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EDWARDSVILLE – Underrepresented youth – with an interest in college and those who are already there – have a tireless advocate and committed champion in Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Darryl C. Cherry. This sentiment was celebrated and underscored as being resoundingly true when Cherry, coordinator of Student Retention and Academic Advisor for Student Opportunities for Academic Results (SOAR) and FirstGen Forward Coordinator, was recently named as 2025 Educator of the Year by the Eta Kappa Zeta (East St. Louis) Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. “We chose him because we saw the extent and longevity of his community involvement and how well he worked in the community,” said Marla Golliday, president of the Eta Kappa Zeta Chapter of ZPB. “We saw a lot of positive things in him. There are all the activities he’s involved in on the SIUE campus. He is very hands on with the100 Black Men and the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

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SPRINGFIELD – Whether it’s a severe weather event, power for telecommunications loss, or the threat of school violence, students need emergency preparedness information during this Back2School Safety Month. “August is a busy month with students returning to school and college and we encourage preparedness education so that the school year is as smooth and positive as possible,” said Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) Acting Director Theodore (Ted) Berger. Storms and storm-related emergencies can affect a student’s transportation, so alternative plans should be mapped out ahead of time. If power or cell phone service goes out, students need other ways to communicate with family and schools. A student’s digital security can prevent problems like identity theft and scams. Additionally, students in grade and high school can use Safe2HelpIL as a tool to help keep them safe. Students can utilize Safe2HelpIL

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BRIGHTON - Alton Memorial Health Services Foundation will once again host the Duck Pluckers, Deer Skinners and Fish Hookers Ball to raise funds to purchase an ambulance for Alton Memorial Hospital. On Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, community members are invited to NILO Farms in Brighton for the event. Complete with raffles, a quail flush, launch golf, skeet and trap shooting, a silent auction, a live auction, a steak dinner and more fun, the ball is a chance to come together to support local health services and first responders. The foundation hopes to raise $225,000 to purchase a new ambulance. “It’s making sure that at Alton Memorial, we have the right equipment in the right place at the right time for our staff so the paramedics and EMTs are able to do their job and take care of your family,” said Jason Bowman, EMS manager at Alton Memorial Hospital. Bowman and Shannon Fraley, who oversees the event through Alton Memorial Health Services Foundation, explained

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JERSEYVILLE – A Jerseyville resident with an extensive criminal history faces new charges after allegedly burglarizing Westlake Country Club and stealing a golf cart while armed with a stun gun in the presence of his 5-year-old son. Quentin A. McEvers, 37, of Jerseyville, was charged on Aug. 13, 2025 with unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle (a Class 2 felony), unlawful possession of weapon by a felon (a Super Class 3 felony), and burglary without causing damage (a Class 3 felony). On Aug. 6, 2025, McEvers allegedly entered a building of Westlake Country Club in Jerseyville without legal authority, intending to commit a theft. He was additionally accused of possessing a stolen red 2021 Yamaha golf cart while illegally in possession of a stun gun as a previously convicted felon. The Jersey County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to deny McEvers’s pretrial release, stating McEvers “had his 5-year-old son with him when he committed these new

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COLLINSVILLE – Ameren Illinois is using groundbreaking technology to more quickly and accurately determine when sub-transmission power lines should be upgraded, improving service reliability and saving customers money. A device known as "LineVue" is placed on the sub-transmission power lines to assess the steel core of wires – aluminum conductor steel reinforced or aluminum core steel supported – to identify any potential defects, such as frays in the line, and determine the optimal time to replace them. The unit is controlled remotely from the ground. Sub-transmission lines typically transmit 34.5 kilovolts to 69 kilovolts of electricity to regional distributions substations before the voltage is stepped down further to be delivered to customer homes and businesses. More than 45,000 miles of sub-transmission and distribution power lines span the Ameren Illinois service territory. Approximately 1.3 million utility poles, including 2,000 high-strength composite

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EDWARDSVILLE — The 33rd annual Edwardsville D.A.R.E. Car-Truck-Motorcycle Show took place on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025, bringing together vehicle enthusiasts and community members despite challenges posed by the extreme heat of 100-degree temperatures and technical difficulties. Organizers of the event, held at a new location this year, expressed gratitude to participants, sponsors, volunteers and attendees who braved the weather to support the fundraiser for the local D.A.R.E. program. The event showcased a variety of vehicles, including cars, trucks, motorcycles and other multi-wheeled machines, drawing interest from both dedicated car enthusiasts and casual visitors. However, the combination of high heat and humidity led organizers to make the difficult decision to close the show earlier than planned. Additionally, computer problems prevented the timely completion of judging, delaying the announcement of competition results. Organizers apologized for the shortcomings

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BELLEVILLE, Ill. — The Belleville Police Department officially swore in Officer Dean this past week as she prepares to begin training at the Southwestern Illinois College Police Academy. The Belleville Police Department invited the public to congratulate Officer Dean and extend well-wishes as she embarks on her law enforcement career.

