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As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, the winter season beckons us to cozy up and find warmth in delightful experiences. For many, a winter getaway is the perfect opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life, recharge, and embrace the beauty of the season. Whether it's a snowy mountain retreat or a tranquil cabin by the lake, planning a winter vacation involves more than just packing your bags. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you craft an unforgettable winter escape. Choosing Your Destination The first step in planning a cozy winter getaway is selecting the right destination. Consider the type of experience you desire: Mountain Retreats : If you enjoy skiing, snowboarding, or simply soaking in the majestic views, mountain resorts like Aspen, Colorado, or Whistler, Canada, are excellent choices. These locations offer various winter sports, lodging options, and après-ski activities. Cabin Escapes : For a more rustic experience, look

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As we flip through the pages of history, December 23rd has been a date marked by significant events that have shaped our world in various ways. Let's turn to 1805, where a significant event unfolded: the establishment of the first successful modern insurance company, the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States, in New York. This marked a turning point in financial history, creating a foundation for the insurance industry that we know today. Life insurance became more accessible to the general public, providing financial security to families and individuals. This event not only transformed the financial landscape but also played a crucial role in the development of social security systems in many countries. In 1913, the first crossword puzzle was published in the New York World newspaper. Created by Arthur Wynne, this seemingly simple puzzle captured the imagination of the public and sparked a craze that continues to this day. Crosswords have since evolved into a popula

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ALTON — The Alton Firefighters Local 1255 successfully held its 8th Annual Turkey Giveaway on Saturday, providing turkeys and bags of side dishes to community members in need. The event took place at the Alton Fire Department and saw participation from firefighters and their families, who helped distribute the food. Battalion Chief Derrick Richardson highlighted the significance of the event, noting that this year’s giveaway was particularly meaningful as children of Alton Fire Department members took part in the distribution. “Our aim is to spread joy to those who need a little extra joy,” Richardson said. Many recipients expressed gratitude for the assistance, with Richardson stating, “Those who received the turkeys were very thankful and appreciative. This is what it is all about.” The annual tradition continues to foster community spirit and support for those facing challenges during the holiday season.

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GLEN CARBON - Chase Jones, a 6' 5" freshman guard for Marquette Catholic's boys basketball team, is starting to emerge as one of the leaders on the Explorers, and after his performance against Father McGivney Catholic on Dec. 17, 2024, it will be plenty hard to stop him, indeed. Jones was the game's leading scorer with 18 points in Marquette's 61-38 win over the Griffins in the Gateway Metro Conference game, and he also played a role in the Explorer's 45-40 overtime win against St. Louis Priory Catholic. Jones is a Tucker's Automotive Repair & Tire Male Athlete Of The Month for the Explorers. "I am feeling good," Jones said after that game. "Every win counts," Jones said. "Especially heading into the conference and regional play." The Explorers played very well against McGivney, weathering a storm when the Griffins came to within eight at one point in the second half, after Marquette used a big 15-0 first half run to take control of the game. "It was a real defensive effort fro

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EDWARDSVILLE - Junior shooting forward Miccah Butler himself is off the a great start for the 2024-25 boys basketball season at Edwardsville High, and in turn, has helped the Tigers of to a 7-1 start as the team gets ready to play in the Don Mauer Holiday Invitational Tournament at Mary Institute-Country Day School in Ladue, Mo., in mid-St. Louis County. Butler is a Spencer Homes Male Athlete of Month. In a game against Riverview Gardens played on Dec. 16, Butler scored 16 points in helping the Tigers go on to a 64-33 win over the Rams at Lucco-Jackson Gym. For the season, Butler is the team's second-leading scorer, averaging 14.9 points and five rebounds-per-game, and also has 15 assists, 12 steals and three blocked shots to add to his stat line. He's helped provide much leadership and hard work in helping Edwardsville get off to a great start. In a postgame interview that followed the win over Riverview, Butler was feeling good about how the Tigers have been playing, and is ver

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EDWARDSVILLE - Jacob Kober, a senior point guard for the Metro-East Lutheran High boys basketball team, has helped the Knights get off to a fantastic start, going 7-1 as Metro-East enters the Breese Mater Dei Catholic Holiday tournament this week. He is a BJ's Printables Male Athlete of the Month for the Knights. Kober played a key role in the Knights' 76-50 win over Marquette Catholic at Hooks Gym Dec. 20, before Metro-East lost their first game of the season the next night at the Redbirds Nets in Alton, losing 61-49 to Hazelwood Central of north St. Louis County. For the season, in games going through the Marquette game, Kober has averaged 5.8 points-per-game, and also has two assists and two steals, playing a big defensive role in the team's success. In an interview that followed the win over the Explorers, Kober felt very good about both the win and the undefeated streak to start the season. "It's just, overall, a team effort every game," Kober said. "We're 7-0 for a reason.

