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WOOD RIVER - Five Below announced on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024, that it will open its doors in Wood River next to the Walmart Supercenter in Wood River Plaza on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024. Considerable excitement has brewed regarding the Five Below opening in Wood River, Mayor Tom Stalcup said. “It is like a Dollar General type of store with merchandise that is $5 and below,” the mayor said. “It will be in the right section of where Walmart is located. There was a pizza place in that area and they agreed to move down a few doors to accommodate Five Below.” Five Below also plans to open an Alton location in the old Shop 'N Save area . Five Below Inc. is an American chain of specialty discount stores that prices most of its products at $5 or less, plus a smaller assortment of products priced up to $25. Founded by Tom Vellios and David Schlessinger and headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the chain is aimed at tweens and teens.

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ALTON - The old team at Alton’s The Pasta House Co. will meet again at an upcoming reunion party. Previous Pasta House employees, friends and customers are invited to The Lovejoy at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, to reminisce and celebrate. There will be a cash bar and Matt Taul will play from 7–10 p.m. “I think it’s going to be a great time,” said Greg Franklin, who organized the reunion with Roland DeGregorio. “Just the idea, everybody was so enthusiastic about it. You talk to somebody and say, ‘Hey, what do you think of this idea?’ And they would be like, ‘Man, that’s going to be such a good time.’” Franklin remembers having a lot of fun as a Pasta House employee. The restaurant opened on Aug. 4, 1986, and Franklin worked there from 1988–1993. He said he “learned a lot” and he is excited to see his old coworkers again. “It was fantastic, actually. It was old-school, a lo

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JERSEYVILLE - The Jerseyville Public Library is gearing up for a building expansion which has been years in the making and is set to begin this spring. The large-scale expansion project will not only give the library more room for youth areas, meeting rooms and more, but also aims to make the building's current entrance more architecturally consistent with the original Carnegie building that was built in 1904. “Not only is everyone celebrating a new year, but the Jerseyville Public Library (JPL) is excited about the start of a much-anticipated expansion set to begin later this year,” the library announced in a press release. “Be sure to watch for groundbreaking news and information on how you can help by being a part of this exciting new venture.” To help fund this expansion venture, the library is hosting a Trivia Night on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at DJ’s Pub & Grill in Jerseyville. Doors will open at 6 p.m. with trivia starting at 7 p.m., and

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PIASA - Southwestern's 5-foot-7-inch junior guard Gracie Darr is a natural athlete in multiple sports. Her sport for the winter is basketball and she is the point guard for the Piasa Birds. She has had a solid season and often controls the Piasa Birds' offense. She is an excellent three-point shooter. Gracie is an Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month for the Piasa Birds. Gracie is the daughter of Piasa Birds' head coach Jason Darr and Jill Darr, so she has grown up at the sidelines of his basketball contests and is extremely knowledgeable about the game. Piasa Birds head girls coach Darren Mosley said Gracie handles the ball a lot for his team. She has averaged nearly 11 points a game for her squad and multiple assists per game. "She has a great attitude and works very hard," he said. "She is a real leader both on and off the court. "She has stepped up this year to score more points. Gracie always puts the team first and does all the things on th

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ALTON - Schon D. Widman faces a count of Aggravated Arson, a Class X Felony, in a charge regarding a fire at 3116 Hawthorne in Alton on New Year’s Day. The Madison County State’s Attorney’s office released the charge in the Widman case as follows: Count I Aggravated Arson - "In that said defendant, by means of fire or explosive, knowingly damaged any real property, of another, being Arthur Widman, without the consent of being Arthur Widman, being the property located at 3116 Hawthorne Boulevard, Alton, Madison County, Illinois, and he knew or reasonably should have known that one or more persons were present therein, in violation of 720 ILCS5/20-1.1(a)." State’s Attorney Tom Haine also made a motion to the Madison County Third Circuit Court to deny the defendant pretrial release.

