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Did you know that only about 10% of the global population is left-handed? Despite being a minority, left-handers have made remarkable contributions to art, science, and culture throughout history. Yet, many everyday tools and gadgets are designed with right-handed users in mind, often overlooking the unique challenges and preferences of lefties. National Left-Handers Day, observed annually on August 13th, offers a special opportunity to recognize and celebrate the distinctiveness of left-handed individuals. One engaging way to honor this day is through creative DIY crafts that highlight left-handedness, promote inclusivity, and encourage hands-on appreciation of this unique trait. Understanding Left-Handedness: More Than Just Which Hand You Use Left-handedness is not merely a preference but a neurological trait linked to brain lateralization. Studies suggest that lefties often develop enhanced spatial awareness and creativity, which can be nurtured through tailored activities. However,

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August 13th stands as a day marked by a tapestry of pivotal events that have shaped the course of human history across the globe. One of the most globally significant events occurred on August 13, 1961, when East Germany began constructing the Berlin Wall. Erected overnight, this formidable barrier physically and ideologically divided East and West Berlin, symbolizing the tensions of the Cold War era. The Wall not only separated families and friends but also became a stark representation of the struggle between communist and capitalist ideologies. Its impact resonated worldwide, influencing diplomatic policies and shaping the lives of millions until its fall in 1989. Going further back, August 13, 1521, marked the fall of Tenochtitlán, the capital of the Aztec Empire, to Spanish conquistadors led by Hernán Cortés. This event signaled a dramatic shift in the Americas, leading to Spanish colonization and profound changes in indigenous cultures, demographics, and

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GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. - Dollar General Corp. is recalling three lots of its 8-ounce Clover Valley Instant Coffee because the product may contain glass.The affected coffee has the package UPC 876941004069 and the following lot numbers and best-by dates: Lot L-5163 / Best by Dec. 13, 2026 Lot L-5164 / Best by Dec. 13, 2026 Lot L-5165 / Best by Dec. 14, 2026 Lot and best-by information are printed around the neck of the container. The coffee was sold exclusively at Dollar General stores between July 9 and July 21 in 45 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia,

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ALTON - Scott Harper, coach of the Alton High boys baseball team, highlighted the contributions of Jack Puent, No. 23, following the recent season. Puent, a 6-foot-1, 178-pound center fielder and pitcher, played a significant role for the Redbirds. He is an Auto Butler Male Athlete of the Month for Alton. “Puent stepped up and did a good job on the mound, and next year will play into an even bigger role,” Harper said, emphasizing the athlete’s impact both as a solid hitter and a top-notch pitcher throughout the season." Coach Harper said he expects Puent will be one of the keys to Alton's success in baseball next spring and will be a pivotal player.

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GLEN CARBON — Natalie Beck has distinguished herself as a versatile athlete at Father McGivney Catholic High School, excelling in soccer, tennis, and basketball. As a junior during the 2024-2025 school year, Beck played a key role in the soccer team’s success and is set to return for the 2026 season. Beck’s impact was especially notable on the soccer field, where she played center forward and served as a primary offensive option for the Griffins. Matt McVicar, McGivney’s soccer coach, praised her work ethic and demeanor, describing her as “soft spoken” and “a good example of what it takes to be a McGivney soccer player.” He added that Beck gives “100 percent” effort in every aspect of the game. Beck is a Byron, Carlson, Petri & Kalb Female Athlete of the Month for the Griffins. In addition to soccer, Beck has achieved extraordinary success in girls' tennis, partnering with doubles player Kennedi Taylor to secure multiple

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EDWARDSVILLE — Grace Brown, a recent senior graduate at Metro East Lutheran High School, recently wrapped up her athletic career as a versatile member of the girls' soccer, cheer and dance teams. Brown was a player who could play all over the soccer field for the Knights this spring. She earned recognition as the BJ’s Printables Female Athlete of the Month for the Knights for her soccer, cheer and dance efforts for MELHS. “Grace was a player who could come in and play multiple positions for us,” said Rob Stock, head girls soccer coach at Metro East Lutheran. “This was her first year playing soccer, and she did a great job learning the game and added a lot to the team.” Brown’s contributions across multiple sports highlighted her adaptability and commitment throughout her final year at MELHS.

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Today’s high will reach 85°F with a low of 66°F. Expect partly sunny skies with some humidity throughout the day. Winds will be light, coming from the north-northwest at around 6 mph. The UV index is very high at 9, so don’t forget your sunscreen if you’re spending time outdoors. Allergy indexes show low grass and mold levels, but ragweed is moderate, so allergy sufferers should take note. Tomorrow’s forecast calls for a high of 86°F and a low of 68°F with intermittent clouds. It will be humid again, with a moderate UV index of 8. Winds will shift to the northeast at about 6 mph. It’s a good idea to stay hydrated and take breaks if working or exercising outside. For more details, visit https://riverbender.com/weather.

