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BETHALTO - Bethalto Community Unit School District was informed on Oct. 4, 2024, by the Bethalto Police Department that a former district employee was charged with computer tampering related to illegal access to the School District’s network. The Board of Education first became aware of a potential breach of the district computer system when a Board member received a screenshot of closed session materials from a community member. The Board requested an internal investigation at that time. The investigation resulted in evidence that a former employee was accessing the District’s computer network from their current place of employment and their home. The police were contacted on the advice of legal counsel and began a formal investigation based on the initial findings. At this time we do not have all the details from the police investigation, however we will provide the information we have. Executive session and other internet board documents were accessed in the breach

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PIASA - Illinois State Police has reported a single-vehicle fatal crash that occurred at 3:30 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Macoupin County. The driver was the sole occupant of the vehicle in the accident. The accident took place close to Southwestern High School on Illinois Highway 111/267. The accident was also near Illinois Route 16. Illinois State Police Troop 8 handled the investigation into the crash. This is the preliminary investigation report released by ISP: "The preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: ISP Troop 8 responded to the location above for the report of a single vehicle fatal crash. Unit 1, a Blue Dodge Caravan, was traveling northbound on IL-111 when for unknown reasons, it left the roadway and entered the left ditch and overturned. The driver sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene." ISP said the crash investigation remains open and there is no further information available for release at this time.

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BELLEVILLE — The Belleville Police Department is investigating an aggravated battery incident that left a 16-year-old male with multiple gunshot wounds on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. Officers responded to a report of a shooting at 6:51 p.m. in the 900 block of North 2nd Street in Belleville. Upon arrival, officers found the victim lying in the roadway near the curb. They provided immediate first aid until MedStar EMS arrived to take over care. The victim was subsequently transported to a hospital in St. Louis for emergency treatment. Witnesses described the suspects as black males, likely in their teens, dressed in black clothing. They were last seen fleeing the scene, with one suspect on foot and the other on a bicycle, heading toward West H Street. Officers secured the area and initiated a crime scene investigation, during which detectives recovered evidence. The Illinois State Police Crime Scene Unit is assisting local detectives with the ongoing investigation. As of now

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ALTON - Every year the Alton Knights of Columbus contribute coats to Catholic Charities for distribution to kids in need throughout the winter season. This is part of a national ‘Coats for Kids’ program administered by the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council. Once again, this year the Alton Knights delivered fifteen cases (15 dozen) of new winter coats to Alton Catholic Charities. Pictured with sample coats from the left is Knights of Columbus Community Director Mark Droste, Alton Council Financial Secretary Joel Buesteton, Catholic Charities Office Manager Maria Oelzen, and Alton Council Grand Knight Larry Kulp. Since the ‘Coats for Kids’ launched by the Supreme Council in 2009, Knights have distributed more than one million coats in 49 U.S. states and all 10 Canadian provinces. Since 2017 Knights of Columbus councils have distributed over 100,000 coats annually and currently distribute around 200,000 coats every year.

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October 5th and 6th have marked numerous significant moments in history. One of the most notable events on October 5th occurred in 1962, when the iconic James Bond film, "Dr. No," premiered in London. This marked the beginning of a cinematic phenomenon that would captivate audiences for decades. The film introduced Sean Connery as the suave British secret agent, 007, who would go on to become an enduring symbol of espionage and adventure. The success of "Dr. No" not only solidified Bond's place in film history but also heralded the start of a franchise that has produced numerous sequels, spin-offs, and adaptations, influencing the action genre and popular culture as a whole. Fast forward to October 5, 1980, and we find ourselves in the midst of the Iranian Revolution. On this day, the Iranian government declared the Islamic Republic, a significant shift in the country’s governance that would have lasting implications for its citizens and the geopolitical landscape of the

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ALTON - For years, Greg Horta - better known as DJ Big Papa G - has brought his uniquely fun spin on music trivia to several events around the Riverbend. Horta spoke on Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com about his rise from being a DJ in the Bronx to one of the region’s most-booked entertainment acts. He said his love for meeting community members took him on a different path from the typical DJ. “I’m a community guy,” Horta said. “When you start off as a DJ, you either club DJ … and then you have the wedding DJs. I stay away from all of that, so I love doing community events, corporate events. “I get to meet a lot of people, and I just love it because when you’re doing these types of events, you can play all types of music and people love that.” Horta said he was born and raised in the Bronx borough of New York City. He was heavily influenced by his experiences growing up of seeing local DJs - some

