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GODFREY - The Christmas in July fundraiser at Freer Auto Body raised over $73,500. On July 26, 2024, Freer Auto Body hosted the annual Christmas in July fundraiser with all proceeds going to Community Christmas, an initiative that provides toys, clothes and gifts for local families during the holiday season. Community members bought raffle tickets and donated money to contribute to the fundraiser. The Freers broke their record for the most money ever raised through Christmas in July. “I’m just blown away,” said Margaret Freer, owner of Freer Auto Body. “I cannot say enough about the community. It’s not us. It is not us. The community sees the need. They know what good it does, and they’re there. They support it. So we plan it, but the community hits it out of the park every year.” Margaret said they thought they would exceed their goal of $60,000, but she is shocked by how much more was raised. She attributed it to top ticket sellers

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ELSAH - Elsah resident Rhonda Brown is set to reprise her award-winning role in "Red Hot Patriot: The wit of Molly Ivins" at this year's STL Fringe Festival, scheduled for August 12-18. Brown stars as Molly Ivins, the renowned 6-foot-tall Texan reporter known for her sharp political commentary and liberal stance. Brown's performance as Ivins, who passed away in 2007 at the age of 62 after battling cancer, has been widely acclaimed. Ivins made a significant impact on American journalism with her incisive humor and bold political critiques. Her career included stints at prominent publications such as the Houston Chronicle, the Texas Observer, the New York Times, the Dallas Times Herald, and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Ivins' syndicated column reached more than 300 newspapers, and she authored over 10 books. The play, which captures Ivins' indomitable spirit and colorful take on national politics, has received praise for its authentic portrayal. "Rhonda Brown plays Ivins in what amounts

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ALTON - Sacred Spaces of CARE is collecting money and supplies for back-to-school giveaways. On Saturday, July 27, 2024, the nonprofit will be at the Alton Police Department to give out supplies alongside Highways of Holiness. From 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Sacred Spaces will be handing out wellness supplies like journals, stress balls, fidget toys and more. Megan Tyler, founder of Sacred Spaces, explained that they hope to participate in more giveaways like this in the future, and they are asking for the community’s support. You can donate through their Amazon wish list . “I’ve had a lot of people, over the course of several months since we’ve gotten up and going now, wanting to know how they can contribute and become involved,” Tyler said. “And I think the wish list just provides a really tangible way for people to feel like they can contribute something that’s meeting an immediate need.” As an organization, Sacred Spaces

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This week marks the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) being signed into law by President George H.W. Bush in the South Lawn outside the White House. The event occurred on July 26, 1990, a seminal moment for the disability community and our collective civil rights. More than three decades later, two things about the landmark law’s enactment are indelibly etched into my psyche. It seems unfathomable that (1) it really took until I was almost 9 years old that disabled people had a codified set of rights in America; and (2) a Republican was willing to sign the bill. The latter strikes me as more incredulous than the first, if only because it has been made abundantly clear modern-day Republicans wouldn’t bother with such peasantry . That said, it’s heartening to see news surface on Thursday from Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) that she was once again assuming the front lines in championing a bill that makes the country more accessible

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CAHOKIA HEIGHTS - State Representative Kevin Schmidt continued his commitment to fighting food insecurity by fulfilling his monthly donation to the TWIGS lunch program. As part of his ongoing commitment, Rep. Schmidt donated the legislative pay raise he voted against each month in the form of essential food items to local food pantries and non-profits within his district. “I was grateful today to donate my legislative pay raise in the form of food to the TWIGS lunch distribution program,” Rep. Schmidt said. “This program distributes food to children who are at risk of not having lunch during the summer months outside of school in Dupo, Cahokia Heights, and East Carondelet. I’m inspired by the work that TWIGS is doing in our community! Thank you, TWIGS!” To learn more about TWIGS and what they do, visit https://www.twigsforkids.com

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EDWARDSVILLE – The Roxana Fire Department and the Roxana Police Department responded to a vehicle fire on Rte 143 at South Moreland Road on Friday afternoon, July 26, 2024. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy flames coming from the engine compartment of a Charter Communication bucket truck. Firefighters swiftly extinguished the blaze, but the truck was declared a total loss. Traffic in the area was affected while the firefighters worked to control the fire. It is unknown what caused the fire.

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GODFREY - On July 26, 2024, Freer Auto Body hosted its annual Christmas in July fundraiser to raise money for Community Christmas. The Community Christmas initiative aims to fundraise for local families during the Christmas season. All proceeds from Christmas in July and Community Christmas go toward families in the Riverbend region. The Christmas in July fundraiser marks the beginning of Community Christmas, with a raffle, Sloppy Joes and more at Freer Auto Body throughout the day. “The community is awesome,” said Margaret Freer, owner of Freer Auto Body. “We live in a wonderful, wonderful community. We organize this, but the community makes it happen. We’re going to surpass last year’s goal, I’m sure.” Last year, the Christmas in July fundraiser netted approximately $57,000. They hope to reach $60,000 before the end of the day on July 26. This is their 15th year of Community Christmas, and Margaret noted that it has grown a lot since

