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As the colder months approach, families often seek out ways to enjoy quality time indoors, especially during the long winter evenings. A winter-themed family game night can be an excellent way to bring everyone together, encourage interaction, and create lasting memories. Whether you’re a seasoned host or planning your first gathering, this guide will provide you with key insights, practical advice, and creative ideas to ensure your winter game night is a success. Choosing the Right Date and Time Before diving into the fun, it's essential to select a date and time that works for all family members. Consider weekends or holiday breaks when everyone is more likely to be available. You can even choose a specific winter holiday, such as Christmas or New Year’s, to add a festive flair to your game night. Once you've settled on a date, send out invitations via email or a family group chat, ensuring everyone is excited about the upcoming event. Setting the Scene: Winter Decor

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ST. LOUIS - The need for blood does not take a holiday break. Audacy and the American Red Cross have partnered once again to help those in need. Be someone’s hero for the holidays – donate blood or platelets at the upcoming Audacy Holiday Heroes Blood Drive from Dec. 17 – Dec. 20, 2024 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day at multiple locations throughout the St. Louis metro area. Tuesday, December 17 Downtown St. Louis YMCA at the MX Wildwood Family YMCA Edward Jones Family YMCA Kirkwood Family YMCA Downtown Belleville YMCA Wednesday, December 18 Mid-County Family YMCA Four Rivers Family YMCA Carondelet Park Rec Complex Monroe County YMCA HTC Center Collinsville Maryville Troy YMCA Emerson YMCA O’Fallon Missouri YMCA Thursday, December 19 East Belleville YMCA South County Family YMCA Bayer YMCA South City Family YMCA Jefferson County YMCA Friday, December 20 RiverChase YMCA (1 p.m. – 6 p.m.) O’Fallon Park Rec

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Police and Fire Departments gained several new members and approval for upgraded equipment at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. The following new Edwardsville Police officers took their Oaths of Office: Evan Matlock Trevor Panyik Dakota Krone Ayden Brewer All four new officers were sworn in as a group shortly before taking pictures with fellow officers and family members. Each officer also received handshakes and congratulations from City Council members. The Edwardsville Fire Department promoted three of its current members; Brett Milton was promoted to Captain, Chad Lankford was promoted to Lieutenant, and Robert Morgan was promoted to Deputy Fire Chief. The department also welcomed the following new members: Bryce Parish Mathew Strzelecki Andrew Gombos David O’Donnell Benjamin Reyn More photos and handshakes followed the three promotions made official on Tuesday night. Each of the newest additions to the Fire

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)—members of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC)—joined U.S. Senators and fellow SASC members Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) in sending a letter to Susan Wiles, President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming Chief of Staff, about whether Pete Hegseth’s attitudes toward women and allegations of sexual assault and harassment disqualify him to be the next Secretary of Defense. Full text of the letter can be found on the Senator’s website . “As Secretary, Mr. Hegseth will set the tone for how women are treated throughout the military and whether women have enough confidence in him to join or remain in the military,” wrote the lawmakers. “Experts tell us that meeting current recruiting goals and building the cutting-edge force we need for the future requires

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EAST SAINT LOUIS — A shooting in East St. Louis on Illinois Route 3 northbound near Interstate 55/64 left one person injured on the morning of Dec. 17, 2024. The incident was reported to the Illinois State Police (ISP) at approximately 9:15 a.m. on Tuesday. According to preliminary investigations by the ISP Zone 6 Division of Criminal Investigation Major Crimes Unit, the victim drove their vehicle to the East St. Louis Police Department after sustaining gunfire injuries. Emergency responders transported the individual to a local hospital for treatment. As a result of the shooting, Illinois Route 3 was closed to traffic, with the roadway reopening around noon, Illinois State Police said. Authorities have not released further information regarding the incident or the condition of the victim.

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WOOD RIVER - Captain Bill Hall was honored this week for serving three decades with the Wood River Fire Department, marking a major milestone in his long and dedicated career in public safety. At Monday’s City Council meeting, Mayor Tom Stalcup presented Captain Hall with a Certificate of Recognition for his 30 years of service with the Wood River Fire Department. Stalcup also outlined some of Hall’s career highlights while presenting his certificate. He said Hall started as an on-call firefighter from May 30, 1989 to Nov. 14, 1994 before being hired the next day as a full-time firefighter and EMT on Nov. 15, 1994. Hall also previously served as an Engineer with the Wood River Fire Department before being promoted to Captain on March 16, 2021. Fire Chief Wade Stahlhut presented Hall with an honorary plaque, noting the changes Hall has seen over his decades of service. “Bill’s seen an evolution of the fire service. In that time, we’ve

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO. — The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has charged 36-year-old Kyle Tweedy with Assault First Degree and Armed Criminal Action following a shooting incident on December 17, 2024. The incident occurred during an altercation in the 1200 block of Darding Drive, where Tweedy is a resident. According to the probable cause statement, Tweedy shot the victim during the altercation, which was witnessed by multiple individuals and partially captured on video. Officers from the St. Louis County Police Department South County Precinct responded to the scene and arrested Tweedy, who was found to be in possession of a firearm and identified as the shooter. Tweedy is currently being held on a cash-only bond of $200,000, with no option for a 10% release. It is important to note that charges are merely an accusation, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Please note, charges are merely an accusation, and Defendants

