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ALTON - Following a July 4, 2025, shooting that claimed the life of 17-year-old Shabrya Hudson, the community will come together for a bowling benefit to help her family with funeral costs. From 1–4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, community members are invited to Bowl Haven in Alton for a benefit complete with bowling, a strike pot, and raffles. Proceeds will go to Hudson’s family to support funeral expenses and other costs. “This is a bowling benefit for a girl, Shabrya Hudson, who tragically lost her life to gun violence on July 4,” said Brittany Baker, organizer of the event. “We’re just doing a benefit to help the family out and everything like that. It's a bowling benefit, something that even kids can do, just have fun, kind of like a celebration of life.” Baker explained that she is close with Hudson’s older sister, and the family is struggling with the emotional toll of Hudson’s death. Many family members have also

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ALTON — The Alton Police Department commemorated Patrolman Addis Miller on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, marking 88 years since he was killed in the line of duty. Alton Police Patrolman Miller died on July 22, 1937, after being shot while arresting a suspect wanted for questioning in a series of burglaries. The incident occurred at Alton City Hall on East 3rd Street. According to the department, after Miller took the suspect into custody, the individual retrieved a hidden pistol from the patrol car and opened fire. Despite being mortally wounded, Miller returned fire and wounded the suspect, who was subsequently arrested in Missouri. The suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to 100 years in prison but served only 24 years. Miller had served with the Alton Police Department for a decade and is remembered for his dedication and bravery. He was survived by his wife “88 years later, we still remember. We still honor. We still carry his memory,” the Alton Police

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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — Officers Jon Henne and Shayne Korte of the Fairview Heights Police Department have been presented with a lifesaving award for their actions on Feb. 8, 2025, when they responded to a medical emergency involving a 27-year-old woman experiencing a seizure and respiratory failure. Fairview Heights police dispatch alerted the officers that the woman was no longer breathing and that her stepfather was performing CPR upon their arrival at the residence. The officers immediately began administering CPR, alternating as necessary, and connected an automated external defibrillator (AED). Over the course of approximately 10 minutes, three shocks were delivered while CPR continued, Fairview Heights Police Department officials said. Emergency medical services arrived on scene shortly after. Officer Henne assisted EMS personnel, while Officer Korte gathered information from family members and provided reassurance. Once the patient was stabilized, the officers

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Do you ever get a loud ringing in your ears? What about a hissing or whooshing or clicking sound? Chances could be that you have tinnitus. And you’re not alone. Many people have a ringing or another sound in their ears from time to time. But tinnitus (tin-NITE-us or TIN-ne-tus) can be both persistent and frustrating for people with a severe case of it. “Anywhere between 10 to 20% of the population may have tinnitus at one time or another. Estimates of 50 million people in the country which is quite significant," says Chris Workman, AuD, an audiologist with OSF HealthCare. "For most of those people, it's not something that's significantly disabling. However, there is a percentage of population where it can cause significant issues.” That includes having trouble sleeping or concentrating. Being alone in a quiet room can exasperate the situation. Dealing with tinnitus on a daily basis can make people feel angry, depressed and feeling irrational. Tinnitus is a symptom,

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WOOD RIVER - Dog owners can trust Triune Canine Training and Event Center to help teach their dogs manners, tricks and more. Located at 1903 E. Edwardsville Road in Wood River, Triune Canine offers one-on-one training and group classes, from basic obedience training to agility training that helps dogs win big in competition. Joan Meyer, owner of Triune Canine, is passionate about helping dogs and owners live their best lives. “I’ve built my dream and now I’m living my dream,” Meyer said. “It’s a blessing. Just being able to read dogs and understand dogs and feel like they’re communicating with me what their needs are has really helped me with my training.” All dogs start with a Basic and Family Manners class to encourage good behavior. Dogs learn how to respond to commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “come,” and they’re taught not to jump or run out the door. Triune Canine also has an advance

