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EDWARDSVILLE - State Rep. Katie Stuart and Mayor Art Risavy on Tuesday, August 20, announced that the City of Edwardsville will receive a $2 million grant to transform a section of St. Louis Street in the heart of downtown into a community-centric public commons area. The Goshen Commons project will create a pedestrian-friendly public courtyard that encompasses the one-block area of St. Louis Street between North Main Street and North Second Street. When completed, the inviting streetscape will incorporate greenspace, an expansive gathering area and walkways framed overhead by a network of string lights. Other potential amenities could include oversize game boards for chess and checkers and a pavilion to accommodate performances and events. “Investing in our communities is essential in order to keep us on the path to a thriving, prosperous future with enhanced quality of life for residents and visitors alike,” Rep. Stuart said. “The upgrades we’ve secured fo

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SWANSEA — State Senator Christopher Belt announced that 25 school districts across the area will receive over $12 million in additional funding to help address the financial challenges of recent years. From state evidence-based funding, Belleville Township High School District 201 will receive $3,044,940, while the Belleville School District 118 will receive $630,379, and the Cahokia Community Unit School District 187 will receive $182,264. Dupo Community Unit School District will receive $138,373 and East St. Louis School District will receive $4,450. In this evidence-based funding, the O’Fallon Community Consolidated School District 90 nets $1,888,753 in this funding while O’Fallon Township High School District 203 receives a total of $1,438,918. Shiloh Village School District 85 will get $144,022 and the St. Clair Regional Office of Education Safe School will receive $111,027. “Evidence-based funding makes a world of difference in school districts tha

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ALTON - Sgt. Manny Espinoza and Officer Steven Vaughn of the Alton Police Department engaged with local youths at the Alton YWCA’s “Career Cruisin” event recently. The officers participated in the event, aimed at providing career insights to young attendees. Held at the Alton YWCA, the “Career Cruisin” event offered an opportunity for the community's youth to explore various career paths. Sgt. Espinoza and Officer Vaughn represented the Alton Police Department, sharing their experiences and answering questions about careers in law enforcement. "We had a great time being there and interacting with area youths," Sgt. Espinoza said. The officers emphasized the department's continuous search for new recruits, hoping to inspire some of the young attendees to consider a future in policing. The Alton Police Department frequently engages in community events like these to build relationships and foster interest in public service careers.

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EAST ALTON – The East Alton Fire Department is set to host a blood drive at the Keasler Recreation Complex, located at 615 3rd St., on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. The event will take place in the auditorium from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This initiative comes in response to a critical blood shortage that has been widely reported in the media. East Alton Fire Chief Tim Quigley highlighted the urgency of the situation, noting that "the blood shortage is visible on TV and in the news." He emphasized that this drive is particularly crucial during a time of year when blood supplies are typically low due to factors like snow and ice-related car accidents. “We haven’t had a blood drive here since I’ve been with the department, and I’m hoping this will be a very successful event,” Quigley said. “It’s important for the community to come together and help.” Gabriel Parker, who is actively promoting the event, expressed optimism about the turnout. “We’re

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SHILOH — The O'Fallon Police Department hosted a highly successful fundraiser at Texas Roadhouse on Central Park Circle in Shiloh on Monday night, Aug. 19, 2024, raising $4,100 for its Special Olympics and Torch Run initiatives. The event, held last evening, saw strong community support through cash donations, merchandise sales, and a portion of food sales contributed by the restaurant. "We just wanted to give a quick thank you to the community for all of your support during our Tip-a-Cop event at Texas Roadhouse last evening," the O'Fallon Police stated. "Between cash donations, merchandise sales, and the food sales donation from Texas Roadhouse, we raised just over $4,100. We expect that number to go up just a bit after all the credit card donations are tallied." The fundraiser provided an opportunity for the police department to engage with the community and Special Olympics athletes. "Here at OPD we're thankful to live and work in such a supportive community. It was grea

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO. — An adult female was fatally struck by a motor vehicle early Tuesday morning in the 5300 block of Wilborn Drive, according to the St. Louis County Police Department. At approximately 12:53 a.m., officers from the City of Jennings Precinct responded to a call reporting a person struck in the area. Upon arrival, they discovered the woman who had been hit by a vehicle. She was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment but later succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased. Initial investigations by the Bureau of Crimes Against Persons detectives and the Accident Reconstruction Unit indicate that the woman was walking on Wilborn Drive when she was struck by a vehicle that subsequently fled the scene. The investigation remains ongoing, and further details will be released as they become available. Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding the incident to contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210. For those wishin

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ALTON - Vintage Voices promises another great year of storytelling and history. As part of Vintage Voices, actors portray real people who are buried in the Alton Cemetery. They tell stories about each person’s life and how they impacted the community. This year, the Vintage Voices tours are scheduled for October 5, 6, 12 and 13, 2024. “We are a group of people very committed to keeping the history of Alton and the surrounding community alive,” said Jody Basola, chair of the Vintage Voices committee. “There is so much great history and so many great stories to be told. “ Basola explained that the Vintage Voices committee begins their work in January. They partner with Hayner Library to research people who are buried in the Alton Cemetery. Once they’ve narrowed down their search to eight or nine people, they hold auditions in June. The actors are given information about their characters and then, with the help of the directors and the

