FOX 2 · Swansea, IL
SWANSEA, Ill. — A Shiloh, Illinois, woman recently walked away with counterfeit cash in her change after visiting a store in Swansea. The fake money could easily be overlooked by anyone in a hurry when handed over crumpled up, but bartender Ellen Taylor discovered the counterfeit bills after arriving at her workplace. Taylor said she noticed something unusual about the bills when she touched them while working her shift. “I looked at them and I felt them and I thought something was odd,” Taylor said. “This is, like, smooth; like copy paper.” A closer look revealed that the currency was not real government money, featuring improper wording and identical identification markings across the bills. “It says the ‘United States of Origami,’” Taylor said. “And then all of the numbers on it are exactly the same. So, I mean, at least they got the president correct.” Taylor reported receiving the cash at a Walgreens store in Swansea.
illinois-department-of-transportation.prezly.com · Belleville, IL
Nearby: Belleville, ILNov 13, 2026 BELLEVILLE – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that rehabilitation of a crossing by Norfolk Southern railroad on Illinois 159 between West J Street and North Douglas Avenue in Belleville will require a full closure beginning Monday, Nov. 16, weather permitting. A posted detour will be in place to safely guide motorists around the closure, which is expected to conclude Friday, Nov. 20. Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to detour signs in work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on the social media platform X at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.
IdeaMensch · Belleville, IL
Nearby: Belleville, ILhas never been afraid of hard work or starting something new. From her early years helping others to her career in clinical research, she has built a life around determination, curiosity, and the belief that meaningful work requires dedication. Born in Belleville, Illinois, into a military family, Wise spent her first ten years in Virginia before moving to Illinois. Her father served as a Navy chief, and she grew up understanding the importance of responsibility. By age ten, she was already working at a hair salon and babysitting neighborhood children. After moving to California and graduating from high school, Wise helped open Best Buy’s flagship store in West Hollywood. Her strong performance earned recognition and opened doors to other opportunities. Over the years, she worked in technology, education, retail management, and public broadcasting. A major turning point came when her father became ill with cancer.
Quincy Herald Whig · O'Fallon, IL
Nearby: O'Fallon, ILQUINCY — First Bankers Trust Company has named Melinda Boyer its chief transformation officer, a new role in which she will lead the bank’s work on process reengineering, automation, and artificial intelligence. Boyer will continue to oversee her existing areas of responsibility. The bank said the position brings together people, processes, technology, and organizational capabilities to support its strategic goals and align business priorities with the teams and tools needed to meet them. “Melinda has consistently helped our organization think bigger about how we work and how we serve our customers,” said Allen W. Shafer, the bank’s president and CEO. He said the new structure positions the bank “to move faster, work smarter and keep delivering the kind of experience our customers and communities expect from us.” Boyer joined the bank in 2019.
Chicago Sun-Times · East St Louis, IL
Nearby: East St Louis, ILFenwick quarterback Myles Hill (15) scrambles for a gain before Brayden Parks (98) and Manny Uriarte (0) bring him down.Allen Cunningham/For the Sun Times SHARE COPY LINK Share CLOSE Twitter Facebook Bluesky Email Reddit Flipboard Class 8A: No. 4 Mount Carmel at No. 1 Lincoln-Way East1 p.m. Saturday: Based on the teams’ talent and résumés, this matchup feels more like a state semifinal or even a state final. But losses to East St. Louis and Brother Rice dropped Mount Carmel (9-2) to a No. 8 seed, and here we are. Brady Cloherty, who started the season as the Caravan’s No. 2 quarterback, already has set the program’s single-season record for touchdown passes, aided by the deepest receiving corps in the state. That group includes Michigan commit Quentin Burrell, Marshaun Thornton and Ty Kennedy. Mount Carmel’s defense has stars at all three levels with lineman Caleb Tucker, linebacker Roman Igwebuike (Notre Dame) and defensive back Tavares Harrington (Michigan).
Illinois Times · East Carondelet, IL
Nearby: East Carondelet, ILMetro East officer Jerame Simmons Jr. was the first officer to lose his badge in a new discretionary decertification process after the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board alleged he didn’t have a valid high school diploma and lied about it on job applications at police departments. But the full picture of the former East Carondelet police officer’s misconduct may be much darker than a lack of educational credentials. Two women, who will be referred to as Jane Doe #1 and Jane Doe #2 to protect their identities, said Simmons raped them on separate occasions and then used his position to try to keep them from reporting the attacks to police. “He hurts women that he knows he can control,” said Jane Doe #1. She reported to police that Simmons sexually assaulted her in October 2024. The women alleged at the time Simmons assaulted them he was employed as a part-time East Carondelet police officer. Simmons, who declined to comment, was not charged in either sexual assault.
