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EDWARSVILLE - Two people were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after a Volkswagen and a Jeep collided about 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, near Golden Oak Pancake House in Edwardsville, leaving the Jeep on its side. Edwardsville Police and firefighters responded to the crash at the intersection of Edwardsville Crossing Drive and Edwardsville Crossing Drive, on private commercial property within the Dierbergs complex. The cause of the collision remains under… (truncated)

JERSEYVILLE - The Jersey Community Middle School Panthers won the seventh-grade division, and the St. Francis/Holy Ghost Knights took the eighth-grade title in the annual JCMS Middle School Girls Basketball Round Robin Tournament. The tournament brought together middle school girls basketball athletes for competition. Sophia Kirsch also won the seventh-grade free throw competition. “Congratulations to all the athletes who competed in the annual JCMS Middle School Girls Basketball

Richard A. “Dick” Meyer, Colonel, US Air Force (Retired), 85, passed away Monday, October 26, 2026, in Belleville, IL. He was born on January 11, 1941, in The Bronx, New York, the younger son of Henry and Alice, nee Bollinger, Meyer. He was baptized in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, and confirmed at Our Savior Lutheran Church in The Bronx. Dick attended public schools in New York City and worked part time at the Bronx Zoo during high school. He graduated from Capital University… (truncated)

ALTON – A developer seeking to transform a vacant Alton lot into a “for-profit park” will have to wait longer for city approval as questions from officials remain unanswered. Hugh Halter has repeatedly presented plans to city officials for “The Park Alton” at 401 Piasa Street. The two-block site would feature rental spaces for 14 to 16 different vendors to provide social and competitive activities like rock-climbing walls, pickleball, family dining and event renta

EDWARDSVILLE — An East Alton man who kicked his way into a couple’s home and fought with an armed resident was sentenced Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, to 12 years in prison for home invasion, Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced. Associate Judge Neil Schroeder sentenced Jesse E. Stewart, 42, after he was found guilty at an August 2026 trial of home invasion, a Class X felony. According to evidence and testimony, the couple awoke July 4, 2025, when they heard someone

ALTON - The City of Alton welcomed one of the most well-known former mayors in North America to share his 9/11 story of kindness and community. On Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, Alton Mayor David Goins met Claude Elliott, the former mayor of Gander in Newfoundland. Gander, population 9,300, took in 7,000 passengers from around the world for five days following the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Elliott shared more about the town’s work on 9/12 and the days following the attacks, and

Dennis Craft, a retired Collinsville School District superintendent and current school board member, has endorsed Judge Patrick King for circuit judge, citing King’s fairness on the bench and commitment to family and community. “Judge King is a fine steward of the law. He is community and family oriented. He is at all times objective and fair making decisions from the bench,” Craft said. Dennis Craft Opinions expressed in this section are solely those of the individual author

MONDAY, OCTOBER 26 PLAY IT AGAIN SPORTS SCOREBOARD GIRLS VOLLEYBALL IHSA PLAYOFFS --- REGIONAL QUARTERFINALS CLASS 1A Hardin Calhoun 25-25, Jacksonville Illinois School For The Deaf 9-4 Metro-East Lutheran 25-25, Mulberry Grove 23-19 Zeigler-Royalton 25-25, Valmeyer 18-15 Woodlawn 22-25-26, New Athens 25-22-24 CLASS 2A Gillespie 25-19-25, Piasa Southwestern 19-25-20 Marquette Catholic 25-25, East Alton-Wood River 16-10 Greenville 25-25, Roxana 19-12

STAUNTON - Marquette Catholic swept East Alton-Wood River 25-14, 25-10 on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, in the Class 2A Staunton Regional, closing out the Oilers’ season. Reese Bechtold led the Explorers with eight kills, while Camille Hampton added six kills and Ari Davenport recorded 14 assists. Marquette now has a 21-14 overall record. The Explorers won the opening set by 11 points before taking the second by 15 to complete the sweep. East Alton-Wood River finished its season with a 4-29

COTTAGE HILLS – A non-compliant sex offender from Cottage Hills faces another felony charge after her latest alleged violation of the Sex Offender Registration Act. Courtney A. Runion, of the 1400 block of 1st Street in Cottage Hills, faces a Class 2 felony charge for her second or subsequent offense of unlawful failure to register as a sex offender. Runion is accused of failing to report on a quarterly basis in person with the Madison County Sheriff as required under the Sex Offender

O’FALLON, Ill. — As another milestone in HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital’s $116 million growth project to expand access to care in the region, the new outpatient imaging services department will open to patients Oct. 28, 2026. The imaging services available at this standalone building, located at 45 St. Francis Way on the northeast corner of the hospital campus, include open MRI, mammography, CT, X-ray and bone density (DEXA) scans. All services except X-ray have relocated

CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a bipartisan coalition of 12 attorneys general, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) today announced that Playpower has abandoned its proposed acquisition of BCI Burke (Burke) just a week after Raoul and the coalition filed a lawsuit challenging the transaction. Playpower and Burke are two of the largest commercial outdoor playground manufacturers. Raoul and the coalition had alleged that the potential merger would drive up prices and

ALTON – State Senator Erica Harriss (56th–Glen Carbon) announced she has secured state funding to help Crisis Food Center make needed improvements to its facility while reducing long-term operating costs. The $5,000 investment will support the replacement of outdated fluorescent lighting with energy-efficient LED lighting, helping the organization lower utility expenses and direct more resources toward serving local families. “Crisis Food Center provides an important service

SWANSEA - Swansea Police took a suspect into custody on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, after responding to a reported domestic disturbance involving a person armed with a knife in the 200 block of East Caroline Street, according to the department. A victim with multiple injuries was taken to a hospital. Officers responded at approximately 2:12 p.m. on Monday. While they were en route, dispatch advised that the disturbance had escalated into a physical altercation involving an individual arm… (truncated)

Kenneth V. “Stick” Voss, age 80, of Breese, passed away on Friday, October 23, 2026, at Memorial Hospital in Belleville. He was born on December 23, 1945, in Breese, the son of the late Victor and Alvina (nee Ratermann) Voss. On August 10, 1974, he married Sheila F. Guttersohn, at St. Dominic Catholic Church, and she survives in Breese. He is also survived by his children, Jason Voss of Trenton, Jeff (Leisa) Voss of Edwardsville and Valerie (Jeremy) Bloom of Venedy; grandchildren, A… (truncated)

