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GRANITE CITY - Students at Maryville Elementary Education Center welcomed several birds of prey to their school. On Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, Ameren Illinois and the Illinois Raptor Center partnered to bring birds of prey to the school. With a gym filled with 400 first and second graders, the assembly allowed students to study the birds and learn about conservation, life cycles and ecosystems. “I was really excited when reached out to me about the opportunity and we were able to put this together,” said Dr. Liz Niepert, principal at Maryville Elementary Education Center. Niepert said this was the school’s first indoor assembly of the year, and students had been practicing their “Mustang manners” to prepare. She added Maryville Elementary Education Center cares about conservation, and they try to instill these values in their students. The school has a recycling club and recently installed a hydroponic garden. The first and second graders also

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JERSEYVILLE - Students at St. Francis Holy Ghost School in Jerseyville recently applied their understanding of energy transfer and motion by constructing marble roller coasters as part of their science curriculum. The project, led by science teacher Joan Dougherty, allowed the students to engage in hands-on learning and teamwork. The roller coaster competition took place as part of their science classes, where students were tasked with designing and building functional marble roller coasters. The results were evaluated based on creativity, engineering principles, and the ability to maintain the marble's motion. In the competition, two teams were awarded first place. The first group consisted of Stella Pohlman, Braylee Waier, Bridget Heltsley, and Holly Hernandez-Lamer, while the other first-place team included Gracie Flowers, Allison Millitello, Louise Bregenzer, and Daphne Slusser. Second place was claimed by the team of Luca Derrick and Caleb Maag, along with another team consisting

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WOOD RIVER — The Wood River Oilers celebrated Senior Night with a decisive 7-2 victory over the Roxana Shells in girls tennis on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. The match showcased strong performances from the Oilers, particularly in singles play. Kaylynn Buttry, Hailey Handler, Jaden Downs, Saaphyri DeSelle, and Khloe Whitfield all secured wins in their respective singles matches. Additionally, the duo of Buttry and Handler emerged victorious in doubles competition. The event not only highlighted the athletic achievements of the team but also served as a farewell to the senior players, marking a significant moment in their high school tennis careers. The senior tennis players are Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athletes of the Month.

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KAMPSVILLE - On October 3, 2024, the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office arrested Brianna L. Behrens, 29, of Kampsville, for the following offenses: Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse – Position of Trust or Authority, Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse – Victim aged 13-16, Possession of Child Pornography (Two Counts), Grooming, Indecent Solicitation of a Child, Obstructing Justice, Dissemination of Harmful Materials (Two Counts); and, Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor (Three Counts). On September 16, 2024, the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint from a concerned parent alleging that their child had been receiving illicit photographs and videos from an adult. Calhoun County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Zach Hardin began an investigation into the allegations and conducted numerous interviews and discovered that there were several other children that had also been communicating with and receiving illicit materials from the same adult.

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GRANITE CITY - Jerry’s Cafeteria and Catering announced they will close the cafeteria side of their business. As of 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, Jerry’s will be solely a catering business, owner Jon Roderick announced in a Facebook post. He noted that the restaurant saw more business following a Facebook post in June that spoke on the restaurant’s struggle to survive in the current economic climate, but this was not enough to keep the restaurant open. “As most of you saw a couple of months ago, the economy has taken its toll on our business. While we did see an immediate spike in business, it declined soon thereafter,” Roderick wrote in his post. “We have fought to gain traction, adding new items, trying new ways to serve our friends, customers, and our community. While most of the new ideas we tried were embraced with enthusiasm, they failed to bring new customers or generate the revenue necessary.” While the cafeteria, located at

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WEST ALTON, Mo. – Missouri State Parks will officially open a new biking and walking trail at the Edward "Ted" and Pat Jones-Confluence State Park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. The trail expansion, which includes a half-mile path offering a panoramic view of the park and the Mississippi River, was funded by a gift from the estate of Pat Jones, who passed away in 2018. The trustees of Pat Jones' estate — retired partners Dan Burkhardt, Bill Broderick, and Larry Sobol — have worked since her death to create the park's first trailhead area and bike path. The park is located at 1000 Riverlands Way in West Alton, Mo. Pat and Ted Jones were known for their dedication to nature and state parks, actively supporting initiatives such as the Katy Trail and various conservation efforts throughout Missouri. The couple, who did not have children, chose to leave a legacy through financial contributions and land donations to the state. "Pat activel

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EDWARDSVILLE — In the wake of devastating floods in western North Carolina, two commercial pilots from southwest Florida have mobilized to deliver essential supplies to affected communities. Jacob Faulkner, originally from Edwardsville, and a fellow pilot decided to act after learning about the destruction caused by recent storms. The pilots gathered donations in Florida, despite facing challenges themselves from Hurricane Helene, which brought storm surge and flooding to their home area. Faulkner noted that while many locals were dealing with their own water intrusion issues, they still contributed to the relief effort for those hardest hit in North Carolina. "We posted on Facebook and found that there were a good number of private aircraft flying donated food, water, and other essential items to people who are needing help," Faulkner said. "They flew their aircraft loaded with supplies to Asheville, North Carolina, partnering with the nonprofit organization Operation Airdrop

