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What if the people who serve you your meal could tell you stories not just about the food, but about centuries of social change and cultural traditions? National Waitstaff Day, observed annually on May 21st, is more than just a nod to the hardworking individuals in the hospitality industry—it is a celebration rooted in complex social dynamics, economic shifts, and evolving cultural values. The Origins of National Waitstaff Day National Waitstaff Day is a relatively recent addition to the calendar of observances, yet it taps into a much older tradition of recognizing service workers. The day was established to honor waiters, waitresses, and all those who serve food and beverages in various settings—from restaurants to catering events. Its creation reflects a growing awareness of the essential role waitstaff play in the dining experience and the broader hospitality industry. Unlike many holidays that have religious or political origins, National Waitstaff Day emerged largely

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May 21 has witnessed a range of significant historical events across the centuries. One of the standout global events on May 21 occurred in 1969 with the launch of Apollo 10, NASA's critical dress rehearsal for the first Moon landing. Apollo 10 was the fourth crewed mission in the United States Apollo program and the second to orbit the Moon. The spacecraft was launched from Cape Kennedy (now Cape Canaveral), Florida, carrying astronauts Thomas P. Stafford, John W. Young, and Eugene Cernan. The mission's primary goal was to test all components and maneuvers without actually landing on the lunar surface, setting the stage for the historic Apollo 11 landing just two months later. Apollo 10's success was crucial in proving that the lunar module could operate in lunar orbit and safely rendezvous with the command module—a pivotal step in space exploration history. In a political context, May 21, 1881 also saw the founding of the French Third Republic's first socialist political

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Key takeaways: Parkinson's Disease cases are expected to drastically increase in the next 25 years Longer life expectancy, increased awareness and population growth are key factors Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a surgical option for certain PD patients Within 25 years, the world can expect to see a 112% increase in the number of people living with Parkinson’s disease (PD) since 2021. A new report in the British Medical Journal (BMJ ) links population growth and longer predicted lifespans as two main causes for an expected 25 million patients with Parkinson’s across the globe by 2050. What is Parkinson's disease? “Parkinson’s disease is a movement disorder which causes a person to move less. It happens because the brain is not making enough dopamine, which is the neurotransmitter required for movement,” says Kavya Moravineni, a movement disorders neurologist with OSF HealthCare Illinois Neurological Institute (INI). “Our

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ALTON – Community members gathered at the Wedge Innovation Center in Alton on Tuesday night to ask representatives from development firm McCormack Baron Salazar (MBS) about the proposed Lovejoy apartments project. MBS representatives were on hand to answer questions from the public, surrounded by poster boards and flyers with more detailed information about what the Lovejoy project is – and is not. The Lovejoy is described on one flyer as “a proposed $27 million development with high-quality rental housing” meant to rival similar developments in “peer communities” like Edwardsville and O’Fallon. Proposed at 324 Ridge St., the 71-unit apartments would feature a mix of one-bedroom and two-bedroom options with a fitness room, Mississippi River views, rooftop amenities, and much more. Joseph Weatherly, senior vice president of development for MBS, described the meeting as an “open house” with a focus on transparency. While MBS has

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O’FALLON, Ill. — The St. Clair County States Attorney’s Office has charged 18-year-old Julian G. Holloway of O’Fallon with murder following the death of 17-year-old Cadence Eileen Prince on May 18, 2025. The incident occurred in the 300 block of Kyle Road in O’Fallon, where authorities say Holloway allegedly caused the death of his girlfriend, Prince. Holloway is currently held at the St. Clair County Jail awaiting further court proceedings. The O’Fallon Police Department expressed condolences to Prince’s family and community members affected by the loss. O'Fallon Police Director of Public Safety Kirk Brueggeman said the tragedy serves as a reminder of the dangers associated with teen dating violence and domestic abuse, urging families, schools, and community leaders to engage in conversations about healthy relationships and recognizing signs of abuse. The O'Fallon Police Department also provided resources for those experiencing abuse or