Ian Williams Fugetta and Alec James Fugetta, precious twin brothers and beloved sons of Andrew and Lindsay (nee McCray) Fugetta, were born and peacefully welcomed into the arms of Heaven on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO. Though their time on earth was far too brief, Ian Williams and Alec James were loved beyond measure from the very beginning. Their tiny lives brought an immeasurable amount of love to their proud parents and entire family. In… (truncated)

ALTON — Alton residents have one fewer option for disposing of leaves this year, as a strike-related staffing shortage in the Public Works Department has sidelined the city’s leaf vacuum service, officials said on Tuesday morning, Oct. 27, 2026. The mobile vacuum normally collects leaves that residents rake to the curb. It will not operate this year because the Alton Public Works Department is short on manpower due to the strike. Residents can instead burn yard waste on Wednesdays

Ruth M. Joergensen, nee Lucash, 96, of Swansea, IL, born September 24, 1930, in Belleville, IL, passed away Sunday, October 25, 2026, at Memorial Hospital, Belleville, IL. Ruth was a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her greatest joy was watching and spending time with her grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, George Joergensen, who died on October 1, 2001; her parents, Frank and Marcella, nee Bauer, Lucash; a brother, Melvi… (truncated)

Harry E. Greene , of Belleville, IL, born Thursday, September 23, 1954, in East St. Louis, IL, passed away Monday, October 26, 2026 at his residence in Belleville, IL. Harry retired from Whiteside School after teaching in the community for 38 years. He was a graduate on SIUE and a member of Queen of Peace Church in Belleville, IL. Volunteer usher at Wildey Theatre in Edwardsville, IL. He served as the Assistant Basketball Coach at Althoff Catholic High School, Belleville East, SWIC,… (truncated)

The witching hour does not have a fixed time—and it has no necessary connection to witches. Depending on who is speaking, it might mean midnight, 3 a.m., or the early evening stretch when a baby will not stop crying. What connects these meanings is the feeling that ordinary life has become a little less predictable. The phrase sits at the meeting point of folklore, fear, and everyday experience. Understanding it means looking not only at stories about the supernatural, but also at why

William “Doug” Karius, 74, of Shiloh, IL, born on October 15, 1952, in Belleville, IL, passed away October 23, 2026, at home with his family. Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold Joseph and Violet M. Karius (née Mueller); Sisters Karen (Karius) Sabaleski & Bonnie (Karius) Urban; Mother & father in law Dorothy (Hull) & Bernard Henry; In laws Dennis Sabaleski, Wayne Urban, Alex Lambros, Jerry Henry, MaryAnn (Henry) & Roy Winans, John Henry, Bob Henry, Larry Henry, Rich He… (truncated)

Yvonne Marie McGowan , 74, transitioned to her eternal home on October 20, 2026. Born on February 10, 1952, in Alton, Illinois, to John and Della Tolbert, Yvonne lived a life rooted in faith, family, and service. On September 19, 2008, she married her soulmate, Robert McGowan , a union blessed with love and companionship. She dearly loved her family and her little dog, who was always by her side. Yvonne served faithfully at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church , where she was a pr… (truncated)

This Day in Music History: Oct. 27, From Heifetz’s Debut to Pop Reinvention On Oct. 27, 1917, a 16-year-old violinist stepped onto the Carnegie Hall stage and delivered one of classical music’s defining American debuts. Jascha Heifetz’s first U.S. recital introduced American audiences to a performer whose precision and command would become a benchmark for violin playing. For this Oct. 27, 2026, look back, his arrival leads a century of milestones involving soul standards, Motown’

Yvonne Kay Meckfessel (nee Scherer), 79, of Troy, IL, born on November 17, 1946, in Claremont, IL, passed away on Friday, October 23, 2026 in her home, surrounded by loved ones. Yvonne married her dear husband, Gary Meckfessel, on February 7, 2003, and they began their married life spending a good portion of their time caring for the family farm, where they once housed as many as 14 horses. She was no stranger to the hustle and bustle of operating a farm, as she grew up on one in he… (truncated)

This Day in History: October 27, 2026 On October 27, 1962, the Cuban Missile Crisis reached its most dangerous point. An American reconnaissance aircraft was shot down over Cuba, while a separate encounter between U.S. naval forces and a Soviet submarine created another risk of nuclear escalation. Leaders in Washington and Moscow faced decisions that could have turned a confrontation over missiles into a much wider war. The date became known as “Black Saturday.” Its importance lie

Maryann Spencer (née Knorr), 78, of O’Fallon, IL, was born February 26, 1948, in New Castle, PA, and passed away on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at Cedar Ridge in Lebanon, IL. Maryann was a devoted Catholic and cherished her time attending Mass at St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church. Above all, Maryann treasured her family. She beamed with pride when speaking of her children and grandchildren and took great joy in being a dedicated aunt to her nieces and nephews. Her love for her fa… (truncated)

Gloria June “Butchie” Hanfelder, 83, of Granite City, Illinois, passed away at 12:49 a.m. on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at Anderson Hospital in Maryville. She was born November 23, 1942, in Granite City, a daughter of the late William O. and Billie J. (Dickerson) Hasty Sr. She married the love of her life, William David “Bill” Hanfelder, on July 3, 1960, in Waterloo, Illinois. Together, they shared 66 wonderful years of marriage, building a lifetime of cherished memories and creating… (truncated)

EDWARDSVILLE — The Glen-Ed Pantry has raised $2 million toward its $3 million capital campaign for a new 9,000-square-foot facility. Today, the pantry launched a year-end push to raise the remaining $1 million by December 31, 2026. The pantry broke ground on the new building in May and plans to open it in summer 2027. The facility is designed around the neighbors the pantry serves and the volunteers who serve them and includes: Improved accessibility, so every client, volunteer and

Eugene W. “Gene” Wescovich, Jr., 86, of Fairview Heights, IL, born July 2, 1940, in Biloxi, MS, died Thursday, October 22, 2026, at his residence, surrounded by his family. Born in Biloxi, Mississippi, Gene was a talented athlete and a beloved son and brother. Following his education as a seminarian of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, he followed a different path that brought him to Belleville, IL, as a lay person with a lifelong connection to the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows. Lat… (truncated)

Doris Jean Miller, 75, passed away Sunday, October 25, 2026 at OSF St. Anthony's in Alton, Illinois. Born on March 28, 1951 in Marion, Kentucky, she was the daughter of Stanley Herren and Mary Sue Lynn. She married Freeman Miller in Wood River, Illinois. He preceded her in death on July 25, 2000. She spent many years working as a housekeeper for Eden Village. Surviving are a son, Ronald Lynn of Wood River; daughters, Rhonda Liggons of Springfield, Elizabeth (Tony) Forehand of Parago… (truncated)

