First Fridays return to Troy with four exciting events in 2026
By Tribune Staff • The Troy/Maryville/St. Jacob/Marine Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the return of its highly anticipated First Fridays event series in Downtown Troy. This community favorite brings together live music, themed experiences, local shopping, food trucks and vibrant street activity from 5 to 9 p.m. on select Fridays throughout the summer…
Read MoreThirteen Gold Award Girl Scouts celebrated at recognition of excellence ceremony
By Tribune Staff • Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois is pleased to announce that 13 Gold Award Girl Scouts were celebrated at the annual Recognition of Excellence ceremony on Saturday, April 25. Gold Award Girl Scouts are real-life heroes who make a real, lasting and sustainable impact on their communities and their world. The Gold…
Read MoreSt. Clair County tax preparer pleads guilty to filing hundreds of false tax returns resulting in over $600,000 in loss, will remain in custody pending sentencing
BENTON, Ill. – A tax return preparer who worked in St. Clair County appeared in district court to plead guilty to federal charges for making intentional false statements on tax return forms to defraud the Government. Dormeshia A. Haire, 38, pleaded guilty to one count of false statements on tax return, one count of wire…
Read MoreStuart supports bipartisan legislation to post human trafficking resources at rest stops across Illinois
By Tribune Staff • State Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, co-sponsored a bipartisan bill requiring the Illinois Department of Transportation to post human trafficking resources in rest area bathrooms. “Working to end exploitation and crime is something both sides of the aisle can agree on,” said Stuart. “We have to do everything in our legislative power…
Read MoreIllinois Treasurer Frerichs eclipses $2.5 billion in money returned to residents, businesses, nonprofits
By Tribune Staff • Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced April 23 that he has returned more than $2.5 billion in missing money on his watch, breaking all records in an I-Cash program that has been around since the 1960s. More than 2.5 million people, nonprofits and businesses have been reunited with their missing money since…
Read MoreIASA names Triad School District’s Henderson as 2026 Superintendent of Distinction
By Tribune Staff • Dr. Jason Henderson, superintendent of Triad School District, has been named the 2026 Superintendent of Distinction by his peers in the Southwestern Region of the Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA). Henderson was honored at an awards luncheon on April 23 in Springfield, where 21 regional Superintendents of Distinction were recognized.…
Read MoreStuart-backed bill protects independence of media that partner with public universities
By Tribune Staff • *Working to protect access to objective news, state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, passed a bill ensuring that media outlets affiliated with colleges and universities are not subject to editorial control by administration. “All journalists are afforded the freedom of press and that includes journalists at public universities,” said Stuart. “Full-time journalists…
Read MoreTroy’s water, sewer rates to rise May 1
By Charles Bolinger Editor • Troy’s water and sewer rates are slated to go up on May 1, regardless of which sewer treatment plant option the city council chooses later in May. The city has been raising these rates since May 2023. The new in-city water rates will be: $18.61 for the first 2,000 gallons used…
Read MoreIllinois State Police welcome new troopers of Cadet Class 152
ISP has added more than 700 new troopers since 2019 The Illinois State Police (ISP) welcomed 20 new Troopers today from Cadet Class 152 at a graduation ceremony at the Illinois State Police Academy in Springfield. The new Troopers will report to three ISP Troop locations throughout the state on Sunday, April 26, 2026.…
Read MoreTrump requests 19% cut to USDA for 2027
By TAMMIE SLOUP FarmWeek • President Donald Trump’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget includes a nearly 20% cut to USDA. The blueprint, which the White House sent to Congress on April 3, requests $20.8 billion in discretionary budget authority for USDA, which is a $4.9 billion decrease from the 2026 enacted level. Trump also is…
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