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ALTON — The Alton Mayor’s Ball, scheduled for October 5, 2024, will support a significant cause by donating a portion of its proceeds to All God's Children Shall Have Shoes charity. The event will honor notable local figures, including Olympic track and field medalist Dawn Harper Nelson and her husband, Alonzo Nelson, who will be recognized as Hometown Royalty Hero Recipients, along with Olympian Jayden Ulrich. Alonzo Nelson, a teacher and track and field coach at Belleville West, was recently named the 2024 Serra Honda of O’Fallon Teacher of the Year. He will be joined in recognition by East Alton-Wood River High School Jayden Ulrich, who recently qualified for the Olympics in discus, and Debra Pitts, a prominent advocate for youth education and emotional well-being in the community. Alton Mayor David Goins expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to support the charity. "It meant a lot to me that a portion of the proceeds of the Mayor’s Ball would be

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ALTON — The Upper Alton Baptist Preschool is set to host its annual Flavors of Fall Festival on Sunday, October 13th, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Upper Alton Baptist Church, located at 2726 College Ave. in Alton. The festival will feature an all-you-can-eat selection of seasonal desserts, highlighting flavors such as apple, pumpkin, cinnamon, and caramel. Attendees can enjoy these offerings for a cost of $5, with all proceeds going directly to support the preschool. The event aims to provide a festive atmosphere while benefiting a well-deserving educational program. For further information, interested parties can contact Alison Donoho at Alison.donoho@gmail.com or by phone at 618-520-6548.

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ALTON - Alton Little Theater is gearing up for its production of “The Rocky Horror Show” to celebrate Halloween. “The Rocky Horror Show” is a musical that inspired the cult classic movie “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” Directed by Becca Peach, the Alton Little Theater production will premiere at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 25, 26, 27 and Nov. 1 and 2, 2024, with a matinee performance scheduled for 2 p.m. on Nov. 3 and a special midnight performance on Halloween night. “I think it’s just going to be a hoot,” said Lee Cox, ALT’s executive director. “I really think people are going to enjoy it. It may not be every single person’s cup of tea, but it’s something so different, and I love to see the new people that might come.” Cox and Eric Sykes, who will take over as ALT’s executive director in January 2025, noted their excitement for the show. They said “The Rocky Horror Show” is popular

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ALTON – The Episcopal Parish of Alton will host its annual Dawgs 4 Paws event on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, beginning at 2 p.m. at the church located at 10 E. Third St. The event aims to raise funds and awareness for the church's Pet Food Pantry. Sponsored by Trinity's Way and Great Rivers Animal Hospital, the Dawgs 4 Paws event will feature a variety of activities for pet owners and animal lovers. Irene McLaughlin, one of the event coordinators, emphasized the importance of the event, stating, "This event helps us raise funds and awareness for our Pet Food Pantry." Attendees can expect to see veterinary professionals on-site providing free vaccinations, as well as distributing dog food and other supplies, she said. In addition to these services, the event will include live music, a silent auction, and pet blessings, creating an engaging atmosphere for the community and their pets.

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COLLINSVILLE — The City of Collinsville hosted its monthly "First Thursday" event on October 3, 2024, attracting residents and visitors to participate in a celebration of local businesses. The event took place along Main Street, particularly in the 300 and 400 blocks, where several Uptown establishments showcased their offerings. Among the participating businesses were Miles Market on Main, which featured a variety of unique fall items, and Lou Belle and Bing, owned by Afton, who is also the organizer of the "First Thursday" events. Waterman's Floral, a recent addition to the area, opened its location across from the Collinsville Memorial Library Center, adding to the vibrant atmosphere of the event. The evening concluded with a visit to Bert's Chuckwagon, a long-standing local favorite. The "First Thursday" initiative encourages community engagement by allowing participating businesses to remain open for extended hours or during their regular schedules. They offer a range

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ALTON - A new petition on Change.org is calling for a halt to AltonWorks’ proposed development of the Great Rivers National Park. According to the petition starter, many citizens are deeply concerned that this plan could infringe on private property rights and diminish personal freedoms. The petition emphasizes that with 85% of U.S. land being privately held, the transformation of these private lands into a federal park would take away autonomy that many Americans value. Supporters of the petition say this isn’t an opposition to conservation, but a call to protect individual rights while considering environmental progress. The petition highlights that existing public and private lands should already support nature conservation without further encroaching on private ownership. This petition is a reminder that through Change.org , people continue to keep hope alive for the issues they care about. The platform makes it easier for people to take simple actions to shape