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EAST ALTON - Have you caught the summer cold? A local nurse practitioner shares tips on how to feel better, faster. Elizabeth “Betsy” Dykeman operates Airline Care Clinic at 33 East Airline Drive in East Alton. She shared that while many people experience flu-like symptoms in the summer, these symptoms are usually the result of a virus or allergies. “Your body kind of reacts the same way if you’re fighting off a virus or if you’re fighting off allergens,” she explained. “There’s just a number of viruses that you can get that can get you to feel like you have the flu.” Unlike influenza, which usually affects people during the winter months, there is no vaccination against viruses like enterovirus, adenovirus or rhinovirus. But these viruses can mimic the flu, with symptoms like fever, body aches, chills and congestion. These viruses are airborne. Some people are also affected by summer allergies, which can turn into sinus

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BELLEVILLE — Tynika McKinzie was taken into custody on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, by Belleville detectives for outstanding felony warrants related to a shooting incident at a McDonald’s restaurant on July 16, 2025, the Belleville Police Department said on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. McKinzie was booked at the Belleville Police Department and later transported to the St. Clair County Jail pending further court proceedings. The incident that involved McKinzie unfolded at approximately 4:45 p.m. on July 16 at the McDonald’s located at 125 South Belt East in Belleville. Police responded to a disturbance call and were informed that an employee had discharged a firearm inside the restaurant. According to police reports, the altercation began when Kathy M. Bledsoe, 44, the manager on duty, instructed a juvenile employee to take out the trash. After the employee refused, police said Bledsoe told her to clock out and go home. The situation escalated, resulting in a shooting

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EDWARDSVILLE - The work of these three featured artists - Rachel Newell, Venus Cramer, and Darren Miller - will have their work showcased at the Edwardsville Arts Fair set for Sept. 26-28, 2025, at Edwardsville City Park. Artist #1: Artist Name: Rachel Newell Medium: Mixed Media Artist Statement: "My work is colorful, surreal, and sometimes absurd. When creating, I hope to give life to unique, dreamlike worlds by combining hundreds of various pieces into something that feels whole. "My work is often described as 'busy,' but it’s a direct reflection of how I feel, think, and experience the world. My intention is for my work to resonate with others — and hopefully bring some joy, wonder, and laughter to those who see it." Artist #2: Venus Cramer Medium: Jewelry Artist Statement: "My primary style of creating contemporary jewelry is fabrication. I use traditional materials such as silver, gold, and gemstones, as well as non-traditional mediums

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ALTON - Alton Police were called to the 300 block of East Ninth Street in Alton on Tuesday morning, July 22, 2025, after a report that a man had punctured his chest with an unknown object, according to an initial investigation. Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said witnesses at the scene confirmed that the man caused the injury to himself. "The male refused medical treatment and was ultimately transported to Gateway Regional Hospital for mental health care," Chief Ford added. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org .

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ILLINOIS – Today, grid operator PJM announced results in its capacity auction that threaten to send electricity rates soaring for consumers in the ComEd region in Illinois. The overall cost of capacity, which PJM procures to ensure adequate resources to meet energy needs, jumped from $269.92 to $329.17. The Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition released the following statement: “The results of PJM’s capacity market auction are sobering, particularly when Illinois ratepayers are already facing skyrocketing energy bills. As Big Tech’s energy-hungry data centers sap up more and more power and President Trump’s Big Bill rolls back clean energy tax incentives that could save families hundreds, it is clear we need immediate action to protect Illinois consumers. While grid operators like PJM and MISO are slow to connect cost-effective clean energy to the grid and help meet growing demand, the Trump Administration is moving fast to bail out the fossil fuel industry at

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ALTON – Early last year, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released the 2024 National Diabetes Statistics Report. This report estimated that, as of 2021, more than 38.4 million people of all ages – or 11.6% of the U.S. population – had diabetes. With this number expected to continue climbing, the role of nurse-delivered diabetes education will become even more important for patient’s long-term success. OSF Medical Group – Diabetes and Endocrinology (Alton) is introducing its diabetes education program, led by Jennifer Adcock, RN, BSN, CDCES (certified diabetes care & education specialist). Jennifer has been an OSF Mission Partner (i.e. employee) for the last nine (9) years and worked in the OSF Medical Group - Diabetes and Endocrinology office since 2017. Adcock says how patients living with diabetes can benefit from her diabetes education program is through her personalized approach. “Diabetes education is not one-size-fits-all.

