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CHICAGO – Today, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) released information about this year's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to support income eligible households with utility costs. LIHEAP will begin accepting applications on October 1, 2024, through August 15, 2025, or until funds are exhausted. “Every Illinoisan deserves to be able to keep the lights on and stay warm as we head into winter,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Thanks to $226 million from our Help Illinois Families Program, thousands of households will be eligible for LIHEAP assistance to manage utility costs. As always, equity remains at the core of our efforts and we’re prioritizing vulnerable residents to ensure they receive the support they need. I highly encourage all eligible families to apply.” The energy bill assistance program offered through Help Illinois Families will provide $226 million to eligible families to assist with

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CHICAGO – Today, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) released information about this year's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to support income eligible households with utility costs. LIHEAP will begin accepting applications on October 1, 2024, through August 15, 2025, or until funds are exhausted. “Every Illinoisan deserves to be able to keep the lights on and stay warm as we head into winter,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Thanks to $226 million from our Help Illinois Families Program, thousands of households will be eligible for LIHEAP assistance to manage utility costs. As always, equity remains at the core of our efforts and we’re prioritizing vulnerable residents to ensure they receive the support they need. I highly encourage all eligible families to apply.” The energy bill assistance program offered through Help Illinois Families will provide $226 million to eligible families to assist with

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EAST ALTON - Community members can enjoy food trucks, a car cruise, a cornhole tournament, games, activities and more at East Alton’s second annual Food Truck/Fall Festival. From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, East Alton and surrounding communities are invited to Van Preter Park for a day of fun and fall festivities. Sponsored by Mayor Darren Carlton and the trustees, the event aims to bring East Alton together while providing a fun, family-friendly experience for residents. “We just want people to get out and experience the community,” Carlton said. “The village isn’t making any money off this, and we’re not in it to make money. We just want the citizens to have a good time and have things that they can remember doing and their kids will remember growing up.” Kids can enjoy bounce houses, face painting, Foamzees and more. But the event also targets adults with the cornhole tournament and car cruise. The car cruise will includ

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EAST ALTON - Community members can enjoy food trucks, a car cruise, a cornhole tournament, games, activities and more at East Alton’s second annual Food Truck/Fall Festival. From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, East Alton and surrounding communities are invited to Van Preter Park for a day of fun and fall festivities. Sponsored by Mayor Darren Carlton and the trustees, the event aims to bring East Alton together while providing a fun, family-friendly experience for residents. “We just want people to get out and experience the community,” Carlton said. “The village isn’t making any money off this, and we’re not in it to make money. We just want the citizens to have a good time and have things that they can remember doing and their kids will remember growing up.” Kids can enjoy bounce houses, face painting, Foamzees and more. But the event also targets adults with the cornhole tournament and car cruise. The car cruise will includ

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AURORA - Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined the CyrusOne team, ComEd, and local elected officials to break ground on the new data center in Aurora. The new campus, which consists of two buildings totaling 446,000 square feet, will serve local communities and national networks through the creation of state-of-the-art digital infrastructure solutions. “When I became governor, I pledged to make Illinois a home for the high-tech, high-growth industries of the future,” said Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. “This groundbreaking is the culmination of years of work with our partners at CyrusOne, and secures hundreds of construction jobs as well as over twenty data center positions for the people of our state. CyrusOne’s new data center joins the ecosystem of high-tech sectors that are flourishing in Illinois– from electric vehicles to quantum computing to chip manufacturers – that form the foundation of sustainable economic growth.” CyrusOne

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AURORA - Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined the CyrusOne team, ComEd, and local elected officials to break ground on the new data center in Aurora. The new campus, which consists of two buildings totaling 446,000 square feet, will serve local communities and national networks through the creation of state-of-the-art digital infrastructure solutions. “When I became governor, I pledged to make Illinois a home for the high-tech, high-growth industries of the future,” said Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. “This groundbreaking is the culmination of years of work with our partners at CyrusOne, and secures hundreds of construction jobs as well as over twenty data center positions for the people of our state. CyrusOne’s new data center joins the ecosystem of high-tech sectors that are flourishing in Illinois– from electric vehicles to quantum computing to chip manufacturers – that form the foundation of sustainable economic growth.” CyrusOne

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To All Godfrey Citizens: I would like to announce that I have decided to run for Godfrey Mayor. After many conversations with resident’s, they expressed to me that they would like to have an option on the ballot for the mayor’s position. The current mayor has been in office since 2009 the residents of Godfrey would like to elect someone who brings a fresh perspective to the position. I am a lifelong resident of the Godfrey/Alton area, have raised three daughters who have been very successful in their careers and I have worked in the area for numerous years. Godfrey is a wonderful place to live and I will strive to keep it that way by continuing to secure state and federal funds, focus on growth and development while still maintaining the quaint village that Godfrey is. I bring the table a strong background in business, finance, construction and have owned and managed a business. I am also the Vice President of the Madison County Catholic Charities Board. I did not decid

