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Did you know that Americans consume nearly 40 pounds of cheese per person annually? This staggering statistic underscores cheese’s remarkable role in global cuisine and culture. Yet, beyond its everyday presence on tables, cheese is celebrated annually on National Cheese Day—a special occasion that honors this versatile and beloved dairy product. But how did this day come to be, and why does cheese deserve such dedicated recognition? Origins of National Cheese Day National Cheese Day is observed every June 4th in the United States, but its origins are somewhat obscure. Unlike many national food days established by official organizations or government proclamations, National Cheese Day emerged more informally through food enthusiasts, dairy industry advocates, and social media communities seeking to spotlight cheese’s culinary and cultural significance. The exact year of its inception is unclear, but it gained traction in the 20th century as cheese production expanded

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SPRINGFIELD - As commencement season wraps up across the SIU System, the latest podcast episode of Office Hours with SIU System President Dan Mahony offers a timely exploration of the transition from college to career, capturing both the emotions of spring 2025 graduates and the wisdom of accomplished SIU alumni. The latest episode opens with real-time reflections from members of the class of 2025, recorded just moments before crossing the stage. The graduates share their excitement, hopes and questions as they prepare for life after SIU. President Mahony is then joined by three distinguished SIU alumni who reflect on how their SIU experiences shaped their professional paths and offer advice to this year’s graduates: Bill Luan (SIU Edwardsville, class of 1984 & 1985), Senior Program Manager at Google Terita M. Walker (SIU Carbondale, class of 2001), Principal of Denver East High School and 2025 Colorado High School Principal of the Year Dr. Kevin M. Simon (SIU School

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June 4th is a date etched deeply into the collective memory of the world, marked by moments of profound courage, tragedy, and transformation. Perhaps the most globally resonant event associated with June 4th is the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989. On this day, the world watched with bated breath as pro-democracy demonstrators, primarily students, gathered in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square to demand political reform and greater freedoms. What began as a peaceful movement grew to encompass hundreds of thousands of people, symbolizing a universal aspiration for human rights and transparent governance. However, the Chinese government’s decision to deploy military force culminated in a tragic crackdown, the details of which remain a sensitive and heavily censored topic within China. The images of the lone protester standing before a column of tanks became an enduring symbol of peaceful resistance and the struggle for democratic ideals worldwide. On a different note, June

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ST. LOUIS, MO. — The American Red Cross has opened a new shelter for individuals and families affected by the May 16th tornado that hit St. Louis. The shelter is located at the Urban League Water Tower Campus. This brings the total to five available shelters for the St. Louis area with the locations as follows: Urban League Water Tower Campus, 2141 Bissell St., St. Louis, MO Friendly Temple Outreach Center, 6356 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, St. Louis, MO Refresh Community Church, 829 N. Hanley Rd., St. Louis, MO Ferguson Church of the Nazarene (formerly at 12th & Park Recreation Center), 1309 Elizabeth, Ferguson, MO Peter and Paul Community Services (Garfield Building), 2612 Wyoming, St. Louis, MO Identification and/or proof of residency is NOT required to be admitted to a Red Cross shelter. American Red Cross services are free and available to all regardless of race, religious beliefs, nationality, or citizenship status. Red Cross continues to

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EDWARDSVILLE - Esteban Gomez Garcia, a rising junior at Edwardsville High School, is seeking financial support to join the 2025 Seattle Cascades Drum and Bugle Corps this summer. The tuition fee for the program is $2,500, which covers housing, meals, travel, and equipment for the season. Gomez recently received a contract offer to march with the Seattle Cascades, marking a significant milestone in his musical career. However, the cost of participation presents a challenge given his current financial situation. “I would be incredibly grateful if any of you were interested in helping me experience this life-changing opportunity through the marching arts,” Gomez said in a fundraising appeal. He emphasized that every contribution, regardless of size, would be appreciated. The Seattle Cascades Drum and Bugle Corps is a World Class drum corps, and marching with the group represents a long-held dream for Gomez. The fundraiser aims to cover the expenses necessary for him to take

