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BELLEVILLE — The St. Clair County Transit District announced Tuesday it has received $450,000 in federal Transportation Alternatives Program funds to develop Phase 1 of the Fairview Heights-Swansea Trail. This initial phase will construct a 0.25-mile connector trail extending from Illinois 161 and Sullivan Drive/Union Hill Road north to the existing MetroBikeLink System of trails. The project, located in Fairview Heights, is part of a three-phase effort that will ultimately create a 4.2-mile bike trail corridor stretching from the intersection of Highway 161 and Sullivan Drive/Union Hill Road to Longacre Drive. The corridor will integrate into the St. Clair County Transit District’s MetroBikeLink System, which currently comprises 39 miles of interconnected trails and bike paths throughout St. Clair County, linking six Metro Transit Centers. Phase 1 will feature a separated, 10-foot-wide paved shared-use path running parallel to Sullivan Drive/Union Hill Road within the county’

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ALTON - The Alton Fitness Court is officially open. On Sept. 23, 2025, the community came together for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the installation of the fitness court at Riverfront Park. The Alton Parks and Recreation Department collaborated with the National Fitness Campaign and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois to fund and install the court. “This is a wonderful, wonderful thing for our community,” said Mayor David Goins. “We’re so proud to see this down here. It’s such a beautiful venue, the river, the bridge, the amphitheater, the marina. It’s just a wonderful, wonderful thing that we have for our community.” The fitness court has several stations where community members can complete exercises, as well as an open space for fitness classes. Lyndsey Younger, executive director of the Alton Parks and Recreation Department, shared that the project has been in the works since December 2024 when Goins received an email from

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LEBANON - After receiving submissions from across the 114th District, State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) selected Minerva Boutique to be his “Business of the Month” for September. Rep. Schmidt presented the owner, Catherine Donelle Gress, with an official certificate of recognition for sharing her vision and boutique style apparel with the Lebanon community. “Minerva Boutique is very unique and brings creative life to the city of Lebanon,” said Schmidt. “C. Donelle has turned her business into a special gathering place for customers. She affectionately refers to her customers as goddesses. For almost ten years, she has transformed her passion for style into services for women with high quality clothing, full-service styling, impeccable customer service and her own private label, Goddess Melange & Goddess Provisions.” Minerva Boutique offers a high-end eclectic collection of carefully curated clothing, leather handbags & artisan

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ROXANA - Roxana Senior High Principal Jason Dandurand, of Roxana Senior High School announced today that Gavin Springer has been named a Commended Student in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. A Letter of Commendation from the school and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), which conducts the program, will be presented by the principal to this scholastically talented senior. About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although he will not continue in the 2026 competition for National Merit Scholarship Awards, Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the 2026 competition by taking the 2024 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). “Those being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success," commented a spokesperson for NMSC. “These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizin

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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — Zachariah Yinger, 37, owner of High Life at 122 Lincoln Highway in Fairview Heights, was arrested Sept. 19, 2025, following a multi-month investigation led by the Illinois State Police and Fairview Heights Police into the illegal sale of nitrous oxide, authorities said. A search warrant executed at High Life resulted in the seizure of nitrous oxide canisters and related paraphernalia. Following the investigation, the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office issued an arrest warrant charging Yinger with unlawful possession with intent to deliver nitrous oxide (case number 2025CF001545). On the same day, Yinger was also charged in Madison County in connection with a separate store he owns, facing the same charge (case number 25CF2319). Fairview Heights Chief of Police Steve Johnson said the department is dedicated to protecting community health and safety and condemned the illegal sale of nitrous oxide disguised as legitimate business practices.

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EDWARDSVILLE - During their regular meeting on Sept. 22, 2025, the Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 discussed where to host graduation for the Class of 2026. Superintendent Dr. Patrick Shelton explained that the district released “a brief survey” to parents and students of the Class of 2026 asking if they would prefer to experience graduation at the SIUE Vadalabene Center or the Edwardsville High School gymnasium. “As we mentioned at the last meeting, it’s pretty much a cost-neutral move,” he said. During the Board work session earlier in the month, Shelton explained that the SIUE Vadalabene Center holds more people than the EHS gymnasium. The Class of 2025 graduation was held at the SIUE Vadalabene Center due to construction at the high school. Shelton asked the Board to consider where graduation should be held moving forward. The Board asked the district to put out a survey to parents and students so they could decide. They

