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ALTON - The Alton Police Department has publicly acknowledged the contributions of Illinois State Representative Amy Elik for her support of law enforcement and her efforts to commemorate the service of K9 Odin. This recognition comes following the passage of House Resolution 886, which honors the K9 officer's dedication and sacrifice. Odin was killed in the line of duty on Aug. 22, 2024. K9 Odin served as a protector and teammate within the Alton Police Department, leaving a lasting impact on both the police force and the community it serves. The resolution was presented to Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford, highlighting Odin's legacy and the essential role that K9 officers play in maintaining public safety. "Through House Resolution 886, Representative Elik has ensured that K9 Odin’s service, loyalty, and sacrifice will never be forgotten," the department stated in a recent communication. This gesture underscores the ongoing partnership between law enforcement and community

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In an era marked by economic fluctuations, technological advancements, and a rapidly changing job market, financial literacy has emerged as a critical skill for individuals and families alike. Understanding how to manage personal finances, invest wisely, and navigate the complexities of the financial world can lead to improved economic stability and enhanced quality of life. This article explores the importance of financial literacy, its key components, and practical strategies for improving financial knowledge. What is Financial Literacy? Financial literacy refers to the ability to understand and effectively use various financial skills, including personal finance management, budgeting, investing, and understanding financial products. It encompasses a range of knowledge areas, such as how to save, borrow, and plan for the future. A financially literate person is equipped to make informed and effective decisions regarding their financial resources. The Importance of Financial Literacy

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GODFREY - Eclipse Car Wash is set to open in Godfrey in the next two months, and they’re looking for employees. The car wash, located at 2811 Godfrey Road, has been under construction for a few years since Eclipse bought the property in 2021. They plan to open in the next six to eight weeks, and they will be hiring around 20 workers. “We’re excited to be involved in the Godfrey community,” said Alexandra Ricke, general manager of Eclipse. “Preparing to open is obviously super exciting.” Ricke said that Eclipse built a “state-of-the-art facility” that stands out from other car washes. The facility can accommodate dually trucks, which is rare for a car wash, and there are four dedicated lanes with 36 vacuum bays available. With another location in Edwardsville, Eclipse is eager to implement new technology at the Godfrey car wash. Ricke added that owner Jarrett Hanson is passionate about creating the best experience for customers.

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Welcome to our exploration of January 13th, a day that has witnessed some of the most significant events in history. Turning our gaze to the world of politics, January 13, 1986, marked the beginning of the “Dawn of the New Era” in the Philippines. This day was pivotal in the fight against the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos. Activists and citizens began to mobilize in greater numbers, leading to a series of protests that would culminate in the People Power Revolution in 1986. This peaceful uprising would eventually restore democracy in the Philippines, showcasing the power of collective action and the resilience of the human spirit. On January 13, 2012, a significant event in the world of technology unfolded with the announcement of the first successful demonstration of quantum teleportation of information. Researchers at the University of Science and Technology of China achieved this groundbreaking feat, which is considered a major step towards the development of quantu

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WOOD RIVER — Wood River Police responded to a reported robbery on Whitelaw Avenue at approximately 5:25 PM on Sunday. The incident involved two individuals who had arranged to meet another person for an exchange of property, which had been organized through social media. Upon their arrival at the designated location, the two individuals were confronted by three suspects who forcibly took the property before fleeing the scene on foot. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of the encounter. Thanks to the rapid response of the Wood River Police, two suspects were apprehended shortly after the incident, with the third taken into custody a short time later. All three suspects are now in police custody. The investigation benefited from the collaboration of several neighboring law enforcement agencies, including East Alton, Hartford, Roxana, South Roxana, and the Alton Police Department K-9 Unit. Authorities have classified this incident as isolated, assuring the communit

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GRANITE CITY - The Granite Cith High girls' volleyball team finished the season with six wins and made tremendous progress and strides during the past four seasons, and senior Noelle Richey is part of the reason why. Coach Grace Hurst has also motivated and trained the girls in the player transformation. The final match of Richey's high school career brought mixed emotions to her. I've grown with this team for four years, and I'm so proud of how much we've grown," she said. "And it's like collectively, we've all changed in so many ways. We have all still pushed through the best we could." Richey is a four-year varsity player for the Warriors and sees a lot of differences between playing as a freshman and playing as a senior. "Playing as a senior, I feel like I almost like an older sister to all of them," Richey said, "and like they always talk to me about everything. I'm there to help them when they need me, and it's just awesome to watch everyone grow that's below me. As

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January 12th has been a significant date throughout history, marked by a variety of events that have shaped our world in many ways. One of the most profound events that took place on January 12, 1966, was the launch of the first successful satellite to be placed in orbit by the United States, named 'Orbiting Geophysical Observatory 1' (OGO-1). This landmark achievement in space exploration represented a major step forward in our understanding of the Earth's atmosphere and the effects of solar winds. The satellite was designed to study the interaction between the Earth's magnetosphere and the solar wind, contributing invaluable data to the field of geophysics. The success of OGO-1 not only marked a triumph for NASA but also set the stage for future explorations of space, enhancing our knowledge of both our planet and the cosmos beyond. Fast forward a few decades to January 12, 1991, when the United States launched Operation Desert Storm, a pivotal military campaign during the Gulf