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GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) placed in the top 10 across the nation in at least one area at the FBLA Collegiate National Leadership Conference in Orlando, FL. The FBLA received several awards from the State Leadership Conference earlier this year: seven first-place awards, two second-place awards, and three third-place awards. Associate Professor and FBLA Club Advisor Christina Wickenhauser said she attributes her team’s success to student involvement and determination. “My students rose to every challenge I presented to them and excelled far beyond what I had imagined,” Wickenhauser said. Wickenhauser said the club members are always encouraging and supportive of one another, especially when faced with discouragement or disappointment. Nicc Edwards, Vondasia Pittman and Bre Welch said their biggest priority preparing for the conference was meeting after school and constantly

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WOOD RIVER - Seven felony charges have been filed against a Wood River man accused of fighting multiple police officers who were attempting to arrest him during a domestic violence incident. Tristan S. Acup, 21, of Wood River, was charged with the following: Aggravated battery - Class 2 felony Aggravated battery - Class 2 felony Aggravated battery - Class 2 felony Domestic battery (2nd or subsequent) - Class 4 felony Resisting or obstructing peace officer - Class 4 felony Resisting or obstructing peace officer - Class 4 felony Criminal damage to government supported property - Class 4 felony A petition to deny Acup’s pretrial release states that he was identified as the suspect in a domestic violence incident on July 10, 2024 in which he repeatedly threw the victim to the ground, causing bruising. He was also reportedly on probation at the time for a prior incident involving the same victim. Officers attempted to take Acup into custody when the situation escalate

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BELLEVILLE - The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows will hold its 81st Healing and Hope Novena. From July 28 to Aug. 5, 2024, community members are invited to the church for nine nights of prayer. Different priests will cover different topics every night. This year’s theme is “Pondering the Word of God with Mary,” and each sermon addresses an important time in Mary’s life. “I think it’s very important,” said Beth Mertz, marketing and events coordinator with the church. “This is a Healing and Hope Novena, so it helps us heal, it gives us hope, and it just makes us a little bit stronger in our faith and working through everyday life.” On the first night on Sunday, July 28, 2024, Father David Uribe will cover “The Annunciation,” followed by Father Mark Powell’s July 29 sermon on “The Visitation” and Father Jim Fee’s July 30 sermon on “The Magnificat.” Wednesday, July 31 wil

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Welcome to another edition of 'This Day in History,' where we delve into the past to uncover the significant events that have shaped our world. 1965: The Maldives Gains Independence On July 26, 1965, the Maldives, an island nation in the Indian Ocean, gained independence from British rule. This historic event marked the end of 78 years of British protectorate status, ushering in a new era of self-governance. The Maldives' independence laid the foundation for its development into a popular tourist destination known for its stunning beaches and vibrant marine life. 1956: Egyptian President Nasser Nationalizes the Suez Canal In a bold move on July 26, 1956, Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser announced the nationalization of the Suez Canal. This pivotal decision sparked the Suez Crisis, leading to a military intervention by the United Kingdom, France, and Israel. The crisis underscored the geopolitical significance of the canal and highlighted the shifting dynamics of post-colonial

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JERSEYVILLE - A Jerseyville man with an extensive criminal history faces multiple new charges after allegedly committing domestic battery against two victims under the age of 18. Patrick D. Hendy, 39, of Jerseyville, was charged with two counts of domestic battery/bodily harm, both Class A misdemeanors. On July 20, 2024, Hendy allegedly caused bodily harm to a 12-year-old family member by striking them, pinning them against the wall, throwing them on a couch and pulling their hair. He was also charged with causing bodily harm to another minor family member who was 17 at the time. Hendy had been out on pretrial release from a prior domestic battery case filed on March 20, 2024, but the state filed a petition to revoke his pretrial release following the charges filed in his latest case of domestic violence. A petition to deny his pretrial release filed on July 22, 2024, adds that Hendy “has a history of criminality dating back to at least 2012,” including multiple

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SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Office of Law Enforcement is seeking applicants for the position of conservation police officer trainee. Conservation police officers enforce state laws intended to protect Illinois' natural and recreational resources. They are vested with full state-wide police authority and are trained to the highest standards for law enforcement professionals in Illinois. Conservation police officers serve as an important link between IDNR and its constituencies, and they are often called upon to assist other agencies in emergency situations and rescue operations. IDNR’s Office of Law Enforcement is currently looking to expand its ranks by 15 officers with the newest class of trainees. Applications must be submitted electronically by Friday, July 26. Instructions for applying can be found online . Criteria to be considered: Applicants must be 20 years of age and have successfully completed an associate’s degree or 60

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ALTON - The Alton Fire Department and Alton Police Department responded to a traffic crash at the intersection of Salu Street and Humbert Street on Thursday afternoon. An SUV and a car collided near Salu Park, prompting an immediate response from emergency services. Firefighters were observed treating one patient at the scene. However, the total number of injuries and their severity remains unknown at this time. The Alton Police Department has launched an investigation into the accident to determine the circumstances leading up to the collision.

