Land for new Dollar General approved

The final plot of land for a new Dollar General Store was among the resolutions approved during the City of Perryville’s regular Nov. 3 meeting. The plot is located on South Kingshighway at the former site of the old Bailey Stave Mill property, which has been subdivided to allow for construction of the store. The plans for the plot were recently revised to show the sewer line easement, as recommended by the planning and zoning commission, before they were approved at the meeting.

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.

IDNR: Mountain lion spotted in Jackson, Union Counties found dead

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS (Heartland News) - A young male mountain lion recently spotted in southern Illinois has been found dead, the Ill. Department of Natural Resources confirmed on Tuesday. The IDNR said the mountain lion’s remains were discovered by a hunter in Jackson County near the Union County line. The...

Temporary closure of Illinois 159 in Belleville

BELLEVILLE – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that rehabilitation of a crossing by Norfolk Southern railroad on Illinois 159 between West J Street and North Douglas Avenue in Belleville will require a full closure beginning Monday, Nov. 16, weather permitting. A posted detour will be in place to safely guide motorists around the closure, which is expected to conclude Friday, Nov. 20. Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to detour signs in work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on X at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

This Secret Illinois Nature Preserve Is A Peaceful Escape Worthy Of Your Bucket List

There’s a place in southern Illinois that most people have never heard of, and it sits above the Mississippi River like it’s been keeping a very pleasant secret for a very long time. That place is Fults Hill Prairie Nature Preserve, and it’s located near the small town...

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

These 8 Illinois Restaurants Belong On Your Bucket List Faster Than You Can Say Delicious

Want to find the most delicious restaurants in Illinois for your bucket list?. These 8 restaurants serve up bold flavors and truly memorable meals!. 1. Alongi’s Italian Restaurant (Du Quoin) There are restaurants you visit once and forget, and then there are restaurants that stick with you forever. Alongi’s...

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...

Barking dogs cause feud between animal shelter and Belleville neighbors

The opening of an animal shelter in a former furniture store on Sherman Street in Belleville over the summer has sparked a neighborhood feud that seems to be escalating. Operators of the TNR and Rescue shelter argue that they’re performing an important community service by taking in stray and abandoned dogs and cats and adopting them out to good homes. Neighbors say they can’t sleep, work or live in peace with 25 dogs barking at all hours. “When I’m in bed, I can hear those dogs barking,” said Michelle Orlando, 46, a veterans service officer who lives across the street from the shelter in a small white frame home on Page Avenue. “It’s constant. I have a hot tub and a pool in my backyard, and I can’t even enjoy them.” Orlando said her 12-year-old son is dozing off at school because he isn’t getting enough rest, her 23-year-old daughter held pillows over her ears while home sick with the flu and Orlando had to get a prescription for sleep medication from her doctor. Other neighbors voiced similar concerns to a BND reporter who visited in the early evening on a recent weekday, when a chorus of dogs could be

CCC introducing new program in 5 southeast Mo. counties

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Heartland News) - The Community Counseling Center (CCC) is introducing a new program that will serve Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Madison, Perry and Ste. Genevieve Counties. The Early Diversion program will help people facing mental health challenges get treatment and support before an arrest or being booked into...

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...

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.

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...

Bryant Wolfin wins race for district seat

Bryant Wolfin, the incumbent republican candidate for the 145th district of the Missouri house of representatives, won over democrat Carl Kinsky in last week’s midterm election. Wolfin received 65% of the vote in Ste. Genevieve county and 75% of the vote in Perry County. “I have to thank the...

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

The Hartwig-Schmidtke Couple Migrates to Cleveland

Today’s birthday girl is Martha Wilhelmine Bertha Schmdtke, who, according to a transcription of her German baptism record below, was born on November 12, 1867. Bertha’s later gravestone says she was born on that date in 1868. Her death certificate says she was born on January 17, 1866. I happen to think that she was born in 1867 because a church record also uses that date. Bertha was the daughter of Friedrich and Wilhelmina (Nehm) Schmidtke. When Bertha came to America aboard the ship, Dresden, in 1892, she was said to be 24 years old. Her passenger list says she was from Konigsberg and headed towards Illinois.

Find a Sinkhole at Stemler Cave Woods Nature Preserve

Take a hike through the old-growth forest and explore the sinkholes at Stemler Cave Woods Nature Preserve near Columbia, Illinois. This 194-acre nature preserve sits between Millstadt and Columbia, Illinois, on Stemler Road. The preserve is known for its karst topography, which includes caves and sinkholes that drain into Stemler Cave.

Ameren Illinois to host public meetings on proposed Mississippi River transmission line

GRAND TOWER, Ill. (KBSI) – Ameren Illinois will host public meetings Nov. 17 and 18 to gather feedback on a proposed electrical transmission line connecting Missouri and Illinois across the Mississippi River. The Grand Tower Crossing Project would include construction of approximately 4 miles of new 138-kilovolt transmission line...

OHS Lady Rockets Volleyball is State Bound

For the first time in school history, the Okawville Lady Rockets Varsity Volleyball team is headed to the state tournament. This historic postseason began on October 28 at Maryville Christian High School, when the Lady Rockets faced Metro-East Lutheran High School in the regional semifinals. Okawville won in 2 sets, advancing to the regional championship. On October 29, the Lady Rockets played the Maryville Christian Lions at Maryville Christian High School for the regional championship. The Lady Rockets won the first set 25-16, lost the second 24-26, and came back to win the third set 25-17. With this win, the Lady Rockets advanced to play in the St. Elmo Sectional.

20,000 NES customers may have overdue storm bills, but December isn't a mass-shutoff deadline

Disconnection risk varies by household, and payment schedules differ across accounts.