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MARYVILLE - The Home Builders and Remodelers Metro East Association wants kids to know that opportunities in the trades industry are “limitless.” Shannon Stelling, executive director of HBRMEA, noted that more schools are putting an emphasis on the trades. She loves to see kids exploring their options. On Oct. 28, 2025, companies with HBRMEA will provide a presentation to 1,300 kids at a local elementary school in Collinsville, and Stelling said they are more than happy to come to your school, too. “The goal is just to get them excited about it and see that these are choices for them,” she said. “The trades industry isn’t just swinging a hammer anymore. There are so many different jobs.” Stelling explained that trades careers have impressive salaries and retirement benefits. She pointed out that there are many different options within the industry, from mixing the chemicals that go on garage floors to putting roofs on homes. Stelling

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BELLEFONTAINE NEIGHBORS, Mo. — Detectives from the St. Louis County Police Department Bureau of Crimes Against Persons are investigating a homicide that occurred Tuesday evening, Sept. 23, 2025, in the 1200 block of Bliss Drive in the City of Bellefontaine Neighbors. At 8:04 p.m. on Sept. 23, officers from the Bellefontaine Neighbors Police Department responded to a stabbing call. Upon arrival, they found an adult female suffering from life-threatening stab wounds. The victim was transported to a nearby hospital but later died from her injuries. Following the incident, the Bellefontaine Neighbors Police Department requested assistance from the St. Louis County Police Bureau of Crimes Against Persons to take over the investigation. A person of interest has been taken into custody in connection with the case. Authorities have not released further details and have stated that additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

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ALTON - The 24th annual Vintage Voices walking tours will be held in the Alton Cemetery (5th and Vine Streets, Alton, IL 62002). Mark your calendars for the first two weekends in October: 4, 5, 11, 12, 2025. The hour-long walking tours begin at noon every day and leave from the main gate on Vine Street in Alton, departing every 15-20 minutes. Tickets are on sale now online at https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/vintagevoicestours/tours . Pricing remains at $15 for adults and $10 for students with ID. A non-walking performance will be held on Sunday, October 5, 2025. The one-hour performance begins at 5:00 pm at the Parish Center at St. Mary’s Middle School on Milton Road in Alton, IL. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online at https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/vintagevoicestours/vintage-voices-non-walking-performance . Tickets will be sold at both locations with cash. Information about this year’s decedent portrayals: Gail Drillinger will portray Jane

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EDWARDSVILLE – With her silken-polished voice, commitment to news, dedication to community building and love for music – especially the jazzy kind – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Robin Boyce graced the St. Louis airwaves in 1980 during a time when Black voices and views were a “low frequency” on local radio stations. She was a trailblazer. On Saturday, Sept. 20, Boyce, Associate Director of Corporate Support for WSIE 88.7 The Sound FM , received the African American Radio Pioneer Award and was inducted into the 2025 Class of the National Black Radio Hall of Fame. Boyce was one of many Black broadcasters recognized in various categories and inaugurated into the National Black Radio Hall of Fame during a celebratory evening of the Annual Induction Awards at the Renaissance Hotel in St. Louis, Mo. The event was emceed by well-known producer and social influencer Jade Harrell . “This is a total honor, and it’s

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GLEN CARBON – The future Meijer location in Glen Carbon’s Orchard Town Center will have another year to be built after village trustees approved a third extension of the grocery store’s site plan. Village Board members unanimously approved a resolution granting a one-year extension for the Meijer site plan, extending the plan to October of 2026. Erika Heil, director of Community Development, explained at Tuesday’s meeting that site plans are only “good for one year” in Glen Carbon, meaning the previous plans were set to expire in October of 2025. This comes after the board previously voted in 2023 to extend the store’s site plan to 2024, then voted in 2024 to extend the site plan again into 2025. Heil stated in 2024 that Meijer had “begun work in earnest addressing the mine remediation issues that must be resolved prior to moving forward with the site plan.” At Tuesday’s meeting, Heil said mine remediation work at

