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GRANITE CITY – Two Granite City men have been charged with felony weapon offenses after allegedly possessing loaded handguns without valid Firearm Owners’ Identification (FOID) cards. Joshua E. Smith, 20, of Granite City, was charged on July 29, 2025 with aggravated unlawful possession of weapons (a Class 4 felony) and aggravated assault (a Class A misdemeanor). Smith allegedly unlawfully possessed a Glock 19 9mm handgun which was uncased, loaded, and immediately accessible at the time of the offense on May 14, 2025. His possession of the weapon was illegal given his lack of a currently valid FOID card. Smith was additionally accused of displaying the weapon “in a threatening manner” towards another individual, resulting in the assault charge. The Hartford Police Department presented the case against Smith, who was granted pretrial release from custody. Another Granite City man was charged in an unrelated case on July 30, 2025, with aggravated unlawful possession

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RIVERBEND - Yelena Gass-Bronstein believes in the kindness of strangers. After spending 26 years as a registered nurse at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, including several months on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic, Gass-Bronstein is in the same position as her patients: She’s asking a stranger to save her life. Gass-Bronstein is one of the 90,000 people in the U.S. who currently need a kidney transplant, and she’s looking for a living kidney donor who would be willing to give her that gift. “Transplantation is an amazing journey that tests the limits of human strength and courage,” she said. “It requires commitment and faith as well as mental, emotional and physical endurance. It is one of life’s greatest challenges, and you know what is the reward? The life itself. All of us, we want to live, because life is so good.” Gass-Bronstein was on the kidney transplant list two years ago, when her doctor gave her “the

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PONTOON BEACH – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that in addition to the ongoing closure of Illinois 111 at Interstate 270 in Madison County, a full closure of the ramp from northbound Illinois 111 to eastbound I-270 will begin, weather permitting, Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. This closure is expected to last approximately 14 days as part of the I-270/Illinois 111 interchange reconstruction project. The posted detour for the ramp closure is as follows: Southbound Illinois 111 to eastbound Illinois 162, then northbound I-255 to eastbound I-270. Two additional outer ramps will be closed for 14 days, each at different times. Specific closure dates will be announced as the work progresses. Work on the entire interchange is anticipated to be completed by the end of October. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during these closures. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) will offer plenty of public health information and services, along with some giveaways, in its two locations at the Illinois State Fair. The Springfield fair runs August 7-17, 2025. “It is almost time for the annual Illinois State Fair, and I can’t wait to enjoy this truly, unique Illinois experience,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “As you enjoy the food and fun, please stop by one of IDPH’s two exciting locations to learn valuable information to keep you and your loved ones safe and healthy. We look forward to seeing you at the Fairgrounds.” The IDPH main tent will be located on the east side of the Annex Building, just across from the Lincoln Stage. A different IDPH program will be spotlighted each day of the fair: Thursday, August 7: the Oral Health program Friday, August 8: Office of Racial and Cultural Health Equity (ORCHE) Saturday, August 9: Children’s Health

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BELLEVILLE — A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support Christine Rejniak, a Belleville-area woman facing significant medical challenges after a cancer diagnosis, according to organizer Ashley R. Christine Rejniak, described by Ashley as a devoted mother, sister, daughter and wife, has been recognized for her selflessness and dedication to her family and community. Ashley said Rejniak has cared for their grandmother and father following strokes, managed a company overseeing hundreds of properties, and regularly provided food, furniture, jobs and donations to those in need. The fundraiser aims to assist with Rejniak’s medical expenses, potential loss of income and other hospital bills during what Ashley called “a very scary time.” Ashley encouraged contributions of any amount, including messages of support. On July 30, 2025, Ashley provided an update on Rejniak’s condition, stating that she will require surgery, radiation and intravenous chemotherapy.

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MADISON - Tiffany Rogers is organizing a fundraiser to support Dyllan Williams, a former Madison Junior High School student who was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. The fundraiser aims to assist Dyllan and his mother, Lakisha, with medical expenses and daily living costs during this challenging period. Dyllan became ill during what was expected to be a typical summer break, experiencing a high fever that persisted for several days. After attempts to treat his symptoms at home proved unsuccessful, Lakisha took him to the emergency room, where doctors confirmed the cancer diagnosis. Since then, Dyllan has undergone five surgeries and continues to receive chemotherapy treatments every other week, along with regular blood tests. Lakisha has left her job to provide full-time care for her son, a decision that has significantly impacted the family’s financial situation. The fundraiser seeks contributions from the community to help cover medical bills, transportation,

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SPRINGFIELD – State fairgoers can get a deal on camping at any Illinois state park or historic site with a campground through the end of the year in honor of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources' 100th anniversary in 2025. Visitors to Conservation World at the Illinois State Fair can stop by the Illinois State Parks: A Century of Fun tent to pick up a coupon good for one free night of camping at any Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) site with the purchase of at least one additional night of camping. Only 100 coupons will be available each day during the fair. “What better way to celebrate IDNR’s centennial than by offering a special deal on camping at one of the state’s many breathtaking parks and historic sites,” said IDNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie. “Fall will be here soon, and I encourage everyone to experience camping at one of our sites as the leaves change color and the autumn nights cool down.” During

