Congress advances whole milk bill to president’s desk
Would mark whole milk’s return to school menus for first time in more than 12 years By TAMMIE SLOUP FarmWeek After more than a decade of whole milk being absent from school cafeterias, legislation allowing for more milk options awaits the president’s signature. The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, passed by the U.S. House…
Read MoreSenator Harriss collecting Valentine’s cards for seniors across 56th District
EDWARDSVILLE – State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) is inviting the community to help put a smile on the faces of local seniors this Valentine’s Day! She is encouraging students, scout troops, churches, families, and community groups to create heartfelt, homemade Valentine’s Day cards for residents in long-term care and assisted living facilities across the…
Read MoreCollinsville girls’ bowlers win two more tourney championships
By Mark Jurgena Three tournaments, two championships and a fifth-place finish. Not bad for a Holiday Break by the Collinsville High School girls’ bowling team. They took first place at the Alton Holiday Classic and the Carterville Invitational while finishing in the top five of their own Zach LeCuyer tourney. Add to that, CHS won…
Read MoreSunday morning alcohol sales now permitted in Madison County
by Randy Pierce • Anyone wishing to purchase an alcoholic beverage from an authorized licensed retailer on Sunday mornings in Madison County can now do so following the passage of legislation authorizing such sales. At its most recent meeting, the Madison County Board approved an ordinance amending previous liquor regulations which had restricted the Sunday…
Read MorePlentiful pig inventory to start new year; pork supply ample
By RHIANNON BRANCH FarmWeek With more profitable hog prices, lower feed costs and higher production efficiency compared to recent years, the U.S. has an ample supply of pork to start 2026. USDA’s quarterly hogs and pigs report Dec. 23 pegged the nation’s hog herd at 75.5 million head, up 1% from a year ago and…
Read MoreNew Highland author hopes new book becomes spark for series
By Charles Bolinger Editor • “It’s a Jeep Thing…you wouldn’t understand.” Bella Sparks is trying to overturn that popular advertising tagline from 20 years ago. She wants people to understand Sparky the Jeep. Sparks, a Highland High School alumna and life-long Madison County resident, has recently penned her first children’s book, “Sparky Makes Friends.” In…
Read MoreViola Thompson Scholarship Fund invests in next generation of local health care professionals
GREENVILLE — Applications are now open for HSHS Holy Family Hospital’s Viola Thompson Scholarship Fund for the Fall 2026 semester. The hospital is accepting applications through March 1, 2026. Students pursuing a career in health care can apply and learn more at hshsholyfamily.org/scholarships. The Viola Thompson Scholarship Fund was established to recruit, train, educate and retain…
Read MoreA look back at Holiday tournament action
By Mark Jurgena Well, with the turn to the new year, basketball and wrestling Holiday tournament seasons are done, so let’s take a look at those teams that excelled in their respective tournaments. Boys’ basketball At the 41st Annual Prairie Farms Holiday Classic in Collinsville, Decatur (MacArthur) beat Mt. Vernon 61-32 to win the PFHC…
Read MoreTroy to buy downtown property with eye toward future parking needs
By Charles Bolinger Editor • Even though Rya covered it last year, I prefer Amy Grant’s 1994 cover of Joni Mitchell’s song, “Big Yellow Taxi,” with the famous lyric, ‘So they paved paradise and put up a parking lot.’ With a 8-0 vote at its first city council meeting of 2026, Troy councilmen passed an…
Read MoreMascoutah man fights Chicago ticket tied to UPS Vehicle
By Zachary Daum [email protected] • A Mascoutah resident says he is being repeatedly cited by the City of Chicago for an automated parking violation involving a UPS delivery truck, despite not having been in Chicago since 1988 and not owning or operating a commercial vehicle. Rodger Long, a retired…
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