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WOOD RIVER - East Alton-Wood River High's Sammy Kulish is a senior standout for the Oilers girls team. The Oilers' athlete is an exceptional student with a 4.0 GPA through high school while taking many honors and dual credit classes. Sammy thanked her mom (Amy Kulish), dad (Brian Kulish), and my grandparents (Pat and Richard Kulish) for always supporting her throughout the years in her volleyball pursuits. Kulish is a Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month for the Oilers. Bethany Billingsley is the Oilers' girls volleyball coach. "I have been playing since fourth grade, starting at Lewis and Clark Elementary," Sammy said. "What I like most about volleyball is the memories I have made throughout the years." Sammy said what she feels she has learned most from girls volleyball over the years is to develop responsibility and have accountability. At this time, she does not plan to play girls volleyball in college. She said she is undecided on a college major but

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BETHALTO - Senior runner Shelby Quick has gotten off to a very good start for the Civic Memorial girls cross country season, running a personal record 21:31.1 at the 50th Pete Robinson/Harry Lang Granite City Invitational meet on Sept. 2 in Granite's Wilson Park, starting off the year with a 22:57.3 in the CM Twilight Invite meet to open the season Aug. 26. Quick is one of the hardest workers on the Eagles, always setting the example for her younger teammates on how to do things. She's also an excellent student as well, carrying a very high GPA who works very hard in the classroom. For all of her hard work, both in school and on the courses and track, Quick has been named a Tom Lane State Farm Female Athlete of the Month f or CM. Quick had a very successful season last year in track and during an interview conducted last spring, Quick was very excited about the upcoming cross country season. "Oh, yeah, I'm excited for next cross country and next track season," Quick said. "Next year

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ALTON - As we commemorate Patriot Day and the 22nd anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, local VFW Post #1308 invites veterans and community members to utilize their services. “So many people need a helping hand once in a while, and that’s why we’re here. That’s what we’re here for, to help those who helped us,” Post #1308 member Bob Myers said. The VFW offers support and resources for veterans who have served overseas. Myers explained that Post #1308 is working to bring in younger veterans, including those who served post-9/11 as part of the Global War on Terrorism. Most of Post #1308’s members served in Korea and Vietnam, and they hope to build their connection with younger veterans who are coming home from Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq. “We’re trying to get more younger people in here, involved, and do what we’re supposed to be doing — helping service people, helping the veterans out when they nee

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JERSEYVILLE - Several stolen vehicle charges have been filed in Jersey County over the past week. Three individuals were charged in connection with two stolen four-wheelers, two others were charged for possessing a stolen Chevy Suburban, and a third was charged for theft of a Buick Encore, in addition to multiple other charges. Heath E. Blaine, 51, of Jerseyville, was charged with unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle for an offense allegedly committed on Sept. 6, during which he knowingly exerted unauthorized control over a “camo color 2002 Suzuki Eiger Quadrunner 400” with the intent to deprive it from its owner permanently. On the same day, Blaine was charged with a second count of stolen vehicle possession for knowingly exerting unauthorized control over an additional vehicle, a 1990 Kymco four-wheeler belonging to a different individual. Blaine faces two Class 2 felony counts and his bail is set at $30,000. Ashley J. Fulmer, 26, of Jerseyville, and Schon

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ALTON - Since her freshman year in high school, one thing can always be said about Marquette Catholic's Paige Rister in cross country and track - she epitomizes the word "consistency." In every meet, Paige is always one of the Explorers' best runners and she has been for multiple seasons. She is primarily a distance runner. Recently, she finished with a time of 22:04.5 in the Granite City Invitational varsity race for women. Page is typically a 3,200-meter runner for the Explorers in the spring in cross country. Paige Rister is a Tucker's Automotive and Repair Female Athlete of the Month for the Explorers. Paige was pleased with her race in the Granite City Invitational. "I think our girls did really well in Granite City," she said. "I am excited to see if I can get a P.R. this season in cross country. I ran a 20:40 for three miles last year at sectional and I hope this season to break 20 minutes. That is my goal." The Explorers' senior has taken over a leadership role in the

