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ALTON - Sparks Junk Removal & Hauling offer many services and this holiday season they are adding one more. The company is having its First Annual Free Christmas Tree Pick Up on January 3-4. Owner Denise Sparks said it's her way of giving back to the Alton and Godfrey community and thanking them for their loyalty to their business with Sparks Junk Removal & Hauling. She said that all you have to do is put the tree down by the curb and they will come to pick it up on either one of the two days. Customers are advised to schedule their pick-up on the company's website at Sparks Junk Removal & Hauling . While on Riverbender.com's 'Our Daily Show' Denise told host CJ Nasello that she'll have been in business for 30 years this upcoming May. The company offers services such as cleanouts, furniture and appliance removal, and light demolition work. They are now also in the dumpster rental service. Their flagship service is their all-inclusive junk removal. All you have to do is point

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EDWARDSVILLE - Nearly 700 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students enjoyed a hearty breakfast Sunday night, served by SIUE administrators, faculty and staff. SIUE Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Jeffrey Waple, PhD, and other campus leaders, faculty and staff, gathered to dish out a delicious late-night breakfast spread to students as they fuel up and prepare for finals week. The SIUE community wished students well as they finish the fall 2022 semester. The menu included French toast sticks, scrambled eggs, hash browns, turkey sausage, bacon, fresh fruit, pastries and juice. The Morris University Center, University Housing, Dining Services and Kimmel Student Involvement Center co-sponsored the event. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville provides students with a high-quality education that powerfully transforms the lives of all individuals who seek something greater. A premier metropolitan university, SIUE is creating social and

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COTTAGE HILLS – Community Hope Center announced today it received a grant for $25,000 from Bayer Fund, a philanthropic arm of Bayer in the U.S., which will be used to purchase fresh produce, lean meats, low-sodium vegetables, soups, and whole grain pastas as well as maintain our fleet of trucks used to pick up food. Paul Militzer, Executive Director said, “This grant from Bayer Fund will be used to increase the choices of healthy food in our guest-choice food pantry. Community Hope Center is committed to providing healthier food options for our guests. CHC’s food pantry features SWAP (Supporting Wellness at Area Pantries), which helps guests find the healthiest foods that are available and provides nutrition information. Because of this Bayer Fund grant, CHC will be able to increase the amount of healthy food including fresh produce, low-sodium soups/mixes, whole grain pastas, lean meats, and dairy. It will also help CHC with the increasing costs of maintaining the

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police Crimes Against Persons detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred in the 4600 block of Whisper Lake Drive which resulted in the death of an adult male. The deceased has been identified as Hershel Perkins, 60 years of age, of the 1200 block of Scott Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri 63138. On December 13, 2022, at 9:36 PM, St. Louis County police officers from the North County Precinct responded to a call for service for an assault in the 4600 block of Whisper Lake Drive. Responding officers located an adult male in a parking lot suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene. St. Louis County Police Department’s Crimes Against Persons detectives are conducting the investigation. The investigation is very active at this time. Additional information will be disseminated as it becomes available. Please contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210 to speak with investigators

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ALTON - Paige Bradley of Marquette Catholic High School and Isabella Hall of Alton High School were honored as Students of the Month of December at a recent meeting of the Rotary Club of Alton-Godfrey held at Gentelin’s on Broadway Restaurant. Isabella Hall is an Alton High School senior and daughter of Joel and Amy Hall. Isabella has been able to achieve the accomplishments of keeping 4.5 GPA, being in the top 2% of her class, and receiving the honor of Illinois State Scholars. She has taken multiple honor and AP courses, such as Pre-Calc, AP BIO 2, AP Statistics, and AP Psychology. She has also had the privilege to join honors programs such as National Honors Society and Mu Alpha Theta. Isabella also participates in activities such as photography, which led to her being Editor for the Alton High School's yearbook three years in a row and winning many photography competitions throughout the state. She also works after school at 1st MidAmerica Credit Union as a teller. Isabella

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THE CONVERSATION - American scientists have announced what they have called a major breakthrough in a long-elusive goal of creating energy from nuclear fusion. The U.S. Department of Energy said on Dec. 13, 2022, that for the first time – and after several decades of trying – scientists have managed to get more energy out of the process than they had to put in. But just how significant is the development? And how far off is the long-sought dream of fusion providing abundant, clean energy? Carolyn Kuranz , an associate professor of nuclear engineering at the University of Michigan who has worked at the facility that just broke the fusion record, helps explain this new result. What happened in the fusion chamber? Fusion is a nuclear reaction that combines two atoms to create one or more new atoms with slightly less total mass. The difference in mass is released as energy, as described by Einstein’s famous equation, E = mc 2 , where energy equals mass times the

