Area News

By Jeff Thornton  It took double overtime and a late caution, but Kyle Larson used a lot of skill and a little luck to win the 2024 Brickyard 400. Larson also raced this year in May at the Indianapolis 500. During the May race, Larson started fifth, led 4 laps and then finished 18th. The…

By Zachary Daum [email protected] Early Wednesday morning, at approximately 3:30 AM, several local pharmacies, including Prescriptions Plus of Lebanon, fell victim to a series of break-ins. The Lebanon Police Department reported a “smash and grab” incident at the pharmacy, during which, according to the pharmacy, no records or sensitive information were compromised. Owner and Head…

On July 11, 2024, the Lebanon Police Department and the Illinois Liquor Commission conducted an undercover operation to combat the sale of alcohol to minors. Out of eleven locations tested, six sold alcohol to an underage person. The cited establishments are: 1. The Gasthaus 2. Lucy’s 3. Don’s IGA 4. Mexican Tipico 5. Lebanon BP…

By Zachary Daum [email protected] A new $15 million Public Safety Building, which will also serve as St. Clair County’s CENCOM West 90101 Emergency Dispatch Center held its grand opening on Thursday, July 11. This state-of-the-art, two-story, 16,000 square-foot facility aims to enhance communications and security collaboration among various public safety partners, including Metro Transit, the…

By Zachary Daum [email protected] The city of Mascoutah has, since January 1 of this year, implemented a new Business District designed to revitalize Main Street and its surrounding areas. According to City Manager Cody Hawkins, this district aims to attract new businesses and support existing ones through a series of incentives funded by a 1%…

by Alyssa Harris [email protected] There are several historical sites in Mascoutah, not the least of which being that of several schoolhouses which served the community’s children some time ago. The Choctaw schoolhouse, which operated during the early 1900s through the 40s, is just one of these sites, but given its special location between Lebanon and…

By Zachary Daum [email protected] In an initiative to provide a wider array of educational resources for students, the Mascoutah School District 19 (MSD19) has partnered with the Mascoutah Public Library to ensure every student who attends the school district, whether residing in the district or not, has access to a library card. This collaboration, made…

by Alyssa Harris [email protected] Local Veteran Thomas J. Richardson—member of the Mascoutah Moose Lodge #815—has recently been awarded the Pilgrim Degree of Merit, which is the “highest honor that can be bestowed upon a member of the Loyal Order of Moose Fraternity,” according to the Moose International. Richardson is one of 113 members internationally to…

By Zachary Daum [email protected] Earlier this year, construction began on a new solar farm just outside of Lebanon, a project spearheaded by Pivot Energy in partnership with St. Paul United Church of Christ. The initiative, spanning 90 acres, is expected to reach completion by late fall or early winter, marking a significant milestone in the…