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Did you know that nearly 20% of butterfly species worldwide are currently at risk of extinction? As pollinators, butterflies play a critical role in maintaining the health of ecosystems, yet their populations are declining due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change. Creating a butterfly garden in your backyard is a meaningful way to support these delicate creatures while adding natural beauty and biodiversity to your home environment. Choosing the Right Location and Layout Selecting an appropriate site is the first step toward establishing a thriving butterfly garden. Butterflies are cold-blooded and rely heavily on sunlight to regulate their body temperature. Therefore, choose a spot that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Avoid windy areas, as strong breezes can hinder butterfly activity. Consider the garden’s layout with a mix of nectar-rich flowers, larval host plants, and sheltered resting spots. Grouping plants of the same species together

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July 23rd holds a remarkable place in history, marked by events that have shaped cultures, nations, and the trajectory of human progress. Perhaps the most globally impactful event associated with the era around this date is the Apollo 11 Moon landing in 1969. Although the actual lunar landing occurred on July 20th, the days following—including July 23rd—were critical as the astronauts safely returned to Earth, sparking worldwide celebration and a renewed sense of possibility for humanity. This monumental achievement not only demonstrated extraordinary technological prowess but also united people across the globe in awe and inspiration. Turning back the clock, July 23rd, 1829, saw the founding of the London Metropolitan Police Service by then-Home Secretary Sir Robert Peel. This development marked the beginning of modern policing, introducing principles of organized law enforcement aimed at maintaining public order in the rapidly growing urban centers of Britain. The Metropolitan

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At times, people facing rare and aggressive cancer diagnoses may feel like there are no care options. OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute in Peoria, Illinois continues to expand care options for many types of cancers, including gynecologic carcinosarcoma. Gynecologic carcinosarcomas are rare cancerous tumors, mainly impacting the uterus and ovaries, which take on characteristics of epithelial (develops from the cells that cover the ovaries or line the uterus) cancers, as well as sarcomas (develops in bones, cartilage, muscle, fat, blood vessels and more). It’s estimated roughly two out of every 100,000 women will develop these rare tumors each year. OSF has been able to treat patients with this very rare cancer before, but now with additional oncology specialists at OSF Cancer Institute, the teams are able to better serve these patients and offer them clinical trials as well. Uniqueness of gynecologic carcinosarcoma: "One of the things that is unique about it is that it coul

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MADISON AND ST. CLAIR COUNTIES – The Metro East Park and Recreation District (MEPRD) is pleased to announce the launch of its Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) grant cycle, making a total of $6.43 million available to support the development and enhancement of public parks, trails, and recreation facilities in Madison and St. Clair Counties, Illinois. This year’s cycle introduces the new Priority Paths Grant Program , a significant initiative aimed at funding the construction of critical trail connections between the two counties, with the ultimate goal of creating a bi-county loop, uniting the Madison County and St. Clair County trail systems. Available grant opportunities under the FY26 cycle include: Park and Trail Grant Program ($3,000,000) Community Planning Grant Program ($400,000) Event Sponsorship Grant Program ($30,000) Priority Path Grant Program ($3,000,000) Applications open July 9, 2025 , and will be accepted on a rolling basis through May 29,

