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SMITHTON - State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) is hosting Mobile Office Hours in Smithton on October 21. This free event gives his constituents the opportunity to discuss topics regarding the state legislature and to talk about changes they would like to see in Illinois. “I look forward to meeting my constituents to have open conversations about what matters most to them and their families,” said Schmidt. “This event is designed to give individuals the time to share their thoughts with me so I can better serve them in Springfield.” Mobile Office Hours Details: When: October 21, 2025 Where: Smithton Village Hall Address : 101 S. Main Street, Smithton Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. For more information, please contact Rep. Schmidt’s office at (618)-215-1050, or his website, repschmidt.com Representative Kevin Schmidt represents the 114th District, which includes a portion of St. Clair County.

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ALTON — Centerstone announced the installation of a new NARCAN vending machine at its Alton office. Anyone can receive and carry doses of naloxone nasal spray, a medication that rapidly reduces the effects of opioids used to treat persons suspected of overdosing on opioid drugs. This lifesaving resource was made possible through a grant from Chestnut Health Systems. In collaboration with Centerstone, Chestnut will supply and restock the machine, while Centerstone ensures naloxone is available for Madison County residents in need. Centerstone Vice President of Clinical Services Stacy Seitz says the machine takes the element of asking another person for NARCAN out of the picture. It can help create awareness and knowledge of a life-saving treatment. “We have been giving out NARCAN for free for years, but people have to come to the front desk, and people might not want to come in and ask for it,” Seitz said. “That’s where the vending machine in a great

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FAIRMONT CITY — Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) today joined local officials, transportation stakeholders and labor leaders to celebrate another historic round of investments in Metro East infrastructure. As part of $400 million specifically identified to support 223 projects localities, Illinois announced a $670,000 commitment to Fairmont City to complete improvements to the North 42nd and 44th street corridors, as well as other investments in localities across the Metro East region. This investment is part of the largest infrastructure program in state history , totaling $50.6 billion over six years. “Across the state, our Rebuild Illinois program is getting shovels in the ground and putting Illinoisans to work on projects that are vital to community interest and helping grow the entire state,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Starting with improvements to major streets and corridors in Fairview Heights, Granite

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ALTON - Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski met with advocates to learn about the impact the government shutdown has had on senior citizens. On Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, Budzinski hosted a roundtable at Senior Services Plus in Alton to talk about concerns related to Medicare, Social Security, and similar programs. She welcomed area nonprofits and organizations that work primarily with seniors to talk about their experiences and concerns amid the government shutdown. “We live in the richest country in the world, and we shouldn’t have seniors that are going hungry,” Budzinski said. “I think it’s just important for people to understand that we have some very vulnerable seniors that can’t get out and just get a job and work their way through this. These are folks that are 80 years old that should be enjoying the twilight of their lives.” Budzinski was joined by Theresa Collins, CEO of Senior Services Plus; Chris Fulton, Home and Community-Based Service

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COLLINSVILLE - Margot Schusky, a senior from Collinsville High School (CHS), has been selected to serve on the Student Board of Directors at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis for the 2025–2026 academic year. The Fed’s Student Board of Directors is a competitive and prestigious program that offers students a rare opportunity to engage directly with the nation’s central banking system. This honor is extended to a select group of high-achieving students from the St. Louis area. The program is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of the Federal Reserve’s role in the U.S. economy, hands-on financial literacy education and career development opportunities through direct interaction with Fed leaders, professionals and former interns. As a student board member, Margot will learn how the Federal Reserve influences everyday economic life, collaborate with fellow board members to create and present a financial education project at her school, and gai

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GRAFTON — A male dog found running loose in Grafton around Oct. 15, 2025, began showing signs of illness the following day and was taken to Hawthorne Animal Hospital in Glen Carbon, where staff suspected the animal might have contracted rabies. The dog was euthanized for testing, with results expected around Oct. 30, 2025, or later. Officials advise that anyone who had direct physical contact with the dog should consider consulting their physician. Rabies is typically transmitted to stray dogs through the bite of an infected animal. The virus is present in the saliva of a rabid animal and can also spread if saliva enters an open wound or mucous membranes. This can occur if a stray dog fights with a rabid animal such as a bat, raccoon, skunk, fox, or another infected stray dog. No further information will be available until the test results are received. Updates will be provided at that time unless the dog’s owner comes forward.

