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Did you know that Americans spend an estimated $20 billion each year on Valentine’s Day? This staggering figure highlights not only the commercial nature of the holiday but also the deep-seated human desire to express love and affection. But where did this tradition of celebrating romantic love originate, and how has it transformed into the elaborate festivities we see today? The Historical Roots of Valentine’s Day Valentine’s Day has its origins shrouded in mystery, with various theories tracing its beginnings back to ancient Rome. One prevalent legend is linked to St. Valentine, a priest who lived during the reign of Emperor Claudius II in the third century. According to this tale, Claudius believed that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, leading him to ban marriages for young men. St. Valentine defied this decree by secretly performing marriages for young couples. Eventually, he was caught, imprisoned, and executed on February

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February 14th is a date often associated with love and romance due to the celebration of Valentine's Day. However, the day has also been marked by pivotal events that have shaped history in various ways. One of the most notable events on February 14 occurred in 1929, known as the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. In Chicago, during the height of Prohibition, seven members of George 'Bugs' Moran's gang were brutally murdered by assailants allegedly hired by rival gangster Al Capone. This shocking event highlighted the violent turf wars that characterized the era of organized crime in the United States. The massacre not only captured the public's attention but also led to increased scrutiny of law enforcement's inability to combat crime effectively, ultimately contributing to the eventual demise of Prohibition. In the realm of sports, February 14, 1989, marked a significant milestone as the first-ever NBA All-Star Game was held in the new Madison Square Garden, New York City. This event

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ALTON - The Wellness Center at Senior Services Plus, located at 2603 N. Rodgers Ave. in Alton, IL, is excited to host a free wellness workshop focused on healthy living for older adults. The "Healthy Living for Older Adults" workshop will take place on Friday, February 28, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Guest speaker Dr. Sumit Tiwari, a cardiologist with SIHF Healthcare, will share expert tips on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, managing cholesterol, engaging in safe and effective exercises, and adopting heart-friendly dietary habits. This free workshop will be held in the Wellness Center’s classroom and is open to the public—no Wellness Center membership is required to attend. No RSVP is necessary. Light refreshments will be provided. For more information, call 618-465-3298, ext. 109. About Senior Services Plus, Inc. Senior Services Plus, Inc. is a 501(c) not-for-profit organization established to enrich the lives of older adults through programs and services, for everyone

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ALTON - YWCA Southwestern Illinois and the Alton Section of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) invite all community members to two upcoming Voter Education Events. These forums will provide an opportunity for voters to engage with candidates ahead of the April 1 election. The Coffee with the Candidates & Madison County Clerk event will take place on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 6 p.m. in the YWCA Lobby and Levis Room (304 E. Third St., Alton, IL). Voters will have the chance to meet one on one with Madison County Clerk Linda Andreas and all candidates for key City of Alton races, including Mayor, City Clerk, City Treasurer, and Alderman. Clerk Andreas will also share important voter information on early voting, vote by mail, registration, polling places, and the MadisonVotes.com website. Additionally, she will provide details on the Student Ambassador Program for youth interested in civic engagement. On Thursday, February 27, 2025, at 7 p.m., YWCA and NCNW will host an Alto

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PONTOON BEACH – Firefighters from the Long Lake Fire Department and the Mitchell Fire Department responded to a structure fire in the 100 block of Queensbury Court on Thursday night. The Pontoon Beach Police Department arrived first at the scene and reported that the house was fully engulfed in flames. Upon arrival, firefighters found the house ablaze, and they worked quickly to bring the fire under control. While the primary structure was heavily damaged, the house next door sustained damage to its siding and a window due to the heat of the fire. According to initial assessments, the house that caught fire appears to be vacant, and no injuries have been reported in connection with the incident. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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EDWARDSVILLE — The trial of Bryce V. Andrews is set to begin tomorrow, as he faces charges in connection with the deaths of his adoptive father, Robert “Bob” Andrews, and his husband, Leonard “Jim” Ebrey. The alleged homicides occurred on February 1, 2021, at their residence in Godfrey, Illinois. The incident began when the Madison County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting a residential fire at 2301 Wedgewood Drive in Alton, Illinois. Fire units and deputies responded to the scene, where two males were found and subsequently pronounced dead. In response to the incident, the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis was activated at the request of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. Approximately 25 investigators worked on the case until it was resolved. Andrews is charged with four counts of First Degree Murder, one count of Aggravated Arson, one count of Offenses Related to Motor Vehicle, and two counts of Concealment of a Homicidal

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JERSEYVILLE – The Jersey County Rural Water Company (JCRW) has released a statement warning customers of a rate increase taking effect on March 15, 2025. The company claims it’s being “forced” to pass the rate increase onto customers, but is working with local municipalities to create a not-for-profit water supplier. The JCRW Board of Directors, who wrote the statement, are JCRW customers themselves and “take these rate increases very seriously.” “In December the Illinois Commerce Commission approved a 27.82% increase to the rates for water from our current supplier, Illinois American Water Company,” the board explained. “Despite our efforts to fight the increase we are forced to raise our rates to cover the expense this causes ... The rate increase that we in turn must pass on will take effect on your water bill due March 15, 2025.” For over a decade, the JCRW has been trying to form a not-for-profit water supplier,

