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ALTON - You have the chance to customize a brick at the Lucy Haskell Playhouse. From now until Oct. 15, 2025, the Haskell Playhouse Association is selling bricks to be customized and installed around the perimeter of the playhouse. This annual brick sale aims to landscape the property and engage Riverbend residents in the playhouse’s history and upkeep. “You can do it in memory, in honor, just a special date or anniversary, a wedding, anything like that to make it special for someone or yourself or your family,” said Margaret Hopkins. “When I take my grandchildren to the park, they always like to look for their brick with their initials on it.” The forms for the bricks must be submitted by Oct. 15. Hopkins said they aim to install the bricks by Christmas. You can pick up the forms at an upcoming open house on Sept. 13, 2025, or you can contact the Haskell Playhouse Association for more information. The playhouse was built by Dr. William

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MADISON COUNTY — Deputies Jonas Barnes and Max Ringering graduated from the Southwestern Illinois College Police Academy, Session 156, and received awards during the ceremony, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office announced this week. Deputy Barnes was honored with the Southwestern Illinois Police Chief’s Association Most Outstanding Officer Award, while Deputy Ringering received the Leadership Award for his role as Squad Leader during the academy. Both deputies will now report to the Madison County Sheriff's Office Patrol Division, where they will continue their training alongside assigned Field Training Officers. The sheriff’s office expressed pride in Barnes and Ringering's achievements and anticipation for their future contributions.

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ALTON - The Hayner Genealogy and Local History Library will host a special presentation that focuses on Alton, ancestry, and a local family. From 6–8 p.m. on Sept. 10, 2025, community members are invited to the Genealogy and Local History Library for an 80-minute feature length film titled “Family Album” and a 15-minute short called “Trilogy.” Altonian Jean King composed music to tell her family’s story in Alton, and her cousin and cinematographer Ann Morrissey Davidson created both films. “It’s really rich,” Davidson said. “I think people will enjoy it. Even if you’re not interested in Alton history or whatever, it’s very moving, about a family.” “Family Album” tells King’s family’s story in four parts — “Our Ancestors,” “Our Immediate Family,” “Our Generation,” and “Our Next Generation” — through song and dance.

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ST. LOUIS – On September 8th, United Way of Greater St. Louis (UWGSL) is asking Donor Advised Fund (DAF) holders to help demonstrate the power of collective DAF giving by giving from their DAF to the UWGSL Community Campaign, supporting the local safety net. UWGSL is like a mutual fund of philanthropy, maximizing giving through a trusted, high-impact network of 160 local nonprofits. Much like a mutual fund pools investments to generate broad market returns, UWGSL strategically distributes charitable dollars to maximize impact across the St. Louis region, helping over 1 million people every year. “We are so excited to officially introduce our first annual United Way DAF Day that gives DAF donors the ability to maximize their investments together to lead lasting change,” said Michelle D. Tucker, President and CEO of United Way of Greater St. Louis. “When you give to United Way through your Donor-Advised Fund, your investment goes further. We look forward t

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WEST ALTON, MO. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Rivers Project is announcing its first managed Deer Hunt for Youth. The hunt will take place within the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, West Alton, MO on November 1st and 2nd, 2025. To ensure public safety, portions of the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary will be temporarily closed starting Friday, October 31st, 2025, at 8 P.M. and will be reopening on Monday, November 3rd, 2025 at 6 A.M. The Audubon Center at Riverlands, Lincoln Shields Recreation Area, and Ellis Island will remain open during this time. A total of 5 youth applicants will be randomly selected for this opportunity. Applicants must be within the ages of 6-15 and be accompanied by 1 non-hunting adult. Applications are available at the Rivers Project Office (301 Riverlands Way, West Alton, MO 63386) or by request to cemvsriversproject@usace.army.mil and are due by September 15th, 2025. Applications may be dropped off to the Rivers Project Office

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ALTON – An Alton man accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old remains in custody on felony charges. Clarence Estelle, 34, of the 400 block of 3rd Street in Alton, was charged on Sept. 3, 2025 with one count each of criminal sexual assault (a Class 1 felony) and aggravated criminal sexual abuse (a Class 2 felony). On Aug. 30, 2025, Estelle allegedly committed an act of sexual conduct upon a 16-year-old victim “by use of force or threat of force,” according to charging documents. According to the state’s petition to deny Estelle’s pretrial release from custody, the Alton Police Department responded to a reported criminal sexual assault on Aug. 30, before Estelle “fled the scene to avoid police contact.” After being taken into custody, Estelle reportedly admitted to committing the act of sexual conduct during an interview with authorities. He was also reportedly on parole at the time of these offenses. The Alton Police Department presented

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TROY - Canine Social of Troy is officially open and ready to cater to you and your dog. Located at 7725 Plummer Business Drive in Troy, Canine Social is a boarding, daycare and grooming facility for dogs. Owner Kate Redenius emphasized that the experience is “upscale and luxury” for the pets, giving their humans peace of mind. “Our dogs are spoiled from the moment they arrive,” Redenius said. “They have a blast with our staff.” Canine Social has no crates or kennels. They offer “upscale, luxury suites” for dogs to rest and sleep when they board there. Otherwise, the dogs are “running around indoors and outdoors,” playing with ball pits, snuffle mats, splash pools, and playgrounds. Redenius prides herself on the “big, beautiful play yards” and the many enrichment activities that Canine Social provides. In addition to daycare and boarding, the grooming side of the business is just as “top-notch.”