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CHICAGO - Ahead of the 2025 tax season, the state of Illinois announced its participation in the IRS Direct File program. This will allow millions of eligible Illinoisans to file their taxes directly with the IRS, in a free and simplified system. Sarah Saheb, Director of Economic Security Illinois, an affiliate of Economic Security Project, a leading advocate for IRS Direct File nationally and in Illinois, released the following statement: “Direct File will save eligible Illinoisans up to $725 million and alleviate the stress and complexity of tax season for families across the state. This is a commonsense tool that will make filing taxes easier than ever before and put money back in people’s pockets all while saving the government money. We applaud Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Revenue, and all stakeholders who helped make this possible. As Illinoisans prepare to file their 2025 taxes, we encourage all who are eligible to utilize this completely free

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SPRINGFIELD - In partnership with the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS), Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias presented the 2nd annual John Lewis Youth Leadership Award (JLYLA) to 21-year-old Ivoryana Neal and 23-year-old Anthony Ray Wright Jr. “It’s wonderful to honor the impact of the late Congressman Lewis by recognizing two incredible young Illinoisans for their significant service to our communities,” Giannoulias said. “Ivoryana and Anthony are truly carrying out the spirit of Congressman Lewis’ legacy.” Neal, a Bellwood native and a December 2024 graduate of Spelman College, is passionate about criminal justice reform and has helped educate peers on the need for more re-entry support for formerly incarcerated individuals and their families. Neal’s firsthand experiences interning with the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office in Atlanta and with the Broadview, Illinois, police department have informed her call

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SPRINGFIELD - A severe ice storm wreaked havoc on large parts of southern Illinois earlier this week, closing schools and leaving thousands without power. In response, Comptroller Susana Mendoza Thursday issued payments totaling more than $17.7 million dollars earlier than originally planned. This comes at the request of Senator Dale Fowler, R-Harrisburg who informed the Comptroller of the dire circumstances facing southern Illinois. The bulk of that, $16.7 million, is Illinois State Board of Education mandated categorical grants to elementary and secondary schools in the region. Most schools were forced to close and will not reopen until at least next week. Thursday’s infusion can help the schools with their cash flow as they make repairs. Additionally, 423 vouchers totaling nearly $1.1 million were paid out for things like ambulance services, local electric cooperatives, city and county services, and social service agencies. A full list is available here. “It’s

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ALTON – As the Executive Director of Alton Little Theater (ALT), I am deeply committed to ensuring that our organization remains a safe and welcoming space for everyone who steps through our doors. However, allegations of past misconduct have been brought concerning individuals formerly affiliated with the theater. Let me be clear: we take these allegations with the utmost seriousness. I want to assure the public that under my leadership, ALT will be a space where everyone feels safe to explore their passion for theater. Theater is about creating joy and fostering community and that is exactly what we will do. Eric Sykes Executive Director, Alton Little Theater

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ALTON - The local Piasa Palisades chapter of the Sierra Club will screen a special film at their upcoming monthly meeting. At 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, community members are invited to Old Bakery Beer Co. in Alton for a screening of “Water for Life,” a documentary that tells the story of three Indigenous leaders who fought for water resources in their communities. Christine Favilla, representative with the Sierra Club and a co-coordinator for the Three Rivers Project, emphasized the importance of talking about sustainability and water rights. “It has to do a lot with making that connection with humans and hoping that they see they have a connection to nature,” she explained. “The more people that we have connected to nature, hopefully the more we will be able to see it be sustained and conserved.” Favilla said that the Piasa Palisades chapter of the Sierra Club meets at Old Bakery Beer Co. once a month, but this is the first time

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ST. LOUIS - Law enforcement in Missouri has officially commenced for the Siddens-Bening Hands-Free Law, which prohibits drivers from holding their phones while operating a vehicle. Many from the Alton, Edwardsville and Belleville areas drive across the river to Missouri on a daily basis for work and entertainment. The law, which went into effect in the summer of 2023, transitioned from an educational awareness phase to active enforcement on Jan. 1, 2024. Under the new regulation, officers are permitted to issue tickets to drivers who are found holding their phones. However, the law allows for the use of hands-free devices, such as Bluetooth or Apple Car Play. The Siddens-Bening law operates under secondary enforcement, meaning that drivers can only be ticketed for phone use if they are pulled over for another violation, such as speeding or reckless driving. Since the law's implementation, Missouri has reported a 5% reduction in deaths related to distracted driving, which

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BETHALTO — Ace Hardware of Bethalto has expressed gratitude to its customers for support in a recent fundraising initiative that benefited local organizations. The store, located at 1 Airway Court in Bethalto, collected donations through a register round-up campaign for The Community Hope Center and The Bethalto Spirit Christmas Village. Molly Mathias, the office manager at Ace Hardware, acknowledged the contributions of their patrons. “It is because of the generosity of our customers that we were able to present these two organizations with a donation check,” Mathias said. The initiative aimed to provide financial assistance to both organizations, enhancing their ability to serve the community during the holiday season. The donations collected reflect the commitment of the local business and its customers to support community efforts.

