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ALTON – A “repeat felony offender” found hiding in the attic of an Alton home faces new felonies for illegal weapon possession. Shaquille R. Kirkendoll, 32, of Alton, was charged on June 30, 2025 with one count each of possession of a firearm by a repeat felony offender (a Class X felony), felony in possession of a weapon (both Class 2 felonies). On June 26, 2025, Kirkendoll allegedly unlawfully possessed a Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm pistol and a Taurus G3C pistol, as well as multiple rounds of 9mm, .380, and .45 caliber ammunition. Kirkendoll’s possession of the weapons and ammo was illegal given his prior convictions of first degree robbery in St. Louis City Circuit Court from 2011 and felon in possession of a firearm in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri in 2021. He was also on parole or mandatory supervised release at the time of these latest offenses. According to the state’s petition to deny his pretrial release from custody,

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EDWARDSVILLE - Renowned area artist Rocky Pardo is back with mixed metal fine art jewelry entries in the upcoming Edwardsville Art Fair set for Sept. 25-28, 2025, at Edwardsville City Park. Artist #1 Artist Name: Rocky Pardo Medium: Jewelry Artist Statement: "I create mixed metal fine art jewelry with an emphasis on silver, gold, and the creation of my own precious metal alloys. I use a variety of techniques including hand fabrication, forming, alloying, reticulation, soldering, and stone setting to manipulate metal into miniature wearable skyscapes. "I put a high priority on ethically-sourced metals and gemstones, often recycling and reusing my own metal. I hand-select various precious and semi-precious gemstones to create and emphasize balance in my pieces. "My designs are driven by the desire to strike a balance between the rough and refined, creating effortlessly elegant pieces that are comfortable and easy to wear. I enjoy mixing metals with age-old techniques

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BELLEVILLE - Belleville East High School students earned recognition at the recent Art on the Square event in Belleville, with six of the school's 56 participating artists winning awards out of 250 total entries. Belleville East's Aubrey Heins, a rising senior, distinguished herself by receiving six awards for her colored pencil drawing titled "Hope Persists." Heins captured the following honors at the Art On The Square event: Art on the Square Award of Excellence. Art on the Square Artist’s Choice Award. Art on the Square Founders Award. Art on the Square People’s Choice Award. Jane Pusa Memorial Award. Gateway East Artists Guild Award. The event, which drew over 100 artists, the Art on the Square committee, and approximately 4,000 visitors, featured 40 awards in total. Belleville East secured 11 of those honors. Belleville East's school community expressed pride in all the participating artists for their dedication to creating impactful artwork. Additionally,

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QEM "Big Red Day" on July 11th We're celebrating our First Responders with "Big Red Day" from 6:00 - 9:00 pm. Be One of the First 200 Kids to Receive a Firefighter Fun Helmet! Bring the whole family and join us for fun and excitement! Get creative with our coloring activities Climb aboard real fire engines and snap photos with our incredible professional firefighters Enjoy up-close experiences with fire trucks DJ and so much more! Think you have what it takes to win? Enter our very first QEM Inaugural Cornhole Tournament for your chance to take home the trophy and a $500 cash prize. Proceeds from the night event will benefit the QEM Fire Protection District. Firework Fridays & Family Fun Nights on July 11th Experience Family Fun Night on July 11th from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. with a spectacular fireworks show! You can play all day and night with a Season Pass or a full day admission ticket. The evening admission at 6 pm is $24.99. Sensory Sundays at Raging Rivers o

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ST. LOUIS – Today, Mayor Cara Spencer announced a plan to invest $19.2 million in the next phase of recovery from the May 16 tornado. She also announced a new contract to scale up the City’s debris removal efforts. This plan is for $19.2 million, including $18 million in allocated Rams funds and $1.2 million in Community Development Block Grant funds. Those funds will support efforts in the following areas. $2.5 million for resource hubs needs such as meals and supplies, including coolers, port-a-potties, dumpsters, and more. $2.2 million for unmet needs such as storage of personal belongings, rental assistance, and non-congregate temporary housing. $5 million for home repairs for uninsured and underinsured. $3.5 million for case management, mental health, and legal services. $1 million to provide cooling through water stations and water sprinklers. Up to $5 million for non-profit support, including for resource hub and distribution staffing. “The

