LATEST NEWS

BETHALTO - A recent data breach in Bethalto Community Unit School District #8 targeted Superintendent Dr. Jill Griffin, according to the school district. On Oct. 4, 2024, former district employee Barrett Deist was charged with computer tampering, a Class B misdemeanor, by the Bethalto Police Department. Deist previously worked as the chief school business official for the district. He currently serves as the business director at Roxana Community Unit School District #1.

One person was killed in a single vehicle crash just south of Southwestern High School early Sunday. Illinois State Police say the crash took place around 3:30am yesterday on Highway 111/267 near Prairie Dell Road, that’s about a mile south of Route 16. No one else was inside the vehicle, reported to be a Blue Dodge Caravan.

Shopping malls have become important social and cultural spaces, offering not only a place to shop but also a venue for socializing, entertainment, and community events. Online shopping trends have influenced the retail landscape, but shopping malls continue to be popular destinations for those seeking a diverse and interactive shopping experience. Retail Stores: Malls typically have a wide range of retail stores, including clothing stores, electronics shops, bookstores, and more...

Police confiscated a “ghost gun” and 46 grams of fentanyl among other illegal items during a recent crime suppression detail in St. Clair and Madison counties. Nearly 40 officers participated in the operation. Troopers also took a dozen firearms and recovered three stolen vehicles between Oct. 1 and Oct. 3 in the East St. Louis area, according to an Illinois State Police statement released Saturday.

We may have supply shortages in other areas, but the current supply of "haunted houses" in Illinois and throughout the country is very strong heading into Halloween 2024. You've got places like the Amityville Horror house, the Lizzie Bordon house (which is now a bed and breakfast), the Villisca Ax Murder House in Iowa, and many others, along with the haunted houses that are slapped together each Halloween season for scary-but-not-too-scary holiday fun in nearly every city and town.

The Alton Police Department still wants to solve the handful of unsolved murders that have happened over the years. Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford says those cases are still open and will be until they can find some kind of closure for the family. Chief Ford says they will always...

Hundreds of people up and down the Mississippi and Illinois River valley are petitioning to put a stop to a proposed national park. A new petition on Change.org is calling for a halt to AltonWorks’ proposed development of the Great Rivers National Park. The national park would affect property in Madison, Jersey, Calhoun, and southern Greene counties for now with the plans for the park slated to expand.

More than 35 law enforcement officers participated in a deployment Wednesday evening of the Cross-River Crime Task Force, resulting in felony arrests, the apprehension of a fugitive and the seizure of various drugs. During the deployment, officers and agents from local, state and federal law enforcement agencies conducted saturation patrols...

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. — A dairy company based in the St. Louis area has acquired another dairy firm, based in Ohio. Edwardsville-based dairy cooperative Prairie Farms Dairy said it has acquired the dairy company SmithFoods of Orrville, Ohio, and its manufacturing facilities, effective immediately, Prairie Farms said in a news release. The purchase price was not disclosed. The companies said they are committed to a “seamless integration” with no delays in manufacturing, delivery services or day-to-day operations.

GODFREY - Village Dispensary will host their first Fall Festival. From 12–5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, community members can enjoy vendors, cultivators, discounts and deals at Village Dispensary in Godfrey. The dispensary will also sponsor a food drive where you can bring one bag of nonperishable food items to get 10% off your purchase. Alli and Allison, two representatives from Village Dispensary, noted that they care about helping the community.

MADISON COUNTY — Staff members at the Madison County Child Advocacy Center set a new record in late September with 24 interviews during a single week. The interview process involves meeting with children who may have been the victims of abuse that could lead to criminal charges against those guilty of it.

The traditional car cruise at the East Alton American Legion is coming up soon, but the legion has added a new aspect to the evening: a chili cook-off. The date is Saturday, October 19, and it runs from 5-9pm. Legion Adjutant Dave Farmer tells The Big Z the car cruise...

State police are looking into the death of a Kansas man during a multi-county pursuit last month in central Illinois. Capitol News Illinois reports 43-year old Kirtis Shane Davenport died at a St. Louis hospital last week, after a police pursuit that started in Springfield and ended near the Macoupin-Madison County line.

Madison County has been issued a tentative property assessment equalization factor of 1.0903, according to David Harris, director of the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR). The property assessment equalization factor, often called the “multiplier,” is the method used to achieve uniform property assessments among counties, as required by law. This equalization is particularly important because some of the state’s 6,600 local taxing districts overlap into two or more counties (e.g., school districts, junior college districts, fire protection districts). If there was no equalization among counties, substantial inequities among taxpayers with comparable properties would result.

The 52nd annual Alton Fall Historic Home and Building Tour will feature a handful of buildings along Broadway this year. On Saturday, October 12th, the Alton Area Landmarks Association has put together a walking tour that includes a talk about how 85 buildings were added to the Middletown Historic District.

MARINE — Renewal of a permit allowing the location of a mobile home on property at 830 State Route 143 near Marine is expected to come forth next Wednesday, October 16, when the Madison County Board holds its regular monthly meeting beginning at 5 p.m. Jennifer Walsh and her...

Edwardsville-based Prairie Farms Dairy recently acquired an Ohio-based producer of dairy products. Smith Foods is a trusted, family-owned company dating back to 1909. Prairie Farms officials say they are excited to welcome Smith Foods employees into the fold, as it looks to provide their loyal customers with the same exceptional local dairy items and community support that they’ve come to expect.

MARINE — The Marine Village Board had a short meeting on October 2, with over half of it addressing public comments. John Molitor attended to get the latest information on payments for the sewer reclining project so that he and the rest of the water protection district board could proceed with the upgrades to the lift stations. This led to a lengthy discussion on the old pumps being returned completely disassembled. Village board member and water and sewer chair Darren Apken and Mayor Kelly Tracy are unhappy with the company that was contracted to make the repairs for not putting the pumps back together after taking them apart and not putting them back together when returning them and will be contacting the company with hopes of having them put the units back together to use as backup in an emergency.

MADISON COUNTY — Significant increases in the annual real estate tax paid by the WRB oil refinery in Wood River are providing important financial benefits to Madison County as a result of a negotiated settlement recently announced. The assessed valuation of the property where the refinery is located, east...

The Edwardsville Police and Fire Departments are once again hosting a “Battle of the Badges” blood drive from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, as an opportunity for everyone to make an important difference in the community by donating blood. Donors also can vote for...