ALTON - St. Peter and Paul Parish (The Old Cathedral), Alton, is excited to announce their 27th Annual Christmas Bazaar, to be held on Saturday, November 21st from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Bazaar is held in the Parish Community Hall (formerly the gymnasium), located behind the church. The Helping Hands Ministry will sponsor the bazaar, and the funds raised will be used to assist the needy in the Alton/Godfrey community. The Bazaar will include one of the largest basket raffles in the area donated

BETHALTO - Villa Rose Senior Living Community is introducing a new approach to independent senior living. Starting in November, prospective residents will choose between the signature living plan and the simple living plan. The signature living plan includes three meals a day in addition to amenities like weekly housekeeping, utilities, internet and more. The simple living plan includes most of these amenities but allows residents to purchase meals as desired. The goal, explained Executive

ALTON — Jeremiah James, host of Truth B Told Ministries, plans to read the entire New Testament aloud in a single, uninterrupted livestream beginning at 7 a.m. CDT Saturday, Oct. 31, on the ministry’s YouTube channel. The broadcast is expected to last more than 20 hours, continuing into Sunday, Nov. 1. James will read from the first chapter of Matthew through the final verse of Revelation. The event is free and open to all. The reading follows Truth B Told’s first Halloween readin

HARDIN - Calhoun High School recognized students in all four grade levels on its honor roll for the first quarter of the 2026-27 school year, naming recipients of high honors and honors. The students recognized were: Seniors, high honors: Noah Bailey, Henry Barczewski, Ian Gilman, Gabriella Hurley, Grace Hurley, William Lorton, Olivia Reno and Clare Smith. Seniors, honors: Lucy Baalman, Peyton Baalman, Rolen Benz, Elijah Bick, Jacob Brannan, Tanner Churchman, Brylee Clendenny, Lane Eilerman,

ALTON – The Alton Expo is expected to return next spring as the Alton Amphitheater prepares for another season of entertainment. Alton Committee of the Whole members voted unanimously to send two resolutions to the City Council for final approval this Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. These include an extension of the city's 2026 agreement with Contemporary Productions regarding the Alton Amphitheater’s 2027 season and an agreement with Luehr’s Ideal Rides for the Alton Amphitheater

CAHOKIA HEIGHTS — The Illinois Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting Tuesday, Nov. 10, in Cahokia Heights to discuss a $62.2 million project to rehabilitate and resurface about 3.1 miles of Interstate 255. The meeting will run from 4 to 7 p.m. at Wirth/Parks Middle School, 1900 Mousette Lane. The project extends from 0.5 mile south of Illinois 3 near Dupo to 0.2 mile north of Illinois 157 in Cahokia Heights. Work will include resurfacing, bridge repairs, safety improvements,

BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL --- Hardin Calhoun starts off their quest for a state football championship at home Saturday afternoon, Oct. 31, 2026, while Edwardsville faces top -seeded Normal Community on the road Saturday afternoon as the Illinois High School Association announced the dates and kickoff times for the first round of the football playoffs Monday afternoon. The playoffs started this past weekend with opening round games of the expanded playoffs, with top-seeded teams receiving byes into

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25 PLAY IT AGAIN SPORTS SCOREBOARD NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE --- WEEK SEVEN NFL INTERNATIONAL SERIES, AT STADE DE FRANCE, SAINT-DENIS, FRANCE Pittsburgh Steelers 16, New Orleans Saints 10 Cincinnati Bengals 35, Baltimore Ravens 13 Cleveland Browns 27, Tennessee Titans 24 Minnesota Vikings 16, Indianapolis Colts 10 Miami Dolphins 28, New York Jets 25 New York Giants 27, Houston Texans 21 (OT) Atlanta Falcons 29, San Francisco 49ers 20 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

BUNKER HILL - The Illinois Principals Association is pleased to announce Tia-Farrah Edwards, Dean of Student Affairs at Moline High School in Moline, Shonda Ronen, Principal of Wolf Ridge Education Center in Bunker Hill, and Erin Woodson, Assistant Principal of Pioneer Elementary in Bolingbrook, as recipients of the 2026 John Ourth and Dr. Fred Singleton Professional Development Scholarships. Scholarship grants help individuals pursue graduate study, attend national conferences, and attend othe

ALTON - Community members can support local food pantries and police departments at the annual Mustache March 4PD Fill the Pantry food drive in honor of Officer Blake Snyder. From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, you can stop by Alton Physical Therapy in Alton to donate nonperishable food items, enjoy raffles and giveaways, and snack with Jewel Ice Cream Co. Mustache March 4PD organizers Tina Bennett and Wesley Strowmatt emphasized that the goal is to support the community while

CHICAGO — The Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) reached a $120,000 settlement with Coldwell Banker LLC, the largest monetary settlement secured for the state through a department-initiated charge. The settlement resolves eight charges against Coldwell Banker and its agents alleging housing discrimination based on source of income against recipients of Housing Choice Vouchers, often called Section 8. “For too many people, finding safe, stable and affordable housing is already

CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker announced that the 2026 Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday provided an estimated $11.4 million in savings for Illinois families – exceeding the $10 million savings estimate. The tax holiday, held August 7 through August 16, reduced the state sales tax rate on clothing, footwear and school supplies. Approximately 2,284 retailers sold an estimated $229.3 million in qualifying items during that period. The reduced rate applied to purchases made both

CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a bipartisan coalition of 20 attorneys general and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), sued the Dollar General Corporation for engaging in long-running deceptive pricing practices by routinely charging customers more at the register than the prices displayed on shelves, price tags and advertisements, costing consumers millions of dollars. “Our lawsuit alleges that Dollar General has generated millions of dollars by regularly and

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is marking National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, October 25-31, 2026. This year’s observance follows the state’s move to implement universal lead testing , which took effect July 1, 2026. Each month in Illinois, hundreds of children around the state are found to have elevated levels of lead in their blood, which can lead to developmental and learning difficulties and other health issues. “Universal lead

SPRINGFIELD – Ahead of Halloween, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs is asking residents to check the ICash website to see if there’s missing money waiting for you to claim. “You might find enough money for a bag of candy, a really good Halloween costume or tickets to a haunted house. Maybe even enough to take your friends out to see a scary movie,” Frerichs said. “And speaking of scary movies, I checked the ICash database, and it looks like there’s

ALTON - The East End Improvement Association is preparing for the 109th Alton Halloween Parade. The parade kicks off at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. The floats will travel from the intersection of Broadway and Washington along Piasa and end at Fifth Street in downtown Alton. East End Improvement Association members Steve Schwartz and Greg Erler have helped organize the parade for decades, and they are proud to carry on this tradition. “It’s a parade for everyone,”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Adam Schiff (D-CA) in pressing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on its plan to mitigate the estradiol transdermal patch shortage, which is making it harder for women to manage symptoms of menopause. In the Senators’ letter , the group underscored that estradiol transdermal patches are the clinically preferred, first-line treatment for managing menopause symptoms like hot

CHICAGO — The Illinois Lottery has delivered another strong year of results, generating $3.87 billion in total sales. The Lottery continues to grow sales year-over-year with four of the past five years being record years. The Lottery generated $804 million in proceeds for the State of Illinois — its fourth-best year for Net Income returns — resulting in $792 million in contributions to the Common School Fund to support K-12 public education and $12 million for local good causes.

