Belleville

Melanie Brink, who has led Freeburg’s elementary school district through two years of controversy and upheaval, is leaving to become superintendent of Belle Valley School District 119 in Belleville next year.

The old Belle-Clair Speedway racetrack and other structures in Belleville will soon be torn down to make way for renovations including a brand new speedway.

This Veterans Day also marks a special day for Duckworth, a veteran herself — who’s celebrating the 20-year anniversary of surviving being severely injured in the line of duty.

Following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling, the Metro East city took action to curb what police and officials view as a worsening problem.

Belleville East and West players, coaches and parents are hoping the first season catches on in the area and more schools in the Metro East add programs in the next couple of years.

Two factors are driving the district's plans: enrollment at the Metro East high school is increasing, and the district had added programs that require dividing space and creating new classrooms.

Wednesday marks one year since Illinois ended cash bail.

Rebecca Boyer and Karl Gilpin volunteered to become the organization’s new co-directors after learning that next year’s show was at risk of being canceled due to lack of leadership.

Co-Directors of Art on the Square, a staple of the Metro East town, sent an email to committee members last week, stating that they didn’t “see a path” for putting on a show in 2025.

After leaving for a vacation, the Belleville family left their cat, Malone, with St. Clair County Animal Services after a biting incident to be monitored for rabies symptoms. The director of Animal Services later called the family to inform of them of "terrible, terrible mistake," according to the suit.