Community Corner

🌱 How an East St. Louis student turned reading struggles into college success

Also check out EMMAFEST Family Fun Festival 2026 on the East St. Louis Patch calendar

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Tuesday September 29th Patch AM
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Good morning to you East St. Louis! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☀️

Hosting an event in East St. Louis? Let Patch get the word out for you. Post it to the Patch calendar.

In today's newsletter:

  • How an East St. Louis student turned reading struggles into college success
  • Why a 2003 East St. Louis murder case is back in court
  • How Jackie Joyner-Kersee's East St. Louis roots earned Hall of Fame honors

Also on today's calendar: Food On The Move | Gateway Pet Guardians and 3 more events.

Today's riddle: What do you call a one-legged Big Foot? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Mostly sunny and warm, with a high of 84 and low of 60 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Partly sunny and very warm, temps: high: 89, low: 68. 🌶 Hot!
  • Thursday: A shower and thunderstorm, with a high of 80 and low of 59 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Told he'd always struggle to read, East St. Louis teen now takes college classes (bnd.com) — An East St. Louis Senior High School sophomore who once struggled to read is now a state speech champion taking full-time classes at Southwestern Illinois College through District 189's Running Start program. His journey through special education, local tutoring, and leadership roles in East St. Louis organizations shows how strong advocacy and school support can transform expectations for students with autism.
   

• Belleville native fights for uncle imprisoned for murder he says he didn't commit (bnd.com) — A Belleville native is leading a renewed legal push for her uncle, convicted in a 2003 killing that occurred when a sailor drove to East St. Louis to buy drugs. New affidavits alleging coerced testimony and a long-saved letter are now before a St. Clair County judge, while supporters in East St. Louis and nearby towns organize petitions and public awareness.
   

• See which 11 trailblazing women are inducted into Women's Hall of Fame (stargazette.com) — Among the new National Women's Hall of Fame inductees is Jackie Joyner-Kersee, honored not only for her Olympic track dominance but for founding a major youth and family center in her hometown of East St. Louis. Her foundation now serves thousands annually with education, athletics, meals, and life-skills programs, putting the city at the heart of a national celebration of women's achievements.
   

📸 Around East St. Louis

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🗓 Upcoming Events in East St. Louis

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🗓 Events Nearby

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Kohl's posted a job opening for Seasonal Retail Sales Associate in Fairview Heights. Apply here.
  • SPECTRUM posted a job opening for Service Technician ($20 PH starting) in Collinsville. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near East St. Louis here.

🗞 Nearby News

Sauget

Cahokia

Belleville

  • Does Illinois owe you money? The state holds $5 billion in unclaimed property (bnd.com)
  • Fall fun returns to Eckert's Farm (kmov.com)
  • Fast Talk: Recapping weekend's big winners (dirtondirt.com)

Ok East St. Louis! 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: Hop Squatch! (Thank you Terri R. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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