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GRAFTON - Friday night, November 25, Grafton’s Christmas tree at Grove Memorial Park came alive in a blaze of colored lights as the crowd sang “Here Comes Santa Claus” — and Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived right on cue. The City held its annual tree-lighting event to welcome the holiday season. Nikki Brooks entertained all and led the group in a Christmas carol sing-a-long. Hot chocolate provided by the Grafton Pub warmed the crowd as they enjoyed cookies and Christmas camaraderie. Brisk temperatures added to the festivities and couldn’t dampen the town’s holiday spirit as children shared their secret wishes with Santa and photos with the jolly old elf were available to all. The Community Outreach Committee chaired by Alderwoman Donna Smith organized the event for the City. “This is the first year that our Committee has had the responsibility to put on this event,” commented Alderwoman Smith. “We are planning to make this tree

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ALTON - In order to continue to receive the benefits of the Metro East electricity municipal aggregation program, the best option is to do nothing. Many residents in the Metro East (see list below) electricity service area have received confusing communications suggesting that they must soon make a choice to change their supplier. This is not accurate. To be clear: Your community has already selected a competitive supplier, Constellation NewEnergy, to recommence the electricity aggregation program starting in February 2023. Constellation NewEnergy’s rate will be a 22-month term at $0.1210 compared to Ameren’s Basic Service Rate of $0.12236. An Opt-out letter for the new program will be sent out in the next few weeks. Metro East customers participate in a municipal aggregation program that combines the purchasing power of 28 communities to secure reliable, cost-effective power for approximately 130,000 homes. At a time of rising costs and turmoil in the energy markets, municipal

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WOOD RIVER - Downtown Wood River was packed with families for a visit with Santa Claus and a petting zoo, plus businesses were open for visitors, and many offered special Christmas beverages and food items. “We had Santa along Ferguson and it was sponsored by the Police Association and enrichment network of downtown,” Wood River Mayor Tom Stalcup said. “Several of the businesses had a great crowd and treated people with cookies and punch for a neat event.” Wood River Police Chief Brad Wells said before the event, some of the residents said they were having a difficult time getting their kids in for different Santa events, so they took the situation into their own hands and created this new addition to Small Business Saturday with the petting zoo. Mayor Stalcup said the Wood River businesses had a lot of success on Saturday.

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ALTON - The Annual Green Gift Bazaar had 40-plus “green” vendors and a wide variety of environmentally friendly gift ideas on Saturday in Downtown Alton. The event was held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Small Business Saturday in Downtown Alton at both the Post Commons and Jacoby Arts Center. Alton Main Street Executive Director Sara McGibany said this was the 20th anniversary of the Green Bazaar with a strong crowd of shoppers at both locations the whole day through. “Driving around and seeing all the foot traffic throughout downtown you could tell that our community really came out in force for Small Business Saturday, and we thank everyone who chose to support our local retailers and restaurants for this important occasion.” The crowd was strong throughout the six hours and many walked away with unique, locally-made, friendly gifts for their loved ones from herbal products, jewelry, ornaments, houseplants, clothing and so much more.

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EAST ALTON – This year, the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC) is partnering with Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Community Oriented Digital Engagement Scholars (CODES) to solve key issues in the region. CODES is a new program offered through SIUE that takes an innovative approach to educating its students, focusing on real-world experiences and collaboration, hands-on learning and creating strong faculty-student connections. This year, the 25 CODES students are focusing on Alton, and students are working to study the resiliency spatial justice in the face of a changing climate. Three local nonprofits were chosen to work with a cohort of students. In addition to NGRREC, the other nonprofit organizations included in this year’s program are the YWCA of Southwestern Illinois and the National Council of Negro Women – Alton. “NGRREC was chosen for their emphasis on the river and their rootedness to the region and to the

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CHICAGO - Two Metro East Illinois organizations are among those statewide recently awarded grants through two programs that together provided nearly $3 million this year to help improve the oral and overall health of Illinoisans. These grant programs aiming to improve health care across the state through education and access to quality care are the COVID-19 Renewal Grant program, funded by Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation and Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation, and Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation’s Community Grants program. Metro East Illinois recipients of Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation Community Grants include: Bond County Health Department, Greenville $20,000 Bond County Health Department has a rural dental clinic that plans to see more than 2,750 children annually. This grant will be utilized to upgrade equipment in their clinic which will allow them to see more Medicaid patients and more children in the school setting. Riverbend Head Start

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COLLINSVILLE – In what has become a local holiday tradition, some of the area’s best local musicians will be putting on a festive holiday concert to help provide a meal and toys for 200 needy families in the Collinsville area. Sponsored by Laura Buick and Old Herald Brewery & Distillery, JingleJam III is slated for 7:15-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 at HeraldSquare, 115 E. Clay St. It’s the same night as Collinsville’s annual Light Up Parade and Old Herald’s Island of Misfit Toys Market. The show will feature five local performers and bands and will benefit the Collinsville Food Pantry’s annual holiday drive. The drive provides the 200 families with a holiday dinner; at least three toys for each child in the household; and a ball, game, and blanket. “The JingleJam has become one of my favorite nights of the year,” said Collinsville Food Pantry Fund Committee Coordinator Judith Grantham. “The music is amazing, it’s sooooo much

