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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) announced that St. Clair County will receive $89,533,000 in disaster relief through the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program. This funding comes as a much-needed boost to help communities continue their recovery from the severe storms that devastated the area last July. Since the storm, Budzinski has pushed for further attention to the issue, which resulted in additional disaster relief secured through December’s end-of-year government spending bill. “This funding announcement is a huge win for our communities that are still recovering from the devastating storms. This vital support will help restore critical infrastructure, provide much-needed assistance to families, and give businesses the boost they need to rebuild,” said Congresswoman Budzinski . “I’m proud to have helped secure the Presidential Disaster Declaration for St. Clair, and even prouder

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ALTON - With the arrival of the new year 2025 and the upcoming election on April 1st, I encourage you to reflect not just on the past year but on the transformative journey of my first term as your mayor since May 2021. Together, we've navigated challenges and celebrated triumphs that have shaped our vibrant community. From enhancing public safety and investing in infrastructure to fostering economic growth and promoting inclusivity, my administration has remained dedicated to serving the best interests of Alton's residents. As I seek re-election, I am excited to share the progress we've made and my vision for the future. I encourage you to join me in looking back at our achievements and forward to the opportunities that lie ahead, ensuring that Alton continues to thrive for generations to come. Your voice matters, and I am committed to listening to your needs and aspirations as we move forward together. **Key Accomplishments During My First Term:** I am proud of the achievements

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January 8th has been a day of significant events in history, marking the passage of time with milestones that have shaped our world. Moving back in time, January 8th holds historical significance due to the birth of a legendary figure in music: Elvis Presley. Born on January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi, Elvis would go on to become one of the most influential cultural icons of the 20th century. His unique blend of rock, blues, and country music revolutionized the music industry and paved the way for numerous artists who followed. Elvis's impact extended beyond music; he became a symbol of youthful rebellion and a cultural phenomenon that transcended generations. His contribution to the arts continues to be celebrated today, with countless tributes and a lasting legacy that still influences musicians around the globe. In addition to music, January 8th is also marked by significant political events. On this day in 1815, the Battle of New Orleans took place, marking a decisive

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Dierbergs is recalling all 16oz Premium Home-Style Mashed Potatoes with a Sell By Date of January 09, 2025. The product carries an undeclared allergen of Wheat. The affected product is identifiable by a label ID number of 92 in the lower left-hand corner above the UPC code. All the implicated products have been removed from store shelves. The product was distributed to the following stores: Southroads Four Seasons Warson Woods Manchester West Oak Clarkson Arnold Lemay Bogey Hills Florissant Market Place Mackenzie Point Telegraph Heritage Place 94 Crossing Deer Creek Fenton Brentwood Green Mount Wildwood 79 Crossing Wentzville Edwardsville Lake Saint Louis Crestwood The following products are included in this recall: Item Being Recalled (Name) Size UPC Use by Dates Premium Home-Style Mashed Potatoes Premium Home-Style Mashed Potatoes – 16oz 231220006538 01/09/2025 Dierbergs Markets is working closely wit

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Rockhurst University has announced the dean's list for the fall 2024 semester. This honor recognizes students who have achieved a grade-point average of 3.5 or above. The following students earned a place on the list: Granite City, IL Ella Wilmsmeyer Isa Wilmsmeyer Rockhurst University, founded in 1910 and located in the heart of Kansas City, Missouri, is a Catholic university in the Jesuit tradition committed to providing inclusive, innovative and transformative education. As a comprehensive university and supportive community of nearly 4,000 students, its mission is to form lifelong learners in the liberal arts tradition who engage the complexities of our world and serve others as compassionate, thoughtful leaders. U.S. News & World Report consistently names Rockhurst among the top Midwest Regional Universities. Rockhurst has held the community engagement classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching since 2010. Learn more

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GODFREY - Godfrey is the latest municipality in the Riverbend to pursue the construction of a dog park. While exact details are still being worked out, the proposed site is near Glazebrook Park. The Godfrey Finance Committee on Tuesday approved $11,485.90 for the purchase of materials to construct a dog park from Superior Fence and Ornamental Iron, Inc. of Cottage Hills. Parks and Recreation Director Chris Logan said the dog park would consist of two sections: one for small dogs and one for large dogs. Both would be constructed using 48-inch tall chain-link fencing, with one single gate and one double gate for each section. The two sections would be separated by a sidewalk which runs through an open area of greenspace just south of the new softball fields in Glazebrook park. In addition to sidewalks, Logan noted the site already has nearby parking and restroom facilities. Trustee Jeff Weber asked how the park would be run and maintained, to which Logan replied that decision

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EDWARDSVILLE — Commander Marcos Pulido announced today that the Madison County CrossRiver Crime Task Force has completed another successful deployment. The deployment conducted Friday, Jan. 3, 2024, included the recovery of a stolen vehicle and the arrest of an individual in possession of half an ounce of suspected methamphetamine. The deployment was led by the Task Force’s new Deputy Commanders: Capt. Adam Connor of Granite City Police Department and Capt. Kurtis McCray of Alton Police Department. Connor and McCray replace Major John Franke and Capt. Brian Koberna, who recently completed terms as Deputy Commanders. The deployment covered multiple jurisdictions, concluding in the Alton area. Results of the deployment included: • Recovery of stolen vehicle • Apprehension of individual with suspected stolen registration on a vehicle. • Apprehension of individual in possession of half an ounce of suspected methamphetamine along with suspected fentanyl. &bul

