East Alton Board Unanimously Approves Police Promotion and Demolitions

EAST ALTON - Several proposals, including a police promotion, demolition plans for four properties, and the purchase of new basketball hoops for the Keasler Complex, passed unanimously during an East Alton board meeting Tuesday night.

Among the measures approved in East Alton were the appointment of Officer Wesley Hockaday to sergeant, demolition of four properties, the addition of six basketball hoops at the Keasler Complex, and a Class A liquor license for a new convenience store at 605 Berkshire Blvd.

Hockaday was sworn in as sergeant with family and friends in attendance. He began his career with the East Alton Police Department in April 2021 after coming from the Venice Police Department. His son pinned his sergeant's badge on him.

Board members also approved demolishing properties at 116 Virginia, 608 Berkshire, 407 E. Main, and 131 Ohio.

The property at 608 Berkshire is the remaining portion of the former Shop 'N Save strip mall that burned Feb. 24, 2026. Crews demolished half of the building the day after the fire because of the unstable structure. The remaining section housed China Star, Dollar General, Subway, and a convenience store. Those businesses have been closed since the fire.

At 407 E. Main, the former Magnums Bar and Grill has been closed for some time. It was discussed on Monday that the roof is caving in.

The property at 131 Ohio had a fire in April and has also been a police problem for a while.

The board also approved adding six new basketball hoops at the Keasler Complex. Because of a PEP grant, East Alton would pay an additional $4,000.

Also approved was a Class A liquor license for a new convenience store at 605 Berkshire Blvd. Renovations have been underway over the last several months to prepare the store.

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