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ALTON - Rebecca Nixon, a retired kindergarten teacher who started her career in the Alton School District at Gilson Brown Elementary, left a very positive impact on her teaching journey with the district and school. She dedicated herself to influencing her students the right way each year, always making her classrooms memorable. Nixon's students were always ready for the next grade after she honed their skills. When asked what she loved most about her work, Nixon said it was the opportunity to influence students' lives positively. Now retired, she plans to spend more quality time with her family. In addition to family, Nixon enjoys traveling and attending sporting events during her free time and is consistently seen at Redbird home competitions. Offering advice to new educators, Nixon said the most important part of teaching is "building strong relationships with both students and colleagues." She said those relationships are the true keys to being a teacher who has an impact on

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GLEN CARBON – Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSofSI) is excited to announce that Build-A-Bear Workshop is now part of our council retail experience! Girl Scouts – as well as non-Girl Scouts – can now build a new furry friend at our retail location at 4 Ginger Creek Parkway in Glen Carbon. To celebrate this new addition, GSofSI will hold two events and the public is invited to participate. Both events will take place at 4 Ginger Creek Parkway in Glen Carbon. First, a ribbon cutting, in partnership with the Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce, will be held on Thursday, August 7 at 4:00 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided as well as a private sneak-peek of the forthcoming grand opening plans. Next, join GSofSI for an exciting grand opening full of activities! On Saturday, August 9 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., guests are invited to stop in and share in the fun. Tour and explore the Build-A-Bear party room, snap a pic at the photo booth, make and customize

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Fair Grandstand will open gates at 6 p.m. – two hours early – to accommodate the Megan Moroney concert crowd on Sunday, August 10. The event start time remains the same at 8 p.m. “We love the energy and excitement of a sold-out show,” said Rebecca Clark, Illinois State Fair manager . “With thousands of people funneling in, allowing a little extra time to get everyone through the gates will help things flow smoothly.” Concert goers are reminded to Arrive early Have your digital ticket downloaded before you get to the Fairgrounds Travel light to get through the security line quickly The concert pre-show party will start at 4:30 p.m. Tickets for this pre-show event are still available on Ticketmaster.com. Pre-show ticket holders are the first to be let on to the track. Note: Concert ticket is required for purchase of pre-show ticket. Just announced, Hunter Flynn will take the Illinois Lottery Grandstand

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EDWARDSVILLE - Birth to Five Illinois advocates for kids and families. Based out of Edwardsville, the Birth to Five Illinois Region 41 chapter serves Madison County. They offer several resources and councils that aim to increase support for community members with young children. “We have families, we all have kiddos, but everyone feels like they’re doing this journey alone,” said Malayna Hutchins, Family and Community Engagement Specialist. “So when we bring them together and they say, ‘Oh, you know what, I’m going through the same thing, I’m struggling with this too’ — they’re like, ‘Why isn’t there anything where these people can come together and meet and share resources and talk about the struggles?’ That’s something that’s been really passionate for them.” Hutchins oversees the Family Council, a division of Region 41 that brings together “family voices.” Adrienne

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ALTON - The Marie Meyer Flying Circus performed in the flying field near Wood River on Saturday, July 25, and Sunday, July 26, 1925. The American Legion sponsored the shows, which began at 3 p.m. both days and featured three planes. A parade took place on Friday, July 24, to promote the shows. Planned events at the Flying Circus included wing walking by Marie Meyer, “said to be the only woman stunt flying in the country.” Meyer also planned to stand in the middle of the top of a plane while her pilot made the plane loop the loop. Meyer’s husband, Charles Fowler, was another one of the pilots. Fowler was well-known for his ability to fly upside down for long distances. There was an attempt at the “leap of death” by Bertie Brooks, movie stunt flyer, who also planned to hang from a trapeze by his teeth. In the leap of death, Brooks jumped from one end of the plane, hanging onto a rope, and attempted to climb back up the rope into the plane. Before