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JERSEYVILLE - Musician Mattie Schell will return to the Riverbend region on her Midwest Express tour with Jackson Stokes. From 7–11 p.m. on Friday, May 30, 2025, Schell and Stokes will open the free summer concert series Rock the Block at City Center in Jerseyville. Schell recently released her album “Everything Means Nothing,” and she looks forward to sharing new music with the Jerseyville crowd. “Oh man, it’s been such a cool ride,” Schell said. “It’s called ‘Everything Means Nothing,’ but it means everything to me that I can have that out.” A Jerseyville native, Schell is looking forward to taking her music on the road with Stokes starting next week. They will travel throughout the Midwest on the Midwest Express Tour, with stops in Iowa, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. The Rock the Block concert is part of the tour. Schell explained that each show will feature an hour of her original music, followed by an

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SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias and Benny the Bull joined forces today to remind Illinoisans that the office continues to issue REAL IDs following the May 7 enforcement date. Giannoulias hosted Benny at the office’s REAL ID Supercenter, located at 191 N. Clark St., where the Bulls mascot took advantage of some downtime during the summer break to apply for a REAL ID before the NBA season kicks off in the fall. “As we’ve been saying for months, the May 7 REAL ID ‘deadline’ wasn’t really a deadline. The enforcement period has begun at airports and the unprecedented demand we experienced has started to wane,” Giannoulias said. “For those still interested in getting a REAL ID, we’re continuing to offer expanded service throughout the state for fast, specialized service.” Since the enforcement period took effect nearly two weeks ago, demand for REAL IDs in Illinois has dropped with fewer applicants

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ST. LOUIS – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District, will host a meeting to provide additional information on the new 1,200-foot lock at Lock and Dam 25. The meeting will be held at Lock 25, 10 Sandy Slough Road, Winfield, Missouri, May 22, starting at 10 a.m. Project team members will have posters with designs and will be available to provide information, answer questions, and discuss the project with attendees. Attendees will also be able to tour the project. The St. Louis District, in collaboration with the Inland Navigation Design Center, or INDC, are in the process of completing the design for the new 1,200-foot lock that will expand the existing Lock and Dam 25. The project team will provide additional information on the project development and future construction as the design efforts reach the 95% design point. Feedback, comments and questions from the community members are welcome in this first of many engagements to be held throughout the completio

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EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced Tuesday that a Troy man convicted of first-degree murder in the death of his mother has been sentenced to 30 years in prison. Neil Howard, 46, received the sentence Tuesday for the murder of his mother, Norma J. Caraker, 60, of Troy. She was strangled with a bungee cord in September 2023. Following a week-long trial in February, a jury convicted Howard of first-degree murder. Evidence and testimony presented by Assistant State’s Attorney Luke Yager and Assistant State’s Attorney Ryan Kemper suggested Howard was unhappy about his mother’s dating. The evidence and testimony showed that she was killed in her bedroom, shortly after she had a date. At a sentencing hearing Tuesday, Yager sought a sentence of at least 45 years in prison. Yager noted that Howard had previous arrests involving incidents with other family members. “It is clear that the defendant is a violent individual, and

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STAUNTON – As part of its ongoing commitment to enriching rural communities, Madison Communications is proud to announce that the Bunker Hill Public Library has been awarded the Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) Community Grant of $4,200. This annual grant program, sponsored by FRS and supported by NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association members, provides funding to projects that enhance the quality of life in rural America. Each year, grants ranging from $250 to $5,000 are awarded to support community-focused initiatives across four major categories. Madison Communications, a long-time NTCA member serving Internet, TV, and Voice to Madison and Macoupin counties in Illinois, partnered with FRS to secure this grant for the Bunker Hill Library. The library chose to use its awarded funds to install a custom-made interactive technology table in its children’s section. Designed as an engaging educational resource, the table encourages learning through play and supports

