Collinsville Police increasing patrols through Sept. 1
The Collinsville Police Department announced that it is increasing traffic enforcement through Sept. 1. The increase, in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Transportation, is intended to reduce traffic accidents and injuries, Collinsville Police said. The increased enforcement effort went into effect on Aug. 16 and ends on Labor Day. The Collinsville Police Department will […]
Read More →Traffic stop leads to weapon charge in Caseyville
A Caseyville police officer conducting a stop for a minor traffic violation Saturday found a loaded SKS rifle in the front passenger compartment of the suspect’s vehicle. The uncased rifle was easily accessible to the suspect, Caseyville Police report. James D. Davis, 20, of the 1900 block of Baker Street, East St. Louis, was also […]
Read More →Electric aggregation returns to Caseyville ballot
In March and November of 2012, Collinsville voters twice defeated a ballot measure that would have given them the option to participate in electric aggregation. Simec Energy is hoping Caseyville residents do not repeat that history in 2014. Electric aggregation was voted down by Caseyville voters in March. With a voter turnout of 16.7 percent, […]
Read More →CHS student’s ninth annual lemonade stand raises $1,800 for charity
Bryce Kelly, family and friends recently set up one of the most elaborate lemonade stands a person is likely to see. Their efforts earned $1,800 for childhood cancer. What started out as just a lemonade stand when Kelly was 7 years-old, has evolved into a two-day fundraising event that has raised more than $24,000. A […]
Read More →Caseyville man charged with sexually abusing 12-year-old girl for two years
A man from unincorporated Caseyville was charged today for allegedly molesting a 12-year-old family friend. David W. Ryder, of the 7900 block of Brookfield Drive, is accused of molesting the girl in his home over a two-year period. Ryder faces two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a victim under 13 and one count […]
Read More →SIUE to attempt record for simultaneous opening of soda cans. Yes, that’s a thing
Friday night, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will attempt to break its own record for the number of people opening a soda can at the same time, cementing the school’s legacy in soda world-record lore alongside such accomplishments as the most cans of Fanta attached to a wall using duct tape (eight). Last fall, 1,134 people […]
Read More →The Metro Independent celebrates one year
The first story posted on metroindependent.com was at 9:55 p.m. on Aug 14, 2013. Twelve months later, more than 1,200 stories have appeared. The support The Metro Independent has received in the past year has been staggering. From the first day, community leaders, police and fire departments, elected officials, school officials, coaches, players, parents, business […]
Read More →Gunshots in Collinsville don’t end well for convicted felon, fugitive
Reports of shots fired early Tuesday morning in the Northgate Housing Complex near Burlington Drive and Vandalia Street in Collinsville led to the arrests of two men. Collinsville Police officers investigating in the 60th block of Burlington Street in Collinsville found Charlie D. “Unc” Johnson, 36, of Venice. Johnson was arrested in relation to an […]
Read More →Collinsville carjacking fugitive captured
The Collinsville Police Department arrested a Venice, Ill. man in the early morning hours Tuesday morning in connection with an Aug. 2 car hijacking. While responding to another matter in the 60th block of Burlington in Collinsville, at 4:50 a.m. Tuesday morning, Charlie D. Johnson, 36, was taken into custody. At the time of the […]
Read More →Collinsville police searching for person who stole purse from 84-year-old woman
An open garage door may be to blame for purse stolen from an elderly Collinsville woman. On July 2, a witness saw a white female quickly exiting an open garage door in the Woodland Trails subdivision. The family of the 84-year-old resident later determined that her purse was missing. Police were called, but there was […]
Read More →Option to limit length of term for Caseyville officials will not go before voters
Leonard Black campaigned on the introduction of term limits during his successful 2013 bid to oust 27-year mayor George Chance. Illinois state law, however, does not allow a town to set term limits. As an alternative, Village Board Trustee Kerry Davis proposed an ordinance that would have created a November ballot measure allowing Caseyville voters […]
Read More →Fairness for Fairmount continues fight to bring gaming to Fairmount Race Track
On a recent evening about 15 people gathered in the Collinsville Township Senior Center to discuss how they can help save Fairmount Race Track. Spearheaded by the Collinsville Chamber of Commerce, those gathered for the Fairness for Fairmount meeting included officials from the City of Collinsville and Collinsville Township, horse owners and concerned citizens. For […]
Read More →Fairview Heights police chief calls rumors of possible looting at mall unfounded
Fairview Heights Police Chief Nick Gailius issued a statement Tuesday in response to “low-level” social media chatter about planned looting at St. Clair Square. Gailius called concerns being expressed that it is not safe at the Fairview Heights mall “wildly inaccurate.” “There has been no protesting, no looting, and no indications of any problems there,” […]
Read More →Developers of Westview Condos expansion given three more years to start work
The Collinsville City Council entered into a redevelopment agreement with Westview Condos, on Ramada Boulevard, in Sept. 2009 to help finance a $3.2 million expansion. Nearly five years later, the project has yet to begin. The current City Council voted unanimously Monday to give the developers an additional three years before work must begin on […]
Read More →No progress on Collins Park in Collinsville, eminent domain may be an option
The Collinsville City Council will consider approving Harry Sterling as the attorney for possible litigation against Stone Wheel Inc., the last hurdle in the City’s plan to build a new Uptown park. Sterling, if approved, will replace Philip B. Alfeld, who was appointed as an associate Madison County judge in June. Alfeld had taken over […]
Read More →Collections Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday for Collinsville family devastated by fire
Two groups are collecting clothes and school supplies for a family with four children whose home was ravaged by fire just two days before school starts. (see related story) Café Agape Express, at 703 St. Louis Rd. Collinsville, IL 62234, will be collecting monetary donations, as well as school supplies and clothing Sunday from 11 […]
Read More →State to host medical cannabis town hall meeting in Collinsville Thursday
Eight months after the Illinois Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act went into effect and eight months before the first dispensaries are expected to open, the State of Illinois is hosting three town hall meetings to answer questions about the program. Collinsville will host the first town hall, at 9:30 a.m. Aug. 14 […]
Read More →Fire leaves four Collinsville children with no clothes days before school starts
***Story updated to note that four children live in the home*** See related story about how to help the family A Collinsville family is happy to be safe today after a fire engulfed their living room Saturday morning in the 700 block of Lasalle St. A 14-year-old boy was the only person home when he […]
Read More →Collinsville considered as possible site for medical cannabis dispensary
A group interested in opening a cannabis dispensary in Collinsville approached the City last month to initiate discussions, officials have confirmed. The discussions are in the very early stages, City Manager Scott Williams said. “We have had preliminary discussions with a vendor who contacted us,” Williams said. “We responded to questions about zoning and licensing.” […]
Read More →Collinsville hijacking suspect nabbed, police searching for accomplice
Police are searching for a man considered armed and dangerous, who allegedly helped rob a Collinsville woman and hijack her car. Collinsville Police were called to the 700 block of Illinois at 6:15 a.m. on Aug. 2 for a report of an armed robbery. The victim said an African-American male approached her and displayed a […]
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