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ALTON – Hellrung Skate Park in Alton may get a series of ramp repairs pending approval from aldermen this week. Alton Committee of the Whole members are set to consider a resolution on Monday night which would award a $34,100 bid for Hellrung Skate Park repairs to Stutz Excavating, Inc. If approved, the item would go next to the Alton City Council for final approval this Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025 . Six total ramps would be repaired throughout the skate park if the resolution is given final approval on Wednesday. Stutz Excavating representatives wrote in a memo to city officials that each of these repairs would be made using an “epoxy grout that is used on bridge decks for a lasting repair.” Each ramp would see repairs to their existing sheet metal, which will also be repositioned. Replacement sheet metal would also be installed on each ramp, while the existing sheet metal “will still be partially bent and wavy even after repair and repositioning,” according

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Alton football Redbirds scored first and held the lead for a time, but eventually, Edwardsville went ahead and gained control of the game. Alton didn’t back down, and kept on fighting throughout the entire game, much to their credit, despite the 37-7 loss to the Tigers. Alton is 0-8 overall on the season but has shown growth and development throughout the season, Coach Cody Markel said. The Redbirds took the opening kickoff and drove 69 yards in five plays, climaxing with Cayden Robinson throwing 48 yards to Grant Ely to give Alton an early 7-0 lead. “That was a tremendous start for our program,” said Alton head coach Cody Markel, “and being able to open up the opening drive with a touchdown, that was huge for us. I really thought it gave us some momentum in he first quarter. The thing of it is, the boys fought all the first half. We’ve just got to find a way to put all four quarters together with the same mentality and toughness.”

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EDWARDSVILLE — Edwardsville High School students Gracie Cook and Schaefer Bates were crowned Homecoming Queen and King during halftime of Friday night (Oct. 17, 2025) football game against Alton. Edwardsville topped Alton 37-7 in the homecoming football game matchup. The crowning ceremony was led by last year’s Homecoming King and Queen, Jackson Ward and Lucy Schapman. The event took place at Edwardsville High School football field, marking one of the highlights of the school’s homecoming celebrations.

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ST. CHARLES, MO. — A 34-year-old man was fatally shot by a St. Charles County Police officer Friday evening, Oct. 17, 2025, following a domestic disturbance call that escalated into an armed confrontation, authorities said. At approximately 6:37 p.m. on Oct. 17, St. Charles County Emergency Dispatch received a 911 call reporting a domestic disturbance in progress in the 600 block of Hickory Dale Drive. Upon arrival, officers encountered a man armed with a knife engaged in a physical altercation with a woman on the front porch of the residence, both kneeling. According to the St. Charles County Police Department, an officer drew his firearm and issued multiple commands for the man to drop the knife and for the woman to move inside for her safety. The man, identified as Frankie L. Navarro, 34, of St. Charles, did not comply, broke free from the woman’s attempted restraint, stood up, and advanced toward the officer while still armed. The officer then discharged his weapon,

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ALTON - Hayner Library Presents Poe and Irving – An Evening of Recitations with Anne Williams Historic Interpreter and Performer to Delight Audiences with Haunted Tales in Time for Halloween With the lights turned down and the Gothic-style architecture of the Genealogy & Local History Library adding to the ambiance, patrons are in for an atmospheric treat as Anne Williams, historic interpreter and performer, will recite dramatically, from memory, several works by the author Edgar Allan Poe. Williams will also recite as well as an excerpt from another October favorite, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, by Washington Irving. Poe’s stories will include The Tell-Tale Heart, The Black Cat, The Raven, and others. Anne has shared the authors’ stories and poems with audiences at historic sites in New York, Philadelphia, Richmond, and regionally in Missouri and Illinois. She has worked with the National Park Service, St. Louis Public Radio, and many historic sites on various

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) called for an independent investigation into the outrageous use of force by federal agents involved in “Operation Midway Blitz” in Chicago. In a letter to the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Inspector General and (OIG) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) OIG, Duckworth requests the offices establish a joint task force for investigation after Trump’s agents repeatedly deployed tear gas, pepper balls and flash-bang grenades against peaceful protestors, made unnecessarily violent arrests—including zip tying children and separating them from their parents—wrongfully detained U.S. citizens and even used deadly force during a traffic stop. “The people of Chicago, and the United States, deserve transparency and accountability when Federal officers operate in their neighborhoods,” Duckworth said. “Given the heightened public concern in Chicago and the troubling trend—cited

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee; U.S. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY); U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee; U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-DE), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense; and combat Veteran U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) led 22 Senators in sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Defense Acting Inspector General (DOD IG) Steven Stebbins to call for an inquiry into the recent domestic deployments of active-duty and National Guard troops to Chicago; Los Angeles; Washington, D.C.; Portland; and Memphis. In the letter, the Senators underscore the illegality of the domestic troop deployments, which undermines military readiness and politicizes the nation’s military. “We write to express our concern about the deployment of U.S. troops to American cities, including in Los Angeles;

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Too often, Medicare enrollment and long-term care (LTC) coverage are treated like one-off insurance purchases. In reality, these choices carry long-term financial consequences and should be driven via a thoughtfully constructed retirement income plan in advance of purchase decisions. The retirement income plan provides clarity, leading to better confidence in your decision process. At Genesis Wealth Management Group , Bill Kinkel coordinates healthcare and financial planning with your income strategy, tax planning, and retirement goals so your plan protects both your health and your wealth. Common pitfalls to avoid: Assuming Medicare covers everything. It does not pay for most long-term care or custodial care needs. Delaying LTC planning. Waiting can lead to higher premiums, limited options, or ineligibility due to health changes. Treating healthcare as a line item instead of a strategy. Uncoordinated withdrawals can raise your Medicare premiums and increase taxes.