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ALTON - On July 10, 1925, Winkler Tire Service filling station opened at Seventh and Belle Streets in Alton, complete with a bear cage. “Winkler said that he noticed long ago when autos came up to get gas the process was tiresome to the children.” His solution was to build a bear cage and place two real live bear cubs in it. There was a water feature for them to play in and trees to climb. A smaller section of the cage also contained squirrels. In addition to the animal entertainment, Winkler had a big balloon floating over the lot for the opening and 2,000 small balloons to hand out to children. “The bears were the main attraction, especially for the children, but many of the elders went through the fire proof building.” The new filling station was fireproof, with concrete floors, brick walls and metal lath construction. The station also had a ladies’ restroom and a men’s restroom, a telephone for use by the public, a Western Union clock, and

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JERSEYVILLE - Ashlen Scott has been named the 2025 Miss Jersey County Fair Queen. Scott is the daughter of Robert and Marian Scott. She was sponsored by Allen’s Greenhouse and Garden Supply. She expressed her gratitude for a fun pageant and her excitement to represent Jersey County. “I’m just so honored and proud of myself,” Scott said. “It really feels like all the work that I put in definitely paid off.” In addition to being named Miss Jersey County Fair Queen, Scott was honored with the People’s Choice Award and the Crew Award. She was also named Miss Congeniality. Looking forward, she plans to attend Lewis and Clark Community College to study Diagnostic Medical Sonography, and then attend Lincoln Land Community College for Agribusiness. Scott is excited to share Jersey County with the rest of the state by representing the county at upcoming parades and events. She also looks forward to spending time with Little Miss Jersey Count

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BELLEVILLE – Summer is in full swing, and children are spending more time enjoying the outdoors. Ameren says now is a good time for parents to sit down with children to share some important electric safety tips. "More than ever, young people are operating devices and technologies – like drones – that can come into contact with overhead electrical equipment," said Brian Brackney , director of safety for Ameren. "We are encouraging parents to talk to kids about the dangers of overhead power lines and surrounding electrical equipment and remind them to stay away." Ameren offers the following discussion tips for parents regarding outdoor electric safety: Drones, remote-controlled (RC) planes and kites should be flown only during good weather conditions in large open areas, such as an open park or a wide field. Keep these items away from overhead power lines or other electrical equipment. If a kite gets stuck in a tree near power lines, do not climb up to get it. Electricity

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EDWARDSVILLE/SAINT LOUIS — It’s back and better than ever! Starting Monday, July 14th, Drunken Fish is bringing back its award-winning Happy Hour and we’re raising the bar (literally) on after-work vibes across St. Louis and Edwardsville. Guests can sip and savor signature cocktails starting at just $6, beers starting at only $3, and indulge in mouthwatering bites like California Roll, Tuna Poke Nachos, Torched Salmon Roll, and more available in value tiers of $3, $6, $9, and $12. It’s the kind of deal that makes Monday through Friday feel like the weekend and there’s a reason we’ve been crowned the BEST Happy Hour in St. Louis! Happy Hour Details: Launch Date: Monday, July 14, 2025 Time: Monday–Friday, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM Dine-In Only Disclaimer: Happy Hour is limited to select seating areas, such as the bar top and bar area. Please ask our staff for more details. Please note: Happy Hour promotions cannot be combined

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TROY, Ill. — Logan Williams, a beloved Troy, IL., teenager known for his kindness and quiet strength, died recently following a car accident, leaving his family and community grieving. Williams was described by friends as a gentle soul who consistently put others before himself. His sudden passing has prompted an outpouring of support from those who knew him, highlighting the lasting impact he had through his compassion and willingness to help others. The accident left Logan on life support, with his parents, Todd and Toni Williams, and sister by his side during his final moments. The family is now facing significant medical bills, including ICU care, life support equipment, and funeral expenses. In response, friends Megan and Dan Kilfoy established a GoFundMe campaign to assist the Williams family with the financial burdens they face. Click here for the GoFundMe for the Williams family . “Anyone who knows Logan knows the incredible heart Logan has always shown to others.