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EAST ALTON - Bryan Vaughn has organized a fundraiser to support Brady Garrison of East Alton, who is recovering from a serious motorcycle accident that occurred recently. Garrison, 23, lost control of his motorcycle while on his way to pick up his brother. His wife, mother, and a close friend were following behind in a car, witnessed the crash and immediately stopped to assist him. Garrison was found severely injured on the road and was quickly attended to by emergency medical personnel. He was airlifted to Barnes-Jewish Hospital, where he remains in serious condition. His wife, Maebel, has been by his side throughout his treatment and plans to continue caring for him at home once he is discharged. The couple, who recently purchased their first home and manage their finances independently, are currently unable to work due to Garrison’s injuries. Vaughn said the fundraiser aims to help alleviate medical bills and other expenses during this difficult time. “These two are

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JERSEYVILLE - Quincy DeSherlia, a freshman at Jersey Community High School, continued to improve this spring track and field season for Jersey Community High School. Quincy is a Sparklight Male Athlete of the Month for Jersey. At the Granite City Invite, DeSherlia posted a time of 2:20.75 in the 800 meters, demonstrating his endurance and speed. He also broke the minute mark in the 400 meters on May 14 during the Mississippi Valley Conference Meet, finishing with a time of 59.84 seconds, showcasing his versatility as a runner. In addition to his track events, DeSherlia placed sixth in the high jump at the Granite City Invite, one of his best meets overall, with a height of 5 feet 8 inches. He also contributed to Jersey’s relay teams, running in both the 4x800 and 4x400 relays. DeSherlia expressed enthusiasm about his future in the sport, saying he is excited to continue his track and field career at Jersey and plans to work hard to improve each year.

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GLEN CARBON – Plans have been finalized for homecoming, a community-wide event happening on Main Street in Glen Carbon, Illinois. This year’s theme, “Village of Rock N’ Coal,” takes place over two days with carnival rides, great music, food and fun for the entire family. Happening Father’s Day Weekend on Fri., June 13 and Sat., June 14, this event draws a crowd of residents and visitors alike. To assist with parking options, shuttle service will be available both nights between Village Hall and The Wooden Nickel beginning at 5 p.m. and concluding at 10:30 p.m. The festivities kick-off Friday night at 5 p.m. with delicious food and drinks. Your dinner plans will be covered all weekend long at this year’s homecoming with food vendors serving brats, Mexican fare, Mediterranean, BBQ, Cajun and more! Smoothies, funnel cakes and other sweets will also be on site. Beginning at 7 p.m., fan favorite Johnny Holzum and Well Hungarians® will hit the

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GODFREY – Godfrey Mayor Mike McCormick has once again cast the tie-breaking vote against St. Louis-based firm PGAV to update the village’s comprehensive plan. The Village Board of Trustees, featuring some newly sworn-in members , were locked into a 3-3 tie on the agreement at Tuesday night’s meeting, prompting the mayor’s second tie-breaking vote on the subject since October of 2024 . Voting in favor were Trustees Rick Lauschke, Craig Lombardi, and Mike Fisher. Joining the mayor’s vote against the agreement were Trustees Karen MacAtee, Sarah Woodman, and Gerard Fischer. A comprehensive plan essentially serves as a roadmap for a community’s future, ensuring its growth is guided in a strategic way over the next few years to a decade. Such a plan would not include specific policies or ordinances, but would give general guidance on how village leaders should approach decisions that impact Godfrey’s future, including considerations for housing

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GODFREY - Oakwood Church of God in Christ will host their annual giveaway with free food, clothing, toys, hygiene kits and more. From 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, June 7, 2025, community members can stop by Oakwood COGIC at 4712 N. Alby in Godfrey for a variety of free items. Lavern Parker, who helped organize the giveaway, noted the importance of helping the community and sharing prayer if people ask for it. “Whatever it is, whether your need is physical, emotional or spiritual, we want to be there, to be able to contribute to you,” Parker said. “There’s nothing like worshiping inside the church. But we want to be that church without walls.” Those who attend the giveaway can come into the church and take whatever they need. There is a wide variety of clothing, the hygiene kits are packed and ready to go, and sandwiches and water will be available. There will also be several people onsite who are willing to offer prayers or pray alongside attendees.

