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WOOD RIVER – Starting next week, pennies will no longer be an acceptable form of payment at Wood River City Hall. The city announced on Wednesday that this decision stems from a Federal Reserve announcement that penny production is officially ending, noting the federal agency will no longer accept the one-cent coins for deposit. “Because we can no longer deposit them, the City of Wood River will no longer accept pennies for any payments made at City Hall effective Monday, Oct. 20, 2025,” the city announced. While payments made online or by credit/debit card will still accept exact amounts, there will be some slight changes for those paying their bills with cash. Cash payments will still be accepted at City Hall, but residents are asked to round “up or down” to the nearest nickel. Late fees and other penalties will not be imposed on payments that are short by four cents or less. President Donald Trump instructed the U.S. Treasury Department in February

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EAST ST. LOUIS — East St. Louis School District 189 highlighted positive achievements at Gordon Bush Alternative Center for September 2025, recognizing staff and students who exemplify respect and contribute to a positive school environment. Catrice Johnson, a social worker at the center, was named Staff of the Month as part of the Golden Cadet Awards. Students Jasmine Hagens, representing the high school, and Syllas Renaud, from the middle school, were also honored as Students of the Month for demonstrating the core character trait of respect. In addition, special recognition was given to Dr. Kenya Cody, Kennedy Streeter, and student Ta'Niya Walker as “Bright Spots” for their positive impact within the school community. East St. Louis School District 189 shared these acknowledgments as part of its ongoing effort to celebrate the accomplishments and positive contributions of individuals at Gordon Bush Alternative Center.

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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — The Fairview Heights Police Department is warning residents after a report of an unknown man claiming to be an Ameren employee who attempted to gain entry to a home. The incident occurred recently when the individual knocked on a resident’s door and said he needed to “check some codes," Fairview Heights Police said. The resident denied entry and contacted Ameren, which confirmed it did not have any employees working in the area at that time. Fairview Heights Police urge caution when approached by anyone claiming to represent a utility company or business, particularly during unannounced visits. The city enforces a strict solicitor policy requiring anyone conducting door-to-door business to obtain a permit from the city and display it visibly at all times. “If you encounter a suspicious individual or notice someone soliciting without a visible permit, please contact the Fairview Heights Police Department immediately,” the department

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), spoke with NORTHCOM leadership about the Trump Administration’s unlawful deployment of troops to American cities for immigration and law enforcement support. During the call, the Senators requested additional information about how these domestic deployments will impact military readiness and stressed that the nation’s military must comply with the Posse Comitatus Act . “President Trump’s deployment of troops to American cities, including Chicago, is a clear violation of our nation’s Constitution. It does not make our cities safer, and it is a harmful diversion of resources that undermines our military readiness and politicizes our nation’s military,” said Durbin. “As DHS officials continue to shut Illinois leaders out while rolling in federal agents and the

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O'FALLON – Dean Williams, a junior who's also the backup quarterback for Edwardsville High's football team, was thrust into the role after starter Yale Weaver was injured in a loss to East St. Louis in week six, and had filled the quarterback position very admirably and well for the Tigers. Williams replaced Weaver after the injury in the loss to the Flyers, and played well under very difficult circumstances, going six-for-18 passing for 71 yards in the game on Oct. 3. In a bounce back Tiger win at O'Fallon on Oct. 10, Williams was six-of-10 passing for 111 yards, 92 coming on his only touchdown pass of the night, a strike to Eric Smith on the first play of the fourth quarter, and also ran for 35 yards and an 11-yard run for the final touchdown of the night in a 35-3 romp. Williams has tremendous speed in the open field, evident in the two games he has started, so he will be a running threat in the position. Williams is a Spencer Homes Male Athlete of the Month for the Tigers.

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ALTON - The 108th Alton Halloween Parade is sure to be fun, and Parade Marshal Karen Wilson can’t wait to be a part of it. Wilson recently retired as a State Farm agent in the community, and she volunteers regularly with Pride, Inc., and other organizations around town. She notes that she has been involved in the Halloween parade for years, sometimes as a business owner, other times as a parent or student organization advisor. She is honored to take on this new role. “I can’t remember not getting excited about the Halloween parade,” she said. “It’s fun just to see the town come together.” The parade is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Halloween night, Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. The route begins downtown at the intersection of Washington Avenue and Broadway and will continue on Broadway to Piasa Street, where it will end at 9th Street. Wilson said she is “very flattered” by the recognition. She joked that the East End Improvement

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul charged a Macedonia, Illinois man for allegedly disseminating child pornography. The case is part of Raoul’s ongoing work, in collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies and local law enforcement officials throughout Illinois, to apprehend offenders who download and trade child sexual abuse material online. The Attorney General’s office charged Shawn Schweitzer, 42, in Hamilton County Circuit Court with four counts of dissemination of child pornography, Class X felonies each punishable up to 30 years in prison. Schweitzer is currently detained at the White County Jail, and his next court appearance is Dec. 3. “Survivors of child exploitation and their families deserve the justice and peace of mind that their abuser cannot harm others, which can be critical in their healing from these heinous crimes,” Raoul said. “My office’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force will continue to partner with