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RIVERBEND - The snow has piled up and the kids are off from school; what better way to enjoy the winter weather than by playing outside? “It’s great snowman weather,” said Lyndsey Younger, Alton’s Interim Director of Parks and Recreation. Younger noted that the Public Works and Parks and Recreation Department has stayed busy clearing the streets and parking lots so families can enjoy Alton’s parks. Gordon Moore Park closed at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, but Younger expects all parks will be back to normal operations by Wednesday, Jan. 8. “We’re hoping to have everything cleared and ready to go by tomorrow,” she said. “We’re still trying to clean up the parks and the parking lots, so not all of them are cleared yet. They’re still working as we speak.” In the meantime, here is a list of the best sledding locations in the Riverbend region for you and your kiddos to enjoy. Whether you make snowmen and

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ALTON/EDWARDSVILLE - With frigid temperatures over the next few nights, the Overnight Warming Locations will remain open for community members experiencing homelessness or insufficient heating. The Overnight Warming Locations (OWLs) in Alton and Edwardsville will once again be open on Jan. 7, 2025, as overnight temperatures are forecasted to drop below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. The Alton OWL, located at Deliverance Temple, and the Edwardsville OWL at First Baptist Church both open when temperatures reach this low. Lindsey Apple, OWL director, explained that the OWLs are open to all unhoused community members, people without sufficient heating, or anyone who needs a warm place to stay. She encourages people to volunteer with the OWLs, and she reminds guests that the OWLs will always be a safe space for those who need them. “As a pastor, this looks like church to me,” she said. “I feel really grateful to be a part of that. It’s not a religious movement, but

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COLLINSVILLE - Taurean Valentine, a senior guard and forward for the Granite City High boys basketball team. scored eight points in the Warriors' 52-47 overtime win over Mundelein on Dec. 28, 2024, Granite's win in this year's Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic, but it was an important win, as the Warriors kept plugging away, and took the close game in the consolation quarterfinals. Valentine is currently averaging 4.5 points, and 3.8 rebounds-per-game, going along with a team-leading 24 assists and also making 10 steals, second most on the Warriors thus far. He helps provide leadership and encouragement to his teammates, many of whom didn't have varsity experience before this season. Valentine is a Stillwater Senior Living Male Athlete of the Month for the Warriors. In a postgame interview after the win over the Mustangs, Valentine felt good about the Granite win, and was also quick to praise his teammates for their help. "I"m feeling good," Valentine said. "There's

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EAST ST. LOUIS - United Congregations of Metro East, an organization that works to address social, racial, and economic issues in southeastern Illinois, has joined the New Leaf Illinois network to help people clear past cannabis and other eligible arrests or convictions off their records. New Leaf Illinois is a statewide network of nonprofit organizations, funded by the State of Illinois, that provides free expungement legal services. United Congregations of Metro East received a $25,000 grant from the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation to provides legal information, resources, and help navigating the justice system to people who are struggling with career advancement in the East St. Louis community and surrounding areas. “Transformation begins by prioritizing people and equipping them with the resources they need to thrive,” said Darnell Tingle, Director of United Congregations of Metro East. “Supporting record expungement empowers individuals to move beyond their pas

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GODFREY - The Village of Godfrey is considering a ban on the sale or possession of kratom, which would impose fines for each violation and criminal penalties under certain circumstances. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Kratom “commonly refers to an herbal substance that can produce opioid and stimulant-like effects.” Most users report using kratom to manage pain or opioid addictions. “While there are no uses for kratom approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, people report using kratom to manage drug withdrawal symptoms and cravings (especially related to opioid use), pain, fatigue and mental health problems,” the NIDA states. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) notes kratom “is not controlled under the Controlled Substances Act,” leaving regulation to state and local governments. Kratom products can legally be sold in Illinois to individuals over 18 years old, but local municipalities have

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Arts Center is already looking ahead to an exciting year. Beth Browne, executive director of EAC, explained that their recent move to 340 Montclaire Avenue in Edwardsville was a big adjustment, but they still managed to increase their programming by 18% in 2024. Now, as 2025 gets underway, the center has big plans for the coming months, with several events lined up already. “Art just brings so much joy,” Browne said. “We’ve got lots of great programming coming forward, so we’re very excited about that.” EAC will kick off the year with ARTini, a night that “celebrates the fusion of art and mixology,” Browne said. On Saturday, March 8, 2025, community members are invited to the Leclaire Room at N.O. Nelson to enjoy art-inspired cocktails from 18 restaurants around the Edwardsville area. Artists will also be creating pieces onsite, which will then be auctioned off at the end of the night. You

