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ALTON — The community is coming together to support the family of Dreya Mackenzie Colley, a 16-year-old student who died following a severe car accident on Dec. 23, 2024. Jeralyn Colley is organizing a fundraiser on behalf of Bryan Colley, to help cover funeral expenses after Dreya's passing. Dreya, an 11th-grade student at Alton High School, succumbed to her injuries at 4:39 p.m. on Jan. 2, 2025, at St. Louis University Hospital. Despite extensive medical efforts, Dreya was unable to recover after the tragic accident. In her final act of generosity, Dreya's family noted that she donated her organs, which they hope will help save others. A visitation for Dreya is scheduled for 9 a.m. until the funeral service at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, at Gent Funeral Home in Alton. Reverend Daniel Sternquist will officiate the service for Dreya, and burial will take place at Upper Alton Cemetery. The family is also accepting memorial contributions to Mid America Transplant in Dreya's

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EDWARDSVILLE - Republic Services announced that it will resume its trash collection services on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, following a one-day delay due to inclement weather. The company will begin with the collection routes scheduled for Monday and will extend operations through Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, to accommodate the backlog. Rhonda Breslin, the Municipal Sales Manager for Republic Services, indicated that some rural areas and subdivisions with hilly terrain after the winter storm may pose challenges for collection if conditions are unsafe. Residents in those affected areas will be notified through a call blast to ensure their safety and that of the drivers. Breslin encouraged residents to share this information on social media to help spread the word about the service updates. “Thank you for your patience,” she added in her communication.

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EAST ST. LOUIS - East St. Louis School District 189 has announced the opening of a community Warming Center at Mason/Clark Middle School that started at 7 a.m. Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, and continues through Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. The East St. Louis School District said this initiative aims to provide shelter from the extreme cold conditions affecting the area. Located at 5510 State St. in East St. Louis, the Warming Center is designed to offer relief for those seeking protection from the harsh winter weather. However, officials emphasized that the center is not intended to serve as a day-care facility for children, the elderly, or individuals who cannot care for themselves. Sydney Stigge-Kaufman, the Executive Director of Communications and Strategic Partnerships for the district, stated, “You are welcome to seek shelter from excessive cold conditions at Mason/Clark Middle School.” In addition to the opening of the Warming Center, the district announced that there will

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EAST ST. LOUIS — Volunteers are invited to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young children by leading weekly story times in the East St. Louis School District 189 area. The initiative targets children under age five and aims to foster a love for reading through engaging storytelling. Story times, which last 30 minutes, are scheduled for the same day and time each week at various East St. Louis locations, including the Vivian Adams Early Childhood Center and Dr. Katie Harper Wright Elementary School. The program is supported by Ready Readers, which provides training and resources to volunteers. “Your storytelling can spark imaginations and inspire the next generation of readers,” a spokesperson for Ready Readers stated. The organization emphasizes that this volunteer opportunity is both flexible and rewarding, allowing individuals to contribute to the educational development of children in their community. Those interested in participating can find more

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CHICAGO - Today, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) announced it has been chosen by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to participate in the new Transforming Maternal Health ( TMaH ) Model, which seeks to improve maternal health outcomes by implementing a more whole-person approach to care. The federal program will provide $17 million in critical funding over 10 years to help Illinois Medicaid and other awarded state Medicaid agencies develop and pilot a more comprehensive and integrated approach to addressing physical health, mental health and social needs throughout the pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care continuum. “We are honored to be chosen to participate in this new, innovative model, which will allow us to focus directly on improving maternal and child health outcomes in two underserved areas of the state,” said Acting HFS Director Elizabeth M. Whitehorn. “This support will go a long way to promoting

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WOOD RIVER - Wood River City Council members are moving forward with plans for a downtown dog park after accepting a $73,000 bid for concrete work on the project. Councilmen unanimously accepted a bid from Stutz Excavating, Inc. to perform concrete work for the Downtown Dog Park. The proposal from Stutz Excavating calls for 2,246 square feet of concrete sidewalk, 570 feet of concrete curb, and more at a total cost of $73,321. This amount was the lowest of three total bids received. Councilman Bill Dettmers said while he wasn’t sure building the dog park was “the right thing to do” for the city, his opinion on the matter has been swayed by a dog-owning constituent who emailed him in support of the project. “It’s not because I’m against dogs or anything like that, I’m just not 100% sure this is the right thing for the city to be doing, but I’m going to support it anyway,” he said. Councilman David Ayres asked who would b

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In an increasingly complex world, where interactions—both personal and professional—are often fraught with challenges, the concept of emotional intelligence (EI) has emerged as a pivotal factor in achieving success. Defined as the ability to recognize, understand, and manage our own emotions while also being able to recognize and influence the emotions of others, emotional intelligence plays a critical role in communication, conflict resolution, and leadership. This article explores the significance of emotional intelligence, its various components, and practical strategies for enhancing EI in daily life. Understanding Emotional Intelligence Emotional intelligence is typically broken down into five key components: Self-awareness : This is the ability to recognize one’s emotions and how they affect thoughts and behavior. A self-aware individual can accurately assess their strengths and weaknesses and possess a well-grounded sense of self-confidence. Self-regulation