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ILLINOIS - Today marks the 22nd anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Local politicians took to social media to express their sorrow for the 2,977 victims and their gratitude to the first responders who were on the scene. “Twenty-two years ago today, our lives were forever changed,” State Representative Amy Elik wrote on social media. “Today we remember the heroes who emerged that day, from first responders who ran toward danger, to the everyday Americans who risked their own safety to help any way that they could. Today we remember the thousands of innocent lives lost in the terror attacks and rededicate ourselves to always standing against hate and evil in this world.” The 9/11 casualties included 343 firefighters. At Edwardsville Middle School, the Edwardsville Fire and Police Departments were invited to a morning flag-lowering ceremony. Students took turns lowering the American flag to half-mast as the firefighters and police officers

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ALTON - The Alton Catfish Classic featured strong competition and the winning team of Kaleb McAdams, Chris Baker and David Shipman brought in a monster catfish that weighed 106.23 pounds for a total of 151.27 pounds of fish. The winners captured $21,500 for their victory. B and R Marine won the Big Fish and $1,500. The second-place team was Rob Benningfield, Chuck Baker and Dustin Baker with a total catch of 130.80 pounds for $8,000. The third-place finishers were the team of Don Fisher, Jackson Mitchell and Mike Mitchell with a total catch of 129.69 pounds for third place. The trio won $5,000.

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EDWARDSVILLE - An Art Deco building on the corner of South Main and Park Street in Edwardsville is officially the new home of the Bank of Madison County after a ribbon-cutting ceremony held last weekend. Paul Abert, Market President of the Bank of Madison County, said he’s a lifelong Edwardsville native and SIUE alum who’s been in banking since 1983, and is proud to be serving his hometown community. “This was an opportunity for me to start Bank of Madison County brand new here, so being in hometown on Main Street, you couldn’t ask for more,” Abert said. Bank of Madison County is a commercial and retail bank which services businesses and individual customers/clients. Abert said the company is breathing new life into the historic building on Main Street and the “lost art” of community banking. “We specialize in what is quite an often overused term of ‘community banking.’ I was fortunate in my early career to learn

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ALTON – Alton Little Theater will be featuring a collection of the most interesting beers and brews in alignment with the 90 th season opening production Beer For Breakfast running from September 15 th through the 24 th . Our goal when patrons, new or returning, come to the ALT Showplace is to experience pure enjoyment away from the cares of the world for a few hours. We love celebrating our local brew masters and the visitors who generate enthusiasm in Alton, where the great River meets the great Prairie, and the living is just fine at ALT! At the Showplace, we take seriously the job of representing our region with love and pride for 90 years! So, come one, come all and checkout the fun to be had at ALT. Come check out a great comedy show, a beautiful theater, a stellar staff, and the best beer in town (even a breakfast stout to commemorate the show title Beer For Breakfast .) Please call 618-462-3205 for tickets or visit altonlitletheater.org .

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EDWARDSVILLE - These are three additional Edwardsville Arts Fair participant profiles, today featuring work from Edwardsville's own Tana Wallace. The Edwardsville Art Fair is Sept. 22-Sept. 24. Artist #1 Name: Tana Wallace Location: Edwardsville Medium: Emerging Artist Artist's Statement: "As an art educator, I see many moments of success and failure, pride, dedication, conflict, honesty, and joy, to name a few. These moments inspire my communication through art as a teacher and creator. Creating my own art has been more present in my life recently as an outlet, and as a means to appreciate all the beauty around me, however ordinary it may be." Artist #2 Name: Nick Nihira Location: Hillsboro, MO Medium: Works on Paper Artist's Statement: "All of my work is hand drawn and then hand pulled as screen prints. My images usually have a little of a dark, comedic twist and deal with themes of rural vs. urban living, solitude, and technology." Artist #3 Name:

