Citing safety concerns from the Wood River community following an unexpected power plant demolition, state Sen. Rachelle Crowe,  D-Glen Carbon, prompted passage of a new law requiring any property owner planning to demolish a power plant to notify surrounding communities. “Communities need to be aware of any environmental or safety concerns happening in close proximity,”…

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students, faculty and staff are on campus for the beginning of the fall 2021 academic semester, which got underway on Monday, Aug. 23. The first day of classes began with faculty and staff dispersed across campus holding “Ask Me!” signs. First-year students have been acclimating to campus since moving into their…

A long-planned business district at the site of the Foucek nursery property in Glen Carbon, targeted for a possible Menards store and other development, was given the go-ahead Tuesday. The Orchard Town Center Business District became reality with a series of votes by the Village Board. Four ordinances were passed. One approves the TIF Redevelopment…

Schnuck Markets Inc. has introduced what it says is an industry-first — a chainwide expansion of a robotic inventory management system. The partnership with Simbe Robotics will elevate the grocer’s business operations and customer experience, the company said Thursday. The multi-year, full-scale roll-out will bring Tally robots to all 111 Schnucks locations across the U.S.,…

The MEBI Hub is the Metro East’s first free, virtual platform for local entrepreneurs to start, build and grow their businesses The Metro East Business Incubator on Thursday today joined digital platform Startup Space and state and local officials to announce the launch of a free virtual hub that will link local small-business owners and…

State warns of decreasing intensive care bed capacity amid latest surge By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – The statewide mask mandate indoors is back, and educators and health care professionals will be required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, Gov. JB Pritzker announced Thursday amid an ongoing surge in the pandemic that first…

Creating a vibrant, active outdoor recreation area along the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway in Southwest Illinois is key to revitalization of downstate Illinois, officials said this week. The inspiration behind the River Connections Mississippi River Cruise on board the Spirit of Peoria paddle wheeler Wednesday afternoon was to engage with regional…

Employers in the St. Louis Metropolitan area are invited to participate in Jobs Plus ’21 to be held on Wednesday, Sept. 22, at the Gateway Convention Center, 1 Gateway Drive, Collinsville. This year Jobs Plus ’21 will be from 9 a.m. to noon and registration is free. Now in its 31st year, Jobs Plus is…

SIU Dental Associates is now accepting patients in Edwardsville. Run by the SIU School of Dental Medicine (SIU SDM) and staffed by its clinical faculty, SIUDA is located on the SIU Edwardsville campus at 195 University Park Drive. Open 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, SIUDA accepts all community clients, including SIUE students, faculty and staff. SIUDA…