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ALTON - Artist Mary Berry has rediscovered color. Berry, who experiments with sculpture, prints, paint and photography, has her art on display at Milton Schoolhouse through the end of May. She shared that her decision to pursue art was an act of self-care, and she is “exhilarated” to find that her work is resonating with others. “Creativity has helped define another side of myself at this stage of life,” she said. “Before, it was being a wife and mother, then a career in real estate. Retirement gives us an opportunity to explore the side of ourselves we sometimes push aside in order to meet life’s many obligations." The Jerseyville-based artist recently returned to the Riverbend area after years on the East Coast. She worked as a real estate agent and now serves as a caregiver to her mother. In 2022, her friend Darla Cavins introduced her to art and encouraged her to use it as “therapy, because it feels good to get your emotions ou

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Imagine a place where your mind can quiet down, your stress levels drop, and your overall mood lifts—all without medication or therapy. For many people, that place is nature. But why does spending time in natural environments hold such profound benefits for mental health? This article explores the powerful connection between nature and the mind, unpacking the science, sharing compelling examples, and offering practical advice for incorporating nature into your daily life. The Science Behind Nature’s Impact on Mental Health Research has increasingly shown that exposure to natural settings positively influences mental well-being. A landmark 2019 study published in Scientific Reports found that spending just 120 minutes per week in green spaces—parks, forests, or other natural environments—correlates with significantly better health and well-being. The benefits include reduced stress, improved mood, and enhanced cognitive functioning. Biologically, nature help

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May 20th holds a significant place in world history, marked by groundbreaking achievements and pivotal moments that have shaped our global narrative. Moving back in time, May 20 has witnessed remarkable events across various domains. For instance, in 325 AD, the First Council of Nicaea concluded on this date. This council was the first effort to attain consensus in the Christian church through an assembly representing all Christendom. It was convened by Emperor Constantine and resulted in the Nicene Creed, a statement of Christian faith still used today. The council addressed the nature of the Son of God and his relationship to God the Father, setting foundational theological principles that have shaped Christianity for centuries. Fast forward to 1498, another milestone was reached when Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama arrived in the Indian city of Calicut (now Kozhikode) on May 20. This voyage was significant as it established a sea route from Europe to Asia, opening the door

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STAUNTON – Madison Communications is proud to announce the outstanding performance of their technicians at the 2025 SCTE Gateway Chapter Cable-Tec Games, held on May 15th in St. Louis. The SCTE Gateway Chapter is one of 67 Chapters across the globe whose purpose is to provide local networking, professional development and certification opportunities to current and prospective members across 70 locations worldwide. Competing against leading companies such as Charter, Comcast, Ervin Cable Construction, and Mediacom, the SCTE Gateway Chapter, that includes the Madison Technicians, once again demonstrated technical excellence, composure under pressure, and superior craftsmanship. The SCTE Gateway Chapter was named 1st Place Overall for the 14th consecutive year. The Cable-Tec Games feature seven Olympic-style events, each designed to test the practical skills of broadband professionals. Events are judged primarily on accuracy, with time serving as the deciding factor for those wit

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WOOD RIVER – Wood River police have charged a man from Madison with unlawful weapon possession after a fatal shooting which he indicated was an act of self-defense. Camron J. Jamison, 25, of Madison, Ill., was charged on May 19, 2025 with possession of a firearm with a revoked Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card (a Class 3 felony), and aggravated unlawful possession of weapons (a Class 4 felony). On May 15, 2025, Jamison allegedly possessed a Taurus G2C 9mm handgun which was uncased, loaded, and immediately accessible during the incident. His possession of the weapon was unlawful as he had no valid FOID card or Concealed Carry License (CCL). A petition to deny his pretrial release states Jamison used the weapon to shoot a victim who later died from injuries sustained in the shooting. While he admitted to firing the weapon, Jamison claimed the victim “charged at him during a verbal dispute.” After Wood River Police officers responded to the scene of a reporte