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EDWARDSVILLE - Charles Fedder just concluded a strong spring career with the Metro East Lutheran Track Team. Charles is a BJ’s Printables Male Athlete of the Month for the Knights. Fedder was a 100, 200 and 400-meter runner this past year for the Knights and recorded personal bests of 11.65 for first in a meet at Carlinville, also a 400 best of 52.39 for first at Carlinville and a 23.74 200-meter best for first in a meet at Virden (North Mac). Charles also posted a 24.01 for second on May 10, 2024, in the Gillespie Invite. He was fourth in the Roxana Relays 100-meter dash with a time of 11.65, his PR for the season. He was seventh in both the 100 (11.84) and the 200 (24.31), and fourth in the 400 (52.39) at the Carlinville Sectional track and field meet. MELHS Coach Mike Cook said Charles was also a relay person, a top-notch sprinter, and a key contributor to his team. Again, congrats to Charles on his honor as a BJ’s Printables Male Athlete of the Month.

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ST. LOUIS – The Take Part Foundation , a St. Louis-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that identifies and funds medical research for rare pediatric conditions, has granted an award of $100,000 to St. Louis Children’s Hospital . This donation will help families with the cost of genetic testing, an often expensive but crucial first step toward a diagnosis. Following their first successful fundraising gala earlier this spring, founders Maria and Matt Granados presented Take Part’s largest donation to date to hospital representatives at a ceremony on July 9th. The generous contribution was made possible by the following gala sponsors: Sappington Family, Jbloom, Truck Centers Inc, The Opus Group, Summit Rejuvenation, Pace Properties, Enterprise Bank & Trust, My Beloved Bridal, Krishnan Family Foundation, Technology Partners and the Color Room. Since fall 2023, Take Part has gifted an additional $20,000 to St. Louis Children’s Hospital. “The Take Part Foundation’s

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BELLEVILLE - University of Illinois Extension will help kick off the fall season with a Pumpkin Field Day on Sept. 5 at Eckert’s Orchard at 951 S. Green Mount Rd., Belleville. The day will begin at 10 a.m., and registration includes lunch. Whether a seasoned commercial pumpkin grower or someone looking to learn more about one of the state’s most popular specialty crops, attendees can look forward to a day of everything pumpkin. Explore the world of commercial pumpkin production through presentations and research updates from Extension educators and university specialists. Additional field day activities: Tour research trials Listen to topic presentations and speakers Explore pumpkin variety trials Receive commercial pumpkin production updates Network with growers and industry vendors “Getting the chance to walk through current research variety trials provides growers the in-field experience and notes to take back to their own pumpkin crop,” says Nathan

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BETHALTO — The Bethalto Fire Department responded to a fire at a residence in the 400 block of Bartmer Drive on Thursday afternoon. Firefighters arrived to find a back deck on fire and smoke emanating from the home. The incident occurred on July 25, 2024, and prompted a swift response from the Bethalto Fire Department. "The fire started on the back deck of the home," said Bethalto Fire Chief Brian Buhs. Firefighters quickly contained the blaze before it could spread to the rest of the house. Given the potential for the fire to spread, a box alarm was requested. Fire departments from Rosewood Heights, Cottage Hills, Meadowbrook, and Wood River responded to assist in the effort. The cause of the fire remains unknown, and no injuries were reported.

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ALTON - On Thursday, July 25, 2024, a grand jury indictment of former Alton Police Officer Jeremiah Dressler was announced on charges of Theft Over $10,000, Theft by Deception Over $10,000, and three counts of Wire Fraud. Alton Police Jarrett Ford said the theft involved monies belonging to Police Benevolent Protection Association Unit #14. The initial information leading to the indictment was brought forth by a fellow Alton Police Officer once discovered, Chief Ford said. “Upon reviewing the information, I immediately contacted the Illinois State Police and requested they conduct a criminal investigation,” Ford added. “I subsequently placed Jeremiah Dressler on administrative leave and ordered an internal affairs investigation. “Prior to the completion of the criminal investigation and internal affairs investigation, Jeremiah Dressler’s employment with the Alton Police Department was ended. Jeremiah Dressler’s actions go against the core values

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TROY - Troy area residents can enjoy some good barbecue for an even better cause at the third annual Smoke N For The Kids festival and fundraiser from Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 at 8 a.m. to Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024 at 4 p.m. The jam-packed, family-friendly festival features live musical entertainment, the Rodz n Ribs Car Show, and much more, with proceeds allowing the Troy Edwardsville Shrine Club to continue supporting the Ainad Shriners and local communities. This year’s Smoke N For The Kids event will be held at Tri-Township Park at 410 Wickliffe St. in Troy. The live music lineup kicks off on Saturday with American Bluegrass Drive from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., followed by Joints 22 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. and Blue Marlin Band from 6 to 10 p.m. Last but not least, White Trash Millionaires will take the stage on Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m. The Rodz n Ribs Car Show, hosted by Southern Illinois Street Rod Association, will be held on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024 starting at 9 a.m.

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