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ALTON - The 10th annual Robert Sean Hilligoss Memorial Toys for Tots Benefit is scheduled for this weekend. On Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, community members are invited to the Alton VFW for live music, raffles, a silent auction and more. Proceeds benefit the local Toys for Tots drive, from which 14,000 children in Madison County are expected to receive toys. “This is a personal endeavor for me. This is for my brother Sean,” said organizer Kevin Hilligoss. “We’re trying to do everything we can.” Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and Tragg Band plays from 6–10 p.m., with a few guest performers expected. The 21+ event will include a cash bar, food, raffles, a 50/50 raffle and a silent auction. The suggested donation is $10, or attendees can bring a new, unwrapped toy to enter for free. Hilligoss explained that his brother, Robert Sean Hilligoss, was a Christmas-loving father who died at the age of 44. He left behind a 4-year-old daughter and a newborn.

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GRANITE CITY - A high-speed police chase resulting in a crash and more has led to multiple felony charges filed against a Belleville resident. Lecourtney A. Luckett, 44, of Belleville, was charged with aggravated battery (a Class 2 felony), aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer (a Class 3 felony), driving while license is revoked, and resisting a peace officer (both Class A misdemeanors). On Nov. 12, 2024, Luckett allegedly fled from police at a high rate of speed before crashing the vehicle, fleeing on foot, spitting on a police officer, and more. A petition to deny his pretrial release describes the incident as follows: “Defendant was identified as the driver of a motor vehicle exceeding the posted limit and officers attempted a stop. Defendant continued to accelerate to 105 mph in a 55 mph zone and attempted to pass a semi-tractor trailer on the shoulder, striking the truck and crashing into a ditch. “Defendant then fled on foot, ignoring

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Andrew Hade was diagnosed with diabetes a year ago. While the Rockford, Illinois, resident was surprised, he was more shocked when he later found out he also has diabetic retinopathy. “Retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that affects the back of the eye and can cause vision loss, blurry vision and other complications,” says Pamela Garcia, a nurse practitioner for OSF HealthCare. Garcia adds that early symptoms of retinopathy include floaters, blurriness, dark areas of vision and difficulty perceiving colors. Mild cases may be treated with diabetes management and more serious cases could require surgery. It's important for people with diabetes to schedule a thorough eye exam at least once a year. That’s because most patients, like Hade, display no symptoms of diabetic retinopathy until it’s too late. “I initially was dismissive about the eye test, because, I had no symptoms,” he says. “It's hard to think of something being wrong that's

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ALTON - Food Is Love will host their free monthly block party from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. today, Nov. 22, 2024. Located in the “Soulcial Square” — the parking lot next to the Salvation Army in Alton — the Block Party for Good offers free groceries and hot meals to community members. There are no residency or income requirements to receive food. Community members can stop by the Soulcial Square any time during the block party until they run out of food. “Our Block Party for Good is more than just a food distribution event — it’s a gathering of love, support, and connection,” said John Michel, President of Food is Love. “We want to ensure everyone in our community has access to nutritious food while enjoying the warmth and joy of fellowship.” The block parties are scheduled for the last Friday of every month. Hosted by AltonWorks , Food Is Love and Currency of Caring , the events offer food and information about local

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ALTON — Shalom Harvest is scheduled to distribute food baskets to families in need on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, from 10 a.m. to noon. The initiative aims to provide assistance amid rising prices that have left many struggling to feed their families. The distribution will take place at two locations in Alton: Tabernacle Church at 2521 Amelia St. and Today's Beauty Supply at 1415 Central Ave. In total, five hubs will be operational across the region, including the Shalom Church Lindbergh Campus, Skate King Roller Rink, and Shalom Church Berkeley Campus. Food will be distributed until it runs out. The program will distribute a total of 1,000 food baskets, with 200 available at each site. The drive-through format will be first come, first served, allowing families to collect food without leaving their vehicles. "Everything is high right now; food prices are astronomical. People are really struggling how to feed families and kids," said Jacqueline O’Quinn, emphasizing the importance