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Welcome to This Day in History! Today, we take a journey through time, exploring significant events that have shaped the world on January 7th. The Iranian Revolution: A Defining Moment in Modern History (1978) On January 7, 1978, a significant turning point occurred in Iran. The Iranian Revolution, which would eventually lead to the overthrow of the Pahlavi monarchy, began gaining momentum with the publication of an article in a Tehran newspaper. This article criticized Ayatollah Khomeini and called for the regime’s crackdown on dissent. The response was unprecedented; it sparked a series of protests that would culminate in the Islamic Revolution of 1979. The revolution was primarily fueled by a combination of political, social, and economic discontent. Many Iranians were frustrated with the westernization and secular policies of the Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Khomeini, who had been exiled, became the face of the opposition. His return to Iran in early 1979 marked

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ALTON - Jacoby Arts Center had a busy year, but they’re gearing up for an even better 2025. Executive Director Rachel Lappin and Operations Manager Chantel Morrigan stopped by “Our Daily Show!” with C.J. Nasello to talk about the support they’ve received from the community and their plans for the coming year, with several art classes and events on the horizon. Through the challenges Jacoby faced in 2024, Lappin and Morrigan emphasize that they never strayed from the center’s purpose. “Our board and our staff really stuck together to just stay future-focused and focused on our mission. That’s the most important thing,” Lappin said. “Enriching lives through art in the community, that’s what we do. So we stay focused on that. We’re continuing to do that out in the community via our wonderful partnerships.” Lappin said they “always felt the love” when community members stepped forward to voice

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RIVERBEND - Local grocery stores are feeling the impact of the winter storm. With heavy snowfall and ice throughout the weekend, many shoppers stopped by the grocery store in the days leading up to the storm. Now, as the roads are cleared, the stores expect minor delays as they wait to receive their products. “It was total chaos in here, but fortunately, I think that we were able to stay stocked with everything that anybody needed,” said Monica Schwegel, manager of Schwegel’s in downtown Alton. “We get a truck tomorrow, so we should be completely fine, and our shelves should be restocked and reloaded tomorrow.” Located at 901 Alby Street in Alton, Schwegel’s did more business on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, than they did in the two days leading up to Christmas, Schwegel said. She added that it was "completely crazy,” but the employees enjoyed helping the community find the staples they needed before the storm. David Wittman, manager of

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MARION — Ameren Illinois is mobilizing approximately 800 personnel to restore power to customers affected by a winter storm that struck Southern Illinois over the weekend. As of Monday morning, Jan. 6, 2025, around 22,000 customers in Jackson, Williamson, Saline, and Gallatin Counties in Southern Illinois remain without electricity. Brian Bretsch, a communications representative for Ameren Illinois, addressed the ongoing restoration efforts during a press conference held at 11 a.m. Monday in Marion. He noted that while the Metro East and Riverbend areas largely avoided significant ice accumulation, other regions faced challenging conditions due to ice build-up, below-freezing temperatures, and high winds. "Ameren Illinois crews are continuing their restoration efforts throughout the Southern Illinois region," Bretsch stated. He explained that ice storms pose unique challenges for utility crews, as the combination of severe weather can cause extensive damage to power lines and

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JERSEYVILLE - The Jersey County Highway Department reports road conditions are mostly clear as of Monday afternoon, Jan. 6, 2025, following heavy snowfall which has accumulated since Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. County road crews got started on Saturday night by pre-treating the roads with a salt mixture, which County Engineer Thomas Klasner said has greatly helped with their snow-removal response. While there were some overnight reports of drifting, Klasner said conditions have improved as the day continues into Monday afternoon. “They were actually kind of bad first thing this morning,” Klasner said of county road conditions. “Now that the wind has laid down, it’s actually quit snowing, and the sun peeking out through the clouds a little bit has actually helped out things. “Our county roads, everything is passable within the county highways,” he said, adding that any remaining snowy patches will be cleared by this evening. “We did have

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The National Weather Service reported significant snowfall across the Metro East region on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, with Godfrey recording the highest total of 12 inches. This information was confirmed by meteorologist Marshall Pfahler during an afternoon briefing. Lambert Airport in St. Louis had a snowfall report of 8.5 inches, while other locations reported varying totals: St. Rose received 10.3 inches, Glen Carbon and Jerseyville both recorded 8.5 inches, Belleville had 7.1 inches, Columbia reported 6.0 inches, and Freeburg saw 5.8 inches. Pfahler explained that the differences in snowfall totals were influenced by variations in precipitation types across the region. "When you look at the snowfall totals on a map it gives you an idea where there was less snow in the southeast and more in the northwest," he said. He noted that in some areas, precipitation fluctuated between snow and sleet, leading to the observed discrepancies. Looking ahead, Pfahler indicated that another weather

