Collinsville
County zoning approves special-use permit for former Steffi’s location
by Randy Pierce • Currently undergoing a clean-up after its owners were cited for an accumulation of junk and debris, a property located at 3125 Fairmont Avenue in unincorporated Collinsville is the subject of a special-use permit approved by the Madison County Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) on Tuesday, Oct. 28. Located in a limited…
Read MoreMEHS, Partners for Pets to host pet adoption event in Collinsville
by Randy Pierce • Animal control staff from Madison County and the City of Collinsville, along with the Metro East Humane Society and the Partners for Pets organization are working together to host an adoption event scheduled for Nov. 9, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Collinsville Activity Center, 10 Gateway Drive. At…
Read MoreAfter expansion, Collinsville Area Vocational Center to offer three new classes in 2026
By Ray Popkess • Collinsville Board of Education met on Monday, Oct. 20 to discuss and recap several topics in regards to school improvement within the district. First up were the effects of PFAS within the district. J.S. Held, a global consulting firm specializing in technical, scientific, financial and advisory services have taken samples of…
Read MoreCollinsville home demolition on Clarence Street approved
by Randy Pierce • Located at 500 Clarence Street in Collinsville, a dwelling formerly serving its owner as the headquarters for a business specializing in scrap metals and woodworking is scheduled to be demolished as a result of action taken by the St. Clair County Board at its regular monthly meeting held on Monday, September…
Read MoreMakers on the Move visits Ameren Illinois in Collinsville
By Ray Popkess The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA) and the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC) is celebrating Manufactures Month throughout the month of October with the “Makers on the Move” statewide bus tour. In its fourth year, the tour visited manufacturing facilities, educational institutions and community centers across Illinois to highlight the diverse, rewarding careers…
Read MoreIllegal NOx Seller to appear in court Oct. 17
by Randy Pierce • Zachariah Yinger, 37, owner-operator of Studio 420 at 106 West Main in downtown Collinsville and a similar business in Fairview Heights, is due to appear in Madison County Circuit Court this Friday, October 17, regarding charges that he unlawfully sold a dangerous substance called nitrous oxide to customers. Yinger was arrested…
Read MoreNo completion of Lebanon Road project until mid-2026
by Randy Pierce • While significant progress has been made, including the shortening of a detour, welcomed by motorists in the area, the completion of the upgrading of Lebanon Road near Troy, previously set for next month, is still not anticipated to occur until sometime in mid-2026. The new estimated, tentative target date for finishing…
Read MoreCHS Senior Sara McChristian invited to serve on ISBE Advisory Council
By Ray Popkess • COLLINSVILLE—Sara McChristian, a Collinsville High School senior, was selected to serve on the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Student Advisory Council (SAC) for the 2025-26 school year. The Student Advisory Council provides a meaningful forum for students to share their experiences and personal perspectives on education in Illinois and to…
Read MoreSept. 19 at 42nd Annual Italian Fest in Collinsville
By Ray Popkess • The city of Collinsville kicked off its 42nd Annual Italian Fest last Friday, Sep. 19. City officials and patrons gathered at the Venezia Stage parallel to Seminary St. at 11 a.m. to observe the opening ceremony, followed by the Grape Stomp Contest. Civic…
Read MoreCollinsville City Council authorizes demolition of Columbian School Building
By Ray Popkess The former Columbian School, an eight-room, 132-year-old schoolhouse built at 801 W. Main St. will be demolished after being deemed unfit to repurpose by council and staff. This decision was made at the Sept. 9 Collinsville City Council meeting. The school was built in 1893 and remained in operation as a schoolhouse…
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