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Now that fall is here and temperatures are dropping, ensuring a properly maintained heating system is more important than ever. Bickle Electric Heating & Cooling, based in Edwardsville, IL, is ready to help homeowners prepare their HVAC systems for the colder months ahead. With their team of skilled technicians, Bickle Electric provides the expert maintenance needed to keep homes comfortable and energy-efficient all season long. Why Fall HVAC Maintenance is Important After a long summer, heating systems need attention to ensure they run efficiently and safely. Fall is the perfect time to schedule a professional tune-up to avoid breakdowns and optimize system performance before winter arrives. Regular maintenance not only improves energy efficiency but also extends the life of HVAC equipment and helps lower energy bills. Bickle Electric’s Fall HVAC Tune-Up Services Include: Complete System Inspection: Every component, including the furnace and thermostat, is inspected for

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ALTON - Reese Livingstone is an outstanding junior golfer who recently qualified for the IHSA Class 1A state girls tournament. She moved ahead with a score of 81 in the Rochester Secitonal and will play at state at Red Tail Golf Course in Decatur on Oct. 18-19, 2024. Reese is a Tucker’s Automotive Repair & Tire Female Athlete of the Month. Reese said one of her goals this season has been to lead the Explorers and she has been outstanding in the post-season. She saluted her father and coaches for helping her reach the success she has in high school golf. “Without my dad I wouldn’t have started playing golf and would have left it behind,” Taylor said. “He has taught me all that I know and continues to help me grow. I also have had a lot of help from my coaches Deb and Josh. Deb brought me on the varsity team my freshman year and helped me get through my freshman year of golf. Josh, our assistant coach, has always been there especially when I am down.”

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ROXANA — Taylor Partridge, a standout runner for the Roxana Shells, has been recognized as the Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month, highlighting her leadership role in the school's cross country and track and field programs. Partridge has established herself as a formidable competitor this season, with impressive times in various events. She recorded a personal best of 11:21 in the 3200 meters in track and field in the spring and completed the three-mile Granite City Invitational in 22:52.1. Additionally, she clocked 24:00.2 at the Peoria Notre Dame Meet, 24:40.7 in the Freeburg Invite, and 25:16.5 at the Madison County Meet. In an interview earlier this season, Partridge expressed her passion for the sport of cross country. “I love cross country,” she said. “I hope to run in college. I have been talking to some smaller schools and I hope I get an opportunity soon.” As she continues her athletic journey, Partridge's dedication

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SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI - Sun Solar offers a wide range of options for solar customers in Illinois, Missouri and Kansas. Lucas Admire, who represents Sun Solar, explained that the company brings a people-focused approach to commercial, residential and agricultural solar projects. Admire previously worked with a “fly-by-night” solar company with representatives that go door to door. He said working with Sun Solar has been a much better experience, both for him and his customers. “To go from that company that I was with that was kicking me all around the country at different times, to be with these guys, ,” Admire said. “It’s phenomenal, and I feel absolutely blessed to have been approached by Sun Solar.” At his previous company, Admire said he was a part of 30 solar deals that were never completed. This is different from Sun Solar, where Admire works personally with a project coordinator to make sure every job is completed in a timely

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SPRINGFIELD - Illinois State Police (ISP) Director Brendan F. Kelly gathered today with ISP staff and their families, local law enforcement officers, and distinguished members of the public for the ISP Awards Ceremony. The ceremony was held to recognize individuals for their significant contributions and dedication to public safety. Director Kelly presented individuals with the following awards: Director’s Award of Distinction, Medal of Valor, Medal for Honor, Meritorious Service Medal, Achievement Medal, and Lifesaving Medal. Each award recipient was recognized for their exemplary service to ISP and the residents of Illinois. “ISP’s greatest strength is our people – troopers, specials agents, telecommunicators, analysts, forensic scientists – and I am proud and honored to work alongside them all,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “Integrity, Service, and Pride are ISP’s values and the people we are honoring today embody those values.

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ST. LOUIS - The James Bess Foundation, a nonprofit that grants a dying dream to adults (21-65) battling a terminal illness, will grant Granite City, IL resident Keita Miller’s dying dream to meet Jelly Roll at his concert in St. Louis next week. WHERE: Enterprise Center – St. Louis, MO WHEN: Wednesday, Oct 23, 2024, at 7 p.m. The James Bess Foundation is a 501c3 organization that grants dreams to adults battling terminal illness. James Bess was diagnosed with brain cancer at age 38 and died at age 42. James’ dream was a meet and greet with the great Garth Brooks. However, due to the lack of resources, James died without having his dream fulfilled. The James Bess Foundation was formed in response to that situation. It began granting dreams in August 2017; as of October 1, 2024, they have granted forty-three dreams.