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JERSEY COUNTY — The Jersey County Sheriff’s Office announced plans to remove six mature trees from the courthouse lawn due to disease and age, officials said. Jersey Sheriff Nick Manns said earlier this year, the office observed that several trees on the courthouse grounds were dying. After consulting with a resource conservationist and a state forester from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, they determined the trees were affected by a combination of disease and natural aging. “Based on their advice, we made the very difficult decision to remove six trees from the lawn to ensure the safety of our citizens and to prevent the death of additional trees,” Manns said in a public service announcement. The sheriff’s office emphasized that the removal is a safety measure and that plans are already underway to plant new trees once the best species are selected to suit the location. The removal process is currently underway, with replanting t

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EDWARDSVILLE – As Halloween approaches, the Edwardsville Police Department is urging everyone to drive sober, buckle up, be alert for pedestrians and follow traffic laws. With children and families out after dark for trick-or-treating and community events, officers will be stepping up enforcement to keep the streets safe. “Driving under the influence — whether from alcohol, cannabis, or any impairing drug — is dangerous and illegal,” said Lt. Matt Senci. “We encourage everyone to plan ahead. If you’ll be celebrating, line up a sober ride, use public transportation, or call a friend.” The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Drive High. Get a DUI” campaigns, along with increased traffic enforcement, are funded by federal highway safety grants administered by IDOT. These efforts are supported by the Illinois State Police and local law enforcement agencies across the state. The campaigns are reinforced by IDOT’s

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ALTON – Marquette Catholic High School will present Alice in Wonderland on November 7th and 8th, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. on the Ruth Klaus Stage located at 219 E. 4th Street. Alice in Wonderland is based on the stories of Lewis Carroll and adapted by Jason Pizzarello. It is produced by special arrangement with Stage Partners (www.yourstagepartners.com). After Alice falls down the rabbit hole, mad tea parties, sarcastic caterpillars, depressed turtles and a very irrational queen take stage in a dream-like landscape. According to Ms. Madison Foreman, MCHS Theater and Music Director, twenty-five students are involved in the production as actors and crew. She said, “Working on Jason Pizzarello’s Alice in Wonderland has been a wonderful reminder of how imaginative the students are. They have taken this classic story and made the characters their own. Each character is full of color, curiosity, and of course madness. The students' passion and love for the performing arts have

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EAST ALTON – A local man has been charged with stealing large amounts of copper material from Wieland in East Alton. Jonathan W. Burris, 35, listed as homeless out of East Alton, was charged on Oct. 14, 2025, with a Class 2 felony count of burglary and a Class 3 felony count of theft. On Sept. 13, 2025, Burris allegedly entered a building at 427 N. Shamrock in East Alton, which is property of Wieland, with the intent to commit a theft. He is additionally accused of stealing 19 bundles of copper wire, weighing approximately 740 pounds, with a total value exceeding $500 from Wieland. This occurred just over a week before a separate but similar incident in which a Granite City man was accused of stealing multiple spools of copper wire, compressed copper pucks, and a copper coil condenser from Wieland Recycling in Granite City on Sept. 21, 2025. The case against Burris was presented by the East Alton Police Department, and he has been granted pretrial release from custody.

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GODFREY - A local writer turned Nashville star is returning to the Riverbend for a concert. At 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, Tommy Karlas will bring his music and stories back to Hatheway Hall at Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey. Karlas, a Nashville singer-songwriter, is celebrating 300 million streams as a songwriter and three million streams as a singer. “It’s kind of a full-circle moment to come back,” he said. “They get to hear the stories behind the songs, how they were created, songs that they love, they get to hear how the original version was or the songwriter who wrote it doing it himself. I think there's just a big hunger out there. It's a little bit different than going to a big concert and rocking out. It’s way more intimate.” You can purchase tickets here . A ticket includes admission to the afterparty at the Wood River Moose following the show. Karlas explained that the show itself will be modeled after

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Gregory Loehr, 64, of the 1200 block of Waldorf Drive in St. Louis, was identified as the pedestrian fatally struck on Oct. 14, 2025, in the 9800 block of Halls Ferry Road, authorities confirmed Monday, Oct. 20, 2025. The St. Louis County Police Department Bureau of Crimes Against Persons and Accident Reconstruction detectives are investigating the incident, which occurred at approximately 7:53 p.m. near Sun Valley Drive. Officers from the North County Precinct responded to a call for a motor vehicle crash and found Loehr had been struck by at least one vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene. Preliminary findings indicate Loehr was in the roadway when the collision occurred. The driver involved remained at the scene and is cooperating with the ongoing investigation. Police officials have urged anyone with information about the crash to contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210 or CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477) to remain

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