Thursday, May 1st, 2025
Good morning, Belleville. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 1st of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Mary Anne Hopper, a distinguished volunteer from Waterloo, was honored with the Heart of Gold Award by Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois in Glen Carbon—she has served in roles such as troop leader and camp director since the late 1980s to empower girls in her community. Riverbender
- ➤ Eckert's Farm in Belleville is opening its pick-your-own strawberry fields Friday, May 2 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with field passes priced at $3 on weekdays and $5 on weekends— a special $15 pass adds treats like a quart of strawberries, a cider doughnut and a cup of cider; the farm will also host a citywide scavenger hunt starting Monday and a Strawberry Festival on May 10-11 and May 17-18 with family rides and live music. KSDK
CRIME NEWS
- ➤ Tylann Starks from Swansea received a four-year sentence and Tiara Johnson from Pontoon Beach got 27 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to bank fraud, identity theft and mail theft—charges linked to a scheme that used stolen postal keys to defraud over 100 victims of more than $100,000. Riverbender
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Residents in Missouri and Illinois are hurrying to get their REAL IDs by May 7 so they can fly or enter federal buildings. Many face long lines and confusing document rules at local DMVs—the official IDs will come by mail in five to seven days. KSDK
- ➤ Illinois EPA Acting Director James Jennings announced three one-day Household Hazardous Waste collection events for Spring 2025—set for May 3 at Belle-Clair Fairgrounds Park, May 31 in Peoria, and June 7 at Prairie Ridge High School, all running from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturdays with pre-registration required. Residents are asked to pack permitted chemicals safely and follow local guidelines for proper transport and disposal. Riverbender
- ➤ After a successful pilot program started in October 2020, St. Clair County Transit District extended its partnership with Chestnut Health Systems—investing over $550,000 for a fifth year to connect transit riders to essential resources in Belleville—further enhancing safety and service for thousands in the region. The program uses behavioral health providers to deliver food, water, clothing, and support services to help riders in need. Riverbender
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ On Monday, April 28, local baseball teams posted wins as Edwardsville beat Rochester 8–0 at Tom Pile Field and Belleville West edged Belleville Althoff Catholic 6–4 at Whitey Herzog Field—other teams like Mascoutah, Highland and Triad also won key matchups while volleyball contests added to the week’s sports action. Riverbender
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Strawberry Festival
9 a.m. - 7 p.m. — Downtown Belleville — Free entry — Enjoy a delightful day of strawberry-themed fun with shopping, eating, and drinking.
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Laura's Run 4 Kids
7:30 a.m. – 11:59 p.m. — Tower Grove Park — Registration fees apply — Celebrate fitness and community with a fun 5K and family activities while supporting local students.
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Art on the Square 2025
4-9 p.m. — Veterans Memorial — Free admission — Experience a vibrant celebration of art with over 100 artists, live music, and activities for kids.
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Senior Day Celebration
10 a.m. - 1 p.m. — Programs and Services for Older Persons — Free entry — Shop, dine, and enjoy an after-party with fun and giveaways in Downtown Belleville.
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