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COLLINSVILLE — The Collinsville Police Department is actively seeking information on the whereabouts of Leonard James Kane, a non-compliant Violent Offender Against Youth, who has not registered as required since 2023. Kane's failure to comply with registration laws has resulted in an active warrant for his arrest. The police department's weekly Fugitive Friday post highlights Kane's status and urges the public to assist in locating him. According to police, Kane has not only failed to register but also no longer resides at his last known address. Authorities have emphasized the importance of public assistance in this matter. "Leonard, if you see this post - you can turn yourself in to any police department in Illinois or any surrounding state. We are open 24/7/365," a spokesperson for the Collinsville Police stated. Anyone with information regarding Kane's location is encouraged to contact the Collinsville Police Department at 618-344-2131 extension 5209. Tips can

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KANE – As part of the ongoing Jersey County Sheriff’s Office drug strategy, deputies from JCSO and officers from the Alton Police Department conducted a joint investigation of Tony K. Price, 48, of Kane. On the evening of Tuesday, April 8, 2025, that investigation led to an attempted traffic stop of Price and a female passenger in Alton. Price refused to stop and led APD officers on a pursuit into Jersey County where JCSO deputies joined. Price was pursued through Jersey County to West Centennial Road, where he drove into a field and disabled his vehicle. Price then fled from the vehicle on foot, while the passenger was apprehended in the car. Price was eventually tased and apprehended nearby. During a search of Price and the field in which he fled, more than one ounce of crystal methamphetamine was recovered. Price and his passenger were arrested at the scene and the vehicle was towed and impounded. On Thursday, April 10, 2025, Jersey County State’s Attorney

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SPRINGFIELD – Rep. Amy Elik (R-Alton) passed four bills through the Illinois House during a pivotal deadline week, all with unanimous support. HB 1724 allows highway naming resolutions to pass through only one chamber of the General Assembly. Currently, memorial road namings often get held up in the second chamber, limiting the ability to honor local heroes. HB 2139 updates and modernizes several parts of the America’s Central Port statute, to allow more efficient business operations at our local port. HB 2179 clarifies the reporting requirements for assisted living facilities to ensure incidents and accidents are properly reported to the Illinois Department of Public Health. HB 2863 requires transparency and robust notification when utility companies acquire water and sewer utilities. “These bills reflect my commitment to honoring our citizens, improving transparency, and supporting essential services across Illinois,” said Rep. Amy Elik

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EDWARDSVILLE - Community members gathered at Ivy Hall Dispensary for a grand opening ribbon-cutting ceremony. At 9 a.m. on Friday, April 11, 2025, Ivy Hall Dispensary welcomed the Edwardsville-Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce and the community to their new location at 6197 Old Alton Edwardsville Road in Edwardsville. Director of Marketing Jonny Boucher expressed the dispensary’s excitement to engage with the community in Edwardsville. “We have nothing but the biggest desire to be as involved in the community as possible,” he said. “Whether you’re a Chamber member or if you’re a business that wants to do some more stuff with Ivy Hall, because we love hanging out with our community members, by all means, that’s what we’re here to do. Again, this is not just ours. It’s the community’s.” Throughout the day on April 11, shoppers can enjoy “canna-gifts,” specials and more, including free tacos from Takozz

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JERSEYVILLE - In conjunction with Jerseyville Banking Center, J.C.H.S. has selected their “Students of the Month”. The recipients for the month of March are Haylie Eilerman (10) (right) & Cali Breden (11) (left). The selection of a “Student of the Month” is based upon the number of F.O.C.U.S. nominations, which a student receives for a given month. F.O.C.U.S. (Finding One Clearly Unique Student) is a program, which acknowledges a student each week for academic or kindness. Each week teachers may recognize students who have performed well in their classes by selecting them as F.O.C.U.S. students for that particular week. During March, Haylie & Cali received the most F.O.C.U.S. nominations. Because they received the most nominations, they were named “Students of the Month” at JCHS. They are being congratulated by Maddie Jackson of Jerseyville Banking Center. In conjunction with CNB Bank & Trust, J.C.H.S. has selected their “Students o

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) and Ranking Member of the CST Aviation Subcommittee—joined U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Jerry Moran (R-KS), along with U.S. Representatives Pete Stauber (R-MN-08) and Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA-10), in pressing Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Acting Administrator Chris Rocheleau on the recent Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) system outages and the status of past-due upgrades to the system. In the letter, the lawmakers underscored the importance of modernizing this system to keep pilots and millions of passengers who fly every day safe. “We write to you to request information on the recent temporary outages of the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) system as well as an update on efforts to modernize the system,” said the lawmakers. “Pilots rely on the NOTAM system to remain aware of safety

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EDWARDSVILLE — The Edwardsville Orchestra Boosters expressed gratitude for the community’s support following the successful 2025 Tiger Town Consortium, which raised over $18,000 recently at Lincoln Middle School, drawing approximately 2,000 attendees. The annual consortium showcased the talents of over 500 orchestra students from grades 5-12 within Edwardsville School District 7. Alumni from Edwardsville High School were also invited to join in a special performance of Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” alongside current students. Camille Hawk, president of the Edwardsville Orchestra Boosters, acknowledged the efforts of the orchestra booster officers and numerous parent volunteers in organizing the event. Other officers included Vice-President Lisa Johnson, Secretary Alison Reeves, and Treasurer Karie Nelson. The performances were directed by District 7 orchestra teachers Philip Sgambelluri, Lindsey Wolfford, Missy Banker, Maggie Patton, and Victoria Voumard.

