Carol Ostrow Stories | Metro East Sun

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Alton boots Rauschkolb from mayoral ballot

By Carol Ostrow | Feb 6, 2017

Would-be Alton mayoral candidate Dan Rauschkolb tried to switch parties in midstream but now finds himself a fish out of water.

Water main break shuts down schools, creates boil order

By Carol Ostrow | Feb 2, 2017

A boil order is now in effect for the Metro East’s Belleville, Swansea, Millstadt, Columbia, Waterloo and Shiloh after a 24-inch water main break caused school districts to close and hospitals to follow emergency procedures.

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Collinsville workers help fill food pantry's shelves

By Carol Ostrow | Jan 30, 2017

Acting as elves for shelves, over 200 Collinsville city employees recently participated in a drive for the benefit of the community by collecting and contributing food, non-perishables and toiletries to the Collinsville food pantry.

Collinsville's new fire chief begins duties

By Carol Ostrow | Jan 23, 2017

Bringing 26 years of experience from his previous position in Ohio, Kevin Edmond was recently named fire chief for the city of Collinsville after a thorough search by the Illinois Fire Chief’s Association.

Alton, Granite City Kmarts set to close

By Carol Ostrow | Jan 16, 2017

Two Metro East Kmart stores are destined to shutter their doors following parent company Sears’ recent decision to close 108 Kmart venues and 42 Sears outlets nationwide by mid-spring, according to 'Business Insider.'

Shimkus to lead Congressional EPA oversight panel

By Carol Ostrow | Jan 16, 2017

Renewing his commitment to keep an eye on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL) recently accepted a six-year renewal of his post leading the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Environment Subcommittee.

Alton Square Macy's prepares to close

By Carol Ostrow | Jan 9, 2017

Against a backdrop of restructuring, Macy’s has confirmed that its Alton Square branch is among several dozen slated to close in the near future, allowing the company to focus on those outlets generating higher revenue.

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More Illinois residents hit the highway, declining Madigan’s ‘my way’

By Carol Ostrow | Jan 9, 2017

A sizable portion of Prairie State dwellers would rather pack their bags than continue to endure declining economic atmosphere and related tax burdens, according to industry observers, with over 37,000 residents exiting Illinois in 2015.

State GOP: Beiser should not support any Chicago schools pension bailout

By Carol Ostrow | Dec 19, 2016

With full knowledge that it was proposing a plan that missed its mark, Chicago Public Schools recently approved a flawed budget based on optimism that the state would override Gov. Bruce Rauner’s CPS bailout veto, which it did not.

St. Clair County indicts several former, current officials in corruption sweep

By Carol Ostrow | Dec 12, 2016

Former Alorton Mayor Jo Ann Reed, ousted from office over alleged malfeasance, was indicted this week, accused of buying votes and disregarding the election code — charged alongside a large group of officials and other local-level government staffers.

Shimkus eyes committee helm, aims to restore power taken from Congress

By Carol Ostrow | Nov 28, 2016

U.S. Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL) hopes to rebalance the cogs in the federal congressional gears through his aspirations to become the next chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Ruocco strikes back after Hoffman alleges she's soft on child care

By Carol Ostrow | Oct 24, 2016

Speaking from firsthand personal experience, Katherine Ruocco, Republican candidate for the District 113 state House seat, recently clarified her strong stance on supporting child care policies with a statement on her Facebook page.

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Ruocco criticizes Democratic opponent for encouraging tax increases

By Carol Ostrow | Oct 2, 2016

Businesswoman, lawyer and mother of four Katherine Ruocco, of House District 113, Metro East, recently took a stance against election opponent Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Belleville), critiquing his apparent enthusiasm for massive tax hikes as Illinois’ budget solution.

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Infrastructure upgrades, other construction projects transform SIUE campus

By Carol Ostrow | Sep 27, 2016

Southern Illinois University (SIU) Edwardsville campus regulars are now witnessing signs of a forthcoming finale to infrastructure improvements as massive construction projects designed to enhance university life near completion after months of activity.

Shimkus supports student coding contest

By Carol Ostrow | Sep 10, 2016

Backed and publicized by Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL), the new “Congressional App Challenge” invites enterprising high school students to enter a statewide coding competition — regardless of experience level — from now through Oct. 26.

SIUE partners with T-REX to widen students' networking opportunities

By Carol Ostrow | Sep 8, 2016

To enhance professional connections between faculty and students, and the regional metropolitan business community, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville recently launched a partnership with the T-REX Innovation Center in St. Louis.

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Magazine ranks SIUE third best master's university in Illinois

By Carol Ostrow | Sep 7, 2016

Of all Illinois “master’s institutions,” Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranks as third best in the state by Washington Monthly — and also within the publication’s top 60 such institutions nationwide for a record-setting 7th consecutive year.