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ILLINOIS/MISSOURI - The American Red Cross urges donors to make an appointment to give lifesaving blood or platelets in the new year to help keep the blood supply strong this winter. Type O negative blood donors and those giving platelets are especially urged to give now to keep critical blood products on the shelves for patients in need. The start of the new year is one of the most challenging times to collect blood products as the threat of severe winter weather builds and can often lead to widespread blood drive cancellations.?Additionally, an active cold and flu season may prevent people from keeping donation appointments as they rest and recover from illness.?During National Blood Donor Month, the Red Cross celebrates those who generously roll up a sleeve to help save lives and urges those who are feeling well to make and keep donation appointments to help the blood supply stay on track throughout the winter.? ? Don’t sit on the sidelines − kick off 2025 with

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) was sworn into the 119th Congress. This marks her second term serving the constituents of Illinois’ 13th Congressional District. “Today, I took an oath to support and defend the Constitution and faithfully represent the people of Illinois' 13th Congressional District. It has been the honor of my lifetime serving as your Congresswoman, and I am humbled by this incredible responsibility,” said Congresswoman Budzinski . “In my second term, I will continue to prioritize the issues that matter most to Central and Southern Illinoisans — working across the aisle to lower costs, fight for underserved communities, improve postal standards, and support our family farmers. I promise to do this while never compromising on the values we hold dear. Fighting for working people is my life’s work and I look forward to continuing to deliver results for our communities in the 119th Congress.”

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BRIGHTON - Brighton Mayor Matt Kasten encourages residents to stay inside and be patient as the Public Works Department works to clear the roads. Following heavy snowfall and ice on Sunday, Jan. 5 and Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, Kasten expressed his appreciation for the four members of Brighton’s Public Works Department. He urged residents to be understanding and help each other as much as possible. “For a small village with 2,200 , we do the best we can with what we have,” Kasten said. “I am very pleased with our Public Works as well as our police department. With the roads being the way they were, we still have had 24/7 coverage for police and Public Works. The citizens just have to be understanding that there’s limited resources.” Kasten explained that the Public Works Department has four shift workers, who have worked through the past two nights to clear the roads. He added that the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) had two trucks stuc

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) released the following statement today upon being sworn in to serve in the 119th Congress: “This kid from Murphysboro, Illinois, has been blessed beyond measure to serve the people and land I love. House Republicans, in partnership with President Trump, are ready to address our biggest challenges head on, from securing the border and keeping America safe to extending tax relief and reducing the bloated size of government. Through it all, Southern Illinoisans have my word I’ll always fight for the values that make our district and our country great. I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get back to work.”

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CHICAGO - The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is currently accepting applications for the 2025 DCFS Scholarship Program. Through the program, a minimum of 53 academic scholarships will be awarded to current and former youth in care for the upcoming school year, with four awards reserved for the children of veterans and two awards presented to students pursuing degrees in social work in honor of Pamela Knight and Deidre Silas, two DCFS caseworkers who succumbed to injuries sustained in the line of duty. Scholarship recipients receive up to five consecutive years of tuition and academic fee waivers if they attend an Illinois public university or community college including a monthly grant of $1,577 to offset other expenses and a medical card. In 2024, DCFS awarded scholarships to 334 college-bound youth, the most in the agency’s history. “It is my priority as governor to ensure that all Illinois students, including youth in DCFS care, have the

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ORLAND PARK – On Jan. 3, 2025, the Illinois State Police (ISP) joined Trooper Clay M. Carns’ family and friends, along with officers from law enforcement agencies across the country, to honor and pay respects to Trooper Carns, who was killed in the line of duty on December 23, 2024. Trooper Carns was laid to rest on Jan. 3. “Today, and every day going forward, we honor Illinois State Police Trooper Clay Carns for his sacrifice, and the sacrifice made by his family,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “While ISP is hurting as we lay to rest the second trooper killed on Illinois highways in just three months, we will not falter. To honor Trooper Carns means to preserve and uphold that which he stood for – Integrity, Service, and Pride. Trooper Carns will remain in our hearts and in our sacred work of protecting public safety and pursuing justice.” Trooper Carns entered the ISP Academy on November 10, 2013, as part of Cadet Class 123, an

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CHICAGO – Illinois State Police (ISP) officials investigated two separate traffic crashes that occurred in DuPage and Cook counties involving ISP troopers who were handling separate vehicle crashes when their squad cars were struck by drivers who failed to move over. On December 31, 2024, at approximately 1:57 p.m., an ISP trooper was outside of their squad car handling a crash with their emergency lights activated on Interstate 55 northbound near Woodward Avenue. A Hyundai sedan failed to move over and rear-ended the parked squad car. The parked squad car blocked three troopers on scene from being hit. No injuries were reported. The ISP squad car was towed from the scene due to damage sustained during the crash. The driver of the Hyundai, 23-year-old Alyssa M. Ceballos of Lockport, Illinois, was charged with driving Too Fast for Conditions and a Scott’s Law violation. On January 1, 2025, at approximately 3:09 a.m., two ISP troopers were enroute to assist with a previous

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