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Did you know that nearly 80% of Jewish families around the world engage in the Passover Seder, a ritual feast that has remained remarkably consistent for over three millennia? This statistic underscores not only the significance of Passover in Jewish culture but also the resilience and adaptability of its traditions. As families gather each year to commemorate their ancestors’ liberation from slavery in Egypt, they partake in deeply-rooted rituals that connect generations and impart fundamental lessons about freedom, faith, and community. Unpacking the Meaning of Passover Passover, or Pesach in Hebrew, is one of the most important festivals in Judaism. It commemorates the Exodus, the biblical story of the Israelites' escape from Egyptian bondage. The holiday lasts for seven or eight days (depending on one’s community) and involves various rituals and customs aimed at remembering this pivotal moment in Jewish history. At the heart of Passover is the Seder, a ceremonial

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EDWARDSVILLE - A group of eight 4th grade girls that attend St. Mary’s School have been busy working on a “Nature Club” everyday at recess. The girls came up with the idea because they all share a love for being outside, helping animals, and observing how plants, trees, seeds and grass grow. The girls have been working hard to organize, plan, and come up with fun ways to make money for their club so they can use the money to support community organizations that support nature. All their hard work came to fruition this weekend when they hosted their first check presentation at Metro East Humane Society. They were able to donate $50 to the organization. They were excited to learn that with the $50, MEHS will be able to help four dogs. Katie from Metro East Humane Society expressed her appreciation to the girls. Katie said, “Thank you for stopping by and for supporting MEHS! We loved having you out and sharing our love for animals and the environment with you.”

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HARDIN - On March 25, 2025, the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office was notified of a Domestic Disturbance, which was alleged to have occurred on the night of Jan. 10, 2025, at a residence in Hamburg, Calhoun County, Illinois. Deputies with the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office began an investigation, collected video evidence and took statements from witnesses. Subsequent to that investigation, Timothy J. Roth, age 47, of Jerseyville, was arrested for the following offenses: Intimidation, Domestic Battery – Physical Contact, Aggravated Assault – Deadly Weapon. Roth was arrested without incident and was transported to the Greene County Jail. All suspect(s) are innocent until proven guilty.

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April 11th has been a day of remarkable events throughout history, ranging from groundbreaking scientific achievements to pivotal political developments. One of the most iconic events in modern history took place on April 11, 1970, when NASA launched Apollo 13, a mission that would become one of the most famous in space exploration. Originally intended to land on the Moon, the mission faced a critical failure just two days into its journey when an oxygen tank exploded. This catastrophic event led to a heroic struggle for survival as the crew, along with mission control, devised innovative solutions to bring the astronauts back safely to Earth. The phrase 'Houston, we have a problem' has since become synonymous with crisis management and problem-solving under pressure. The successful return of the Apollo 13 crew is a testament to human ingenuity and resilience. Fast forward to April 11, 1981, when the first space shuttle, Columbia, was launched on its maiden flight, STS-1. This

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ALTON — Old Bakery Beer Company is bringing the community together once again for Riverbend Earth Day 2025 on Saturday, April 19, from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. This annual event highlights environmental education, local artisans, live music by Beth Bombara and Universal Groove Society, plus craft beers, all in the heart of historic Downtown Alton, at 300 Landmarks Blvd. The event is free to attend, with food, drinks, and sustainable goods available for purchase. Now in its 14th year, Riverbend Earth Day continues to grow in attendance and impact. Old Bakery Beer Company co-owner Lauren Pattan shared, “This event is a highlight of the year for us and our community. We are proud to bring together people who share our passion for sustainability and environmental stewardship.” Environmental Education & Sustainability in Action More than 30 local environmental organizations and vendors will be on-site, offering educational experiences, interactive activities, and eco-friendly

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JERSEYVILLE – With construction well underway, the splash pad and bathhouse proposed in the Phase 2 improvements to Wittman Park in Jerseyville are officially taking shape. On Thursday afternoon, workers with Stutz Excavating, LLC could be seen at Wittman Park pouring concrete for the splash pad and constructing the future bathhouse. Construction on the site first began in February of 2025 after Stutz was awarded the nearly $1.5 million bid for the project in late 2024. The splash pad itself will be built in the shape of Jersey County, adding an unmistakable local charm to the project. Renderings of the splash pad and bathhouse were shown at a “workshop” meeting between city officials on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. “We started on this in February and things are going well construction,” Public Works Director Bob Manns said. “The blue area you see there, of course, is the outline of Jersey County … that was a nice touch and that’s

