Alton Memorial Day Parade to include Commemorative Air Force flyover
The Alton Memorial Day Parade Committee of the East End Improvement Association, along with the Alton Area Optimist Club and the RiverBend Growth Association, recently announced that a flyover by the Commemorative Air Force will take place during this year’s Alton Memorial Day Parade, beginning at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 25. The Commemorative Air…
Read MoreFirst Mid Bank & Trust encourages homeownership exploration amid rising rents
As rising rent prices and housing market uncertainty continue to challenge many first-time homebuyers, mortgage experts say misconceptions about credit scores and interest rates may be preventing buyers from exploring homeownership opportunities. According to Zillow, median rents for single-family homes have increased approximately 30 percent to 45 percent in many markets since early 2020. With…
Read MoreSenator Harriss launches student art contest honoring America’s 250th birthday
State Senator Erica Harriss (R-56th-Glen Carbon) is inviting students across the 56th Senate District to participate in her district-wide art contest celebrating the 250th birthday of the United States of America. The contest is open to students in 1st through 8th grade and encourages young artists to showcase their creativity while reflecting on what makes…
Read MoreLandmarks Illinois announces leadership changes
President and CEO Bonnie McDonald will step down; she has been selected for Loeb Fellowship from Harvard Landmarks Illinois recently announced that President and CEO Bonnie McDonald has been selected for a 2027 Loeb Fellowship by the Harvard Graduate School of Design (HGSD) and will step down from her post leading the organization on July 24.…
Read MoreBelt helps secure neighborhood infrastructure funding in Belleville
State Senator Christopher Belt recently announced Belleville will receive a total of $250,000 through Illinois’ Safe Routes to School program to improve pedestrian safety and expand opportunities for children and families to safely walk and bike in their community. “Keeping children safe on their way to school should always be a top priority,” said Belt…
Read MoreFairmount Park ups the ante: $3M investment in live table games
Fairmount Park adds new options to casino floor Fairmount Park Casino & Racing recently invested nearly $3 million and hired 35 new employees to introduce live table games to its casino, marking another major expansion for Illinois’ only “racino,” a venue that combines live horse racing and casino gaming under one roof. When Fairmount…
Read MoreNew LC workforce training coordinator focus: Connecting community needs, career pathways
Building stronger connections between local employers, community partners and workforce education programs is the primary focus of new Workforce Training Coordinator Beth Arrowsmith at Lewis and Clark Community College. Arrowsmith joined the college in Spring 2026 and now works collaboratively with faculty, staff and area employers to help develop short-term training and certification programs designed…
Read MoreSenators Harriss, Tracy help residents recover nearly $100K at recent ICASH event
State Senator Erica Harriss (R-56th-Glen Carbon) and State Senator Jil Tracy (R-50th-Quincy) helped connect Metro East residents with thousands of dollars in missing money during an ICASH event held Monday, May 11, 2026, in Alton, including one individual who discovered $94,000 in unclaimed property. “Helping residents recover money that rightfully belongs to them is one…
Read More[Op-Ed] Protecting students today means using every tool — wisely
By MATT HICKAM Regional Superintendent Regional Office of Education 30 By any measure, the job of keeping students safe has become more complex. For educators, safety is no longer confined to what happens inside school walls. It extends to parking lots, surrounding neighborhoods, and increasingly, to a digital and physical landscape where risks can emerge…
Read MoreSIU’s Sharp Museum seeking cryptid-themed art for juried exhibition
Whether it’s Bigfoot, the Big Muddy Monster, creatures from the watery deep among urban legends, Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Sharp Museum wants all artists to put their best work on display in celebrating hidden or unknown animals and creatures. “Spooks or Spoofs,” a national juried cryptid-themed exhibition will run Aug. 11 through Dec. 21 in the museum.…
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