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BETHALTO - Bethalto Community Unit School District #8 has five “commendable” schools, according to the Illinois School Report Card. During the Board of Education’s regular meeting on Nov. 26, 2024, Director of Teaching and Learning Alyssa Smith analyzed the scores on the Illinois School Report Card. These scores measure how school districts compare throughout the State of Illinois. All five of Bethalto’s schools received “commendable” designations. “It is extremely impressive,” Smith said. “This is a thrill to see.” Civic Memorial High School received a score of 90.77. The “exemplary” designation is 91.26, meaning Civic Memorial was .49 points away from an “exemplary” score. Smith and Civic Memorial Principal Justin Newell requested a meeting with the state before the official scores were released to contest this, but the meeting was rescheduled for December. During that December meeting, the

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EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County Board Chairman-elect Chris Slusser selected his successor for Treasurer. Slusser picked County Board member Mike Babcock of Bethalto to fill the seat being left vacant after he being elected to his new role as chairman. His appointment will go for a vote at 5 p.m., Monday, Dec. 2 during the County Board’s Reorganization meeting. “I believe Mike has the integrity and background necessary to safeguard the taxpayers’ money,” Slusser said. “I’ve known him for more than 15 years, plus he has experience in county government as well as managing investments.” Slusser held the position of treasurer for the past eight years. Babcock has served District 14 of the County Board since 2020. Babcock also serves as the Wood River Township supervisor, a position he’s held the past 15 years, and will continue to hold until the Spring 2025 election. With the help of his township board, Babcock balanced the budget an

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Thanksgiving is a cherished holiday filled with family gatherings, festive meals, and expressions of gratitude. However, the preparation for this festive occasion can often feel overwhelming. From grocery shopping to cooking, decorating, and coordinating schedules, it’s easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle. Staying organized during Thanksgiving prep not only alleviates stress but also allows you to enjoy the holiday to its fullest. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you maintain order amidst the chaos. Create a Detailed Plan Set a Menu Early Start by planning your Thanksgiving menu well in advance—ideally, a few weeks before the holiday. Consider the traditional dishes you want to prepare, as well as any new recipes you might want to try. Once you’ve settled on the menu, create a master grocery list that includes all the ingredients needed for each dish. This will not only streamline your shopping but also ensure you don’t forget any essential

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As we look back at November 27th throughout history, we find ourselves reflecting on a tapestry of events that have shaped our world in remarkable ways. One of the most significant events to occur on November 27th took place in 1939, when the renowned physicist Albert Einstein sent a letter to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. In this correspondence, Einstein warned about the potential development of “extremely powerful bombs of a new type” — a reference to nuclear weapons. This letter ultimately played a crucial role in the initiation of the Manhattan Project, which aimed to develop atomic bombs during World War II. The implications of this letter reached far beyond its time, leading to the creation of weapons that would end the war and usher in the nuclear age, forever altering international relations and military strategy. Fast forward to 1942, and we find another pivotal moment in history. On this day, the United States began its first significant military

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JERSEYVILLE - Sgt. Mitch Reynolds has officially retired from the Jerseyville Police Department, capping off a law enforcement career of over 25 years as he transitions to a new role as Jersey County Circuit Clerk. Reynolds was honored at Tuesday’s Jerseyville City Council meeting, where council members approved his retirement letter after Mayor Kevin Stork read it aloud. In the letter, Reynolds reflected on the longevity and impact of his law enforcement career, which began on June 21, 1999. “It has been my privilege to work for and in my hometown,” Reynolds wrote in his retirement letter. “I have worked under seven different mayors and three different chiefs of police. I have trained 25 different probationary police officers during my 20 years of ranking as sergeant.” Reynolds also thanked his community, adding he feels “honored to be a small part of the history of Jerseyville,” as well as his family for their continued support. &ldqu

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ALTON - Mrs. Mary C. Donahue of Alton & Jeffrey E. Donahue, of Alton are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Felicia Anne-Marie Donahue to Allen Bernard Brooks, Jr. Allen is the son of the late Allen Brooks Sr., and Dawn Walton, of Florissant, MO. Felicia & Allen were members of the 2018 graduating class of Marquette Catholic High School in Alton and that is where they first met.

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY — Detectives from the St. Louis County Police Department are investigating a homicide that occurred in the 1400 block of Cedar Bluff Drive, resulting in the death of an adult male. Police officers from the West County Precinct responded to a welfare check at 1:11 p.m. on Tuesday. Upon arrival, they discovered the male victim suffering from injuries inside the residence. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities have a person of interest in custody as part of the investigation, which remains ongoing. Additional details will be released as they become available. The St. Louis County Police Department encourages anyone with information about the incident to contact them at 636-529-8210. Individuals wishing to remain anonymous or potentially receive a reward can reach out to CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477).

