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Did you know that over 1.4 billion international tourist arrivals were recorded in 2019, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization? With travel rebounding post-pandemic, destinations around the globe are experiencing a renaissance. As travelers venture out once again, a wealth of opportunities awaits. But which places should be on your radar for the spring of 2025? Here, we explore some of the most compelling travel destinations that promise unforgettable experiences, cultural richness, and natural beauty. 1. Kyoto, Japan: A Cultural Tapestry Kyoto is a city steeped in history, boasting over 1,600 temples, stunning gardens, and traditional wooden houses. The cherry blossoms in spring are a spectacular sight, drawing visitors from far and wide. The annual Hanami festival celebrates this natural beauty, with locals and tourists gathering in parks to appreciate the fleeting blooms. Practical Tip: Consider visiting the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove early in the morning t

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Welcome to February 17, a date that has witnessed some remarkable events throughout history! Moving back in time, we find ourselves in the year 1972, when President Richard Nixon made history by becoming the first sitting U.S. president to visit China. This pivotal visit opened diplomatic relations between the two nations and was instrumental in reshaping global geopolitics. Nixon’s trip, which included meetings with Chinese leader Mao Zedong, laid the foundation for a new era of U.S.-China relations, paving the way for increased trade and cooperation. This event not only altered the dynamics between the two countries but also had a profound impact on international relations during the Cold War. On February 17, 1965, the United States started a massive bombing campaign known as Operation Rolling Thunder during the Vietnam War. This operation aimed to boost the morale of the South Vietnamese government and weaken the North Vietnamese forces. The campaign, which lasted for thre

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EAST ALTON — Authorities have a death investigation underway after the discovery of a body inside a vacant residence in the 100 block of Bonds Avenue in East Alton early Monday morning, Feb. 17, 2025. The East Alton Police Department, along with the East Alton Fire Department, responded to the scene around 4 a.m. Monday after a person checked on his mother's property. It was vacant and reported finding what appeared to be a burnt body according to scanner traffic. Upon arrival, police cordoned off the area with crime scene tape as they began their investigation. The situation prompted the involvement of the Illinois State Police Crime Lab and the Illinois State Fire Marshal, both of which arrived at approximately 6:30 a.m. and were seen entering and exiting the residence. Shortly after, the Madison County Coroner's Office also arrived to assist with the investigation. As of now, the circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear, and authorities have not released

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STAUNTON - Madison County Sheriff's Deputies and Illinois State Police Troopers responded to reports of gunfire early this morning in unincorporated Staunton, where a victim was found around 3:20 a.m. at the intersection of 3rd Street and Adams Avenue early Sunday morning, Feb. 16, 2025. Preliminary investigations indicate that the victim had met with the suspect at the location when several shots were fired at a victim who was inside a vehicle. Fortunately, no one sustained injuries during the incident, but the suspect fled the scene in a car. As the investigation progressed, authorities identified a possible suspect. Deputies located the suspect and a vehicle believed to be involved at a residence in the 500 block of North Shirley Street in Worden. Following this discovery, Madison County Sheriff's Deputies and Detectives surrounded the residence and detained the suspect without incident. Authorities have determined that the individuals involved were familiar with one another,

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WOOD RIVER— The Wood River Fire Department responded to a vehicle fire that spread to a house on Bonita Street on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025. Firefighters were dispatched to the 300 block of Bonita Street in Wood River after reports of a vehicle ablaze, which had ignited the side of the residence. Upon arrival, firefighters found a vehicle fully engulfed in flames, with the fire having spread to the adjacent house. In response to the escalating situation, Wood River requested a box alarm, bringing additional support from the Roxana, East Alton, and Rosewood Heights fire departments. Firefighters worked quickly to extinguish the flames and prevent further damage. No injuries were reported as a result of the incident.

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Welcome to This Day in History for February 16th! One of the most impactful events on February 16th occurred in 1923, when the tomb of the ancient Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun was opened by British archaeologist Howard Carter. This discovery marked a turning point in Egyptology, leading to a renewed interest in ancient Egyptian culture and history. The treasures found within the tomb, including the famous golden mask, captivated the world and sparked a wave of Egyptomania in the following decades. The meticulous documentation of the artifacts and the insights into the life and death of King Tut have since provided scholars with an invaluable understanding of ancient Egyptian civilization. Moving ahead in time, in 1968, the first 911 emergency telephone system was introduced in Haleyville, Alabama, USA. This historic development fundamentally changed the way emergency services operate. Prior to this system, contacting emergency services was often cumbersome and unreliable. The

