// a href = ./ //

Several schools just north of Alton, Illinois were placed on lockdown today.

Officials with the Southwestern Community School District #9 sent a letter to parents last night telling them that they discovered a possible threat to students. There was an increased police presence at several schools and backpacks, large bags, and coats were not allowed on the campuses today.

Schools that saw heightened security included Southwestern Middle School, Southwestern High School, Brighton North Elementary, Brighton West Elementary, Medora Elementary and Shipman Elementary.

   Metro-east police continue to search for an armed man who held up the National Bank in Alhambra Tuesday afternoon.  

   The Madison County Sheriff's office reports that the bandit walked in the front door of the bank with a handgun and demanded cash from an employee.  The robber took the cash, and then fled on foot.  

   Authorities locked now the near-by Alhambra Elementary School as a precaution while they searched for the suspect.

   He's still at large.  

Four Ritenour schools experienced a brief lockdown Thursday afternoon.

Police say a group of teens threw a brick at a passing car. The driver swerved in an attempt to hit the teen who threw the brick. The driver instead, collided with two houses, knocking down one homeowner's carport.

In total nine teens were arrested in connection to the incident. 

The Early Childhood Center, Ritenour High School, Kratz Elementary School and Marvin Elementary School were all placed on external lockdown, meaning kids could not go outside for recess. The lockdown lasted from just before 1PM until around 1:20PM.

A brief scare at Scott Air Force Base this morning.

After reports of a man walking around with a gun, one building was evacuated and MP's searched the area. The all clear was given about an hour after the first report and no one was injured.