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EDWARDSVILLE/GLEN CARBON - A man from Maryville faces seven total felonies in two cases for a string of retail thefts at the Glen Carbon Lowe’s and Edwardsville Target. Among the items stolen are two Christmas trees, holiday decorations, a fireplace, and much more before he tried to flee from police. Christopher J. Ottensmeyer, 48, of Maryville, was charged on Dec. 16, 2024 with six counts of retail theft over $300, each Class 3 felonies. Each of the offenses in the first case were committed at the same Lowe’s location at 159 Whistle Stop Drive in Glen Carbon. On Nov. 18, 2024, Ottensmeyer allegedly stole 12 boxes of Quickstop laminate wood plank flooring. Four days later on Nov. 22, he stole another 12 boxes of the same type of flooring and a Marshalltown flooring cutter. The next day on Nov. 23, he reportedly stole a Blackstone grill, three boxes of pathway marker lights, a 5-foot white Christmas Tree, a 4-foot piece of LED neon holiday decor, and a “Holiday Livin

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Welcome to December 21 and 22, dates that have witnessed a myriad of significant events across various realms of human endeavor. Let's turn to December 21, 1988, when the world was shaken by the tragic bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. This devastating act of terrorism resulted in the loss of 270 lives and had profound implications for international security and counter-terrorism measures. The incident led to significant changes in aviation security protocols and remains a somber reminder of the fragility of peace in a complex global landscape. Shifting gears to a more recent historical moment, December 21, 2012, was famously predicted to be the end of the world according to interpretations of the Mayan calendar. While this prophecy was met with widespread skepticism, it spurred a cultural phenomenon, leading to numerous discussions about apocalyptic scenarios and the nature of time. In the end, the day passed without incident, but the conversations it generated

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV)—both members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST)—applauded the House passage of their bipartisan legislation to help break down unnecessary barriers for Americans with disabilities at Amtrak rail stations across the country. Building on Duckworth’s All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP) Act , which became law as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and is already helping improve transportation accessibility nationwide, the bipartisan Think DIFFERENTLY Transportation Act would help bring Amtrak stations up to standards enshrined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by requiring the rail agency to submit annual reports to Congress on its compliance with accessibility standards set by the ADA. The bill now awaits President Biden’s signature. “When the ADA was signed into law, it promised that intercity passenger

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ILLINOIS - Ameren Illinois is running a promotion where you can receive a smart thermostat and smart socket for free. Ameren Illinois and Google have partnered to offer Google Nest thermostats to customers at no charge, as long as supplies last. You have until Dec. 31, 2024, to claim this offer. Stephanie Robinson, senior program supervisor with Ameren’s Energy Efficiency program, outlined the energy savings that the smart thermostat can provide. “Our heating and cooling cost is one of the highest bills that we have, so whenever there’s opportunity to save, we need to do just that,” Robinson said. “We want everybody to take advantage of this particular offer.” Smart thermostats can be controlled remotely from a smartphone. The Google Nest thermostat also has an eco setting to help customers manage their energy usage, and it will send a notification when it’s time to change the filter on your furnace. Robinson shared that she often

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RIVERBEND - Do you love decorating for the holidays? Do you want to win $250 cash and more? Keep reading! RiverBender.com , Raging Rivers WaterPark and Tropical Sno/Lotus Energy are thrilled to announce the first-ever Holiday Lights Contest. Post pictures of your favorite holiday lights display in the comments of our Facebook post for the chance to win. The grand prize is $250 cash, season passes to Raging Rivers for a family of four, and free Tropical Sno or Lotus Energy Drinks for a year (restrictions apply). “We wanted to spread holiday cheer to the Riverbend,” said RiverBender.com owner John Hentrich. “To all the Clark Griswolds in the region, now is the perfect chance to show off your lights and win some cool prizes.” Second and third place winners will receive day passes to Raging Rivers for a family of four and free Tropical Sno or Lotus Energy Drinks for a year, with some restrictions. Homes and businesses are eligible t

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ALTON, — The Alton Fire Department responded to a traffic crash on Saturday morning in the 3200 block of East Broadway. Upon arrival, firefighters discovered two vehicles involved in the incident. Both cars ended up off the roadway. Both vehicles sustained heavy damage. As of now, it remains unclear whether any injuries resulted from the crash. The Alton Police Department is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. Further details will be provided as the investigation progresses.

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CHICAGO - Throughout 2024, Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton's office continued working toward a more healing-centered Illinois, advancing initiatives focused on justice reform, women's empowerment, and community investment while maintaining unprecedented levels of statewide engagement. "As I reflect on 2024, I'm proud of my office's work to create pathways toward healing and opportunity for all Illinois residents," said Lt. Governor Stratton. "From learning about the economic realities facing women through We Thrive to ensuring Illinois leads in creating equitable, restorative approach in every system meant to empower our communities, we've remained focused on building a stronger Illinois." 2024 Executive and Legislative Accomplishments Statewide Engagement and Outreach Participated in over 400 events throughout Illinois. Visited dozens of counties in every corner of Illinois. Produced 35 videos highlighting key initiatives and community impact. Represented Illinois