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GLEN CARBON – Three new officers for the Glen Carbon Police Department were sworn in on Tuesday night. Chief Todd Link spoke at Tuesday’s Village Board meeting about each officer’s background and experience before they were sworn in by Mayor Bob Marcus. Officer Brennan Bauer, Badge # G72 A 25-year-old Troy native and Triad High School graduate, Bauer graduated in 2022 from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE), earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Business with a specialization in Cybersecurity. While technically hired by the department in September of 2024, Link said Bauer officially graduated from the Police Academy in April of 2025 and recently re-completed each phase of his field training with the GCPD. “He is frequently compliment ed by his sergeants and other trainers for his attention to detail, his willingness to lea r n, and his strong work ethic,” Link said of Bauer

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EAST ALTON — A powerful thunderstorm swept through Madison and St. Clair counties on the afternoon of Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, causing widespread power outages and prompting utility crews to respond quickly to restore service. The storm, marked by intense lightning and thunder, began impacting the area around 2 p.m., with Wood River and East Alton experiencing the first reported outages. Ameren Illinois reported that at the height of the storm, approximately 10,768 customers were without power across Madison and St. Clair counties. East Alton and Wood River were among the hardest hit communities. Brian Bretsch, a spokesperson for Ameren Illinois, said the utility’s headquarters in Collinsville monitored the storm closely as it rolled through. “We did have quite a storm roll through with thunder and lightning,” Bretsch said. He noted that at about 3:30 p.m., the number of customers without power peaked. In East Alton, about 7,900 customers in Madison County

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GODFREY – Approximately 175 students have been awarded scholarships to attend Lewis and Clark Community College for the 2025-2026 academic year, for a grand total of $590,000 awarded. The awardees were among more than 570 students from throughout the college’s district who applied for scholarships through Lewis and Clark Community College and the Lewis and Clark Community College Foundation. These scholarships provide opportunities for students of all ages, abilities, levels of academic achievement, and career paths. “Scholarships do more than ease financial burdens – they open doors to opportunity, empower students to stay the course, and remind them that their goals are worth an investment,” said Lewis and Clark Community College Foundation Director of Development Debby Edelman. The online scholarship application is available each year beginning Oct. 1 on the college’s website, https://www.lc.edu/pay-for-college/financial-aid/types-of-aid/scholarships.html

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GRANITE CITY – A Granite City resident is among two individuals facing felony mob action charges after allegedly attacking the same victim. Jesus A. Lopez, 26, of Granite City, was charged on Aug. 5, 2025 with a Class 4 felony count of mob action. On Aug. 3, 2025, Lopez allegedly acted together with another individual, Luis C. Atondo, in repeatedly striking the same victim about the head and body. Their use of force was not justified by law and disturbed the public peace, resulting in the mob action charges filed against both. Atondo, a 29-year old St. Louis resident, also faces a Class 4 felony count of mob action for his role acting together with Lopez to repeatedly strike the same victim about the head and body. The Granite City Police Department presented both cases against Lopez and Atondo, both of whom were granted pretrial release from custody. All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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ALTON - As a certified diabetes care and education specialist (CDCES), Jennifer Adcock can help patients gain control of their diabetes. Adcock, RN, BSN, CDCES, works with OSF Medical Group in the endocrinology department. She sees patients with diabetes every day, and they talk about how best to manage the condition. On a recent appearance on “Our Daily Show!” with C.J. Nasello , Adcock cleared up some common misconceptions about diabetes and shared what happens in an appointment with her. “My primary role is to provide education and support to individuals with diabetes, and then I work closely with those patients to help them understand and manage their condition,” Adcock said. “Really, it’s just what that patient needs in particular.” Adcock encourages patients to bring their supportive loved ones with them to appointments. She noted that in addition to helping patients manage their medications and blood sugars, she also assist

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul co-led a coalition of 17 state attorneys general, the city of Chicago, New York City and the California Air Resources Board, in filing comments opposing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposal to repeal the 2024 Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) Rule and revert to outdated standards that would harm the environment and public health. The MATS Rule implements nationwide standards that limit emissions of toxic air pollutants from coal- and oil-fired power plants, such as mercury and other toxic metals, acid gases such as hydrogen chloride, and formaldehyde. Given significant developments in the technologies used to control pollution, in 2024 the EPA updated standards for emissions of these hazardous air pollutants from power plants. The Trump administration is proposing to repeal those standards and revert to the standards as they existed in 2012. “The Trump administration is proposing a significant

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EDWARDSVILLE - Yale Weaver, a senior quarterback for the Edwardsville High School football team, is ready to retake the reigns of the Tiger offense this season as EHS began its preseason practice sessions on Aug. 11, 2025, en route to the week zero scrimmage against Triad on Aug. 22, and the season opener at home the next week against Chatham Glenwood. As the starter for last year's team, Weaver was 92-of-161 passing for 960 yards and 11 touchdowns, and also ran for 53 yards and another touchdown for the Tigers. In an interview that followed the opening practice session of the year, Weaver expressed his optimism on the new season, and feels very good about his teammates and the team's chances in 2025. "I thought things went well this morning," Weaver said. "I thought the boys were focused, I thought we were on task. We've got to have a good fall camp ahead of us, so we've got to keep going." Weaver's goals and ambitions for himself and his team are very high, and he feels good abou