GRANITE CITY – A sex offender from Granite City faces new charges after allegedly failing to register and injuring a Madison County Sheriff’s deputy while resisting arrest. 53-year-old Frank A. Vasques, listed as homeless out of Granite City, was charged on Oct. 16, 2026, with one count each of unlawful failure to register as a sex offender (a Class 2 felony) and resisting or obstructing a peace officer (a Class 4 felony). Vasques was charged one day after he allegedly failed to

Marlene (Tungett) Manning passed away on October 21, 2026, at the age of 90. Born on November 18, 1935, in Alton, Illinois, to Clarence and Ethel (Dunbar) Tungett, she lived a life rooted in faith, filled with love, and defined by a strength that inspired everyone who knew her. A devoted mother and grandmother, Marlene leaves her family with more than cherished memories. She leaves them an enduring example of how to meet life with courage, determination, and a sense of humor. Marlen… (truncated)

HAMEL — Two people died after a pickup truck crossed into oncoming traffic and struck a sedan head-on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, on Illinois Route 140 west of Hoxey Drive, according to Illinois State Police. Illinois State Police Troop 8 responded to the two-vehicle crash in Hamel, Madison County, at approximately 5:43 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25. ISP said preliminary information indicated the pickup was traveling east when it entered the westbound lane for unknown reasons and struck the westbound

MASCOUTAH - Rep. Mike Bost recently toured Mascoutah High School’s new Career Center, an ongoing expansion project, and the recently completed Veterans Park sports complex, highlighting opportunities for students to prepare for careers in the trades. Rep. Bost said the Career Center stood out during his visit. The center provides a hands-on learning environment where students can develop skills in construction, electrical work, plumbing, and other trades. “These are the kinds of

GRANITE CITY– The Rotary Club of Granite City recognized juniors Peyton Duff and Lillyana Sauceda as Students of the Month for September. Students were nominated by teachers, and were chosen on the basis of academics, as well as scholastic, extracurricular and civic honors and awards, and organization membership and leadership. Each honoree received a framed certificate and a gift card, and will be recognized at the Mayors’ Prayer Breakfast on March 16, 2027. PEYTON DUFF Captain

GRAFTON - The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will host public lottery drawings on Wednesday, Nov. 4 for trapping permits at Copperhead Hollow Wildlife Area, Mississippi River State Fish and Wildlife Areas and Pere Marquette State Park. The drawings will take place at the Mississippi River Area site office at 17836 State Highway 100 North in Grafton. Registration will begin at 11 a.m., with the drawings starting at 11:30 a.m. Each site will have trapping permits available. Each permit

Beverly Ann (Hull) Gallatin, age 98, of Edwardsville, Illinois died October 25, 2026, at Evertrue - Meridian Village Care Center in Glen Carbon, IL, under the care of hospice services. A native of Burlington, Iowa, she was the longest living member of her family within distant memory; surpassing her celebrated husband's lifespan by a remarkable 11 years. A devoted wife for 66 years, mother of three active boys, grandmother of eight, great grandmother of seven, physical education tea… (truncated)

Rhonda Jean Austill, 74, passed away Saturday, October 24, 2026 at her home. Born March 8, 1952 in Alton and raised in Alhambra, she was a daughter of Robert Gene and Wilma Lee (Withers) Lucas. Rhonda worked for a time at Olin Corp., and later as a server at the Alton Belle Casino. Most recently she tended bar at Don’s No-Man’s Land and the Dugout Lounge. She was the life of any party, and loved making people laugh. She had no filter and would tell it like it is. She was willing to… (truncated)

O'FALLON, Ill. - Officer Tom Bates is retiring from the O’Fallon Police Department after more than 25 years of service to the communities of O’Fallon and Shiloh, according to a department announcement. Bates served more than 20 years with O’Fallon Police after five years with the Shiloh Police Department. During his tenure in O’Fallon, Bates served as a patrol officer, senior officer, field training officer, honor guard member, detective and investigator with

BETHALTO - Villa Rose Senior Living Community has several upcoming events for community members to experience everything they have to offer. At 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, Villa Rose will host its annual trick-or-treat night. Families can come by the lobby at 401 S. Moreland Road in Bethalto and meet with residents as the kids trick-or-treat. This will be followed by an open house from 2–4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, where people can stop by to tour the building and learn

WELLSTON, Mo. — A man died after a shooting early Monday, Oct. 26, in the 1500 block of Ben McLemore III Place, prompting a homicide investigation led by St. Louis County Police detectives. No suspects were in custody, and police did not provide a motive. Officers from the North County Cooperative Police Department responded just before 2 a.m. and found the man suffering from at least one gunshot wound, according to St. Louis County Police. The man was taken to an area hospital with

Jeffrey Duane Boaz, 51, of Gillespie, IL, died at Springfield Memorial Hospital, Springfield, IL on Friday, October 23, 2026. He was born June 15, 1975, in Springfield, IL to Millard Leamon Boaz & Norma Margrette Potts Boaz. He was a contractor. Jeffrey enjoyed auto restoration, home remodeling and traveling. He is survived by his mother, Margrette Boaz of Gillespie, IL, daughter, Jenna Boaz of Bethalto, IL, son, Kalvin (spouse, Haley) Hill of Gillespie, IL, brothers, Norman (spouse… (truncated)

MARYVILLE - Cambridge House of Maryville will host their annual trunk-or-treat, and organizers say it’s a great chance for families to come together and support residents. From 5–7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026, you can enjoy the trunk-or-treat at the supportive living community, complete with bounce houses, food and plenty of candy. Executive Director Greg Jovi and Marketing Director Angie Hillis encourage people to bring their kids and have fun. They noted that it’s

EDWARDSVILLE – The largest grant ever received in Edwardsville history will go towards a major reconstruction project to bring multimodal transportation upgrades near Plummer Family Park. Aldermen approved three related agreements at their Oct. 20, 2026 City Council meeting, including one with the U.S. Department of Transportation regarding a grant of over $21 million for the Goshen Road and Lincoln Trail Project. Public Works Director Ryan Zwijack said the city received a $21,241,730 gran

