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BELLEVILLE - Steve Johnson, a prominent figure in law enforcement and community service, will be inducted into the Belleville East Hall of Fame during halftime of the Althoff Catholic at Belleville East basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025. The event will celebrate Johnson’s extensive contributions to public safety and his enduring ties to the Belleville community. Throughout his career, Johnson has held various positions, including police chief in Swansea and currently in Fairview Heights. His leadership in law enforcement has garnered considerable recognition. He eventually had an invitation to join the 21st Century Policing Panel at the White House under President Barrack Obama. Born in St. Louis and raised in Belleville, Johnson has dedicated over 35 years to law enforcement. He began his career as a deputy service aide at the St. Clair County Sheriff's Office while pursuing his education. Johnson holds an associate’s degree in administration of justice from Southwestern

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ALTON - During their regular meeting on Jan. 21, 2025, the Alton Community Unit School District #11 Board of Education recognized the January Optimist Students of the Month. Henry Gabriel was recognized as the Optimist Student of the Month at Alton Middle School, and Kenlee Harrington was named the Optimist Student of the Month for Eunice Smith Elementary School. Dr. Brian Saenz, principal of Alton Middle School, introduced Gabriel as “a good role model for all students.” He is a “natural leader” who excels in class with a positive attitude. “He is kind to staff and his peers and is not only a great leader, but also a fantastic role model for other students,” Saenz said. “Henry is a bright, intelligent, funny and kind young man who is going to do great things in the future.” Gabriel is a member of the National Honor Society, the volleyball team and the yearbook club. Optimist Students of the Month receive a $25 gift card and

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When it comes to ambulances and the services they provide, Lisa Reid , APRN, knows a thing or two because she’s seen a thing or two. The family medicine provider at OSF HealthCare was an ambulance first responder for more than 15 years before moving to the nursing side of things. As such, she’s heard a lot of “Should I do this or that?” when calling an ambulance. Now, it’s time to clear up the misconceptions. Who’s coming to get me? Should I be concerned about their qualifications? Reid says different first responders can do different things, but you can be assured you’ll get the care you need. “Paramedics have more training in life-saving skills. They can do things like intubation and give intravenous medications," Reid explains. "Emergency medical technicians provide more basic care. They help stabilize the person and get them ready for transport. They also usually drive.” Where should I wait? Reid says if you’re

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BELLEVILLE - Belleville East High School will honor Kristin Johnson as a new member of the Lancers Wall of Fame on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, during halftime of the varsity basketball game against Althoff Catholic. The recognition highlights Johnson's accomplishments both in her early life and professional career. A 1989 graduate of Belleville East, Johnson was active in various school activities, including the National Honor Society, Pom Pom squad, and serving as Yearbook Editor in her senior year. She was also a member of the Homecoming Court and participated in numerous sporting events and dances. Johnson's family, connected to the military, settled in Belleville when she was age 5. Her father, stationed at Scott Air Force Base, chose to retire to allow her to complete her high school education in Belleville. Following high school, Johnson majored in accounting and became a licensed CPA at the University of Illinois. While at university, she was involved with the Alpha Gamma Delta sororit

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Did you know that indoor plants can boost your mood and improve productivity by up to 15%? This is more than just a statistic; it reflects the profound impact that greenery has on our well-being. As days grow shorter and natural light diminishes, introducing vibrant indoor plants can create a refreshing atmosphere in your home. Not only do they enhance the aesthetic appeal of your spaces, but they also purify the air and provide a sense of tranquility. Let’s explore some of the best indoor plants to brighten up your winter home. The Power of Indoor Plants Indoor plants do far more than just beautify your space. Research shows that they can lower stress levels, increase concentration, and even reduce feelings of fatigue. The act of caring for plants can bring a sense of purpose and connection to nature, which is especially beneficial during the colder months when we may feel more isolated indoors. Top Indoor Plants for Your Winter Sanctuary 1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)

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January 22 has witnessed a myriad of significant events across the globe, each shaping the course of history in unique ways. One of the most notable events that took place on January 22, 1973, was the landmark Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade. This ruling fundamentally transformed the landscape of reproductive rights in the United States. The Supreme Court ruled that a woman's right to choose to have an abortion is protected by the Constitution, specifically under the right to privacy. This decision ignited intense debates and protests, shaping the political and social discourse surrounding reproductive rights for decades to come. The implications of Roe v. Wade continue to resonate in contemporary discussions about women's rights and bodily autonomy. On a different note, January 22, 1493, marks the return of Christopher Columbus to Spain after his first voyage to the Americas. Columbus’s expedition not only opened up new territories for exploration and colonization bu

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O'FALLON/SHILOH — The O'Fallon Fire Rescue team is rallying community support following a devastating fire on January 14, 2025, that resulted in a total loss of a home near Golden Spring Parkway. The Shiloh Police Department has joined the effort by promoting a fundraiser on social media for the family affected by the blaze. O'Fallon Fire Rescue said the fire spread rapidly, but fortunately, the family —comprising a father, mother, and their 11-year-old son — escaped without injury. In light of their loss, the community is being encouraged to assist the family during this difficult time. Donations in the form of cash or gift cards are being accepted, with contributions being collected at O'Fallon Fire Station 4, located at 1215 Taylor Road, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday. “Our team will ensure they are securely collected and delivered directly to the family,” the fire department stated in their post. Community members are invited to participate