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BELLEVILLE – Daryl S. Muhammad, a 48-year-old resident of Marietta, Ga., has been convicted for his role in a shooting and armed robbery that occurred at the Casino Queen in 2017. Following a week-long trial that concluded on Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, Muhammad was found guilty of multiple charges, including Armed Robbery, Aggravated Battery with a Firearm, and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon. The incident took place on Sept. 17, 2017, when three men armed with rifles entered the Casino Queen around 2:55 a.m. During the robbery, an unarmed security guard was shot, and the assailants made off with over $47,000. The Illinois State Police (ISP) launched an extensive investigation that ultimately led them to Muhammad in Cobb County, Georgia. He was charged and arrested in January 2019. ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly emphasized the gravity of Muhammad's actions, stating, “The defendant’s egregious actions show a complete lack of respect for life and the law.

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EDWARDSVILLE - Owen Mahler, a central midfield defender for the Edwardsville boys soccer team. closed his career with an appearance in the IHSA Class 3A State Boys Soccer Tournament final four recently. He had a goal in a shootout against Naperville Central in the super-sectional where the Tigers won the shootout to head to state. Mahler is a Spencer Homes Male Athlete of the Month. Mahler assumed a leadership role for the Tigers for the 2024 season. "I saw myself as a leader," he said. "I played varsity last year, and I felt like I should take a step up, and not just be here to play, but be here to help lead other people." Mahler's expectations for the team were very solid and high all season. The Edwardsville player was very excited to play in the final four matchups of the state tournament. In the end, Edwardsville was one of the premier teams in Southern Illinois, catching fire late in the season. Edwardsville lost to Chicago Lane 3-2 and Hinsdale Central 3-1 in the third-place

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GRANITE CITY — Senior linebacker and defensive back Alex Poston emerged as a key player for Granite City's football team this season, playing a pivotal role in the Warriors' defensive efforts. His contributions have earned him recognition as the Stillwater Senior Living Male Athlete of the Month. Under the guidance of new head coach Steve Roustio, Poston and his teammates were focused on improving the program. "We were just being a better team altogether this season," Poston said, reflecting on the positive culture changes brought by Roustio. "He's made a big difference. He's a better coach for the kids." Poston accepted a leadership role, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and focus among his peers. "I was one of the leaders," he noted. "My goals were just getting the team together, letting people know what they were supposed to do, and staying focused." Throughout the season, Poston consistently contributed to the Warriors' defensive efforts. In games against O'Fallon,

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - On Tuesday, November 26, 2024, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued charges on suspect Michael Duncan, 39 years of age, of the 1400 block of Coachway Lane in Hazelwood, Missouri 63042, for three counts of Stealing $750 or more. A booking photo of Duncan is attached. Duncan is being held on a $30,000 cash only, no 10% bond. Please note, charges are merely an accusation, and Defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law. The probable cause statement reads: Defendant went into the Menards store located in the 14000 block of Manchester Road on November 14,18, and 20 and took multiple miscellaneous power tools each day walking past all points of sale not paying for any of the items. The value of the items on each day was in excess of $750 dollars. Defendant was captured on store surveillance. An officer familiar with the Defendant recognized Defendant from the photos of Defendant when he took the merchandise

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ALTON — Henry Neely capped off his high school golf career with a standout performance, helping to solidify Alton High School's boys' golf team as a formidable competitor in the fall of 2024. Neely, alongside teammate Sam Ottwell, emerged as leaders of the Redbirds golf squad, showcasing their skills throughout the season. A highlight of Neely's season came at the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Regional held in Collinsville, where he recorded an impressive score of 79 over 18 holes. According to Redbirds' Head Boys Golf Coach Dylan Dudley, Neely's performance would have allowed him to advance past every other regional competition in the state. "I am so proud of his effort throughout the season," Dudley said. Neely's journey in golf has been marked by significant improvement. Dudley noted that in his first varsity tournament, Neely scored a 117, making his recent achievement all the more remarkable. "To see him shoot a 79 was outstanding," the coach added. In recognition

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ALTON - Rodger Zawodniak, a standout athlete from Marquette Catholic, concluded the 2024 boys cross country season with impressive performances, marking a notable year for the area runner. Zawodniak is a Tucker's Automotive Repair & Tire Male Athlete of the Month and received the title of Runner of the Year from the Alton Road Runners Club for the Marquette Catholic boys team. Throughout the season, Zawodniak demonstrated consistent improvement, starting with a time of 21:25.7 at the Civic Memorial Twilight Invitational. He made significant strides in subsequent races, nearly breaking the 20-minute barrier at the Granite City Robinson/Lang Cross Country Invitational. His season-best time came during the East Alton-Wood River Invite on Oct. 12, 2024 where he clocked in at 19:11.7, achieving a personal record and ninth position. In addition to his athletic accomplishments, Zawodniak has made a meaningful impact in his community through leadership and service. He has played a key role

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ALTON - Community members gathered at LaMay’s Catering in Alton to distribute Thanksgiving meals. On Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, LaMay’s Catering and several other community partners came together to distribute turkeys and side dishes to anyone who stopped by the building, located at 909 E. Broadway in Alton. They also served hot meals to community members and prepared Thanksgiving meals to be distributed at local nursing homes. “I believe it’s the DNA of our community,” said Jason Harrison, owner of LaMay’s. “I just love being part of this fabric, the DNA of our community. It’s not just us. It’s what our community does. I’ve seen it with so many other people. I’m glad to do my part of it.” Jason thanked community partners like Deliverance Temple and Hope and Smoke BBQ , which smoked the turkeys, for their help. He said the annual giveaway would not be possible without the support of these other organizations.