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GRAFTON - Destination Totem Poles are found all over the world and are meant to portray destinations that visitors may have come from when visiting a town. Each sign’s mounting direction is correct by compass; distance from Grafton is given in nautical miles. The pole has been a fixture on Grafton’s riverfront for many years and has recently been refurbished, with new signs added. Grafton resident Tom Lenkman made the signs and Emily Gilmore, Cheryl Pfeiffer, Jennifer Beuhuer and Lou Lenkman designed and painted them. Many citizens donated paint to help defray costs. Lou said, “We originally did a Facebook poll and asked locals to name a place that they may have visited. This year we added 5 new signs. Each sign represents a place accessible by boat from Grafton; actually, that’s anywhere in the world. The top sign is for the veterans—Omaha Beach, Normandy, France—WWII, and the bottom sign is for Grafton; 'Start your journey here.’ The others

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SPRINGFIELD, IL – Governor JB Pritzker and Illinois State Fair officials unveiled the 2025 Butter Cow in the Dairy Building today. Inspired by this year’s fair theme of “Adventure Awaits,” sculptor Sarah Pratt’s creation captures the spirit of the fair through the eyes of an adventurer. While the Butter Cow is the undisputed star of the show, the cow has a delightful companion – an adventurer seeking hidden treasures across the fairgrounds. As in years past, 13 hearts have been hidden between the two displays to signify the 13 essential nutrients found naturally in milk. Pratt was joined this year by her husband and twin daughters, Hannah and Grace, 21. “My daughters would always find heart-shaped rocks and hidden treasures in everyday life, and that is what this year’s sculpture is all about,” said Sarah Pratt, Illinois State Fair butter cow sculptor . “With our additional sculpture located across from the dairy cow,

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GODFREY - Evangelical United Church of Christ invites the community to come out for a special back-to-school service where you can meet Evangelical School’s teachers, tour the school, and praise God. At 10 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025, the service will commission the school’s teachers and staff members. The church will also vow to once again serve alongside the school. Intentional interim minister Reverend Tim Darmour-Paul expressed his excitement to share the service with members of the school community and beyond. “We commission for their ministry to the school and the students for the upcoming year,” he explained. “They will all come forward in front of the congregation, and they will promise to serve God and serve the kids and serve the families. And we will, as a church, promise to serve with them and support them.” Past and present students and their families, teachers, staff members and congregation members are invited. After the

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TROY, IL – The Troy/Maryville/St. Jacob/Marine Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that the community’s first-ever National Night Out was a tremendous success. Held on Tuesday, August 5, at Tri-Township Park, the event drew hundreds of families who came out to enjoy an evening of safety demonstrations, interactive displays, delicious food, and family fun. “Celebrating National Night Out was our goal – and the outcome exceeded our expectations,” said Dawn Mushill, President/CEO of the Troy/Maryville/St. Jacob/Marine Chamber of Commerce. “Our community truly came together to support this event.” The evening showcased an impressive lineup of first responders, including the Troy Police Department, Troy Fire Department, Troy EMS, Madison County Sheriff’s Office SWAT vehicle, Illinois State Police, DEA, and the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System (ILEAS) Command Post. Additional touch-a-truck participants featured ADR, Truck Centers,

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ALTON - Ameren has issued a statement after a helicopter crashed Thursday morning, Aug. 7, 2025, after striking a barge on the Mississippi River near the Melvin Price Lock and Dam in Alton, resulting in two fatalities. Ameren officials said the crash occurred on Aug. 7, 2025, during repair work on tower lighting and marker balls on power lines. Ameren said the work was being conducted by an Ameren Illinois contractor and its subcontractor. In a statement, Ameren expressed sorrow over the incident. "We are saddened about today’s tragic incident. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the victims’ families and colleagues. We will cooperate with the investigation," the company said. Officials confirmed there were no power outages related to the crash. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision between the helicopter and the barge.

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SPRINGFIELD — Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined Illinois community college leadership and education advocates to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB), which created the Illinois Community College System. Held on the Illinois State Fairgrounds, the event brought together educational and industry leaders as well as community college mascots from across the state to kick off a year-long celebration of learning. “Illinois is home to one of the best community college systems in the nation and I’m proud to be celebrating 60 incredible years of the ICCB,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Thanks to our investments in higher education, we have made transformational progress in breaking down barriers to affordability and access, allowing virtually all students at or below median income to attend any Illinois community college tuition-free. We look forward to building upon that progress for years to come in every corner of our grea

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ALTON - Gary Chronister, a former Missouri inmate, continues to seek public assistance to manage advanced liver cirrhosis that he said was caused by untreated hepatitis C contracted during his incarceration. Chronister, in a message this week, said his funding situation is dire and he has a GoFundMe page to assist him in his moment of crisis. In a public appeal on a GoFundMe page , Chronister described his situation as a fight for survival and dignity. “I’m terrified of losing my home while I’m still trying to fight this disease,” he wrote in an update posted Aug. 1, 2025. He emphasized that donations would directly support housing costs, utilities, and urgent medical needs. Chronister urged those who believe in second chances and justice to consider contributing or sharing his story to help him maintain stability and focus on his health. “Even $5 or $10 makes a difference,” he said, expressing gratitude to those offering support. Chronister

