Area Breaking News
Ace Grease Service earns international sustainability, carbon certification as demand for renewable fuels accelerates
Industry-leading certification provides restaurant partners with confidence that their used cooking oil is being managed responsibly By Tribune Staff • As demand for renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel continues to grow nationwide, the need for transparent and traceable supply chains for used cooking oil, a critical material for these lower-carbon fuels, has become increasingly…
Read MoreMadison County to pay higher price for road salt
By Randy Pierce • Higher fuel costs mean Madison County now pays much more for road salt that will be used this coming winter. While the middle of June is not a time many people would give much thought to this subject, it is when the suppliers of materials like road salt need orders from…
Read MoreArturo Ortega sentenced to four years for unlawful use of weapons by felon
By Tribune Staff • Marsha L. Cascio-Hale, Jackson County State’s Attorney, announced today that Arturo Ortega, 38, of Indiana, was sentenced to 4 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for Unlawful Use of Weapons by a Felon. On May 6, 2026, Ortega entered a negotiated plea to Unlawful Use of Weapons by a Felon for…
Read MoreIDNR accepting applications for pheasant, wildlife habitat grants July 1
By Tribune Staff •The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is accepting applications for the State Pheasant Fund Special Funds and the Illinois Habitat Fund Special Funds Grant programs July 1 through Aug. 1. The pheasant habitat and wildlife habitat programs enhance the natural environment for pheasant and wildlife through projects developed by not-for-profit organizations and…
Read MoreTristan Rowan pleads guilty to 4.5 years in jail for unlawful possession of methamphetamine with intent to delivery
By Tribune Staff • Marsha L. Cascio-Hale, Jackson County State’s Attorney, announced today that Tristan Rowan, 34, of Carbondale, Illinois, pled guilty to Unlawful Possession with the Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine and was sentenced to 4½ years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. On Oct. 15, 2025, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office arrested the defendant, Tristan…
Read MoreMadison County Board approves downtown Wood River property purchases
By Tribune Staff • The Madison County Board approved the purchase of five downtown Wood River properties to house county departments currently operating at the former Wood River Township Hospital campus. Board members took the action June 17 during their monthly meeting. Madison County Board Chairman Chris Slusser said the acquisition marks an important milestone…
Read MoreHFS Awards New HealthChoice Illinois Medicaid Managed Care Contracts
New contracts will make significant long-term improvements to the Medicaid program By Tribune Staff • The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) has awarded new HealthChoice Illinois (HCI) contracts to six Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCOs). The new contracts will make significant improvements to the way that the Medicaid program operates by holding…
Read MoreGeraldine ‘Gerry’ Mersinger
Geraldine “Gerry” Mersinger April 10, 1951 – June 21, 2026 Geraldine M. “Gerry” Mersinger, 75, of Troy, IL, born April 10, 1951, in East St. Louis, IL and passed away on Sunday, June 21, 2026, at her home in Troy, IL. Gerry was a member of St. Jerome Catholic Church, Troy, IL. She lived in…
Read MoreLaw students gaining hands-on experience through internships at Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office
By Tribune Staff • The Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office is pleased to welcome a new class of summer interns who will gain hands-on experience working alongside prosecutors and staff in a wide range of criminal justice matters. Throughout the summer, interns will have the opportunity to assist with legal research, observe court proceedings, support…
Read MoreIllegal alien from Chile sentenced to 45 months, ordered to pay over $47,000 in restitution for multi-state identity fraud scheme
By Tribune Staff • A district judge sentenced an illegal alien from Chile to 45-months for her extensive identity theft scheme spanning 7 states and impacting 18 victims. Mayorie Fernandez-Ormeno, 37, pleaded guilty to five counts for conspiracy to commit access device fraud, access device fraud, attempted access device fraud, aggravated identity theft and illegal…
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