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WOOD RIVER – Wood River City Council members on Monday night unanimously approved a bid for fencing at the future Downtown Dog Park. Superior Fence & Ornamental Iron was awarded the project with a bid of $23,640.31. The scope of the work includes the installation of 475 feet of 5-foot-tall, black vinyl-coated chainlink fencing with a 2-inch diamond mesh. The fencing will include posts spaced no further than 10 feet apart, with a “bottom tension wire installed along the entire perimeter to prevent digging,” according to the project specifications. The site would feature two 10-foot double gates and two four-foot single gates, each with “self-closing, self-latching mechanisms.” The main entrance would include a “double gate airlock entry system,” and all materials used will need to be properly resistant to corrosion and ultraviolet (UV) rays to withstand outdoor conditions. This marks the second approved bid for the Downtown Dog Park after

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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — A 22-year-old man has been charged in connection with a shooting that injured three Fairview Heights police officers on May 17, 2025. Elijah Thompson of Belleville faces four counts of attempted murder, three counts of aggravated battery, and one count of resisting arrest, the Saint Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office announced Monday, May 19, 2025. The charges stem from an incident that occurred at 9:44 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, 2025, when Fairview Heights officers responded to a call about a suspicious person near a residence. Upon arrival, officers encountered Thompson, who opened fire, striking three officers. Thompson was taken into custody without injury, and the firearm was recovered. Fairview Heights Officer Molly Muennich was shot in the face and underwent emergency surgery. She remains in critical but stable condition. Officer Herminio Raimundi was shot in the arm and has been released from the hospital. Officer Andrew Ward was shot

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JERSEYVILLE - Junior Morgan Allen of Jersey Community Unit School captured the IHSA Sectional Championship in high jump at the Williamsville Sectional Meet last week, securing her place at the upcoming IHSA State Meet. Allen won the sectional high jump by clearing 5 feet, 0.5 inches. Allen is a Sparklight Female Athlete of Month for Jersey. The event took place recently at Williamsville, where Allen’s performance stood out among competitors. Peyton Zeidler of Rochester finished second with the same clearance of 5 feet, 0.5 inches, while Laetitia Kanda of Beardstown took third with the same height. Jaylin Roach of Roxana placed fourth by clearing 4 feet, 10.5 inches. Allen’s high jump season best is 5 feet, 2.25 inches. In addition to her high jump achievements, she has recorded a time of 1:07.84 in the 400 meters, a long jump best of 15 feet, 11.25 inches, and a 200-meter dash time of 28.34 seconds. Allen's victory at the sectional meet marks a significant milestone

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ALTON – An Alton man’s second case of domestic battery has resulted in two felonies after allegedly attacking the victim and damaging her vehicle. Jesse L. Johnson, 46, of Alton, was charged on May 14, 2025 with criminal damage to property and his second or subsequent offense of domestic battery (both Class 4 felonies). Between May 12-13, 2025, Johnson allegedly struck a household or family member “several times in the face with a closed fist, grabbed her arm, sprayed Febreze in her face, and slapped her with an open hand,” according to court documents. He was additionally accused of causing between $500 to $10,000 worth of damage to the “radio system, dashboard, and gear shift” of the victim’s vehicle. Johnson had previously been convicted of domestic battery in a 2017 criminal case also filed in Madison County. His latest case was presented by the Alton Police Department. While remanded to jail for his initial court appearance, Johnson

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ALTON - Riverbend Rescue will host their Keys for Kids event to raise money for local families in need. From 7–11 p.m. on Saturday, July 26, 2025, up to 100 community members can enjoy a gourmet meal, drink tickets, raffles, networking opportunities and dueling pianos on the Simmons Hanly Conroy Building rooftop in Alton. Tickets cost $50 and all proceeds go back to Riverbend Rescue’s mission to provide gifts for kids during the holidays. “What I love about Alton is we do serve our community,” said Riverbend Rescue founder Adam Marburger. “We want to make sure we help kids at Christmas.” This year marks the second Keys for Kids event, now with a “Christmas in July” theme. Last year, they raised $20,000 at the event, and all of this money went to local families. Marburger explained that he works with the schools and Al Womack at the Alton Boys and Girls Club to identify families who could use assistance during the holidays.