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ALTON - Thirty years ago on Jan. 5, 1994, Clark Bridge opened to the public. Also known as the Super Bridge, this bridge made history as the first of its kind in the U.S. It is a steel-framed cable-stayed bridge, which means most of the weight is supported by the cables, and pylon provides additional support. The design of the double cables was more cost-effective and provided more support, but it was so unique that Clark Bridge was the subject of a NOVA documentary called “Super Bridge” in 1997. Clark Bridge is 108 feet wide and replaced the old Clark Bridge, which was only 20 feet wide. It is maintained by the Illinois Department of Transportation and moves U.S. Route 67 across the river between Illinois and Missouri. Alton Mayor David Goins said the 30th anniversary of the Clark Bridge on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, is a special date. "It is a very important day and it was when the bridge was first opened," he said. "When the bridge was erected it brought national

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BETHALTO - Junior August Frankford is a valuable component of the Civic Memorial boys basketball squad and is often in double figures scoring and close to that range each game in rebounding. Frankford is a post player for the Eagles and a Tom Lane State Farm Insurance Male Athlete Of The Month. Frankford's head boys coach Lee Green said August received a lot of experience last year on varsity and had a great summer for his club. "He put on about 45 pounds of muscle and is much bigger and stronger this year," Coach Green said. "He put a lot of time in the weight room." Frankford is also a pitcher, outfielder, and infielder, for the Eagles' baseball squad in the spring. He had a .302 batting average last baseball season. "August is playing well for us this season," Coach Green said. Again, congrats to August Frankford on his recognition as a Tom Lane State Farm Insurance Male Athlete of the Month.

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ALTON - A new yoga studio has opened in Alton, and they have a lot more than poses coming down the pipeline. Radiance Yoga & Wellness, located at 211 E. Broadway in Alton, opened on Jan. 1, 2024. Owner Janet Keffer hopes to eventually incorporate more wellness practices, including massage and Reiki, into the new business. “We just opened and the plan is to offer more than yoga classes,” Keffer explained. “It was one of those, ‘If I don’t do it now, how much longer am I going to keep putting it off?’” Keffer is currently offering Vinyasa flow yoga classes every day of the week except for Friday and Sunday. She also has private yoga classes available and said she will likely introduce a membership program. While she doesn’t currently offer Reiki, she does practice it and looks forward to connecting to more practitioners in the community. “I believe that yoga should be more accessible to more people. And it seems to me that

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ALTON - For most people, retirement is a time to relax. For Marlene Lewis, it’s a chance to volunteer to make the Riverbend community a better place. Lewis believes her career in Community Relations and Development at Alton Memorial Hospital has prepared her to volunteer her time now with the Salvation Army, Alton Woman’s Home Association and Alton Main Street. She encourages others to get involved and help out the community where possible. “It’s great because I’m retired, so I do have time to do these things. And like I mentioned, a lot of the things that I’m working on are things that are similar to my career path, so they’re areas that I’m comfortable with and have a good understanding of,” Lewis said. “It’s just a wonderful way to meet people and to feel good about yourself and give your life a meaningful purpose that I think we all really want to have in our lives. So I hope that anyone that reads this that

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JERSEYVILLE - Axe & Ale, Jerseyville’s newest venue for axe-throwing entertainment, recently announced a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony set for 5 p.m. this Friday, Jan. 5, 2024. The festivities will commence at the venue at 806 Tri Point Lane in Jerseyville, just across Illinois Route 16 from Farm & Home Supply. After acquiring the location from Riverbend Axe Throwing last fall and hosting a soft opening last November, Axe & Ale co-owners Chris and Christina Herren said in a press release that they’ve “diligently devoted the past two months to refurbishing and upgrading the location while actively engaging with the community to understand and cater to their desires.” "We're thrilled to introduce Axe & Ale to the Jerseyville community," Chris said. "Our aim is to provide a welcoming space where locals can unwind, connect, and experience the excitement of axe throwing. We've worked diligently to create a venue that fosters camaraderie and fun

