Area News

Simmons Hanly Conroy, one of the nation’s largest mass tort firms and a national leader in the legal representation of mesothelioma patients and their families, recently announced its inclusion in the 2026 edition of Best Law Firms, earning recognition nationally and regionally across multiple practice areas. Simmons Hanly Conroy was recognized among the Best Law Firms in…

Illinois Main Street, a statewide coordinating program of Main Street America, recently announced the 2025 Lt. Governor Awards for Excellence in Revitalization during the Illinois Main Street Conference held in Dixon, Ill. The program recognized more than two dozen projects, organizations, and local leaders who are transforming downtowns and neighborhood business districts in communities of…

30 years of impact launch a bold new season of life-affirming care beginning Jan. 1, 2026 After 30 years of serving women, children, and families across the Metro East region, ThriVe Metro East has announced that the organization will officially transition its name and branding to Vitality Women’s Clinic, effective Jan. 1, 2026. This milestone…

  By BRIAN BRETSCH Ameren Illinois In a strategic move to bolster grid resilience and reduce storm-related outages, Ameren Illinois and Ameren Missouri are installing composite utility poles manufactured by Trident Industries at their Granite City facility. These fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) poles, branded as TridentStrong™, are engineered to withstand extreme weather conditions while offering a…

  Vintage Voices Committee Chair Jody Basola recently shared gratitude for the community’s strong support of Vintage Voices and the event’s continued popularity. “This year’s attendance brought our 24-year total to more than 10,000,” Basola said. “The portrayal of individuals from Alton’s past by costumed actors in the Alton Cemetery has become a treasured October…

Expecting a bundle of joy? New and expectant moms and their families will be treated to a holiday baby shower of educational resources about pregnancy, newborns, child safety and more at HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital’s Women and Infants Center’s “Bundles for Babies” event on Saturday, Dec. 13. The event will be from 11 a.m. to…

Free rides in December offered on MCT bus routes, selected at random Holiday cheer is once again hitting the streets of Madison County as Madison County Transit’s (MCT) “Holiday Bus” rolls out for the 2025 season. The festive tradition offers surprise complimentary rides to passengers throughout December, reflecting MCT’s appreciation for the community members they…

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has been recognized as one of the top institutions in Illinois for online nursing education. EduMed.org, a leader in independent, data-driven evaluation of healthcare education, announced their annual institutional rankings of high-value, career-driven healthcare programs. SIUE is highlighted among the best in the state in three categories: Best Online Accelerated BSN Programs…

Students and faculty were evacuated and no injuries were reported following a fire in Lewis and Clark Community College’s Weber Workforce Center on Tuesday morning, Dec. 2, 2025. The Weber Workforce Center is located on the Godfrey campus. The fire began around 10 a.m. and was brought under control by 10:20 a.m. LC Campus Safety…

O’Fallon Fire Department donates $1,200 to Caritas Family Solutions The holidays will be much more merry and bright for some adults with developmental disabilities, thanks to a generous donation of $1,200 from the O’Fallon Fire Department. This generous gift to Caritas Family Solutions’ Secret Santa program will ensure residents in the Community Integrated Living Arrangements…