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GLEN CARBON - Senior goalkeeper Rachel Brown was a stalwart and linchpin for the girls soccer team at Metro-East Lutheran High School during the 2025 season and Brown stood tall in goal, making 265 saves this season, which was the 11th most in the nation, according to MaxPreps, a national high school sports website. The Knights lost their IHSA Class 1A regional semifinal match 9-0 to highly touted host Father McGivney Catholic on May 16, 2025, at McGivney High School to conclude their season. However, Brown made two great saves to prevent the Griffins from scoring. It was typical of her performance in goal all season. Brown is a BJ's Printables Female Athlete of the Month for MELHS. Brown logged the most time in goal for the Knights, at 1,101 minutes, and had a goals-against average of 8.21. and a save percentage of .701. But the Knights showed resiliency all season, never backed down, and kept striving and playing hard, no matter what. In her post-match interview, Brown felt

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EDWARDSVILLE – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced a temporary road closure will be encountered on IL 143/157 in Edwardsville that began today, May 19, 2025. IL 143/157 (Vandalia St.) will be closed to through traffic between IL 159 (Main St.) and Buchanan St. for sanitary sewer repairs on IL 143/157. A detour will be marked utilizing IL 159 (Main St.), Schwarz St., and Buchanan St. to assist travelers around the closure. (See attached map.) All lanes will reopen as soon as possible. Pfund Construction will be making the needed repairs. Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the 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 the social media platform X at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s

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SPRINGFIELD – Today, Illinois Central Management Services (CMS) announced that the State of Illinois has achieved historic outcomes in building up its workforce, increasing the total employee count from 50,544 in 2019 to 55,340 in 2025 – the highest number of state employees since 2008, which was 55,237 employees. These gains are driven by hiring at agencies that have historically faced challenges filling positions and that directly provide support to vulnerable Illinoisans. This includes a 44% increase in staffing at the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) and a 15% increase in direct care worker roles at the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). Formerly a manual, paper-driven process plagued by outdated grading systems, the State’s hiring has undergone a transformative modernization since 2019, resulting in a more efficient and streamlined process today. "These milestones are a testament to the dedication and commitment of CMS, which has embraced

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) helped U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and U.S. Representative Grace Meng (D-NY-06) introduce a bicameral and bipartisan resolution to mark May 2025 as Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. The resolution recognizes the significant contributions that Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities have made to this country. “No matter what anyone says, AANHPI stories are the American story—from our struggles to our triumphs, our diversity has always made our nation stronger,” said Duckworth. “Every Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is an opportunity to honor the trailblazers who came before us, uplift diverse stories and celebrate our community as we continue to forge that path toward a better tomorrow where the American Dream remains within reach for

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Summer means outdoor activities and a reminder to watch for suspicious moles, a possible sign of skin cancer. But doctors say skin lesions come in many forms, and you should know when to get an expert opinion. What is and isn’t a skin lesion? Raman Kumar, MD , a colorectal and general surgeon at OSF HealthCare, has your checklist: YES: moles, blisters, bumps, acne, boils, peeling skin from a sunburn, rashes, poison ivy or similar skin reactions, warts, skin tags and bug bites YES, BUT: Dr. Kumar says freckles and birthmarks are lesions, but they are not harmful. In other words: “A skin lesion is any type of abnormal growth. It can happen anywhere on the body. If it doesn’t look like normal skin, it’s considered a growth,” Dr. Kumar says. Causes for each of these lesions vary. We know acne is due to bacteria, and warts are from a virus, for example. Medications, lifestyle choices (like eating certain food that doesn’t agree with you) and medical