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EAST ST. LOUIS - Dunbar Elementary School in East St. Louis welcomed students and families to its Open House event at the start of the school year, offering a mix of educational resources, community engagement, and entertainment. The event, held recently at the school, featured contributions from several organizations and community members. Amnyx, a company based in Virginia, donated school supplies to support Dunbar’s students. Three firefighters from East St. Louis sponsored a “Touch a Truck” experience, allowing students to explore a real fire engine. Local groups also participated in the event. Land of Lincoln provided information on free resources available to families, while Grand Canyon University connected with parents about educational opportunities. The Girl Scouts of America shared details about their in-school scouting program. Entertainment included bounce houses and music provided by DJ Mike, creating a festive atmosphere. Dunbar staff members

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WHEELING – Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined the directors of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), local school officials, and medical professionals in a back-to-school press conference calling for a safe and healthy start to the academic year. August is National Immunization Awareness Month, serving as a reminder of the importance of immunization for people of all ages, especially children returning to the classroom. The Governor encouraged parents and guardians to speak with a trusted healthcare provider and ensure that their children are up to date on their immunizations and check-ups as classes start up again. “August is National Immunization Awareness Month—a time to remind ourselves of the importance of staying up to date on childhood vaccinations,” said Governor JB Pritzker . “As our classrooms come back to life and our kids get back to learning and playing with one another, it’s

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NORTH CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker, AbbVie, and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today announced the company’s $195 million investment to expand its North Chicago manufacturing facility. This investment will strengthen AbbVie’s production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), create and retain high-quality jobs in the region, and reinforce Illinois’ position as a national leader in advanced manufacturing and biosciences. AbbVie’s decision to expand its manufacturing footprint in Illinois is a testament to our state’s world-class workforce, infrastructure, cutting-edge research institutions, and location that keeps businesses connected to the nation and the world,” said Governor JB Pritzker . “As a global leader in pharmaceuticals, AbbVie’s investment in Illinois bolsters our world-class biomanufacturing ecosystem and creates jobs while it innovates next generation medicines.”

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Municipal Band will present AUDIENCE FAVORITES—a program built entirely from the most popular selections chosen by audience members throughout the summer concert series. Performances will take place at the Cleaon Etzkorn Bandstand in City Park on Thursday, August 14 at 7:30 p.m. and as a bonus performance on Sunday, August 17 at 4:00 p.m. at Leclaire Park. Each concert will feature a variety of styles, from classic marches and Broadway hits to movie themes, swing tunes, and American folk favorites—all chosen by concertgoers. The program will also spotlight the band’s talented Dixieland ensemble, featuring David Maloney on clarinet, Kevin Haddock on saxophone, Matt Mossinghoff on trumpet, Mark Haun on trombone, Noah Mabb on tuba, and Steve Wehling on drums. Concessions will be available at both concerts. On Thursday, proceeds will benefit the Main Street Community Center, which supports older adults and people with disabilities through

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EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will welcome its newest class of Cougars with a five-day Welcome Week celebration starting Wednesday, August 13, 2025. The event, held on the Edwardsville campus at 1 Hairpin Drive, aims to introduce students to campus life through a variety of activities running through Sunday, August 17. The festivities will include a range of events designed to engage and entertain the incoming students. Highlights include the New Student Convocation, Parade, and Class Photo on Friday, August 15, at 3 p.m. in the Vadalabene Center. Chancellor James T. Minor and Provost Denise Cobb will officially open the 2025-2026 academic year, celebrating over 1,000 new students with music, giveaways, and free SIUE t-shirts. Following the convocation, a parade will proceed through Stratton Quad to the Cougar Statue for the traditional class photo. On the same day, hypnotist Evan Gambardella will perform at 8 p.m. in the Meridian Ballroom of the Morris University

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BETHALTO – After more than four decades with the village, Ken Balsters’s resignation as Bethalto Village Attorney was unanimously approved on Monday night, Aug. 11, 2025. “This one’s a little hard for me because we are coming to the end of an era,” Mayor Gary Bost said. “The gentleman sitting next to me has been here for 42 years, and he has announced his resignation.” The mayor presented Balsters with a commemorative engraved glass plaque, which he presented “with grateful appreciation of 42 years of remarkable service.” “Your dedication, professionalism, and commitment have had a lasting impact on the Village of Bethalto and the many lives you have touched,” Bost added. “Know that your legacy will continue to inspire for generations to come.” The mayor then presented Balsters with the award, and the two shook hands as attendees erupted into applause. The longtime village attorney’s resignation

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