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SWANSEA - The Swansea Police Department celebrated the graduation of Deputy Chief Keith Howard from Session 292 of the FBI National Academy recently. The ceremony marked the completion of an 11-week training program that included 256 law enforcement professionals from 48 states and 27 countries. Deputy Chief Howard’s achievement is notable, as less than 1% of law enforcement personnel are selected for this prestigious program. The FBI National Academy is recognized for its rigorous training and educational curriculum, aimed at enhancing the leadership skills of law enforcement officials. The graduation ceremony took place at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Va., where participants engaged in a range of advanced training modules designed to prepare them for future challenges in law enforcement. The program emphasizes physical fitness, leadership, and specialized training, fostering a network of law enforcement leaders from around the world. In a statement, the Swansea Police

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JERSEYVILLE - The Jersey Community High School girls bowling team recently achieved a notable accomplishment, finishing second in the Silver Division at the Southern Illinois Team Challenge held at Bel-Air Bowl. This performance has earned the team recognition as the Sparklight Female Athletes of the Month for the Panthers. The team, consisting of Mayere Maynard, Emily Benz, Abbi Benz, Corree Yates, Lauren Towell, and Mila Lancaster, demonstrated strong skills and teamwork throughout the competition. Their success in the tournament reflects their dedication and hard work under the guidance of their coach, Trent Morgan. The Southern Illinois Team Challenge provided a platform for the girls to showcase their talents against various competitors. Their second-place finish in the Silver Division highlights their potential and commitment to the sport.

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul, in partnership with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), announced a $25 million settlement agreement with Grubhub Inc. over its alleged deceptive business practices that harmed customers, delivery drivers and restaurants. Raoul’s office initiated an investigation into Grubhub’s practices after receiving dozens of consumer complaints about the company. The Attorney General’s office worked with the FTC on the investigation and nationwide settlement. “This settlement is the culmination of a multi-year investigation into deceptive and illegal business practices perpetrated by Grubhub,” Raoul said. “I thank FTC Chair Lina Khan for another successful partnership between our offices that has resulted in relief for Illinois consumers, and I remain committed to holding businesses like Grubhub accountable for their deceptive business practices.” “Our investigation found that Grubhub tricked its customers,

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COLLINSVILLE - A Collinsville man facing multiple felony charges in his third case of domestic battery has been ordered to remain in custody. Robert J. Williamson Jr., 34, of Collinsville, was charged with aggravated domestic battery (a Class 2 felony) and domestic battery - second or subsequent (a Class 4 felony). On Dec. 8, 2024 Illinois State Police troopers were responding to a report of a hit-and-run crash on I-55 in Madison County. When they arrived at the scene, they found Williamson and the victim on the side of the road, where the victim reported being battered during an argument inside Williamson’s vehicle. “She reported that the defendant choked her multiple times and struck her about the body,” the petition states. “Troopers observed the victim to have consistent with her statement.” The petition notes Williamson has “multiple prior convictions for domestic battery” including two previous Madison County cases from 2020

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JERSEYVILLE — The Jersey Community High School boys bowling team recently secured a first-place finish in the Silver Division at the Southern Illinois Team Challenge, which took place at Bel-Air Bowl. The event showcased the skills of numerous teams from the region, with JCHS's boys team standing out among the competition. The boys are Sparklight Male Athletes of the Month for the Panthers. The victory was celebrated by Trent Morgan, the boys bowling coach at JCHS, who has been instrumental in guiding the team throughout the season. In addition to the boys' success, the girls team also performed admirably, finishing in second place in their respective Silver Division. The boys team comprised players Michael Gardner, Aaron Hughes, Joey Kiel, Isaac Wargo, Hayden Longley, and Jacob Hetzel, who collectively demonstrated strong teamwork and skill during the competition. Their achievement at this event highlights the growing talent within the JCHS bowling program and sets a positive

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ALTON - On a recent episode of “You’re Beautiful” with Brian Trust, Mike Weller spoke about gratitude, doing your best, and trusting God. Weller shared that he didn’t always have a relationship with God, but since he has developed his faith, he feels like his life has improved. Not only does he believe he is a better person, but he has more appreciation for the positives and the people he encounters. He encourages everyone to live their lives according to God’s teachings. “He’s got a plan. Just shut up and listen to Him,” Weller said. “Just do it to impress Him. That’s it. Do everything with the intent of going to Heaven. How crazy is that?” Weller didn’t always have a close relationship with God. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, he began taking long walks through Alton and praying. As he reconnected with God, he gained a deeper appreciation for God’s love and mercy. “I got back in touch