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Illinois members of the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) to speak about the challenges of providing health care in rural communities. During their meeting, Durbin and the health care leaders discussed the importance of preserving Medicaid funding from Republican proposals to cut health insurance benefits and coverage from millions of Americans. They also discussed workforce initiatives to recruit and retain health care providers to serve in rural areas. To help address the shortage of health care professionals, Durbin secured $1 billion in the American Rescue Plan for scholarship and loan repayment awards through the National Health Service Corps and Nurse Corps to build a more diverse pipeline of clinicians and recruit more health providers to serve in shortage areas. Durbin also spoke about his Rural Hospital Closure Relief Act , which he introduced earlier this week. The bipartisan legislation

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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — Two suspects were taken into custody following a reported burglary at a residence on Meckfessel Drive in Fairview Heights on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025. Officers from the Fairview Heights Police Department responded to the scene after the victim discovered various items had been stolen from a shed in her backyard. The victim reported seeing individuals in her yard and provided surveillance footage that captured the suspects loading stolen items into a tan-colored pickup truck. This evidence facilitated the identification of the suspects. With assistance from the Belleville Police Department, authorities apprehended the suspects at a residence on South Church Street in Belleville. The St. Clair County State’s Attorney, James Gomric’s Office, has issued warrants for the following individuals: Jared S. Kitterman, age 31, of the 100 block of Tomlinson Street, East Alton, faces charges of unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 1 felony, and burglary,

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ALTON – The Alton Committee of the Whole will have a major project to consider on their next agenda: a housing development estimated at $27 million. While exact details of the project have yet to be released publicly, Alderman David Gan shared a few insights at Wednesday’s City Council meeting, when he had the item placed on the next Committee of the Whole agenda. Gan’s proposed resolution would “authorize and direct the city to begin negotiations” with development company McCormack Baron Salazar to build a $27 million housing project in the city. “This particular developer is looking at bringing a $27 million investment into the City of Alton,” Gan said. He described the project as “70 units of mixed-income-level housing” with amenities including an elevator, rooftop access, outdoor amenities, and more. Gan referred the item to the Committee of the Whole for consideration and approval at their next meeting on Monday, Feb.

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It’s no great surprise to read that men and women both benefit from working out. But women may receive greater benefits from regular exercise than men, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. The study centered on the importance of exercise as a way to avoid dying prematurely. The researchers studied data from 400,000 people and found that women who exercised were 24% less likely to die early from any cause. Men who exercised, however, were 15% less likely to die early. The study also revealed that the women who exercise had a 36% lower risk of dying from a cardiovascular event, compared to men at 14%. That’s important because women have twice the risk of dying from a heart attack than a man. Mary O’Meara is a nurse practitioner with OSF HealthCare. She says society still views heart attacks more as a man’s disease. That’s simply not true. “Usually, a male is feeling this really bad chest pressure,

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ALTON - The National Great Rivers Museum will host their annual Ice Jam at the Dam event, complete with animal meet-and-greets, tours of the dam and s’mores. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, community members can stop by NGRM at 2 Lock and Dam Way for their fourth annual free event. This year, vendors and educational booths will be located inside the museum, and the community is invited to learn more about winter recreation and conservation. “We’ve got some cool stuff, so you should definitely check it out,” said Elise, the event’s coordinator. There will be several educational partners at the event, including the Missouri Department of Conservation, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Lewis and Clark State Historic Site, Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, Mississippi Water Trail Association, and many more. Kids are encouraged to complete their “Polar Passes” by visiting every vendor and receiving

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HIGHLAND - The Metro East Humane Society (MEHS) invites the community to its 40th Anniversary Gala, presented by Purina, on Friday, March 21, 2025, in the Grand Hall of the Olde Wicks Factory in Highland, Ill. This milestone event celebrates four decades of lifesaving efforts and dedication to animal welfare while raising critical funds to support MEHS programs. Attendees will enjoy an unforgettable evening featuring: Silent and live auctions with exclusive experiences and collectibles, including a guided fishing trip with expert angler Bob Hughey, an authentic Detroit Lions jersey signed by Highland native and NFL star Sam LaPorta, and five Savannah Bananas tickets Open bars and gourmet cuisine from The Food Dude and Covered in Chocolate Exciting raffles and entertainment Live music by HOOKiE The night will kick off with a cocktail hour from 6 to 7 p.m., followed by the event program and live music from 7 to 10 p.m. Guests are encouraged to wear cocktail attire