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GODFREY - Godfrey officials have announced a temporary closure of Ridgedale Drive starting Monday morning, Aug. 11, 2025, to allow Illinois American Water and its subcontractor, Loellke Plumbing, to relocate a water main line. The closure is part of preparations for a future roundabout construction project at West Delmar and Homer Adams. The road will be closed to through traffic from West Delmar to Juniper Drive beginning at 7 a.m. and is expected to last at least one week during normal working hours. Staggered Type III barricades will be placed at both ends of the closure, with a full closure at the excavation site. A signed detour route using Juniper, Wannamaker, and West Delmar will be in place, and traffic control and signage will be established prior to the closure. Chris Sichra, Godfrey’s Public Safety Administrator and Emergency Manager, said that local first responder agencies, mutual aid partners including fire, police, and EMS, as well as local bus companies and the

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GRAFTON - Pere Marquette State Park has a variety of fall programs and activities for community members to enjoy. Lev with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is eager to share the park with the community at all of their upcoming free events. He encourages people to reach out with any questions and get ready for a great season at Pere Marquette. “I’m really excited about what’s going on at the park,” Lev said. On Aug. 15, 2025, the fun will start with a movie night to celebrate the 100th anniversary of IDNR. Families can come by Pere Marquette for a screening of “The Bee Movie” under the stars, complete with free s’mores. This event will go on rain or shine, and Lev encourages people to bring blankets and snacks. At 1 p.m. on Aug. 23, Lev will be teaching a “Wild Edibles: Forage, Learn, and Taste at Pere Marquette” class. Participants will learn how to identify common edible plants, and Lev plans to mak

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ALTON — Two people died Thursday morning, Aug. 7, 2025, when a helicopter crashed while working on power lines near the Melvin Price Lock and Dam, officials said. The crash occurred around 11:30 a.m. in the river near the dam, according to emergency responders who arrived on the scene after reports of a downed helicopter. Responders observed a large clump of smoke and accessed the crash site by boat, where they found a small helicopter submerged in the water. “All we know now is we have a small helicopter that is down and we do have two occupants on board who were deceased,” Alton Fire Department Deputy Chief Matt Fischer said. “We are waiting on FAA and NTSB to arrive. It is still early in the investigation and we don’t have much more information than that.” Officials confirmed the two deceased were the helicopter’s occupants. Access to the crash site was difficult due to its location in the river, requiring watercraft to reach the wreckage.

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ALTON — A helicopter installing marker balls on power lines clipped a power line and crashed into a barge in the Mississippi River near the Melvin Price Lock and Dam on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, officials said. The helicopter then caught fire. The helicopter ended up striking the barge, and two occupants are deceased. The incident prompted a multi-agency response, including Alton Police and Fire, East Alton Fire Department, St. Louis City and Black Jack Fire Departments, Wood River Fire Department, Alton Memorial Ambulance, Illinois State Police, Ameren Illinois, and the U.S. Coast Guard. and other agencies. Several fire boats were also deployed to the scene. Authorities confirmed the helicopter struck the power lines during the installation process before crashing into the river. The crash occurred directly across the river from the Melvin Price Lock and Dam. The cause of the crash was not immediately available. Emergency responders remained on scene, managing the situation.

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EAST ST. LOUIS – Illinois State Police (ISP) conducted a violent crime suppression detail on July 29-30, 2025, in St. Clair and Madison counties, focusing its efforts on East St. Louis and neighboring Metro East communities. The operation utilized intelligence and technology to target known high crime areas, violent offenders, and structured criminal groups in the communities of the Metro East. Detail Results Arrests: 7 Felony Charges: 7 Criminal Charges: 13 Firearm Related Charges: 8 Firearms Seized: 7 Stolen Vehicles Recovered: 1 There were several notable events and arrests during the detail. On July 29, 2025, troopers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for Illinois Vehicle Code (IVC) violations. A probable cause search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of a firearm and ammunition. One subject was taken into custody. Charges are pending. On July 30, 2025, a trooper located and recovered an unoccupied, stolen vehicle with no registration parked

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SPRINGFIELD - Bipartisan legislation drafted by Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias designed to improve security at libraries and enhance safety for librarians was recently signed into law. The measure, which was approved in the General Assembly this spring, allows the Secretary of State’s office to issue funding grants to increase security measures at public, school and academic libraries. “I firmly believe that libraries should serve as welcoming places for life-long learning and community engagement, but, unfortunately, they have faced increased threats of violence and acts of intimidation in recent years,” Giannoulias said. “Meanwhile, the personal safety and welfare of many librarians has been placed at risk for simply doing their jobs. Their personal safety at work should not be their primary concern.” The legislation, which was signed into law last week by Governor JB Pritzker and takes effect on Jan. 1, 2026, was sponsored by

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