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ALTON - The Alton Municipal Band’s 135th season continues this week with special guests, The Rivertown Sound Quartet. The quartet, founded in St. Louis, performs barbershop harmonies and Doo Wop music: sure to get toes tapping in the audience. As one of St. Louis’ premiere “Doo Wop Quartets,” they perform for audiences of all types across the region. The band, now in its sixth week of summer concerts, will kick off the shows with a variety of concert band repertoire. Thursday evening at 7:30, enjoy the concert at the historic gazebo at Riverview Park. Then, Sunday evening at 7, the concert will repeat in front of the Lucky Haskell Playhouse at Haskell Park. Alton Municipal Band concerts are free and open to the public. Pack a picnic, bring the lawn chairs, and enjoy a night of great music on a summer evening. For more information about the Alton Municipal Band, search for “Alton Municipal Band “ on Facebook, or find the band’s website a

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ALTON - Seventeen-year-old Shabrya Hudson was killed by a stray bullet on July 4, 2025 . Now, the community can help her family lay her to rest. From 12–5 p.m. on Thursday, July 10, 2025, you can go to Oakwood Recreation Center in Alton for $10 haircuts. From 6–9 p.m. on Thursday, July 10, and 1–6 p.m. on Sunday, July 13, community members can stop by the rec center at Oakwood to purchase fish sandwiches for $10. Donations are also accepted. All proceeds will go toward burial costs. At a protest on July 7, 2025 , community members reflected on Hudson’s life and called for increased security at Alton Housing Authority properties. Donald Mason El, the founder of the 100 Man Movement Crime Prevention Initiative and the F.L.Y. Mentorship Program, shared that Hudson was a mentee. He said she acted as “a big sister” to many of the other young girls in the program. “We lost a shining star, a beautiful young lady, well-mannered, focused,

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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville High School is expanding its commons area with an 8,000-square-foot addition designed to enhance student dining and study spaces, Principal Alex Fox said. The project, currently underway through the summer, aims to improve facilities for lunch periods as well as for events held throughout the day and after hours. Fox described the updated space as “extremely amazing compared to what it was in the past,” noting that workers are installing tile flooring and finishing outdoor areas with painting. The expansion will include a grab-and-go “Tiger Bites” area offering snack options, additional study and event spaces, and renovated restrooms. Construction on the project officially started on Sept. 9, 2024. The school had set a goal of having the Commons substantially completed by Aug. 6, 2025, in time for the 2025-2026 academic year. Principal Fox did not have an exact finish date for the project. Holland Construction Services was contracted

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - On Wednesday, July 9, 2025, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued charges on suspect Steven Martin, Jr., 18 years of age, of St. Louis, for Murder 1st Degree, three counts of Armed Criminal Action, Unlawful Use of a Weapon - Subsection 9 - Shoot At/From Motor Vehicle at Person, Motor Vehicle or Building, Resulting in Death or Injury, and Tampering with Physical Evidence in Felony Prosecution. Martin is being held on $750,000 cash only, no 10% bond. The probable cause statement for Martin reads: On May 31, 2025, St. Louis County Police Department's Bureau of Crimes Against Persons were requested to investigate a road rage homicide that occurred at or near the 8700 block of Jennings Station Road. Police investigation revealed that the Defendant, identified as Steven Martin, shot multiple rounds out of his vehicle into victims' vehicle. Victim vehicle was occupied by Caleb Matlock and victim #2. Caleb Matlock was struck in the chest and succumbed

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ALTON – A downtown Alton business owner says his bar is being “singled out” by city officials ahead of a hearing next week concerning the bar’s late night liquor license. Brian Trust, co-owner of the Pour Decisions bar in downtown Alton, said he’s been called to appear at a hearing on Monday, July 14, 2025 before Mayor David Goins, who also serves as the city’s Liquor Control Commissioner. At stake is the bar’s late night liquor license , which allows it to operate from 1 to 2 a.m. on weekdays and 1 to 3 a.m. on weekends. Trust said he feels his business is being unfairly targeted by the city over safety concerns that existed before Pour Decisions opened its doors downtown. “The City of Alton had issues before we even opened,” Trust said. “If you guys want to clean up downtown Alton and you want to shut down at 1 , I’m completely cordial if you address all the bars. However, whoever did it, you singled out my partner