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ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department today launched a crime mapping tool to help the residents of St. Louis City stay informed and increase transparency around crime prevention. The crime map uses CrimeMapping.com , a web-based platform. “An informed public is a safer public,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. “Everyone has a role to play in preventing crime in our City, and this new crime map is another tool in our toolbox. I invite everyone in our community to utilize this resource to stay informed and help us continue to decrease crime throughout St. Louis City.” Crime Mapping is updated every 24 hours and will stay available on the Crime Mapping website for six months. Crimes appearing on Crime Mapping also include misdemeanor offenses and may be different or not reflected in the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. Some offenses, including domestic violence, sex crimes and juvenile-related offenses, will not appear on th

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JERSEYVILLE — The second annual pickleball tournament held at Lions Park in Jerseyville successfully drew a sold-out crowd, benefiting the Treehouse Wildlife Center. The event took place over the weekend, featuring 32 participants organized into 16 teams. Arielle Niemeyer, one of the tournament coordinators, highlighted the growth of the event, which began as a casual gathering last year. The pickleball tournament is extremely popular, explained Niemeyer. "We started out just doing it for fun last year and sold it out," Niemeyer said. "This year, we decided to donate to Treehouse." She said next year organizers plan to try to work in additional players with its popularity and with funds from the event. The Treehouse Wildlife Center, known for its efforts in rescuing and rehabilitating wildlife in the region, was honored to receive support from the tournament. Niemeyer, who has a young son, expressed her appreciation for the center's educational outreach. "They do great work

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MARYVILLE - At a recent meeting, the Village of Maryville recognized "Maryville Elementary School Day" to honor the school's recent selection as a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School. Village Of Maryville Mayor Craig Short said the Maryville community is proud the school has received national recognition. "Maryville Elementary is one of 18 schools in the State of Illinois this year to earn this honor - one of only two in Southern Illinois - and one of 356 nationally." Mayor Short read the proclamation and presented a copy to CUSD 10 Superintendent Dr. Mark B. Skertich and Maryville Principal Doug Kirk. Maryville Elementary staff were in attendance to accept the proclamation on behalf of the school, students and families. The Village of Maryville has also placed a congratulatory message on their digital marquee.

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CARLINVILLE — Residents of the Carlinville area are facing disruptions in cell and phone service, prompting local authorities to take action. The Carlinville Police Department (CPD) is collaborating with the phone company to establish a temporary solution to the ongoing issue. As of now, citizens are still able to call 911 for emergencies, according to the CPD. In their communication, authorities urged residents to remain patient as they work to resolve the problem. CPD has established a temporary phone number for the PD. Citizens can contact as 217-313-1399. The normal lines 217-854-3221 or 3222 should be rerouted to the above phone number also and will be received by our dispatch. Carlinville Police said: "Thank you for your patience during this time." Further updates will be provided as the situation develops.

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EDWARDSVILLE — The Agency for Community Transit (ACT) celebrated the achievements of David Makler, a recent graduate of Edwardsville High School, during a recognition ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. The event honored Makler’s completion of ACT’s one-year apprenticeship program, which aims to equip high school students with essential job skills for careers in the transit sector. The ceremony was attended by family, friends, and local elected officials, highlighting the community's support for youth employment initiatives. ACT, in partnership with Madison County Employment and Training and the U.S. Department of Labor, launched this innovative program to provide students with valuable professional experiences before graduation. Makler began his apprenticeship in August 2023, working as a bus cleaner under the mentorship of ACT employee Hans Miller. Over the course of the program, he dedicated several hours after school to develop his skills in the transit

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ALTON - The Alton Cracker Factory is known for its views and upscale lodging. Owner Mike Kelly, a member of the North Alton-Godfrey Business Council, noted that he is proud of The Cracker Factory, but it was a process to get to where it is today. He is excited to do more with the buildings he owns along Broadway. “God gave us the presentation of the beautiful view and the natural beauty of the river, and fortunately, we had the building in the right spot to be able to take advantage of that,” Kelly said. “I try not to focus on how long it took, but that we got to where we did, and now we’ve got money coming in the other direction…There are things in the works for the lower level and I think it will be a good space.” Kelly explained that he grew up in Wood River and bought the building in 1998. As a member of the Marine Corps, he was deployed to Afghanistan and eventually stationed in San Diego, where he retired in 2011. He knew he wante

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BELLEVILLE - October is Respect Life Month and Caritas Family Solutions is shining a light on its adoption program which helps families and expectant mothers across Southern Illinois. Making the difficult decision to go through an adoption program when expecting a child can often be overwhelming, but the agency provides counseling and works with the birth parents in a variety of ways. Melyssa Frederick, Caritas Family Solutions Adoption Program Manager, has more than two decades of experience in adoption. Frederick said the agency is unique not only because of its size and reach but because of its approach. “The program has seen firsthand how impactful it can be for expectant mothers to know we are in their corner while deciding if they would like to make an adoption plan,” said Frederick. “When adoption is being considered, our staff walks with the mothers to help them decide what they would like their adoption journey to look like. For example, we had a mother