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GRANITE CITY – Granite City High School is proud to announce that its Job Shadow & Workplace Experience Program, led by business teacher Candi Parker , has been named the 2025 Madison County CTE Program of the Year . Parker was presented the award by Madison County CTE Director Kaleb Smith at the Madison Country CTE Awards Luncheon on May 15 in Edwardsville. "The exceptional quality of this year’s nominees inspired us to create a new category—the 2025 CTE Program of the Year," said Smith. "From job shadows to internships and capstone projects, students gain essential skills and connections that prepare them for life after graduation. Mrs. Parker's tireless efforts have built a program where employers are not just participants—they’re advocates." Parker, who is completing her fifth year in GCSD9, teaches business classes at GCHS and Lake Educational Support Services Center (ESSC) and also serves as the and CO-OP and Job Shadow Coordinator.

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ALTON - The Alton Community Unit School District #11 community can now receive healthcare at Alton High School. On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, ACUSD11 and Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation (SIHF) marked the opening of a new healthcare clinic at Alton High School, available to students, staff and district families. The clinic will offer in-person and telehealth appointments, and insurance is not required. “Our number one district and school goal is to create a culture of belonging for all of our students and staff, and what we know is that it can be very challenging to get quick, responsive healthcare,” said Superintendent Elaine Kane. “We really believe that having access here on campus will improve attendance and improve the well-being of everyone in the Alton School District.” Kane thanked the Board of Education, the district administration, the high school administration and maintenance staff, and many others for their support of the project. She

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WOOD RIVER – The Wood River City Council narrowly approved an ordinance on Monday replacing the state’s expired 1% sales tax on groceries with the city’s own 1% taxes on groceries and grocery “services.” According to the ordinance, the State of Illinois recently eliminated its 1% sales tax on grocery items; 100% of the revenue generated by this tax went to local municipalities. Without this sales tax revenue, Wood River estimates an annual loss of $800,000, which “creates an undue hardship on City.” To help local municipalities make up for the lost revenue, the Illinois General Assembly later passed a law allowing each municipality to put their own 1% grocery sales taxes in place. However, any municipality that imposes their own grocery sales tax is also required to impose a “service tax” at the same rate; Wood River’s 1% sales tax would be implemented alongside a 1% “service tax.” “ City has determined

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Three suspects have been charged in connection with a homicide that occurred on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, in the 1100 block of Rio Street, authorities said. On Thursday, May 15, 2025, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed first-degree murder and armed criminal action charges against Briana Davis, 20, of Florissant; Deangelo Morris, 18, of St. Louis; and Christian Parker, 20, of St. Louis. Each is being held on a $1 million cash-only bond with no 10% bond option. The victim, identified as 21-year-old Keshon Parker of Florissant, Mo., was shot and killed in the afternoon hours of May 14, 2025. St. Louis County police officers from the North County Precinct responded at 1:20 p.m. on May 14, 2025, to reports of a shooting. The victim was found with life-threatening gunshot injuries and transported to a hospital, where he later died. According to probable cause statements, multiple suspects drove to the victim’s location acting

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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — Three Fairview Heights police officers who were shot during an incident on Saturday, May 17, 2025, are currently recovering, Fairview Heights Police Chief Steve Johnson has said. The Fairview Heights Police chief described the injuries to the officers: "Fairview Heights Officer Molly Muennick was shot in the face and underwent emergency surgery; she remains in critical but stable condition at a local hospital," he said on Monday, May 19, 2025. "Officer Herminio Raimundi was shot in the arm and has been released from the hospital, while Officer Andrew Ward was shot in the chest but was protected by a bulletproof vest and also has been treated and discharged." Elijah Thompson, 22, of Belleville, was arrested and faces multiple charges, including four counts of attempted murder, three counts of aggravated battery, and one count of resisting arrest. Fairview Heights Police Chief Johnson said the department is united and drawing strength from the officers’