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ALTON - It won’t be long before the iconic American Bald Eagles return to their winter homes in southwest Illinois so make plans now to take your winter eagle-watching adventure to the next level with a guided eagle-watching shuttle tour available in Alton and Grafton beginning Jan. 7, 2023. All eyes are on the sky as the Great Rivers & Routes region prepares for the annual winter migration of the American Bald Eagles. Every January, experts anticipate as many as 1,000 bald eagles will migrate to the area reclaiming their winter roosts along the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway just outside St. Louis in Illinois. To celebrate the return of this majestic bird, the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau has slated two months of guided shuttle tours to help eagle watchers discover the best places to view the wintering birds. Starting Saturday, Jan. 7., tours will be available in Alton and Grafton. Tours will take place each Saturday through Feb. 25. Tickets for

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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville High boys basketball junior guard Malik Allen had one of his best games of the season on Dec. 10 in the Scott Credit Union Edwardsville Shootout, leading the Tigers with 19 points as Edwardsville defeated Mary Institute-Country Day of Ladue, Mo., 55-50, dealing the Rams their first loss of the season. The Tigers all played well and worked hard throughout the game, getting key baskets when they needed them. It was a very good bounce-back win also, as Edwardsville came back from a couple of tough Southwestern Conference losses earlier in the week to both O'Fallon and Belleville East. Allen is an iCAN Clinic Male Athlete of the Month for the Tigers. "I'm feeling pretty good," Allen said in a postgame interview. "I'm glad we got the win and we're going to keep working hard, the season's not over. That was a tough loss last night (to East), so we wanted to make sure we came out big tonight and come out with a win and we did that." The win over a previously

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ALTON - Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said Tuesday afternoon the missing person - Brittany Higgins - has been located today. "Brittany is safe," the chief said. "Her family has been notified," added Ford. Ford also said the Alton Police Department appreciates everyone who assisted in helping locate Brittany. Brittany L. Higgins was reported missing to the Alton Police Department by a family member on 12/06/22.

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JERSEY COUNTY - At 10:56 p.m. on Monday, December 12, 2022, the Jersey County Sheriff's Department was advised of a single-vehicle accident, with a rollover, near Davidson Road on Illinois State Highway 109. The Jersey County Sheriff's Office said the single occupant of the involved vehicle was initially treated on the scene before being flown to Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. The accident is still under investigation by the Jersey County Sheriff's Department.

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EDWARDSVILLE − Trinity Lutheran Ministries in Edwardsville hosted its seventh annual Ugly CHRISTmas Sweater 5K Race on December 10, 2022, and this event, along with other activities at the church and school, raised more than $8,000 for area charities. Participation in the Ugly CHRISTmas race was also strong with nearly 200 runners entered. Proceeds from this year's race were given to the Ed-Glen Food Pantry and Edwardsville Neighbors In Need. Pastor John Shank presented checks for $1,500 to each organization following the event. Trinity's school held its annual Holiday Shop earlier this month, where students were given the opportunity to purchase presents for friends and family members at school, with all of the proceeds going to the Ed-Glen Food Pantry. This year's Holiday Shop raised more than $5,800 for the food pantry. The school also held a canned food drive for the Glen-Ed Food Pantry, and more than 1,800 items were collected and donated to the organization. Prizes ar

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JERSEY - The Jersey Community Hospital Ambulance Association donated some early Christmas presents Monday to other colleagues in law enforcement. "The Ambulance Association purchased these 'jump bag' first aid kits to donate to Grafton Police Department, Jerseyville Police Department, Jersey County Sheriff's Office, and Brighton Police Department. "We are so grateful for the working relationship we have with these great officers and how much help they provide to our ambulance crews," JCH Ambulance Association said. "Jersey County is very blessed. "Also a huge thank you to Santa Claus (Steve Pegram of Got Faith) for making this just a little bit more special."

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WOOD RIVER – Midwest Members Credit Union is proud to sponsor the “Oiler of the Month” program at EAWR High School. A senior student is selected each month by members of EAWR faculty. Each student is awarded a certificate and a Subway gift card. The Seniors selected each month will have the opportunity to compete for a $1,000 “Oiler of the Year” scholarship at the end of the school year. October’s winner is Mia Seibert. Mia is a Senior at EAWR and is involved with varsity cheerleading, the National Honor Society, Spirit Club, RBGA Young Adults Committee, and Big Sisters. Mia has received honors for gold renaissance and all-conference in cheerleading. After graduation Mia plans to obtain a degree in athletic training or physical therapy at Illinois State University. Congratulations Mia and we all wish you good luck in your future! Midwest Members Credit Union has been serving your community for over 87 years. To find out more information about Midwes

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A Maine mother is warning other parents after her 10-month-old daughter nearly died after accidentally swallowing a toy. Folichia Mitchell tells Good Morning America that her daughter wound up in the hospital after swallowing a water bead, a toy meant for her eight-year-old son. The tactile toys are marble-sized and water-absorbing. They are often used to reduce stress and anxiety while helping to develop focus and attention. The National Poison Control Center and the American Academy of Pediatrics say water beads can expand inside a person and cause a life-threatening intestinal blockage. The incident is a reminder to know the signs of poisoning and choking and the steps to reverse the effects of each, says Aminat Ogun, MD, a family medicine physician at OSF HealthCare in Champaign, Illinois. “Make sure there are no loose coins around - no small toys they can pick up and swallow,” Dr. Ogun advises as a first step. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has