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VIRDEN - Macoupin County Coroner Anthony Kravanya was called to the scene of a residential structure fire in Virden on Saturday morning, Feb. 15, 2025. The incident occurred in the 200 block of West Dean Street in Virden, where a male was pronounced deceased at 10:06 a.m. Saturday. The coroner said the identity of the deceased and the cause of death remain under investigation, pending an autopsy scheduled for Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. He said a press release will be issued following the autopsy and the positive identification of the individual. The investigation is being conducted by multiple agencies, including the Macoupin County Coroner’s Office, the Virden Police Department, the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Department, and the Office of the State Fire Marshal. Further details will be made available as the investigation progresses.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—founding co-chair of the Senate Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Caucus—and Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) and a bipartisan group of Senators in reintroducing the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act . This legislation would allow the year-round, nationwide sale of ethanol blends higher than 10%—ending years of regulatory uncertainty and preventing a patchwork of uneven state regulations. Increasing the availability of biofuels like E15 would benefit the economy and the environment. “For our country to remain a global energy leader, we must continue to invest in renewable and clean energy so we can decrease our emissions and dependence on foreign oil,” said Senator Duckworth. “Producing less expensive fuel choices like E15 that can be sold year-round would help lower gas prices, protect the environment, support our farmers and drive

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ST. LOUIS - Ameren Corporation (NYSE: AEE) today announced 2024 net income attributable to common shareholders in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) of $1,182 million, or $4.42 per diluted share, compared to 2023 net income attributable to common shareholders of $1,152 million, or $4.38 per diluted share. Excluding certain charges discussed below, Ameren recorded adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders of $1,237 million, or $4.63 per diluted share. There were no differences between GAAP and adjusted earnings for 2023. Adjusted earnings results for 2024 were driven by strong operating performance and execution of the company's strategy. Higher earnings were primarily the result of increased infrastructure investments and disciplined cost management. Earnings also benefited from new electric service rates at Ameren Missouri, higher electric retail sales at Ameren Missouri across all customer classes and new natural gas service rates at Ameren

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ALTON - K9 Jax, a dedicated member of the Alton Police Department, officially retired on Jan. 28, 2025, marking a decade of service. The date coincides with the 10-year anniversary of his working career alongside his handler, Sergeant Mike Morelli. Throughout his tenure, K9 Jax participated in various operations, including tracking suspects, detecting drugs, and engaging in community demonstrations. His retirement comes as a result of his age, and he will now live with Sergeant Morelli and his family. “K9s are an extremely important component of our police department,” Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said. “They do things humans often cannot. As we unfortunately were reminded of in August, with Officer Averbeck and K9 Odin being shot, they sometimes give their lives in order to protect others.” K9 Jax's contributions to the department have been significant, with Chief Ford acknowledging that he and Sergeant Morelli formed one of the most productive and successfu

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GODFREY – More free, public programming for Black History Month continues through the end of February at Lewis and Clark Community College. "We encourage community members on campus and off to come out and be engaged in these offerings,” said Student Activities Coordinator Jared Hennings. “Having a good cross section of the community involved enhances the event for all involved.” A Criminal Justice presentation set for Wednesday, Feb. 12, has been rescheduled due to an inclement weather closure at the college. Chief U.S. Probation Officer Reginald Box, of the Southern District of Illinois, will speak at 11 a.m., Feb. 24, in Reid Memorial Library. Box’s story will include the motivations and inspiration he's used on his path to success that are adaptable to all professions. Next up, a Communications presentation by KSDK-TV’s Travis Cummings will take place at 11 a.m., Feb. 18, in Reid Memorial Library. Cummings is a multi-skilled journalist and weekend

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) today introduced bipartisan legislation to expand the United States’ capacity to invest in quantum information science and research and development (R&D) through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). As quantum science, engineering, and technology advances, the DOE Quantum Leadership Act of 2025 would reinvigorate R&D projects at DOE by authorizing more than $2.5 billion in funding over the next five years—well above the $625 million for DOE-related programs laid out in the now-expired National Quantum Initiative Act of 2018 . The DOE Quantum Leadership Act would also provide DOE the authority to expand its current quantum R&D initiatives. “Between Fermilab and Argonne National Lab, our top-tier universities, and the new Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, our state is poised to be a global hub as quantum computing takes center stage. I want to keep

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) re-introduced the bipartisan Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act , which would extend the Reid vapor pressure (RVP) volatility waiver to enable the year-round, nationwide sale of ethanol blends up to 15 percent. “Higher blends of biofuels help folks save money at the gas pump, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, cut carbon emissions and support critical markets for Illinois family farmers,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “I’m proud to represent one of our nation’s top corn-producing regions and to champion biofuels production on behalf of my constituents – including as a co-lead of the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act. Producers and consumers need more certainty and I’m confident that this legislation can take us across the finish line to secure year-round E-15.” Congresswoman Budzinski is leading the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer

