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EDWARDSVILLE – State Senator Erica Harriss has partnered with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to help bring professional licensing assistance to the Metro East. “A top constituent issue at my office has been the delays and challenges with IDFPR,” said Senator Harriss. “While my office has had success in working alongside this state agency as they navigate transitioning to a more modern system, it made sense to bring them to our area to further assist those having trouble with their applications.” The IDFPR is Illinois’ primary regulatory agency, responsible for ensuring that professional licenses—covering a wide range of fields including healthcare, social work, and business—meet the state’s legislative and regulatory requirements. "We're fortunate to have so many skilled professionals in the Metro East," Senator Harriss added. "It's our responsibility as a state to ensure that licenses

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ALTON - In the most recent episode of “You’re Beautiful,” host Brian Trust spoke about his relationship with God and his reasons for starting the “You’re Beautiful” show. The show just celebrated its tenth episode. You can watch or listen at 2 p.m. on Thursdays at RiverBender.com/Beautiful . Trust explained that he decided to start the podcast because he was overwhelmed by peace, joy and love once he developed a relationship with Jesus Christ. He wanted to share those feelings with the community. “When you see this infectious glow, people are like, ‘Yo, Trust, what drugs are you on?’ Man, I’m high on Jesus,” he joked. “I started a relationship with Jesus. Why do I have to wait to know the Bible or the scripture to share this with you? If you want to know what I’m doing, glory be to God, guys, and that’s honest to God why I’m doing this show.” Trust is open about his newness

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COLLINSVILLE – The new Caseyville Elementary School opened its doors with a ribbon cutting and open house on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. This event marked the first public viewing of the new building, which welcomes students for the 2024-25 school year starting Wednesday, August 14, 2024. The newly designed Caseyville Elementary School offers an ADA-compliant, state-of-the-art learning environment. The facility includes larger classrooms, adequate space for support services, a modern gym/cafeteria, a dedicated conference room, improved restrooms, and enhanced air quality. The organized pick-up and drop-off areas aim to improve traffic flow around the school during peak times. A prominent feature of the lobby is a large mural with images of Caseyville students and positive messages in both English and Spanish, reflecting the community's spirit. The original Caseyville Elementary, constructed in 1935 with subsequent additions in 1948 and 1951-61, was located on a four-acre property

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EDWARDSVILLE – Wang Gang Asian Eats, a long-standing Pan-Asian restaurant located at 1035 Century Drive in Edwardsville, has closed its doors after more than 14 years of service. The announcement was made through a statement on the business’s door and Facebook page. “Due to unforeseen circumstances out of our control, Wang Gang is now closed. Thank you for the 14-plus years of support and patronage that has allowed us to be a bigger part of the community,” the statement read. Wang Gang was known for its contemporary take on Pan-Asian cuisine, offering a variety of dishes including noodles, stir-fry, bánh mì sandwiches, and global burgers. Edwardsville Mayor Art Risavy commented on the closure, noting that he had not been contacted by the restaurant’s ownership regarding the decision. “The business has been a long-time staple in the Edwardsville community,” Risavy said. The closure marks the end of an era for the local dining

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CHICAGO - Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced $15 million in funding for 33 organizations across Illinois for the Job Training and Economic Development Program (JTED). JTED provides workforce training and wrap-around services to help bolster equitable workforce recovery for Illinoisans struggling to gain meaningful employment. As part of Illinois' workforce recovery efforts, JTED grants focus on helping increase employment among workers and industries hardest hit by COVID-19. “As we continue to bounce back from the pandemic, my administration remains committed to an equitable workforce recovery that uplifts every worker and industry,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “With an additional $15 million in funding for the Job Training and Economic Development Program, we’re providing even more Illinoisans with the skills and support they need to succeed. From revitalizing our healthcare and tourism

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August 12th might seem like any other day, but history tells us otherwise. The Berlin Wall: A Symbol of Division (1961) On August 12, 1961, East German authorities closed the border between East and West Berlin, marking the beginning of the construction of the Berlin Wall. This barrier, which eventually extended 155 kilometers (96 miles), became a powerful symbol of the Cold War's division between the communist East and the capitalist West. The wall physically and ideologically divided families and friends for 28 years until its fall in 1989, which signaled the end of the Cold War era and the beginning of Germany's reunification. Cleopatra's Alleged Suicide: The End of an Era (30 BC) One of history's most famous deaths reportedly occurred on August 12, 30 BC, when Cleopatra VII, the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, is said to have died by suicide. According to legend, she allowed an asp (a venomous snake) to bite her after the defeat of her forces

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EDWARDSVILLE — In a significant move to bolster local infrastructure, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) and Edwardsville Mayor Art Risavy will hold a press conference today at 2:30 p.m. CDT at Edwardsville City Hall. The event will address the $21,241,730 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation allocated for the Goshen Road and Liberty Trail Multimodal Transportation Improvement Project. The substantial grant was awarded to the City of Edwardsville through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program, a highly competitive initiative aimed at enhancing safety, sustainability, and connectivity within communities. The funding announcement, initially made in June, was a collaborative effort by Budzinski, alongside U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth. The Goshen Road corridor, which will benefit from this project, is a crucial artery for the city, linking commercial areas, schools, residential neighborhoods, a medical