St. Louis American · St Louis, MO
Nearby: St Louis, MOSt. Louis city and county officials are expanding emergency shelter services as freezing temperatures approach the region this weekend, providing additional places for people experiencing homelessness to escape the cold. The city has secured 100 additional overflow beds, bringing its total shelter capacity to approximately 500 for Friday through Sunday, Nov. 13-15. The additional space will be available beginning Friday at 6 p.m. for men, women and families. The expansion comes ahead of the city’s annual Code Blue program, which officially begins Dec. 1. City officials said they worked with the National Weather Service and local service providers to prepare for the approaching cold weather. St. Louis County opened its seasonal emergency warming shelter Monday, Nov. 9, at the Salvation Army Family Haven, 10740 Page Ave. The shelter will remain open through March 5, 2027.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch · St Louis, MO
Nearby: St Louis, MOA former corrections officer at the St. Louis County jail accused of taking money from detainees' families to smuggle contraband into the facility remains in custody on a bond of a half-million dollars.
St. Louis American · St Louis, MO
Nearby: St Louis, MOThis week’s photo gallery connects music, faith and the future of Black Studies. Jodeci opens its Forever My Lady anniversary tour at Stifel Theatre, celebrating 35 years since the group’s debut album. Congregants gather for worship during COGIC’s 118th Holy Convocation at America’s Center in St. Louis. Jonathan Pulphus, a Saint Louis University alumnus and former OccupySLU organizer, opposes the potential elimination or restructuring of the university’s African American Studies department.
St. Louis American · St Louis, MO
Nearby: St Louis, MODr. John A. Wright spent a lifetime making sure Black St. Louis history would not be forgotten. He died Monday, Nov. 9, of pancreatic cancer, just two weeks after receiving the diagnosis, according to his family. He was 87. His books chronicled communities that no longer exist in the same form, while his work in education helped create opportunities for thousands of students. Wright, a native son of The Ville, built a career that spanned classrooms, central offices, boardrooms and archives. He became one of the region’s foremost historians of Black life in St. Louis. His son, John A. Wright Jr., said on social media that his father was surrounded by family at the hospital. “His children and grandchildren were able to say their goodbyes before he left us,” he wrote. “Growing up, I saw my grandfather as a giant of a man,” Chloi Wright said in a Facebook tribute. “Someone whose presence, accomplishments and impact on the world and community seem larger than life.
suncommercial.com · St Louis, MO
Nearby: St Louis, MOST. LOUIS, Missouri — Elizabeth Louise (Adams) Reel, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, and friend, went home to be with Jesus on Oct. 29, 2026.Elizabeth was born April 23, 1937, in the family farm home near Monroe City, Indiana, to the late Rubert and Bessie Adams. She grew up helping care for her younger siblings and working on the family dairy farm. She was involved in 4-H and was the winner of the “I Dare You” essay contest in high school. In 1955, she graduated as valedictorian of her class from Monroe City High School. On Dec. 18, 1955, she married her high school sweetheart, Thomas R. Reel.Elizabeth and Tom moved often, but Elizabeth was always quick to join the community with a penchant for volunteer work and a knack for making new friends. In 1969, they moved to Manchester. Elizabeth raised her children, worked for Southwestern Bell (AT and T), and even earned her pilot's license and learned to fly.
Student Life · St Louis, MO
Nearby: St Louis, MOMaggie Xu | Staff Illustrator This past midterm election was one that made history. There were several “first” titles distributed among race winners, such as Georgia electing the first Black woman governor in U.S. history and Minnesota electing the first Indigenous senator. While young voters helped Democrats win big across the country, only 11% of electorate voters were aged 18-29. In St. Louis County, 61% of registered voters showed up to the polls during midterms. Only 10% of those voters were aged 18-29. While this statistic could be attributed to the distribution of voters’ ages, which is information that is not public online, it is alarming that voter turnout among our age group has dropped by roughly 16% since the 2022 midterm elections. Our political apathy does not serve us, but instead creates an environment where lawmakers can attempt to take advantage and deprive us of basic rights. Voting is a way for you to advocate for yourself and others in your community.
St. Louis American · St Louis, MO
Nearby: St Louis, MOMusic, community and youth entrepreneurship came together at the Zeeoma Foundation’s inaugural gala on November 8, 2026, at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis. Nigerian singer Teni Apata performed as guests celebrated the foundation’s mission to connect young people in St. Louis and Lagos through trade, skills and paid learning opportunities. The evening also recognized honoree Dr. Amber Howlett-Bayoc.
Hoodline · St Louis, MO
Nearby: St Louis, MOAt 98, Ross Longo has a new source of support: the Lake Placid, Florida, neighbor who has known him for more than two decades and whose family recently brought him into their home. The move has also helped introduce Longo to a large online audience. Before becoming a social media presence, he had lied about his age to join the Navy at 15, served in two wars, and worked as a truck driver, carpenter, and country singer. Sevastian Munguia-Barajas has been Longo's neighbor for over 20 years, according to the New York Post. Last month, Munguia-Barajas's family moved Longo into their home after deciding he had no nearby relatives of his own. Longo has said the family adopted him, and he adopted them right back; Munguia-Barajas now considers him his grandfather, per the Post's reporting. The family’s move was also a response to Longo needing more help with daily activities, according to a GoFundMe campaign organized by Munguia-Barajas.