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees—this week met with Japanese Ambassador to the United States Shigeo Yamada to discuss some of the ways the two countries could build on their shared priorities and strengthen their bilateral alliance. During the meeting, the Senator shared how the modified version of her Access to Care for Overseas Troops Act that was included in the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that passed the Senate this week would help increase cooperation between Japan and the U.S. while ensuring American servicemembers and their families have access to quality patient care throughout the Indo-Pacific region. Photos from the meeting are available on the Senator’s website. “Whether it’s through trade, business investment or national security, Japan is one of our nation’s closest allies and strongest

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CHICAGO - Throughout 2024, Governor JB Pritzker enabled success for Illinois by growing our economy and creating jobs, addressing affordability for working families, and protecting individual freedoms. From expanding access to free preschool for all kids to lowering the cost of job training so workers can get higher-paying jobs, Gov. Pritzker has been investing in the state’s future. With new industries coming to Illinois like clean energy, quantum computing, and advanced manufacturing, Gov. Pritzker’s economic agenda is attracting private sector investments in Illinois and raising workers’ wages – all while maintaining his commitment to make healthcare, housing, and groceries more affordable. Gov. Pritzker’s work with the General Assembly has restored fiscal responsibility in Illinois: paying down debt, balancing budgets, and making smart investments for the future. “My mission as Governor has always been to make Illinois the best state in the

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EAST ST. LOUIS - Joyful musical and vocal renditions of seasonal favorites, festive costuming and feet dancing and prancing transformed Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts’ (ESLCPA) stage into a holiday treat. The Performing Arts program hosted its annual Holiday Celebration on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024 in the Multipurpose Room of Building D of the Wyvetter H. Younge Higher Education Center. ESLCPA students, ages 7-17, performed a series of musical and dance numbers. Live music was directed by band coach Erika Johnson, EdD, featuring such vocal numbers as “How Far I’ll Go,” singers: Roasia Heideberg and Reagan Rogers; “Amazing Grace,” singers: Reagan Armstrong and Reagan Titley; “Frosty the Snowman,” singer: Raegan Rogers; and “Last Christmas,” singers: Meadow Coates and Reagan Titley. Student dance performances included a delightful mixture of modern, Jazz, and hip-hop

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TROY - The Home Builders & Remodelers Metro East Association (HBRMEA) is hosting a raffle with a grand prize you might not expect - a brand-new home worth over $500,000. Funds raised will not only support the HBRMEA, but also Make-A-Wish Illinois and Make-A-Wish Missouri & Kansas . Following its debut at a successful Open House last week, Shannon Stelling with the HBRMEA shared more about the home, the raffle, and much more on Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com . “We have partnered with Make-A-Wish Illinois and Missouri to raffle off over a half-a-million dollar home,” Stelling said. “We did have the big Open House last Thursday to kick off the event, and it was amazing. We had over 100 people come through the house, we had over four Wish families and their kids there … it was great to see some of the families and kids these kinds of projects can help.” The home, valued at over $500,000, was proudly union built by C.A. Jones

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ALTON - This past Friday night, Dec. 13, 2024, Mississippi Valley Christian School brought the spirit of Christmas to life with a heartfelt and inspiring program, where students showcased their musical and theatrical talents. The evening’s theme focused on the true meaning of Christmas, reminding everyone of faith, unity, and hope. The program included a powerful message from school administrator Tim Lee, who passionately spoke about the school’s mission and the importance of community support. His words resonated with the crowd as he shared, “God has called us to unity. Yes, there are things we may not always agree on, but here, we have 28 churches in our community united by one purpose: to raise children for Christ in a safe, Christian environment, sheltered from the influences of the outside world. Here, teachers love their students, have a Biblical worldview, and pour into their lives in a positive, faith-filled way. The fundamentals of our faith unite us. By this

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ALTON – OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center continues its focused efforts expanding resources in addressing the mental health and well-being of residents in the Riverbend region. Marla G. Nelson, licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC), psychotherapist, is the newest addition to Psychological Services department roster at OSF Saint Anthony’s. Ms. Nelson has more than 13 years of providing and managing individual, family, couples and group therapy, as well as crisis counseling throughout the metro east and Riverbend region. Nelson sees patients for general mental health needs which include: Depression Anxiety Trauma (using various therapeutic interventions) “It’s not a one size fits all approach. I’m very person-centered. I have a special interest in providing services to those who struggle with substance use disorder (SUD) along with their loved ones,” Nelson states. In fact, Marla is planning on starting a group for Friends

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ALTON — Hiram's Bar is preparing for its annual Christmas Toy Giveaway, scheduled for 4 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. The event aims to support children in need within the community by providing toys and food. Hiram Lewis, the owner of Hiram's Bar, expressed optimism about this year's event. "Last year worked out great," he said. "We hope this year's giveaway is bigger than last year. We purchased 100 toys for 100 children in an area where children are in need. Hopefully, this will help give them a Merry Christmas." During the giveaway, toys will be distributed one at a time to the first 100 children. In addition to the toy distribution, Hiram's Bar will also have food for attendees.

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