Area News
Hinckley Allen names St. Clair County Teen Court as 2026 Social Justice Partner
Firm expands Social Justice Partner Program to the Midwest, supporting restorative youth justice Hinckley Allen recently announced that St. Clair County Teen Court, based in Belleville, Ill., has been selected as the firm’s 2026 Social Justice Partner, officially expanding the Social Justice Partner Program into the Midwest. The partnership reflects the firm’s continued commitment to…
Read MoreWild Things annual conference comes to O’Fallon in 2026 on Jan. 31
One of the Midwest’s largest nature conferences expands to southern Illinois After being held in northern Illinois for decades, and growing into one of the largest conservation gatherings in the Midwest, the Wild Things Conference is taking root in southern Illinois later this month. The Wild Things 2026 Conference will be held on Saturday, Jan.…
Read MoreRecent Resume.org survey results anticipate ‘great turnover’ in 2026
9 in 10 companies plan to hire in 2026, yet 6 in 10 will have layoffs Resume.org, a leading platform for building a resume, has released new findings from a December 2025 survey of 1,000 U.S. hiring managers about workforce plans for 2026. The results show that hiring remains strong heading into the new year,…
Read MoreSpectrum opens applications for sixth class of ‘Spectrum Scholars’
$300,000 in scholarships to be awarded to 15 college students, paired with internship, two-year professional development program Key takeaways: Spectrum will award 15 students with $20,000 each, raising its total investment in Spectrum Scholars to more than $2 million since 2020. Students gain access to professional development and a paid Spectrum internship. Rising college juniors…
Read MoreGovernor’s Trophy for Best Small Club awarded to Rotary Club of Swansea
The Rotary Club of Swansea was awarded the Governor’s Trophy for Best Small Club for the 2024–2025 Rotary year. The award was presented to the club by Past District Governor Robin Dean at the Rotary District 6510 Conference held Nov. 7–8, 2025, in Effingham, Ill. Rotary District 6510 is comprised of 43 clubs throughout…
Read MoreU-Haul Trucks pull into Maryville at Merger Self Storage
U-Haul Co. of Illinois Inc. recently announced that Merger Self Storage signed on as a U-Haul® neighborhood dealer to serve the Maryville community. Merger Self Storage at 2084 Vadalabene Drive in Maryville offers essential services like U-Haul trucks, trailers, towing equipment, and moving supplies. Normal business hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through…
Read MoreR.P. Lumber opens 91st location in Carlyle
Newly remodeled store strengthens service, convenience for Clinton County customers R.P. Lumber opened its newest, and 91st, location in Carlyle, Ill., on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. The family-owned, full-service home center and building materials retailer recently completed an extensive remodel of the former Wiegman Ford property at 1351 William Rd., bringing new life to a…
Read MoreState Senator Belt launches Valentine’s Day card drive for seniors
State Senator Christopher Belt’s office is collecting store-bought or handmade cards for residents in long-term care facilities for Valentine’s Day. “Join me in showing our support for our senior community by letting them know we are thinking about them on Valentine’s Day,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “We have done this for several years now, and it’s…
Read MoreBudzinski priorities to strengthen postal service pass House of Representatives
The bipartisan measures would address rural delivery delays and harmful closures of post offices and processing facilities Yesterday, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13) announced that three of her priorities to strengthen the United States Postal Service (USPS) passed the House of Representatives as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) report.…
Read MoreU.S. Supreme Court rules Bost election integrity case can proceed
U.S. Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL-12) is applauding the U.S. Supreme Court’s 7-2 decision on Jan. 14, 2026, granting him standing in his lawsuit challenging an Illinois law that allows vote-by-mail ballots received up to 14 days after Election Day to be counted. Vote-by-mail ballots without postmarks can also currently be tabulated up to 14 days…
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