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ALTON - The Alton High School Band had a very busy 1925 summer break. Despite the fact that the band had only been in existence for less than a year, they were very much in demand and travelled all over the area to perform. (The first Alton High School Band concert was on September 19, 1924, which you can read more about here: https://www.riverbender.com/news/details/100-years-ago-alton-high-school-band-plays-first-concert-75932.cfm ). An Alton Evening Telegraph article on August 26, 1925, described the band’s various recent activities. Director B.L. Johnson was gone on an all-summer honeymoon tour of the West, and so originally the band had decided to pause playing together during the summer and resume at the start of school in the fall. But there were so many opportunities to perform that George A. Reider, choir director at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, stepped in as leader for the summer. They had regular practices at the high school and then, when repairs in the hig

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CARLINVILLE - Macoupin County Safe Families will sponsor their third annual Domestic Violence Awareness Walk next month. On Oct. 4, 2025, community members are invited to Carlinville Square in Carlinville for the walk, complete with a guest speaker, raffle prizes, giveaways and more fun. Juliet Milton with MCSF noted the importance of supporting domestic violence survivors and raising awareness. “We try to make it as engaging and family-friendly as possible. The topic of domestic violence and intimate partner violence can be a little bit of a darker topic, but we don’t want that stigma to follow our victims and survivors. We want it to be something that they can positively work out of and heal from,” Milton said. “One of the best ways to do that is to show that camaraderie between the community, the organizations, friends, family. This is a great way to foster those relationships, get information, get resources, and then just come out and do something that's

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SPRINGFIELD - The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) announced today that the application period is now open for the Small Equipment Grant Program. A total of $6 million will be awarded to eligible fire departments and ambulance services to assist with the purchase of small firefighting and ambulance equipment. This year, departments will be required to apply online only with applications due no later than November 14, 2025. “As first responders, it's vital that firefighters and EMS providers in every corner of Illinois have the necessary funding and equipment they need to serve their communities,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “I'm proud to support our state's dedicated emergency service workers, and I encourage all eligible departments to take advantage of this successful state program.” “This grant program is essential for fire departments and EMS providers, allocating critical funding for equipment that not only protects our firefighters but

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ST. LOUIS – Today, Mayor Cara Spencer announced a plan to invest the remaining $12 million in allocated Rams interest funds for tornado relief, with the vast majority going to debris removal and housing. “Private property debris removal and intermediate housing remain top priorities for the Recovery Office,” said Mayor Spencer. “These funds are a starting point to a larger tranche of funding to ensure we remove all debris from our communities and ensure our impacted residents have access to safe housing by winter.” The remaining $12 million in Rams interest funds for tornado relief will support efforts in the following areas. $5.35M Private property debris removal: Dumpsters and for non-profits and community groups, and consulting services for right-of-entry and site assessments to allow City-supported demolition and private property debris removal. $5M Intermediate housing: This will fund repairs to make hundreds of affordable, public and non-profit

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CHICAGO — Attorney General Kwame Raoul today joined a coalition of 22 attorneys general in submitting a comment letter opposing the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) proposed federal rule that would eliminate abortion care and counseling at VA facilities and from benefits packages for veterans and their families. “Those who have served in the military have made countless sacrifices to protect our freedoms and deserve the protection of their rights to reproductive freedom,” Raoul said. “That’s why I am joining my fellow attorneys general to advocate for access to abortion care for veterans and their families, regardless of what state they live in. I will not stop defending their rights, and the rights of all women, to access abortion care.” In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade, the Biden administration implemented the “Reproductive Health Services Rule,” which currently allows veterans

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 PLAY IT AGAIN SPORTS SCOREBOARD BOYS SOCCER Belleville Althoff Catholic 4, Quincy 1 Lebanon 3, Waterloo Gibault Catholic 1 Mascoutah 0, Chicago Von Steuben 0 GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Columbia 25-25, Bloomington 14-17 Edwardsville 25-25, Decatur Eisenhower 14-7 Mascoutah 25-25, Edwardsville JV 15-11 O'Fallon 25-25, Lincoln 13-20 New Lenox Lincoln-Way West 20-25-15, Freeburg 25-20-10 Breese Central 25-19-17, Washington 18-25-15 Freeburg 25-25, Nashville 20-20 Breese Central 25-25, Edwardsville 23-15 Columbia 25-25, Lincoln 14-22 Mascoutah 25-25, Pleasant Plains 15-13 O'Fallon 25-25, Bloomington 12-16 MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL San Francisco Giants 8, St. Louis Cardinals 2 Chicago Cubs 11, Washington Nationals 5 Chicago White Sox 7, Detroit Tigers 5 Milwaukee Brewers 5, Pittsburgh Pirates 2 New York Mets 5, Cincinnati Reds 4 Baltimore Orioles 2, Los Angeles Dodgers 1 Toronto Blue Jays 7, New York Yankees 1 Philadelphia Phillies 9

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ALTON — A vehicle struck a guardrail and caught fire Friday night on Landmarks Boulevard in Alton, according to local authorities. Firefighters received a call at 10:03 p.m. reporting the incident. Upon arrival, responders found a Dodge Magnum engulfed in flames. Fire crews quickly extinguished the fire. First responders searched for the driver but found that the individual had left the scene before their arrival. The Alton Police Department helped with traffic control. No injuries were reported.