Why Humans Decorate for Seasons A box of decorations can change how a room feels before anyone moves the furniture. A familiar wreath, a string of lights, or a paper ornament made by a child can turn an ordinary space into something that feels meaningful. Why should such small objects have that power? Seasonal decorating is about more than appearance. It helps people mark time, carry memories forward, connect with others, and shape the mood of daily life. Making Time Visible Most days leave

How Folklore Survived Generations A story can survive even when no one remembers who first told it. It may cross an ocean, change languages, and lose half its characters, yet still feel familiar centuries later. Folklore lasts not because people preserve every word, but because they keep finding reasons to share it. That is the secret behind the survival of fairy tales, family sayings, festival customs, ghost stories, and countless everyday beliefs. Folklore connects people to the past while

ALTON - At 1:57 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, the Alton Police Department was notified of a theft that occurred at 1702 Homer Adams Parkway at Kay Jewelers. Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said a white male suspect grabbed jewelry from a countertop and fled the area in a vehicle. Officers searched the area for the suspect to no avail. The investigation into the case is ongoing. Anyone with any information about the theft should contact the Alton Police Department at 618-463-3505.

Roger Dale Foreshee, Sr., 77, of Pontoon Beach, IL passed away peacefully on Friday, October 23, 2026, at 3:42 PM, surrounded by the love of his family after six days in hospice care. ?Born on October 15, 1949, Roger lived a life defined by hard work, resilience, and an unwavering devotion to his family. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy, instilling in him a sense of duty and strength that he carried throughout his life. ?A natural entrepreneur, Roger was a ded… (truncated)

Rosemarie “Rose” Baldus, nee Klein, 98, of Fairview Heights, IL, born August 1, 1928, in Belleville, IL, passed away peacefully Saturday, October 24, 2026, surrounded by her family. Rose grew up in Freeburg, IL with a strong sense of responsibility and a solid work ethic. While she was attending Notre Dame High School in Belleville, she worked as a switchboard operator for Southwestern Bell to pay for her tuition. When she wasn't working, she loved going to dances with her sister, K… (truncated)

Stella Mae Emmons, 99, of Godfrey, IL, passed away Saturday, October 24, 2026, Alton Memorial Hospital, Alton. Born on October 19, 1927, in Alton to August and Sadie (Perkinson) Fritz. She was a retired teacher aid from ARC in Wood River, IL. She married Leroy Emmons in Alton, IL. She is survived by her sons and daughter, Vernon "Jack" (Anessa) of Godfrey, Dave (Joann) Emmons of Texas, Daniel Emmons of East Alton, Dennis Emmons of Godfrey, Terry Emmons of Godfrey, Sherry Weigel of G… (truncated)

Otto Eugene Baumgartner, 80, of Troy, Illinois, passed away on Friday, October 23, 2026, at Anderson Hospital in Maryville, Illinois. He was born on October 4, 1946, in Highland, Illinois, a son of the late Otto and Gertrude (Feldt) Baumgartner. On November 15, 1969, Otto married the love of his life, Sharon Daiber, in Grantfork, Illinois. Together, they shared nearly 57 wonderful years of marriage, building a beautiful life filled with love, laughter, family, and countless cherishe… (truncated)

Dennis R. Green, age 67, of Millersburg, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 22, 2026, in the Emergency Room at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in O'Fallon, Illinois, surrounded by his loving wife and children. Visitation for Dennis will be held Sunday, November 1, 2026, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Donnell–Wiegand Funeral Home in Greenville. Dennis was born on July 17, 1959, son of Charles and DeMeris Jean Ward Green. He grew up in Bond County and graduated from Greenville High Sc… (truncated)

Lawrence Anthony Oker Jr., 35, of Wood River, IL, passed away at 5:53 p.m. Fri. Oct. 23, 2026 in Granite City, IL. He was born Jan. 11, 1991 in Granite City to Stacey (Garnett) Stewart of Wood River and Lawrence “L.J.” Oker of Erueka, MO Lawrence was artistic and loved drawing and music. He will be remembered for his big heart, wonderful sense of humor, and a laugh that could brighten anyone’s day. Always ready with a joke or a playful remark, he had a gift for making others smile.… (truncated)

Greg Allen Richards was born on October 17, 1961, in Alton, Illinois, to Carl Allen and Joyce Kathleen (Arnold) Richards. He passed away unexpectedly on October 23, 2026, at the age of 65. The youngest of three children and the son of a preacher, Greg had a mischievous streak from the very beginning - one that never quite disappeared, even into adulthood. He loved to joke, laugh, tease, and give those around him a hard time, always with a twinkle in his eye. To Greg, age was just a… (truncated)

Jerome "Jerry" Joseph Stein, 83, went to be with the Lord, October 23, 2026 at Boyd Memorial Hospital in Carrollton. Born June 28, 1943 in Golden Eagle, he was the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Kary) Stein. He had worked as a clerk at Laclede Steel in Alton for many years before retiring in 1999. On September 24, 1978 in Roxana, Jerry married Carroll Darlene Haas. She survives. Surviving also are three sons, Mike Stein of White Hall, Dennis (Ronna) Haas of Wood River, William "Bill"… (truncated)

William “Bill” Aaron Long Jr., age 87, of Glen Carbon, Illinois, passed away on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. Born on June 9, 1939, in Granite City, Illinois, he was the son of the late William and Lillian (Gann) Long Sr. On June 7, 1958, Bill married Anna Mozell Bollinger, the love of his life, in Granite City. Together, they shared sixty-eight years of marriage, building a life filled with love, laughter and treasured family memories… (truncated)

Lynda Jane Reeder, nee Migneco, 58, of Belleville, IL, born August 6, 1968, in St. Louis, MO, passed away Friday, October 23, 2026, at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, O’Fallon, IL. Lynda worked as a phlebotomist for BJC Hospitals for many years. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, playing BINGO, and was an avid reader. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 21 years, Michael Reeder, who passed away on February 2, 2018; and her parents, Enrico and Virginia, nee Pona, Migneco. Surviv… (truncated)

Ruth Ann Darden, age 89, of Trenton, passed away Friday, October 23, 2026, at Alhambra Rehab & Healthcare in Alhambra. She was born on May 20, 1937, in East St. Louis, IL, the daughter of the late Blanche (Rollo) Ellis, nee Garner. On May 29, 1954, she married Gerald Darden, Jr., in St. Louis, MO. He passed away May 13, 2013. She is also preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Wanda (John) Woods, Bill (Peggy) Alldredge, Jack Alldredge and Sue (Bob) Kennedy; daughter-in-law, Conn… (truncated)