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GODFREY - The Madison County Sheriff's Office is investigating a fatal traffic crash involving a bicyclist that occurred on Dec. 29, 2024, in unincorporated Alton. The incident took place in the evening hours at the intersection of Humbert Road and Randolph Street. The victim, identified as 58-year-old Steven J. Coryell, was struck by a blue pickup truck while riding his bicycle northbound on Humbert Road. Preliminary investigations indicate that the driver of the truck was also traveling northbound when the collision occurred. Following the crash, the driver fled the scene, continuing north on Humbert Road. First responders, including deputies from the Madison County Sheriff's Office and personnel from the Godfrey Fire Department, attempted life-saving measures on Coryell, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. Madison County Coroner Nicholas Novacich later identified the preliminary cause of death as blunt head and chest trauma. The Metro East Crash Assistance Team (MECAT) assisted

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ST. LOUIS — A winter weather system is set to move through the St. Louis area from Thursday night into Friday morning, Jan. 10, 2025, bringing light snow to southern Missouri and the Interstate 44 corridor. The Metro East area should also see some snowfall. Melissa Delia, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in St. Louis, reported that snowfall amounts are expected to range from a dusting in areas south of the I-44 corridor to up to 4 inches in far southeastern Missouri. The National Weather Service said it would have more information on Wednesday afternoon about the potential snow totals with this next front. Delia emphasized that the upcoming weather event will not mirror the significant snow, ice, and sleet accumulation seen in recent days. "While snow is expected, amounts won’t be anywhere near what we saw over the weekend," she said. The forecast indicates that Metro areas may receive a dusting of up to 2 inches of snow, but there remains some uncertainty

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EAST ST. LOUIS - Danea Gathing is spearheading a fundraising effort to cover the funeral expenses for her uncle, Kavin Gathing, who was murdered alongside his roommate on New Year’s Day. The tragic incident has left the family seeking assistance as they navigate this difficult time. Kavin Gathing, described by his niece as a beloved member of his community, was killed under circumstances that remain unclear. “No one seems to know anything as to why this happened, given the fact that my uncle bothered no one and was loved by the people in his community,” Danea Gathing stated. In light of the unexpected expenses associated with his passing, Danea Gathing has initiated a GoFundMe campaign. She noted that her uncle did not have any arrangements in place for funeral costs, and her family is struggling to cover these expenses. “We realize that money is tight, as it is for us, so anything is greatly appreciated,” she said. The GoFundMe campaign is intended

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EAST ST. LOUIS - East St. Louis School District 189 will implement a full eLearning day on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, to provide virtual instruction for its students. The decision aims to ensure continuity in education while utilizing district-issued Chromebooks for remote learning. On this day, students are required to log on to their virtual classes from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Attendance will be taken, and teachers will communicate schedules for breaks and lunch. Consistent engagement and participation will be essential for attendance verification. Parents are encouraged to help facilitate their children's learning by ensuring they have a distraction-free space and access to their Google Classroom. Additional resources, including the Clever Portal, can be found on the district's website at www.estl189.com. This portal is the primary access point for students to engage with instructional materials on eLearning days. For technical assistance, parents and students can reach out to the district

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GODFREY - The Nature Institute is rolling out the welcome mat for adults this year! Known for its awesome kids’ programs, TNI is ready to sprinkle some nature magic on the grown-ups too. Get ready for two exciting events in January: a cozy book club and the kick-off of the Wilderness Wisdom series. First up, the Naturally Curious Book Club is here to save you from freezing your toes off! There is no need to brave the chill for this winter adventure. Grab a warm drink and dive into Slow Birding by Joan E. Strassman, where you’ll discover tales about our feathered friends that you might have overlooked. Join us at the Mississippi Sanctuary office on January 15 at 5:30 p.m. for an evening chat, or swing by on January 16 at 10 am for a morning meetup. This free gathering is a perfect chance to mingle with fellow nature lovers and maybe even spot an eagle. Also, TNI is launching the Wilderness Wisdom series, responding to the buzz around our Bushcraft for Teens program. Get read

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Office of Undergraduate Admissions invites students who are interested in transferring to SIUE from a community college or another university to attend Transfer Preview. Designed specifically for prospective transfer students and their guests, the event, slated for Friday, Feb. 7, will provide insights into the transfer process, including admission requirements, transfer credits, student support services, and financial aid. “Transfer Preview will be a great opportunity for prospective transfer students to get a feel for what SIUE has to offer,” said Alicia Taylor, associate director of admissions in the Office of Admissions. Transfer Preview is more than just an informational session; it is a chance for transfer students to begin envisioning the next chapter of their educational journey at SIUE. Attendees will connect with faculty, staff, and current SIUE students to learn more about academic programs, transfer-friendly

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GODFREY – The Village of Godfrey has announced the suspension of its yard waste drop-off site on Stamper Lane, effective today. The site will remain closed for the winter season. Residents of Godfrey who have full bags of yard waste ready for disposal are encouraged to contact the Mayor’s office at (618) 466-3324, extension 1, to arrange for drop-off over the next week. The village has stated that any stickers purchased for yard waste bags will be honored when the site reopens in the spring. This seasonal closure is part of the village's ongoing efforts to manage waste disposal efficiently during the colder months.

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