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EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County is now taking applications for the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) starting next month. Madison County Community Development announced funding is available to assist income-eligible households with their natural gas, propane and/or electric bills and furnace assistance for inoperable heating systems. The program will begin taking applications Oct. 1 for Adults 60-year-old and older, Individuals with disabilities, Families with children under the age of six and Households that are disconnected from their utilities, have a disconnection notice or have less than 25% in their propane tank. All other income eligible households can start applying Nov. 1. Applications will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis through August 15, 2025, or until funding is exhausted. Households that receive a one-time benefit may return during the program year for a Reconnection Assistance or Furnace Assistance benefit(s), if needed. Households

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ELSAH - Bankside Repertory Theatre will host a production of “The Dumb Waiter” as their first in-person play since the COVID-19 pandemic. At 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 2–5, 2024, community members can enjoy the 90-minute one-act play at Bankside Repertory Theatre on the Principia College campus. The play, written in 1957 by Harold Pinter, tells the story of two hitmen waiting for an assignment. Actors John O’Hagan and Riley Capp look forward to sharing the story with the community. “Personally, I can’t wait to be on the stage with this particular play at this particular time with the local community seeing and engaging with this work,” O’Hagan said. “It’s really incredibly thought-provoking as well as entertaining, so I think anybody coming to see it is going to walk away with a lot to talk about, a lot to think about.” O’Hagan also works as a professor at Principia, and Capp was previously one of his students.

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GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College welcomed two new full-time faculty members this fall. Andrew Carrington is a new Web Design & Development instructor. Carrington, of Edwardsville, taught in the program for a semester before taking on the role full time. He attended high school in Barbados and earned his Bachelor of Science in Management from the University of the West Indies at the Cave Hill campus in Barbados. Later, he went on to earn a Master of Business Administration (Finance Specialization) and a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville. Prior to joining Lewis and Clark, Carrington worked as a Software Engineer – and continues to work in that capacity. “I love all things related to technology, particularly those that are new and emerging,” he said. Carrington has a particular interest in AI (artificial intelligence), which is a current focus for Lewis and Clark as well.

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O’FALLON — HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital is proud to announce that it has achieved recertification as a Gold Cribs for Kids National Safe Sleep Hospital. This certification recognizes St. Elizabeth’s Women and Infants Center’s team’s commitment to best practices in infant safe sleep, ensuring the highest standards of care for their youngest patients. By earning this recertification, St. Elizabeth’s demonstrates adherence to rigorous guidelines established by the Cribs for Kids National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program. Cribs for Kids is a national safe sleep initiative dedicated to reducing infant mortality. “Sleep related deaths are the number one reason we lose our babies each year—3,400 infants annually,” said Michael H. Goodstein, MD, neonatologist and medical director at Cribs for Kids. “We know that parents do at home what they see done in the hospital so modeling safe sleep and providing education

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JERSEY - Belle Peterbaugh is off to an excellent start in cross country and concluded a track and field season where she recorded a time of 13.26 in the 100 meters. She also recorded a time of 23:31.50 for three miles in the Granite City Robinson/Lang Cross Country Invite on Sept. 7, 2024. Peterbaugh is a Sparklight Female Athlete of the Month for Jersey. Peterbaugh is a very versatile athlete and says she is using the cross-country season to prepare her for her athletic love - track and field. "I love doing the sprints in track," she said. "Running means a lot to me, it is kind of like my way of using my time just to be myself and be able to do something I love. I will probably run forever. I also do soccer and track and field in the spring." Peterbaugh said she enjoys her teammates in cross country. "We are more like a family than a team," she said. "I think that is what sets cross country different from other sports."

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GLEN CARBON - The Father McGivney Catholic girls placed 12th in the 40 full girls teams and 424 runners at the First To The Finish Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Peoria. Father McGivney girls cross country coach Jim Helton said: "Excellent efforts from everyone with a total of 11 personal bests and near misses by the complete squad!" The McGivney girls team are Byron, Carlson, Petri & Kalb Female Athletes of the Month. Elena Rybak was the meet champion, racing to a 30-second victory with a time of 16:51.9. She was the first out of 424 female runners at the meet. Saturday was a day when “summer” tried hanging around, Coach Helton said, so the weather conditions were warm. Humid and warm conditions hovered over Detweiller Park in Peoria, Sept. 14, 2024, he added. McGivney's Jane Cummins (51st) raced to a season PR of 19:45, McKenzie Jones (132) 21:43, Bella Redenius (148) 22:00, Isabella Harris (155) 22:04 scored 402 points for 12th place. Williamsville

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CARLINVILLE – A four-legged celebrity will make a special appearance at the Carlinville Public Library on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 10 a.m. Leila, a three-year-old chocolate Labrador retriever who has become a social media star and model for Purina dog treats, will be part of a Meet and Greet for adults and children. She will also perform some tricks for the audience. Her owner, Kaylie Devlin, will also read a new book she’s written, Leila: The Chocolate Chunk , which is just the latest part of Leila’s fast-growing stardom. “Kaylie will also talk about all of the cool things that Leila has done,” said Hannah Miller, the director of the Carlinville Public Library. “We’re so excited here at the library to meet this talented and special dog.” Leila is also a social media star, with 30,000 followers on her Instagram account. She even has an agent in Michigan. Bred in Missouri, Leila found a home as a puppy in early 2022 with Devlin, a registered