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WOOD RIVER - A 45-year-old man from Huntsville, Illinois, was charged today with burglary in connection to an incident at a local fitness center. Steven J. Kuklinski faces allegations of breaking into Pride Fitness, located at 1533 E. Edwardsville Rd. in Wood River, Illinois. The burglary was reported to the Wood River Police Department on November 12, 2024, after the owner discovered the break-in while preparing to open for business. Following the report, both the Patrol Division and Investigation Division of the Wood River Police Department pursued multiple leads to identify the suspect. Kuklinski was apprehended this morning in Belleville, Illinois. He was taken into custody and subsequently transported to the Wood River City Jail, with plans to transfer him to the Madison County Jail. “This case was brought together due to good police work by Patrol Officers and Detectives with the Wood River Police Department,” said a spokesperson for the department. “I commend

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SPRINGFIELD – Traveling. Shopping. Hosting family and friends. Taking some extra steps will help you to keep those activities festive. Otherwise, you might feel the stress of a stranded vehicle, cyber crime, or a home catastrophe. Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau said, “The holiday season can easily be overshadowed by a car break-down, digital theft, or a heating mishap. This is the time to take some precautions so that your holidays play out as intended.” December is Holiday Safety Month and with so many people traveling for Thanksgiving, this is the perfect time to think about safety. Vacations: Travel tips can save a trip to grandma’s house. Make sure everyone has an emergency communications plan and cell phone battery chargers. Have a vehicle emergency kit in each vehicle and review weather forecasts before and during any travel. Cyber safety: Whether shopping online or

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ALTON - Celebrate Small Business Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, by finding locally-made, environmentally-friendly gifts for your friends and family right here in Downtown Alton. Alton Main Street is teaming up with the Sierra Club Illinois’ Three Rivers Project to present the 22nd annual Green Gift Bazaar to continue their tradition of “going green” for the holidays. The event will feature 45 eco-artisans and green vendors at two locations: Post Commons, located at 300 Alby St., and around the corner at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church at 10 E. 3rd Street in Alton. The event will be held on Saturday, November 30th, from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. There is no entry fee to shop. Attendees of the Green Gift Bazaar will be provided with a brochure full of Small Business Saturday information, featuring refreshments, giveaways, discounts, free gifts with purchase, gift card specials, in-store activities, etc. from 22 downtown retailers and restaurants. Plan a day of

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ALTON - The City of Alton appears set to invest $200,000 towards the replacement of a bridge on Pebble Creek Drive, just off Humbert Road. The bridge, described as a “superstructure,” measures just 47.5 feet in length and carries the road over Black Creek, which runs through the area. Committee of the Whole members this week approved a Local Public Agency Engineering Services Agreement between the City of Alton and Lochmueller Group, Inc. related to the bridge replacement project. Under the agreement, Lochmueller will “prepare superstructure replacement plans” and perform construction engineering services as the project’s prime consultant. Sheppard, Morgan & Schwaab Inc. (SMS) will serve as the subconsultant. The cost of the engineering and construction work to be completed totals $195,735. The committee also passed a related resolution authorizing $200,000 for the structure to be improved under the Illinois Highway Code. Committee

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As the holidays approach, home cooks often search for new time-saving dinner options for busy weeknights, or dishes and appetizers that will impress guests at holiday events. While dairy foods are often foundational ingredients in holiday and comfort food recipes, one dairy food — ricotta cheese — stands out this time of year due to its versatility, subtle flair and nutrition. Traditionally, cheesemakers make this fresh cheese from whey, a milk protein. To make ricotta, cheesemakers combine liquid whey with milk and vinegar, and then heat the mixture until the whey coagulates and forms the soft cheese known as ricotta. While moisture-rich ricotta cheese is slightly firm, it is not a solid cheese. Ricotta also has a smoother texture than cottage cheese, another variety of fresh cheese. Mild flavor, creamy texture adds dimension to recipes Ricotta’s light, slightly sweet flavor lends itself to both sweet and savory dishes, making it the perfect addition to holiday

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ALTON - As the holiday season approaches, gamers looking to enhance their gaming experience can consider custom gaming PCs from Riverbender Tech Center. The company, based at 200 W. Third St. in Alton, offers personalized builds designed to meet individual gaming needs and budgets. Riverbender Tech Center emphasizes the importance of tailored performance, stating that their custom builds cater to various gaming styles, whether for fast-paced shooters or graphics-heavy role-playing games. Each gaming PC is designed to prevent bottlenecks, ensuring that the CPU, GPU, RAM, and storage work in harmony to deliver a seamless gaming experience. The company assures quality through meticulous component selection and expert assembly. Each machine undergoes rigorous testing to confirm it is ready for demanding gaming environments. Riverbender Tech Center offers options for every budget, from entry-level systems that can be upgraded over time to high-performance setups featuring the latest

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