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Did you know that the average person spends over 6 hours per week reading for pleasure, yet many do so in spaces that fail to inspire or comfort? The environment in which you read can dramatically influence your focus, relaxation, and overall enjoyment. Designing a cozy reading nook isn’t merely about aesthetics—it’s about crafting a personal sanctuary that invites you to unwind and immerse yourself in stories or knowledge. Whether your reading habits are occasional escapes or daily rituals, a thoughtfully arranged nook can transform those moments into richer, more satisfying experiences. Here’s how to create a reading space that combines comfort, functionality, and style. Selecting the Ideal Location The foundation of any effective reading nook lies in its placement. The right spot can enhance natural light, reduce distractions, and cater to your comfort needs. Consider Natural Light and Privacy Studies show that natural light improves mood and focus,

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September 23 has long been a date marked by significant events across the globe, shaping history in profound ways. Moving back through history on this day, September 23 has been witness to a variety of pivotal moments spanning politics, science, culture, and exploration. In 1846, the planet Neptune was discovered by astronomers Johann Galle and Heinrich d'Arrest, based on predictions by Urbain Le Verrier. This discovery expanded our understanding of the solar system and marked a triumph of mathematical prediction in astronomy. It was a milestone that underscored human curiosity and the relentless pursuit of knowledge about our universe. Fast forward to 1932, when the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was officially proclaimed by Abdulaziz Ibn Saud. This unification of disparate regions laid the foundation for the modern state of Saudi Arabia, a country that would soon become a key player in global geopolitics and energy markets. The announcement on September 23 was a turning point in Middle

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ALTON - The Riverbend community has the opportunity to come together for community beautification. From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, community members can join the Alton Fall City-Wide Litter Clean-Up sponsored by Pride, Inc. Pat Stewart noted that Pride, Inc. hosts the clean-ups to beautify the community and unite people under the common goal of taking care of their city. “It’s just a great way to get people together,” Stewart said. “All we can do is do our part to keep the streets clean and make people kind of take a look at the city and go, ‘This really is a cute little town.’ I think it makes us very proud.” Pride, Inc. has sponsored biannual litter clean-ups for years, and they’re starting to see a major difference. Each clean-up collects 50–100 bags of trash, but Stewart has noticed that 80% of the streets “don’t look nearly as bad as they used to” year-round. She believes this differenc

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Today will bring a high of 80 degrees and a low of 66 degrees with cloudy and humid conditions. Periods of rain and thunderstorms will start this afternoon and continue into the night. It will feel very warm with afternoon highs feeling like 84 degrees. Overnight, heavy rain and thunderstorms are possible, bringing beneficial rain but also a risk of localized flooding. Allergy alert: Mold levels are moderate, with ragweed and grass pollen low. Tomorrow's outlook calls for a high of 74 and a low of 59. Expect mostly cloudy skies with a couple of showers and a thunderstorm possible. It will remain humid with temperatures feeling pleasant but cooler, feeling like 74 degrees. For the latest updates, visit https://riverbender.com/weather .

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ALTON – A resolution to allocate nearly $184,000 to design “streetscape and transportation improvements” on East Broadway is on its way to the Alton City Council. Committee of the Whole members on Monday approved a resolution appropriating $183,914 in Riverfront Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District Funds, or as much is needed to complete the design portion of the project. According to the resolution, the project requires additional funding through the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), resulting in a Joint Funding Agreement between the city and IDOT. The full scope of the project consists of “professional design services including civil engineering, land surveying, and landscape architecture for the design of streetscape and transportation improvements,” according to the Joint Funding Agreement. The designed improvements are set to span 0.59 miles of East Broadway from Market Street to Ridge Street. Also passed on Monday was an Engineering

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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville High School has announced that seven of its students have been recognized as National Merit Scholarship Program Commended Students for their exceptional academic performance. The following students received this honor: Kaan Demirer Maya Hatch Ian McGinness Josie Proctor Myurie Suthan Logan Szymanski Andrew Wang The National Merit Scholarship Program recognizes students based on their performance on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). Each of these students posted scores among the top 50,000 in the nation out of roughly 1.5 million juniors who take the PSAT each year, placing them in the top 2–3 percent nationally and reflecting exceptional academic ability and potential for future success.

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — An 8-year-old boy died Sunday evening, Sept. 21, 2025, after a backyard swing set collapsed and trapped him beneath a crossbar in the 11300 block of Larimore Road, authorities said. St. Louis County Police Department Bureau of Crimes Against Persons detectives are investigating the accidental death of Cortez Williams Jr., who was found unresponsive at approximately 6 p.m. on September 21, 2025. Officers from the North County Precinct responded to a call for a sick case at the residence. According to a preliminary investigation, Cortez was playing on the swing set when it collapsed. Family members were able to free him, and he initially appeared to have minor injuries. However, he later became unresponsive and was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police said additional information will be released as it becomes available.

