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SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is encouraging 2025 Illinois State Fairgoers to visit the office’s tent to apply for a REAL ID, meet Illinois authors, experience the office’s One-Stop-Shop model and check out its “food truck” DMV. “The State Fair is a wonderful opportunity for friends and families to gather, enjoy the best of Illinois agriculture and celebrate our great state,” Giannoulias said. “Attendees and families should swing by our tent to apply for a REAL ID and other driver, vehicle and business services, or check out our Illinois author readings, genealogy searches and fun activities for all ages.” For the kids, the tent will offer Pop-a-Shot basketball hoops, a coloring station and appearances by Illinois authors who will read their books aloud and give away signed copies during select times on each day of the fair. Featured writers include Nadia Ahmed, Jacob Grant and Ann Zhao (see schedule below).

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GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College recognizes alumnus Tommy Karlas, a professional country music singer-songwriter signed with Sony Music Publishing/Droptine. Karlas has written for some of the biggest stars in country music and performs around the world, including regular appearances at the renowned Bluebird Café in Nashville. He considers himself fortunate to have made music his career and has celebrated over 300 million streams as a songwriter. Karlas plans on returning to L&C in October for a homecoming concert. Tommy may be most known for writing the No. 1 country hit "Roll With Me" by Montgomery Gentry. "My most memorable experience at Lewis & Clark was before I even started attending the school, when I stepped onto the Ann Whitney Olin Theatre stage at the age of 13 for a talent show," Karlas said. "There was something about that show in that theatre that marked the beginning of a long career in music and entertainment." Karlas said that

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ALTON – OSF Medical Group – Primary Care (Alton) is pleased to announce that a new board-certified family medicine nurse practitioner has been added to its staff to better serve the primary care needs of Riverbend region residents. Stacy Marriott, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, is accepting new patients at OSF Medical Group – Primary Care, located at #2 Saint Anthony’s Way, Suite 205, in Alton. Ms. Marriott will see patients on Monday and Wednesday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Marriott’s medical interests include (but not limited to): Family medicine Diabetes High blood pressure High cholesterol Obesity Women’s health Depression Anxiety As a board-certified family medicine nurse practitioner (American Nurses Credentialing Center), Marriott has accumulated more than 17 years of experience that’s included serving as a Nurse Practitioner at HSHS Medical Group(Highland, IL; 2023-2025), and in dual roles of Nurse Practitioner and Hospitalist

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EDWARDSVILLE - You can experience all the fun of Vietnam in Edwardsville at an upcoming “Taste of Vietnam” pop-up event at EXO Lounge. From 6–9 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, community members are invited to EXO for a night of fresh Vietnamese flavors in addition to EXO’s nail bar and med spa services. EXO owner Gina Gamblin expressed her excitement to welcome the community to EXO for an evening of culture and fun. “EXO is a destination, but more so than just having a party, I think it’s important to have experiences,” Gamblin said. “Some may never get to travel to Vietnam, but just the culture and how we can bring it to life here at EXO is perfect.” EXO’s lounge boasts a Michelin-star chef and delicious food and cocktail menus at all times, but on Aug. 14, the kitchen will be transformed into a Vietnamese restaurant. Gamblin said some of EXO’s technicians once owned a restaurant, so the food will

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services’ (DCFS) tent at the 2025 Illinois State Fair will be bustling with activity this year as representatives from the agency will be on hand to welcome families and share information about the department. Visitors to the tent, located on Central Ave., will learn how they can create bright futures for children through foster care, adoption or guardianship and speak to employment recruiters to learn about exciting job opportunities with the department and how to apply to join the DCFS team. Families are also invited to take pictures, play games and explore the children’s activity area. “Governor Pritzker challenged state agencies to create a theme around innovation in Illinois, and DCFS is proudly sharing our innovate work," said Illinois DCFS Director Heidi E. Mueller . “From launching our updated mandated reporter training which focuses on recognizing when a family needs support

