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CHICAGO – Several trusted Illinois programs offer free income tax preparation for low-to-moderate income families and older adults who may need assistance in filing their 2024 income taxes. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), American Association of Retired Persons' (AARP) Foundation Tax-Aide Program, and the Ladder Up Tax Assistance Program (TAP), provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals in select locations statewide. "It is important for Illinois taxpayers to know they can receive help from qualified volunteers certified by the IRS at various locations statewide," said Illinois Department of Revenue Director David Harris. "These individuals are ready and willing to assist taxpayers in filing their state and federal tax returns accurately and on time by the Tuesday, April 15 deadline.” How taxpayer assistance is provided and when services are available varies by region, based upon volunteer capacity. “Tax

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) that will award grant money to a lead organization to develop a multi-year campaign supporting and promoting the inclusion of community health workers (CHWs) in health teams. Community health workers are trusted members of their communities, who serve as a bridge between health care and social services and the community. IDPH supports CHWs in many ways, including its ongoing work to develop and establish a certification program that will improve the quality and availability of CHW training programs and will open the door for reimbursement of CHW services through the Medicaid program. The grant funding opportunity further supports CHW programs around the state by creating a campaign to improve awareness and understanding of what CHWs do and support the effective integration of CHWs into public health, health care, and human services organizations. The campaign wil

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TROY - Hannah Schlemer is leading a fundraising effort to support the ongoing needs of 6-year-old Ace Waldeck, of Troy, who faces numerous health challenges due to complications from a premature birth. The campaign aims to raise funds for essential items not covered by insurance, including a ramp, a lift, and an accessible van. Ace was born prematurely and, at just 11 days old, suffered a bilateral hemorrhagic stroke that left him quadriplegic and nearly blind. He also lives with Cerebral Palsy and Epilepsy, and in 2022, he developed a blood clot that damaged one of his kidneys, leaving him with only one functioning kidney. Despite his challenges, Ace is described as a happy boy with a vibrant spirit, Schlemer said. "He enjoys listening to books and music, watching shows, and engaging with his siblings," she said. "He's an old soul," noting his ability to communicate discomfort despite being nonverbal. Schlemer expressed gratitude to the community for their generosity in providing

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GODFREY - Two Municipal Clerk candidates spoke about their platforms and their goals for Godfrey at a recent candidate forum. On Feb. 11, 2025, East End Improvement Association hosted a candidate forum for the Godfrey mayoral, trustee and clerk candidates. Current Clerk Susan Robbins and challenger Jacki Clayton had three minutes to introduce themselves and share their reasons for running. Clayton shared that she is a lifelong Riverbend resident and a graduate of Alton High School and Lewis and Clark Community College. She previously worked in the Township Assessor’s office and is currently employed by the Godfrey Parks and Recreation Department. She said customer service is her “top priority” and she enjoys working with people. If elected, she said she would obtain the recommended certifications to fulfill the municipal clerk role. She praised the current administration and Godfrey staff for their work and said she wants to be “a part of that team.”

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Did you know that more than 145 million Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged each year in the United States alone? This staggering figure only scratches the surface of what has become a multi-billion dollar industry centered around love and affection. Yet, beneath the glossy surface of red roses and heart-shaped chocolates lies a tapestry of history woven with ancient customs, cultural shifts, and surprising origins. What if the traditions we hold dear today are not what they seem? The Ancient Roots of Romance To truly understand Valentine’s Day, one must journey back to its early beginnings. The origins of this celebration can be traced to the Roman festival of Lupercalia, which took place in mid-February. This ancient festival was a rite of fertility, where young men would draw names from a jar to pair with women for the duration of the festival. Such practices highlight a time when love was seen as a more communal and less romantic affair. As the centuries passed,

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February 12, 2025, marks an extraordinary day in the annals of history, as it commemorates significant events that have shaped the world in various ways. Moving back in time, February 12, 1809, was the birth date of two prominent figures: Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln. While they were born in different parts of the world and would go on to lead vastly different lives, both men would leave indelible marks on history. Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection fundamentally changed the way we understand life on Earth, while Lincoln's leadership during the American Civil War and his commitment to abolishing slavery redefined the values of justice and equality in the United States. Fast forward to February 12, 1947, when the first-ever successful test flight of a jet aircraft took place. The Boeing 377 Stratocruiser took to the skies, marking a significant milestone in aviation history. This event signaled the dawn of a new era in air travel, enabling faster and more

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BUZZ MAGAZINE – If you’re like me, when you want to dine out, your first choice is always a locally owned restaurant, no matter what town you are in. We even look for them when we travel. These culinary gems seem to be fewer and farther between these days but I have some good news. A new, locally owned restaurant has recently opened in downtown Litchfield, and with just a little more than a month under their proverbial belt, customers are giving them rave reviews! “Very good food! Large portions and great prices too. We will definitely be back!!” “Had the fried pickles and taco salad tonight. Everything including the service was great.” “We had the appetizers, loaded fries with bacon & cheese and the mozzarella sticks. They were fabulous! I had the pulled pork baked potato. The food was delicious & the service was great! The server was so super sweet.” Litchfield is Montgomery County’s shopping hub, conveniently located