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BELLEVILLE - Belleville’s first-ever cannabis dispensary will get a portion of their local taxes paid back to them after City Council members this week unanimously approved a sales tax rebate for the business. Mystic Greenz has a dispensary located at 360 S. Green Mount Road in Belleville. It marks the city’s first-ever cannabis dispensary, joining many other Riverbend communities which have welcomed dispensaries - and their sales tax revenues - in recent years. The company behind this Mystic Greenz location, Indus 365 Belleville LLC, has promised annual cannabis sales of at least $3.5 million in addition to a $1.2 million investment in remodeling the building. They have also agreed to create six full-time jobs and two part-time jobs within a year of opening, as well as operate at the site for at least five years. In return for this projected revenue, and to incentivize the building remodel, the city has agreed to pay the dispensary back one-third of the 3%

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ROXANA - Felony charges have been filed against a man accused of using a stolen identity to illegally purchase a Cadillac DeVille in Roxana. William L. Green, 56, listed as homeless out of Alton, was charged on Nov. 14, 2024 with offenses related to motor vehicles (a Class 2 felony) and identity theft (a Class 3 felony). Green reportedly used the personal identifying information of another person to fraudulently obtain a Cadillac DeVille motor vehicle on Sept. 25, 2024. Green made the unlawful purchase at Roxana Auto Sales, where the car was bought for more than $300 but less than $2,000, according to court documents. The Roxana Police Department presented the case against Green, who was granted pretrial release from custody. The issuance of charges is based solely upon probable cause and is not an indication of guilt. All subjects charged with criminal offenses are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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MILLSTADT - Colleen C. Hensel, a dedicated educator and beloved community member, died on Nov. 20, 2024, at age 82. She impacted the lives of countless people in the Millstadt/Belleville area through her work as a mother, wife, teacher, volunteer, and friend. Born and raised in Springfield, IL., Colleen attended Sacred Heart-Griffin School and later pursued her education at a junior college before earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Saint Louis University in 1962. Her teaching career began at Ritenour High School in St. Louis, where she taught History, English, and Geography. It was during her first day at the school that she met her future husband, Pete Hensel, who sought her help for directions. Their relationship blossomed, leading to a marriage that lasted over six decades. After moving to Belleville where Pete took a teaching and coaching position, Colleen continued her career in education at Belle Valley South Elementary School. For 20 years, she taught seventh-grade

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ALTON - Tabitha Craig-Robinson and Dan Robinson, owners of Tab's Cafe in Alton, are preparing to serve a Thanksgiving meal and trimmings to individuals in need on Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. The restaurant is closed that day to provide a turkey dinner, complete with dessert, to 80 selected individuals from the Salvation Army. Anyone who receives the meal will have to go through the Salvation Army for tickets. The meal service will begin at noon and run until 5 p.m., with guests divided into groups of 20 for hourly servings. Each hour will accommodate a new group, ensuring that all attendees receive a warm meal. Tickets for the event can be obtained from the Salvation Army, which began distributing them earlier this week. David Thomason, a friend of the Robinsons, praised their initiative. "This is the only restaurant business in the Alton area doing this, I think," he said. "I think it is amazing. They are going to do this at Christmas time, too." While tickets for the event are limited,

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Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, family, and, of course, plenty of delicious food. However, it can also become a wonderful occasion for creating lasting memories through games and friendly competition. A Thanksgiving-themed game night offers a unique way to bring family and friends together in a festive atmosphere, allowing everyone to engage in fun activities while celebrating the spirit of the holiday. Here’s how to create a memorable Thanksgiving game night that will leave your guests with smiles and laughter. Setting the Scene: Create a Festive Atmosphere To kick off your Thanksgiving-themed game night, it’s essential to set the right ambiance. Here are some ideas to transform your space: Decorate with Fall Colors Utilize autumnal colors such as oranges, browns, and golds in your decorations. Incorporate elements like pumpkins, gourds, and fall leaves to enhance the festive feel. You might consider a centerpiece for your table made of mini pumpkins or a cornucopia

