Dale Van Blair was on a roll. The 87-year-old bowled a perfect 300 game to cap a 737 three-game series on Monday at Bel-Air Bowl in Belleville.

Some residents who attended an informational meeting on a proposed extension of a bike trail Tuesday expressed concerns over crime and privacy, while others said they can't wait for the trail to head farther west.

Belleville West slowly is changing its colors. The Maroons, who relied heavily on junior Justin Clayborne and struggled to make free throws early in the season, featured a different star and clicked from the line Tuesday in a 52-35 win over O'Fallon in a Southwestern Conference game.

Brad Pitt insists he didn't cheat on Jennifer Aniston with Angelina Jolie. In a story posted on W magazine's Web site, the 45-year-old actor defends both women and says his relationship with Jolie didn't begin until after he and Aniston split in 2005.

Even before he takes office, President-elect Barack Obama's image will become part of the permanent collection at the National Portrait Gallery, the museum announced Wednesday.

For years Belleville leaders have been adamant that they want more owner-occupied homes in the city. It's a laudable objective, and this is no time to back down.