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BUZZ MAGAZINE – The Negro Leagues have only recently received their due in baseball history, as their story, in a time when blacks were barred from Major League Baseball, was pushed aside. One franchise, however, always found a way to stand out. The Kansas City Monarchs were one of the elite teams of the Negro League era, loaded with talent that went on to star in the majors. Thirteen former Monarchs are in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Until Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947, blacks were excluded from the majors, partly due to the influence of dictatorial MLB commissioner Kennesaw Mountain Landis, who fought to keep baseball all-white. The barrier prevented many of the game’s top players from ever appearing in a Major League game, based on their skin color. Many of these players ended up in the Negro Leagues, a loose confederation of seven baseball associations that dates to 1920. Black baseball, however, traces its roots to 1885 with the Cuban Black Giants, considered

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BUZZ MAGAZINE – This season has brought the usual snow and cold weather to much of Illinois. It’s nothing compared to the Year of the Deep Snow. That fateful winter, also called the “Big Snow,” in 1830-31 was so severe that it became a defining moment in the early history of Illinois. Over 190 years later, it remains a standard by which other winters are judged in the state. “The pioneers who lived through the Deep Snow never forgot the experience,” said Dr. Samuel Wheeler, an acclaimed research historian from Springfield. “It was almost a badge of honor to say you lived through it. They measured time based on that winter.” Remarkably, the fall of 1830 was unseasonably warm, as were several previous winters. But the winter of 1830-31 packed a wallop. On December 20, a cold rain began to fall and lasted for four days, sometimes changing to an icy mix. On Christmas Eve, however, the conditions began to deteriorate. Accounts of that winte

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois State Police are advising the public that a winter storm with the potential for several inches of snow is anticipated Wednesday, creating slick and slippery conditions, reduced visibility and longer travel times across much of the state. The team from IDOT will be plowing and treating roads throughout the event, but the public should be prepared and consider adjusting travel plans, especially during the height of the storm in the afternoon and evening.

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GODFREY - Three mayoral candidates addressed the Village of Godfrey’s successes and challenges at a recent candidate forum. On Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, Godfrey Mayor Mike McCormick and challengers Beth Johnes and Trustee Craig Lombardi gathered at Lewis and Clark Community College for the forum, hosted by the East End Improvement Association. The three candidates introduced themselves and answered five questions posed by the audience before delivering closing remarks. “We’re doing this to introduce the candidates to the community and then hopefully to increase the voting here in the Godfrey-Alton area,” said Steve Schwartz with the East End Improvement Association. “I invite everyone to go out and vote.” The consolidated election is scheduled for Tuesday, April 1, 2025. Beth Johnes Johnes introduced herself as a lifelong Alton-Godfrey resident. She is a member of St. Mary’s Church and a graduate from Marquette Catholic High School

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GLEN CARBON – The Glen Carbon Road shared use path project is getting closer to construction as the village seeks additional funding for Phase 1. At Tuesday’s Village Board meeting, Public Works Director Scott Slemer said construction may start this summer. “We’re one step closer to getting this built,” Slemer said. “This project is anticipated to bid on the March letting, it should be under construction by June of 2025, and the extents of this phase are Schon Poark to the Lakewood Estates subdivision.” Phase 1 improvements will span 0.28 miles of Glen Carbon Road from Oakdale Lake Drive to Lakewood Drive. The project’s second phase would extend the shared use path from Lakewood Drive to Mark Trail Drive. Once fully completed, the path will connect Schon Park and Route 159. Trustees on Tuesday unanimously approved a joint funding agreement for federally funded construction between the village and IDOT for the project’s first

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EDWARDSVILLE - Sophomore guard Kennedy Gieseking is perhaps the most important player who comes off the bench for the girls' basketball team at Edwardsville, and makes very important contributions to the success of the Tigers. In a game on Feb. 4, 2025, against Collinsville, Gieseking scored seven points off the bench, including a key three, as the Tigers took control in an 18-0 run in the third quarter to defeat the Kahoks 55-26. In an Edwardsville win over East St. Louis two nights later, she scored two points in a 76-36 win over the Flyers and made good contributions to a Tigers win at Granite City on Friday night, making the Tigers' record 16-9. Kennedy is a Spencer Homes Female Athlete of the Month for Edwardsville. For the season, Gieseking is averaging 2.1 points and 1.8 rebounds per game, going along with three assists, eight steals, and a blocked shot. She's a very reliable player off the bench for the Tigers, and showed it in the win over the Kahoks, and was very pleased