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EDWARDSVILLE - These three artists - Cindy Hose, Dganit Moreno and Robert Asselmeier - will have their art showcased at the upcoming Edwardsville Arts Fair Sept. 26-28. Artist #1: Cindy Hose Medium: Painting Artist Statement: "I begin by meticulously preparing my canvas, ensuring a smooth and receptive surface for the paints to flow upon. Using a combination of paints and pigments I’ve carefully selected for vibrancy and compatibility, along with my own unique pouring medium and cell activator, I manipulate the paints to form intricate cellular patterns and striking contrasts. "As I guide the paints onto the canvas, I become a conductor of color — tilting, turning, applying fire and breaths of air — watching in awe as the colors mingle and marry, creating marbled swirls and organic shapes that seem alive." Artist #2: Dganit Moreno Medium: Textiles Artist Statement: "I use cotton fabric to create architectural imagery. The softness

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Heat Advisory in effect until 7 p.m. Thursday. Today's high will reach a sizzling 95 degrees with a low tonight of 75. The day will be mostly sunny, hot, and humid, making it feel like 110 degrees at times. Winds will be light from the south-southeast with some gusts up to 15 mph. UV levels are very high, so don't forget your sunscreen! Air quality is moderate with low pollen counts for grass, ragweed, and trees, and mold is also low. Stay hydrated and avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the peak heat hours. If you must be outside, take frequent breaks in the shade or air conditioning. Tomorrow, expect another hot day with a high near 98 and a low around 76. It will be partly sunny and very humid, with a chance of isolated thunderstorms. The heat will feel dangerous again, with feels-like temperatures soaring above 100 degrees. Be prepared for sudden storms and keep an eye on the sky in the afternoon. For the latest updates, visit https://riverbender.com/weather .

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JERSEYVILLE – Two new restaurants are one step closer to opening in Jerseyville. City Council members on Tuesday unanimously approved requests to rezone the former World Finance and Imo’s Pizza locations. 218 S. State St., the current home of the Jerseyville Domino’s Pizza, and 216 S. State St., the former home of World Finance, will both be rezoned from B-2 to B-3 with intended use as a restaurant. Building and Zoning Director Jeff Soer explained at Tuesday’s meeting that the Domino’s building will be renovated while 216 S. State St. welcomes a new hibachi takeout restaurant – though few details are publicly available. “Where World Finance was, there’s an outfit that wants to put in a hibachi takeout grill,” Soer said, noting there were “no objectors” to the proposal. “We had to take it from B-2, which was offices, into B-3 for restaurants, and then clean up where Domino’s is at.” A representative

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WOOD RIVER — Wood River Police Department, assisted by Metro East S.W.A.T., executed an arrest warrant Tuesday afternoon, July 22, 2025, in the 600 block of Charles Avenue, taking Tyler Taylor into custody without incident. Taylor faces charges of aggravated domestic battery, unlawful restraint, and domestic battery with bodily harm. According to Wood River Police Chief Brad Wells, Taylor allegedly committed domestic battery against his partner, who subsequently filed a police report. “The partner told police Taylor made threats against the police if they showed up. That’s why the tactical team was called,” Wells said. The coordinated effort by local law enforcement ensured the warrant was served safely and without further incident. The investigation remains ongoing.

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COLLINSVILLE – The Collinsville Area Community Foundation (CACF) has announced a donation in recognition of Kahok great, Bogie Redmon. A 1961 graduate of Collinsville High School, George “Bogie” Redmon was an outstanding athlete and local businessman who always supported his beloved Kahoks and community. To many, Bogie was the embodiment of Kahok spirit and pride. The funds, donated in memory of Bogie by his wife, Judie, will support the Kahoks Teaching Kahoks future teachers scholarship, the Diamonds for Kahoks effort to expand the athletic complex at Collinsville High School, and the Collinsville Area Vocational Center (CAVC) endowment fund. Celebrating a Legacy Mrs. Redmon’s generosity on behalf of her late husband embodies Bogie’s deep and enduring commitment to the Collinsville community, Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 (CUSD 10) and Kahok Athletics. As a dedicated alumnus and supporter, Bogie consistently championed projects to enhance

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