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JERSEYVILLE - Jersey senior basketball player Aiden Taylor has been a part of the Panthers' program for four years and became a starter this season. Jersey head boys coach Matt Murphy said Aiden is a great example of being determined and working to get to the end goal of contributing as a senior. Aiden is a Sparklight Internet Male Athlete Of The Month. "Aiden is very physical and has a very quick first jump," Murphy said. "His personality is a joy to be around and is always looking to get better. He is one of the more coachable players I have had." The coach added that Aiden's hard work is starting to pay off. "I am looking forward to a really solid second half of the season from him," the coach said. Taylor has also been an outstanding Panther varsity running back and outside linebacker each fall. Again congrats to Aiden Taylor for his recognition as a Sparklight Internet Male Athlete of the Month.

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ALTON - A special GoFundMe has been organized for a mother who wants to have her teenage son’s body returned from Alton to California, where she resides, for a proper funeral. A family friend, Tanya, established the GoFundMe for the family. The teen is Jaiden Dahl, 17, who had his life cut short on New Year’s Day when he was tragically shot and killed in Alton. This is what Tanya, wrote in the GoFundMe for the 17-year-old and his family: “Hello my name is Tanya, friend but more like sister to Bri. As most of you know her oldest son Jaiden - 17 years of age - was tragically shot and killed on New Year's Day. Jaiden was at home when his life was cut short. Jaiden was a respectful young man and loved his mother, sister and baby brother. His smile could light up any room, to know Jaiden was to love him. “With permission from his mother, I started this GoFundMe page to help his mother get Jaiden’s body to California for a proper burial. His mother plans to

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SPRINGFIELD – Motorcyclists no longer have to complete a duplicate driver’s test and will be more visible under two new laws sponsored by State Senator Doris Turner. “We are easing the process for motorcyclists to get their license without taking repetitive, unnecessary tests,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Removing this redundancy will simplify the process for motorcyclists, allowing them to enjoy Illinois’ roads.” House Bill 2582 removes the requirement for a motorcyclist under the age of 18 to complete a motorcycle driver's examination with the Secretary of State. Previously, 16- to 17-year-old motorcyclists were required to complete a Cycle Driver Testing Course provided by the Illinois Department of Transportation and an additional examination by the Secretary of State. Turner also led Senate Bill 896 which allows a motorcycle to be equipped with two forward-facing electric turn signals that emit a white or amber light. Two driving

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EDWARDSVILLE – The Scott Credit Union Community Foundation recently awarded $100,000 With You education grants to support various educational initiatives in 34 schools. Since 2020, the Foundation has allocated over $205,000 to a variety of school projects. The With You grant program has become a cornerstone of the Foundation's commitment to fostering innovation and growth in local educational environments. The Scott Credit Union Community Foundation raises money to support these efforts through their annual golf scramble and by donating a percentage of annual purchases made by members with their SCU debit cards. Frank Padak, President and CEO of Scott Credit Union, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, "At Scott Credit Union, we believe in the power of education to transform lives. The With You program reflects our commitment to supporting schools and nurturing the potential of students. We are proud to invest in these innovative educational projects that will

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EDWARDSVILLE - The City is actively recruiting to fill probationary firefighter/EMT positions with the Edwardsville Fire Department. Candidates who meet the requirements to apply can now register to take the written test – an opportunity that typically arises just once every two years in Edwardsville. Earning a spot on the City’s firefighter/EMT eligibility list is a multi-step process that begins with the written test. The entire process, which also includes physical tests, a background check and an interview, is mandated by state statute and overseen by the City’s Board of Fire & Police Commissioners. Edwardsville’s written test is set for Saturday, February 17, between 8 a.m. and noon in the Public Safety Building, 333 S. Main Street. Candidates must pre-register for the test by 3 p.m. Friday, February 2. An online registration form can be found at: www.cityofedwardsville.com/hr . The previous test was offered in December 2021. The eligibility list