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WHITE HALL — Colby L. Brooks, 53, of rural White Hall, died Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, after an accident involving a lawnmower on private property, Greene County Coroner Brady Milnes has confirmed. Brooks was pronounced dead at 1:40 p.m. at the scene on Saturday. The coroner said preliminary findings indicate he suffered traumatic asphyxiation after being ejected from the lawnmower he was operating. The incident occurred in rural White Hall, Greene County. The circumstances surrounding the accident remain under investigation by the Greene County Coroner’s Office and the Greene County Sheriff’s Office.

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GREENVILLE - Joyce Joplin (Volkers) is seeking financial assistance to cover funeral expenses for a distinguished Navy veteran following the unexpected passing of her father, Eldon “Butch” Joplin on Aug. 10, 2025. Joplin described her father as a man known to many as "Butch," who served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Vulcan as a Hull Maintenance Technician. He married Joplin’s mother in 1981, and they had three children before divorcing in 1995. Joplin said her father loved his children unconditionally. He retired about six years ago from Peterson Springs and also served for many years on the Greenville Fire Department. Joplin said her father did not leave any funds to cover funeral costs. She is currently unemployed due to the time spent accompanying him to medical appointments and is uncertain about the timeline for raising money for his cremation. She indicated that any contributions would be used for the cremation, outstanding debts, and a celebration of life.

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COLLINSVILLE - The Collinsville Police Department announced the return of its Citizen Police Academy after a three-year pause, aiming to strengthen the relationship between local law enforcement and residents. The program will begin this spring in Collinsville, Illinois, offering an eight-week session held on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Led by Sergeant Josh Hunt and Sergeant Jay Edwards, the academy is designed to promote understanding of the criminal justice system and provide insight into everyday police work. The department described the academy as a “unique opportunity to educate the citizens of Collinsville” and a way for participants to observe law enforcement through a hands-on approach. The Citizen Police Academy is free and open to the first 25 applicants. Interested residents can apply by scanning a QR code provided by the department or visiting the Collinsville Police Department’s website to complete a brief application. According to the

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HIGHLAND - Kevin Johnson, owner of Artisan Stone Interiors in Highland, was recently airlifted to Barnes Hospital in St. Louis after sustaining three skull fractures and a brain bleed in a suspected hit-and-run accident while test-riding his rebuilt e-bike. The incident, which left Johnson unable to perform the physical labor required for his flooring business due to a strict 10-pound lifting restriction, has also resulted in mounting medical bills and financial strain. Johnson, who does not recall the details of the crash, said the severe damage to his e-bike led doctors to suspect a collision with a vehicle. He is currently recovering at Barnes Hospital and has launched a GoFundMe fundraiser to help cover medical expenses, living costs, and to keep Artisan Stone Interiors operational during his recovery. “I’m grateful to be here today and recovering,” Johnson said. “The good news is that I am healing, but recovery comes with major challenges. With hospital

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ST. LOUIS – Today, Mayor Cara Spencer announced that the City of St. Louis has ended alley recycling due to ineffectiveness and high costs and will instead grow its number of recycling drop-off locations by 50%, increase its number of alley refuse dumpsters by 100%, and commit additional staff to the collection of trash. Recycling costs the City almost five times more per ton than trash. Yet, more than half of the recycling collected in St. Louis this year is rejected at the recycling center due to contamination. For those materials, St. Louis taxpayers have been paying the full cost of recycling without receiving any of the benefits. Meanwhile, many St. Louisans have experienced overflowing dumpsters in their alleys as the City has struggled to run some of its recycling and trash routes as frequently as needed. By ending alley recycling, the work hours previously dedicated to alley recycling are now focused on trash collection. Additionally, all alley recycling dumpsters

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ST. LOUIS — Four endangered Mexican spider monkeys seized from smugglers near the U.S. southern border have found a home at the Saint Louis Zoo where staff hopes their story can spread awareness about the devastating illegal wildlife trade. Federal authorities in spring 2024 seized the monkeys as infants in three separate confiscations. Each was likely poached from the wild to be sold as an exotic pet, becoming a victim of a global criminal network that typically kills the infants’ mothers during capture. “This has to stop. These monkeys remind us that the sale of primates as pets must end once and for all,” said Regina Mossotti, Vice President of Animal Care at the Saint Louis Zoo. “Buyers may not realize it, but the illegal wildlife industry causes incredible suffering to so many animals. It not only harms endangered species, it also puts their native habitats in peril.” After their seizure, the four monkeys were initially taken to Gladys

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SPRINGFIELD – Legislation sponsored by State Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Murrayville) to prevent school gun violence was signed into law on Friday. Representative Davidsmeyer filed his legislation after hearing of an incident in his district where a student threatened to commit an act of gun violence against another student. The victim told the school staff about the incident, but they did not report it to the principal because it was just a threat. House Bill 1316 requires all school officials to immediately notify the principal’s office in the event of any threat of gun violence on school grounds. The principal shall attempt to notify the offending student’s parents as soon as possible so that the parents may ensure that the student does not have access to a firearm. “I don’t want to take any threats of violence lightly,” Rep. Davidsmeyer said. “My legislation will help prevent school gun violence while not impeding on the Second