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Key Takeaways: FDA bans Red Dye No. 3 Red Dye No. 3 is in many cereals, candies, colored sports drinks and other foods Some foods, like vegan meats, mashed potatoes can contain red food dyes Rich says to limit your exposure to Red Dye No. 3, if not completely avoid it Years in the making, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has banned the use of FD&C Red No. 3 (Red Dye No. 3) in food and ingested drugs. The FDA cited two studies of lab rats, where high levels of Red Dye No. 3 caused cancer, as a main reason to ban the use of the controversial synthetic food dye. Candies, cereals and colored beverages are some of the most well-known products to have Red Dye No. 3 in them, giving them a vibrant, cherry hue. But Jeanna Rich, an oncology registered dietitian with OSF HealthCare Cancer Support Services, says some items might surprise you. “Some unexpected items it can be found in are mashed potatoes. So, it doesn’t have to appear as red,” Rich says.

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ALTON – Four streets in Alton are one step closer to getting much-needed improvements after Committee of the Whole members approved a related resolution on Tuesday. Aldermen unanimously approved a resolution to apply for federal funds to make improvements to the following Alton streets: Milton Road from Edgewood Avenue to Hillcrest Avenue (0.32 miles) Belle Street from Rozier Street to 20th Street (0.9 miles) Fosterburg Road from IL Route 140/111 to Alton Commerce Parkway (0.5 miles) Brown Street Sidewalk from Vernie Avenue to Rock Springs Drive (0.19 miles) Under the resolution, the city would allocate $27,000 worth of Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) funds to cover the cost of application fees to the East West Gateway Council of Governments. The city is applying for federal funding for each of the four projects. This fee amount represents 0.5% of the federal funding requested, which would total $5.4 million. If the projects are not awarded, the city will be refunded for the $27,00

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GODFREY – The Village of Godfrey is moving forward with a nearly $700,000 project to extend Stamper Lane. Trustees on Tuesday night unanimously approved a contract with Stutz Excavating Inc. of Alton for the Stamper Lane Extension project. With a maximum cost of $692,541.81, the extension will be funded using Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds. The project will see Stamper Lane expand by 200 feet east of Godfrey Road. This will change the current three-way intersection of Godfrey Road and Stamper Lane into a four-way intersection, which will require modifying the current traffic signals. The village received two total bids for the project, with Stutz submitting the lowest bid and therefore being awarded the contract. A full recording of the Jan. 21, 2025 Godfrey Village Board meeting is available on Riverbender.com/video .

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville High School Drama Club and the Jewish Community Relations Council will co-host a panel discussion about the EHS fall play, “Letters to Sala.” At 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, community members are invited to the EHS auditorium for a conversation about the play and the collaboration between the Drama Club and the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC). Last fall, EHS students met with their Jewish peers from the JCRC’s Student to Student program so EHS students could learn more about Judaism, the Holocaust and Jewish traditions. “ Ashley and her students took all that information and incorporated it into their production,” explained Rachel Bray with JCRC. “But really, these students took it a step further and really absorbed the life lessons about connecting with people who don’t look like you, pray like you, believe the same things necessarily that you do, and how in life, sometimes that can reall

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WOOD RIVER - An East Alton man accused of aggravated robbery in the 600 block of Eden and Whitelaw in the Wood River continues to face charges. The man - Antonio M. Shaw - a 19-year-old East Alton resident - has been charged but released by a judge because of the SAFE-T Act conditions, Wood River Police Chief Brad Wells said. Shaw was charged with aggravated robbery (a Class 1 felony), robbery (a Class 2 felony), and theft (a Class 3 felony). The incident did not happen at the Wood River Recreation Center but was a block away at the end of a city parking lot, Chief Wells said. The judge released Shaw from custody with certain conditions because of the SAFE-T Act, including that he be placed on electronic monitoring. Among the other conditions of his release is that he has no contact with the victims in this case. The chief said the situation occurred on Jan. 12, 2025, in the 600 block of Whitelaw Avenue. Wood River Police received a call about the situation around 5:25 p.m. that

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EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will host their 42nd Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Luncheon with Donzaleigh Abernathy, King’s goddaughter, as the keynote speaker. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, community members and SIUE students will gather at the SIUE Meridian Ballroom on the SIUE campus for the luncheon, which includes music, Abernathy’s speech, and an award ceremony. The Kimmel Belonging and Engagement Hub hosts the annual event as a way to honor King’s legacy. This year’s theme is “Let Us March On,” which comes from King’s 1965 “Our God is Marching On” speech. SIUE is excited to welcome Abernathy as the event’s keynote speaker. Abernathy was born in the middle of the Civil Rights Movement. Her parents, Rev. Dr. Ralph David and Juanita Jones Abernathy, were close friends with the Kings. Her father was a co-founder of the Civil Rights Movement. Abernathy’s

