John Badman, Alton Telegraph Journalist Profile

Articles

Alton Middle School custodians clean campus for fall

4 days ago | thetelegraph.com | John Badman

Alton Middle School custodian Franz Nolan was taking advantage of nice weather as he power-washed cafeteria chairs outside the middle school's Annex Building on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. A crew of custodians was working on their normal summer routines, where they prepare and clean the buildings for the start of school this fall.
Wood River crews install new sewers to meet EPA requirements

4 days ago | thetelegraph.com | John Badman

It was down under for workers with Kamadulski Excavating & Grading as they worked well underground installing giant sewer sections in Wood River on June 18. The work is part of the massive job of separating the sanitary and storm sewer systems. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is requiring all communities that have not yet done so to separate the two sewer systems.
Ripley the German Shepherd mix fetches stick at Glazebrook Park

5 days ago | thetelegraph.com | John Badman

A German Shepherd mix known as Ripley dives into the lake at Glazebrook Park in Godfrey to fetch a stick for her owner, Andrea Dipazo, on June 16, 2025.
Raging Rivers Water Park draws crowds as heat wave hits Grafton

5 days ago | thetelegraph.com | John Badman

A group of kids tried to see how many would fit on their floatable as they rode the wave pool to a crash with other swimmers as the mercury hit 90-plus degrees at Raging Rivers Water Park in Grafton on Tuesday, June 17, 2025.
Mayfly swarms create nuisance for drivers on Great River Road

5 days ago | thetelegraph.com | John Badman

Some not-so-fierce beasts, dreaded by motorcyclists, have emerged again this spring on the Great River Road in Alton and Godfrey. On June 16, mayflies swarmed around railroad cars near Ardent Mills. The harmless insects, considered pests by motorists, begin life in an laval stage and are called nymphs. They eat algae and small plants during their days in the water. Article continues below this adBut after they emerge with wings, they never eat again and only have parts of their old mouths left.
John Badman's Photos of the Week for The Telegraph

5 days ago | thetelegraph.com | John Badman

J. Shewmake, 5, gets a piggyback ride on the back of his father, Tyler Shewmake, as they go for a family walk.
Race Across America cyclists pass through Alton on cross-country ride

6 days ago | thetelegraph.com | John Badman

ALTON — A 3,000-mile bicycle race passed through Alton on Wednesday with little fanfare. The Race Across America 2025 crossed the Clark Bridge into Alton on its way from Oceanside, California, to the Boardwalk in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The race is one of the longest in the world, and during the ride, participants will climb 175,000 feet and cross 13 different states, including Illinois.
Pet cat dies in Alton fire

1 week ago | bnd.com | John Badman

ALTON - Alton firefighters battled a fire early Wednesday morning in the 600 block of Division Street in Alton. When firefighters arrived, a rear bedroom was engulfed in flames. A female resident and a pet dog had escaped the blaze unharmed, but a pet cat perished from the heat and smoke. Fire officials said the suspected cause is a window air conditioning unit that caught fire and spread to a bedroom inside the house.
Father gives son piggyback ride ahead of Father's Day

1 week ago | thetelegraph.com | John Badman

J. Shewmake, 5, gets a piggyback ride on the back of his father, Tyler Shewmake, as they go for a family walk on Bloomer Drive in Alton on Thursday, June 12, 2025. Dads everywhere will be honored for all they do on Father's Day, Sunday, June 15.
Alton police chase ends with arrest after pickup crashes

1 week ago | thetelegraph.com | John Badman

ALTON — Alton Police chased the driver of a GMC pickup truck Thursday after the subject failed to stop for police. The pursuit lasted about 10 minutes as the man drove through, and sometimes backtracked through a neighborhood off Come-In Place in Alton. Article continues below this adOfficers reported the man's speed during the chase at about 40 miles per hour. The driver eventually crashed into the guide wires for a utility pole, his vehicle smoking, and fled on foot.

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