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To All Godfrey Citizens: I would like to announce that I have decided to run for Godfrey Mayor. After many conversations with resident’s, they expressed to me that they would like to have an option on the ballot for the mayor’s position. The current mayor has been in office since 2009 the residents of Godfrey would like to elect someone who brings a fresh perspective to the position. I am a lifelong resident of the Godfrey/Alton area, have raised three daughters who have been very successful in their careers and I have worked in the area for numerous years. Godfrey is a wonderful place to live and I will strive to keep it that way by continuing to secure state and federal funds, focus on growth and development while still maintaining the quaint village that Godfrey is. I bring the table a strong background in business, finance, construction and have owned and managed a business. I am also the Vice President of the Madison County Catholic Charities Board. I did not decid

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BELLEVILLE - Belleville’s unemployment mark is down to 5.0 percent in August 2024, compared to the same time in 2023, the most recent Illinois Department Of Employment Security stats revealed. The Belleville rate in August 2023 was 5.7 percent. Collinsville had a low 4.7 percent rate in August 2024 compared to 5.2 percent in 2023 in the most recent stats. Granite City had a 5.7 percent mark in August 2024 compared to a year ago at 5.3 percent. O’Fallon had a solid rate of 4.8 percent compared to the same time last year of 4.8 percent. St. Clair County recorded a rate of 5.1 percent in August 2024, compared to 5.4 percent in August 2023. Deputy Governor Andy Manar said: “IDES and its essential workforce partners are working throughout the state to offer critical employment services to enthusiastic jobseekers.”

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BELLEVILLE - Belleville’s unemployment mark is down to 5.0 percent in August 2024, compared to the same time in 2023, the most recent Illinois Department Of Employment Security stats revealed. The Belleville rate in August 2023 was 5.7 percent. Collinsville had a low 4.7 percent rate in August 2024 compared to 5.2 percent in 2023 in the most recent stats. Granite City had a 5.7 percent mark in August 2024 compared to a year ago at 5.3 percent. O’Fallon had a solid rate of 4.8 percent compared to the same time last year of 4.8 percent. St. Clair County recorded a rate of 5.1 percent in August 2024, compared to 5.4 percent in August 2023. Deputy Governor Andy Manar said: “IDES and its essential workforce partners are working throughout the state to offer critical employment services to enthusiastic jobseekers.”

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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville’s unemployment mark dipped from 4.1 percent in August 2023 to 4.0 in 2024. Madison County has a rate of 4.6 percent in August 2024 compared to 4.9 percent in 2023. Edwardsville has the lowest unemployment rate in the Metro East. Alton’s unemployment rate dipped from 7.0 a year ago in August to 6.4 percent in 2024, Illinois Department of Employment Security stats showed. Greene County reported a rate of 4.3 percent compared to 4.9 percent a significant drop year to year. Jersey is also at 4.3 percent compared to 4.4 percent a year ago in August and Calhoun County is at 4.0 percent compared to 4.5 percent in 2023 in August. Macoupin County recorded a 4.3 percent rate compared to 4.6 percent in August 2023. “Stable, consistent job growth across the state continues to position jobseekers and employers to leverage new and developing opportunities,” said Deputy Governor Andy Manar.

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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville’s unemployment mark dipped from 4.1 percent in August 2023 to 4.0 in 2024. Madison County has a rate of 4.6 percent in August 2024 compared to 4.9 percent in 2023. Edwardsville has the lowest unemployment rate in the Metro East. Alton’s unemployment rate dipped from 7.0 a year ago in August to 6.4 percent in 2024, Illinois Department of Employment Security stats showed. Greene County reported a rate of 4.3 percent compared to 4.9 percent a significant drop year to year. Jersey is also at 4.3 percent compared to 4.4 percent a year ago in August and Calhoun County is at 4.0 percent compared to 4.5 percent in 2023 in August. Macoupin County recorded a 4.3 percent rate compared to 4.6 percent in August 2023. “Stable, consistent job growth across the state continues to position jobseekers and employers to leverage new and developing opportunities,” said Deputy Governor Andy Manar.

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GRANITE CITY – Last fall, the Granite City Warriors and Collinsville Kahok Boys Soccer Programs came together to help one of their own, Alex Paz. Alex recently received a liver transplant and is still undergoing some financial hardships from his medical procedures. The Kahoks and Warriors will meet again on Thursday, October 17 at Kahok Stadium in Collinsville for the 2nd Annual Paz Cup. Junior varsity is set to begin at 5 p.m., followed by varsity at 6:30 p.m. A game between two storied soccer programs in the state of Illinois, playing for bragging rights for the year, and a special bond to help Alex, a 1979 graduate of Granite City South High School who is actively involved in both communities taking pictures for all to enjoy. The Kahok and Warrior Soccer Programs would like to invite all of you to attend the match at Kahok Stadium on Thursday, October 17 kicking off at 6:30 pm to support Alex and all he does. Not only will we have some great soccer action o

