Belleville News-Democrat

The city council on Monday approved Mayor Judy Smith’s appointment of Officer Jason Herzing to lead the department while Pingsterhaus, the longtime chief, is being investigated.

More than 30 Metro East veterans made a last-ditch appeal for more funding at the St. Clair County Board's Finance Committee meeting this week. The full board will vote next week.

A activist aligned with former County Board Chairman Kurt Prenzler, who's running to be the next county clerk, has filed an objection to the current clerks' filing paperwork.

The main goals are to fix drainage problems, widen shoulders and resurface pavement to eliminate potholes and ruts, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

The Fairview Heights store is the second one in the Metro East in recent weeks to sell a million dollar winning ticket.

Leaders at Belleville Township High School District 201, East St. Louis School District 189 and Belleville School District 118 say they have not received any indication that the federal reimbursements they receive for providing free or reduced price meals are in jeopardy.

Rock City is an underground industrial park in a cave located below a nature reserve in Valmeyer, a small town of about 1,200 people. A recently signed memorandum signaled interest in potentially bringing up to 50 mini nuclear reactors to Rock City.

IDOT will close lanes on both eastbound and westbound Interstate 64 between West Highway 50 at exit 14 and Illinois 158 at Exit 19 starting Friday.

Luis Morocho-Minga’s roughly 20-year life in the Metro East was upended after a weapon charge lodged against him in December in St. Clair County led to a federal firearm possession charge.

Just five months after the city said the water was safe, the Metro East suburb is now recommending that residents filter city tap water because of elevated levels of "forever chemicals."