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EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s online Winter Session enables current and visiting students to continue their path toward graduation by enrolling for one of the many accelerated, three-week courses taught entirely online. Registration for Winter Session opens Monday, Oct. 28. Classes begin on Monday, Dec. 16, and will conclude on Jan. 5, 2025. Due to the accelerated timeline, students are expected to dedicate significant time to their coursework each day and to limit themselves to completing one course during the three-week period. Winter Session features more than 70 introductory, upper-division and graduate-level courses in a variety of disciplines such as applied communications, medical terminology, psychology, criminal justice studies, art and more. Students can complete courses from anywhere in the U.S. with reliable internet access and a computer that meets connectivity requirements . Students from other institutions may take SIUE courses

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CHICAGO — Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) have temporarily waived the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) registration and motor fuel use tax (MFUT) single trip permitting for qualified motor vehicles engaged in interstate disaster relief efforts as a result of Hurricanes Milton & Helene. The suspension, pursuant to 35 ILCS 505/13a.4 and 13a.5 , is effective from October 11, 2024, through November 09, 2024. "Here in Illinois, we understand the devastating effects of climate change and we’re here to support ongoing relief efforts in any way we can,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “That’s why my administration is suspending IFTA/MFUT requirements for vehicles providing aid to those affected by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. This temporary suspension will expedite the delivery of crucial resources to families in need.” Operators of qualified motor vehicles traveling into or through Illinois responding

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ST. LOUIS - October is Child Loss Awareness Month, and nonprofit organization Just Enduring is sharing their co-founders’ personal stories of grief and meaningful ways to support bereaved parents this month and beyond. One of these meaningful ways is joining Just Enduring in the Wave of Light at 7 p.m. on Oct. 15, 2024, a global event where candles are lit in remembrance and awareness of every child held in hearts instead of arms. The nonprofit will also be a vendor at Día de los Muertos at the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park on November 2 and November 3, 2024. Just Enduring Co-founders Ben and Lara Gillham, along with Co-founders Nick and Martha McGeehon, started the organization after the heartbreaking loss of their infants. They work to ensure other bereaved parents have the immediate resources and support they need to navigate their grief journeys. Just Enduring , a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting families who have experienced the loss of a

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ALTON - Approximately 150 local kids came to the SIU School of Dental Medicine for free comprehensive dental care as part of the annual “Give Kids a Smile Day.” On Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, local families could enjoy games, balloon animals, temporary tattoos and educational activities as they waited for their dental appointments. Third- and fourth-year School of Dental Medicine (SDM) students and residents performed the dental exams under faculty supervision. “It’s a great outreach opportunity for us, and it really helps connect our student population, but also the SDM community at large, with the local community,” said Dr. Katie Kosten, Director of Community Dentistry. “We know a lot of our patients in the community have a hard time accessing dental care, so this is an opportunity for them to maybe get something addressed that they haven’t been able to, at no cost.” Kosten explained that the students first addressed any pain that patient

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Bath and Body Works has discontinued a candle labeled “Snowed In” after social media users criticized its design for resembling a Ku Klux Klan hood. The candle, which featured a stylized paper snowflake on its label, drew widespread attention when commenters noted its resemblance to the robes worn by members of the KKK, a group identified by the Southern Poverty Law Center as one of the oldest and most notorious hate organizations in the United States. The controversy emerged shortly after the candle was made available for sale. Following the backlash, Bath and Body Works removed the product from its website and retail locations. In a statement to CNN, the company emphasized that the design was “unintentional” and expressed regret for any offense caused. “At Bath and Body Works, we are committed to listening to our teams and customers, and committed to fixing any mistakes we make—even those that are unintentional like this one,” a company spokesperson

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COLLINSVILLE — The Southwestern Illinois Board of REALTORS is set to host its Annual Taste of SIBR event on Nov. 13, 2024, at the Madison County Fireman’s Hall in Collinsville. The event is open to the public and aims to foster community spirit while supporting local food pantries. Mackenzie Menn, the Marketing and Communications Director for the event, highlighted the purpose, stating, "This event is a wonderful way to spread community while those attending get to try various options of food from our vendors all while supporting over 11 different Food Pantries in our local counties." The Taste of SIBR will feature a diverse array of food vendors, including City Scoops Ice Cream and Bella Milano, offering attendees a chance to sample various culinary delights. "We had such a variety of vendors at this event, from City Scoops Ice Cream to Bella Milano salad and toasted ravioli; we have it all," Menn noted. The proceeds from the event will be donated to support over 11 foo

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BELLEVILLE — The St. Clair County Health Department (SCCHD) has continued to investigate a Shigella outbreak linked to the LongHorn Steakhouse in Fairview Heights, which has affected at least 24 individuals since late September. The outbreak has prompted health officials to monitor additional reports of illness and implement corrective measures at the restaurant. As of Oct. 11, 2024, the SCCHD reported that 24 individuals tested positive for Shigella bacteria, while an additional 44 people have reported symptoms consistent with Shigellosis after dining at the establishment between Sept. 20 and Sept. 30, 2024. Among those affected, nine have been hospitalized. The age range of those impacted spans from 12 to 80 years. In response to the outbreak, LongHorn Steakhouse voluntarily closed its Fairview Heights location on Oct. 2, 2024, and is fully cooperating with health authorities. SCCHD has conducted environmental assessments of the restaurant and provided guidance on safe food

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