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CHICAGO – May is National Foster Care Month, a time to recognize the important role child welfare professionals, community social service agencies, caregivers and the public play in supporting children and families. This year’s theme, “Engaging Youth. Building Supports. Strengthening Opportunities,” aims to raise awareness about the importance of involving youth in the decisions being made about their welfare, the significance of maintaining connections to important people in their lives and how to best support youth as they transition out of foster care. “Every child and youth in our care deserves to feel safe and loved” said Illinois DCFS Director Heidi E. Mueller. “It is because of our incredible foster parents across the state that children, youth and siblings can have a home and foster parent who has opened their heart, home and even their family so that a child can have the love and stability they need during a very difficult time.”

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ long-awaited off-highway vehicle park in southern Illinois will officially open to riders on Friday, May 2, 2025. Sahara Woods State Recreation Area near Carrier Mills in Saline County features Illinois’ first state-managed off-highway vehicle (OHV) trail system in Illinois. The nearly 30 miles of two-way trails are designed to meet a growing demand for motorized recreation. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Monday. Vehicle permits are $20 per day or $65 for a four-day pass. Riders can go online to purchase permits and complete the registration form and liability waiver. OHVs cannot be wider than 64 inches, consistent with the Illinois Motor Vehicle Code. Riders also must abide by safety rules. Visit Sahara Woods online for details. The Sahara Woods trails were funded in part by federal grants and IDNR capital funds. The land at Sahara Woods was the site of an active coal mine

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GLEN CARBON - Devin Ellis, a senior midfielder for the Father McGivney Catholic High girls soccer team, scored perhaps the biggest goal in the program’s history on April 30, 2025, when she sent a header to the inside of the far post off a corner by Rachel Kretzer into the back of the net to give the Griffins a 1-0 win over Edwardsville in a very well-played game by both sides at McGivney. The goal came in the 79th minute to give the Griffins the win. For Ellis, it was her sixth goal of the season to go along with three assists. She’s emerged as a key player on the team, who kept their 100 percent record alive at 16-0-0. Ellis is a Byron, Carlson, Petri & Kalb Female Athlete of the Month for the Griffins. In her post-match interview, Ellis, to say the least, was very happy with the winner and how things turned out in the game. “I’m feeling ecstatic,” Ellis said. “It’s the first time we’ve played Edwardsville, just feeling all the

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GRANITE CITY – Three individuals face similar charges after working in pairs on a series of Granite City burglaries. David L. Miller, 50, and Robert D. Kelly Jr., 43, both of Granite City, were each charged on April 22, 2025 with Class 2 felony counts of burglary. On Oct. 25, 2024, the two allegedly knowingly entered a building without authority in the 2400 block of Delmar Ave. in Granite City with the intent to commit theft. The Granite City Police Department presented both cases against Miller and Kelly, and both were granted pretrial release. Three months later on Feb. 2, 2025, Kelly was once again charged with a Class 2 felony count of burglary – as was Mary A. Gentle, 34, listed as homeless out of Granite City. In this case, the two reportedly entered a building without authority and intending to commit theft in the 2500 block of W. 20th St. in Granite City. The cases against Kelly and Gentle were presented by the Granite City Police Department, and both were ordered

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ALTON - National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) shines a spotlight on the U.S. travel industry’s essential role in driving economic growth, creating jobs and enhancing the nation’s global competitiveness. The Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau is showcasing it’s role in the travel industry with a series of travel segments on KMOV-TV throughout the week culminating with a live broadcast of Great Day St. Louis at Aerie’s Resort on Friday, May 9. “Southwest Illinois is a dynamic region and travel provides a powerful economic engine for our six counties and 39 communities,” noted Cory Jobe, President/CEO of the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau. “Travel fuels our local economies and enhances the quality of life in our region.” The Great Rivers & Routes region had over $827 million in travel spending in 2024 which generated $31.6 million in local tax revenues. Travel and tourism in the region supported $203.2 million in hospitality

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EDWARDSVILLE – The Edwardsville Police Department announced it issued 61 citations for hands-free law violations and 13 for other violations during April’s Distracted Driving Awareness Month enforcement campaign. “While we enforce traffic laws for various reasons, our primary focus is to save lives,” Sgt. Matt Senci said. “This increased enforcement was implemented to help motorists avoid the potentially life-altering consequences of distracted driving.” The Edwardsville Police Department joined forces with the Illinois State Police, local law enforcement and highway safety partners for this enforcement effort. The Illinois distracted driving campaign is funded with federal traffic safety funds administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) spoke from the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to honor the victims of Monday’s car crash in Chatham, Illinois. Budzinski expressed her condolences for the families of the four young lives lost: Alma Buhnerkempe, 7; Kathryn Corley, 7; Ainsley Johnson, 8; and Rylee Britton, 18. WATCH: Budzinski Honors Chatham Crash Victims from the House Floor

