CENTREVILLE – Touchette Regional Hospital, 5900 Bond Ave. in Centreville, this month opened its newly renovated, 12-bed Emergency Department. The new ER allows for faster, quality care, officials said. The 5,200-square-foot ER is 30 percent larger than the previous department, allowing for 12 private patient rooms, including two new Behavioral Health rooms offering safety for…

ST. LOUIS – The Arch Grants Global Startup Competition is now accepting applications. Arch Grants provides $50,000 equity-free cash and pro bono support services to innovative startups willing to locate their business in St. Louis. The competition is aimed at those who have a startup that needs early-stage funding, mentorship, or legal advice and access…

Suzanne E. Knake, CPA (right) has joined its Audit Department.O’FALLON – Diel & Forguson, LLC recently added two individuals to its professional staff. Beth Williams (left) has joined the firm in the Accounting Services department. A native of Okawville, she holds a Bachelors degree in management information systems from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and a…

A series of recent indictments and criminal prosecutions aims to rein in fraud among tax preparers and individual filers in Southwestern Illinois, officials said today. Stephen R. Wigginton, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, along with David E. Talcott, assistant special agent in charge, Internal Revenue Service/Criminal Investigation, Chicago Field Office, highlighted several…

EDWARDSVILLE – The Bank of Edwardsville President and CEO Thomas Holloway announced the promotion of four employees following a recent board • Justin Chapman (top right) has been promoted to assistant vice president/Commercial Banking. Chapman began his career as a bank services consultant in 2008. He was promoted to assistant commerciallLender in the Commercial Banking…

Dr. Stephen Hansen is now serving as interim dean of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville College of Arts and Sciences. Hansen’s term as interim dean is expected to run through July 31, 2015. During his appointment, a search for a new dean will be conducted. Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Aldemaro Romero…

O’FALLON – Kurt M. Hegedus, CPA, MACC has joined Diel & Forguson, LLC as a principal in the tax department. He will perform tax planning and tax preparation for individuals and corporations. As a principal he will be an active participant in decision making regarding the development of the firm. Hegedus (left) has 16 years…

ST. LOUIS – Despite a series of recent law enforcement actions against bogus computer tech support firms, a fraud-fighting coalition is warning that the scams are continuing to victimize residents of Missouri, Illinois and the nation. The Consumer Fraud Task Force suggests that consumers exercise extreme caution when contacted by callers who claim they can…

The rendering at left depicts Associated’s branch soon to be completed in Rochester, Minn. A new downtown Belleville branch will have similar branded architecture, bank officials said. FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS – Associated Bank announced today that it expects to invest several million dollars to build a new branch bank in downtown Belleville and remodel other branches…

ALTON — The YWCA of Alton announced its 2015 Women of Distinction honorees this week. The 10 honorees will be recognized during the 25th annual Women of Distinction celebration on April 30. “These women were selected based on the embodiment and traits embraced by the YWCA,” Monica Bristow, co-chair of the event, said. “They are…