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SPRINGFIELD – If you had a baby or adopted this year, don’t forget to open a Bright Start or Bright Directions college savings account and claim your $50 seed deposit from the Illinois First Steps program, State Treasurer Michael Frerichs reminded new parents today. “We launched the Illinois First Steps program this year to help put families on a path to saving early for their child’s education,” Frerichs said. “Saving now means money will be available when your child is ready to attend a university, community college, trade school, or start an apprenticeship.” To qualify for the Illinois First Steps $50 seed deposit, parents or legal guardians must be Illinois residents at the time of birth or adoption, the beneficiary child must be born or adopted on or after Jan. 1, 2023, open an Illinois529 college savings account with Bright Start or Bright Directions, and claim the seed deposit before the child's 10th birthday. Bright Start and Bright

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ALTON - On Christmas Eve, Alton’s Middletown Historic District was once again aglow as part of their annual luminary tradition. The tradition invites neighbors to put out 5,000 candles along Henry, E. 12th and surrounding streets. While the luminary is limited to Middletown, luminary chair Shannon Sholar said she hopes to bring in more blocks next year to enjoy the tradition. “It’s a great way to kick off the season,” Sholar said. “It showcases the beautiful historic neighborhood. It is just unbelievably peaceful and calming to drive through and see that glow up and down the streets with all the bags lined up. And it’s a great way for neighbors to come out of their homes when everybody’s stuck inside and mix with their neighbors and just kick off the holiday season.” The luminary was started 22 years ago by Margaret Hopkins, but the tradition itself has remained largely the same. Sholar explained that every block has a “block

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GODFREY - The Lewis and Clark Community College Bluegrass Concert, hosted by the Harman Family Bluegrass Band, is a beloved January tradition for many people in the Riverbend region. The band will perform for their 46th year on Jan. 13, 2024. “We continued on and it kept — well, that’s one thing I can say, it didn’t get any bigger because it was a sellout the first year. It didn’t grow, it just kept going,” said patriarch Mike Harman. “Something had to go right.” Mike didn’t necessarily expect the band to grow like it did. He started the Harman Trio with his sister Lori and brother Bull several years ago, and it expanded to the Harman Family when Mike’s wife Stacy and Bull’s wife Tammy joined in. Now, Mike’s sons and nephew also play in the band, and they have several special guests who will join them on Jan. 13. While the band’s lineup has changed over the years, the show itself is consistent every

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BETHALTO - 1 st MidAmerica Credit Union Vice President of Commercial Services, Jeff Whitaker, has announced his plans to retire at the end of this year. Whitaker began working at the credit union in 2007 and was instrumental in growing the Commercial Services department at 1 st MidAmerica. Throughout his time at 1 st MidAmerica, he has been active in the community, volunteering with several community organizations. “Jeff’s dedication to assisting business members during his tenure is evident in the relationships that he has formed with the business members. He has grown the commercial services department tremendously in his time at the credit union and built it into what it is today,” said Alan Meyer, President & CEO. Brett Pont has been named the new Vice President of Commercial Services and started with 1 st MidAmerica earlier this year. Pont comes to the credit union with over 18 years of commercial and financial services experience and has spent the

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BELLEVILLE - Lots of laughs are in store at the upcoming “Comic Invasion!” show in Belleville, which will feature four comedians and be filmed for television. On Dec. 30 and 31, 2023, at Lincoln Theatre in Belleville, audiences can enjoy a stand-up show with plenty of local flair. Headliner Jeff Batts explained that the comedians travel and poke fun at the small towns where they perform. The two Lincoln Theater shows will be filmed for the nationally syndicated television show “Comic Invasion!,” which is premiering on stations across the U.S. in 2024. “We call it Comic Invasion because basically we ask the question, we pose the question, what would happen if four comedians just invaded a town? A small town in America,” Batts explained. “Every area’s got something that makes it unique, and we like to go into those towns, have some fun with the locals, and then we perform at a local theater or hotspot there in the area. And it make

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EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County Coroner Stephen Nonn provided this update on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023, about a Highland female who died from injuries suffered in a structure fire in her apartment this past weekend. Nonn said the woman - 68-year-old Virginia G. Barth - died at Saint Joseph’s Hospital Emergency Room, Highland on Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023. The decedent was found by firefighters of the Highland Fire Department due to a structure fire at her apartment on Saturday, December 23, 2023. Nonn said an autopsy examination has been completed and the preliminary findings are that the decedent suffered from severe heart and lung disease. A final cause of death will be issued upon completion of routine toxicology testing along with carbon monoxide testing. "The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Highland Police Department, Illinois State Fire Marshall Office, Madison County Coroner’s Office, and the Highland Fire Department," Nonn said. "Funeral arrangements

