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CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reminding Illinoisans to celebrate the 2024 Thanksgiving holiday safely by taking precautions to protect everyone from foodborne illnesses as well as uninvited guests - those seasonal viruses that may be circulating. Hosts can protect their guests by following basic food safety steps, including keeping hot foods hot, cold foods cold, and properly thawing frozen turkeys before roasting them. “Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “I love the food, spending time with family and friends, and the football. As we gather in community this week, I want to remind everybody, and especially those preparing food, that we can prevent unwanted illnesses by following proven food safety tips. Two of the most important are: thoroughly thaw frozen turkeys in the fridge and make sure the turkey and stuffing are cooked to a safe temperature of 165° Fahrenheit.”

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WOOD RIVER - During this Thanksgiving holiday time, Wood River residents are saluting a cherished man who recently celebrated his 100th birthday. Jacob Miller, a World War II veteran in the U.S. Army, was honored recently at the Wood River City Council meeting. To celebrate a century of life and service to his community, Wood River resident Jacob Miller was honored this week as Mayor Tom Stalcup recently proclaimed Nov. 18, 2024 “Jacob Miller Day.” “I have known him practically all my life,” Stalcup said of Miller. “He raised his family in Wood River, he came from Arkansas. All the kids were born in Wood River - they had two boys and a girl, and Jacob’s wife was a cook at Roxana High for forever. Really, really nice family.” The official proclamation describes Miller as “an individual whose journey has inspired and touched the lives of family, friends, and community.” “Jacob has witnessed a century of change

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As dinner plates get filled this holiday season, it’s important to decide what to, and what not to add to your meal. Health experts say moderation is key. “Make sure you choose a little bit of everything you want and savor those foods you enjoy. Don’t fill your plate with foods you don’t like to eat,” says OSF HealthCare registered dietitian Sara Umphfleet. “When referring to moderation, also think about alcohol. It’s typically one drink for women and two drinks for men is the definition of moderation. It’s important that if you’re going to have alcohol, to have a glass of water every time you have a drink, because alcohol can really dehydrate you.” Surrounded by holiday staples like turkey, casseroles, stuffing and more, it’s an easy time to overeat and break any healthy eating habits. Umphfleet shares some ways you can combat this. “If you know it’s going to be some time after breakfast before you have

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EDWARDSVILLE - A team of 26 student entrepreneurs is bringing a family-friendly event to Edwardsville to kick off the holiday season and raise seed money for their own business ventures. Students in the Edwardsville CEO program have been hard at work planning their first-semester fundraising event. “ Jumpstart To Joy - Winter Wonderland Edition ” is coming up soon on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the YMCA Meyer Center in Edwardsville. Tickets are $10 each (plus service fees) and can be purchased online here . While tickets will also be available at the door, the price will increase to $15 each. Ticket holders will gain access to the following activities at no additional cost: Bounce Houses & Obstacles Courses Roller Skating Meet and Greet with Santa & Mrs. Claus Meet and Greet with Princesses ( Brittain's Princess Parties ) Face Painting ( Glitter Faces ) Arts & Crafts Jumbo Games Scavenger Hunt Raffle Items The Edwardsville

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that lanes that have been closed for construction will reopen, where possible, for the Thanksgiving holiday to minimize travel disruption. Non-emergency closures will be suspended from 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27, to 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2. The following lane closures will remain in place during the holiday weekend. Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through these areas. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and stay alert for workers and equipment. At all times, please buckle and drive sober. District 1 City of Chicago Kennedy Expressway (Interstate 90/94) reversible lanes between Lawrence Avenue and Ohio Street; closed. Kennedy between Milwaukee Avenue and Hubbard’s Cave; lane reductions continue. Foster Avenue over the Kennedy; closed.