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TROY - Are you ready for a party in the street! The first event for the First Friday in Troy Series will take place on Friday, May 2, from 5-8 p.m. in downtown Troy. The event will bring together downtown businesses, artisan market vendors, downtown restaurants, food trucks and entertainment. Mike Sonderegger will be the featured entertainment for this event. The event will take place between 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. People are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs and can even leave them in a secured tent while walking around downtown. The event will be based on Main Street, between Clay and Market Streets, where the street will be blocked. Attendees will be encouraged to grab some food from the Troy VFW fish fry or make a selection from the Time Out Menu. The food trucks that will be located in the Jarvis Township parking lot will be Franko’s Hot Dogs, Sticky Fingers Ice Cream and Spud Shack. Everyone can bring their food and drink (alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages

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ALTON – A Precious Organization, in partnership with the Alton Police Department and YWCA Southwestern Illinois, is excited to announce the return of Ballin’ With A Cop from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at the YWCA Gymnasium, located at 304 E. Third St., Alton. Now in its 10th year, Ballin’ With A Cop brings together local youth and members of the Alton Police Department for a fun-filled afternoon of basketball and connection. The event creates an opportunity for young people to engage with police officers in a relaxed, team-oriented environment that encourages respect, communication, and community spirit. Tammy Smith, CEO of A Precious Organization, launched the initiative with a vision of building bridges between law enforcement and residents, particularly youth. “When we were based in the YWCA building, using the gym to create a meaningful experience made perfect sense,” Smith shared. “Our goal was to create something positive

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EDWARDSVILLE - Foster’s Light in the Dark will host their second annual fundraiser to further their mission of honoring those lost to drug overdose and suicide. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 4, 2025, community members can stop by the Edwardsville Moose Lodge at 7371 Marine Road for a chicken dinner. A portion of the proceeds benefit Foster’s Light in the Dark, a nonprofit that aims to create a memorial park for community members who have lost their lives to substance use and mental illness. “Our loved ones, yeah, they died,” said Christina Foster Beegle. “But they’re on the other side wanting us to live a life that they never got to. And that’s how we can memorialize them.” Foster Beegle, who is in recovery herself, started Foster’s Light in the Dark after losing three brothers to suicide and her best friend to an overdose. Over the past year, she has worked hard to spread awareness and raise money for the memorial

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CHATHAM — Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly said at a press conference on Thursday, May 1, 2025, that early evidence suggests the recent Chatham crash may have developed because of some type of medical emergency involving the driver. Kelly said at this time, ISP can report initial toxicology test results are negative for alcohol and controlled substances. “Some evidence has been developed into a medical emergency leading up to crash,” Kelly said at the press event. However, he emphasized that the Illinois State Police investigation is ongoing and no final conclusions have been reached. “We follow the facts to come up with conclusions,” Kelly said. “Conclusions have yet to be determined.” The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, identified as 44-year-old Marianne Akers of Chatham, was uninjured and taken to a hospital for evaluation, but was released. Kelly again identified the crash victims at the press conference as Ainsley

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ST. LOUIS – Today is a disappointing day for our community and for the city as a whole. The St. Louis Development Corporation’s Board of Directors has made the decision to release Neal Richardson, a dedicated leader who has tirelessly worked to foster development and economic growth in our city, particularly in North St. Louis. Neal Richardson’s leadership has been instrumental in driving initiatives aimed at revitalizing our neighborhoods and empowering residents. Most notably, Mr. Richardson was the driving force behind the creation of the North Side Economic Empowerment Center, a vital resource designed to support North City residents in starting and growing small businesses. His commitment to ensuring that development benefits all corners of our city, especially the underserved North Side, has been truly commendable. “In a political climate where equity is threatened and DEI programs are being dismantled, frameworks like Mr. Richardson’s Economic Justice

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Congressional Equality Caucus Chair Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA-39) for the bicameral reintroduction of the Equality Act in an effort to push back against escalated attacks from the Trump Administration, MAGA Republicans, and state legislatures on the rights and freedoms of LGBTQ+ Americans nationwide. “It is absolutely unacceptable that someone can be fired from their job, evicted from their home and experience discrimination just because of who they are or who they love,” said Duckworth. “As Trump continues his dangerous anti-LGBTQ+ attacks and we see a growing wave of legislation targeting the LGBTQ+ community across the country, we must protect their rights at the federal level. I’m proud to join Senator Durbin and my colleagues in re-introducing the Equality Ac

