Belleville News-Democrat

The strip mall has shown signs of neglect and mismanagement in recent years. Now, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission charged the owners for allegedly engaging in a scheme to "misappropriate" more than $35 million in investor funds.

The Illinois Department of Transportation has been talking about constructing a connector between Illinois 3 in Fairmont City and Illinois 203 and Madison, Illinois, for the last 20 years. Recently, the state agency unveiled its preferred route.

The sheriff’s patrol budget is increasing 2% next year. Republican members of the St. Clair County Board say there's not enough deputies. The sheriff has also told the board staffing challenges.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid form — often referred to as the FAFSA — will go live by the end of the month, but that’s only because the application is being simplified, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

Robert Hart Baker, music and artistic director for Belleville Philharmonic Society, told board members in September that he needed to take a leave of absence due to kidney-related problems. By November, the 69-year-old died.

The longtime civil rights and voting rights activist died Thanksgiving Day in O'Fallon, Illinois. Scott spent 32 years as the head of the East St. Louis NAACP branch.

One of the biggest issues facing the local education system is the growing number of teachers needed — especially special education and bilingual teachers, as well as paraprofessionals.

As Cahokia Heights residents found themselves continuously sick with respiratory conditions, heart problems, and bacterial infections they had one question — where were the health officials?

Progress on the massive restoration project at the Gustave Korner House in Belleville has been slow and challenging, but community leaders are looking toward the city for help.

David Semrau is about to become homeless — again. Since early June, he's been staying at a motel in Belleville. However, those funds have run out, and there's no clear answer to who will take care of the 78-year-old next.