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BELLEVILLE - To support operations and expand specialized investigations into carjackings and vehicle thefts, the Metro East Auto Theft Task Force (MEATTF) is receiving more than $2.4 million in new grant funding, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced today. MEATTF was reestablished in 2019 and is based out of the St. Clair County Sheriff’s office. The taskforce consists of partnerships with area law enforcement agencies and Madison, Monroe and St. Clair counties. The grant funding will enable MEATTF to continue operations and expand specialized investigations into crimes related to vehicular hijacking, auto theft, insurance fraud and recyclable metal theft. “For many of us, our vehicle serves as a lifeline. We depend on it for work, running errands, shuttling our kids around to practices and camps and visiting loved ones,” said Giannoulias. “To have it stolen can have terrible consequences for families and upend their lives. This

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ALTON – On Wednesday, August 7, Illinois State Treasurer Michael W. Frerichs met with nearly two dozen regional leaders and business professionals to promote economic prosperity, innovation, and job growth in the southern Illinois region. Frerichs shared information about the Illinois Growth and Innovation Fund (ILGIF), which is an evergreen, $1.5 billion impact investment fund that invests in ways to attract, retain and assist quality technology-enabled businesses in Illinois. The treasurer’s office does this by making targeted investments with venture capital (VC), growth equity, and private credit firms with a nexus to the State of Illinois. “A key component to my job as Illinois State Treasurer is to bring government and business leaders together to inspire and invest in opportunity and economic growth in the State of Illinois,” said Frerichs. “I’m hoping this visit will help lay a solid foundation in southern Illinois that we believe

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EDWARDSVILLE - The City of Edwardsville announced today (Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024) that an intersection near downtown has been closed for road repairs. The intersection of Oak Lane and West High Street is currently closed, with work expected to last two or more weeks. The closure will allow the City to make repairs stemming from a previous water main break. A map of the affected area is available below and at the top of this story. North Second Street, Clay Street, Scott Street and other surrounding roads are still open and available to bypass the closure. The announcement was also made on the city's Facebook page , where they thanked the public for their patience and apologized for the inconvenience.

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ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE), in partnership with the City of St. Louis, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, and Jefferson/Franklin Region Job Centers, is excited to host the first annual St. Louis Regional Job Expo for veterans on Thursday, August 22, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Soldiers Memorial Military Museum, 1315 Chestnut Street, Downtown St. Louis. This year’s Expo will feature more than 30 businesses seeking to hire veterans and more than 15 resource providers offering essential services in areas such as housing, health care, and VA claims. The event is open to veterans, military spouses, transitioning military, and Guard and Reserve members, as well as all job seekers. “Veterans often face challenges in finding civilian roles that match their skills, as well as navigating essential services like mental health support, housing, healthcare, and education. Our Expo on August 22 brings together the best resources and employment

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As we delve into the annals of history, August 20th stands out as a day marked by significant events that have shaped our world in various ways. On August 20, 1968, a monumental event took place that would alter the course of the Cold War. The Soviet Union, along with Warsaw Pact allies, invaded Czechoslovakia to crush the Prague Spring, a period of political liberalization and mass protest against the communist regime. This military intervention was a stark reminder of the geopolitical tensions of the time and highlighted the lengths to which the Soviet Union would go to maintain its influence in Eastern Europe. The invasion led to widespread international condemnation and had lasting implications for the region's political landscape. In the realm of science and exploration, August 20th marks an important milestone. In 1977, NASA launched the Voyager 2 spacecraft, one of the most ambitious and successful space missions in history. Voyager 2 was designed to take advantage of a rar

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EDWARDSVILLE - These are three artists who will be spotlighted at the upcoming Edwardsville Art Fair in City Park on Sept. 27-29. These are today's featured participants: Artist #1 Artist Name: Katherine Likos Artist Medium: Jewelry Artist #2 Artist Name: Erika Moeglich Artist Medium: Jewelry Artist Statement: " My goal is to provide wearable piece of art in a way that is not typically seen at art fairs. To achieve this I use traditional bead weaving techniques to create bracelets, earrings, and necklaces. Every piece is carefully designed to give a look of sophistication by using modern/trendy color palettes and classic designs that complement your wardrobe." Artist #3 Artist Name: Lois Neal Artist Medium: Jewelry Artist Statement: " I have always been intrigued by the continuity of patterns. The circle is a symbol of protective containment and healing. Working with rings in silver and other metals creating chains is rewarding and exciting because o