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $36,714,994 in federal funding for the Illinois Department of Human Services to help support treatment and prevention services for substance and opioid use disorders and overdoses. This funding comes through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) as a part of their State Opioid Response grants program. “The opioid epidemic has taken far too many lives, and resolving this crisis requires a comprehensive effort from officials at every level of government and from local organizations,” Duckworth said. “I will continue working with Senator Durbin to ensure those treating and preventing opioid addiction have the resources they need to serve all Illinoisans.” “As the opioid epidemic continues to ravage our state, we need prevention, treatment, and recovery

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $36,714,994 in federal funding for the Illinois Department of Human Services to help support treatment and prevention services for substance and opioid use disorders and overdoses. This funding comes through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) as a part of their State Opioid Response grants program. “The opioid epidemic has taken far too many lives, and resolving this crisis requires a comprehensive effort from officials at every level of government and from local organizations,” Duckworth said. “I will continue working with Senator Durbin to ensure those treating and preventing opioid addiction have the resources they need to serve all Illinoisans.” “As the opioid epidemic continues to ravage our state, we need prevention, treatment, and recovery

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BELLEVILLE – A domestic disturbance escalated into a fatal confrontation involving law enforcement on Thursday evening, according to the Belleville Police Department. At approximately 7:46 p.m., officers responded to reports of a male subject armed with a firearm in the 5000 block of Schmidt Lane in unincorporated St. Clair County. During the incident, police reported that the 69-year-old male suspect discharged his weapon multiple times. Belleville Police Lt. James Hendricks stated that when confronted by numerous uniformed officers, the suspect continued to pose a threat. A deputy on scene subsequently discharged his firearm, striking the suspect, who later died from his injuries. “St. Clair County Sheriff Richard Watson has requested that the Illinois State Police Zone 6 Investigations Division assist in conducting an independent investigation per agency policy,” Lt. Hendricks said. The identity of the deceased suspect has not been released, as authorities are

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BELLEVILLE – A domestic disturbance escalated into a fatal confrontation involving law enforcement on Thursday evening, according to the Belleville Police Department. At approximately 7:46 p.m., officers responded to reports of a male subject armed with a firearm in the 5000 block of Schmidt Lane in unincorporated St. Clair County. During the incident, police reported that the 69-year-old male suspect discharged his weapon multiple times. Belleville Police Lt. James Hendricks stated that when confronted by numerous uniformed officers, the suspect continued to pose a threat. A deputy on scene subsequently discharged his firearm, striking the suspect, who later died from his injuries. “St. Clair County Sheriff Richard Watson has requested that the Illinois State Police Zone 6 Investigations Division assist in conducting an independent investigation per agency policy,” Lt. Hendricks said. The identity of the deceased suspect has not been released, as authorities are

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WOOD RIVER - Amare, a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit recovery community organization, announces a significant leadership transition as its original founder and Executive Director, Ty Bechel, steps down to focus on the expansion and growth of his nonprofit training, coaching, and consulting company, Bechel & Associates Nonprofit Consulting and his other endeavor with IT Consultants and Managed Service Provider, Simple ITSM. Ty, who founded Amare in 2014 and officially incorporated the organization in 2015, has been a leader in the recovery community for over a decade. He and his team’s work has helped hundreds of individuals and families on their journey to recovery and wellness. In his announcement, Ty shared, “Founding Amare has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Watching it grow from an idea into a vital support system for our community has been a humbling journey. As I pass the torch to Carson, I have full confidence that Amare will continue to flourish

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WOOD RIVER - Amare, a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit recovery community organization, announces a significant leadership transition as its original founder and Executive Director, Ty Bechel, steps down to focus on the expansion and growth of his nonprofit training, coaching, and consulting company, Bechel & Associates Nonprofit Consulting and his other endeavor with IT Consultants and Managed Service Provider, Simple ITSM. Ty, who founded Amare in 2014 and officially incorporated the organization in 2015, has been a leader in the recovery community for over a decade. He and his team’s work has helped hundreds of individuals and families on their journey to recovery and wellness. In his announcement, Ty shared, “Founding Amare has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Watching it grow from an idea into a vital support system for our community has been a humbling journey. As I pass the torch to Carson, I have full confidence that Amare will continue to flourish

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ALTON - The Racial Justice Committee of YWCA Southwestern Illinois recently gifted over 150 books to West Elementary School in Alton, thanks to a $1,700 grant awarded to the Rotary Club of the Riverbend Alton-Godfrey. Rotarians from the Club, also known as Riverbend Rotary, and representatives from the YWCA recently delivered the books to TaRael Kee, the new principal of West Elementary. TaRael, along with School Librarian Steve Doering and students in the library were on hand to receive the books. “Many thanks to the Riverbend Rotary and YWCA for taking time to think about us and our children. These books will go a long way,” says TaRael, noting that he and the teachers have ambitious goals for students at West Elementary and they believe the students have potential to reach those goals. “These kids lit up when they saw the books - they noticed that the books’ characters are like them and look like them.” “We are excited to partner with the YWC

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