GODFREY - Christopher Sichra of Godfrey served in the U.S. Army from 1987 to 1991, contributing to Cold War and Gulf War era missions. During his military career, Sichra was assigned first to the 69th Ordinance Company in Longare, Italy, where he served as a Nuclear Weapons Specialist with the Southern European Task Force, operating in Italy, Greece, and Turkey. He later joined Bravo Company of the 303rd Military Intelligence Battalion, becoming a certified Military Intelligence Analyst after trainin
GRAFTON - Riverbend residents have only a few more days to get their tickets to the second annual Craft Beverage Festival. Hosted by Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau at Grafton Winery The Vineyards, the festival will run from 12–4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, and feature ten craft beverage producers and six food vendors. Cory Jobe, president of Great Rivers and Routes, expressed his excitement to share the work of so many local businesses with the community. “It’s
JERSEYVILLE — An 8-year-old boy from Jerseyville East School is making a notable impact in his community by helping to support the homeless. Dennis Stumpf, the young boy, has significant support with the local initiative connected to his mother’s cleaning business, TNT. Dennis Stumpf, described by his mother as compassionate and upbeat, has been involved in charitable efforts despite his young age and personal health challenges. Diagnosed with epilepsy at an early age and having experience
BETHALTO - Community members have the chance to receive free turkeys — and to give back. Pruitt Mechanical Services in Bethalto is hosting a turkey giveaway at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, at a location that will be announced soon. The turkeys will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Owner Joe Pruitt noted they could still use the community’s support so they can help as many people as possible. “There’s a lot of struggling going on right now,”
ALTON — The Alton Halloween Parade once again attracted hundreds of people and was very well-received along the entire route in Downtown Alton on Friday evening, Oct. 31, 2025, according to Steve Schwartz of East End Improvement, the parade’s longtime sponsor. East End Improvement Association, founded in 1916, has traditionally sponsored the event except for interruptions during World War II and one year during the COVID-19 Pandemic, when the city organized a trunk-or-treat event
ALTON — Alton Police Officer Lane Lawson and his K9 partner, Riggs, graduated from the K9 Academy this past, the Alton Police Department announced. The training program included instruction in tracking, narcotics detection, and suspect apprehension. With the completion of the academy, Lawson and Riggs are now a certified K9 team authorized to serve the Alton community. Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford and the department expressed enthusiasm about the addition of K9 Riggs to th
ALTON - The Grandpa Gang has been hard at work decorating Rock Springs Park for Christmas, but on Halloween night, the group came together for the Alton Halloween Parade. On Oct. 31, 2025, several members of the Grandpa Gang rode in a truck through the parade route to drum up excitement for the annual Christmas Wonderland attraction at Rock Springs Park. Every year, these grandpas work through the fall to decorate Rock Springs Park in Christmas lights so cars can drive through and admire
ALTON - Denise Sparks believes she has “the best spot” to watch the Alton Halloween Parade. Located at 2201 E. Broadway in Alton, Sparks Junk Removal and Hauling is known for helping the community clean up. But on Oct. 31, 2025, Sparks and her friends and family were taking the evening off to relax and watch the parade from the business’s parking lot. “This is a no-brainer,” Sparks said. “We’ve invited some friends and family down, and we’re
EDWARDSVILLE — The Edwardsville-Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Halloween Parade Friday evening, Oct. 31, 2025, drawing families and children eager to celebrate the holiday with festive floats and candy. The parade began promptly at 6:30 p.m. at Lincoln Middle School in Edwardsville. Participants traveled east along St. Louis Street, turned onto Vandalia Street, and proceeded north on Main Street, passing the Wildey Theater. Attendees praised the float presentations
ALTON - The Alton Halloween Parade always features several Jeep groups, but Shannon Schneider says Riverbend Jeeps is about much more than a parade. On Oct. 31, 2025, the Riverbend Jeeps club was preparing to show off ten Jeeps in the parade. President Schneider explained that while all of the members enjoy participating in parades or taking drives together, they do a lot to help the community, too. “We’re a non-for-profit organization,” she said. As part of their mission
ALTON – After multiple undercover drug buys by Alton Police, a Godfrey man has been charged along with his sister and girlfriend with possession of a stolen firearm and over 300 grams of cocaine among other charges. Mintai A. Bedford, 39, of Godfrey, was charged on Oct. 31, 2025 with one count each of possession of a firearm by a repeat felony offender, armed violence, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, (each Class X felonies), and unlawful possession of a stolen
STAUNTON – Madison Communications is proud to announce that Bryan Huffstutler has been named the World Champion at the 2025 SCTE Broadband Championship, held during TechExpo25 in Washington, D.C. Hosted by the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE), the Broadband Championship is the industry’s premier competition recognizing excellence in broadband technology and technical skills. This year’s event brought together 28 top competitors from SCTE chapters around the
ALTON - A special group of dancers were ready to take the streets by storm at the Alton Halloween Parade. On Friday, Oct. 31, 2025, dancers from King Khi’s Royal Court gathered in downtown Alton for their debut in the Alton Halloween Parade. Dressed like the character Wednesday Addams, the young girls showed off their costumes and their dance moves along the parade route. “We do a lot, and everything is about the kids, just giving them opportunities that they don’t necessarily
ALTON — George Berry, a Vietnam War veteran who served in the U.S. Air Force from 1967 to 1974, is being recognized for his military service. Berry held the rank of Staff Sergeant during his time in the armed forces. Berry, a native of Alton, served during the Vietnam War. His service period spanned seven years, reflecting a significant commitment to his country. Janet Berry, his wife, submitted a message expressing her desire for George Berry to be included in local contributions honoring
STAUNTON — Jeb A. Curtis, 19, of Livingston, was charged with a class 3 felony attempted burglary for allegedly trying to enter a city-owned building on October 12, 2025, with the intent to commit theft, according to charging documents. The Staunton Police Department filed the charges on October 20. All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
ALTON - The Board of Directors of the Oasis Women’s Center is pleased to name Jenna Giess as its new Executive Director after the sudden passing of longtime Executive Director Margarette Trushel. Giess, who will soon begin transition into her role, will begin working full-time as Executive Director starting January 1, 2026. Giess is returning to her hometown of Alton after sixteen years in the Kansas City area, where she was the Executive Director of Hope Haven of Cass County, a domestic
HIGHLAND – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that rehabilitation of a crossing by CSX railroad on Lake Road/Highland Road between Walnut Road and Motel Road in Madison County will require a full closure beginning, weather permitting, Tuesday, Nov. 4. A posted detour will be in place to safely guide motorists around the closure, which is expected to conclude Wednesday, Nov. 5. Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this
EDWARDSVILLE - When Father Rob Johnson, chaplain of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) Newman Community and pastor of Mother of Perpetual Help in Maryville, arrived at the Vatican on October 21, he didn’t know if he would meet Pope Leo XIV as Father Johnson was there for the public papal audience on October 22. He had put in a request to meet Pope Leo through private channels but never heard back officially from the Vatican. That changed when he picked up his envelope
GODFREY - James Mayo “Jim” Towey, a Vietnam War veteran and longtime community leader in Godfrey, left a lasting impact with his service time and time back home with family, friends, and his community. Born in Wood River, Towey spent most of his life in Godfrey. He served as a sergeant in Company B, 2nd/60th, 9th Infantry Division of the United States Army during the Vietnam War. For his service, he was awarded several medals, including the Purple Heart and Bronze Star, recognizing
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