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ALTON - A new business at Milton Schoolhouse in Alton encourages people to come out and play foosball. Crane’s Clubhouse, located on the upper floor of Milton Schoolhouse, opened earlier this year and has welcomed hundreds of foosball players of all ages and skill levels. With a variety of tornado and Bonzini foosball tables, the business hosts several tournaments and events every month, including the upcoming Back-to-School Foos Fiesta scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. “It’s a family-run business that is very family-friendly,” said co-owner Joshua Crane. “Unplug and get on a table.” Joshua opened Crane’s Clubhouse alongside wife Kristina Crane in January. The couple, along with their two daughters, have created a thriving business. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sept. 28, community members can experience it for themselves. There will be three free tournaments for kids ages 17 and under. At 12 p.m., kids can join the 2 Ball Roller

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GRANITE CITY - On Friday, September 19, 2025, Granite City's Victoria “Tori” Goss and her son, Dean Anderson, were involved in a head-on collision that claimed Goss’s life and left her son injured but he is recovering. Despite the valiant efforts of first responders, Goss, described by her family as “the brightest light,” did not survive. Goss is remembered as a devoted mother and vibrant spirit. Her young son, Dean Anderson, miraculously survived. Goss’s sister, Katlyn Barnes, shared a statement highlighting her vibrant personality and deep devotion to her son. “She loved fiercely, laughed loudly, and lived vibrantly,” she said. Her sister said Victoria was known not only as a sister, mother, daughter, and friend but also as a source of encouragement to many. Her son, Dean, has demonstrated resilience in his recovery, expressing a desire to get better “for Mommy,” according to the family. In the wake of this tragedy, Goss’

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BELLEVILLE/ST. LOUIS — Communities in St. Louis and the Metro East will come together this fall to raise awareness and support suicide prevention through two Out of the Darkness (OOTD) Walks organized by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). The St. Louis Walk is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 28, at Creve Coeur Lake Park’s Tremayne Pavilion, beginning at 10:30 a.m., with check-in starting at 9:30 a.m. The St. Clair County Walk will take place Saturday, Oct. 18, at The Square, 19 Public Square in Belleville, Illinois, starting at 9:30 a.m., with check-in at 8:30 a.m. These events aim to bring together people impacted by suicide to connect, support one another, and raise funds for AFSP’s programs. Registration and donations can be made online at afspwalks.donordrive.com for each respective walk. Suicide remains a leading cause of death across various age groups in the United States. In 2023, there were 49,316 deaths by suicide nationwide and an estimated

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Did you know that over 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkins are produced annually in the United States alone, with a large percentage carved into jack-o’-lanterns? Pumpkin carving isn’t just a creative pastime; it’s a tradition that brings people together in a fun and collaborative way. Hosting a pumpkin carving contest can transform a simple gathering into a memorable event filled with laughter, friendly competition, and artistic expression. Setting the Stage: Planning Your Pumpkin Carving Contest Before the knives and pumpkin guts come out, thoughtful planning ensures your event runs smoothly and everyone has a great time. Start by deciding the scale of your contest. Will it be an intimate gathering of close friends or a larger community event? The number of participants will influence your venue choice, supplies, and timing. Choosing the Venue: A spacious, well-lit area with easy cleanup options is ideal. Outdoor spaces like a backyard or patio work well, especially

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September 24 is a date that has witnessed pivotal moments across the globe, shaping the course of history in politics, science, culture, and more. In 622 AD, the Islamic calendar marks the emigration (Hijra) of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina, an event commemorated annually and foundational to Islamic history. While the exact date of the Hijra is often cited as July 16 in the Gregorian calendar, the 24th of September holds relevance in some historical reckonings related to early Islamic events, reminding us of the complexities in tracing ancient timelines. Jumping to the modern era, September 24, 1789, saw the establishment of the United States Department of the Treasury. This institution played a critical role in shaping America's economic foundation, overseeing fiscal policy, and managing government revenue. Its creation was vital for the young nation's financial stability and growth, setting standards that continue to influence global finance today. In 1948, the first