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JERSEYVILLE - For her fifth birthday, Stella Schultz received the biggest gift of all: a heart transplant. The little girl, who turned 5 on July 30, 2024, has spent the last 254 days in Children’s Hospital. But Stella is home now and recovering from the surgery, and her parents, Karrie and Matt Schultz, could not be more grateful to God and the people who have followed Stella’s story over the past eight months. “We were in the basement earlier today and we heard feet running across the floor upstairs. That is music to our ears,” Karrie said. “God literally performed a miracle for her.” Karrie spent most of the morning writing down a list of miracles that God has performed for Stella. She remembers the beginning of Stella’s illness, when her daughter’s days of being a healthy and energetic 4-year-old suddenly stopped. Stella’s heart wasn’t squeezing, and she was quickly becoming very sick. Within five days at Children’s,

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GRANITE CITY - The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that an intersection replacement project on Illinois 3 between Niedringhaus Avenue and Rock Road will begin as planned weather permitting, at 6 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 12. To complete the necessary work, Illinois 3 will be closed to through traffic at 20th Street. Motorists should follow the marked detour as follows: Illinois 3 northbound: Illinois 3 to Plank Road to Packers Avenue to eastbound Interstate 70 to northbound Interstate 255 to westbound Interstate 270 to Illinois 3. Illinois 3 southbound: Illinois 3 to eastbound I-270 to southbound I-255 to westbound I-55/70 to Illinois 3. The work is expected to be completed by mid-September. Drivers are urged to remain alert while traveling the marked detour throughout construction. Drivers should reduce speed, obey all construction signage and refrain from using mobile devices while driving the detour route.

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EDWARDSVILLE - More details have surfaced concerning the attempted kidnapping of a child in Edwardsville reported last week on Riverbender.com . Jennifer S. Haley, 60, of Granite City, was charged on Aug. 2, 2024 with one count each of attempted aggravated kidnapping (a Class 1 felony), aggravated battery (a Class 3 felony), and unlawful restraint (A Class 4 felony). The day prior on Aug. 1, 2024, Haley allegedly grabbed a two-year-old child and refused to return them to their mother. A petition filed to deny Haley’s pretrial release offers more insight into the moments leading up to the incident. “Victim reported that she was walking with her two-year-old daughter on N. Main Street and the young girl went to say ‘hi’ to a woman sitting on the sidewalk,” the petition states. “The woman, the defendant, grabbed the two-year-old victim and pulled her close. The defendant then restrained the child, refusing to give her back to her mother, claimin

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COLLINSVILLE — The Collinsville Fire Department responded to a structure fire in the area of Hillside Drive and State Route 157 around 5 p.m. Sunday. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy smoke and fire throughout the house. Several other area fire departments were called in to assist with the blaze. The heavy presence of fire trucks contributed to significant traffic congestion on State Route 157. The house sustained major damage due to the fire. However, no injuries were reported.

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BELLEVILLE — A tragic incident unfolded on Sunday, August 11, 2024, when a vehicle crashed into a residence on the 100 block of South 8th Street, resulting in the deaths of two individuals inside the home. The Belleville Police Department responded to the scene at approximately 9:11 a.m. Preliminary investigations have identified Matthew K. Thomas as a person of interest. Authorities have reason to believe that Thomas' actions were intentional, leading the case to be investigated as a double homicide. Several local agencies initiated a search for Thomas, who was believed to be armed with a machete. The search concluded when the Belleville Police Department apprehended Thomas around 1:00 p.m. The Belleville Police Department urges anyone with relevant information to contact them at 618-234-1212.

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Welcome to another edition of This Day in History! Today, we’re diving into the significant events that have unfolded globally on August 10 and August 11 across different years in history. 1945: Japan Announces Surrender in World War II On August 10, 1945, just days after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan announced its intention to surrender, effectively bringing an end to World War II. This pivotal moment marked the conclusion of one of the deadliest conflicts in human history. The announcement set the stage for the formal surrender on September 2, 1945, aboard the USS Missouri, officially ending the war. 1792: Storming of the Tuileries Palace August 10, 1792, saw a critical event in the French Revolution—the storming of the Tuileries Palace in Paris. On this day, revolutionaries attacked the residence of King Louis XVI, leading to the suspension of the monarchy and the establishment of the French Republic. This event was a turning point

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EDWARDSVILLE – Car enthusiasts and community members will gather on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024, at Edwardsville High School, 6161 Center Grove Road, for the 32nd annual Edwardsville Police Department D.A.R.E. Car Show. This popular event, which has become a staple in the community, features an impressive display of hundreds of cars, trucks, motorcycles, tractors, bicycles, and more. Proceeds from the event benefit the Edwardsville Police Department's D.A.R.E. program, a long-standing educational initiative aimed at teaching fifth- and seventh-grade students about making smart decisions. The show, which runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., is free to the public and promises a day filled with food trucks, entertainment, a silent auction, and a raffle. For those looking to showcase their vehicles, participant registration is open from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., with fees applicable for those entering the competition. For additional details, interested parties can visit the Edwardsville D.A.R.E.

