Letter from the editor: Metro Independent temporarily ceasing operations
Dear Readers The Metro Independent is temporarily halting operations. As many of this digital newspaper’s wonderful supporters know, the Metro Independent has essentially been a one-man operation since its inception in July 2013. I have been aided by amazing support from the communities the paper serves and many people have kindly provided pictures and content. […]
Read More →Glen Carbon Police solve two home invasion cases, seeking one of three suspects
The Glen Carbon Police Department announced today that two recent home invasion cases in the town have been solved and charges filed against three suspects. The first incident occurred in the 4500 block of S. Illinois Route 159 at about 12:07 a.m. Monday, Dec. 15. Two suspects reportedly forced their way into the home, attacked […]
Read More →Caseyville Police seeking Christmas Eve armed robbers
Two men reportedly broke into a Caseyville home at about 8:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve and robbed the occupants at gunpoint. Four people were at the home in the 2000 block of Webster Circle when the suspects forced their way into the residence, Caseyville Police reported. The two African-American male suspects used semi-automatic handguns, wore […]
Read More →Collinsville’s giving heart on display during the holiday season
Collinsville is not a wealthy community, but its residents continue to open their hearts and wallets to those less fortunate. The generous spirit of the community is evident throughout the year, participating in fund raisers, contributing to the needy and responding to emergency situations, such as the displacement of a family by a house fire. […]
Read More →Former Police Chief Alvarez not guilty on two misdemeanor charges
St. Clair County Associate Judge Chris Kolker on Tuesday found former Caseyville Police Chief Jose Alvarez not guilty on two misdemeanor charges brought by a special prosecutor. Alvarez was charged with disorderly conduct and battery following a Feb. 19 Caseyville Village Board meeting in which Alvarez raised his voice and gestured angrily at Mayor Leonard […]
Read More →Collinsville Police searching for brazen purse snatcher
Collinsville Police are asking for the public’s help identifying a man who stole a purse from a woman in the Aldi’s parking lot Sunday evening. A man took the purse from the victim’s shopping cart at approximately 7:20 p.m. Sunday as she loaded bags into her truck. The suspect can be seen getting out of an […]
Read More →Caseyville and St. Clair County announce increased traffic enforcement
The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department and Caseyville Police Department recently announced they have started increased impaired driving and seat belt enforcement and will continue through Jan. 4, 2015. Caseyville Police are participating in the Sustained Traffic Enforcement Program, funded by a grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation. STEP is focused on specific times […]
Read More →Fire destroys Collinsville home, community collecting to provide necessities for family
A father, 2-year-old boy and two 17-year-old girls lost their home and everything in it nine days before Christmas. The Collinsville area is rallying to help the family. Collinsville, Maryville, Troy and Fairview Heights fire departments all responded to a house fire in the 6900 block of Loyet Road in rural Collinsville Tuesday afternoon. A […]
Read More →Caseyville mayor appoints twice-bankrupt resident as village treasurer
Undeterred by a 4-2 vote Wednesday by the Board of Trustees against his choice for Caseyville Treasurer, Mayor Leonard Black appointed a resident to the post who has twice filed for bankruptcy. Black appointed Lola Cline as interim treasurer, which he can do without Board approval. Reached for comment Thursday, Black called the votes against […]
Read More →Collinsville Police to increase traffic enforcement from Friday through Jan. 4
The Collinsville Police Department announced Wednesday that it will increase traffic enforcement Dec. 19 through Jan. 4, 2015. The increased enforcement is to reduce traffic accidents and injuries during the holiday season, police said. In conjunction with the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Collinsville Police Department will enforce DUI, seat belt, and mobile phone usage violations […]
Read More →Man sentenced in connection with Granite City beating that left acquaintance paralyzed
A man accused of beating an acquaintance with a hammer and metal bar was sentenced to 20 years in prison Monday. Ricky A. Andrews, 35, and Robert C. Kelly, 49, were charged in 2012 with Class X felonies for home invasion and attempted murder in connection with the beating of a man on Delmar Avenue […]
Read More →Collinsville woman charged with three counts of bank burglary
A woman who was referred to a religious organization for help during an aborted bank robbery was charged with three counts of bank burglary in a complaint filed in federal court Friday. Easter O. Jimison, 37, of the 1200 block of Ridge Avenue in Collinsville, allegedly robbed the FCB Banks Caseyville branch on Nov. 7 […]
Read More →Collinsville electronics appliance recycling drop off information for 2015 announced
Anyone with an old microwave, flat-screen television, computer, or even a motorcycle, can safely dispose of unwanted items at Collinsville’s electronics and appliance recycling drop off. The event will be held in the parking lot at 227 W. Main St. in Collinsville the second Friday of each month in 2015 (except January). Wissehr Recycling (www.WissehrRecycling.com, […]
Read More →Maryville bank robbed, Collinsville woman in custody
Maryville Police were called to the FCB Maryville Bank at about 5:18 p.m. Wednesday following the report of a robbery. The robber showed the teller a note and was given an undisclosed amount of money, Maryville Police said. The robber fled the scene in a small, silver vehicle with no license plates, traveling south on […]
Read More →Keene is Collinsville Unit 10’s Teacher of the Month
A school-wide assembly, a special guest, a surprised recipient of the Teacher of the Month award; the scene is quickly becoming a welcome Collinsville tradition. Jennifer Keene, the Twin Echo Elementary School reading specialist, was the teacher who shook her head in surprise Friday after hearing her name called by special guest Rick Kincheloe, the […]
Read More →Collinsville High School student winner in national scholarship contest
An essay submitted by Collinsville High School senior Kaitlin Carlson to a national contest earned her a college scholarship and a trip to Philadelphia. Carlson’s essay about equal pay for equal work was one of six winners in the 17th Annual NFWL/NRA Bill of Rights Essay Scholarship Contest. The National Foundation for Women Legislators partnered […]
Read More →17.5 percent tax hike for Caseyville unanimously approved
The Caseyville Board of Trustees on Wednesday unanimously approved a 17.5 percent property tax increase. According the hearing notice posted on the town’s official website, the increase will represent a $111,174.29 increase in tax revenue. That amounts to about $26.35 for each of the Villages’ 4,219 residents. Prior to the meeting Wednesday, Brenda Williams, chairperson […]
Read More →Alhambra man pleads guilty to child pornography charges
An Alhambra man pleaded guilty in Federal Court Thursday to three child pornography charges. In July, the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations searched a residence in which Robert Godsey, 34, and others lived. A notebook computer seized during the raid contained numerous video and image files of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, […]
Read More →Kreitner garners $2,000 prize at Festival of Trees, increases library budget by $2,000
The Irving Dilliard Memorial Literacy Program for the Collinsville Unit 10 School District was the recipient of the 2014 Festival of Trees fundraising efforts, which was good news for all schools in the district, but especially Kreitner Elementary School. Schools in the district were invited to design a structure with a literary theme for the […]
Read More →Caseyville to hold public hearing Wednesday on 17.5 percent property tax increase
The Village of Caseyville scheduled a 15-minute public hearing for Wednesday at 6 p.m. to give residents an opportunity to question the need for a 17.5 percent property tax increase. At about 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, the Board of Trustees will vote on the proposed increase. The hearing is legally required because the Board is proposing […]
Read More →
