AgeSmart and Statewide Agencies Host Day of Action May 28 to Urge Federal MASCOUTAH – A series of events at senior centers in the Southern Illinois area will take place on Wednesday, May 28, as Area Agencies on Aging, including AgeSmart Community Resources, rally in response to potential federal budget cuts that could dismantle…

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — A 22-year-old Belleville man has been charged in connection with the shooting of three Fairview Heights police officers on Saturday night, May 17. Elijah Thompson faces four counts of Attempted Murder, three counts of Aggravated Battery, and one count of Resisting Arrest following an incident that began when officers responded to a…

By Zachary Daum [email protected] On April 26, the indie rock band “Halcyon” won the Road to Pointfest Grand Finals at Pop’s in Sauget, Illinois. The win earned them a spot on the Pointfest 2025 lineup, which will be held May 17 at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in St. Louis. It’s a major milestone for the…

By Zachary Daum [email protected] Bishop Stanley Schlarman, a longtime priest and bishop who served the Diocese of Belleville and later the Diocese of Dodge City, Kansas, ed away on April 28, 2025. He was 91 years old. Born on July 27, 1933, in Belleville, Illinois, Schlarman was one of four children raised by Cletus and…

Mascoutah – On April 10, 2025, the Illinois House of Representatives ed House Bill 1237, a proposed piece of legislation that would prohibit schools and school districts from using Native American names, logos, or mascots. While the bill has yet to become law, its progress through the legislative process is drawing significant attention—particularly in Mascoutah,…

By Zachary Daum [email protected] Mascoutah has a new mayor. On April 1, Wally Battas was elected to serve as mayor, defeating fellow City Council member Jack Weyant. Battas, who has served on the council for six years, will now step into his first term as mayor. Weyant will continue to serve as a council member.…

Lebanon Election Results Mayoral Race: Winner: Charles Witty – 50% (368 votes) James D. Missey – 31% (230 votes) Ulanda Branch – 9% (69 votes) George Fero – 8% (62 votes) Voter Turnout: 25% of 3,090 ed voters City Clerk: Winner: Paul Grob – 64% (467 votes) Robert “Bobby” Davis – 27% (200 votes) Soni…

Mascoutah – A powerful storm that swept through the Mascoutah area on Friday, March 14, left significant damage in its wake, with Mascoutah Middle School suffering some of the worst impacts. The National Weather Service confirmed that a tornado touched down north of Mascoutah, with damage surveys ongoing in surrounding areas. Superintendent Dr. David Deets…

By Zachary Daum [email protected] McKendree University’s Hettenhausen Center for the Arts will be holding a free showing of award winning director Vicki Abeles film “Counted Out,” a new documentary exploring the need for more inclusive and empowering math education. According to their website the film, “investigates the biggest crises of our time. Political polarization. Racial…

by Melissa Crockett Meske, Managing Editor, Illinois Business Journal A list of federal office closures recently posted by the Trump istration’s Department of Government Efficiency includes several lease terminations of offices in the St. Louis and Metro East region. Of particular impact to regional business and industry, the Occupational Safety and Health istration location in…