Sunken Press

07/06/2025

Our southern communities are under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning. All of us are under a Flash Flood Warning.

07/06/2025

We're planning on keeping an eye on the skies this afternoon as potentially strong storms with the potential for high winds and flash flooding are predicted. With the cuts at the National Weather Service (NWS) being felt all over (especially in Texas with the heartbreaking news of missing children), on the ground news is more important than ever. We are watching several local weather groups and news services this afternoon and will keep you up to date.

Nothing is indicating anything especially severe this evening, but we believe it is better to be over prepared.

07/05/2025

Nicole dropped her newest advice column about the complicated nuances of loving someone who may be slipping into addiction. It's a step back from her usual silly takes and it's genuinely great advice for someone in a situation we know a lot of folks are currently facing.

If you have a life advice question for someone who has made all the mistakes you don't have to, you can anonymously submit questions to Nicole. Follow the link in her columns.

Dear Nicole: How do you help someone who has a significant drug dependency get better? This person was significantly injured at work and has recently spiraled a bit due to some opioid dependency issues.

07/04/2025

In this 4th of July address, we want our fellow Altonians to join us in separating ourselves from the oligarchs who would dare be kings in this nation. We are founded upon democracy, liberty, freedom, and the like, but these words seem to hold less value as our common lands are turned to private property and our people are being sent to concentration camps without due process.

America has a history of doing terrible things like slavery and genocide, but also has a history of resistance to those things. We gave the world monsters, but we also gave them hope. We are the nation of the Black Panthers, of Martin Luther King Jr., of Abraham Lincoln, Rosa Parks, Kurt Vonnegut, Sojurner Truth, AIM, and Mark Twain.

We gave the world the Tuskegee Experiments, which harmed scores of black men and the Tuskegee Airmen who bravely fought fascists in World War II. Even Alton had folks who fought for Scott Bibb's kids to get an integrated education as well as those who dared took it away. We aided Lovejoy and liberated folks from bo***ge and we also killed him and sent them back to bo***ge for bounties.

We hope this Independence Day, we take drastic measures of radical compassion for a better world. Be ruthless with your kindness. Stay strong in your faith.

Nearly two and a half centuries ago a man who would one day bring a teenage slave girl across the world for his own sick gratification penned a daring letter. He was telling the largest world power that he and the rest of his gang of nationalist freedom fighters were sick of the king’s s**t.

07/04/2025

Another tragedy has befallen our community. The unconfirmed reports of a shooting death of a local teen were confirmed by Alton Police Department's release today. We join the APD in asking anyone with leads on this situation to call them at 618-463-3505 ext 671 or anonymously at 618-465-5948.

Her family and friends deserve justice and closure. If you are connected to this situation and need any assistance we can provide by getting the word out, message us here or send an email to [email protected].

We hope healing and mutual aid comes to those most affected today.

Detectives still following leads

07/04/2025

There is a SWAT raid in the Oakwood apartments. We have no idea why, there are two trucks, and lots of cops. Steer clear of the area, because the road is blocked. Cory discovered this on his way to brunch after just waking up. Sometimes breaking news falls into your lap like that.

We're gonna reach out to Chief Ford for details.

UPDATE - SUBSTACK STORY HERE - https://sunkenpress.substack.com/p/oakwood-swat-raid-part-of-continuing

07/04/2025

The Photo of the Night is by Beth Stevenson

07/03/2025

If you pay for independent local media, you get lil treats. This lil treat is a look at strange phenomena in the skies above Jerseyville.

If you don't, you still get the rest of our libbed up content, deep dives, playlists, top 10s, and some real journalism.

Also, send us your rambles, your poems, your troubling observations, and even a manifesto or two for our community forum page. Send drafts to [email protected]. We'll get back to you about them for sure.

Fireballs, flying disks, and lights in the cornfields. Sunken Secrets #5

07/03/2025

Tonight's photo of the night is a different angle from last night's. This one comes from Ashlee Little and features both the river and the bridge.

07/02/2025

Loved talking to David Goins - Alton Mayor about his history with Killion Park as well as the legacy of James Killion in Alton. We learned a lot about the mayor's personal history and connections to the park as well as the ripples left by Killion's amazing presence in our city.

This is a great read for folks interested in learning more about Alton's history, especially its often understated black history. Thanks, Mayor Goins for your time and stories!

Talking to Alton Mayor David Goins about James Killion Park

07/02/2025

We’ve got new details in the case we covered last Thursday. Prosecutors have charged Shaquille R. Kirkendoll with three felony weapons offenses:

• Count I: Possession of a Firearm by a Repeat Offender (Class X)
• Count II & III: Felon in Possession of a Weapon (Class 2)

An arrest warrant was issued, and Kirkendoll is being held in Madison County Jail pending a detention hearing.

But here’s the question: Was a full-blown SWAT raid justified?
Was this a necessary response to a serious threat, or another case of police overreach fueled by bloated budgets?

Where do you draw the line between safety and overreach?

One individual in custody, no injuries