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ST. CLAIR COUNTY — A St. Clair County jury has found Sabrina Dunigan, an East St. Louis woman, responsible on two of five counts of endangering the life or health of her children for the deaths of her five kids in a tragic fire that occurred four years ago. Dunigan’s sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 26, 2025. The fire took place in the early morning hours of Aug. 6, 2021, at an apartment building on North 29th Street in East St. Louis, where Dunigan and her five children lived. The children, ranging in age from 2 to 9, were home alone when the fire broke out. The children who died in the fire were identified in descending age order as Deontae Davis Jr., 9; 8-year-old twins Neveah Dunigan and Heaven Dunigan; Jabari Johnson, 4; and Loy’el Dunigan, 2. The deaths also tragically occurred on the birthday of their mother, Sabrina. The East St. Louis Fire Department said at the time that Dunigan had briefly left the apartment to pick up her boyfriend from work.

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ALTON - The Hayner Public Library District gives back to the community, and you can help. Through the end of July, Hayner’s fine amnesty program “Supplies for Summer” will allow patrons to return overdue library materials and pay no fine if you also donate a personal care item. Mary Cordes, the library’s executive director, explained that the goal is to support local organizations. “It’s twofold. It helps us get our materials back so they’re available for the next patron and then it also helps these entities,” she said. “We do this quarterly. Every quarter, we have a fine amnesty program. Through the end of July, we have ‘Supplies for Summer’ going.” Items like shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant and other hygiene products can be dropped off at Hayner Library along with your overdue materials. The library will waive the fine. At the end of the month, they will donate half of the supplies to Crisi

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CARROLLTON — The Greene County Health Department confirmed the detection of West Nile Virus in two mosquito pools within Greene County, officials announced this week. West Nile Virus, transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes that have fed on infected birds, can cause symptoms such as fever, nausea, headache and muscle aches. While most people infected—about 80%—do not show symptoms, some may experience illness lasting from a few days to several weeks. In rare cases, severe complications including meningitis, encephalitis or death can occur, particularly among individuals over the age of 60 who are at higher risk for serious illness. To reduce the risk of infection, the health department advises residents to follow the three “R’s”: reduce exposure, repel mosquitoes and report mosquito breeding sites. Reducing exposure includes avoiding outdoor activities when mosquitoes are most active, especially between dusk and dawn, ensuring doors an

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO. — Several roads in north St. Louis County remain closed Friday, July 25, 2025, due to a hazardous materials incident at the former GKN Aerospace building on James S. McDonnell Boulevard in Hazelwood, Mo. The eastbound lanes of McDonnell Boulevard between Lindbergh Boulevard and Byassee Drive were shut down as of 10 a.m. on Friday, July 25, 2025, according to the Hazelwood Police Department. Authorities have not provided a timeline for when the roads will reopen. The incident occurred around 9:10 a.m. when a truck was loading nitric acid at the facility, now owned by Boeing, located on the 100 block of McDonnell Boulevard near Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources confirmed that up to 3,000 gallons of nitric acid leaked onto the parking lot, entered a storm drain, and flowed into Coldwater Creek. The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District's response involved the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the

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MARINE - Illinois State Police Troop 8 provided an update on Friday morning, July 25, 2025, to a truck-tractor-pedestrian fatal crash late Thursday night, July 24, 2025. ISP said officers responded to a fatal crash involving a truck-tractor semi-trailer and a pedestrian on Interstate 70 westbound near milepost 20, just west of Illinois Route 4 in Madison County. The incident occurred at approximately 10:30 p.m. on July 24, 2025, and ISP received a call about the crash shortly after. According to preliminary ISP information, the pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. The Illinois State Police closed the roadway at about 10:42 p.m. on July 24, 2025, to conduct an investigation, reopening it at approximately 4:40 a.m. on Friday, July 25, 2025. No additional details have been released at this time. The victim's name has not yet been released.

