Dupo News

The Daugherty Public Library District in Dupo has a new website to keep users up-to-date on library news, events, an online catalog and news feeds.

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services caseworker called to investigate whether two toddlers were molested only left a pamphlet with the Dupo man the caller claimed molested them.

Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today awarded $115,972 in grants to local governments and organizations in Southern Illinois to enhance wildlife habitats and protect threatened or endangered species.

“This is the wackiest weather that I can remember for this time of year”

For the second time in 25 years, Belleville Grade School District 118's field day has been canceled. via Belleville News

This appears to be separate from the big quake that hit the area last month. This earthquake's epicenter is about 140 miles from the center of the original quake and aftershocks. via KMOV-TV Saint Louis

“What was that?? Nah, couldn't be...”

This appears to be separate from the big quake that hit the area last month. This earthquake's epicenter is about 140 miles from the center of the original quake and aftershocks. via KMOV-TV Saint Louis

“They're hard-working kids and they've got a wonderful family.”

Mallory Williams is cute as a button, blonde-haired, blue-eyed and a little less than two years-old. She's also one very sick little girl. via KSDK-TV Saint Louis

“We have not determined how the bullets got into the school or who they belonged to”

Classes were back to normal Thursday at Dupo High School, a day after it was locked down because bullets were found in the school. via Belleville News

“I was crying. I was freaked out.”

There were some tense moments for parents and students at a Metro East high school Wednesday. via MyFox St. Louis

“We can use some help from the public if someone saw or heard something”

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A 26-year-old Dupo woman told police she was unsure exactly where she was when she was shot early Tuesday morning, but she knew it was somewhere in East St. Louis.

Detective Michale Floore, who is the lead investigator on the case, said police were called to Kenneth Hall Regional Hospital at 6 a.m. to investigate a shooting involving a woman from Dupo. They arrived to find the woman had been shot once in the chest, Floore said.

'She didn't know where she was in East St. Louis when she was shot,' Floore said. 'But she said she knows she was in East St. Louis.' Read more

You'll be in for one beesy day if you're going to catch all the action at the Fete du Bon Vieux Temps Saturday in the Old Cahokia area.

The 22nd annual Festival of the Good Old Days is a safe-and-sane alternative to most Mardi Gras celebrations, with music and dancing reminiscent of the revelry French settlers enjoyed here more than 200 years ago.

But that's just the start of the activities you'll find spread among four historic Cahokia-area buildings, all capped by a night of dancing from 7 to 11 at the Cahokia Knights Of Columbus Hall. Read more

Jason Smith, the Dupo man whose murder trial became the first Metro East death penalty case in recent memory, was found guilty Wednesday afternoon on four counts of first degree murder for killing his ... via St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Defense attorneys for accused quadruple shotgun killer Jason Smith called blood-spatter and firearms experts Monday during the capital murder trial.

Firearms expert John Nixon testified Monday that all four victims were shot by the same 12-gauge shotgun found at the Red Bud home of Smith's former girlfriend. Police arrested Smith there after finding him hiding under a blanket in a detached garage.

Nixon also testified the shots to the victims were fired from a distance of between five and 18 feet, and may have come from the broken window. Read more

“We're working with a tenant right now that may occupy up to two thirds of the 270,000 square foot building”

St. Louis Business Journal - by Lisa R. Brown Industrial development continues to boom in the Metro East. via Commercial Real Estate

A Dupo man goes on trial Monday accused in the horrific murder of four people, including a baby. via MyFox St. Louis

“Why did you not stop to help my Danielle or even hold her hand in comfort?”

A Dupo man, convicted in July of reckless homicide, was given a four-year sentence Friday in connection with last year's hit-and-run death of a Waterloo teenager.

Brian L. Chism was sentenced to four years on charges of reckless homicide, failure to report an accident involving personal injury or death and false reporting of vehicle theft.

Chism, 46, was convicted of the April 22 hit-and-run death of Danielle Craft, 18, who had been struck while walking near the 1600 block of North Main Street in Dupo. Chism left the scene of the accident, but later was found and arrested. Read more

“It's a hole in your heart you ain't ever never going'to fill.”

Don Willyard wears his daughter's crucifix chain around his neck to remind him of the young mother. via Chicago Tribune

“If he was sitting in the car, he would have sustained serious chest injuries. The seat is pushed up against the steering wheel”

Trooper had stopped to assist medical crew with a sick motorist BY BETH HUNDSDORFER Just moments before a car smashed into a parked Illinois State Police squad car Thursday afternoon on Illinois 15, police ... via Belleville.com

“A niece and nephew were both sleeping. We got them up and out of there.”

Visibly exhausted, Anthony Rosenkranz wipes his face as he and his brother and fellow family members clean up debris from his home in Cahokia. via STLtoday

“It's amazing, it'll really get you in the Christmas spirit.”

A new church and Dupo police officers both made Christmas an early arrival for metro-east children.

Abundant Life Ministries formed in October, with services at the Our Lady of the Snows Shrine. But members wasted no time in planning a charity event, and on Sunday they distributed toys and food to approximately 300 children.

Anyone who came to East St. Louis City Hall on Sunday received a meal and a toy.

Janora Cooper's 10-year-old son, Marques, bounced his new basketball around the atrium as other children unwrapped Barbies, bicycles and Build-a-Bears. Read more