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ALTON - David Goins, Mayor of Alton, keynotes this year's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Program on Monday, January 15, 2024, at 10:00 am., at Mt. Joy Missionary Baptist Church, located at 327 Olive Street, Edwardsville, IL. The program is open to the public at no charge. A proud product of the Alton School System and a graduate of the College of the Ozarks, Mr. Goins has dedicated his career to serving the Greater Alton community. His notable contributions include commendable achievements with the Madison County Department of Court and Probation Services, the Alton Police Department, and a past membership on the Alton School Board. Additionally, he also pastored at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church in Alton. The morning hymn will be performed by Myles Lacey, fifth grader at All Saints Academic School in Saint Louis, MO. Among his numerous professional successes, Mr. Goins attained a historic moment in the spring of 2021, being elected as the first African American Mayor of the

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EDWARDSVILLE — The Madison County Administration Building got a facelift just in time to start the new year and of installing upgraded ADA doors at all its facilities. Crews finished up Tuesday taking down a wooden structure that was put in place as new ADA doors were installed at the administration building. The county went out for bids a year ago to make upgrades to its facilities as part of its American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Modification Project. Slayden Glass won the bid at $223,241 to install sliding doors at the Administration Building, the Criminal Justice Center (CJC) and the Sheriff’s Office. The courthouse will upgrade its ADA door as well. “The new doors on the Administration Building look fantastic,” Chairman Pro-tem Mick Madison said. “It’s the set of doors the majority of the public will see when they visit the county. It’s a big improvement since the circular doors were unusable.” The administration building had

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GILLESPIE - The annual drive-thru holiday lights display at Gillespie Health & Rehab Center is now lit and will remain free and open for visitors throughout the holiday season until the end of this year. This year’s lights display will run from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. each night from Dec. 12 to 31, 2023 at the facility’s campus at 7588 Staunton Rd. in Gillespie. The attraction will feature “thousands of festive lights and holiday decorations,” according to a press release from the center. Beth Cherry with Gillespie Health & Rehab Center said the event is free and open to the public, features thousands of lights, and is part of their effort to “be a good community neighbor.” “Our annual drive-through light display is now open throughout the season, and the public is invited to come and enjoy this luminous holiday tradition,” Cherry said. “Visitors can experience thousands of lights and holiday decorations on our skilled nursing

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ILLINOIS - What does Abraham Lincoln, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and a favorite Christmas carol have in common? According to historian Tom Emery, all three are connected to the state of Illinois. Emery explained that Christmas has changed a lot through the ages, but the holiday has a long history in the Prairie State. Abraham Lincoln Like a lot of people in the 1830s, future president Abraham Lincoln was aware of Christmas, but he didn’t do much to celebrate. Emery spoke of Lincoln’s time living in New Salem, about 20 miles north of Springfield, while he was a state legislator. “I would like to tell you some stories about what he did at Christmas. Frankly we don’t know a whole lot about what he did,” Emery said. “One reason for this is because Christmas was just not as big of a deal in the 1830s as it is today. Christmas celebrations were just a tiny fraction of what we know today.” The holiday was “a blip on the radar”

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ALTON - In the 1950s, Chris and Helen Doucleff began a holiday tradition that has since expanded and become almost a legendary part of the Alton fabric. This past weekend, Amy and Ben Hollis, the daughter and son-in-law of Mike Doucleff of Duke Bakery, had another holiday gathering where Santa, his elves and even a pair of reindeer were on hand at their Henry Street location. Families with children were lined up along the block of Duke Bakery to see Santa and visit the bakery for its best in holiday treats. The owners said: "It was an amazing day - we had great weather for Santa and a fantastic crowd." Mike Doucleff began his career at Duke Bakery folding pie boxes in the family living room in 1952. The family lived next door to the bakery back in those days. Mike vividly remembers his dad being Santa close to the bakery right before the holidays waving to children. It became something people became used to and he and Amy and Ben have continued that wonderful tradition. "We have

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JERSEYVILLE - A local business recently received recognition from the Jersey County Sheriff’s Department for their donation of 10 bikes to be distributed to 10 local children in need this Christmas. The department commended S.S. Hansen Embroidery in a Facebook post for showing them “the meaning of Christmas.” “If you have any doubts that the Christmas spirit is alive and well in this day and age, you must look no further than a local favorite small business, S.S. Hansen Embroidery,” they said. “This year, they purchased and donated ten new bicycles to children in our county, asking that the Jersey County Sheriff's Office identify those who needed them the most. What an incredible gift to the recipient children and to our personnel who got to experience some real Christmas joy as they delivered the bicycles.” Thanks to their donation, the Sheriff’s Department added there are “ten awful happy Jersey County kids this Christmas.”

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ALTON - Alton Police Officer Ashley Clare has made a big difference in the Riverbend area with her abilities as a trained negotiator in crises. Recently, Ashley saved the life of an individual who was located sitting on the outside ledge of the Clark Bridge with her negotiation skills. The incident occurred on Sept. 11, 2023. Alton Major John Franke recently presented Clare with a Life-Saving Award. Ashley is a recognized difference-maker in the Alton community. Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said Ashley Clare has been with APD for three years and previously worked at a different police department for almost five years. She just recently became the Alton PD's newest School Resource Officer and will take over that position at Alton Middle School after school resumes from the Christmas break. “Officer Clare was able to use a calm, patient, and caring presence to help de-escalate an intense and dangerous situation at the Clark Bridge. Ultimately, her poise and empathy were the