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ALTON – According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each year in the United States, an estimated 240,000 women get breast cancer and 42,000 women die from the disease. Mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early, when it is easier to treat and before it is big enough to feel or cause symptoms. Information, education, and mammography screenings will all be available for attendees at this year’s annual “Girls Night Out” event at OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center on Thursday, October 24, 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. A limited number of mammography screenings are available during the event and appointments are necessary. Individuals wanting to schedule a mammography screening during the “Girls Night Out” event need to call (618) 474-6791. All event mammography patients will receive a small gift. Insurance information and proper ID will also be needed for those conducting mammography screenings during the event. Light

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ALTON - Bring your furry friends to the Canine Carnival at the Alton Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, for a morning full of fun just for them. At this free event organized by Alton Main Street and Hope Animal Rescues, there will be many activities to enjoy and pet-related vendor booths to browse. Plus, you can learn about local animal welfare charities and services for your pets. Rescue agencies will be holding an adopt-a-thon, so if you are looking for a new best friend come meet some loveable dogs who need a good home. Features of the event include a Pet Parade at 10 a.m. and a costume contest which will be voted on via social media. Bring your dog dressed to impress, because the winner of the costume contest will receive a $20 gift certificate to Petco. There will be activities for pets and families, and vendors selling pet-related products such as handmade dog treats, toys, bandanas, clothing, collars and more. In partnership

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October 2nd has been a significant date in history, marked by events that have shaped our world across various categories. The Nobel Peace Prize is Established (1901) On October 2, 1901, the first Nobel Peace Prize was awarded, marking a significant milestone in global efforts to recognize and encourage peace. The prize was established by Alfred Nobel, a Swedish industrialist, inventor, scientist, and philanthropist who left a considerable part of his fortune to create the Nobel Prizes. The Nobel Peace Prize has since been awarded to individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to peace, including figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Teresa, and Nelson Mandela. The Birth of Mahatma Gandhi (1869) October 2nd is also celebrated as the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, one of the most influential leaders in modern history. Born in 1869 in Porbandar, India, Gandhi became the leader of the Indian independence movement against British rule, employin

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GODFREY - The Village of Godfrey is closer than it’s ever been to getting a hotel. Economic Development Director Jim Mager announced on Tuesday that a national chain may be interested in building a Godfrey location if the village is willing to provide incentives. The interested company is Choice Hotels , which Mager described as a national chain with a nation-wide reservation system. Choice operates many hotels under various brand names , including Comfort Hotels, Quality Inn, and more - though it’s not clear yet which name and logo would be on the Godfrey hotel. “Where we are is that if the village comes in for a certain amount of money … I think Choice Hotels might have investors lined up,” Mager said, adding the project may also require some local investment. “We’re trying to put together a project to get it financed so it can move forward.” Mager said the next phase of the project is to develop a business plan to get

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ALTON - The Alton YWCA and National Council of Negro Women will host a candidates’ forum for the Illinois House of Representatives 111th District. At 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, incumbent Illinois Representative Amy Elik and challenger Nick Raftopoulos will introduce themselves and answer questions at the YWCA. RiverBender.com will livestream the event at RiverBender.com/Video . “This isn’t really a debate. It’s a voter forum,” explained Dorothy Hummel, YWCA executive director. “The idea is to truly give the candidates an opportunity to introduce themselves to the community and talk about issues that are going on within the state, within the area.” Elik and Raftopoulos will have a few minutes to introduce themselves and talk about their issues. YWCA and NCNW have asked the candidates a series of questions, and Elik and Raftopoulos will give their prepared responses. If there is time, YWCA and NCNW will take questions from

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ALTON - Alton Main Street presents First Fridays, a late night art and shopping experience which spans 13 locations across the Downtown Alton district. This event will be held on the First Friday of October, November and December 2024, providing you with an opportunity to check out new shops and galleries and visit familiar favorites to experience art and great specials at each business. Participants are offering a variety of discounts, refreshments, and giveaways. Everyone who has their passport stamped at a minimum of 8 locations will be entered into a drawing for a $100 gift certificate to any participating business. Free parking is available in the lot next to FLOCK Food Truck Park & Bar, located at 210 Ridge Street, and a free shuttle bus will be provided from 5:00-8:00 p.m., running a continuous loop between all participating locations. On Friday, October 4th, start your evening by picking up your First Fridays passport at any participating location, then hop the shuttle

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The Troy/Maryville/St. Jacob/Marine Chamber’s 40th Anniversary Celebration on September 21 celebrated more than just their 40th anniversary! The Chamber was also presented with a marketing award at their own event from the Troy-Edwardsville Shrine Club. Many of the Shriner’s came together to show their appreciation for the Chamber’s assistance with marketing the 3rd Annual Shriner’s BBQ Competition. The event took place in August at the Tri-Township Park in Troy. “We are very appreciative of this Chamber of Commerce. They helped us out tremendously with marketing” said Shriner’s Club Member Gary Apperson. “Dawn was there every day and answered all of our questions. She gives us lots of advice and we are proud to be a member of this Chamber” said Apperson. The Chamber was awarded the “2024 Grand Champions of Marketing” for their assistance in promoting the BBQ Competition. “What an award,” said Mushill.

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