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ALTON - The 63rd Annual Great River Road Run once again brought in runners from across the country and had a big impact economically on Alton with 400-plus runners who signed up. “I just recently heard there was somebody from Newfoundland here,” Race Director Russ Colona said. “We get them from all over. A few years ago I looked and we had runners from 26 different states running this race. “People come by and wave at me. They are happy and having a good time and that is great to see.” Kayleigh, a runner, said they heard about the race from a friend and wanted to come out and give it a try. We heard the views along the river were great and it is a great way to spend the Saturday after Thanksgiving.” Margaret Dublo said she had run the race for the past six years, but took this year off to support her son who was 17 and running. I know quite a few runners in the running community. My cousin is running the race and I am supporting him. It is

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WATERLOO - First National Bank of Waterloo is bringing financial literacy education to over 1,420 students in several counties in Illinois. Students at 17 schools have free access to Banzai, an award-winning online program and content library that allows users to practice real-world finance from the safety of their home or classroom using any internet-enabled device. At a time when a solid foundation of practical financial knowledge is critical, these resources will make a huge impact on users. All of these resources are available to students at home or in the classroom via any device that can access the internet. "Banzai is a web-based financial literacy program. Kids get their own accounts, and they work through assignments that are based on real life," says Morgan Vandagriff, co-founder of Banzai. "But because First National Bank of Waterloo is sponsoring it, local schools get it for free. More than ever, it's important that kids develop sound financial skills to prepare them for

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A left ventricular assist device allows blood to bypass the weak part of the heart. It can be temporary or permanent depending on the patient. “You may have six months to live.” The words hit Rick Kurth like a ton of bricks. Since 2004, the attorney from Danville, Illinois, had been managing a virus in the left ventricle of his heart. On March 23, 2022, Rick was at an Indianapolis, Indiana, hospital, and he thought he was going home after some tests. Instead, doctors told the then-72 year-old that his heart was not pumping blood the way it needed to. In other words, it was failing. Even worse, Rick says the providers told him he was not a candidate for a new heart. So, after some initial skepticism and talks with his wife Dianne, Rick accepted a new partner in his life - one with wires and batteries that would be with him every second of every day: a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). “A lot times I forget I even have it on,” Rick chuckles, reflecting

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EDWARDSVILLE - Dr. Andy Dykeman and Jennifer Dykeman are well-known in art circles around the region for their creative skills. Andy and Jennifer will be exhibiting new art at Sacred Grounds Cafe in Edwardsville from December 2, 2022, until January 15, 2023. The Dykeman will have an opening celebration from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, December 2, 2022. Refreshments will be served. The show is curated and sponsored by The Gogh Getters. Dr. Dykeman is a Chiropractic Physician at Rosewood Chiropractic Clinic in East Alton who played drums in the influential pop punk band, judge nothing. His paintings reflect his observations of external influences on our mental, spiritual and physical health. Jennifer Dykeman is an Art Therapist and Grief Counselor at Evelyn’s House in Creve Coeur. Her analog collages and paintings involve themes of life, death, regeneration, energy, and movement and she considers herself an intuitive artist drawing on psychological and philosophical theories learned

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EDWARDSVILLE – City officials are happy to announce a groundbreaking will take place this month for the East Fire Station, a state-of-the-art facility that will enhance the City’s ability to serve and protect residents for years to come. The groundbreaking will take place at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, November 29. The City cannot accommodate the public for the ceremony out of an abundance of caution as the site does not offer public parking at this time. A public open house for the new facility will take place when complete. “We’re prioritizing the well-being of our residents as we move forward with the East Fire Station, a key part of the City’s long-term plan for public safety,” Mayor Art Risavy said. “I’m appreciative for the support of the aldermen as we implement it.” The $5.1 million East Fire Station will be built at 7407 Governors Parkway. The new facility will be part of the City’s three-station approach to ensuring the

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SOUTH ROXANA - The Village of South Roxana announced today it has a Mr. and Mrs. Claus date scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on December 3 at South Roxana Village Hall, 211 Sinclair Ave. Children will be able to get pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, with face painting, and they will receive a treat bag. “It should be an awesome day for the kids,” Village Administrator and Police Chief Bob Coles said. “Our mayor started this three or four years ago. The face painting is something new, and we are going to have someone come in as Grinch so the kids can have some fun with them.” Coles said the Christmas scene backdrop should provide a good backdrop for photos of the children. “This is just something nice we wanted to do to give back for the holidays,” Coles added.