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Welcome to another installment of our series, 'This Day in History,' where we take a closer look at significant events that have shaped our world. One of the most significant events that occurred on November 22nd was the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963. This tragic event shocked the nation and the world, marking a pivotal moment in American history. Kennedy was shot while riding in a motorcade through Dallas, Texas, and his death was met with an overwhelming wave of grief. The assassination led to a series of investigations, including the Warren Commission, which concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. However, conspiracy theories surrounding the event continue to thrive to this day, fueling debates about the circumstances of his death and its lasting impact on American politics. Fast forward to November 22, 1975, when the world witnessed the rise of a new political leader in Spain. King Juan Carlos I was proclaimed King of Spain following the death o

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) reminds firearm deer hunters that mandatory check stations will be open this year in counties where chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been detected. The 2024 Illinois firearm deer season dates are Nov. 22-24 and Dec. 5-8, 2024. Check stations are used by IDNR to monitor CWD in Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Grundy, Jo Daviess, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, LaSalle, Livingston, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, Will, and Winnebago counties. In those counties, hunter-harvested deer must be taken to a designated firearm deer check station by 8 p.m. on the day the deer is killed. Successful firearm hunters in CWD counties should not attempt to report their deer online or via telephone; check station attendance in these counties is mandatory. A list of check station locations for CWD testing can be found online . Hunters harvesting deer in Kane County should take their deer to a check station in an adjacent county. Hunters should

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ST. CLAIR COUNTY - Homeowners and renters in Illinois affected by severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding from July 13 to July 16, 2024, now have additional time to seek federal disaster assistance. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has extended the application deadline to December 13, 2024, for residents in Cook, Fulton, Henry, St. Clair, Washington, Will, and Winnebago counties. The assistance provided by FEMA may cover a range of needs, including grants for temporary housing, basic home repair or replacement, and other disaster-related expenses. These expenses can include moving and storage costs, primary vehicle repair or replacement, essential furniture and appliances, as well as medical, dental, and childcare costs. Residents can apply for FEMA assistance through several methods. The fastest way is to visit DisasterAssistance.gov, download the FEMA mobile app, or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Those using relay services, such a

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The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced the 2024 annual Adoption Excellence Awards recipients. Additionally, officials introduced new public service announcements encouraging the adoption of foster care children awaiting forever families. Hosted by the Children’s Bureau at ACF, each November in celebration of National Adoption Month, the awards recognize individuals, families and organizations that have demonstrated excellence in contributing to the permanency of children in foster care. This year’s awardees were honored at an event in the HHS Great Hall this afternoon, led by ACF Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Meg Sullivan, and Children’s Bureau Commissioner Rebecca Jones Gaston. “It is a privilege to present today’s honorees with the 2024 Adoption Excellence Award,” said ACF Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Meg Sullivan. “Every child deserves a stable

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, hosted the U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink, to discuss continued Congressional support for Ukraine and the need to strengthen the NATO alliance ahead of the incoming Administration. Senate Armed Services Chair Jack Reed (D-RI) also joined the meeting. “ More than two and a half years after Putin began his brutal, criminal invasion, Ukraine remains on the frontlines of democracy,” said Durbin. “As the United States Congress prepares for a new Administration, I reiterated to Ambassador Brink that we stand with our Ukrainian allies. We must continue bipartisan support for the NATO alliance and to reject Russian tyranny.”