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CHICAGO - In mid-May, the Trump Administration, through U.S. Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), terminated the Digital Equity Capacity Program. In Illinois, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s (DCEO) was in the process of implementing a Digital Equity Capacity Grant under this Program. This grant would have provided more than $23.7 million to Illinois organizations across the state to equip households and residents with the skills, resources, and tools needed to use high-speed internet and fully participate in Illinois’ economy. “The internet is a key to our economy. In Illinois, we need to make sure our many rural areas have the tools they need to access the internet and the doorways it opens for jobs, education, and telemedicine,” said Governor JB Pritzker . “Instead of enabling more people to participate in our economy, Donald Trump is turning his back on rural

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SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Earning a spot on Drury University's Dean's List is a significant accomplishment. The recognition means a student earned a grade point average of 3.6 or greater (on a 4-point scale) while carrying a full-time course load of 12 or more semester hours at Drury, a top Midwestern university, according to US News & World Report and The Princeton Review. In the spring semester, the following student(s) made the day school Dean's list: Established in 1873, Drury University stands as the first higher education institution in Springfield, MO. A private, church related institution, Drury exemplifies a strong spirit of community, passionate about student success. HOMETOWN, STATE; NAME, HIGH SCHOOL East Alton, IL Hannah Ritter, Metro East Lutheran HS Edwardsville, IL Connor Bain, Triad High School Max Conrey, Edwardsville Senior HS Tyler Frolik, Edwardsville Senior HS Godfrey, IL Wes Laaker, Alton High School Jerseyville, IL Jeremy Vanost, Jersey

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CARLINVILLE - The first-ever chess tournament at the Carlinville Public Library was a big success, as twenty-three players matched wits in friendly competition on Monday evening, May 12. Tournament coordinator Luke Aikin, a sixth-grade student at Carlinville Middle School, was pleased with the response. “I was very excited on how many people showed up to the event,” said Aikin. “I think everyone had a good time, which I was very grateful for. My main goal was for everyone to enjoy themselves, and to want to keep playing chess.” Winners from the tournament were Howie Wu, Parker Ashby, Mallory Bendorf, and H.P. Summer. Prizes were sponsored by Aikin and his family. The success of the first tournament may lead to more tournaments in the future. “We had participants ask when the next tournament will be,” said Hannah Miller, the director of the Carlinville library. “I think everyone had a great time. Kudos goes to Luke, who did an excellent

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ST. LOUIS, MO. — The American Red Cross has opened shelters for individuals and families affected by the severe storms and tornadoes that hit St. Louis and Sikeston today (Friday). The shelter locations are: St. Louis: · Grace United Methodist Church, 6199 Waterman Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63112 · Friendly Temple Outreach Center, 6356 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, St. Louis, MO 63133 Sikeston: · City of Miner Convention Center, 2610 E Malone Avenue, Sikeston, MO 63801 Identification and/or proof of residency is NOT required to be admitted to a Red Cross shelter. American Red Cross services are free and available to all regardless of race, religious beliefs, nationality, or citizenship status. The role of the Red Cross in any disaster is to focus on addressing the immediate needs of those affected. The Red Cross is coordinating with community, government, and emergency management officials to determine assistance needed. How to help:

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EDWARDSVILLE - Messages of girl power, positive self-esteem, healthy body image, community activism and more were packaged in sparkly, eye-catching motion and decorative costuming during the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts’ (ESLCPA) 2025 Spring Dance Recital. Students took to the stage at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 15 in the Multipurpose Room of Building D of the Wyvetter H. Younge Higher Education Center. Social justice was the theme of the dance recital. “Social justice is very important and was part of Miss Katherine Dunham’s philosophy,” said Ta’Shayla Montgomery , ESLCPA Dunham and ballet dance instructor. “At the end of last year, the students were very discouraged, and we talked about what they could do. They decided they wanted to do a dance project about social justice.” Led by ESCLPA alumni and the choreography dynamic, sister-duo of Montgomery and lyrical jazz dance instructor

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