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The region has followed the statewide trend of increased job growth in the latest unemployment stats released by the state. The not-seasonably adjusted unemployment rates for local counties are as follows: Madison County’s unemployment rate is 3.8 percent in October 2022 compared to 3.8 percent in October of 2021. Jersey County is lower at 3.2 percent for October 2022, compared to 3.3 percent in October 2021. The other unemployment rates for area counties are as follows: Macoupin County 3.6 percent in October compared to 3.5 percent in October 2021. Calhoun County has a 3.8 percent rate in October 2022, compared to 3.6 percent in October 2021. Greene County’s rate is 3.7 percent in October against 3.6 percent in October of a year ago. Alton has a 5.5 percent unemployment rate in October 2022, compared to 5.8 percent last year at the same time. Edwardsville has the lowest rate at 3.0 percent in October 2022, compared to 2.7 percent a year ago. Granite City has dropped

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When someone experiences ongoing physical pain, they typically visit a primary care physician, and if that person experiences other specific health concerns they might visit a specialty doctor. Imagine what would happen if we treated our mental health with the same urgency. Many people tend to put their mental health aside because it is less tangible and can feel differently than physical health symptoms. Why do we not address our mental health like we do our physical health? Throughout history, physical health has been held to a much higher standard than mental health, and while it is getting better, there is still much work to be done. However, no matter how much emphasis is placed on physical health, it is important for us to remember that they are both interconnected. The relationship between physical and mental health is reciprocal, meaning that physical health may impact mental health and vice versa. For example, physical illnesses may create mental health concerns or symptoms,

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CARLINVILLE - Jerseyville and Brighton Blackburn College students have been inducted into the school's honors society chapters. Jerseyville's Evan Hopper was inducted into Alpha Chi, A national honor society, Alpha Chi recognizes students who excel academically — residing in the top 10% of their junior or senior class — and are elected by Blackburn faculty on the basis of academic achievements and character. Brighton's Jayden Sansone was inducted into Lambda Pi Eta, the National Communication Association’s official honor society, Lambda Pi Eta recognizes outstanding scholastic achievement in the field of communications. Fourteen Blackburn students were celebrated for their exceptional academic achievements during the November ceremony. The event was hosted by Dr. Karen Dillon, Professor of English, and featured a keynote speech from Dr. Alberto Cintron-Colon, Professor of Biology, who shared words of wisdom regarding success both in and outside of the classroom.

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From cooking chicken in Nyquil to storing avocados in water and everything in between, the social media app TikTok has had its fair share of “health hack” videos that have gone viral in recent months. Now, a new “hack” is trending on the app, prompting medical experts to once again warn individuals about: at-home mole removals. The main reason people are attempting to remove moles on their own is for cosmetic purposes. However, not only can attempting to remove a mole at home lead to infection, but it probably won’t work as intended. “If it’s not in a clean environment it can create a large area for infection to grow, which can lead to needing antibiotics and further scarring. I think removing a mole at home would just cause the opposite effect of what you’re looking for,” says Anne Orzechowski, an OSF HealthCare family medicine advanced practice nurse. Some people are uploading videos of themselves getting rid of a mole a

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ALTON – Alton Pride’s first annual Thanksgiving Food Drive Competition was a huge success. Ten area bars participated in the competition which ran October 29 through November 12. A grand total of 2,111 non-perishable food items were donated over the two-week period. The donations collected were paired with turkeys and donations from Mike & Mikey Klasner and Friends. This partnership successfully provided 55 Thanksgiving meals to Alton Riverbend Head Start and Alton School District families. A large donation was also made to the Crisis Food Center in Alton. The winner of the competition, having collected 1,279 items, was Pete’s Lounge. Pete’s Lounge is located at 100 Big Arch Rd, Godfrey, IL 62035, near Alton Square Mall. Owner Mike Sholar has made sure there is a little something for everybody from delicious dinner specials to thirst-quenching drinks and video gaming. The relaxing and friendly atmosphere is inviting to all persons over 21. A special thank

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LITCHFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Internal Investigation (DII) is investigating an officer-involved shooting in Litchfield. ISP, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, and Litchfield Police Department officers responded to call of a person with a gun. Just after 10 a.m., Thursday, November 24, 2022, officers located the suspect in the parking lot of Taylorville Community Credit Union. The subject displayed a firearm and two Litchfield police officers, a Montgomery County Sheriff’s deputy, and an ISP trooper discharged their firearms. The suspect was struck and disarmed, and then transported to the hospital. No officers were struck or injured during the incident. In accordance with the Police and Community Relations Improvement Act (50 ILCS 727) and the Illinois State Police Law (20 ILCS 2605), Special Agents of the Illinois State Police Division of Internal Investigation are investigating these events. This investigation is open and

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SPRINGFIELD - Secretary of State Jesse White announced that Secretary of State Police will be conducting parking stings at shopping malls statewide throughout the holiday season and ticketing individuals who illegally park in spaces reserved for persons with disabilities. Secretary of State Police will enforce the provisions of the Parking Program for Persons with Disabilities at shopping centers on Black Friday in Chicago, Fairview Heights, Peoria, Rockford, Schaumburg and Springfield on Black Friday, Nov. 25 as it marks the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season. Secretary of State Police will also be enforcing the program in other areas of the state throughout the holiday season. “Our mission is not to issue tickets, but to ensure that accessible parking spaces are available to those who need them,” said White. “Parking illegally in a space reserved for people with disabilities means a possible driver’s license suspension and a hefty fine, money whic

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