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CHICAGO – With summer almost over and the start of school just around the corner, Attorney General Kwame Raoul is warning Illinoisans to be wary of back-to-school scammers trying to take advantage of students and their families. Back-to-school scammers, like all scammers, try to trick consumers into paying for services or items that they will likely never receive or sharing personal data that scammers can use to steal consumers’ identities. “Consumers should not let the stress and expense of returning to the classroom keep them from doing their due diligence when buying school supplies online, getting test prep help or filling out scholarship applications,” Raoul said. “My office provides advice and resources to help people avoid identity theft and assist those who think their information may have been compromised. I encourage people to visit my office’s website for more details.” Attorney General Raoul encourages consumers shopping for school

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BELLEVILLE - The 1st Annual ROCK THE BLUE Event, co-hosted by COPPER FIRE, VENUE ON MAIN & RACHEL’S SIDEBAR was a raving success, thanks to the 40+ businesses & organizations and additional volunteers that stepped up to the plate, to make it all happen! “This entire event was truly a “Labor of Love” for Downtown Belleville Business Owners Renae Eicholtz (Copper Fire), Conni Tilley (Venue on Main) and Rachel Speichinger (Rachel’s Sidebar) who put the entire event together in less than 6 weeks, to benefit the three Fairview Heights Police Officers officers injured in the line of duty in May 2025. “We had talked about doing an event initially to support our Belleville Police Department downtown, but when this tragic event happened, we were all on board with assisting the Fairview Heights police department instead, with Chief Matt Eiskant and Lt. Col. Mark Heffernan from Belleville Police Department agreed that we should support our neighboring community

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SPRINGFIELD — Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) Acting Director James Jennings is announcing a $750,000 funding opportunity through the Agency’s Section 604(b) Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP) Program. Priority for funding will be given to projects that build capacity and/or increase assessments of waterbodies in support of implementing the WQMP and the Areawide Water Quality Management Plans. The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) has been posted at: https://il.amplifund.com/Public/Opportunities/Details/5b3c0096-6cad-46ac-bbd8-42f584d2d531 Grant funds under this program are used to determine the nature, extent, and causes of point and nonpoint source water pollution; develop water quality management plans; develop technical and administrative guidance tools for water pollution control; develop preliminary designs for best management practices to address water quality problems; implement administrative water pollution controls; and educate

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GODFREY – At Lewis and Clark Community College, student ambassadors do more than give tours and assist with campus events — they represent the heart of the student body. The current ambassadors, Emma McRae, Josiah Schuette, and Sebbi Ehlers, are using their time at L&C to shape their futures, support others, and lead by example. These three students come from different backgrounds and are pursuing different career paths, but they all found a home and a voice through the student ambassador program. "Our current ambassadors have set the standard extremely high for future applicants," L&C Recruiter and coordinator of the student ambassador program, Daniel Nosce said. "They are always on time, grasp concepts quickly, and are extremely hardworking and organized." Nosce said each ambassador embodies what it means to be a Trailblazer and looks forward to their lasting impact on future students. The program typically selects three to four ambassadors per year to

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Did you know that immersing yourself in lakes, rivers, or oceans can offer more than just a refreshing escape? Beyond the obvious joy of swimming, natural bodies of water provide unique health benefits that modern pools simply can’t replicate. As more people seek holistic wellness practices, the practice of swimming outdoors in natural environments is gaining attention not only for fitness but also for its therapeutic effects on the mind and body. The Physical Advantages of Natural Water Swimming Swimming is widely recognized as a comprehensive workout, engaging multiple muscle groups while being low-impact on joints. However, swimming in natural waters introduces additional physical benefits: Enhanced Cardiovascular Fitness: The varying temperatures and currents of natural water bodies require the body to adapt constantly, promoting better cardiovascular conditioning. Research has shown that swimming in colder water can improve circulation by stimulating blood flow to