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ALTON - Leon Smallwood and Tori Porter are believers in the importance of assisting youth and for this holiday season, the pair were heavily involved in a successful Christmas Shopping Spree for some Alton High students. Smallwood is the president of the Alton Branch of the NAACP. He said his first order of business when he took over was to re-establish the Alton NAACP Youth Council. He named Alton NAACP Youth Council President Tori Porter and she took the idea of the Christmas Shopping Spree to outstanding levels. "Our Youth Council President Tori Porter accompanied myself and one other youth council member," he said. "She took several Alton High School students on a shopping spree at Walmart in Wood River. Each student was able to spend $200. This is something we want to do to give back to our community and to show our fellow youth council members the importance of providing for their very own. "We would like to thank all that donated to make this possible. The children truly

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police Department Crimes Against Persons detectives are investigating a homicide in the 10000 block of Sheldon Drive in the City of Riverview that resulted in the death of an adult male. At 5:57 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023, City of Riverview police officers responded to a call for service for a shooting in the 10000 block of Sheldon Drive. Responding officers located an adult male suffering from an apparent gunshot injury. The male was transported to an area hospital for life saving treatment but succumbed to his injuries and was later pronounced deceased. City of Riverview Police requested St. Louis County Police Department’s Bureau of Crimes Against Persons assume responsibility for the investigation. A suspect is in custody. The investigation is ongoing. Additional information will be disseminated as it becomes available. Please contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210 to speak with investigators if you have

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WOOD RIVER - Wood River Police Department rushed to a report of a domestic battery at 2:36 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023, on Mildred Street in Wood River and discovered a female subject had left the scene to go to her parents' home. "The female reporting the domestic battery left the residence to get away from the male subject involved in the domestic battery and went to her parents’ home," the Wood River Police reported. "Wood River Police Officers responded to the parents’ home, but the female reporting the domestic battery had left the parents’ home to meet with officers at the home on Mildred Street. It was reported the father of the female had also left in a separate vehicle. When officers arrived on Mildred Street the male reported to be involved in the domestic battery was not located. "While officers were investigating the domestic battery report, at 2:49 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023, the Wood River Police Department received a report of shots being fired

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JERSEYVILLE - Two individuals have been charged separately with reckless discharge of a firearm and retail theft in Jersey County, according to recent court filings. Duey D. Skinner, 67, of Jerseyville, was charged with reckless discharge of a firearm on or about Nov. 29, 2023. Court documents allege Skinner “endangered the bodily safety of the general public in that, while acting in a reckless manner, he discharged a 9mm Luger firearm which endangered the general public safety.” Skinner was charged with a Class 4 felony, but no warrant has been issued for his arrest. His online case filing indicates he met the conditions for pretrial release under the Illinois Pretrial Fairness Act. His preliminary hearing is set for Jan. 9, 2024 at 1 p.m. at the Jersey County Courthouse. Dorothy L. Bennett, 47, also of Jerseyville, was charged with retail theft on or about Dec. 12, 2023, according to court documents. Bennett allegedly stole several items with a combined value

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ALTON - Alton creative music staples Hope & Therapy will emerge from the shadows to perform on Friday, December 29 for Kooliverse Night, located at The Conservatory (554 E Broadway, Alton). It has been 5 years since the band has performed at this location. After a planned break in 2019, and unplanned hiatus throughout the 2020 and 2021 shutdowns, the band picked back up in 2022. They have a new perspective and new songs, hatched from the brain of songwriter Hope Mader. The band is focused on refining this new music with intentions to record a new album in 2024, which promises to be a full-circle culmination of the band's unique voice and sonic exploration throughout their decade and a half together. Hope & Therapy's sound has evolved since their inception, yet it remains decidedly their own. Drawing influence from 1960s Motown/blues, 1970s prog/psychedelia, and 1990s post-punk/math-rock/early Midwestern emo, their sound has been decades in the making. The band’s goal has been

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate increased +0.1 percentage point to 4.7 percent, while nonfarm payrolls increased +6,800 in November, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and released by IDES. The October revised unemployment rate was 4.6 percent, unchanged from the preliminary October unemployment rate. The October monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report, from -15,000 to -17,100 jobs. The November unemployment rate and payroll jobs estimate reflect activity for the week including the 12th. In November, the industry sectors with the largest over-the-month job gains included: Manufacturing (+5,400), Educational and Health Services (+3,800), and Other Services (+1,900). The industry sectors with monthly payroll job declines included: Professional and Business Services (-8,000), and Information (-100). “Today’s report

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following recent reports of heavy metals being found in baby food and food pouches for young children, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), along with several of their Senate colleagues, are leading the call for Senate Appropriators to prioritize additional resources that would help the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Maternal and Infant Health Nutrition programs, including the Closer to Zero program, better ensure the food our nation’s children consume is nutritious, safe and free of toxins. “Recent news regarding elevated blood lead levels in young children potentially linked to certain fruit puree products once again highlights why we should prioritize Federal funds to make sure that the very youngest members of our society are fed safe and nutritious foods,” wrote the Senators. “Additional funding is necessary to continue supporting and expanding the vital work FDA is undertaking

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