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GRAFTON — Get ready for a tail-wagging, book-loving celebration! At 10 a.m. on Saturday , May 10, 2025, Grafton’s beloved Grove Memorial Park will come alive with laughter, stories, and the pitter-patter of tiny paws as the community kicks off Reading in the Park: Meet Dash the Dachshund! At just 12 weeks old, Dash is already embarking on his first book tour — and Grafton gets to host his official debut! Families, kids, and book lovers of all ages are invited to meet Dash, enjoy free entertainment, and receive one of over 100 free children’s books being gifted during this magical morning. Special guests include a singing princess from Frozen — who will guide little ones through beloved songs like “Let It Go” and “Into the Unknown.” Local artist Lou Ann Branz will lead interactive screen printing projects , sparking kids' creativity and curiosity. And of course, Dash and author Jackie Duty will be there to

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SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias today announced the winners of the office’s 2025 Organ & Tissue Donor Poster Contest. Katherine Bersnak, a 5th grader at St. Francis Xavier School in suburban La Grange took the top prize. The Secretary of State’s office will distribute Katherine’s poster to schools, libraries and DMVs throughout the state to encourage Illinoisans to sign up to become organ and tissue donors. “As we highlight the importance of organ donation this month, it’s important to encourage and empower young people and provide them with the knowledge and tools to become advocates in their communities and amplify their voices for positive change,” Giannoulias said. “Congratulations to each of the winners and all the contest participants who remind us of simple actions we can take to inform Illinoisans and save lives. We’re proud to showcase their creative talents and promote their work.”

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ALTON - Calvary Baptist Church and Calvary Christian School have several events planned for community members to enjoy. On Sunday, May 4, 2025, congregation members and Riverbend residents are invited to the church for “May the Lord Be With You,” a play on “Star Wars Day” that will include lightsaber-making, stage-fighting and a revival service. This will be followed by the school’s trivia fundraiser on May 16, 2025. “Anything that we’re able to do in the future to get the community involved and finding out more about the school, we’re always looking for opportunities to do that,” said Pastor Wade, who helps oversee the school. “It’s not just about raising money. We want people to come and be able to learn about what we’re doing and what we offer, because obviously we believe in it and we want as many folks in the community to know about what we’re doing.” On Sunday, Dr. Bob Pitman will lea

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CASEYVILLE — A pickup truck crashed into the lobby area of a Hardee's restaurant on Petroff Drive Wednesday evening, April 30, 2025, prompting an emergency response from the French Village Fire Department and Caseyville Police Department. At 7:42 p.m. Wednesday, the French Village Fire Department was dispatched to 8850 Petroff Drive in Caseyville following reports of a vehicle collision with the Hardee's building. Upon arrival, responders found the pickup truck had struck the restaurant's lobby. Officials confirmed that no one was trapped inside the vehicle or the building, and no injuries were reported. As a safety measure, the Hardee's was evacuated and will remain closed until necessary repairs are completed.

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EDWARDSVILLE — Spencer Homes and Remodeling of Edwardsville, Illinois, is celebrating its 20th year in operation. Founded in 2005, the company has grown from an independent, owner-led operation to a thriving homebuilding, development and remodeling company with a dedicated team of employees. Having navigated the challenges of the 2007–2009 recession and COVID, Spencer Homes continuously adapts and perseveres. A significant milestone in the company’s growth came in 2012–2013 when Spencer Homes welcomed its first two employees, Dustin Radick and Michelle Langley. Both are appreciated for their loyalty and longevity to the company. Eight years in, the company began developing its own neighborhoods in the Metro East, starting with Brookshire Hamlet in 2013, followed by Cloverdale in 2016. By 2018, Spencer Homes reached O’Fallon, Illinois, building within the Augusta Greens community and developing The Enclave at Augusta Greens. This year, Spencer Homes will

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ALTON — The Alton Police Department and Alton Fire Department responded Thursday afternoon to a reported shooting on the 3200 block of Belle Street. Upon arrival, first responders found a victim who had been shot in the leg on the side of Belle Street in Alton. The Alton Fire Department transported the victim by ambulance to a hospital in St. Louis. The Alton Police Department is currently investigating the shooting. Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said the victim in the case suffered "non-life-threatening injuries" in the shooting. "The investigation has revealed this is an isolated incident with the victim being the intended target," Ford added. Anyone with info is encouraged to call (618) 463-3505, extension 624. No other police information about the shooting was released at this time.

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ALTON — Mike Parsons, director of public works for the City of Alton, and Alton Mayor David Goins recently appeared on C.J. Nasello's Our Daily Show! and outlined ongoing infrastructure projects and challenges facing the city, highlighting the critical role of funding and collaboration in addressing street repairs, flood mitigation, and community development. Since 2021, the city has utilized American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to prioritize equipment purchases and street maintenance, with Parsons noting that “some big streets in Alton had been in bad shape for a while.” Early projects under Parsons focused on major thoroughfares such as Bloomer Drive and Union Street between Liberty and Central in Alton, where teams worked to repave as many streets as possible over the past three years. Parsons emphasized the importance of communication between residents, alderpersons, and public works, explaining that “if you call an alderperson or public works, public work

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