Times-Tribune looks back at the headlines of 2022

By Pat Pratt

ppratt@timestribunenews.com

The year 2022 was a challenging one as the nation faced soaring inflation, the winding down of one of the worst pandemics in modern history and deep divisions on a host of issues. 

Our small corner of the world in Madison County was far from immune to the events playing out on the national and world stage. But amid these challenges life in Troy and our surrounding communities carried on. To cap off our final edition of 2022, the Times-Tribune is taking a look back and summarizing some of our most read or commented on stories of the year. 

January 

Robert Tarr, who is charged with murder and other crimes in the November death of Troy businesswoman Leslie Reeves and shooting injury of Chris Smith, has his first preliminary hearing. 

Triad saw the selection of a new superintendent. At the Jan. 24 board of education meeting it was announced Dr. Jason Henderson would begin the job in July. 

Collinsville opened discussions on home-rule status, which would ultimately be kept in place by voters in the November election.

Madison County officials voted in January 2022 to not mandate Covid-19 tests or vaccines. The county also filed a lawsuit in opposition to legislation that divided the county’s judiciary into subcircuits.

February

A special Collinsville school board meeting was spurred by a court decision overruling Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s authority to mandate masks for students in Illinois public schools. 

Collinsville school board members vote on Feb. 14 to end the mask mandate, adopting in its place a masks “strongly encouraged” policy. 

The Troy City Council voted to allow golf carts and ATVs on city streets. Insurance is required and the vehicle must meet certain safety requirements, including an inspection by police. 

For the first time since 1974 Triad High School has an IHSA State Champion wrestler. Sophomore Colby Crouch joined Fritz Nemsky on the exclusive list, taking home the 2A 120 pound crown

March 

Stewards of Hope International, a nonprofit based in Highland, launches a fundraiser for the many displaced people heading to Poland to escape the war in Ukraine. 

An emergency resolution was passed by Triad schools to repair the roof on Marine Elementary School, which started showing leaks after one of the severe storms earlier in February.

Discussion over home rule in Collinsville continues. Collinsville also began discussing changes to bed and breakfast ordinance and short term rentals.

Danyiel M. Johnson is arrested on murder charges accusing him of killing Ronald L. Holland, 41, also of St. Louis, on March 17 behind a garage on North Bluff Road in Maryville.

Several speakers address the Madison County Board about leadership issues in the Troy Fire Protection District board. 

April

Troy City Council passes the fiscal 2022-23 budget, about $8.64 million this year.

Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announces that Scott T. Hyden, 31, of Highland, IL, pled guilty to one count of first-degree murder for the October 2021 killing of Officer Tyler Timmins at a gas station in Pontoon Beach. 

Murder suspect Adam Cobb is killed by Illinois State Police after drawing a firearm on troopers a few hours after 30-year-old Jamie Joiner of Collinsville and sister Jessica Joiner, 34, of California were found dead near Collinsville. 

Troy resident Richard Maedge, now deceased, is reported missing. 

May

A man reportedly steals hundreds of dollars worth of lottery tickets from Casey’s on Route 40 in Troy.

The Times-Tribune publishes an update on 48-year-old Chris Smith of Farmersville, who was shot the previous November by Robert Tarr, who also killed a Troy businesswoman. Smith spent seven weeks in intensive care as a result of injuries sustained in the shooting. 

Many residents come out to enjoy the Memorial Day parade hosted by the Troy American Legion Post 708. 

June

Scott Air Force Base holds a dedication ceremony and plaque unveiling for local hero Senior Airman Bradley R. Smith, a Troy native killed in action in 2010 serving in Afghanistan.

Primary elections are held in Madison County contested races.

Troy City Council changes its meeting time from 7:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on every first and third Monday of the month.

Triad Lady Knights Soccer wins the IHSA 2A State Championship. 

Collinsville High School alum Tanner Houck, the new closer for the Boston Red Sox, picks up his third save of the season by locking up the Cardinals slugger on a 3-2 fastball. Boston won 6-5.

July

Troy residents line Edwardsville Road on Monday July 4, from the I-55 exit past Riggin Road, not only to celebrate Independence Day, but the dedication of the new Field of Honor, a memorial to first responders and members of the U.S. Armed Forces. 

Brentley Krimminger, 7, of  Collinsville takes first place in the Mission Foods American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Flat Track Grand Championships on July 9, making this his second in a row for the 50 cc junior class. 

August

Frederick Guy Patterson is appointed as the county’s emergency management agency director after a bit of a kerfuffle on the process. 

Part of a statewide event, Troy Police post atop the roof of Dunkin’ Donuts to raise money for the Illinois Special Olympics. 

Tri-Township Park in Troy is the site of a special barbecue competition hosted by the Troy-Edwardsville Shriners Club.

An off-duty Madison police officer is charged with three counts of aggravated battery by discharge of a firearm in connection with a shooting in downtown Belleville.

Stacey Pace of Troy is appointed, with a unanimous vote of support as the only nominee, to the position of vice-chairperson pro tem of the Madison County Board. 

September

Michael E. Sloan Jr, 40, of Troy is charged with first-degree murder, assault, arson and other crimes in the death of Susanne Tomlinson, also of Troy. 

The CIT Trucking Company holds its fifth annual truck convoy for Special Olympics Illinois. 

Triad High School senior Elliot Jaeger is a semifinalist in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program. 

The 13th annual Bradley R. Smith Memorial Scholarship 5k Run/Walk event is held at Tri-Township Park. 

October

The Traveling Vietnam Wall and other tributes to members of the U.S. Armed Forces come to Truck Centers Inc. Training Center at 2376 Formosa Rd. in Troy. 

A police pursuit of a carjacking suspect ends in Troy with one person airlifted to a local hospital. 

VFW Post 976 hosts Troy’s first Oktoberfest to raise money in support of the children and families of fallen veterans.

Knights soccer shutout the Eagles for the Sectional Crown. 

Kiwanis Festival and Bark in the Park is held in Fireman’s Park in Maryville. 

The Times-Tribune publishes an update on the case of missing man Richard Maedge after six months pass with no answers in his disappearance. 

Local crafters attend the 3rd Annual Fall Craft Fair at Tri-Township Park. 

Trenton resident Mike Hutcheson makes headlines after catching Albert Pujols No. 703 career home run ball.  

November

Triad schools receive commendable designation on the Illinois State Report Card, the second highest rating obtainable. 

Local residents vote in the Nov. 8 general election in Madison County. 

Triad football finishes the season with a 7-3 record following a 27-14 loss to Centralia in the postseason. 

Troy Fire Protection District swears in the first full-time female paramedic in district history. 

Bella Vista Winery is awarded the Illinois Governor’s Cup. 

Troy murder suspect Michael Sloan Jr. is transported from the hospital where he was recovering from injuries sustained in an arson fire he is accused of setting and booked into the Madison County Jail. 

Collinsville Food Pantry moves to a new home at Collinsville Crossing after 40 years in the basement of the First United Presbyterian Church. 

December

Troy Police announce missing man Richard Maedge has been found, but withhold the location of his body. 

Family members of RIchard Maedge speak at the December meeting of the Troy City Council, telling members that Maedge was found in his own home and criticizing the investigation. 

On his 2nd trek across America, the anime-costumed runner Bearsun passes through Troy. 

Football coach Paul Bassler steps down after 25 years at Triad. 

Troy police take local children shopping for the holidays as part of the annual Shop with a Cop event. 

Troy Fire Protection District holds its annual Santa’s fire truck tour of Troy event. 

Danyiel M. Johnson pleads guilty to murdering his friend in Maryville and is sentenced to 34 years in prison.