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August 6th holds a remarkable place in history, marked by events that have shaped the global landscape across politics, science, culture, and more. Arguably the most profound and impactful event on this day took place in 1945 during the final stages of World War II. On August 6, 1945, the United States dropped the first atomic bomb used in warfare on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. The bomb, nicknamed “Little Boy,” caused unprecedented destruction and loss of life, instantly killing an estimated 70,000 people with tens of thousands more succumbing to injuries and radiation exposure in the following years. This event marked the dawn of the atomic age and had a profound influence on international relations, military strategy, and the global quest for nuclear disarmament. The devastation led to Japan's eventual surrender and the end of World War II, but it also sparked decades of debate about nuclear weapons and their ethical implications. Moving backward in time, on August

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Today's weather in the Riverbend area is looking warm and mostly sunny. The high will reach 89 degrees with a low of 68 degrees. Expect mostly sunny skies with some humidity, making it feel hotter in the afternoon, up to 98 degrees. Winds will be light, coming from the southeast at about 6 mph. Allergy indexes are low across the board, with ragweed, grass, mold, and tree pollen all at low levels. The UV index is very high, so be sure to wear sunscreen if you plan to be outdoors. Tomorrow's outlook calls for a high of 90 degrees and a low of 70. It will be sunny and humid again, with a slight chance of a thunderstorm. Winds will pick up a bit to around 8 mph from the south-southeast. As the weekend approaches, a heat wave is expected to settle in, so stay hydrated and take breaks if you're outside doing strenuous activities. For more details, visit https://riverbender.com/weather .

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JERSEYVILLE – Mayor Kevin Stork on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, gave a brief update on the City of Jerseyville’s ongoing storm recovery efforts, including upcoming curbside pickups, available cleanup kits, and more. At the Aug. 5, 2025 City Council meeting, Stork announced the city is continuing its curbside pickups of storm-damaged debris on Wednesday, Aug. 6, and Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. He encouraged residents to contact City Hall at (618) 498-3312 to schedule a time for city crew members to pick up any debris in need of disposal. Stork added there are still Salvation Army cleanup kits available for free at City Hall for anyone still in need of one. These cleanup kits include a five-gallon bucket, 32-ounce container of hard surface cleaner/degreaser, work and cleaning gloves, a mask, sponge, brush, trash bags, and more. “We all realize the city faced an extraordinary storm event where we got 6 to 10 inches of rain in roughly three to four hours,” Stork said, adding

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WOOD RIVER — Families and first responders came together on August 5 at the Wood River Police Department for the 2025 National Night Out, fostering community engagement and providing an opportunity for residents to connect with local emergency services. The event featured participation from multiple agencies, including the Wood River Fire Department, Alton Police Department, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Roxana Police Department, Arch Helicopter, Survival Flight Ambulance, Alton Memorial Ambulance, and Wood River Public Works. Children had the chance to explore various emergency vehicles, including a tactical vehicle available for them to climb into. “We’ve had a wonderful turnout. It’s great watching our officers interacting with the community in a fun event,” said Wood River Police Chief Brad Wells. The event was organized by Kristen Burns, executive director of the Wood River Business Alliance, with coordination support from Erica Chalcraft,

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HAZELWOOD, MO. - Men who have lost a child are invited to a day of “brotherhood.” From 3–5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, at 2267 Riverwood Trails Drive in Hazelwood, the Bereaved Fathers’ Day event invites fathers and father figures to come together for an afternoon of conversations, breakout sessions with licensed therapists, cornhole, axe-throwing and connection. Lawayna Berry, who organized the event, hopes it helps attendees share their grief. “We want to just hold space,” Berry said. “If you want to share, you can, but you don’t have to. We just want to take a moment to just honor the strength behind the silence.” Berry, a licensed therapist, started Allberry Career and Life Coaching in 2022 “to help people experience life better.” She decided to host the Bereaved Fathers’ Day event because it is “very sacred” to her to help other parents through one of life’s greatest challenges.