David Howard Hursey, age 76, of O’Fallon, Ill., passed away at his home on October 22, 2026. Born March 9, 1950 in East St. Louis, Ill., David grew up in East St. Louis, graduated from Belleville East High School, and SIU-Edwardsville. A resident of O’Fallon for over 50 years, he was a devoted husband to Susan, nee Honea, Hursey; father to Martha (Patrick) Stoffel of O’Fallon, IL, Matthew (Whitney) Fraier of Chesterfield, MO, Andrew (Elizabeth) Hursey of Memphis, TN, and Christopher… (truncated)

Ruby Lea Dickinson, nee Sellers, 97, of Belleville, IL, born Wednesday, July 24, 1929, in Cherryville, MO, passed away Thursday, October 22, 2026 at Cedar Ridge Nursing Home in Lebanon, IL. Ruby was a former member of Holy Family Church in Granite City, Illinois, and a member of the Business and Professional Women’s group. She also gave generously of her time as a volunteer at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Granite City, where she served for many years. Throughout her professional life… (truncated)

Kevin Michael Barrett, of Olivette, Missouri, passed away on September 21, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, loyalty, and quiet service to others. Kevin worked as a mortician and also worked for UPS being a proud member of Teamsters Local 688. Through his work and in his personal life, he showed care and compassion when people needed it most. His devotion to family was evident in the loving care he provided to his mother, Joan, after his father’s passing. He extended that s… (truncated)

Patricia Ann Spencer (née Woolfolk), 88, of Troy, IL, born on November 11, 1937, in Scottville, IL, passed away peacefully at Evelyn’s House in Creve Coeur, MO. Patricia was loved by family and friends, and the friends of her children and grandchildren. She was known to all as Meemaw. Small in stature, she was a strong woman with great patience, a wonderful listener, who showed kindness toward everyone. She grew up on a farm in Macoupin County, Illinois. In 1955, she married Richard… (truncated)

ALTON –OSF Saint Anthony's Health Center offers a variety of free community programs, support groups and health resources to help individuals and families live healthier lives. Join us at upcoming events to access valuable services, learn about local resources and connect with a supportive community. OSF OnCall Connect Community Resource Table Find us at an event near you. Our team can connect you to health services and share information that will help you manage your health. • Health

BELLEVILLE - Approximately 1,000 students from 31 schools explored careers in the skilled construction trades during the 26th annual Metro Construction Career Expo, held Oct. 19-22 at the Belle-Clair Fairgrounds in Belleville. Sponsored by the Southern Illinois Builders Association (SIBA) and the Southern Illinois Construction Advancement Program (SICAP), the four-day event gave students opportunities to participate in hands-on activities representing 11 construction trades. Students learned

On October 26, 1977, a hospital worker in Somalia developed the rash that marked the world’s last known naturally occurring case of smallpox. Ali Maow Maalin survived, and health workers moved quickly to trace his contacts and prevent further infections. For centuries, smallpox had killed millions and left many survivors blind or permanently scarred. Its disappearance from natural circulation showed that coordinated vaccination, careful surveillance, and local cooperation could eliminate

ST. LOUIS - St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer called for caution in selecting the Board’s next attorney following Attorney Graville’s resignation, saying taxpayers have paid more than $1.2 million to a county law firm to fight the city. In a statement regarding the resignation, Spencer criticized the legal spending and urged her fellow commissioners to choose an attorney who would not treat St. Louis as an adversary. “For more than a year, St. Louis taxpayers have paid a county

EAST ST. LOUIS – Illinois State Police (ISP) conducted a violent crime suppression detail in Madison and St. Clair counties on October 21-22, 2026, focusing its efforts on East St. Louis and neighboring Metro East communities. The operation utilized intelligence and technology to focus enforcement efforts on known high crime areas, violent offenders, and structured criminal groups in the communities of the Metro East. Detail Results Arrests 18 Total Criminal Charges 33 Felony

EDWARDSVILLE — Senior quarterback Dean Williams ran for four touchdowns and threw for another as Edwardsville shut out Chicago Lincoln Park 42-0 on Saturday evening, Oct. 24, 2026, at Tiger Stadium to advance in the IHSA Class 7A football playoffs. The Tigers improved to 5-5 with the opening-round victory and will travel to face top-seeded Normal Community next weekend. Lincoln Park finished its season at 4-6. Edwardsville coach Kelsey Pickering credited his team’s preparation

EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Tigers’ defense is helping turn their season around, forcing three interceptions and regularly winning the turnover battle as players settle into their assignments. Edwardsville's defense was as strong as it could be the entire game, shutting out Lincoln Park in the Saturday playoff matchup at Edwardsville 42-0. Edwardsville head coach Kelsey Pickering pointed to accountability and improved execution over the past two or three weeks as key reasons for

MARYVILLE - Maryville Christian School’s Lily Kamadulski won the IHSA Class 1A Wesclin Regional with a personal-best time of 18:00, while teammate Leah Mahtani finished in 19:57 for 12th place to earn an individual qualifying spot at the Murphysboro Sectional next weekend. Elliana Krueger and Aliana Bush also competed for Maryville Christian, closing out their seasons with times of 27:10.6 and 29:56.7, respectively. Krueger was 52nd place and Bush placed 60th. The Maryville Christia

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24 PLAY IT AGAIN SPORTS IHSA FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS OPENING ROUND SCOREBOARD CLASS 1A Carlyle 41, Nokomis 7 Fulton 70, Monmouth United 15 Orion 21, LeRoy 20 Havana 57, Concord Triopia 28 Sterling Newman Central Catholic 46, Tremont 6 Winchester West Central 40, Sesser-Valier 8 Athens 48, Carrollton 14 Galena 72, Chicago Orr 6 Fithan Oakwood 53, Pleasant Hill 12 Lena-Winslow 46, Momence 12 Villa Grove 34, Dupo 0 Casey-Westfield 12, Astoria 6 CLASS 2A Farmington