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ST. LOUIS – On Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer announced a series of updates to the structure of the Mayor’s Office. On the occasion of outgoing Chief of Staff Nancy Hawes’ last day as interim chief of staff, Mayor Spencer announced Casey Millburg as the incoming chief of staff. Hawes began her service as interim chief of staff with the mayor’s inauguration, and Millburg has served as the mayor’s policy director. “Nancy Hawes has shown fantastic dedication to St. Louis by stepping away from a highly successful legal career to lead the build-out of my administration and my staff through the intense transition and the massive challenge of responding to the May 16 tornado,” said Mayor Spencer. “I am both proud of and grateful for her excellent leadership. My administration and our city are better positioned for the future thanks to her cool head and hard work.” Hawes’ many achievements during her time

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SPRINGFIELD — Yesterday, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) participated in a naturalization ceremony at the Illinois State Fair in which more than 400 individuals took the oath of allegiance to become U.S. citizens. Governor J.B. Pritzker , Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) , and Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) also spoke at the ceremony. “It was a true honor to welcome these new citizens today,” said Congresswoman Budzinski . “Their path to this moment was no small feat. It required dedication, resilience, sacrifice, and courage. But with citizenship comes a powerful voice in our communities, schools, workplaces, and in our democracy. In these uncertain times, it’s more important than ever that we come together to support our immigrant communities—not just here in Illinois, but across the nation.” “We are a nation of immigrants, and I proudly display my mother’s naturalization certificate on my desk in the Capitol a

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ELSAH – Principia College is pleased to announce Dr. Meggan Madden as Interim College President. Dr. Madden served as Dean of Academics at Principia College from 2019 to 2025. A distinguished academic leader, Dr. Madden brings more than 25 years of experience in higher education, with a focus on international education, student success, and academic excellence. “Dr. Madden brings remarkable competence and institutional continuity that will propel Principia College’s progress,” said Principia Chief Executive Barbara Blackwell. “Her deep ties to Principia—as an alum, scholar, and leader—inform her vision for a vibrant and forward-looking academic community. Her leadership reflects a dedication to honoring Principia’s long tradition of academic excellence, preparing students to be creative, collaborative thinkers and doers who thrive in a rapidly changing world.” Dr. Madden earned her BA from Principia College before completing her

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EDWARDSVILLE – A resurfacing project along an approximately half-mile section of Esic Drive and several nearby streets will get underway on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025. No road closure is planned as part of the project, but drivers could experience intermittent delays while the work is ongoing. The improvement project is planned for the northern section of Esic Drive, between University Drive and Illinois Route 157. Other nearby roads that also will be resurfaced include Lancashire Drive, Cheshire Court, Wiltshire Court and Durham Court. Milling of the existing surface of Esic and the other roads is expected to happen on Monday and Tuesday, August 18-19. No substantial road operations are planned for Wednesday, August 20, which is the first half-day of school for the Edwardsville School District. The school’s bus transportation providers have been notified of the upcoming roadwork. Resurfacing is expected to take place on Thursday and Friday, August 21-22. During the project,

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today, as part of a coalition of 19 states, sued to block the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) from imposing a new funding cap that slashes support for vital state-run energy programs. The coalition argues that by capping certain funding for these programs, the DOE is jeopardizing states’ ability to keep them running. The states are asking the court to vacate this unlawful cap and restore the legally required reimbursement rates for these essential energy programs. In Illinois, the new cost cap would endanger long-running programs promoting energy resiliency and efficiency. These programs include the Public Water Infrastructure Energy Efficiency Assessment Program, which helps publicly held water treatment facilities conserve energy and reduce costs for customers, and energy code training for homebuilders, contractors, architects and others in the construction industry to ensure that renovations and new building projects meet the

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CHICAGO – The Illinois CPA Society (ICPAS)—one of the largest state associations serving the certified public accountant (CPA) community—is proud to share that its legislation to evolve Illinois’ CPA licensure framework in response to talent pipeline issues, shifting demographics, and changing financial and audit regulatory standards, has been signed by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. The legislation, House Bill (HB) 2459 , originally introduced in March by Reps. Natalie Manley, CPA (D-Joliet), and Amy Elik, CPA (R-Edwardsville), and supported by Chief Senate Sponsor Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Oakbrook Terrace) and Co-Sponsor Sen. Chris Balkema (R-Pontiac), passed unanimously in both chambers earlier this year. The legislation amends the Illinois Public Accounting Act to create two additional pathways to CPA licensure in Illinois. Scheduled to be implemented starting in 2027, these new pathways include: Obtaining a bachelor’s degree with a concentration

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