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GRANITE CITY – A Granite City man accused of sexually assaulting an 11-year-old child faces 13 felony counts after the victim reported the abuse to a teacher. Jeremy D. Mifflin, 39, of Granite City, was charged with 13 Enhanced Class X felony counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child on Feb. 13, 2025. From Feb. 1 to 10, 2025, Mifflin allegedly committed a series of acts of sexual assault on an 11-year-old child. According to a petition to deny Mifflin’s pretrial release, the victim informed a teacher of Mifflin’s “creepy” behavior on Feb. 10. The teacher took the victim to a social worker and Student Resource Officers, and the victim told them Mifflin had repeatedly sexually assaulted her and shown her pornography. “ is interviewed and he denies everything,” the petition states. “A search warrant is executed on the residence. In the house, police recover items that corroborate the victim’s] statements.” A

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) and Congressman David Joyce (OH-14) introduced the bipartisan Presidential Legacy Act. As it currently stands in federal statute, the holiday commonly referred to as "Presidents' Day" is officially recognized as "Washington's Birthday," despite the fact that four presidents, including Abraham Lincoln, were born in February. This bill would change the holiday’s name in statute from “Washington’s Birthday” to “Presidents’ Day” to better honor the Office of the President and each of the presidents who have led our great nation. “In Central and Southern Illinois, we are proud to call ourselves the Land of Lincoln. Abraham Lincoln is an American icon and his legacy as a champion for freedom, equality and democracy is an inspiration to us all,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “When a constituent wrote to our office and indicated that Presidents’

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O'FALLON, IL. - As part of its commitment to commemorating the United States upcoming Semiquincentennial, the Looking Glass Prairie Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) recently donated books to two Central Division 104 O’Fallon schools. The donated books all relate to the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, life in colonial times, and/or stories about the people involved. Chapter members Melissa McArthur and Margaret Truitt applied for and received a $500 Celebration Grant from the NSDAR. The grant enables chapters to honor the men and women who achieved American Independence and to celebrate the birth of our nation. NSDAR President General Pamela Edwards Rouse Wright said the grants “form a foundation as we prepare for our nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations.” Chapter members approved the use of an additional $250 from chapter fundraising efforts. McArthur and Truitt then worked closely with the principals

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ALTON - Starting therapy is a brave step toward improving your mental health and well-being. However, sometimes people feel like therapy isn’t accomplishing the results they anticipated. If you're questioning the effectiveness of your sessions or feeling like you aren’t making progress, there are steps you can take to address the situation. Two main indicators that may mean therapy isn’t working for you are your progress and your relationship with your provider. Within your first three to four sessions, you should start feeling some sense of relief for your symptoms, even if it’s minor. If you haven’t felt any weight lifted off your shoulders within those first few sessions, this may be a sign that you aren’t making progress. Another indicator is if your therapist reacts negatively when you share something about your identity, such as your sexual orientation or religion. This could indicate that you and your therapist are not the right fit and could

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GODFREY - When experiencing the loss of a loved one, Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Homes can be trusted to offer guidance through the process of honoring their life. They pride themselves on serving families in the Riverbend and surrounding areas with dignity, respect, and compassion. Staff is experienced in a variety of funeral services to help celebrate your loved one’s life. With a long-standing service to the community, Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Homes, Crematory and Cemeteries are family-owned and operated. Owners Tim Kallal and Craig Schaaf, along with several other family and staff members, operate locations in Bethalto, Godfrey, Hardin and Brussels. Around 1948, Daryl Smith opened a location in Bethalto and operated until 1981. In 1981, Rod Elias purchased the Alton and Bethalto funeral homes and operated Smith Funeral Homes, eventually expanding his operation to Godfrey in 1987. In 1987, he opened a new funeral home with a crematory on site, which was

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The RiverBend Growth Association is pleased to announce the addition of four new members to its Board of Directors. At its monthly board meeting held on January 23, 2025, the Board elected the following to serve a three-year term: -Lou Bicanic, Midwest Members Credit Union -Sarah Bowman, Illinois American Water -Anita Martinez, Asbury Village -Zach Yoder, OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center Lou Bicanic has worked in financial services for 41 years. He started his career at Trans Union and later worked for Revity Credit Union, Alloya Corporate Credit Union, West Community Credit Union, and Commerce Bank. Lou is currently the President/CEO at Midwest Members Credit Union in Wood River, where he has been for 12 years. Lou graduated from SIU Edwardsville with a degree in Business Administration and Greenville University with a degree in Organizational Development. Sarah Bowman has worked for American Water for 20 years in various roles. Currently she is the Sr. Manager

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EDWARDSVILLE – State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) extends her heartfelt gratitude to everyone who participated in her annual Valentines for Seniors Card Drive, making this year’s event a tremendous success. “Each year, we continue to brighten the faces of our senior community through this initiative, and I’m thankful to those who have taken the time to make cards for us to deliver to facilities across the 56th District,” said Senator Harriss. Thanks to the generosity of students, scout groups, churches, and community members, hundreds of beautifully crafted Valentine’s cards were delivered to nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other long-term care centers. This outpouring of kindness helped brighten the day for many seniors, reminding them that they are cherished and appreciated.

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