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HIGHLAND - Over 50 talented artists will paint the streets of Highland for the 2024 Highland Street Art Festival on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Local artisan vendors, activities for kids, and much more await attendees of all ages. Executive Director Hillarie Holzinger and Assistant Director Taylor Sheeley with the Highland Chamber of Commerce shared more details about the festival on Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com . “The artists show up about 9 a.m. and they start drawing on the streets,” Holzinger said. “Then we have a lot of activities throughout the day to keep everybody busy, and it’s just a great event.” The day’s main attraction is the Street Art Competition from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with judging commencing at 4 p.m. and awards being presented at 5:30 p.m. Several artists will put their chalk drawing skills to the test as they compete for the coveted title of “Best in Show,” including a $100 cash

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - This death has been ruled a homicide by the St. Louis County Medical Examiner. On Friday, September 13, 2024, a 15-year-old male suspect was arrested in St. Louis County. The suspect was remanded to the custody of St. Louis County Family Court for Murder in the Second Degree and Armed Criminal Action. The deceased has been identified as Amorion Fuller, 16 years of age, of the 8600 block of Delmar Boulevard in St. Louis, Missouri 63132. Initially, the St. Louis County police officers from the South County Precinct responded to a call for service for a shooting in the 300 block of Goetz Avenue. Officers located a teenage male suffering from an apparent gunshot injury. The male was pronounced deceased on the scene. The investigation is ongoing. Additional information will be disseminated as it becomes available. Please contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210 to speak with investigators if you have any information regarding this incident.

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ALTON - Jamison Belcher is a senior at Alton High School. She is one of the Alton-Godfrey Rotary Club Students of the Month. She expresses her sincerest gratitude to the Rotary Club for giving her the opportunity to attend this meeting and receive the Student of the Month award. One of the main goals of the Rotary Club is to unite people of all walks of life and to make a change in the world, and as an aspiring black nurse, that is an everyday goal. Jamison's parents, James and Cheryl Belcher, whom she thanks, have instilled unity and equality in her since birth. They have been her biggest supporters throughout all that she does. They push her to follow her dreams, and encourage her to face the challenges of today and those to come. They have also provided her with a work ethic that has kept her from giving up as she pursues her academics, and they have provided a strong belief in God that has guided her into becoming the young woman that she is today. This has allowed her to break

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ALTON - Annabelle Smith is a senior at Alton High School and has the wonderful opportunity to represent her school as one of two Rotary Students of the Month for September. She first off wants to thank the Rotary Club for having this honor available in her community and for giving students like her the ability to achieve such a high honor. She also wants to thank her parents, Scott and Katherine Smith, for always pushing her to be the best version of herself. Without them, she would not be standing here today. Throughout her education, Annabelle has always tried to do her absolute best. She has taken great pride in getting good grades and achieving high honor rolls. She recalls attending LoveJoy Elementary and being so excited to have perfect attendance or be on the honor roll so that she could be called to the gym floor in the morning in front of the whole school to have Mr. Ducey say her name followed by her achievement. This excitement followed her until 7th grade when she received

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BELLEVILLE - Schnuck Markets, Inc. is recalling Schnucks Fresh Ground Beef produced and sold on September 15, 2024 at its 800 Carlyle Avenue store in Belleville, Illinois (62221). The ground beef product may contain pieces of plastic. Affected products: 90/10 Ground Lean Beef 80/20 Ground Chuck 80/20 Ground Beef 73/27 Ground Beef Customers who purchased the above product on September 15, 12:45 - 5:45 p.m. with a sell-by date of September 16, 2024, should return the product to the Carlyle Avenue Schnucks store for a full refund or exchange. To date, there have been no reported illnesses or injuries, and this is an isolated incident that does not affect any other stores. Customers with questions may contact the Schnucks Customer Care team at 314-994-4400 or 1-800-264-4400.

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BELLEVILLE/FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — Steve Johnson, a distinguished alumnus of Belleville East High School, has been named as an inductee of the Lancer Wall of Fame, the school has announced. Johnson, who graduated in 1987, currently serves as the police chief of Fairview Heights. His career in law enforcement spans 35 years, during which he has made significant contributions both locally and internationally. He is known for his roles as a speaker, trainer, and mentor in the field of public service. Belleville East High School recognized Johnson not only for his professional achievements but also for his dedication to helping others. "Steve Johnson has been a mentor to many who aspire to enter public service," the school noted in its announcement. His commitment to community service and public safety has made a lasting impact on countless individuals. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Johnson is a husband, father, and grandfather. Johnson's induction into the Lancer