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EDWARDSVILLE - Senior forward Alandyn Simmons joined the Edwardsville girls basketball team as a transfer from Lift For Life Academy in the Soulard neighborhood of St. Louis, and has made an immediate impact on the Tigers, scoring 23 points in the Tigers' first three games, all wins, 48-43 over Pleasant Plains, 42-29 over Quincy, and 53-38 over Springfield, as the Tigers have started the new season at an impressive 3-0. Simmons scored 11 points in the opener against the Cardinals, then scored six points each in the win over the Blue Devils and the Senators, and has also made an impact defensively, making some big plays in the clutch to help the Tigers go out to their undefeated start. Simmons is a Spencer Homes Female Athlete of the Month for the Tigers. As a junior playing for the Hawks last season, Simmons averaged 2.8 points and 3.1 rebounds-per-game, going along with 12 assists, 21 steals, and 13 blocked shots in helping Lift For Life to the Missouri Class 4 championship, defeatin

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EDWARDSVILLE — Circuit Clerk Tom McRae announced Wednesday that Madison County was awarded a $105,407 Technology Modernization Grant from the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC). “We are grateful to the Illinois Courts for this generous grant and the opportunity to make necessary upgrades without having to pass the costs on to the people of Madison County,” McRae said. McRae credits Circuit Clerk’s Information Technology Manager Brian Davis for his efforts in securing the grant. “I appreciate that he went the extra mile to make this possible,” McRae said. “He always goes above and beyond for the taxpayers of Madison County.” Davis said the grant will fund an IBM iSeries server used for courts case management system and image storage retrieval system. He said this is the third grant received by the Third Judicial Circuit Court in Madison County. He said previous amounts were much less and the grants were used to purchase

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For many, the holidays are filled with friends, family and constant celebration. People put socialization on overdrive and seem to take no breaks. However, for others, the holidays can feel lonelier than any other time of year. Not everyone has close friends and family to spend their time with during these cold few months. Some may have it reserved for extra alone time, and not by their own choice. Taking more time for yourself during the holidays is not unhealthy on its own, but doing so too much can lead to negative emotions and feelings of isolation. There is a difference in taking some alone time to avoid being around others. “Taking some time alone is kind of like taking a break at halftime of a football game,” says Megan Williams, Director of Suicide Prevention for Centerstone. “You’ve been chatting with people, trying to keep the conversation going for a couple of hours, and you need to take a 15-minute break to step away and recharge your batteries.”

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GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College’s Paralegal program has fueled the careers of many students who are excited to share their successes. Chase Giffin recently earned the position of deputy circuit clerk at the Madison County Courthouse and credits the connections he made and opportunities he acquired through L&C’s Paralegal program. “Thank you for offering this amazing program that gave me the opportunity to take internships at Illinois JusticeCorps and Simmons Hanly Conroy LLP, Those opportunities gave me a leg up against the competition,” he said. “If it wasn’t for your program, I would not have gotten this position with Madison County.” Jasmine Akers also expects a brighter future thanks to the Paralegal program. “I wanted to express how much your program has evolved my career path,” she said. “I’ve just accepted a job, and I start Monday. I’m very excited for my new career.

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PONTOON BEACH – The holiday spirit is making its annual debut on the streets of Madison County as the Madison County Transit (MCT) “Holiday Bus” returns to delight passengers throughout December. This tradition embodies the joy of giving, offering complimentary rides to passengers aboard these festive buses. In 2023, the Holiday Bus provided over 5,300 free rides, a testament to the growing excitement surrounding this seasonal event. From December 1 through December 31 , the Holiday Bus will operate daily on three MCT vehicles of varying sizes, traveling across randomly assigned routes in the MCT service area. Passengers boarding these special buses will find a farebox wrapped like a holiday present, signaling their free ride. Some buses may also feature cheerful holiday decorations to brighten riders’ journeys. “Our Holiday Bus has become a favorite tradition for both our riders and our drivers,” said MCT Managing Director SJ Morrison. “Passengers