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ST. LOUIS – On Friday, Mayor Cara Spencer signed Executive Order 91, which resumes under a strong legal framework the City’s issuance of minority/women-owned business enterprise (“M/WBE”) certification. Following its pause on issuing new M/WBE contracts implemented in early August, the City hired legal consulting firm Griffin & Strong, recognized nationally as experts in economic development disparity programs. The firm was hired to not only analyze the City’s M/WBE program and 2024 Disparity Study , but also to craft legally sound recommendations enabling the City to fully resume all M/WBE contracting activities in the near future. Griffin & Strong conducted a thorough analysis of the City’s ordinances, the 2024 Disparity Study and case law. The firm also held numerous discussions with members of the minority contractor community, organizations including the NAACP St. Louis, and members of the Board of Aldermen. Following this process, Griffin

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MILLSTADT - Buttercup Ranch and Creamery has rescheduled its balloon glow. The glow, originally scheduled for Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, will now take place from 6:30–8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6, due to forecasted winds and rain. Tickets to the glow cost $20 per car. Scott Vignassi and The Big Little Big Band will still play as scheduled at 6 p.m. on Sept. 5. This is free to attend. The concert will be followed by the CiderMan Sprint Triathlon at 7 a.m. on Sept. 6. For more information about the triathlon, including how to participate, click here . A percentage of the proceeds from the balloon glow and triathlon will go to Millstadt’s first responders. “We want people to enjoy themselves,” added Mary MacKeen, who owns Buttercup Ranch and Creamery. “We’re excited.” For more information about the rescheduled balloon glow, click here .

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If you experience sudden, severe pain in the chest, back or shoulder, you might think heart attack. Alvise Bernabei, MD , an OSF HealthCare cardiothoracic surgeon, says a collapsed lung could also be the culprit. And he wants you to remember two main points: one, a collapsed lung is not as simple as a balloon deflating. And two, it’s a medical emergency. Get care right away. The basics Dr. Bernabei says a lung can collapse when air or fluid leaks into the space between the lung and the chest wall, preventing the lung from fully expanding. Smoking, being male, being tall and skinny and a family history of lung issues can make someone more likely to have the problem. And it can strike at young ages. Dr. Bernabei says he often sees the issue in people in their teens, 20s and 30s. He adds that pain associated with a collapsed lung (medical term: spontaneous pneumothorax) is usually toward the left or right sides of your chest. It also usually comes with shortness of breath and

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Diabetes: a recap Singer Lance Bass is among the people who have shared their story about a diabetes diagnosis that was later found to be Type 1.5. Now, health care providers are continuing to educate the public about this relatively new term - one that deserves as much attention as Types 1 and 2. Aminat Ogun, MD , a family medicine physician at OSF HealthCare, recaps Types 1 and 2 diabetes and where Type 1.5 fits in: Type 1: Dr. Ogun says the body’s immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. “Insulin is a hormone that brings glucose from food from the blood to the body’s cells for energy. So in Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas isn’t producing insulin,” Dr. Ogun explains. “This type of diabetes is usually seen in childhood and adolescence. It’s sudden onset. Symptoms are increased urination, increased thirst, weight loss and blurry vision. A lot of these people are dependent on insulin shots.” Type 2: The

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ALTON - Chloe Freeman of Girl Scout Troop 325 completed her Silver Award by leading a project to improve campsite latrines at Camp Warren Levis during July and August 2025. Recognizing the latrines had not been repainted in many years, Freeman organized a team of volunteers to power wash, scrape off chipping paint, and repaint five latrines serving the Illini, Ouatoga, Rotary, Optimist, and Ranger campsites. Freeman and her troop, who have spent significant time at Camp Warren Levis, aimed to make the latrines more welcoming and less intimidating for younger campers. The project took place amid the summer heat and involved several weeks of dedicated work.

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EAST ST. LOUIS – Federal, state, and local leaders joined the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), Mt. Sinai Development Corporation, and Rise Community Development in late August to celebrate the grand opening of Winstanley Park, a transformational new affordable housing development delivering 38 modern apartments and townhomes, plus a range of community amenities close to downtown East St. Louis. “Winstanley Park shows what is possible when state and local stakeholders, regional community organizations, and residents come together with a shared vision,” said Karen Davis, Deputy Executive Director of IHDA. “This development doesn’t just provide quality housing. It restores hope, stability, and opportunity to families while transforming once-abandoned property into a cornerstone of community pride.” Located at 1100 Martin Luther King Drive, Winstanley Park offers one, two, three, and four-bedroom units primarily serving families earnin

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