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Molly Alter, full-time art professor at John A. Logan College, stands beside student color theory projects in her classroom Oct. 21. Alter has taught at the college since 2012 and encourages her students to embrace creativity and learn through mistakes

Faculty Focus: Molly Alter Teaches Art the Way She Creates It — Fearlessly

Val Basenberg, Reporter October 24, 2025

Molly Alter has been shaping both metal and minds since joining John A. Logan College in 2012. Before teaching full-time, she ran her own home studio in southern Illinois, where she taught art, metalsmithing,...

Blessthefall members guitarist Eric Lambert (far left), drummer Jared Frøn (left of center), vocalist Beau Bokan (right of center), and bassist and vocalist Jared Warth (far right) perform before a packed crowd Oct. 3, 2025, at Red Flag Concert Hall in St. Louis, Missouri.

Loud & Live | Blessthefall ignites Red Flag with explosive metalcore energy

Elizabeth Ellis, Reporter October 17, 2025

Blessthefall is currently on tour supporting their 2025 album release, Gallows. Joining them are the bands Colorblind, Dark Divine and Miss May I. On Oct. 3, I had the privilege of catching one of their...

John A. Logan College English instructor Kenneth Gilbert stands among the shelves in the Learning Resources Center. Gilbert, who has taught at Logan since 1994, is also a poet, tennis player, and lifelong fan of rock ’n’ roll.

Faculty Focus: Kenneth Gilbert finds joy in teaching, poetry, and rock ’n’ roll

Amaeris Shelley, Reporter October 13, 2025

Adjunct instructor Kenneth Gilbert has been teaching English at John A. Logan College since 1994. A lifelong lover of poetry, rock music, and tennis, Gilbert brings a conversational energy to the classroom...

Life;Story 5K promotes suicide prevention in Marion

Life;Story 5K promotes suicide prevention in Marion

Amaris Shelley, Managing Editor September 10, 2025

MARION — Centerstone hosted its third annual Life;Story 5K Run/Walk for Suicide Prevention at Ray Fosse Park on September 6 at 7 a.m. The event’s name, Life;Story, features a semicolon to symbolize...

Tanner Bailey takes a spill after his donkey starts bucking during the Crab Orchard FFA Alumni’s donkey basketball game.

Hoops and Hee-Haws: Donkey Basketball Brings the Chaos to Crab Orchard

Ashton Fox, Photographer May 11, 2025

  CRAB ORCHARD — The Crab Orchard FFA Alumni hosted a donkey basketball game Tuesday, April 22 as a fundraiser for the Crab Orchard FFA chapter. Four teams competed for a spot in the...

Northern harrier hawk, Perry county (March 18, 2025)
Northern harrier hawks can be recognized by the white band at the base of their tail and their quick turns. They enjoy open fields where they frequently dive down to catch small rodents. Unfortunately, they are state endangered due to loss of habitat.

Wings Over Illinois: Spring Migration Puts Nature on Full Display

Annalise Gould, Photographer May 11, 2025

With forests, fields, and wetlands, Illinois is home to an incredible variety of birds, especially in spring when migration and nesting season begin. From small year-round residents like...

Alex Knudsen plays the violin during the John A. Logan College Spring Band and Orchestra Concert May 4.

A Symphony in a Galaxy Not So Far Away

Amaris Shelley, Photographer May 10, 2025

John A. Logan College hosted the Spring Band and Orchestra Concert May 4 at 2 p.m. in the Conference Center. The event honored the unofficial Star Wars holiday “May the Fourth” by including several...

Logan Choirs Shine in Spring Showcase

Logan Choirs Shine in Spring Showcase

Kaleigh Duncan, Editor-in-Chief May 9, 2025

The JALC Chamber and Concert Choir performed a variety of songs during their spring choral concert Wednesday, May 7. Choral conductor Chris Thornton and instructor Krista Chmiel directed the Logan singers...

An angler casts a line during the 3rd Annual Trace Bittle Memorial Bass Fishing Tournament, held April 19 at Pyramid Acres Marina on Lake of Egypt. The event brought together participants of all ages to honor Trace Bittle’s memory and raise scholarship funds for Marion High School students.

Casting for a Cause: Trace Bittle Tournament Blends Competition with Community

The 3rd Annual Trace Bittle Memorial Bass Fishing Tournament took place Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Pyramid Acres Marina on Lake of Egypt, drawing anglers from across the region. The...

A World of Flavor, Rhythm and Culture at Logan

A World of Flavor, Rhythm and Culture at Logan

Annalise Gould, Photographer April 23, 2025

John A. Logan College hosted its annual World Music and Food Day on April 23, 2025, bringing together performances, dance, and global cuisine for students and community members.   The...

Participants launch a burst of color to close out the Autism Color Run at John A. Logan College on Saturday, April 12. The event raised funds for the Autism Society of Southern Illinois and featured food trucks, games, and community volunteers.

Miles of Smiles: Logan’s Autism Color Run Bursts with Joy and Community Spirit

Kaleigh Duncan and Amaris Shelley April 12, 2025

John A. Logan College hosted its Autism Color Run on Saturday, April 12, bringing community members together to run or walk a mile around campus while being doused in colorful powder along the route. The...

Grammy Nominated artist Charley Crockett brings us the new tales of The Lonesome Drifter

Grammy Nominated artist Charley Crockett brings us the new tales of The Lonesome Drifter

Jarret Coleman, Entertainment Reporter April 10, 2025

Almost two decades into his career, multi-genre singer-songwriter and guitarist Charley Crockett continues to prove that hard work and musical consistency can carve out a lasting path in the music industry. Following...

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