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HIGHLAND - The Madison County Sheriff's Office Detectives have arrested a man in a significant cybercrime investigation involving child pornography. The investigation was initiated after the Sheriff’s Office received multiple Cyber Tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in December 2024. The Madison County Sheriff's Office, which has two detectives assigned to its Cyber Crimes Division and Special Victims Unit, began investigating a suspect allegedly possessing and disseminating images and videos of child pornography. Over the course of the investigation, detectives received nearly 50 separate Cyber Tips, prompting the issuance of several search warrants. On Tuesday, April 8, 2025, detectives executed a search warrant in the 1st block of Rialto in unincorporated Highland, where they took the suspect, identified as Beau D. Imming, into custody without incident. Evidence related to the case was also seized during the operation, Madison County Sheriff's

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O'FALLON - The O'Fallon Community Consolidated School District #90's Symphonic Winds has received an invitation to perform at the 2025 Illinois SuperState Concert Band Festival. This event is scheduled for May 9, 2025, at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, located at the University of Illinois. The invitation to the festival is considered a significant accomplishment for the band, highlighting the students' dedication and talent in music. The festival is known for showcasing some of the best school bands in the state, making this invitation a noteworthy recognition for the O'Fallon D90 program. As the Symphonic Winds prepare for this prestigious performance, the district expressed pride in their achievement and wished the band members success as they represent their community at the event.

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SAINT LOUIS - Steve Litman Presents, a North American concert promoter, has a “great summer lineup” for St. Louis shows. Greg Hagglund with Steve Litman Presents stopped by “Our Daily Show!” with C.J. Nasello to talk about the bands and artists that St. Louis will welcome this year. From Travis Tritt to the lead actors of “Napoleon Dynamite,” there’s plenty to see in the city this season. “It’s going to be a great summer and a great fall, and we’re not done yet,” Hagglund said. “We’ve got some other shows that we’re still adding and we’ll have updates on those, as well.” Kicking off on June 12, 2025, The Rush Tribute Project will play at The Factory in Chesterfield. Hagglund noted that the band’s following is growing, and he is excited to see the crowd they draw this time around. “Each time they come into town, they just get more fans,” he said. “Especially

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GRAFTON — After 17 years of dedication and perseverance, author Jackie Duty has released her debut children's book, “Dash the Dachshund,” bringing to life a story that emphasizes embracing individuality and the importance of friendship. The book, which is now available for purchase on Amazon, marks a significant milestone in Duty's journey as a storyteller. Duty began writing "Dash the Dachshund" in 2007 but faced various life challenges that delayed its completion. "I started writing Dash the Dachshund in 2007, but like so many of us, I let life get in the way," Duty said. "Now, after years of personal growth and creative rediscovery, I am beyond excited to finally bring Dash to life and share his journey with the world." The narrative centers on themes of self-acceptance and the power of friendship, making it suitable for young readers and dachshund enthusiasts alike. The book features lively illustrations that complement its heartwarming message. Todd Stottlemyre,

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GODFREY - For those interested in the sport, gymnastics and dance are perfect pathways toward physical fitness. A great place to explore getting involved in the sport is Mid-Illinois Gymnastics and Dance. Mid-Illinois Gymnastics and Dance was established in 1969 and is the oldest private gymnastics club in the St. Louis Metropolitan area. It is the only school in the Alton/Godfrey area that has USA Gymnastics and USTA tumble teams. The school was first created by Larry and Louise Moehn at the YMCA in Alton. After four years, it was relocated to Elm Street. As the program continued to grow, it was moved to 3100 Belle Street until it transferred to the current location in 1996. As a USA GYMNASTICS CLUB, they offer graded classes on Olympic specification equipment taught by highly-qualified, safety-oriented staff. When the couple started the gym, neither had any direct experience in gymnastics and dance. Larry was a professor at SIUE in the Athletic Department. Louise was a

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ALTON – Alton City Council members have declined to grant property tax exemption to an organization operating out of a former fitness facility. According to the resolution, the city is denying the request based on a lack of knowledge about the organization or their intentions with the property. “The City of Alton has no knowledge of the current or intended actual use of the property,” the resolution states, adding the city also “has no knowledge of the recently formed alleged charity that has requested the tax-exempt status for the property.” The building in question, located at 2300 N. Henry St., was formerly home to The Max Sports , a family-focused fitness facility. The resolution authorized the city’s Corporate Counselor to intervene in the proceedings to consider the tax exemption request and oppose it at this time. The council voted 5-1 on Wednesday night to oppose the request for tax-exempt status for the property. Alderman Raymond

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ALTON - Marquette Catholic High School’s production of “Freaky Friday” premieres this weekend. You can check out this year’s musical at MCHS at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 10, and Friday, April 11, and Saturday, April 12, 2025. Madison Foreman, the Theatre and Music teacher at MCHS, expressed her pride in her students and her excitement to share the show — and its lesson about connecting across generations — with the Riverbend community. “They are doing an amazing job,” Foreman said. “That is the big message I’m trying to get across. There’s so much misunderstanding between parents and kids and just adults and teens in general, but they show it in a comedic way in the show.” There are 30 students involved in the production, including leading stars Heidi, Alyssa, Nick and Jackson. Heidi plays Ellie, the “grouchy, awkward teenager” who transforms into her mother in the “Freaky Friday”

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