DIGEST

• Jackie Joyner-Kersee will lead asthma benefit in St. Louis

  Jackie Joyner-Kersee will lead a one-mile and 5K walk on Sunday in Forest Park in St. Louis to help bring awareness to asthma. She will kick off the event at 8:15 a.m. with a talk about her struggles with asthma.

• East St. Louis volunteer clean-up set for today

  The East St. Louis Life More Abundantly Clean Team will host Make East St. Louis Beautiful events today and May 31.

• Madison shopkeeper 'very happy' with acquittal on murder charges

  

  Madison shopkeeper Baha "Bob" Hamdallah took a chance by not accepting a guilty plea, and he came out the winner.

• Free tire collection continues today in Sauget

  A free tire collection continues 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 17, at the GCS Ballpark, 2301 Grizzlie Bear Blvd. in Sauget.

• Splash City sprucing up for 11th season

  Crew members are doing more than the usual clean-up this week at Splash City Family Waterpark to prepare for opening day next Saturday.

• Memorial Hospital celebrates 50 years

  -- Fifty years ago, Memorial Hospital opened its doors to serve the medical needs of metro-east residents. On Sunday, it will celebrate the half-century mark with a Community Open House and Tour.

• Belle-Scott Dinner reinforces strong bond with Scott

  

  A record-breaking crowd of civilians and military personnel gathered Thursday evening to recognize the service of the enlisted men and women of Scott Air Force Base.