Don’t miss this: Emergency crews were busy on Easter Sunday

Employees at the Swansea Jack in the Box called police at 7:15 a.m. Easter Sunday morning to report an armed man was trying to rob the restaurant. Swansea officers arrived and, together with Belleville police and St. Clair County Sheriff’s deputies, surrounded the building. The employees escaped unharmed and police took the would-be robber into custody.

Six hours after the attempted robbery, Belleville firefighters were dispatched to a home on Lucinda Avenue that was on fire. The family who owns the home was away at Easter brunch. When they got back, they found their home severely damaged. Firefighters said discarded embers sparked the blaze.

Renovation work is under way for a frozen custard and steakburger joint in Shiloh, a used car retailer is open in O’Fallon, a cafe and lounge is planned for Swansea and a soul food restaurant just opened in Alorton. Also, new jobs data shows Illinois’ unemployment rate ticked upward last month, but payrolls statewide also expanded. See this week’s Retail Roundup for more.

Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich may soon learn whether the U.S. Supreme Court will hear an appeal of his conviction on corruption charges. Justices deliberated the petition Friday and may announce Monday whether they’ll take up the case. Blagojevich is currently serving a 14-year prison sentence.

This story was originally published March 28, 2016 at 6:46 AM with the headline "Don’t miss this: Emergency crews were busy on Easter Sunday."