🌱 What a new FOIA reveals about Alton’s late-night bar crackdown
Morning Alton! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- What a new FOIA reveals about Alton’s late-night bar crackdown
- What could replace Alton’s former Wadlow Golf Course soon?
- How Alton star Semaj Stampley chose his future beyond basketball
📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Alton? Post it to Alton photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️
Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Tuesday: Brilliant sunshine, with a high of 48 and low of 31 degrees.
- Wednesday: Times of clouds and sun, temps: high: 50, low: 40.
- Thursday: Rain, then a shower, with a high of 52 and low of 19 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
📰 News we're reading
• Alton FOIA: Police Chief sought late-night liquor license meeting (thetelegraph.com) — Alton officials quietly met about downtown safety weeks before voting to end all late-night liquor licenses, a move that will require every Alton bar to close by 1 a.m. starting Jan. 1, 2026. Newly released emails, a heavy police presence, and crime videos posted on Facebook are raising questions among some council members and bar owners about transparency and fairness. 
• Alton Seeks Proposals For Wadlow Town Center Development (riverbender.com) — Alton officials are moving ahead with plans to redevelop the former Robert P. Wadlow Golf Course into the new Wadlow Town Center, a key commercial site between the Amtrak station and Holiday Inn. The Committee of the Whole approved seeking developer proposals, and the full City Council will vote on the plan Wednesday evening, potentially shaping future businesses, greenspace, and investment in that 30-acre area.
• Stampley's Decision Regarding South Dakota State University Based On More Than Basketball (riverbender.com) — Alton basketball standout Semaj Stampley has officially committed to play for South Dakota State University, a decision he says is about academics and life experience as much as basketball. The senior Alton Redbirds leader, coming off a 622-point season, is praised by his coach for maturity and team-first leadership as he guides a young squad through the 2025-26 campaign.
📸 Around Alton
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🗓 Events Nearby
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Roll-n-Read
Wood River Parks & Recreation , 655 N Wood River Ave , Wood River
9:00 am -
Basketball: Boys 8th Game vs Roxana Junior High School vs. Jerseyville (Home)
Roxana Junior High School , JH Gymnasium
4:30 pm -
WMS Band Concert
Woodland Middle School , 7000 W Washington St , Gurnee
6:00 pm -
Basketball: Boys JV Game vs Columbia (Away)
Columbia High School
6:00 pm -
Boys Basketball (Home) vs. Red Bud
Memorial Gymnasium , Whitelaw Ave , Wood River
6:00 pm -
Third Tuesday
St. Louis Regional Airport (KALN) , 8 Terminal Dr , East Alton
6:45 pm -
Basketball: Boys Varsity Game vs Columbia (Away)
Columbia High School
7:30 pm -
Wrestling: Varsity JV Match vs Multiple Schools vs. Triad (Away)
Triad High School
6:00 pm -
Basketball: Boys 8th Game vs Roxana Junior High School vs. Lewis and Clark (Home)
Roxana Junior High School , JH Gymnasium
4:30 pm -
Girls Basketball at Roxana (JV & V)
Roxana High School , 323 Chaffer Ave , Roxana
6:00 pm -
Basketball: Girls JV Game vs East Alton-Wood River (Home)
Roxana High School , Larry Milazzo Gymnasium
6:00 pm -
Basketball: Girls Varsity Game vs East Alton-Wood River (Home)
Roxana High School , Larry Milazzo Gymnasium
7:30 pm
Tuesday December 16
Wednesday December 17
Thursday December 18
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Correcting my post because someone brought something to my attention on here.
That we need to lay straw not blankets in whatever we make to be used as a winter shelter for our little furry friends that have no other way to get… (Nextdoor College Ave) - With freezing temperature comes freezing pipes.
Please allow the water in your home to drip which will help prevent bursting pipes. (618)363-5836 (Nextdoor College Ave)
- Planet Fitness posted a job opening for Overnight Custodian in Alton. Apply here.
- Taco Bell posted a job opening for Overnight Shift Leader in Alton. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Alton here.
🗞 Nearby News
East Alton
- Tom Lane State Farm Insurance Male Athlete Of The Month: Collins Posts Personal Best at State Cross Country Meet (riverbender.com)
Wood River
- Judith Glassmeyer (riverbender.com)
Godfrey
Ok Alton! 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: I don't know, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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