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GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College’s newest student trustee, Jim Eck, of Grafton, is a non-traditional Nursing major pursuing his second career. Eck graduated high school in 1982, earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering and built a successful career, retiring as president of Dominion Energy Ohio and West Virginia in 2022. Now, he’s pursuing his passion for healthcare through Lewis and Clark, in pursuit of an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) in May 2026. “I decided to enroll at Lewis and Clark for its outstanding Nursing program,” he said. “I wanted to serve those in need, and nursing enables me to provide comfort and care.” Eck's dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed. This past spring, he received the Touching Lives Nursing Award at the college. His enthusiasm for helping others extends beyond Lewis and Clark — he’s also a trustee of the New Piasa Chautauqua Church Assembly, a volunteer

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GRANITE CITY - Six Mile Regional Library District will offer several special activities and services over the next few months. The library has two locations in Granite City. Like most Illinois libraries, they will host their Summer Reading Program throughout June and July. But Executive Director Tina Hubert explained that the library tries to go above and beyond to provide resources to people within their communities. “We actually serve Granite City, Mitchell and Pontoon Beach,” she said. “If you live anywhere in 62040, I’d just encourage people to come in and get their library card.” From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on June 7, 2025, community members can check out a Scrapbook Workshop at the library at their Johnson Road location. The library will also host “crafternoons” on upcoming Saturdays. These 18+ craft workshops run from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on June 14 and 2–3:30 p.m. on July 5 and Aug. 9, at the Delmar location. Expert-led

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ALTON — Former Alton detectives and Chris Rhodes, a reporter for Riverbender.com, will appear in a special broadcast on the Bonnie Woodward case airing on ABC’s 20/20 at 8 p.m. Central Time on Friday, June 6, 2025. The program will also be available to stream on Hulu starting Saturday, June 7, 2025. Rhodes, who extensively covered the Woodward trial for Riverbender.com, was interviewed by ABC 20/20 a few months ago to provide insight into the case. In a statement, Rhodes said, “I was interviewed for ABC 20/20 for the Bonnie Woodward case. It was an interesting process. I am looking forward to watching the show on Friday night." The special focuses on the 2010 murder of Bonnie Woodward and the subsequent trial of Roger Carroll, who was charged with her murder on April 12, 2018. Carroll was sentenced on Oct. 1, 2020, in Jersey County Court to 45 years for first-degree murder and 25 years for use of a firearm. The sentencing was rendered by Honorable Judge Eric Pistorius.

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PIASA - Outfielder Sydney Valdes was a standout for the Southwestern Piasa Birds softball squad in Spring 2025. Sydney is an Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month. Southwestern High School’s Sydney Valdes has signed a letter of intent to play softball at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield. Valdes, an outfielder for the Piasa Birds softball team, batted well over .400 during the recent season. Head coach Amanda Edwards praised Valdes for her versatility and commitment to the team. “She’s a strong hitter and has won all-conference awards,” Edwards said. “She loves her role and wherever it is in college she will make a difference. Lincoln Land is a phenomenal school.” Valdes will now prepare for the next step in her athletic career at the collegiate level.

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GRANITE CITY - Six Mile Regional Library District has a busy summer ahead. The library, with two locations in Granite City, will host their annual Summer Reading Program for kids throughout June and July. Executive Director Tina Hubert explained that the library aims to engage the community and help people access services and resources. “It’s the reason we’re here,” she said. “We’re here for the community, so we try to find programs, services and resources that benefit our community members. That’s the whole reason why we’re here.” The Summer Reading Program will run at 2 p.m. on Fridays for kids to enjoy. All Friday programs will be held at The Mill in Granite City. These events are completely free and sponsored by the Friends of the Library. To kick off the Summer Reading Program, “Will Stuck: Pigment of Your Imagination” combines art, color, science and songs on June 6, 2025. On June 13, “Storm Science”