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TROY – Dawn Mushill, a highly regarded customer service trainer and now author, shared her insights on effective customer service strategies during a recent interview with the Our Daily Show! host C.J. Nasello. The Troy Maryville St. Jacob Marine Chamber of Commerce director focused much of the discussion on the importance of comprehensive training and ongoing development for employees. Mushill, who authored "Customer Service and Beyond: It is All About the Wow," emphasized the need for businesses to invest in proper training to ensure employees can deliver exceptional service. "I believe people have not been trained adequately in customer service," Mushill said. "You have to figure out how to train it and also execute it." Mushill discussed the significance of hiring passionate individuals and providing them with the necessary training to excel. "I think if you hire someone for their passion for the job you can train them, but if you hire passion, make sure you train them,"

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O'FALLON, Ill. — The O'Fallon Police Department invites area residents to visit Texas Roadhouse to enjoy dinner while supporting a good cause on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024. From 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, the restaurant, located at 1412 Central Park Circle in Shiloh, will donate 10% of all food sales to the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Illinois. The O'Fallon Police Department will also be present, selling Torch Run merchandise to further support the initiative. According to the O'Fallon Police, 100 percent of the donations collected during the event will go directly to Special Olympics Illinois. "Let Texas Roadhouse take care of dinner tonight and support Special Olympics of Illinois," said the O'Fallon Police in a statement. "The community is encouraged to participate and contribute to the cause. "O'Fallon Police Department will be out there selling Torch Run merchandise as well. We hope to see you there."

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August 19th has seen its fair share of monumental events that have shaped the course of history across the globe. 1960: The First Successful Recovery of a Spacecraft On August 19, 1960, the United States achieved a significant milestone in space exploration with the launch and successful recovery of the Discoverer 14 satellite. This mission was part of the Corona program, which was a series of American strategic reconnaissance satellites produced and operated by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Directorate of Science & Technology with substantial assistance from the U.S. Air Force. The Discoverer 14 satellite played a crucial role in providing invaluable intelligence during the Cold War by capturing high-resolution photographs from space. This successful recovery marked a significant leap forward in space technology, proving that it was possible to retrieve objects from orbit, a capability that would be essential for future manned space missions. 1942: The Start of the

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EDWARDSVILLE - Laughter and cheers filled the air during the annual Kids Race at the Edwardsville Rotary Criterium event, bringing joy to participants and spectators alike. This year marked the 14th running of the Criterium, which has evolved into one of the most anticipated events in the Edwardsville region. Held each week, the Criterium features various races, with the Kids Race being a standout. Dubbed "The Greatest Race In The World," the event seems to live up to its name for children, parents, and fans. The atmosphere was electric as parents and onlookers shared in the excitement and enthusiasm of the young racers. The event's continued success underscores its importance to the community, providing a platform for children to engage in healthy competition and for families to come together. As one of the largest events in the area, the Criterium and its Kids Race have become a cherished tradition, drawing smiles and fostering a sense of camaraderie among all who attend.

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MADISON COUNTY - Illinois State Police are investigating after a pedestrian was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer late Saturday on Interstate 70 in Madison County, Illinois. Troopers responded around 11:26 p.m. Saturday to mile marker 18 on Interstate 70 westbound, where they found a pedestrian who had been fatally struck by a tractor-trailer, according to Illinois State Police. The identity of the person has not been publicly released, and the investigation remains ongoing. Traffic on the interstate was diverted for several hours overnight to Illinois Highway 4 as troopers conducted their investigation. The affected section of Interstate 70 was reopened around 3:20 a.m. Sunday, according to the state police.

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GRANITE CITY - Leon Owens is an offensive and defensive lineman for Granite City High's football team who's feeling confident about helping the Warriors turn their program around after going a winless 0-9 season in 2023. Owens is a Stillwater Senior Living Male Athlete of Month for Granite City. Owens is a senior who will provide needed leadership and support to his fellow linemen and teammates when it's needed most in 2024, and expressed that confidence in an interview conducted during preseason practice on Aug. 13, as the Warriors prepare to host Triad in the season opener on Aug. 30. "I am feeling pretty confident that our defense can get it all done," Owens said. "Offensively, we need a little work, but we can get it done coming into our new game." It was truly not the best of seasons for the Warriors, but confidence abounds now, as Granite prepares for the new season under new head coach Steve Roustio. Owens himself has many goals he wishes to accomplish. "For me, myself,

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EDWARDSVILLE - Offensive lineman Hayden Volz, tight end Jack Weaver, and wide receiver-defensive back Clayton Lakatos are three of the seniors who hope to take the Edwardsville High football team to new heights as the 2024 season starts on Aug. 30 at Chatham Glenwood. The three players opened up with their preseason practice session this past week on a rainy and overcast day at Tiger Stadium, and they felt that things went well on the opening day. The trio are Spencer Homes Male Athletes of Month for the Edwardsville Tigers. "I think it went well," Volz said in a joint interview that followed practice. "It's definitely a mental day, since we don't have all the pads on, but knock the rust off, come out, fly around, have fun." Weaver felt the same way as Volz. "I think things went well today," Weaver said. "It was a little rainy out, but we got some good mental work in, and breaking that rust off from a week off." Lakatos made it unanimous among his teammates. "Yeah, same as them,"

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