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ST. LOUIS - In the Missouri and Arkansas Region, Red Cross disaster response volunteers have also provided relief and comfort after home fires and other local disasters, including responding to tornadoes that ripped across the two-state region, and flooding that impacted the St Louis area . Since January 1, 2022, more than 330 Red Cross disaster workers in the Missouri and Arkansas Red Cross Region have deployed to more than 30 events from coast to coast to help ensure no one faces a crisis of any size alone. Since January 1, 2022, nearly 3,200 disaster responses in the Missouri and Arkansas Region (primarily home fires, but also tornadoes, flooding or damaging wind events have resulted in more than 11,500 people receiving assistance in the region. In the Greater St. Louis chapter, approximately 625 disaster responses (primarily fires, but also floods, tornadoes, wind event responses) , have resulted in Red Cross assisting more than 2,120 people . Blood donations:

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ALTON - The Alton Committee of the Whole held a very brief meeting on Monday night, during which they approved several easements and property bids with little to no discussion. A temporary easement for the removal of encroachments on Plum Street and East 4th Street was approved unanimously. An ordinance authorizing a permanent easement for an encroachment on Plum Street was also approved unanimously. The Committee also approved a notice of sale of property owned by the City of Alton and an “invitation to bid thereon.” The City Clerk of the City of Alton will receive sealed bids for the purchase of the property, located at 1420 E. 4th St. Several property bids were awarded at Tuesday’s meeting as well. S. Shafer Excavating, Inc. was awarded the bid for 3602 & 3604 Thomas Ave. in the amount of $24,700.00 and for 645 East 5th St. in the amount of $31,400.00. A question was raised as to whether these properties were slated for demolition, which it was revealed

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EDWARDSVILLE - Nautical Bowls was jam-packed throughout the day for its grand opening Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, at its new Edwardsville location at 2323 Plum Street. Since the opening day, the location has been steady as one of the latest Edwardsville businesses. The new Edwardsville business is located between Sugarfire and Chicken Salad Chick on Plum Street. Joel and Melissa Nimmo, the new owners of Nautical Bowls, said the new business has been a year in the making. “We are excited to bring Nautical Bowls to the Edwardsville community,” Nimmo said. “Every ingredient we use is like a superfood and it looks like a desert. The food ingredients have a number of healthy textures. "We will serve delicious acai bowls that are packed full of superfood ingredients that are organic, gluten-free, dairy-free, plant-based, and loaded with essential vitamins and nutrients to fuel a full life.” Joel said he is originally from Edwardsville and graduated from EHS in 1994

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Inclusive Excellence, Education, and Development Hub (The Hub) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville hosted five special celebrations to honor graduates representing various historically minoritized populations during the week of Dec. 5-9, ahead of the University’s fall 2022 commencement exercises being held Friday-Saturday, Dec. 16-17. SIUE recognized graduates who identify as Hispanic/Latinx, Black, Asian American, Pacific Islander (AAPI), LBTQIA+, and non-traditional during the week of celebrations. The pre-commencement ceremonies celebrated the extraordinary achievements made by these students. “It is an honor for The Hub to celebrate students at events such as this,” said Lindy Wagner, assistant vice chancellor for Inclusive Excellence, Education, and Development. “It is our responsibility to ensure students feel connected, have a sense of belonging, and know they are a part of a community here at SIUE. What better way to do

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GRANITE CITY - Granite City High School sophomore athlete Abby Knight is what can be described as a “multi-dimensional” student-athlete. Abby is a star on the soccer team, a tennis player, and last fall she became known as one of the area’s kickers with significant potential for her final two years. Abby’s head Warriors football coach Kindle Lyons said he always received “100 percent” out of the sophomore. Abby kicked several extra points and a 37-yard field goal against Carbondale added Coach Lyons. Abby is a Stillwater Senior Living Female Athlete of the Month for the Warriors. “I think if she works hard in the weight room, she will be able to kick a 50-yarder," Coach Lyons said. “I told everybody that she kicks better than most young men. She is a great multi-sports athlete and she does so many positive things around the school. I look for her to grow and continue to get better. She will be a big boost for us in the 2023 season with

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WOOD RIVER - These are Wood River residents clarifying instructions for the 2023 Community Aggregation Program. All City of Wood River residents and qualifying small businesses will receive notification by mail within the next week pertaining to the City’s municipal aggregation program. Opt-Out Notices The opt-out notices will come from Constellation NewEnergy explaining the new aggregation program. If you were previously part of the aggregation program and wish to continue the benefits of the program, simply do nothing with the letter, and you will automatically be re-enrolled in the program. Upwards of 90 percent of all eligible residents participate in the aggregation program. Although savings are never guaranteed, residents who have participated in the program since its inception 10 years ago have saved money over Ameren Illinois rates. Opt-In Notices These notices are for residents and qualifying small businesses who were not part of the aggregation program and ar

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