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GLEN CARBON - Dutch Bros Coffee is one step closer to opening their first-ever Illinois location in Glen Carbon’s continuously developing Orchard Town Center. Plans for the new coffee spot were first announced in June , when Mayor Bob Marcus said the village is “proud to be home to Dutch Bros' first Illinois location." While the location is still far from opening its doors, one minor step towards its construction was taken this week. Village Board members on Tuesday approved a re-subdivision of Orchard Town Center Outparcel 12, dividing it into lots 12A and 12B. "12B is where Dutch Bros will be putting their drive-through establishment,” Community Development Director Erika Heil said. She added that the occupant of lot 12A has not yet been announced. A construction timeline for the new coffee shop is still unclear, as Heil said the site plan is currently under review. Once the site plan goes through the Planning and Zoning Commission, the plan will face

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ST. LOUIS — Colin Brown, a 16-year-old high school hockey player, from the O'Fallon area, died Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 27, 2024, from injuries sustained in a highway shooting over the weekend in St. Louis, police confirmed. Brown was struck by stray gunfire on Saturday night while traveling home from a hockey game on northbound Interstate 55 near Loughborough. St. Louis Police believe the gunfire originated from the opposite direction of traffic. As of Wednesday afternoon, no arrests have been made in connection with the incident. St. Louis police spokesman Mitch McCoy reiterated the department's call for assistance in solving the case, urging anyone with video or other evidence to contact homicide detectives at 314-444-5371 or to provide anonymous tips to CrimeStoppers at 866-371-8477. At the time of the shooting, Brown was in the vehicle with his father, Calvin Brown, a retired lieutenant colonel with the Illinois State Police. St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones issued this statemen

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CASEYVILLE — A vehicular hijacking incident early on Monday, November 25, 2024, in Caseyville led to a police response that resulted in the identification and arrest of a suspect. At approximately 2:24 a.m. on Nov. 25, 2024, Caseyville Police Department officers were dispatched to a local motel following reports of shots fired during an attempted hijacking. Upon arrival, officers found the victim who reported that an unknown suspect had attempted to take their vehicle. During the encounter, an occupant of the vehicle retrieved a firearm and fired at the suspect, who then fled on foot. Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the scene, deploying police canines and drones in an effort to locate the suspect, but initial attempts were unsuccessful. The Caseyville Police Department, in collaboration with the Metro East Auto Theft Task Force, gathered surveillance footage from nearby businesses, which proved instrumental in identifying the suspect. Authorities later determined

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The St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s broadcast station, KSD, presented a special Thanksgiving week program on Monday, November 24, 1924, and the offerings were impressive. The Alton Evening Telegraph printed radio schedules in the newspaper so Altonians could plan to tune in. The 7:00 p.m. show was broadcast from the Missouri Theater (sometimes spelled Theatre) at 626 N. Grand Blvd. in St. Louis. It is no longer a theater, but a section of it still exists as the Angad Arts Hotel. The building is between The Fabulous Fox and Powell Hall (which was originally the St. Louis Theatre). Here is the program, with further explanation of each piece when information was available. Organ solo by Milton Slosser – “Dreamer of Dreams,” music by Ted Fiorito. The Missouri Theatre was equipped with a Wurlitzer Hope-Jones Unit Orchestra organ which had 4 Manuals, 32 Ranks. Vocal Duet by tenor Henry Klotz (often listed as Heinie Klotz) and soprano Peggy Nash. Klotz and Nash were

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HARTFORD — A man was rescued early Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, after becoming trapped inside a garbage truck’s compactor, prompting a response from the Hartford Fire Department and assistance from the Roxana Fire Department. At approximately 4 a.m. on Nov. 27, emergency services were alerted to the situation. The initial call did not specify injuries or the exact location of the man, but upon arrival, firefighters discovered he was stuck inside the truck. The driver of the vehicle reported seeing the man on the truck's camera, waving his arms for help. Firefighters set up ladders to access the truck and reached the man, who complained of severe leg pain and was unable to move. An ambulance was requested, and additional manpower was called in from the Roxana Fire Department. An initial assessment revealed no broken bones or other abnormalities, but concerns about potential internal injuries arose after it was determined the truck had compacted trash while the man was inside.