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ALTON — Alton, Illinois, has been named one of the "50 most charming small towns in America" by HGTV, a recognition that celebrates its unique blend of natural beauty, historical significance, and cultural heritage. The announcement was made as part of a broader initiative by the home improvement network aimed at highlighting small towns across the United States. Located at the confluence of Route 66 and the Great River Road, Alton is known for its striking limestone bluffs and is considered one of the premier locations in the country for viewing bald eagles. HGTV noted several historical highlights of Alton, including its role in American history as the site of the last debate between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas, as well as Lincoln's only duel. The town also played a vital role in the Underground Railroad during the Civil War, contributing to its rich and complex narrative. Alton is the hometown of Robert Wadlow, known as the World's Tallest Man at 8 feet 11.1 inche

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SPRINGFIELD - The public voting period for the Illinois state flag redesign contest has kicked off and will run through Feb. 14, 2025. Illinoisans can choose to vote for one of the Illinois Flag Commission’s Top 10 new designs, or one of three former flag designs, including the current one. “Now is the time to make your voice heard and I encourage folks to join the process by voting for the flag that they feel best represents our great state,” said Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, whose office will conduct the public vote. “The public feedback received during this period will help guide the General Assembly’s final decision on the future of our state’s flag later this year.” Public voting is available at www.ilsos.gov/stateflag . Participating Illinoisans can vote for: One of the Illinois Flag Commission’s Top 10 flag designs Retaining the existing state flag Or reinstating Illinois’ 1918 centennial flag

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CHICAGO - Today Governor JB Pritzker announced the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) will receive $43 million in federal funding for the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency’s (CREATE) 65th & Harlem Avenue rail project. The project will create an overpass for travel over Belt Railway of Chicago’s (BRC) tracks via 65th street each day, improving efficiency for drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians in Chicago and neighboring Bedford Park, Summit, and Garfield Ridge, as well as allowing faster travel for freight trains heading into and out of BRC’s Clearing yard. “This sort of smart, people-focused infrastructure investment exemplifies the best in what federal/state funding partnerships can do—present a solution that will make the daily commutes of Chicagoans and their neighbors and the daily movement of freight more efficient, making everyone’s day a little easier,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “I’m grateful

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SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Nutrient Research and Education Council (NREC) met in December and seated three new board members. They replace Cindy Skrukrud, Al Grosboll and Jeff Kirwan who are cycling off the NREC board of directors. Board members are appointed by the Illinois Department of Agriculture Director, Jerry Costello. Two environment organizations are represented among the newly seated members. Katie Garvey joins the board representing The Environmental Law & Policy Center. Garvey is a staff attorney located in the organization’s Chicago office and focuses on nutrient reduction strategies. Christina Favilla joins the board representing the Illinois Chapter of the Sierra Club. Favilla is based out of Sierra Club’s Alton, IL office, where she serves as the Three Rivers Project Co-Coordinator – concentrating on the confluence of the Missouri, Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. Also seated at the December meeting was Brent Pollard who represents Illinois

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ALTON — Senior Services Plus is excited to invite local seniors to an engaging and fun event, Speed Connections , on Friday, February 7th from 2-4 PM in the School House Grill. This will be Senior Services Plus' third time hosting the event. The event is designed specifically for adults ages 55 and older, offering a unique opportunity to meet new people and form lasting connections in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. For just $10 per ticket, participants will enjoy a series of timed conversations with fellow attendees, providing the chance to share stories, make new friends, and perhaps even spark a romantic connection. The event will take place in a casual, welcoming environment, where participants will rotate through timed intervals, giving everyone the opportunity to mingle and connect. Whether you’re looking for friendship or just want to meet new faces in the community, Speed Connections promises a fun and exciting experience. Spaces are limited, so don't

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EDWARDSVILLE — A local community is rallying to support Kate Baumgartner, the owner of Sacred Grounds Coffee, as she faces unexpected medical bills due to a difficult diagnosis. The fundraising effort , organized by Connie Fish, aims to alleviate the financial burden on Baumgartner, who has been a vital part of the Edwardsville community. The initiative comes after Baumgartner encountered significant medical expenses that have arisen despite her health insurance. According to Fish, the bills stem from a complex medical situation, which has left Baumgartner with higher costs than if she were uninsured. "These medical bills have not been born out of lack of health insurance or irresponsibility, but rather from tricky diagnosis, and gross shortfall in coverage for tests and treatments," Fish stated. Baumgartner is known for her commitment to the community, having hosted local art shows, live music nights, and contributed to various charity events and school fundraisers. "She

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