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ALTON - There will be several open meetings this summer to help people navigate their Medicaid and Medicare benefits. At 6 p.m. on June 25, July 30, and Aug. 27, 2025, community members can come to the RiverBender.com Building at 200 W. 3rd Street in Alton to learn about Medicaid and Medicare. Jamie Goble with Medicare Insurance Techs will talk about how she can guide you through the process of applying and accessing your benefits. “It’s just important to me that get that type of help and they’re not left alone,” Goble said. “There’s somebody fighting for them, too.” As a broker, Goble works one-on-one with clients. She sits down with them and goes through their doctors, prescriptions and health conditions to figure out what plan is best for them. She often advocates for her clients to make sure their medical care is covered. She will talk directly with doctors’ offices or claims departments if necessary to ensure her clients

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GLEN CARBON - During a recent dedication ceremony, Glen Carbon officials provided an update on the Orchard Town Center development. On June 3, 2025, community members came together to dedicate a greenspace near Dick’s Sporting Goods within Orchard Town Center. Glen Carbon Mayor Bob Marcus and representatives from developer The Staenberg Group said Phase One of the Orchard Town Center development was a success, and they have big plans for the future of the complex. “The activity is really picking up and we’re very close,” said Tim Lowe, The Staenberg Group’s Senior Vice President of Development. “It’s beautiful, with some good tenants. We’re also working to round out our parcels. We’re working with a national hamburger chain that everybody will know. We’re working with a national steakhouse. We want to round it out. What we’re doing is continuing to find the right tenants for Glen Carbon and the right tenants fo

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EDWARDSVILLE – The Junior Service Club of Edwardsville/Glen Carbon is thrilled to announce the return of its annual JSC Tour Golf Scramble, scheduled for Saturday, June 28, 2025, at The Legacy Golf Course in Granite City, Illinois. This highly anticipated event promises a day filled with camaraderie, competition, and community spirit, all in support of local philanthropic initiatives. Event Details: Date: Saturday, June 28, 2025 Cost : $500 per foursome Time: 8:00 AM CDT Location: The Legacy Golf Course, 3500 Cargill Dr, Granite City, IL 62040 Registration Includes: 18 holes of golf with cart Swag bag Three drink tickets per golfer Catered lunch Opportunities to participate in mulligans, skins games, silent auctions, 50/50 raffles, and a bourbon basket raffle Special Offers: Mulligans can be purchased for $25 providing four mulligans per team—one per team member. Skins games are available for $20 per team. Bourbon

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SPRINGFIELD - A team of medical providers from Southern Illinois University Center for Family Medicine and Southern Illinois Healthcare (SIH) accompanied SIU School of Medicine resident physicians and students on a mission trip to Costa Rica this past March. The group provided essential medical care to the residents of Isla de Chira, a community of about 3,000 with limited access to medical care. The team raised more than $4,000 to purchase medications and supplies for the trip, allowing them to treat 300+ adults and children during their four-day visit. “It is always an incredible experience to provide care in a resource-limited setting,” said Deedra McLain MD, medical director of SIU Medicine's Physician Assistant Program. “Relying on history and physical exams rather than advanced imaging and lab tests reminds us of the core principles of medicine.” This medical mission reflects SIU Medicine’s commitment to advancing health care and serving communities,

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MADISON COUNTY — Additional lane closures will begin Wednesday, June 4, at the intersection of Illinois 140 and Fosterburg Road in Madison County, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced. The closures, weather permitting, will affect both westbound and eastbound lanes as part of a $1.95 million project to add new turn lanes at the intersection. Westbound Illinois 140 will have the two inside lanes closed, leaving only one lane open for traffic. On eastbound Illinois 140, the inside lane will be closed, with three lanes remaining open. All traffic signals at the intersection will operate on a flashing red mode throughout the closure period. Drivers are instructed to treat the flashing red signals as stop signs and proceed only when it is safe, following standard four-way stop procedures. The project is expected to be completed by November. Motorists should anticipate delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes. The Illinois Department of Transportation advises

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