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SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Funds, a mutual fund investment used by local governments through the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office, has earned the top AAA rating from Fitch Ratings, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs said today. The Illinois Funds rating reaffirms the confidence Fitch and other ratings agencies have shown throughout all of Frerichs’ tenure. The funds have consistently received an AAA rating since he took office. “This is an example of an outside firm pointing out that we’re doing things right,” Frerichs said. “Every dollar we can earn through safe, smart investing is a dollar that local governments that take part in Illinois Funds don’t have to raise in property taxes or cut from vital services.” Established in 1975, more than 1,500 units of government such as cities, counties, libraries and school districts have invested in The Illinois Funds because it is a safe, liquid and competitive investment. The $10

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ALTON – YWCA Southwestern Illinois Accepting Applications for the 2025 Josephine Marley Beckwith Future Leader Scholarships YWCA Southwestern Illinois is excited to announce that applications for the 2025 Josephine Marley Beckwith Future Leader (JMBFL) Scholarships are now open. This prestigious scholarship program, open to senior girls attending Madison County high schools and residing in Madison County, awards $1,000 renewable scholarships to deserving young women. The JMBFL Scholarship honors the legacy of Josephine Marley Beckwith, a 2002 Woman of Distinction, and is made possible through the generous support of YWCA and the Women of Distinction Academy. “The JMBFL Scholarship opens doors for young women, empowering them to seize opportunities and shape a brighter future as tomorrow’s leaders,” said Dr. Wendy Adams, Co-Chair of the YWCA JMBFL Scholarship Committee. Applications for the JMBFL Scholarship are available at YWCA Southwestern Illinois, located

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EAST ALTON/GODFREY - Two local sex offenders have been charged with failing to register in Madison County as legally required. Chad L. Phelps II, 35, of Godfrey, and Michael C. Cherry, 35, listed as homeless out of East Alton, were both charged with their second or subsequent offenses of unlawful failure to register as a sex offender. Both charges were classified as Class 2 felonies. Cherry was additionally charged with a Class 3 felony count of unlawful possession of less than five grams of methamphetamine. A petition to deny Cherry’s release states he has repeatedly failed to register as legally required under the Sex Offender Registration Act. “Defendant is required to register as a sex offender,” the petition states of Cherry. “Defendant has a history of failing to appear for court appearances, a history violating probation, and a history of violating the laws of Illinois. Defendant is a flight risk.” Cherry’s extensive criminal history include

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JERSEYVILLE – A woman from New York has been charged in Jersey County with possession of a stolen firearm. Joanna A. M. Hodgins, 36, of Glen Park, N.Y., was charged with possession of a stolen firearm, a Class 2 felony. On Jan. 13, 2025, Hodgins allegedly possessed a 9mm Beretta pistol “with knowledge that it had been stolen, in that she had stolen said firearm,” according to court documents. Jersey County Sheriff’s Office records indicate Hodgins currently remains in custody pending a fitness examination. 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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ALTON - The Alton Police Department welcomed two new officers to its ranks following their graduation from the Illinois State Police Academy. Jacob Fedderke and Terrence Stokes completed their training at the academy and will now undergo additional training in the department's Patrol Division. The graduation ceremony was held recently, where Captain McCray and Sergeant Espinoza represented the department to congratulate the new officers on their achievements. “We are proud to see them take this significant step in their careers,” said the Alton Police in a statement. Fedderke and Stokes will spend the next several weeks training under the supervision of a Field Training Officer, a crucial period that will prepare them for their roles in the Alton community. The department expressed enthusiasm for their contributions as the two begin service. The addition of these officers reflects the department's ongoing commitment to enhancing public safety and community engagement.

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COLLINSVILLE — The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis has been activated to investigate a homicide that occurred early Tuesday morning in Collinsville. Police responded to the area for gunshots being heard in the area and found Portia L. Rowland, 32, fatally shot near a garage in the 1300 block of Olive Street in Collinsville shortly after 6 a.m. on Tuesday. More than 30 investigators from the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis are currently involved in the investigation. Collinsville Police emphasized there is no indication of an active threat to the community at this time. Authorities are urging anyone with information related to the case to come forward. Tips can be reported by calling 618-344-2131 Ext. 5924 or through Crime Stoppers at 866-371-TIPS (8477).

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O'FALLON - The O'Fallon Township High School District 203's Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) Drill Team achieved notable success at the recent Mascoutah High School Drill Meet, securing two trophies. The O'Fallon team earned first place in Unarmed Regulation and second place in Inspection. The OTHS AFJROTC Drill Team's performance reflects their dedication and skill, with the team demonstrating precision and discipline in their routines. "Congratulations to our outstanding AFJROTC Drill Team," said SMSgt Branden Neeley, the team's instructor, who provided a photo of the event. The success at the drill meet not only highlights the team's abilities but also serves to promote the values of teamwork and leadership within the program. The OTHS community has expressed pride in the team's accomplishments, reinforcing the school's commitment to excellence in all areas of student development.

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