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor recognizing the ceasefire deal for the war in Gaza. In his remarks, Durbin acknowledged that the return of hostages and halt to the fighting are only the first steps in bringing long-term stability to the region, and he called upon President Trump and the United States’ regional allies to continue pushing for an end to the conflict. “Over the long weekend, the world saw what is hopefully the beginning of the end of the war in Gaza,” Durbin said. “We know there are still critical elements to be negotiated and settled. But the first phase, which included the release of the Israeli hostages and a ceasefire, is a good-faith start to a more inclusive agreement.” “It won’t be easy. The remaining steps will be difficult and require sustained attention from President Trump and our allies that helped make the beginning of this agreement

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - On Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, the St. Louis County Family Court certified 17-year-old Darnell Warner as an adult, leading to homicide charges related to a March 2024 stabbing in the 2400 block of Hord Avenue. Warner faces second-degree murder and armed criminal action charges in connection with the death of a victim identified as J.B. The incident occurred on March 12, 2024, when St. Louis County Police responded to reports of a large disturbance. Upon arrival, officers found J.B. had been stabbed in the chest. He was transported to a hospital but later pronounced deceased. According to the probable cause statement, detectives from the Crimes Against Persons unit conducted interviews and reviewed citizen video footage that showed Warner armed with a bladed instrument approaching J.B. The footage depicts Warner striking J.B. in the chest before the victim collapses. Investigators linked Warner to the crime through witness tips and by recovering clothing matching that

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BELLEVILLE – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that rehabilitation of a crossing by Norfolk Southern railroad on North Belt West between Ruth Street and West Washington Street in St. Clair County will require a full closure beginning, weather permitting, Monday, Oct. 20. A posted detour will be in place to safely guide motorists around the closure, which is expected to conclude Friday, Oct. 24. Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to detour signs in work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on X at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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CHICAGO – Today, Governor Pritzker convened a group of distinguished former military generals, rear admirals, and veterans to hear their perspectives amid the Trump Administration’s ongoing exploitation and politicization of America’s servicemembers and his unprecedented attempt to deploy the military into American cities. With continued escalating threats by the Trump Administration, the retired military leaders expressed grave concern about Trump's continued abuse of power and attempts to politicize the military. “I’m grateful to have the clarity given by the retired generals, rear admirals, and veterans here with me today. With their combined wealth of experience, I have been hearing from them about what this dangerous power grab by the Trump administration means for our state,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “One thing is evident: this effort to deploy troops in American cities is not normal. There is no justification for such a deployment,

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ALTON – Residents of Alton and Godfrey face felony charges after allegedly stealing money from a local business and individual in unrelated cases. Jason M. Farrow, 44, of Godfrey, was charged on Oct. 10, 2025 with a Class 2 felony count of theft. On Aug. 7, 2025, Farrow allegedly stole over $10,000 from the Owl’s Club located at 227 Blair Ave. in Alton. He was granted pretrial release from custody in the case presented by the Alton Police Department. In a separate case from Oct. 9, 2025, 62-year-old Willie L. McClam of Alton was charged with one count of theft, a Class 4 felony. McClam reportedly stole an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency from an individual victim on April 6, 2025. Charging documents state he had previously been convicted of theft in a prior criminal case out of Jackson County, Mo. The Alton Police Department also presented the case against McClam, who was also ordered released from custody pending trial. All individuals charged are presumed innocent

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today secured a preliminary injunction temporarily blocking the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) unlawful demand that states turn over personal and sensitive information about millions of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients. This July, Attorney General Raoul and a coalition of 20 attorneys general filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration alleging the USDA’s demand violates multiple federal laws and the U.S. Constitution. “This injunction means that for now, states do not need to choose between following the law by protecting SNAP recipients’ information or complying with the USDA’s unlawful demand and potentially losing millions of critical SNAP dollars,” Raoul said. “Tens of millions of Americans rely on SNAP benefits to obtain nutritional food, which supports local growers, farmers’ markets and, ultimately, states’ economies. No one should

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ALTON — A candlelit vigil was held Thursday evening, Oct. 16, 2025, at an intersection of Homer Adams Parkway and Seminary Street in Alton to honor Grace Bustos, 17, who died in a car crash on Oct. 3, 2025. The community gathered near the location where the accident occurred to remember Grace, who was described by her family and friends as "a smart, funny, and empathetic young woman." Grace’s father, Tomas Bustos, said his daughter was highly intelligent and had been looking forward to graduating from high school early. Grace’s mother, Meghan Bustos, was also in the vehicle during the collision and has been unable to work since the accident. The vigil was organized by Krystal Radcliff and Valerie Radcliff as a way for the community to come together in support of the Bustos family. Krystal Radcliff said the event was created to honor a family who raised “a kind individual who cared for others.” “Grace was amazing,” Krystal said. “She

