Collinsville man, 20, charged with drug paraphernalia, expired vehicle registration in Troy
By Charles Bolinger Editor • A random traffic stop in Troy netted the driver with two charges on March 13. Ofc. Jennifer Hautly wrote in her official incident field report that she saw a gray Hyundai Sonata sedan traveling west in the 700 block of Edwardsville Road (Route 162). She made a records check on…
Read MoreNew business from March 24 Collinsville City Council Meeting
By Ray Popkess • New CBA between City and IUOE 520 A new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) has been struck between the city and the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 520C. The three-year agreement through Dec. 31, 2028 includes a 4% annual wage adjustment effective Jan. 1, 2026. New licensing incentives were also established,…
Read MoreTroy City Council approves tourism fund expenses
By Charles Bolinger Editor • After some last-minute wrangling on March 16, the Troy City Council made some slight changes to the tourism fund expenses for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, which starts May 1. Finance committee chairman Nathan Henderson said he rolled all of these amounts back to the same as last year’s to maintain…
Read MoreTroy’s balanced budget closer to being final
By Charles Bolinger Editor • Troy City Administrator Jay Keeven led Mayor Nonn and most of the city council through the second draft of his 2026-2027 budget on March 16. The new budget, which he said is balanced, will take effect with the start of the new fiscal year on May 1. “We are 83%…
Read MoreHighland School board weighs high school addition, delays design decision
By Brittany Blackwell, Reporter • The Highland School District Board of Education is taking steps to advance early plans for a multi-million dollar fine arts and athletic facility but delayed a key decision on how to move forward with the project’s design. The facility would act as a secondary gym to support physical education classes,…
Read MoreHighland resident proposes concession stand improvements at school board meeting
By Brittany Blackwell, Reporter • Concerns over a weathered concession stand at Highland High School prompted discussion at a recent school board meeting, where attendees weighed several options for replacement or repair. Jeff Jenkins, a Highland resident and volunteer coach with the Lady Bulldogs’ softball program, addressed the Highland School District Board of Education during…
Read MoreGlen Carbon Board approves plans for village upgrades
By Kathy Turner • Several projects that will enhance and/or upgrade village properties were approved by the Glen Carbon village board on Tuesday, March 24. The first will make major changes to Collinsville Street. The board approved an engineering task order to plan for the widening of that street and developing a turn-around for buses…
Read MoreMadison County Mental Health Board launches 2026 community survey: your voice, your impact
EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County residents can help shape how local mental health resources grow and respond to community needs through the newly launched 2026 Community Mental Health Survey from the Madison County Mental Health Board (MCMHB). The survey, conducted every three years, helps ensure local tax levy funds address the evolving behavioral health needs of…
Read MoreStudents experience government firsthand at Senator Plummer’s Youth Advisory Council in Springfield
Dozens of high school students from across the 55th Senate District recently traveled to the Illinois State Capitol to participate in State Senator Jason Plummer’s (R-Edwardsville) Youth Advisory Council (YAC), an interactive program designed to give students a firsthand look at state government and the legislative process. “I host this program every year because I…
Read MoreFather Time disrupts Triad’s plan to replace high school football scoreboard
By Charles Bolinger Editor • Triad officials had hoped they could wait until next school year to replace the football scoreboard at Triad High School, but nothing can avoid Father Time. The current scoreboard went up when the building was built, in 1999. It still uses incandescent bulbs, not light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Many of those…
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