BETHALTO — Junior Lillie Wood finished 23rd to lead Civic Memorial to ninth place in the girls varsity race at the IHSA Class 2A cross-country regional Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, at Bethalto Sports Complex. Wood completed the 3-mile course in 20 minutes, 35.2 seconds. Civic Memorial finished with 203 points in the 11-team field, six points behind eighth-place East St. Louis and 13 ahead of 10th-place Carbondale. Civic Memorial’s five scoring runners placed 23rd, 34th, 36th,

slideshow:1792945766814] BETHALTO — Senior Glenn Collins finished fourth to lead Civic Memorial’s boys cross country team to a fourth-place finish and a qualifying spot at the IHSA Class 2A regional Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, at the Bethalto Sports Complex. Civic Memorial scored 115 points, finishing behind regional champion Marion, runner-up Herrin and third-place Waterloo. CM was among the six teams listed as qualifiers, along with Carterville and Mascoutah. Collins completed th

ROXANA, Ill. — The Roxana Shells opened the IHSA football playoffs in dominant fashion Saturday, rolling past Massac County 60-23 to advance to the next round. Roxana's offense came out firing in the first quarter, putting up 18 points while holding Massac County to seven. The Shells added 13 points in the second quarter to take a 33-15 lead into halftime. The scoring continued after the break, as Roxana added 14 points in the third quarter before putting up 15 more in the final period

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23 PLAY IT AGAIN SPORTS ROUNDUP BOYS SOCCER IHSA PLAYOFFS --- REGIONAL FINALS FATHER MCGIVNEY CATHOLIC 4, MARQUETTE CATHOLIC 1: In the Class 1A regional final at Trenton Wesclin, Rowan Fischer, Brendan Kayser, Will Rakers, and Owen Weissert all scored to give McGivney the regional title in a win over Marquette. Patrick Gierer made nine saves in goal to help the Griffins advance to the sectional. The Explorers end the season at 14-5-3, while McGivney is

BELLEVILLE - Ben Lovell and Trenton Liedtke both scored in the first half, and a very tight Edwardsville defense stopped Collinsville at every turn as the Tigers defeated the Kahoks 3-0 to win the IHSA Class 3A Belleville West regional Friday night at Bob Goalby Field. The win advanced Edwardsville to the sectional, which they are hosting this season, and into a Tuesday semifinal date against the winner of the O'Fallon regional, which will be played Saturday evening at OTHS Panther Stadium.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23 PLAY IT AGAIN SPORTS ILLINOIS FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS OPENING ROUND SCOREBOARD CLASS 1A Abington-Avon 49, Morrison 7 Ottawa Marquette Catholic 42, Princeville 21 Dwight 21, Manlius Bureau Valley 8 Bridgeport Red Hill 12, Toledo Cumberland 0 CLASS 2A Carlinville 35, Riverton 28 Chester 55, Trenton Wesclin 14 McLeansboro Hamilton County 38, Niantic Sangamon County 8 Stillman Valley 32, Braidwood Reed-Custer 31 Winnebago 42, Elmwood 12 Carthage Illini West

BETHALTO — Civic Memorial pulled off a dramatic comeback Friday night, rallying past Quincy Notre Dame 28-24 to advance to the next round of the playoffs. The victory marked another memorable postseason meeting between the two teams. In 2021, CM defeated Quincy Notre Dame 20-17 in the Eagles' last home playoff victory. This time, Civic Memorial once again came out on top, earning a hard-fought win in front of its home crowd. The Eagles got off to a fast start in the first quarter. With

Carol Jean Blue, nee Blaes, 89, of Belleville, IL, born December 1, 1936, in Belleville, IL, died Friday, October 23, 2026, at Cedar Trails, Freeburg, IL. Carol was a member of St. Henry Catholic Church, Belleville, IL and the VFW Post 1739. She was preceded in death by her parents, Otto and Malinda, nee Jung, Blaes; and four brothers, Fr. Donald Blaes, Dale Blaes, Russell Blaes, and Robert Blaes. She is survived by six children, R. Duane (Ann) Blue, Julia (Tim) Lee, Dorothy Blue, S… (truncated)

Shirley Marie (Haeckel) Rain Bierbaum, 95, passed away Wednesday, October 21, 2026. Born June 27, 1931 in St. Louis, MO, she was a daughter of August Haeckel and Christine (Greisman) Hathaway Haeckel. Shirley started working in the Alton School District teaching disabled children at the Milton School. She advanced in her career and retired in 1996 as bookkeeper for Alton High School. She also served as President of the teacher’s union. Shirley was a faithful member of Elm Street Pre… (truncated)

John Douglas Rodgers, age 86, of Granite City, Illinois, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, October 23, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family. He was born on March 1, 1940, in Doniphan, Missouri, a son of the late Charles and Mary (Lassen) Rodgers. On October 22, 1960, John married Clara Lorene Murray, the love of his life, in Collinsville, Illinois. Together, they shared sixty-six years of marriage, building a life centered on their love for one another and the fami… (truncated)

Stanley “Stan” David Hurst, 74, of Swansea, IL, born January 20, 1952, in Lake Charles, LA, died Thursday, October 22, 2026, at his residence. Stan worked as a sheet metal worker until his retirement. Later, he worked for Lloyds Appliance Store. Stan was a member of the Teamster Local #50. He loved collecting stuff, was an avid dog lover, and a musician. He was preceded in death by his son, David J. Hurst; his parents, Stanley C. and Rose Marie, nee Bour, Hurst; and a niece, Jennife… (truncated)

Barbara Jo Hayes, age 73, a lifelong resident of Glen Carbon, Illinois, passed away on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at Anderson Hospital in Maryville, Illinois, surrounded by the love of her family. Born on June 16, 1953, in Highland, Illinois, she was a daughter of the late Tony and Louise Sedlacek. On October 23, 1974, Barbara married Tom Rickert, and they shared their lives together until his passing on November 20, 1996. On October 22, 2005, she married Tracy Hayes, with whom she… (truncated)

Terry A. Buchanan II, age 58, of Hardin, passed away peacefully on October 21, 2026, surrounded by his loving family, after a short battle with cancer. He was born on July 28, 1968, in Carrollton, Illinois, to Terry Buchanan and the late Carolyn (Lacey) Buchanan. On September 2, 1989, he married his high school sweetheart, Mary Fuhler. He was a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 2 and dedicated 25 years of service to Bi-State Development… (truncated)

Lawrence “Larry” Ried Hill, Jr., of South Roxana, IL, passed away peacefully at home with family by his side on October 18, 2026, in South Roxana. He was born on March 17, 1933, in Wood River, IL. Larry was a son of the late Lawrence Ried and Aleen A. (Jaco) Hill, Sr. Larry lived a long life marked by hard work, service, and devotion to his family. He served in the military for 17 years and was a Veteran of both the Navy and Army being deployed to South Korea and in the Vietnam War.… (truncated)