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EDWARDSVILLE — Godfrey artist Jennifer Rulo will be among the featured artists at the Edwardsville Arts Fair, scheduled for Sept. 26-28, 2025, at Edwardsville City Park. Rulo specializes in wire-wrapped jewelry, drawing inspiration from the colors and textures found in nature, the structural patterns in architecture, and the flowing lines of script. Her preferred materials include copper and semi-precious stones, with a particular attraction to the warm caramel tones of antiqued copper. She also works with sterling silver, shells, and pearls. Her jewelry pieces often blend elements of fun and elegance, sometimes incorporating hints of Celtic style as a tribute to her heritage. "I delight in turning nature into wearable art. Using hard stone and cold metal, I attempt to create beauty," Rulo said. "My jewelry leans toward clean lines to highlight the character of the stones I wrap. I draw inspiration from everything I see — the colors and textures in nature, architectural

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O’FALLON — Lindsay Beaston has been appointed as a fourth-grade teacher at Estelle Kampmeyer Elementary School in O'Fallon. She is a very experienced instructor with nine years of fifth-grade teaching experience and three years of K-5 technology instruction. Beaston expressed enthusiasm about joining District 90, citing its “strong reputation for academic excellence, inclusive educational practices, and commitment to supporting both students and educators.” She also acknowledged the support she received from the building principals at Estelle Kampmeyer and Evans throughout the hiring process. “Everyone I have talked to within District 90 has been welcoming and so nice,” Beaston said. “I am excited to start this new chapter of teaching fourth grade!” Outside of the classroom, Beaston enjoys golfing as a way to relax and unwind.

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GRANITE CITY – A Granite City man accused of domestic battery, weapon offenses, and more is the subject of two different felony cases filed on the same day. Travis R. Stevenson, 37, of Granite City, was charged on July 14, 2025 with the following offenses: Criminal damage to property (Class 4 felony) Domestic battery (Class A misdemeanor) Interfering with the reporting of domestic violence (Class A misdemeanor) Stevenson was charged in a separate felony case, also filed on July 14, with the following offenses: Possession of a firearm by a repeat felony offender (Class X felony) Fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer (Class A misdemeanor) On July 13, 2025, Stevenson allegedly struck the victim about the head and face with a closed fist, causing bodily harm to the victim, who was a family or household member of Stevenson. He was additionally accused of causing over $500 worth of damage to the victim’s iPhone and preventing them from calling 911

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CAHOKIA HEIGHTS — A 23-year-old man has been charged in connection with a shooting that left an 11-year-old boy in critical condition in Cahokia Heights, authorities said on Friday morning, July 25, 2025. Jeremiah Johnson, of Cahokia Heights, was charged July 23, 2025, with aggravated battery, mob action and obstructing justice following the July 21, 2025, incident on the 1600 block of Andrews Drive in Cahokia Heights, according to Lt. Tim Lawrence of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, who serves as deputy commander of the Major Case Squad investigating the case. The shooting occurred around 3:30 p.m. Monday after a verbal disturbance among several individuals in the area escalated into gunfire, Lawrence said. The juvenile victim was leaving a friend’s house on his bicycle when he was struck by gunfire. First responders transported the boy to a St. Louis-area hospital, where he remains in critical condition. “The victim is an 11-year-old boy and a Cahokia

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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — Two detention facility employees were recognized for lifesaving actions after they discovered a detainee experiencing a medical emergency on March 17, 2025. Community Policing Assistants Marissa Lager and Brayden Harder were conducting intake procedures at the Fairview Heights detention center when they noticed a detainee lying on the floor of a cell rather than on the bed, where the individual had been just six minutes earlier. Harder is also a volunteer with the Glen Carbon Fire Protection District. After attempts to get a response failed, they immediately alerted a sergeant. Upon entering the cell, the sergeant found the detainee actively seizing. Emergency medical services were called, and the detainee was transported to a hospital. Medical personnel later confirmed a brain bleed caused the seizure. The Fairview Heights Police Department acknowledged Lager and Harder’s quick thinking and decisive action, stating their attentiveness and willingness

