🌱 Metro East community remembers longtime banker and Marine Corps veteran.
Belleville, Illinois Patch AM: a 4 min readGood morning Belleville! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Metro East community remembers longtime banker and Marine Corps veteran.
- Belleville firm’s retired partner named among 2026 Illinois Legal Leaders
- How could STAR bond districts reshape shopping and tourism around Belleville?
Also on today's calendar: Traffic and Parking Committee and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What do an island and the letter "t" have in common? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Sunday: An afternoon t-storm or two, with a high of 89 and low of 67 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Monday: Humid with a thunderstorm, temps: high: 73, low: 63.
- Tuesday: Cloudy and less humid, with a high of 69 and low of 58 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. John Venarsky, Jr. (heraldpubs.com) — An 84-year-old Mascoutah resident with a long banking career in the Metro East died this week at Memorial Hospital in Belleville. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Mascoutah Sportsman’s Club member, he is remembered by his sons, grandchildren, great-granddaughter, and extended family, with burial to be held later at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. 
2. 2026 Illinois Legal Leaders: Richard J. Coffee II (molawyersmedia.com) — A longtime attorney now retired from Coffee Ward & Bower in Belleville is being honored among Illinois legal leaders for a 48-year career spanning state government, family law, and community service. His work has ranged from advising state agencies to mentoring youth and helping support a rural hospital abroad, reflecting the kind of civic-minded professionalism that strengthens Belleville’s legal and civic community.
3. Fairview Heights explores STAR bond district to spur mixed-use development (bnd.com) — Belleville is one of several Metro East communities exploring a new STAR bond district program that could help finance major tourism and retail projects across the region. Fairview Heights just hired a consultant to study a mixed-use district around St. Clair Square, and Belleville’s own notice of intent means local leaders are weighing similar tools that could shape future development and shopping options for residents.
4. 2026 Illinois Legal Leaders: Sara L. Gottman (molawyersmedia.com) — A Belleville-based attorney at Mathis Marifian & Richter, Sara Gottman is recognized as an up-and-coming Illinois legal leader while practicing business and commercial litigation. Raised in nearby Valmeyer, she also serves local churches as a musician and advocates for Alzheimer’s awareness through the St. Louis Walk to End Alzheimer’s, mentoring future lawyers along the way.
📸 Around Belleville
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓
Upcoming Events in
Belleville
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
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Metro Plus - St Clair Country Club →
St. Clair Country Club, 100 S 78th St, Belleville
9:00 am
Monday September 21
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
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Traffic and Parking Committee →
101 South Illinois Street, Belleville
5:30 pm -
Streets & Grades Committee →
101 South Illinois Street, Belleville
6:00 pm -
Waterloo at Belleville West →
4063 Frank Scott Pkwy W, Belleville
6:30 pm -
Xtreme Bar Bingo →
The Edge, 701 S Belt W, Belleville
7:00 pm -
Human Relations Commission-Regular Meeting →
101 South Illinois Street, Belleville
7:00 pm -
City Council Meeting →
101 South Illinois Street, Belleville
7:00 pm -
Electrical Commission →
1125 South Illinois Street, Belleville
1:00 pm -
Metro-East Lutheran at Althoff Catholic →
5401 W Main St, Belleville
6:00 pm -
Freshman Mass →
Cathedral of St. Peter, 200 West Harrison Street, Belleville
9:30 am -
The Game Changer: Boosting Engagement with Gamification →
ROE 50 (St. Clair), 1000 S Illinois St, Belleville
12:30 pm -
West Main Village Market →
335 West Main Street, Belleville
4:00 pm
Monday September 21
Tuesday September 22
Wednesday September 23
📣 Belleville Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Missing a small grey-brown poodle with one blue eye and one brown eye.
Very scittish goes by Dolly. Last seen at intersection of South 12th St and State St by Henry Raab in Belleville. PLease let us know if you've seen… (Nextdoor Abend / Adams) - Good morning my favorite people.
How do you feel today? How do you want to feel today? I feel energetic/happy I want to feel healed so that I can actually keep up with my life style. (Nextdoor Franklin)
- Arby's posted a job opening for Team Member in Belleville. Apply here.
- Denny's posted a job opening for Server - Franchise in Belleville. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Belleville here.
Ok Belleville! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: They are both in the middle of water. (Thank you Curt K. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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