Patricia A. Wasem, 70, of Belleville, IL, born October 26, 1955, in Belleville, IL, died Sunday, October 18, 2026, at her residence. Patricia had her father’s laugh and great sense of humor and her mother's fierce sense of loyalty to family and friends. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Kimberly Hoerz; her parents, Charles Jr. and Marian, nee Straubinger, Wasem Wilson; and her brother, Charles Wasem III. Surviving are her niece, Katherine “Kate” Wasem; and her nephew, David… (truncated)

Amelia M. Okai, age 94, of Highland, passed away Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at Highland Healthcare in Highland. She was born on March 3, 1932, the daughter of the late Joseph Bausch and Frances (nee Nowake) Whiteside. On September 16, 1950, she married Joseph Okai in East St. Louis, IL, he passed away on June 29, 1998. Amelia is also preceded in death by daughters, Rebecca Okai and Vickie Okai; granddaughter, Dana Warnecke; siblings, Vivian (Bill) Brittin, Joe (Nita) Bausch, Edwin… (truncated)

Kenneth "Ken" Edwin Cunningham, 61, of Brighton, Illinois, passed away peacefully at his home on October 22, 2026. He was born on August 31, 1965, in Jerseyville, Illinois, the son of the late Kenneth Cunningham and Alberta Kay (Cox) Griswold. On May 20, 2016, Ken married Lynn Hart in Brighton, and together they built a loving life and home. Ken spent his career as an owner-operator truck driver for DKD Trucking, taking great pride in his work on the open road. He served our Country… (truncated)

Dr. Robert Wesley Dunn , 81, of Troy, Illinois, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. He was born on July 27, 1945, in Alton, Illinois, a son of the late Wesley Garlin Dunn and Retha Ann (Coffey) Dunn. On June 24, 1967, Robert married the love of his life, Maxine Alberta (Knight) Dunn, in Harrisburg, Illinois. Together, they shared 59 wonderful years of marriage, building a life filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories. Robert was a devoted hus… (truncated)

Joseph L. Erlinger, 84, of Smithton, IL, born Thursday, July 2, 1942, in East St. Louis, IL, passed away Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at Memorial Hospital West in Belleville, IL. Joe worked as a chauffeur/maintenance for Holton Funeral Home, Kurrus Funeral Home, and Kassly Funeral Home. He was a member of Emmanuel Church of the Nazarene in Belleville IL He was a Teamsters Local 50 member and a United States Vietnam War Army Veteran, retiring as Spec 5 Specialist 5th Class. Joe was a… (truncated)

Lyla J. Rehbein (née Phillips), 92, born on December 30, 1933, went to her heavenly home on Monday, October 19, 2026. Lyla was born and raised on a farm south of Summerfield, IL. She attended the Ruth County Grade School in Mascoutah and spent two years at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL. While attending Eastern, she was a member of Delta Sigma Epsilon Sorority. After two years, she returned home and went to work for Continental Grain Co. in St. Louis, MO for another t… (truncated)

Sharon L. Devening, 87, passed away at 5:32 p.m., Monday, October 19, 2026, at Jerseyville Manor. She was born on October 1, 1939, in Jerseyville, Illinois, the daughter of the late Delbert and Kathleen (Ayres) Lane. She married Robert E. “Stub” Devening on April 4, 1959, and together they were the parents of four children. They shared nearly 46 years of marriage before his passing on March 3, 2005. Sharon worked as a beautician at Hair Care Alley, where she enjoyed the friendships… (truncated)

EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville's football team will play in the postseason for the 16th consecutive year on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, when the Tigers host Chicago Lincoln Park in an opening round game of the IHSA Class 7A playoffs in a game at Tiger Stadium that kicks off at 5 p.m. The Tigers last missed the playoffs in 2010, and this year made the field with a 4-5 record, the same as the Lions. The IHSA expanded the field to 40 teams in each class, and gave the top seeds a bye into the first

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22 PLAY IT AGAIN SPORTS SCOREBOARD GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Mt. Vernon 25-25, Collinsville 21-22 Marissa-Coulterville 25-17-25, New Athens 22-25-14 Centralia 25-25, Civic Memorial 21-13 Highland 2, Marion 0 Belleville Althoff Catholic 25-25, Marquette Catholic 21-12 Columbia 22-25-25, Breese Central 25-23-15 Pinckneyville 25-25, Waterloo 19-23 NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE --- WEEK SEVEN Chicago Bears 30, New England Patriots 24 NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION AMERICAN

Paul G. Coleman, Sr., 84, passed away at 5:59am on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at Nexus of Wood River. He was born on July 13, 1942, in Alton, the son of the late Leroy and Hannah (Blacketer) Coleman. He married the former Diane Arnold and she preceded him in death in 1990. Survivors include two daughters and sons in law: Tina Sue and Rick Rose of Hartford, Evelyn Sue and James Glover of Brighton, three sons: Paul G. (Barbara Smith) Coleman, Jr. of Delhi, Billy David (Dawn) Coleman of… (truncated)

Peggy Marie Goudy, age 70, of Glen Carbon, Illinois, passed away on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at her home, surrounded by her loving family. Born on July 1, 1956, in Granite City, Illinois, she was the daughter of the late Glenn and Elvera (Darner) Stagner. On March 20, 1976, Peggy married the love of her life, John Goudy, in Madison, Illinois. Together, they shared 50 wonderful years of marriage, building a life filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories. One of their great… (truncated)

Thomas W. Widger, 65, passed away at his home on October 6, 2026. He was born April 5, 1961, in Springfield, Illinois, to Jack and Shirley (Sullivan) Widger. Tom was a graduate of Marquette High School in Alton, Class of 1979. He earned an associate degree in Civil Engineering from St. Louis Community College and was a graduate of the ERTC Water Treatment program at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. Tom was a proud Union Carpenter for more than 30 years, working on projects… (truncated)

Tyler S. Basye, of Highland, Illinois, passed away on October 14, 2026, at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. He was born on January 27, 1985, in Breese, Illinois. Tyler enjoyed playing sports in his younger years and will be remembered as someone who loved being with his children and family. One of the great joys of his life was being a father, and he was especially proud of his six children. He is survived by his parents, Brad (Laura) Basye and Cheryl Basye, his six children,… (truncated)

Kale Robert Kakac, 48, of Highland, Illinois, passed away on October 18, 2026. He was born on March 25, 1978, in Festus, Missouri, to Robert L. and JoAn S. (née Tipsword) Kakac. Kale was raised in Alhambra, Illinois, and graduated from Highland High School in 1996. He worked various jobs before beginning a career driving for Schneider, which brought him to Green Bay, Wisconsin. He made Wisconsin his home for more than twenty years, working various jobs and forming lasting friendship… (truncated)