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JERSEY - Anna Kribs, a sophomore at Jersey Community High School, emerged as a key player for the school's girls softball team in 2025, according to coach Chelsey Crnokrak. Kribs, a two-year starter at shortstop and the team's leadoff hitter, has demonstrated consistent effort and leadership throughout the season. Kribs is a Sparklight Jersey Female Athlete of the Month. "Anna gives 100% effort from her first warm-up until the end of the game or practice and sets a great example for her teammates," Crnokrak said. "She creates an offensive spark and is an aggressive base runner who puts pressure on opponents' defense." This season, Kribs posted a .337 batting average with 31 hits, 13 RBIs, nine doubles, and three triples. Over her two seasons, she holds a .325 career batting average. Kribs is expected to return to the team as a junior in 2026 and be one of the area's premier softball players.

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MADISON COUNTY — The Madison County Sheriff’s Office conducted a targeted traffic safety campaign from July 8 to August 1, 2025, aimed at reducing speeding and promoting safer driving habits, officials said. The campaign, part of a statewide initiative involving multiple law enforcement agencies, the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Illinois State Police, sought to address highway fatalities and injuries related to speeding. During the enforcement period, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office issued 28 speeding citations, made one DUI arrest, and issued citations for suspended or revoked licenses, uninsured motorists and other traffic violations. “We continue to urge all drivers traveling through our community to slow down, obey speed limits and drive responsibly,” said Captain T.J. Hernandez of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. “Every decision you make behind the wheel matters — it’s truly not a game.” The

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COLLINSVILLE — The City of Collinsville hosted its National Night Out in Woodland Park, drawing a large crowd to foster community engagement and strengthen relationships between residents and local law enforcement. Organized by the Collinsville High School Black Student Union, the event featured participation from multiple agencies and organizations, including the Collinsville Police Department, Illinois State Police, Collinsville Fire Department, City of Collinsville Parks and Recreation, Collinsville Community Unit School District #10, Collinsville Chamber of Commerce, Collinsville Food Pantry, Revity Credit Union, First National Bank of Waterloo, and NAMI. National Night Out is an annual campaign designed to promote police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. The gathering in Woodland Park aimed to encourage collaboration and mutual support among Collinsville residents and public safety officials. The event’s success was reflected in the turnout

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CARLINVILLE — Carlinville Area Hospital & Clinics will host a community blood drive with ImpactLife on Monday, August 18, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The event will take place inside the ImpactLife Donor Bus at 20733 North Broad in Carlinville. ImpactLife, a nonprofit organization that supplies blood products to more than 100 hospitals and emergency medical services across Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin, will conduct the blood collection. The drive aims to support local hospitals by replenishing blood supplies. Appointments are requested and can be made by contacting Vicki Walker at (217) 854-3141 or by visiting www.bloodcenter.org using code 60352. Donors may also schedule by calling ImpactLife at 800-747-5401. Eligibility requirements include being at least 17 years old (16 with parental permission), weighing more than 110 pounds, and presenting a photo ID. Donors must not have given blood since June 23, 2025, or later. Individuals with diabetes or controlled high blood

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SPRINGFIELD — Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Acting Director James Jennings today announced a new Notice of Funding Opportunity with a total of $5 million available for projects that will improve water quality in Illinois. The Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunities (GIGO) Program has been made possible by Governor Pritzker’s bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital plan. The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is posted at: https://il.amplifund.com/Public/Opportunities/Details/936ac400-7c97-4c3e-8bbb-2e0c9ee711ca . “Under Rebuild Illinois, the Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunities Program has already infused $20 million into Illinois communities, improving water quality with each new project,” said Illinois EPA Acting Director Jennings . “Green infrastructure projects not only control stormwater runoff impacting our rivers, lakes, and streams, but also improve the local landscape.” Illinois EPA is seeking proposals for projects

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