GRAFTON — Mike Boschert, a Vietnam War veteran who served in the U.S. Army, was recently honored in a community salute recognizing his service to the country and his family. Boschert’s years of service and his contribution during the Vietnam War remain a significant part of his legacy. “Thank you for your service to country and family,” Sally, who nominated Boschert, wrote in the tribute. The salute serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by veterans like Boschert
BELLEVILLE - Caritas Family Solutions is excited to announce that it has been chosen by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to help develop a new online payment portal designed to improve payment processes for nonprofit agencies and providers across the state. Leading this initiative is Abigail York, Billing Operations Manager at Caritas, who was chosen for her extensive experience with the foster care system and her success in creating an internal communication process
SAINT LOUIS - The St. Louis region is one of the top in the country for aerospace, avionics, and aviation. Mary Lamie recently stopped by “Our Daily Show!” with CJ Nasello to talk about bi-state development and the St. Louis Regional Freightway, including growing opportunities in several fields. She noted that St. Louis has “three main anchor aerospace companies” in Boeing, Gulfstream and West Star. As a result, there are thousands of jobs available in these
MADISON COUNTY. — The Madison County Sheriff's Office announced promotions within its Jail Division, elevating three members to new leadership roles. Blake Sellers has been promoted to captain and will serve as the Jail Superintendent. Ryan Dawdy was promoted to lieutenant and will oversee the Classification Office. Brandon Reichardt earned a promotion to sergeant and will act as a shift supervisor. The Sheriff's Office extended congratulations to the newly promoted officials
COLLINSVILLE – Webster Elementary School teacher Susanna Benson has been selected for a 2025 Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award. Benson, who teaches fourth grade at Webster, is a 30-year veteran of Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 (CUSD 10). She was nominated by the principal of Webster Elementary, Alison Schumacher. “With unwavering passion, a heart for her students, and a mind deeply rooted in scientific curiosity, Susanna Benson is the embodiment of what it means
ALTON - The Three Rivers Project of the Piasa Palisades Sierra Club Group (PPG) is planning a River Road cleanup on Saturday, November 15, 2025, from 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. The public is invited to help rid the environment of debris that harms physical habitats, threatens aquatic life, and transports chemical pollutants to rivers, marine and coastal environments. Of all trash, plastic trash has the greatest potential to harm the environment, wildlife, and humans. The Mississippi River flows
ST. LOUIS – Mayor Cara Spencer announced the launch of the 2025 City Food Insecurity Fund and called on residents and businesses in the St. Louis region to donate in an effort to fill the gap created by recent cuts to the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) program. The fund, administered by United Way of Greater St. Louis, was created in partnership with St. Louis Area Food Bank, Operation Food Search, and Integrated Health Network. All donations to
ALTON – Ameren Illinois is taking another step forward in its modernization of the electric grid in Alton with the installation of new smart switches and stronger electric infrastructure in town. Work is currently underway to upgrade power lines between the Alby and North Alton substations, which will add capacity to the local grid for nearly 1,300 customers. The added capacity is similar to expanding a two-lane highway to a four-lane highway. In addition, three IntelliRupters, also known
SHILOH — A 14-year-old boy reported missing Friday morning, Nov. 7, 2025, was found safe by Shiloh Police Department officers later that day. Authorities received the missing juvenile report at 7:42 a.m. on Nov. 7. The boy was not considered a danger to himself and was believed to remain in the local area. Police said they received multiple tips and followed up on each lead. At 2:15 p.m., officers located the juvenile, who was unharmed, and he was safe and sound. The Shiloh Police
O'FALLON - The O'Fallon Police Department announced some details and a map for the Veterans' Day Parade on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. The parade starts at 2 p.m. The event will take place in downtown O'Fallon, where street closures will begin at 11 a.m. on Tuesday to clear the parade route. Police officials advise residents and visitors to use caution and allow extra travel time in the downtown area due to the closures. While downtown businesses will remain open during the event, parking may
