Area Breaking News
Cleveland Heath owners to rent bar, restaurant space in former Troy American Legion building
Second restaurant, office space will complete the project By Charles Bolinger Editor • A big part of downtown Troy changed earlier this year after the American Legion Post 708 at the northwest corner of N. Main Street and Paul Simon Parkway…
Read MoreIDOA relaunches cover crop discount program
By HANNAH SPANGLER FarmWeek Illinois farmers who planted cover crops this fall can once again earn a break on next year’s crop insurance premiums through the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s (IDOA) Fall Covers for Spring Savings program. IDOA will offer up to a $5-per-acre discount on 2026 crop insurance premiums for verified cover crop acres…
Read MoreKnights sweep Mega Night: Round Two
By Ray Popkess A rough start to the week for Triad’s boys’ and girls’ basketball squads culminated in a clean sweep of the Civic Memorial Eagles last Friday night. Girls’ Varsity The Lady Knights came into last Friday’s matchup having lost two straight games against Marion at their place and Freeburg at home. Going…
Read MoreGlen Carbon 2025 Tax Levy to rise by 4.47%
By Kathy Turner • The 2025 tax year will see a levy in Glen Carbon in the amount of $3,645,096. This represents a 4.47% increase. The actual rate for residents will not be determined until assessments are set by Madison County next spring. The board also approved the final budget for the village’s 2025-26 fiscal…
Read MoreU.S. Attorney’s Office announces results of “Operation Safe Christmas”
The fugitive apprehension operation netted more than 60 arrests of criminal offenders, including Granite City man charged with shooting local police officer FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois announced Monday the results of a fugitive roundup effort jointly handled by federal and state law enforcement agencies. The operation resulted…
Read MoreSt. Louis non-profit praises Madison County for homeless support
by Randy Pierce • Madison County has been praised for being a leader and pacesetter in providing support services for the homeless by the executive director of a St. Louis-based non-profit organization which focuses on solutions for such circumstances. At a recent meeting of the Madison County Board, its chairman, Chris Slusser, introduced Samantha Stangl,…
Read MoreLebanon Road project extension definitely approved into 2026
by Randy Pierce • Due to some unanticipated delays and, more recently, the onset of late fall/winter weather creating interference, the deadline to complete the upgrading of Lebanon Road near Troy has been extended into 2026, according to Madison County Highway Department Engineer Adam Walden. At a meeting of the county board transportation committee, chaired…
Read MoreCounty voters will be asked to approve tax credit referendum in 2026
by Randy Pierce • Voters in Madison County, when they go to the polls during the March 17, 2026 primary election, will be asked if they would agree with Illinois’ participation in a federal tax credit program that would provide funding support for a broad range of academic needs. Placing this advisory referendum question on…
Read MoreWork at new Triad Middle School continues; renderings posted of Marine Elementary’s upgrades
Prior to its Dec. 15 school board meeting, the final one of 2025, Triad School District officials posted multiple bond issue construction updates. They are found under the district’s #Growing2gether page on the website link below or here. There, viewers will find Triad Middle drone footage from Nov. 25; a middle school construction update from…
Read MoreTake a peek at new Illinois laws taking effect Jan. 1
Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, a raft of new laws begin in Illinois. Below is a summary of many of them: Health and Wellness HB 1910: Requires all Illinois libraries to stock opioid antagonists and ensures trained staff are present. HB 2363: Bans certain compact fluorescent lamps beginning in 2026. HB 2385: Requires insurance cover medically…
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