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EDWARDSVILLE — Erin Hamilton-Foley, a former assistant principal at Edwardsville High School, was convicted Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and sentenced to four years in prison. The 53-year-old pleaded guilty in Madison County Circuit Court to a Class 1 felony charge related to a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student while she held a position of trust and authority. Hamilton-Foley was charged in May 2023 after the Edwardsville Police Department investigated the case. The student was under the age of 18 at the time of the relationship, making the conduct a criminal offense due to Hamilton-Foley’s supervisory role. Following her prison term, Hamilton-Foley will be required to register as a sex offender and serve a period of Mandatory Supervised Release, formerly known as parole. The case was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorneys Ali Foley (no relation), head of the Children’s Justice Division, and Rebecca Buettner, who

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WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO-05), Ranking Member of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, jointly announced the introduction of the Sparking Production of Urban and Rural (SPUR) Housing Act . The SPUR Housing Act establishes a fund to increase the capacity of emerging developers – those with limited development experience and limited resources – who are undertaking affordable housing and community development projects. The funds are made available through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the form of competitive grants for nonprofit housing organizations and community development financial institutions (CDFIs) providing financing, capacity-building training, and technical assistance to eligible emerging developers. “Despite there being more than 112,000 real estate development companies in the United States, only one percent

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) is expanding its successful Intern to Hire Program partnering with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to include engineering roles. This initiative provides a clear pathway for aspiring civil engineers to launch and sustain long-term public service careers in the State of Illinois. This expanded program comes amid a nationwide shortage of engineering professionals and a historic period of unprecedented infrastructure investment in Illinois. The program offers structured, paid internships leading to full-time State employment, providing hands-on experience and professional development to meet critical workforce needs. “We are investing in the future of the State’s workforce, with a focus on engineers,” said Raven A. DeVaughn, Director of CMS. “This program is not only creating career opportunities for emerging professionals, but also helping us reform and modernize

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WOOD RIVER — After 18 years of dedicated leadership, Tammy Iskarous, Founder and Executive Director of Riverbend Family Ministries (RFM), has announced her retirement, marking a significant milestone in the organization’s history. At RFM’s annual banquet on September 18, Tammy made the official announcement of her transition. The event, which raised $82,999, served as both a fundraiser and a celebration of the annual impact of RFM’s work—highlighting the thousands of people served, the community of supporters who make it possible, and the many partnerships both within RFM’s building and throughout Madison County. “It has been the honor of a lifetime to walk alongside this community—staff, volunteers, donors, and partners—as we’ve built something bigger than ourselves: a place where families find strength, healing, and a new path forward,” Tammy shared during the announcement. “I am filled with gratitude and pride

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) held a press conference with Congressman Jack Bergman (MI-01) and Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) to call on the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to improve service for Americans and protect postal employees. Budzinski highlighted the decline in USPS on-time mail delivery rates, the importance of preserving USPS’s Universal Service Obligation, and her commitment to safeguarding local postal jobs in Central and Southern Illinois. Budzinski, Bergman, and Pappas, along with Congressman Andrew Garbarino (NY-02), serve as co-chairs of the Congressional Postal Service Caucus. The new, bipartisan group focuses on improving on-time delivery rates, protecting postal employees, and stopping harmful facility consolidations and threats of privatization that reduce access in rural and underserved areas. “The Postal Service is a lifeline, especially for our rural communities. But in recent years, service reliability ha

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after three Russian fighter jets violated the airspace of Estonia, marking the third time Vladimir Putin has violated NATO airspace this month: “This is now the third Russian violation of NATO airspace and our allies’ sovereignty this month, and each is simply unacceptable. “Putin is clearly testing the NATO alliance’s commitment to mutual defense and taking advantage of Trump’s flip-flopping to threaten our allies and stoke instability. We must listen to our allies and what they need in this tense moment and stay united against Russian aggression, whether in Poland, Romania, Estonia, Ukraine or anywhere else. “The safety and stability of our close friends and allies aren’t just paramount to U.S. interests—they also help ensure American troops aren’t sent into conflict abroad. I’m doing everything in my power to help ensure

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ALTON - Kids and families are invited to a “Back-to-School Foos Fiesta” foosball party. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, at Crane’s Clubhouse, community members can enjoy food, vendors, an ice cream truck, live music, and foosball tournaments. Joshua and Kristina Crane, who opened Crane’s Clubhouse in the Milton Schoolhouse earlier this year, can’t wait to welcome the community for a fun day and a chance to engage in their favorite game. “What we’re trying to do is bring family, friends and foosball together,” Joshua said. “We’re trying to get people introduced to foosball but also provide something that would be interesting and free for the community.” The free event invites kids of all ages and skill levels to participate in three tournaments. There will be prizes for the top winners. Families can also enjoy face-painting, craft vendors, food vendors and an ice cream truck. Joshua and Kristina

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