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BUZZ MAGAZINE - The casualties from the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 were diverse in many ways. The deaths represented most U.S. states as well as 77 countries, a host of occupations, and a wide array of personal backgrounds. A total of 2,977 individuals lost their lives on that morning, including 2,606 at the World Trade Center, 265 on the four planes involved, and 125 at the Pentagon. The death total excludes the 19 hijackers. It is believed that nine of the civilian deaths were residents of Illinois. Over 6,000 were injured in the incidents. Some 2,605 were U.S. citizens, with 372 citizens of other nations, not including the hijackers. An estimated 344 of the deaths were firefighters, while another 72 were law enforcement officers. At the World Trade Center, the dead included 2,192 civilians and 343 firemen. The 71 law enforcement officers who died at the site hailed from several agencies, including the New York City Police Department, the Port Authority Police Department,

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JERSEYVILLE - The Jersey County Republican Central Committee invites community members to join them for their Sept. 23 fish fry and more as they prepare for the coming election year. “The goal is just to give back to the community,” member Sarah Porter explained. “Anybody is welcome to attend, regardless of how you vote, whatever your political party is. We’re just excited to talk to people and get the word out that we are a local organization that’s happy to help.” The fish fry will kick off at 6 p.m. on Sept. 23 at KC Hall, located at 301 N State Street. The event is completely free, though you can also purchase drinks at a cash bar. They will be raffling a Kate Spade satchel and wallet as well as a Bear Catalyst Crossbow, prizes with a $600 value; enter the raffle for $10 a ticket or three for $25. Porter said that the event’s goal is to connect people and provide a positive experience for the community. She reiterated that community

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CHICAGO - Today, Governor JB Pritzker announced the upcoming departure of Deputy Governor Sol Flores, who has served as Deputy Governor for Health and Human Services since the beginning of the Governor’s first term in January of 2019. The Deputy Governor position will be filled by Grace Hou, current Secretary of the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). Prior to serving as Deputy Governor, Flores was the founding Executive Director of La Casa Norte, a non-profit organization established in 2002 serving youth and families confronting homelessness. “Sol Flores has dedicated countless hours of work and a lifetime of expertise to my administration over the last four and a half years; she has led with a focused tenacity, passion and energy, and I am incredibly grateful for her years of service,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Although she will be missed at IDHS, Secretary Hou has been a partner in some of our largest and most impactful initiatives, and I’

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MANTENO – Governor JB Pritzker and Gotion today joined local Illinois leaders and officials to announce the company’s decision to locate its new state-of-the-art $2 billion electric vehicle (EV) lithium battery manufacturing plant in Manteno. Bolstered by a REV Illinois (Reimagining Energy and Vehicles) incentive package and the new Invest in Illinois fund, Gotion’s decision to locate its new gigafactory in Illinois speaks to the state’s growing reputation as an EV manufacturing powerhouse and represents a significant step forward in growing its EV ecosystem and supply chain. The plant is expected to begin production in 2024. “Today, we take another leap forward, announcing the largest electric vehicle battery production investment in Illinois to date. It’s my pleasure to welcome a world-leading battery manufacturer — Gotion — to Illinois,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This announcement is a testament to Illinois status as

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ALTON - The Sixth Annual Alton Cigar event created by host Derrick Richardson will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, at Bluff City Grill, 424 E. Broadway. Bluff City Grill is a local restaurant/bar owned by Cathy Gross. "Scott Biancardi, owner of STL Cigars, is amazingly skilled in the art of cigar-rolling, and will roll the cigar of your choice right in front of you," Richardson, organizer of the event, said. "Brandon Shaw aka DJ Brando, a local DJ, will be playing a mix of the oldies and the newest hits. “The Alton Cigar Event is six years strong. This event is about bonding and cigars. Every year, the attendance gets bigger, and there will be plenty of seating. BCG has wonderful food and drink selections for purchase. Even if you don’t smoke cigars, come out and be a part of the fun." This is a rain-or-shine event under the covered outdoor patio. Admission is free to the public.