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today highlighted that the bipartisan “Slow Down, Move Over” resolution she led with U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Mike Braun (R-IN) passed the Senate late last year. The resolution raises awareness of Slow Down, Move Over state laws to reduce struck-by-vehicle injuries and fatalities and to recognize the important role fire and rescue personnel, emergency medical services personnel, law enforcement officers, tow truck operators and transportation workers play in road safety. “Too often, our brave first responders and roadside assistance workers are injured or killed in dangerous collisions on our highways,” said Duckworth. “I’m relieved the Senate unanimously passed the bipartisan Slow Down, Move Over resolution to help protect the lives of these workers. In 2021, the Senate passed Duckworth’s Protecting Roadside First Responders Act as part of the bipartisan

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CHICAGO - Governor JB Pritzker announced today that, following a national search, he is appointing youth justice and child welfare expert Heidi Mueller as the next Director of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) pending Senate approval. Mueller currently serves as Director of the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), where she has been recognized for her nation-leading reform work and advocacy on behalf of young people. Robert Vickery, currently Deputy Director of Programs at DJJ, will serve as interim director of the agency while a search is conducted for Mueller’s permanent replacement. “The work Director Mueller has done at the Department of Juvenile Justice over the last several years has been transformative for the juvenile justice system in Illinois, and I am thrilled that she will bring her unique experience and talents to DCFS,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Heidi’s care and compassion for the most at-risk young

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today urged Illinois residents to be aware of phone scammers potentially using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to mimic the voice of a loved one. Scammers have long used the ploy of claiming a loved one is in trouble to convince targets to send a payment or share personal information. In a new and unnerving twist on this scam, criminals are using AI technology to mimic the voice of a target’s family member, so it sounds like the person is calling seeking help. The technology allows scammers to use snippets of audio, which are often readily available through videos posted to social media accounts, to clone voices for scam calls. “These criminals are very good and convincing at what they do. Their goal is to catch you off guard, scare you into sending payment and disappear before you realize what happened,” Raoul said. “Getting a call from what sounds like a family member in distress is upsetting, but you may not be able to

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ALTON - Alton High alum Charles Musgrave has made an impressive life for himself that will be documented in a new film titled “Jewel of the Desert.” Musgrave, who attended Alton High in the 1940s, never forgot his roots even as he planted new ones in Sun City, Arizona, as the director of the Desert Brass Band, a band of 30 senior citizens ages 58–91. Director and producer Mary Apick was so moved by the band’s story that she decided to create a documentary about the Desert Brass Band, set to premiere on Jan 19, 2024, in Sun City. The documentary follows Musgrave and a few of his instrumentalists as they share how they became musicians, their lives as performers, and their experience in the Desert Brass Band. The band started in 1998, and Musgrave took over as the conductor and music director in 2000. After graduating from Alton High in 1950, Musgrave received a bachelor’s degree in music education from the Conservatory of Music at Shurtleff College,

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) and Congressional Labor Caucus Co-Chairs Representatives Mark Pocan, Donald Norcross, Debbie Dingell, Steven Horsford, Marcy Kaptur, Chris Deluzio and Emilia Sykes led 45 of their colleagues in a bipartisan letter urging the Biden Administration to ensure a comprehensive regulatory review of Nippon Steel’s acquisition of U.S. Steel. “Domestic steel production is crucial to the U.S. economy, including by supporting tens of thousands of well-paying, middle-class jobs across the country, as well as being key to the U.S. industrial base and our global competitiveness. To preserve U.S. domestic steel production capacity and to ensure that steel production jobs remain good jobs going forward, it is critical that any company that acquires U.S. Steel commits to respecting and working collaboratively with the company’s workforce,” the Members wrote in a letter to President Biden. “However,

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