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BETHALTO - A beloved teacher at Trimpe Middle School in Bethalto has died. Marissa Banovz was a sixth and seventh grade math teacher at Trimpe, where students and faculty alike knew her as a kind, smart and dedicated individual. Banovz died on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, following a battle with metastatic breast cancer. “When she was sick in the hospital, she was making videos for her students on how to figure out test corrections or how to do a problem. She was still working,” remembered Laura Gipson, principal of Trimpe Middle School. “She was such a fighter, always had a positive attitude, no matter what. On days she wasn’t feeling well, you would have never known.” Banovz became a math teacher and technology coach at Trimpe in 2001. She was quickly deemed the “go-to person” for any questions about technology or scheduling. Gipson explained that the middle school’s schedule can be “very tricky,” and Banovz would

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The Joe Lawrence Flying Circus performed on Sunday, November 16, 1924, at Hugh F. Poag’s field in South Roxana. There were stunts, fancy flying, a parachute leap from the plane a mile high, wing walking, skating in the air, and a break-away, in which a man or woman jumps from a wing end to a rope ladder swinging beneath the plane. All stunts were announced and explained by megaphone and were performed without safety measures. Admission to the field was 25 cents. Passenger airplane trips cost $3, with half fare for children under 12 years old.\ The following week, to advertise their upcoming shows on November 23 and 27, the Joe Lawrence Flying Circus planned to do something no one had ever done before. On Thursday, November 20, at 12:30 p.m., pilot William F. Spencer and stunt man Roy Johnson attempted to fly under the Alton Bridge, with Spencer piloting and Johnson on top of the plane. Hundreds of people gathered on the Alton riverfront to watch. The plane took off from

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EDWARDSVILLE - A new local business is creating well-rounded, holistic, healthy meals for dogs. Pup Kitchen, based out of Edwardsville, is a family business that focuses on all members of the family, including the four-legged ones. The company sells homemade, AAFCO-certified nutritious dog food. Owner Marc Fussell noted that his dogs’ health has improved since he started feeding them Pup Kitchen meals, and he hopes to help other dogs get the same benefits. “With humans, you hear many times, 'Let food be thy medicine.' And I think even with dogs, if you feed them a healthy diet, a well-balanced diet, that’s going to be what they need to have longevity,” Fussell said. About 20 years ago, Fussell became interested in nutrition and began cooking healthy, whole-food meals for his family. He soon realized how much better he felt, and he started to wonder if better food could have the same effect on his pets. At first, Fussell and his wife Christie bought

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EDWARDSVILLE - Steven Moore, Jr. was one of the key offensive players for the Edwardsville football team that finished the season at 6-4, combining with fellow senior Gavin Yates to form a lethal one-two backfield punch that was very hard to stop on many nights. In the game where the Tigers officially clinched an IHSA playoff berth, a 20-10 win over Belleville East on Oct. 11 at Tiger Stadium, Moore ran for 47 yards and Edwardsville's first touchdown in the second quarter, a comeback win for the Tigers that put Edwardsville's record at the time at 6-1. For the season, Moore ran for 711 yards and eight touchdowns, also catching 18 passes for 130 yards and two more touchdowns. Moore also had 16 receptions for 138 yards and two touchdowns. After the win over the Lancers, Moore felt the Tigers played well in gaining a great and important win. "We just came as a team, played together, and got the win," he said. "It all started in practice the day before the game, and it all translated

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GRANITE CITY - Senior offensive lineman Matt Fetrow had one of the most important jobs on the football gridiron this past football season for the Granite City Warriors – he was starting center on the offensive line, and a play couldn't start without him. Besides being the center, Fetrow served as the engine that kickstarts the Warrior offense. Fetrow enjoyed the 2024 season under Warriors' head football coach Steve Roustio. "We've had more positivity and worked hard, I feel, from this year to last year," Fetrow said. Fetrow also feels that this past season will give the Warriors a chance to turn the Warriors' program around with several young players coming back for next year. "We're headed in the right direction for the future," the lineman said. Fetrow was also excited to have Steve Roustio as his new head coach, and he enthusiastically endorsed Roustio. "I think he's great," Fetrow said. "He's brought in some charity, and he's been better than the last few coaches.

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