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GREENVILLE - Two Greenville University students face Class X felony charges for child pornography after authorities allege they distributed an explicit image involving a minor. Ricardo Castillo Cosano, 24, and Alessandro Parolin Romero, 18, both residing on the 300 block of East College Avenue in Greenville, have been charged. Authorities said both men, who are attending Greenville University from Spain, are accused of disseminating a photograph depicting a female minor under the age of 13 engaged in a sexual act with an adult male. During a video conference appearance from the Bond County Jail, Cosano pleaded not guilty to the charge, waived his right to a preliminary hearing, and requested a trial by jury. Romero also appeared via video conference, was appointed an attorney, and has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Thursday. The Greenville Police Department is handling the case. Further proceedings are expected as the legal process continues. Defendants are presumed innocent

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This morning will start cool at 56°F, rising to a pleasant 74°F by afternoon. Mostly cloudy skies dominate the day, but be ready for a couple of thunderstorms in the afternoon and early evening. Winds will come from the north-northeast at 8 mph, gusting up to 13 mph. Rainfall is expected to be moderate, with about 0.21 inches. The night will remain cloudy with some light showers, with temperatures dropping to about 56°F again. Allergy indexes today show a low level for grass and ragweed, but mold is high, so those sensitive should take precautions. The air quality is good. Tomorrow's Outlook: The sky will clear up to partly sunny with clouds giving way to sun. The high will warm up slightly to 76°F, with a low around 50°F. Expect a dry day with light winds from the north-northwest at about 8 mph and gusts near 20 mph. Allergy conditions remain similar with mold still high. Stay updated on the latest weather at https://riverbender.com/weather .

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GLEN CARBON – Major upgrades are coming soon to Schon Park in Glen Carbon after a $1.4 million bid to build the park’s third phase of improvements was unanimously approved. On Tuesday, the Village Board of Trustees approved a $1,418,466.58 bid from Byrne & Jones Construction for the construction of Schon Park Phase 3 improvements. Director of Public Works Director Scott Slemer said the third phase of Schon Park improvements will include the installation of new tennis courts, pickleball courts, and basketball courts with interconnected sidewalks. He expects construction to begin this October and be completed by October of 2026. Glen Carbon has secured $750,000 in total grant funding towards the completion of this project, including a $600,000 Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant and a $150,000 Metro East Park and Recreation District (MEPRD) grant. Earlier this year , trustees approved $260,000 for Thouvenot, Wade & Moerchen (TWM), Inc. to perform

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02), co-chair of the bipartisan Maternal Care Caucus and Chair of the CBC Health Braintrust, released the following statement after President Donald Trump announced that the Food and Drug Administration will update labels to discourage pregnant women from using acetaminophen, falsely linking the over-the-counter painkiller with autism. “President Trump’s ability to stretch and break reality knows no bounds, but this is truly ridiculous. There is no causal relationship between acetaminophen and autism; in fact, acetaminophen is the safest drug for pregnant women to take for fevers and pain. It is deeply concerning that President Trump, anti-vaxxer RFK Jr, and reality TV host Dr. Oz are setting public health standards. We are dealing with real crises that have real consequences. Women die every day due to preventable pregnancy-related causes like post-partum depression, hemorrhage, heart conditions, blood clots, and preeclampsia.

