Mascoutah Man Charged with Possession of Child Pornography
St. Clair County – Officials have reported that on Friday, May 10 at approximately 1:30 PM, Zachery Ashby of Mascoutah was taken into custody at his residence on North 2nd St. by the Attorney General’s office, with assistance provided by the Mascoutah Police Department. Ashby has been charged with a total of 13 felony counts.…
Read More‘Classic Arcade’ Plans Approved by Fairview Heights
by Randy Pierce [email protected] Plans calling for the filling of a tenant space in what was once an almost completely empty shopping center in Fairview Heights have been approved after being reviewed and supported through the three necessary steps of the city’s review and consideration process. A special use permit authorizing the pending opening of…
Read MoreWithout Limits: Team Galaxy Clinches World Championship Victory at Disney World Resort
Mascoutah — Mascoutah-based Special Olympics cheer team, Without Limits: Team Galaxy, led by head Coach Lisa Elbe, recently triumphed at the ICU World Cheerleading Championships held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at the Walt Disney Resort in Orlando, FL from April 24 to the 26. Winning gold in both the hip-hop and…
Read MoreHayden A. Konieczny
Hayden A. Konieczny, 10, of Lebanon, IL, passed away on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at home surrounded by her family. She was born on May 14, 2013, at St. Mary’s Hospital in St. Louis, MO, to Ronald P. Konieczny and Anna L. Konieczny. Hayden had the odds stacked against her from birth. Day by day…
Read MoreMascoutah High School to Introduce Spanish Exchange Program with Spain’s Santiago de Compostela
By Zachary Daum [email protected] Mascoutah High School will soon begin preparations for their first ever Spanish exchange program. Spearheaded by Ross Jones, an educator with a rich background in teaching English in Spain and supported by Brandon Woodrome, the Assistant Superintendent, this initiative aims to create immersive cultural experiences for students through a partnership with…
Read MoreElijah Jackson “Jack” Hodge
Elijah Jackson “Jack” Hodge, 88, of Dardenne Prairie, MO born Feb. 14, 1936, in Wevaco, WV died Thursday, May 2, 2024, at Barathaven Memory Care, Dardenne Prairie, MO. Jack was a retired CMSgt. from the United States Air Force and a Viet Nam war veteran. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elijah and…
Read MoreMarlene Walter
Marlene Frieda, nee Watschinger, Walter, 84, of Mascoutah, IL born Aug. 23, 1939, in Belleville, IL entered eternal rest on Sunday, Apr. 28, 2024, at her home with her family by her side. Marlene was retired from her job on CMU floor at St. Elizabeth’s where she worked for 19 years. She was the apartment…
Read MoreMascoutah Man Chosen as Southwestern Illinois CASA Volunteer of the Year
By Zachary Daum [email protected] Bill Jenkins, has been a life-long advocate for children’s welfare. Recently he was selected as the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Member of the Year for the Southwestern Illinois region, which spans Madison, St. Clair, Randolph and Monroe counties. This accolade stands as a testament to Jenkins’ unwavering commitment to making…
Read MoreFormer NBE Teacher Sentenced For Child Pornography
By Pamela Rensing On August 18, 2023, Jonathan Villmer Jr., a New Baden Elementary first grade teacher, was arrested following a Carmi Police (Carmi, IL) investigation into child pornography and indecent solicitation of a child online. According to the 2023 report from Carmi Police Chief Jason Carter, Carmi Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force…
Read MoreEldon T. Ahner
Eldon T. Ahner, 89, of New Baden, IL born March 14, 1935, in St. Louis, MO died Sunday, April 28, 2024, at his home. Eldon retired as the fourth-generation owner of Ahner Florist in New Baden in 1999. He loved growing geraniums in clay pots. He enjoyed watching anything grow. He loved cutting grass and…
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