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — The St. Louis County Police Department and the St. Louis County Prosecuting Office provided additional details Thursday about Yahya Maly, a 28-year-old resident of Ballwin, Mo., who is facing multiple charges related to a series of alleged sexual assaults involving five women. Maly has been charged with two counts of first-degree rape and seven counts of second-degree rape. The charges were announced on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. He is currently being held on a cash-only bond of $500,000. The alleged incidents reportedly occurred between March 2023 and February 2025, with police suggesting that there may be more victims. Maly is accused of meeting his victims through dating websites and social media platforms, often using the name "John" to connect with them. According to the probable cause statement, the first incident involved a woman identified as Confidential Victim 1, who was invited to Maly's apartment. Despite her objections, Maly

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ALTON – Alton City Council members made quick work of a light agenda on Wednesday night, granting final approval to items passed earlier this week by the Committee of the Whole. Mowing Contract Renewed City Council members voted unanimously to extend the city’s existing contract with Element Turf & Outdoor Solution, LLC for “mowing and related services.” In a letter requesting the extension for 2025, Element stated the rate would remain the same as last year’s agreement. Pricing is set at 1 cent per square foot of mowing and $29 per man-hour for brush clearing. Other Items Approved A resolution to commence with demolition proceedings concerning 302 E. 13th St. was also approved unanimously. According to the resolution, the property has been deemed unsafe and the current owners have neglected or refused to perform required demolition. Finally, Council members also approved a request to sell and/or serve alcohol at the Alton Athletic Association

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GLEN CARBON – Glen Carbon is embracing a solar solution to save on annual electricity costs. Trustees this week unanimously approved a 10-year agreement with Ampion, PBC to subscribe the village’s electrical accounts to a community solar array. Glen Carbon aims to offset a portion of its electrical costs with solar credits it will receive from a nearby solar farm. The village will not be developing a solar facility of its own – rather, its electrical accounts will be “legally assigned to the owner of an existing or soon to be constructed community solar array,” according to the agreement. Good Energy , which helps several local municipalities negotiate electrical contracts, estimates Glen Carbon’s solar array subscription will generate annual savings of $40,000 – equivalent to about 10% of the village’s electric bills. The energy consulting firm will act as an agent and consultant on behalf of the village for purposes of the electrical

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BELLEVILLE - Mueller Furniture & Mattress is proud to announce the 4th generation family-owned business has completed a $300,000 remodel for its historic Belleville location that opened its doors nearly 100 years ago. The remodel consists of expanding the showroom with new flooring, ceiling, lighting, paint and in-store kiosks. “We are so excited for our customers to see our investment in our store and the Belleville community,” said Owner and President Mark Mueller. “With all of our previous expansions, we know it’s important to not lose sight of our past. We are committed to keeping our original Belleville location on Main Street and committed to the future. We promise this will be a building that continues to provide an amazing shopping experience for decades to come.” Mueller said these renovations are unique because they focus on enhancing the overall customer experience. The new in-store kiosks use technology to help customers design and envision

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ALTON – 10 felonies have been filed against an Alton resident accused of unlawfully possessing several firearms and drugs. Tyrique J. Cole, 23, of Alton, was charged with five counts of felon in possession of a weapon (each Class 2 felonies), two counts of possession of a controlled substance (both Class 4 felonies), and one count each of the following Class X felonies: armed violence, unlawful possession with the intent to deliver methamphetamine, and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance. A petition to deny Cole’s pretrial release describes the items found during a “protective sweep” by authorities. “Officers conducted a protective sweep of the residence where the defendant was found, locating various narcotics in plain view,” the petition states. “A complete search revealed six (6) firearms in the residence, along with approximately 97 grams of cocaine, 42 grams of methamphetamine, oxycodone, amphetamine and other materials

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WOOD RIVER - Kayley Plank, a senior at East Alton Wood River High School, has been recognized for her achievements in cheerleading. Plank, who has dedicated 11 years to the sport, has been a member of her high school cheer team for four years under the guidance of coach Alison Beachum. In addition to her commitment to cheer, Plank is also a soccer player. She credits her involvement in sports with helping her grow as a person both in and out of school. "It has helped me become a better person," she said as an East Alton-Wood River High athlete. She is a Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athlete Of The Month for the Oilers. Plank expressed gratitude to her family for their unwavering support. She thanked her father, Tommy Plank; her mother, Danielle Buloth; and her little sister, Lily Plank, for encouraging her every day. Looking ahead, Plank hopes to continue her cheerleading career in college while pursuing a major in business. She has actively sought to improve her skills,

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was sworn in Thursday as President Donald Trump’s health secretary after a close Senate vote, putting him in control of $1.7 trillion in federal spending. Nearly all Republicans fell in line behind Trump despite hesitancy over Kennedy’s views on vaccines, voting 52-48 to elevate the scion of one of America’s most storied political — and Democratic — families to secretary of the Health and Human Services Department. Democrats unanimously opposed Kennedy. Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell , who had polio as a child, was the only “no” vote among Republicans, mirroring his stands against Trump’s picks for the Pentagon chief and director of national intelligence.

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