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ALTON - Centerstone and Birth to Five Illinois recently hosted a wellness fair, and representatives from the organization spoke about Centerstone’s commitment to the community. On Saturday, July 19, 2025, Centerstone staff members came together to provide health and wellness resources to the community. In interviews on “Our Daily Show!” with C.J. Nasello , they spoke about the organization’s work and their plans for future events like this. “I was envisioning a one-stop shop,” explained Jen, a community liaison with Centerstone. “Whatever they needed to know that maybe they don’t have time to do in our busy lives Monday through Friday from 8 to 5, they can do it on a Saturday and knock everything out.” There were 52 vendors at the fair at the YWCA. Attendees could talk to legal aid resources, undergo health screenings, learn about local organizations, and much more. Centerstone is a national resource for mental healt

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O'FALLON - State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) partnered with ImpactLife to host a Blood Drive yesterday at O’Fallon Township. “I want to thank everyone who attended my blood drive because all of you made a difference in helping to save lives,” said Schmidt. “There is such a drastic shortage in blood, and donating blood is a small gesture that leaves a big impact.” ImpactLife provides lifesaving blood products and services to patients in need across Illinois. Their team works directly with doctors and researchers to improve treatments and methods for delivering transfusion medicine to communities. To find blood drives in our region, visit ImpactLife.org.

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BETHALTO - During their regular meeting on July 24, 2025, the Bethalto Community Unit School District #8 Board of Education approved the reorganization of six committees. The Board previously had committees on Construction, Calendar, Insurance, Finance, Operations, and Policy. Following a unanimous vote on July 24, the committees have been restructured to include Budgeting and Finance, Insurance/Calendar, Policy and Procedure, Facilities and Construction, Human Resources, and Operations. Board member Michael Kirby suggested reorganizing the committees. He expressed his opinion that the committees could streamline the process of discussing and voting on items. He also suggested including community members in some of the committees to get the community’s input. “If we get people with that kind of a background that are quite knowledgeable in the financial sector, et cetera, they can be placed on these committees, and anything of a financial concern, they basically giv

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ALTON - Enjoy the sounds of smooth jazz and the taste of great wine as the successful Alton Jazz & Wine Festival returns to the Alton Amphitheater on Saturday, August 30st with gates opening at 6 p.m. Tickets for the Alton Jazz & Wine Festival will go on sale today, July 25th, at 10 a.m. “The Alton Amphitheater Commission is excited to continue bringing great jazz to the Alton Amphitheater with this popular and growing event,” said Dan Herkert, Amphitheater Commission Chair. “Alton is the birthplace of jazz great Miles Davis, and we’re proud to be part of the effort to ensure Alton becomes a jazz destination.” Kicking off this year’s Alton Jazz & Wine Festival is Arvell & Company , led by Arvell Keithly, a singer, percussionist, recording artist and consummate entertainer. He has been involved in the music industry for over 30+ years and has had the privilege of working with many talented artists enabling him to fine-tune his craft of musical

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Did you know that visual storytelling enhances memory retention by up to 65% compared to text alone? Imagine combining this power with the excitement of a scavenger hunt, turning an ordinary day into an engaging adventure. A summer photo scavenger hunt offers a creative way to encourage exploration, observation, and connection through photography. Whether organizing for family, friends, or community groups, this activity can foster interaction and spark creativity. Defining the Concept: What Is a Photo Scavenger Hunt? A photo scavenger hunt challenges participants to find and capture specific items, scenes, or themes using a camera or smartphone. Unlike traditional scavenger hunts that require collecting physical objects, photo hunts emphasize creativity and interpretation, allowing players to express their perspective through images. This modern twist on a classic game leverages the ubiquity of digital cameras and social media to enhance engagement. Planning Your Photo Scavenger

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