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East St. Louis Animal Shelter Issues Plea for Help After Air Conditioning Fails

2 weeks 4 days ago
EAST SAINT LOUIS - A local animal shelter is asking for help after their air conditioning has failed in the extreme heat. Gateway Pet Guardians, which serves the East St. Louis, Cahokia Heights, Washington Park and Fairmont City communities, put a plea on Facebook after staff members arrived this morning to find the building already dangerously hot. Jill Henke, Operations Director, explained that the air conditioning is being fixed, but in the meantime, they’re waiving all adoption fees, looking for foster homes for pets, and seeking donations. “We’re so darn lucky that every time that we kind of run into these little crises, the community is so responsive,” Henke said. “That’s what I always remind people: We just have to ask for what we need, and the community does show up. People want to help and people want to be a part of the good things happening in their community. It is always so heartwarming to see.” Since the original Facebook

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Sparklight Female Athlete of the Month: Jersey Girls Softball Star Ellie Davis Excels In 2025

2 weeks 4 days ago
JERSEY - Ellie Davis, a pitcher and first baseman for the Jersey Girls softball team, has been named a Sparklight Female Athlete of the Month. The recognition comes as Davis continues to demonstrate strong performance both offensively and defensively during the current season. Davis has maintained a batting average of .282 with 22 hits, 23 RBIs, and four home runs this season. Over her career with the Panthers, she has achieved a consistent .291 batting average. Jersey Girls softball head coach Chelsey Cronkrak praised Davis for her leadership and dedication, saying, "Ellie is an exceptional player offensively and defensively. She is a vocal leader on the field, and encouraging and instructs her younger teammates. She loves the game and spends many extra hours outside of practice and games trying to improve." Davis is expected to return for her senior season in 2026, continuing to build on her strong performance and leadership role within the team.

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Pontoon Beach Man Struck By Vehicle Dies On I-255 Near Caseyville

2 weeks 4 days ago
CASEYVILLE — A 23-year-old man who was struck by a car and died at the scene early Tuesday morning, June 24, 2025, on Interstate 255 near Caseyville has been identified. Trevor A. Jones of Pontoon Beach was pronounced dead at the scene by St. Clair County Coroner Calvin Dye Sr. after being hit by a vehicle at approximately 1:45 a.m. The Illinois State Police Department (ISP) said the incident occurred shortly after 12:40 a.m. on northbound I-255 near Caseyville. The pedestrian was in the roadway when the vehicle struck him, according to ISP. The victim was pronounced dead at 1:45 a.m. on Tuesday. ISP had northbound I-255 in that area shut down for a period of time, and the area reopened about three hours later on Tuesday.

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St. Clair County:  Lane and Ramp Closure On Northbound I-255 at Illinois Route 3  

2 weeks 4 days ago
DUPO – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced the right lane of Northbound I-255 at IL 3 and the ramp from Southbound IL 3 to Northbound I-255 will be closed beginning Thursday, June 26, 2025 at 7:00 a.m, weather permitting. The ramp will reopen by 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 26, and all lanes of I-255 are expected to reopen by 10 a.m. on Friday, June 27. The closures are necessary to allow IDOT District 8 Operations forces to make emergency pavement repairs. Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changing conditions and all detour signs prior to the work zone, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on the social media platform X at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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10 Charged In Madison County Auto Theft Cases

2 weeks 4 days ago
EDWARDSVILLE – The Metro East Auto Theft Task Force filed 10 cases involving stolen vehicles last week, with suspects from around the Riverbend region and beyond. The following individuals were charged on June 16, 2025 in separate cases with Class 2 felony counts of offenses related to motor vehicles: Eugene A. Covington, 54, of Alton Anita S. Grizzle, 49, listed as homeless out of Alton Scott A. Kaufmann, 36, of Bethalto Adaam S. Agney, 36, of Cottage Hills Michael A. Proffer, 26, of Cottage Hills Jason T. Slaton, 46, of Granite City Everette L. Hines, 69, of Granite City Chad W. Vaughn, 40, of Marine, Ill. Brian H. Huff, 50, of Livingston, Ill. Travis R. Elliott, 34, of Greenwood Village, Colo. Covington, Agney, Proffer, and Hines were each accused of knowingly possessing the same stolen 2007 Dodge Dakota bearing an Illinois vehicle registration number on May 9, 2025. Grizzle was found in possession of a 2019 Chevrolet Traverse on May 4, 2025

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Trump administration sues entire court bench in Maryland over pause in deportations

2 weeks 4 days ago
WASHINGTON — The Department of Justice in an unusual move has filed a lawsuit against all the judges in the federal court in Maryland, in an attempt to block the court’s two-day pause on deporting immigrants who challenge their detention in the state. The action by the Trump administration represents the DOJ’s latest clash with […]
Ariana Figueroa

US Senate panel grills Trump CDC nominee on vaccines

2 weeks 4 days ago
WASHINGTON — Members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions pressed President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about vaccine recommendations Wednesday after the Health and Human Services secretary fired members of a critical vaccine panel this month. Trump’s pick, former acting CDC Director Susan […]
Ariana Figueroa

Madison County Property Tax Bills Are Out, and First Payment Is Due Next Month

2 weeks 4 days ago
EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County Treasurer Mike Babcock wants property owners to know tax bills were mailed on June 16, and the first installment due date is July 23. The remaining due dates are September 23, October 8, and December 8. Babcock said although the Treasurer’s Office serves as the county’s tax collector, it’s important to remember that the office doesn’t determine the amount that is billed. “Property tax bills are determined by four factors — the assessment, the equalization factor or ‘multiplier,’ the tax rate, and any exemptions,” Babcock said. Each year, taxpayers receive a bill that outlines where their tax dollars are distributed, payment options and important due dates. Babcock said his office mailed tax bills on more than 132,000 parcels. Over the past four years, the real estate market has experienced rising property values, which can increase assessed values and, in turn, the amount taxing districts

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