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COLLINSVILLE — The Collinsville Fire Department honored Lieutenant Frank Arnold for his more than 24 years of dedicated service during a City Council meeting on Tuesday evening, Nov. 26, 2024. Arnold, a lifelong resident of Collinsville, is retiring from his position as a Licensed Paramedic and Advanced Firefighter Technician. Fire Chief John Bailot acknowledged Arnold's extensive contributions to the department, stating, "He's just an all-around good guy. I just really can't explain how much he's done for the department. It's just an enormous amount." In addition to his firefighting credentials, Arnold is also a HAZMAT Technician and a member of the MABAS 35 HAZMAT Team, underscoring his commitment to public safety and emergency response. Mayor Jeff Stehman joined Chief Bailot in expressing gratitude for Arnold's service, marking the occasion as a significant moment for the community.

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EDWARDSVILLE - Four felony charges have been filed against an Edwardsville man for attacking two victims over 60 years of age at the Edwardsville Culver’s restaurant. Chadwick B. Grimm, 50, of Edwardsville, was charged with four counts of aggravated battery, each Class 3 felonies. All four charges were filed in connection to an incident at the Culver’s location in Edwardsville. Court documents state that while at the restaurant, Grimm forcefully pulled on a victim’s seatbelt, causing it to choke her. He was additionally charged with smacking the hand of another victim, causing her to drop her cell phone. Descriptions of the charges state both victims in this case were 60 years of age or older. The Edwardsville Police Department presented the case against Grimm, who was ordered remanded to jail for his initial court appearance. Madison County Sheriff’s Office records indicate Grimm has since been granted pretrial release from custody. The issuance

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WOOD RIVER - One man from Wood River and another from St. Louis have been accused of mob action after “acting together” to attack a victim. Justin J. West, 32, of Wood River, and Gerald L. Bradford Jr., 30, of St. Louis, were each charged with one count of mob action, both Class 4 felonies. On Sept. 22, 2024, both individuals allegedly acted together in striking a victim “about the head and body,” according to Madison County court documents. The Wood River Police Department presented both cases against West and Bradford, who were each granted pretrial release from custody. This marks the region’s second recent case of mob action; three Granite City individuals were charged last week in connection to a mob action incident in Granite City. More details on that case are available in this story on Riverbender.com . The issuance of charges is based solely upon probable cause and is not an indication of guilt. All subjects charged with criminal

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O'FALLON - Donald W. Harris III has been apprehended without incident and charged with one count of Robbery and one count of Theft From Person. At 6:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, O'Fallon Police Officers responded to a call regarding an elderly male found lying on the sidewalk in the 300 block of West Third in O'Fallon. Upon arrival, officers identified the individual as an 89-year-old O’Fallon resident who had been robbed while walking home from the MetroBus Stop on West State near Oak. While walking along South Oak, the resident was approached from behind by an unknown male suspect who attempted to steal his wallet from his coat pocket, O'Fallon Police said. "The suspect succeeded in stealing the wallet, causing the resident to fall to the ground," police added. "The suspect then fled the scene. The resident was able to get up and continue walking until he fell again, when he was located by passersby who called police." O’Fallon Police Officers and Detectives

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BELLEVILLE - Margaritas West, a local restaurant located at 108 E. A Street in Belleville, has officially closed its doors. The announcement was made on social media, where the owners expressed their gratitude to patrons for their support over the past eight years. In their statement, the owners said, "Dear beloved customers, unfortunately, we must close down our restaurant on West Main Street. This will also be our last post as well. We are sorry for delivering this sad news at such short notice since we were notified on short notice." The closure comes as a surprise to many in the community, as the restaurant had been a staple in the area, known for its vibrant atmosphere and dedication to customer service. The owners thanked their customers for "wonderful comments, support, kindness, memories and love," indicating a deep connection with the local community. While the specific reasons for the closure were not disclosed, the owners expressed hope for a future reunion with their patrons

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