Area News
Local fire department brings holiday joy to adults with developmental disabilities
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…
Read MoreFarm Foundation focuses on future farmers
By PHYLLIS COULTER FarmWeek Helping young and beginning farmers get rolling in agriculture is one of the top priorities for Farm Foundation, the first U.S. agriculture and food think tank established 92 years ago in Illinois. It launched its newest program, FarmPath, in partnership with two other foundations in October. The three-year program for…
Read MoreMCT launches emergency transportation to overnight warming locations during extreme cold
In an effort to ensure that unhoused individuals in Madison County remain safe and warm during bouts of extreme cold, Madison County Transit (MCT) will provide emergency transportation to overnight warming locations when those locations activate due to temperatures reaching 20 degrees Fahrenheit or below. At its recent meeting, the MCT Board of Trustees approved…
Read MoreGranite City-based ARCH 1 enhances emergency air medical service with new helicopter
New H145 brings increased safety, speed, and care capacity to Granite City region The ARCH Air Medical base in Granite City introduced its new H145 aircraft on Nov. 24, 2025, marking an important upgrade in its ability to deliver lifesaving care. A twin-engine aircraft known for its speed and efficiency, the helicopter replaces the base’s…
Read MoreWorld Wide Technology Raceway launches 2026 ticket sales, hosts exclusive Cyber Monday offers
Tickets are on sale for 2026 NASCAR, INDYCAR and NHRA events at World Wide Technology Raceway, with exclusive Cyber Monday offers. The 2026 season brings three national events with three major milestones: The 10th running of the Bommarito Automotive Group 500, 5th annual Enjoy Illinois 300 and the 15th annual NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals. Along with…
Read MoreCelebrate SIUC, regional innovation and entrepreneurship at Dec. 4 showcase
Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Showcase, set for Thursday, Dec. 4, is a unique celebration of some of the region’s newest and best innovators, inventors and entrepreneurs. Everyone is welcome to attend the 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. event at the Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center, 1740 Innovation Drive. The evening will feature SIU…
Read MoreLeu Civic Center faces possible closure; director responds to council’s list of concerns
By ZACHARY DAUM Managing Editor, Herald Publications [email protected] The future of the Leu Civic Center drew heavy focus at the Nov. 17 Mascoutah City Council meeting, where a wide-ranging discussion raised new questions about the center’s long-term place in the community. What began as a routine miscellaneous agenda item quickly escalated into a broad debate…
Read MoreLeadership Council Southwestern Illinois announces Gateway to Growth Agriculture Summit at Kaskaskia College
Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois recently announced its Gateway to Growth Agriculture Summit, a regional event dedicated to strengthening the agricultural sector and advancing economic prosperity across southwestern Illinois. The summit will take place on Jan. 29, 2026, at the Kaskaskia College Lifelong Learning Center in Centralia, Ill. With its theme of “Strengthening Roots & Advancing…
Read MoreProposed property tax increase: City of Edwardsville to host Dec. 16 public hearing
The City of Edwardsville has issued a hearing notice regarding a proposed property tax increase. A Truth in Taxation Public Hearing will take place at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025 at City Hall in the council chambers (118 Hillsboro Avenue). The official hearing notice included the following details: I. A public hearing to…
Read MoreFirst Mid Ag Services continues to deliver research to support local farmers
Agronomic partners seed research program distributes annual fourth quarter data First Mid Ag Services, a division of First Mid Wealth Management, has released its annual third-party seed research results, offering farmers essential insights following one of the most variable growing seasons in recent years. With test plots throughout Illinois and into Western Indiana, the company…
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