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EDWARDSVILLE - Vote by mail applications officially opened this week for Madison County voters casting a mail-in ballot for the 2024 Presidential Election on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. The Madison County Clerk’s Office website details the full application process to vote by mail. The first step is to verify your voter registration through their Voter Services portal; this allows you to apply to vote by mail both temporarily and permanently, find your polling place, and more. An application to vote by mail, either in this election only or in all future elections, is available online here . After filling out and turning in your application, a packet with an official ballot, instructions for voting, certificate envelope, and a return mailing envelope will be mailed to you. While ballot packets will not be sent out until Thursday September 26, 2024, they must be completed and turned in either by mail to 157 N. Main Street P.O. Box 218 or in-person to the Madison

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JERSEYVILLE - Applications are now open for Jersey County voters looking to vote by mail ahead of the 2024 Presidential Election on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. The Jersey County Clerk’s Office recently reminded the public of some do’s and don’ts regarding mail-in voting applications. For instance, if your mailing address is different from your residential address, be sure to include your mailing address in your application. The County Clerk’s Office also asks the public to include phone numbers they can contact with potential questions and to ensure you’ve signed your application before turning it in. They also strongly emphasize not to fill out and sign an application for someone else - not only will they not accept it, they will flag it for investigation. Vote by mail applications for Jersey County voters are available here , and can be filled out and turned in via mail or in person to the County Clerk’s Office at 200 N. Lafayette

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EDWARDSVILLE — High notes and high drama will mark the high summer as Opera Edwardsville presents its annual outdoor spectacle at Edwardsville’s City Park on Aug. 23. This is the first time the event will take place in late summer. The free concert is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. Guest artists for the evening include sopranos Vanessa Becerra and Alexandra Lobianco, contralto Lauren Decker, countertenor Ley’mon Murrah, tenors Martin Luther Clark and Eric Ferring, baritone Evan Bravos, and pianist Joseph Welch. Founder and artistic director Chase Hopkins will serve as the emcee. A special student spotlight performance will feature Lucy Schapman, a senior at Edwardsville High School and the star of Opera Edwardsville’s recent opera for children, "Little Red Riding Hood." The all-English musical program will showcase highlights from the mid-20th century, a period when innovative and creative composers in the U.S. began blending opera and musical theater. The program

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GODFREY – Patrick Loftus, a Project READ volunteer tutor at Lewis and Clark Community College, has earned a 2024 Spotlight on Service award from Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias. Loftus was among 10 volunteer tutors statewide who received the award during a ceremony this past spring at the Illinois State Museum in Springfield. “It’s always a great honor to be chosen to receive an award,” Loftus said. “It was quite an honor to be considered and I wasn’t quite aware how many other people were nominated. To have been nominated and then chosen was quite an honor.” Giannoulias expressed his appreciation to the volunteers. “I’m honored to recognize the volunteer tutors who saw a need in their community and decided to make a difference,” he said. “I’m grateful to you for your selfless sacrifice.” Loftus, a life-long reader, learned about Project READ through another

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EDWARDSVILLE — Edwardsville High School Principal Dr. Steve Stuart has stepped down from his role, effective immediately, to assume the position of executive director of the EGHM Foundation. The EGHM Foundation, established in the late 1970s by the late John Hunter Jr., aims to support Edwardsville Community Unit School District 7. Dr. Stuart, an alumnus of Edwardsville High School, expressed his gratitude for his tenure as principal. "It has meant the world to me to serve as principal at EHS," Stuart said. "Being able to give back to the school I graduated from is an amazing feeling and I have many fond memories of these four years that I will carry with me forever." During his time as principal, Dr. Stuart implemented the Laude system at EHS, designed to shift students' focus from merely aiming for valedictorian status to exploring classes that might ignite their interests. Dr. Stuart also played a significant role in relaunching the EHS Hall of Fame, which had been dormant

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Hope Martine, a clinical dietitian who serves patients at OSF HealthCare, says we often view eating and weight loss in tangible terms. Calories consumed, pounds lost, different types of diets, good food and bad food. An alternative: through intuitive eating, you can pay more attention to how your body feels . “Intuitive eating is all about reconnecting to your body’s internal cues and signals about food,” Martine says. “Our bodies are naturally programmed to ignore those and focus on emotions about food or what we may believe is the truth about food or eating at a specific time.” For example, we may think of noon as the cue to eat a full meal for lunch. Instead, notice when your stomach is grumbling, and eat until your body feels satisfied. Another cue is salivating when you think about or see food. “Think about what our body is needing in that moment. That might be a full meal or just a snack,” Martine says. “Learning your hunger

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