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EDWARDSVILLE – The Edwardsville Police Department announced it made 1 Driving Under the Influence of Drugs arrest and issued five speeding citations during the recent Super Bowl enforcement campaign. One citation was issued for illegal transportation of alcohol and one citation was issued for illegal transportation of cannabis. Five other citations were issued during the enforcement period. The Super Bowl weekend “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Click It or Ticket” enforcement efforts ran from Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, through the early morning hours of Monday, Feb. 10, 2025. The goal was to keep impaired drivers off the roads and ensure more people buckle up and follow all traffic laws. “Motorists should understand the warning that we are serious about cracking down on impaired drivers and seat belt and other traffic safety law violators. We do it to save lives,” said Lt. Brandn Whittaker. The recent law enforcement campaign was made possibl

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ALTON - Mississippi Valley Christian School recently announced its decision to rebrand as Riverbend Christian Leadership Academy, and Administrator Tim Lee breaks down what this means for the school. Located at 2009 Seminary Street in Alton, the school serves students from preschool through high school. They offer a Christ-centered education for families across the Riverbend region. Lee emphasized that the changes are an opportunity to sustain the school for years to come. “We have been discussing what we need to do for sustainability in the future. We want to honor the heritage that we have,” Lee said. “With change comes fear. People fear what that change looks like. It’s not going to be the same that it always was, because the last time I came here, we were going bankrupt and going to not be existing at this point. So there are changes that we’re going to make and we’re going to make intentionally. Doesn’t change our mission. Doesn’t

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ALTON — The Alton Police Department has welcomed its newest member, Officer Allen Foster, who was officially sworn in by Chief Jarrett Ford. Foster will begin his training at the Illinois State Police Academy on Feb. 16, 2025. Chief Ford expressed enthusiasm about Foster's potential contributions to the community. "We’re excited to see him grow in his new career and serve the Alton community with dedication and integrity," Chief Ford said. As Foster embarks on this important step in his law enforcement career, the community is invited to congratulate him and extend their support.

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GRANITE CITY – A Granite City man faces multiple felonies for firing a weapon at an occupied vehicle in a residential neighborhood. Travion D. Brooks, 31, of Granite City, was charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm (a Class 1 felony) and reckless discharge of a firearm (a Class 4 felony) on Jan. 29, 2025. Brooks allegedly shot multiple times at a vehicle he knew was occupied. Court documents state he “repeatedly discharged a firearm in a densely populated residential neighborhood.” The “reckless manner” with which he discharged the weapon reportedly endangered the safety of neighborhood residents in the 2800 block of Iowa Street in Granite City. A petition was filed to keep Brooks detained, including a report from a neighbor who witnessed the incident unfold and indicated Brooks was the shooter. “Resident reported that his neighbor was outside arguing with a female and repeatedly discharged a firearm into her vehicle as she fled,”

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SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) is seeking nominations for the 2025 induction class of the Senior Illinoisans Hall of Fame, which honors the accomplishments of Illinois residents aged 65 and older. “Whether it's the teacher who goes the extra mile for their students or the neighbor who's always ready to lend a hand, our seniors are the backbone of our communities — embodying kindness, generosity, and ingenuity,” said Governor JB Pritzker . “Each year, my administration is proud to honor four older adults for their contributions in community service, education, arts, and labor by inducting them into the Senior Illinoisans Hall of Fame. I encourage everyone to take this opportunity to nominate the older adults in their lives whose impact deserves to be recognized and celebrated.” Each year, four older adults are inducted into the Hall of Fame for their work in the arts, sports, and entertainment; community service; education; or

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EDWARDSVILLE/JERSEYVILLE - More than 11,500 Iowa State University students have been recognized for outstanding academic achievement by being named to the fall semester 2024 Dean's List. Students named to the Dean's List must earn a grade point average of at least 3.50 on a 4.00 scale while carrying a minimum of 12 credit hours of graded course work. The following students are from our area: Edwardsville, Illinois Henry Lingafelter, Senior, Architecture, B.Arch. Christopher Merica, , Mechanical Engineering, B.S. Mitchell Steinkuehler, Senior, Mechanical Engineering, B.S. Jerseyville, Illinois Chloe Kallal, Sophomore, Event Management, B.S. Kendal Lacy, Sophomore, Industrial Design Undergraduate Pre-Major

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of both the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees—and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Peter Welch (D-VT) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) in introducing a resolution affirming that the Palestinian people have the right to self-determination and to express the sense of the Senate that the United States shall not deploy U.S. military assets or personnel to Gaza. The resolution rebuts President Donald Trump’s declared support for forcibly displacing millions of Palestinians. Trump did not rule out using U.S. military force to take over Gaza. “Although the President’s inner circle has tried to walk back his comments, Donald Trump continues to double down on his unhinged proposal to send

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