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology's (DoIT) Office of Supplier Diversity and the IT Procurement Office (ITPO) announce the launch of a new Office Hours program, with the inaugural session scheduled for Wednesday, October 15, 2025, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM (CT) as part of the "Leveraging Diversity in Technology Procurement" educational series. “We're launching this Office Hours program to break down barriers and create more accessible pathways for vendors to engage with state procurement,” said DoIT Chief of Supplier Diversity Alice Rivera-Alfaro . “This new initiative provides a direct line of communication where vendors can get real-time answers and personalized guidance from our experts.” This new Office Hours program represents an innovative approach to vendor support, providing an open forum for current and prospective vendors to ask general questions and receive direct guidance on key topics including: State

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HOLIDAY SHORES — A hay trailer caught fire in a field near the intersection of Illinois Route 140 and Illinois 159 on Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 23, 2025, according to authorities. The incident occurred in the Holiday Shores area, where the trailer caught fire. Madison County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Marcos Pulido said deputies helped manage traffic while fire departments worked to extinguish the blaze. There were no reported injuries in the situation. The cause of the fire has not been disclosed.

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SPRINGFIELD, IL – Governor JB Pritzker announced the Illinois State Fair and Du Quoin State Fair attendance totaled over 1 million in 2025. “Illinois state fairs are a part of a time-honored tradition for generations of families,” said Governor JB Pritzker . “This year’s attendance figures are proof of the enduring value of state fairs as over 1 million attendees from across Illinois and throughout the nation joined in celebration of our state's proud agricultural heritage.” Springfield welcomed 723,079 attendees to the Illinois State Fair, marking the second-largest turnout in its history. The Du Quoin State Fair drew 282,202 people, breaking the previous record of 204,004 set in 2024. “Illinois is fortunate to have state fairs that bring people together, creating a shared space for celebrating food, family fun, and Illinois agriculture,” said Jerry Costello II, Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture . “Our tea

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EDWARDSVILLE - Sophie Antonini, a junior running back on Edwardsville High's girls flag football team, has helped the Tigers get their new program off to a tremendous start, as the Tigers are 4-1 overall. Edwardsville encountered its first loss in the program's history to East St. Louis 25-7 on Sept. 17, 2025, at Tiger Stadium, but will return to action at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, against Belleville West , and at Belleville East at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025. Antonini has high expectations of success for the next two games. For the season, Antonini has run for 38 yards and has 11 pass receptions for 146 yards and two touchdowns as the Tigers have gotten off to a tremendous start. In the loss to the Flyers, the Tigers hung in there and played hard throughout. In her postgame interview, Antonini stayed upbeat despite the defeat. Antonini has been explosive in the backfield with her quick starting speed and has been difficult for opponents to stop. Once she is at

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In the world of electric distribution, safety, precision and reliability are paramount. But for Joey Anthony, East Region managing engineer for Ameren Illinois, the job doesn’t end when the voltage stabilizes. Beyond the substations, power line extensions and smart grid technology, Anthony is also a certified master naturalist through the University of Illinois Extension—a role that brings ecological awareness into the heart of infrastructure planning. From Circuits to Conservation Anthony’s journey began at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he earned his electrical engineering degree in 2011. He joined Ameren Illinois the following year at its Paxton Operating Center, diving into the technical challenges of grid modernization and system reliability. But engineering wasn’t always smooth sailing. “I wasn’t a straight-A student in college,” Anthony admits. “It was humbling. You go from being one of the smartest kids

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that total nonfarm payrolls decreased over-the-month in August, down -13,300 (-0.2%) to 6,153,700. The July monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report, from -2,500 to -1,100. The industry sectors with over-the-month jobs increases included: Information (+800), Manufacturing (+400), and Construction (+300). The industry sectors with the largest monthly payroll jobs decreases included: Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-4,500), Private Education and Health Services (-4,000), and Professional and Business Services (-2,600). Compared to a year ago, total nonfarm payroll jobs increased by +5,900 jobs. The industry groups with the largest jobs increases included: Private Education and Health Services (+18,600), Information (+4,800), and Financial Activities (+3,500). The industry groups with the largest jobs decreases included: Professional and Business Services (-11,600),

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