TROY — The Troy Police Department is partnering with the Illinois State Police and other local agencies to enforce traffic safety laws during the “Click It or Ticket” and “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign running from Nov. 21 to Dec. 2, 2025. Officers will focus on seat-belt violations, speeding, distracted driving, and impaired driving caused by alcohol or drugs, including cannabis. The campaign coincides with the Thanksgiving holiday, a period marked by
PEORIA — Southwestern junior Thor Springman set a new school record at the IHSA Class 1A State Cross Country Meet on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, finishing 79th overall with a time of 15 minutes, 50 seconds. The meet took place in Peoria. Springman’s performance capped an impressive season for the Piasa Birds’ standout runner, who also earned all-conference honors in cross country. Earlier in the season, he placed 10th at the Trenton-Wesclin Sectional on Nov. 1, 2025, with a time
ALTON - The Three Rivers Project of Sierra Club Illinois is calling for volunteers to support an Invasive Species Removal Workday 11/14/25 The Invasive Species Removal Workday will give local community members the opportunity to take action to protect the environment here in the Metro East by removing invasive species from the bottom of the trail closest to the River Road at La Vista Park “The Metro East is home to a unique ecosystem that contains three great rivers, oak-hickory
ALTON - The Alton Police Department unveiled a new mural in one of its main hallways, thanks to a collaboration with Sacred Spaces of CARE and Hype of Type. Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said the mural features vibrant colors and messages aimed at inspiring the department’s officers as they go about their duties. Ford also added that the mural replaces previously gray walls that officers passed daily on their way to their squads. “The gray walls our officers used to walk past
Well, almost. The holidays are coming up quick, anyway. And suddenly, it’s time to prepare for all the decorating, gift-giving and togetherness of Thanksgiving and Christmas. During a recent conversation with CJ Nasello on “Our Daily Show!,” I was adamant that it was way too soon to start decorating for the holidays. I’m not anti-Christmas, but I’m also not one to break out my jingle bells on Nov. 1. I argue that Thanksgiving is the perfect time to string up
ROXANA — The Riverbend East Rotary Club honored Roxana High School seniors Dalton Carriker and Alix Hernandez with the October Service Above Self awards, recognizing their dedication to community service and leadership. Mark Smith, president of the Riverbend East Rotary Club, presented the awards to Carriker and Hernandez during a recent ceremony. Both students exemplify the Rotary’s core value of putting others first through their various volunteer efforts and school involvement.
Did you know that homemade soup can retain more nutrients than many store-bought options, offering deeper flavors and healthier benefits with minimal effort? This makes crafting your own soups not only a culinary adventure but also a smart choice for nourishing meals. If you’ve ever wondered how to elevate simple ingredients into a bowl of comforting, flavorful soup, this guide will walk you through the essentials of making your own fall soups from scratch. Understanding the Foundations
Did you know that nearly 60% of people report feeling more stressed during the holiday season than at any other time of the year? This statistic might seem paradoxical, considering holidays are meant for relaxation and joy. Yet, the pressures of planning, shopping, socializing, and juggling responsibilities often overshadow the festive spirit. What if the secret to enjoying the holidays lies not in the perfect gift or the flawless dinner but in how you prepare and manage expectations? Understanding
Did you know that Veterans Day is the only federal holiday dedicated solely to honoring military veterans who are still living? Unlike Memorial Day, which commemorates those who died in service, Veterans Day celebrates the service and sacrifices of all U.S. military veterans. But how did this important day come to be, and why does it hold such a special place in American culture? Origins Rooted in Armistice Day Veterans Day traces its origins back to the end of World War I, a conflict often
November 10 is a day packed with history that has shaped the world in remarkable ways. Arguably, the most impactful event linked with this date isn't the exact day but closely associated with it: the fall of the Berlin Wall, which began on the night of November 9, 1989, and whose reverberations were deeply felt on November 10 and the days that followed. The Berlin Wall stood as a stark symbol of Cold War division for nearly three decades, physically and ideologically splitting East and West
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