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years before retiring from military service at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, today released the following statement regarding Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s new restrictions on the media’s First Amendment right to report on and help ensure transparency at the Pentagon. The un-American restrictions on free speech that Hegseth—who famously is responsible for, but has yet to be held accountable for, one of the most significant classified national security leaks in years—demanded have been rejected by virtually every major news outlet, including his former employer FOX News, ABC News, NBC News, CBS News, Newsmax and others. “The American people deserve transparency from their government—especially from an Administration that brags about being ‘the most transparent Administration in history’ and from a department

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EDWARDSVILLE - Leclaire Elementary has been recognized as a Model Professional Learning Community (PLC) at Work school by Solution Tree, honoring its commitment to collaboration, continuous improvement, and student success. This recognition places Leclaire Elementary among an elite group of schools across the nation that have demonstrated exceptional dedication to ensuring high levels of learning for all students through the PLC at Work process. More than 800 schools internationally have been recognized as Model PLC schools, including 42 in Illinois. Leclaire is just the third school south of Chicago to earn the distinction and is the only school in the Metro East. To be designated as a Model PLC, schools must meet rigorous criteria, including: Demonstrating a sustained commitment to PLC at Work concepts for at least three years. Presenting clear, measurable evidence of improved student learning. Providing annual data that confirms continued implementation and

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Did you know that the average American consumes over 20 pounds of pasta each year? This seemingly simple food has transcended borders and centuries, weaving itself into the fabric of global cuisine. National Pasta Day, celebrated annually on October 17th, invites us to reflect on the rich history and enduring significance of pasta—a dish that is as versatile as it is beloved. The Origins of National Pasta Day National Pasta Day was established to honor one of the world’s most popular and enduring foods. While the exact origins of the day are somewhat obscure, it gained traction primarily through grassroots efforts and food enthusiasts who sought a dedicated time to appreciate pasta’s cultural and culinary impact. The date, October 17th, was chosen to coincide with the fall season in the Northern Hemisphere—an ideal time for hearty meals and comfort foods. Organizations like the National Pasta Association in the United States have played a pivotal role in promotin

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October 17 has been a date marked by significant milestones and memorable moments across the globe. Moving back, October 17, 1931, saw the inauguration of the George Washington Bridge between New York and New Jersey. At the time, it was the longest main span suspension bridge in the world, symbolizing advancements in engineering and the growth of metropolitan connectivity. This bridge not only facilitated economic growth but also became an iconic architectural landmark. In the realm of politics, October 17, 1973, marked the beginning of the Yom Kippur War's endgame, as ceasefire negotiations began between Israel, Egypt, and Syria under intense international pressure. The conflict, which had started earlier that month, significantly impacted Middle Eastern geopolitics and shaped future peace processes. This event highlighted the complexity of international diplomacy amid conflict. Sports enthusiasts may recall that on October 17, 1968, in Mexico City, the Olympic Games were underway,

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Friday in the River Bend will be partly sunny and very warm. Expect a high near 81 with a low of 63. Winds will come from the south around 9 to 20 mph. It will feel pleasant outside with no rain expected during the day. Clouds will increase in the evening with a chance of thunderstorm toward dawn, and winds will pick up to 15 to 28 mph, making it breezy overnight. Morning starts off warm and dry with temperatures in the low 60s. The afternoon is nicely warm with plenty of sunshine through scattered clouds. As the evening sets in, clouds thicken and a thunderstorm is likely close to dawn Friday night. Winds will become breezier after dark. Saturday will bring heavy thunderstorms through much of the day. High temperatures will cool to around 71 with a low near 50. Winds will be breezy from the SSW at 15 to 32 mph with gusts that could bring localized damaging wind gusts. The day will be mostly cloudy with thick clouds and heavy rain showers. The chance of storms continues into Saturday

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MORRISTOWN, N.J. (AP) — Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist and founding member of the glam rock band Kiss who captivated audiences with his elaborate makeup and smoke-filled guitar, died Thursday. He was 74. Frehley died peacefully surrounded by family in Morristown following a recent fall, according to his agent. Family members said in a statement that they are “completely devastated and heartbroken” but will cherish his laughter and celebrate the kindness he bestowed upon others. Kiss, whose hits include “Rock and Roll All Nite” and “Detroit Rock City,” was known for its intense stage shows, which included fireworks, smoke and eruptions of fake blood performed by band members in black-and-white painted faces, platform boots and black wigs. Frehley and his band mates were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.

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