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JERSEYVILLE/HIGHLAND - As Jerseyville and Highland prepare to welcome Carden Circus , aerialist Veronica Prado looks forward to returning to Illinois for the show. On May 27, 2025, in Jerseyville, and May 29, 2025, in Highland, community members can enjoy Carden Circus, an international act with motorcycle stunts, archery, aerialists, animals and more fun for people of all ages to enjoy. Prado is an aerialist and showgirl. She noted that she loves performing for small towns and families, and she can’t wait to share the show with the Riverbend community. “This year is a very nice show,” she said. “I think you guys are going to love it.” In Jerseyville, the show starts at 7 p.m. on May 27 at American Legion Post 492. In Highland, community members can come at 7 p.m. on May 29 to the Madison County Fairgrounds. Prado suggests arriving an hour before showtime to enjoy all of the pre-show fun, including face-painting, inflatables, camel and pony rides

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ALTON - On Thursday morning, May 15, 2025, St. Mary's Catholic School Principal Mary Rivera and Father Jorge of St. Mary’s School fulfilled a lighthearted bet made during the school’s annual eighth-grade volleyball game. The bet, which began when each took a side in the game, stipulated that the loser would wear a blowup costume, walk to McDonald’s, and order chicken nuggets. Although the game ended in a tie, Rivera and Fr. Jorge chose to honor the bet together. After greeting students during the morning drop-off, the pair donned their blowup costumes and, accompanied by two Sisters who teach at St. Mary’s and a police officer for safety, made their way to the nearby McDonald’s in Alton. The visit took place around 8:30 a.m. Thursday, where employees responded with laughter as the two costumed figures ordered chicken nuggets. The event was a moment of community spirit and fun for the school’s staff and students. St. Mary’s School, which

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CARLINVILLE – Blackburn College welcomed 14 regional schools and 26 educators, bringing around 250 high school students for its 36th annual Science Day this spring. The event, held on the College’s campus in Carlinville, offered a day of hands-on science activities, friendly competition, and immersive academic exploration, planned and led almost entirely by Blackburn students. Through Blackburn’s distinctive Work Program, more than 50 student workers were essential in organizing, preparing, and carrying out the event. From coordinating with schools and setting up labs to leading demonstrations and managing logistics, Blackburn students were at the heart of the experience. Seniors Alexia Mosby ’25 and Jessica Muckensturm ’25 coordinated the effort. “I love getting the opportunity to coordinate Science Day because we get to meet regional high school teachers and students throughout the process,” said Mosby. “Many of the Blackburn students

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GRANITE CITY — A Granite City family is facing a challenging journey after their 1-year-old daughter, Laiana Witt, was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a rare form of eye cancer. Laiana is currently receiving intra-arterial chemotherapy at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., a treatment that requires specialized care and frequent travel. Laiana’s mother, Teela Witt, said the family has been staying at St. Jude’s Hospital for the past week, with Laiana’s first round of chemotherapy scheduled for Tuesday, May 20, 2025. The treatment involves delivering chemotherapy drugs directly to the tumor via a catheter inserted into a blood vessel near the groin. Provided there are no complications, the family expects to return home to Granite City by Wednesday, May 21, 2025, or Thursday, May 22, 2025. The family faces a demanding schedule, with trips to Memphis every three to four weeks for the next six months to complete the chemotherapy regimen.

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ALTON - To mark Mental Health Awareness Month and National Women’s Health Week, Dr. Isha McConkey stopped by “Our Daily Show!” with C.J. Nasello to talk about mental health during menopause. McConkey, D.O., serves as the managing medical director with OSF Medical Group in Alton. She explained that fluctuations in hormones like estrogen and progesterone affect neurotransmitters that impact mood, processing and more. Understanding how your body and brain are affected by menopause can help people manage these symptoms and feel better. “If your estrogen is not stable, neither is your mood,” McConkey said. “What I would like is for women to just trust themselves and trust their bodies and bring all of their concerns to their doctor and kind of let us tease that out.” McConkey explained that a neurotransmitter like serotonin, which impacts happiness, is affected by fluctuating hormone levels. While people with consistently low serotonin

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