Schmidt donates monthly pay raise to New Baden church pantry
State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) has pledged to donate the legislative pay raise he voted against to different local organizations throughout his district to help families in need. This month, he donated a variety of essential items including toilet paper, paper towels, tissues, cereal, pancake mix, syrup, and canned chicken to the food pantry at Zion…
Read MoreLC offers continued Avionics opportunities for Fall semester
Lewis and Clark Community College’s Avionics program will offer three courses in Fall 2026. Designed to expand opportunities and provide hands-on experience, the courses will prepare students interested in careers in aviation and aircraft maintenance. Intro to Aircraft Systems (AVIO-131) 9 to 10:50 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, Aug. 25 to Oct. 15 Introduces the…
Read MoreSIU aviation technologies students excel in aircraft maintenance competition
A team from Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s aviation technologies program placed 10th in the nation in the scholastic category of the 2026 Aerospace Maintenance Council competition in Orlando, Fla. Combined, the two teams of Detail Dawgs, a registered student organization, who competed last month, placed in the top 10 in 11 different events in…
Read MoreSIUE launches early advising initiative for incoming students
A new advising initiative at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is already making a strong impact on incoming students before they have even arrived on campus. In its first semester, SIUE START (Students Taking Action for Registration and Transition) successfully partnered with ten local high schools and provided advising, testing and registration support to 280 students.…
Read MoreO’Fallon-Shiloh Chamber of Commerce hosts 2026 National Civics Bee® regional competition
Top three winners to compete at state-level competition this summer The O’Fallon-Shiloh Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with local educators, recently hosted the 2026 National Civics Bee® Regional Competition at The Hett at McKendree University, bringing together some of the area’s brightest middle school students for an evening focused on civic knowledge, community engagement, and…
Read MoreFirst Bankers Trust honors Art Greenbank upon board retirement
First Bankers Trust Company N.A., a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Bankers Trustshares Inc., recently recognized Arthur “Art” Greenbank for his leadership and service as he retires from the boards of directors of both organizations in May 2026. Greenbank’s career with First Bankers Trust began in March 1992 when he joined the organization as vice president…
Read MoreSimmons Hanly Conroy marks 15 years as ADAO’s longest-running sponsor
For the 15th consecutive year, Simmons Hanly Conroy has renewed its platinum sponsorship of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), reaffirming a partnership that has made the firm the nonprofit’s longest-running corporate supporter. Simmons Hanly Conroy is widely recognized as one of the nation’s largest mass torts firms and a leader in the legal representation…
Read MoreRBGA recognizes King Air Conditioning & Heating for small business excellence
As it continues its every-other-month cycle of recognizing excellence proven by its member small businesses, the RiverBend Growth Association has chosen its May 2026 shoutout. King Air Conditioning and Heating Inc. of Godfrey has been chosen for May’s Small Business Excellence recognition by the RBGA. Owned by Mike and Karen Edwards for the past…
Read MoreSIUC’s Archaeology Field School seeks insight into one of Illinois’ earliest Black communities
A Southern Illinois University Carbondale student archaeology team is spending six weeks unearthing research to help tell the story of what is believed to be the oldest continually inhabited Black community in Illinois. For Brendan Jennings, it’s an “incredible opportunity” not only for descendants of the unincorporated Lakeview community in Saline County, but also…
Read MoreMISO selects consortium to deliver major grid-bolstering projects in Illinois
The Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) has selected a consortium of Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois (ATXI), a subsidiary of Ameren Corporation (NYSE: AEE); GridLiance Heartland LLC, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Transmission LLC; Dairyland Power Cooperative; and the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency (IMEA) to develop, build, operate and maintain two major transmission projects. ATXI…
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