a related item until the first meeting in December; the discussion does not establish that the data center was approved.

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

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.

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

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...

Glen Carbon board to discuss tax levy options, preliminary budget

The agenda does not list a proposed levy amount. Finance Director Kelly Korte and Trustee Maliszewski are scheduled to present the options.