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HIGHLAND - Highland Arts Council invites community members to embrace their creative side at the upcoming Art in the Park weekend at Lindendale Park in Highland. From Oct. 14–15, visitors can peruse the exhibitions, watch art demonstrations and potentially win free artwork. With 65 featured artists and a predicted 8,000–9,000 attendees, this family-friendly event encourages art appreciation at all ages. “People don’t realize how much creativity is in every occupation that we have,” said Lynnette Schuepbach, chairperson with the council. “The mission of Highland Arts Council is to bring the art to the community, to keep people thinking creatively, so then it spills over into their jobs and everything that they do.” From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, visitors can enjoy the exhibits and speak to the artists, who work with a variety of mediums. There will also be a few performing artists and demonstrations

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GODFREY – The Cookie Factory Bakery and Cafe has found its sweet spot at Alton Square Mall under Alton native Sarah Kinder, who purchased the business on Jan. 1, 2022. Kinder took over the business on Jan. 1, 2022, and has 18 employees helping her with the day-to-day operations. The Cookie Factory Bakery and Café has been selected as the September 2023 Small Business of the Month award recipient by the RiverBend Growth Association. The bakery and restaurant, at 202 Alton Square in Alton, is located on the second floor of Alton Square Mall and has been a mainstay for generations of customers enjoying the cookies, sweets and munchies baked daily there. Satisfying the region’s sweet tooth now for 43 years, The Cookie Factory was first opened by Linda McCormick at the mall, who operated the successful eatery until her retirement and sale of the business to Alton native Sarah Kinder. “I was an at-home baker looking to move into a storefront but was not sure where

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ALTON - The Sixth Annual Alton Cigar event will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, at Bluff City Grill, 424 E. Broadway. "Bluff City Grill is a local restaurant/bar owned by Cathy Gross. Scott Biancardi, owner of STL Cigars, is amazingly skilled in the art of cigar-rolling, and will roll the cigar of your choice right in front of you," Derrick D. Richardson, organizer of the event, said. "Brandon Shaw aka DJ Brando, a local DJ, will be playing a mix of the oldies and the newest hits. “The Alton Cigar Event is six years strong. This event is about bonding and cigars. Every year, the attendance gets bigger, and there will be plenty of seating. BCG has wonderful food and drink selections for purchase. Even if you don’t smoke cigars, come out and be a part of the fun." This is a rain-or-shine event under the covered outdoor patio. Admission is free to the public.

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WOOD RIVER - After 40 years in the business, Meyer Jewelry Group will close their doors for good at the end of the month. Jim Meyer repaired and created custom jewelry throughout the Riverbend area until his passing in July 2020. The shop was closed for a year and then reopened by his son-in-law, Jeremy Morris, in August 2021. In a Facebook post on Sept. 8, the store announced their permanent closure, scheduled tentatively for Sept. 30. “An opportunity has presented itself that better suits Jeremy and our family,” the post read. “We are grateful for your support of Meyer Jewelry for over 40 years. Jim built this amazing business in the 70s and loved sharing his talent and love of art with the Riverbend area even in his last days. There is no way to fully express our gratitude for your loyalty and love of Jim and Meyer Jewelry.” The store is known for their jewelry repair and cleaning services. They also offer a range of diamonds and fashion jewelry, including

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EDWARDSVILLE - A sign resembling giant metal chopsticks on the south side of the new Drunken Fish restaurant in Edwardsville will either have to change or come down following the City Council’s unanimous denial of multiple requested sign variances. According to city officials and documentation from Tuesday’s meeting packet, Highland based graphic design company Aggressive designed and allegedly installed the sign without the city’s permission. Members of the city’s Administrative and Community Services (ACS) Committee voted unanimously to deny a series of variances that would’ve allowed the sign to remain standing - or in this case, projecting from the wall. The sign violates multiple parts of the city’s signage code by reaching more than three feet above the building’s roof and extending closer than eight feet to the ground. “This is a hard one - I’m just going to come out and say that,” ACS Committee Chair Elizabeth

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