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COLLINSVILLE – The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has announced that southbound lanes of I-55/70 will experience periodic restrictions between Black Lane and Illinois Route 111 on December 18 and 19, 2024. The right lane will be closed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days, weather permitting, as IDOT District 8 engineering consultants conduct surveys on the bridges over Canteen Creek, A & S Railroad, and IL 111. All lanes are expected to reopen by 5 p.m. on December 19. Motorists traveling through the area should anticipate delays and are advised to allow additional time for their journeys. To mitigate potential disruptions, drivers are encouraged to consider alternate routes when possible. IDOT reminds drivers to remain vigilant in work zones, obey posted speed limits, and avoid using mobile devices while driving. For ongoing updates, IDOT District 8 can be followed on the social media platform X at @IDOTDistrict8, or motorists can access construction details through

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EDWARDSVILLE – In an effort to encourage a vibrant lineup of gatherings for the public’s benefit and enjoyment in Edwardsville, the City is once again offering a Special Events Grant Program. Applications are now being accepted for the Special Events Grant, which is intended to support nonprofit organizations looking to host free events in the community. The grant program was established to help offset the costs and boost the economic impact of community events that take place in Edwardsville. The 2025-26 Special Events Grant Program comes on the heels of last year’s successful round of funding, which benefited numerous organizations. Grant recipients included sporting events, children’s exhibits, festivals and gatherings aimed at showcasing history, fresh produce and crafts, diversity and cultural awareness. “Edwardsville offers a wonderful mix of creative, fun and educational events that cater to every interest,” Mayor Art Risavy said. “We

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– Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) and Chair of the CST Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations and Innovation—issued the following statement in reaction to the Department of Transportation’s finalization of a rule that will expand the rights of passengers with disabilities. This rule mandated that airlines meet more stringent standards for accommodating Americans who use mobility devices, requiring more comprehensive training for relevant airline staff and demanding proper accountability for airlines when something goes wrong. “I know from personal experience that when an airline damages or breaks a wheelchair, it’s much more than a simple inconvenience—it’s the equivalent of breaking someone’s legs,” said Duckworth. “Decades after both the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Air Carrier Access Act became

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COLLINSVILLE — The Collinsville Police Department has named Officer Guiseppi Coppotelli as its Officer of the Month for November 2024. Coppotelli, who joined the department in March 2023, has been recognized for his proactive approach to policing and his commitment to addressing criminal activity in the community. The announcement highlights Coppotelli's efforts in seeking out the criminal element, which department officials say contributes to the safety and well-being of Collinsville residents. “Congratulations Guiseppi and thank you for your proactive service to our residents,” the department stated in a social media post. Coppotelli’s recognition comes amid ongoing efforts by the Collinsville Police Department to enhance community safety and strengthen relationships between officers and residents.

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EDWARDSVILLE - After some discussion at their regular Board of Education meeting on Dec. 16, 2024, the Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 Board approved the 2025–2026 School Calendar. This calendar has prompted discussion at recent meetings as the Board approved construction timelines at Lincoln Middle School, Edwardsville High School and several elementary schools. During summer 2025, eight schools within the district will be under construction, which means the start date for the 2025–2026 school year will be later than usual. “As part of that, we’ve had a lot of conversations in the last year and a half about the 25–26 calendar, because we knew it would be a little bit different, and what that difference looked like, we weren’t sure,” said Superintendent Dr. Patrick Shelton. Because of the summer construction, the 2025–2026 school year will start one week later than usual, on Aug. 20, 2025. Shelton explained that

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GODFREY — The Godfrey Fire Protection District was recently honored with the Gold Firehouse Station Design Award, recognizing the district's commitment to creating a facility that benefits both firefighters and the community. Fire Chief Eric Cranmer emphasized the significance of the award, attributing it to the hard work and dedication of the team involved in the project. "This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication that went into creating a firehouse that serves both our firefighters and the community," Cranmer said. The project was supported by the Board of Trustees, which includes members Matt Horn, Jack Leonard, and Gerard Fischer. Their guidance and support were instrumental throughout the planning and implementation phases. Additionally, the district acknowledged the contributions of Don Wojtkowski, who played a key role in ensuring that the project was designed and delivered with precision. The Godfrey Fire Protection District expressed pride

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EDWARDSVILLE – Edwardsville Community Unit Schools District 7 has named Terese Marinelli as principal of Goshen Elementary School for the 2025-26 school year. Marinelli’s hire was approved Dec. 16 by the District #7 Board of Education. She will assume her role July 1, 2025. Additionally, the following principals will officially transition from interim to permanent roles, effective for the 2025-26 school year: Cole Kringlen at Columbus Elementary, Dr. Debbie Reid at Nelson Elementary, and Dr. Andy Williams at Woodland Elementary. Ali Hiller , interim assistant principal at Woodland Elementary, will also have her interim title removed. Marinelli will join District 7 from Harlem School District 122, where she is in her third year as the assistant principal at Windsor Elementary School. Marinelli also spent three years as the assistant principal at Harlem Middle School. She will succeed Curt Schumacher , who is retiring at the end of the current school

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