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GODFREY - St. Ambrose Catholic School in Godfrey is expanding its middle school curriculum with accelerated mathematics classes and new foreign language and personal finance instruction for eighth-grade students, Principal Bob Baird announced. Baird said the changes, set to take effect in the 2025-2026 school year for math and already implemented in the 2024-2025 school year for language and finance, aim to provide a more challenging academic environment while maintaining the school’s mission of sharing the message of Jesus Christ. Several years ago, St. Ambrose prioritized improving math education and standardized test scores by adopting the Sadlier Math curriculum. After three years, the school closed the standardized test gap with other Catholic schools in the Diocese of Springfield. During the 2024-2025 school year, St. Ambrose students surpassed the average test scores of most diocesan schools, positioning the school among the highest performing in the Diocese. To

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GRAFTON - Christina Petrea is organizing a fundraiser to support her son Dawson’s participation in an international medical program aimed at high school students. Dawson, a junior at Jersey Community High School, has been recognized for his academic excellence and dedication to pursuing a career in anesthesiology. Dawson Petrea has consistently been on the high honor roll since sixth grade and recently was inducted into the National Society of Torch and Laurel during the National Future Physicians and Medical Scientists Congress in Boston. This honor society recognizes high-achieving high school students with a strong interest in medicine. In June 2026, Dawson is scheduled to attend the Future Docs Abroad Program in Athens, Greece. The program provides students with hands-on experience in the medical field by allowing them to learn directly from medical professionals and observe medical procedures in a country without HIPAA restrictions. Christina said this opportunity is designed

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JERSEYVILLE - Scarlett Schultz has been named the 2025 Little Miss Jersey County Fair Queen. Schultz is the daughter of Matt and Karrie Schultz. As she reflected on her win, she expressed her excitement to represent Jersey County for the next year. “It feels fun,” Schultz said. Schultz wants to be a "veterinarian teacher" when she grows up. As Little Miss Jersey County Fair Queen, Schultz will be paired with Miss Jersey County Fair Queen Ashlen Scott for the next year. The two will work together to travel around the region and share more about Jersey County. Schultz can’t wait to participate in all of the parades and appearances that are planned for this upcoming year. “I feel like I’m having a dream,” she added.

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JERSEYVILLE - The Miss Jersey County Fair Pageant has officially crowned new royalty. On Wednesday, July 9, 2025, the 64th Annual Jersey County Fair Queen Pageant welcomed contestants from across the region to compete for the title of 2025 Miss Jersey County Fair Queen and 2025 Little Miss Jersey County Fair Queen. Ashlen Scott is your new Miss Jersey County Fair Queen and Scarlett Schultz is the new Little Miss Jersey County Fair Queen. Emma McCormick, the 2024 Miss Jersey County Fair Queen, expressed her excitement for the pageant and her gratitude for a great year. “When I won, I knew I was in for the year of a lifetime,” McCormick said. “It definitely fulfilled my expectations.” Kylie Muntz, 2024 Little Miss Jersey County Fair Queen, summed up her year by thanking McCormick for being a great role model. “A special memory was hanging out with Emma, taking pictures with her, and doing a lot of things with her,” Muntz said. Contestants

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Every year, millions of people around the world pause to celebrate National Kitten Day, a holiday dedicated entirely to the charm and wonder of young cats. But have you ever wondered why this day exists, who started it, and what purpose it serves beyond just an excuse to share adorable photos online? The story behind National Kitten Day is as intriguing as the playful creatures it honors, reflecting broader themes of animal welfare, awareness, and the human-animal bond. The Origins of National Kitten Day National Kitten Day was established in 2009 by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), an organization well-known for its advocacy of animal rights and welfare. The day was created not just as a lighthearted celebration but as a strategic initiative to raise awareness about the plight of kittens, particularly those in shelters. At the time, the HSUS recognized a concerning trend: while puppies often received a lot of public attention and demand, kittens—especially stra

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