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BELLEVILLE — Belleville Police have arrested Michael G. Munie, 74, in connection with a criminal sexual assault and child pornography investigation, following a report from the mother of a juvenile victim on Sept. 10, 2024. According to Belleville Police Department (BPD), the juvenile, a 15-year-old male, had been spending time at Munie's residence in the 600 block of North 39th Street in Belleville. Munie, who was referred to as the juvenile’s "Godfather," was allegedly observed by a family member engaging in a lewd act with the juvenile. The victim and his mother subsequently sought medical treatment at a local hospital. Belleville Police officers promptly responded to the scene and arrested Munie without incident. He was transported to the Belleville Police Department for further questioning. Multiple search warrants and interviews have been conducted, leading investigators to believe there may be additional victims. The St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s

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ALTON - Local artist Maia Huddleston has created art for NASA. For this month only, you can see her work at Milton Schoolhouse. Huddleston is Milton’s September Artist of the Month, and her photography and collages are on display in the building’s main hallway. But while Huddleston is now a Master of Fine Arts student in photography, her journey to photography wasn’t always clear. “I started in photojournalism, actually, but I was finding that I wanted to create my own artistic style and I wanted to develop my own body of ideas that I could convey visually, and that was something that photojournalism was not specifically conducive to,” Huddleston remembered. “I wanted to be able to tell my own stories and my own opinions.” Huddleston began taking photos in high school as a member of her school’s yearbook club. After a school shooting rattled the student body, Huddleston was determined to capture those feelings in her photography.

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EAST ALTON - East Alton Elementary Administration notified families on Monday morning, Sept. 16, 2024, that they were aware of potential threat rumors circulating through the student body and that a report was made to the East Alton Police Department on Sunday night, Sept. 15, 2024. East Alton Elementary Superintendent Nancy Werden had these comments: "There was no specific date, time, or students who have been identified. Please know that we are currently investigating these rumors. "Out of an abundance of caution, law enforcement was present to provide increased security this morning. As always, we are asking students and parents to be vigilant and to immediately report any information regarding any school threat to law enforcement and the school district. Please be assured that your child's safety is our priority."

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EDWARDSVILLE — Two REMAX Alliance employees and local firefighters played pivotal roles in responding to a devastating fire on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, at apartments in the 100 block of Devon Court in Edwardsville. When the fire erupted, Nikki McCormick and Katy Clark, working at their office across the street at REMAX Alliance, immediately raced to the scene to alert residents. The two women knocked on doors and windows, alerting residents to the danger. Edwardsville Fire Chief James Whiteford acknowledged the risks of civilian involvement in emergency situations but praised McCormick and Clark for their timely actions. "I normally don’t think people should get involved in these types of situations; they should let firefighters handle it," Whiteford said. "But in this case, it was very helpful, and I commend the two women for their efforts." The two Edwardsville women, the firefighters, and the SIUE Alumni Association are all difference makers for their efforts with this

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ALTON - Choices Ministry will host its second annual Music in the Park event with a special guest, “miracle girl” Stella Schultz . From 3–5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, at Haskell Park in Alton, community members can enjoy a free contemporary Christian music concert. Karrie Schultz, Stella’s mother, will also give a testimony and share the “A Heart for Stella” story . Stella spent eight months at Children’s Hospital waiting for a heart transplant, which she received about a month ago. “We’re about sharing the love of God through music and life experiences,” said Sheldon Rushing with Choices Ministry. “Choices is a ministry committed to sharing the love of God through music and life experiences and Biblical truth.” Rushing explained that he was deeply moved by the Schultz family’s story. Choices Ministry raised $5,000 for Stella during a fundraiser concert two months ago, and Rushing said

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EDWARDSVILLE – A fire at an off-campus apartment complex in Edwardsville has left several Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) students displaced, with many losing or experiencing damage to their belongings. The incident, which occurred recently in the 100 block of Devon Court in Edwardsville, has prompted a call for community support to aid the affected students. The SIUE Student Emergency Fund has been activated to assist those facing these unexpected challenges. The fund aims to provide immediate relief to students in distress, ensuring they have the necessary resources to recover and continue their education. In a statement, the university emphasized the importance of community solidarity during such times. "In times like these, we come together as a community," the statement read. The university is urging individuals to consider donating to the Student Emergency Fund. "Whether big or small, every gift counts. Please consider donating to support our students i

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ALTON - According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), on average, there is one death by suicide every 11 minutes in the United States with more than 49,000 lives lost in 2022 alone. With so many lives claimed by suicide each year, the focus often shifts to raising awareness. Yet, the pressing question remains: once we're aware, what do we do next? While suicide awareness may not solely or directly change behavior, it plays a crucial role in the broader efforts to prevent suicide. Awareness campaigns are often the first step in addressing the stigma and misconceptions surrounding mental health and suicide. However, in addition to awareness, there are other actionable steps to take for awareness to be even more effective. One significant gap I see is the implementation of suicide prevention trainings. A significant amount of money is invested in gatekeeper and community trainings, yet these programs often end up being treated as a one-time event. Across the United

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