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BUZZ MAGAZINE - German-American Day is observed every October 6, and in Illinois, there is plenty of reason to celebrate. German ancestry remains prevalent in Illinois, as it has for a century and a half. The strength of German-Americans helped shape Illinois history through a Civil War, as well as two world wars against the old country. Of the nearly 1.8 million residents of Illinois in 1860, nearly 325,000 were of foreign birth. Germans were the largest ethnic group with 130,000, nearly eight percent of the state’s total population. Twenty percent of the Chicago population was German. Many had arrived following the failed German revolution of 1848. A heavy concentration of Germans was also found in St. Clair County, near Belleville. Others settled in cities like Quincy, Alton, Peoria, Springfield, and Galena. In the northern Illinois community of Peru, Germans made up 1,000 of the total population of 3,500 in 1854. The names of a number of towns and villages across the

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WOOD RIVER — A hit-and-run crash that resulted in the death of a pedestrian is under investigation following an incident that occurred on October 4, 2024. Illinois State Police Troop 8 responded to reports of the accident and found the victim, identified as 43-year-old Pablo Puente of Edwardsville, Illinois, deceased on the roadway. The incident prompted the temporary closure of IL-143 while investigators gathered evidence at the scene. The roadway was reopened at 8:10 p.m. on the same day. Pablo Puente had been reported missing in Madison County on October 3, 2024, prior to the crash. Authorities have stated that the investigation is ongoing and no additional information is available for release at this time.

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BELLEVILLE – Attorney General Kwame Raoul charged a Belleville man for allegedly possessing child sexual abuse material. The case is part of Raoul’s ongoing work, in collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies and local law enforcement officials throughout Illinois, to apprehend offenders who download and trade child sexual abuse material online. The Attorney General’s office charged Joshua Gallant, 42, in St. Clair County Circuit Court with 10 counts of the possession of child pornography of a child under 13, each Class 2 felonies punishable by up to seven years in prison. Sentences are ultimately determined by the court. Gallant is being held at the St. Clair County Jail, and his next scheduled court date is Oct. 7. “Children who are victims of online exploitation deserve a healing process that starts with perpetrators being held accountable for the trauma they have caused,” Raoul said. “My office’s Internet Crimes Against

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ALTON - A man from Wood River faces multiple felonies after shooting a victim as they were entering Alton Memorial Hospital. Rashawn L. Galloway, 38, of Wood River, was charged with aggravated battery with a firearm (a Class X felony) and aggravated discharge of a firearm (a Class 1 felony). On May 12, 2024, Galloway allegedly shot an individual in the leg near the Alton Memorial Hospital maternity ward. A petition to deny his pretrial release describes the incident as follows: “Defendant went to the maternity ward of the Alton Memorial Hospital. He got out of the vehicle, walked to the victim, waited for him to begin walking into the hospital, ran towards him, and began discharging the firearm multiple times,” the petition states. “Victim was struck in the leg. The hospital was also struck several times.” The Alton Police Department presented the case against Galloway, who was ordered remanded to jail for his initial court appearance, though Madison

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EAST ST. LOUIS - East St. Louis School District 189 is collaborating with local VFW Post 3480 to host a student essay contest aimed at encouraging civic engagement and patriotism among its students. The initiative, announced recently, invites students to articulate their thoughts on themes related to service, civic duty, and national pride. The contest is part of a broader effort to empower young voices within the community, according to Commander Valerie Young of VFW Post 3480. "Together, we're fostering a spirit of learning and respect for the values that unite us," Young stated. The partnership not only provides students with an opportunity to express their ideas but also aims to inspire the next generation of leaders. This collaboration reflects a commitment to instilling the principles of civic responsibility and community involvement in the youth of East St. Louis.

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SPRINGFIELD - Madison County has been issued a tentative property assessment equalization factor of 1.0903, according to David Harris, director of the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR). The property assessment equalization factor, often called the “multiplier,” is the method used to achieve uniform property assessments among counties, as required by law. This equalization is particularly important because some of the state’s 6,600 local taxing districts overlap into two or more counties (e.g., school districts, junior college districts, fire protection districts). If there was no equalization among counties, substantial inequities among taxpayers with comparable properties would result. State law requires property in Illinois to be assessed at one-third (1/3) of its market value. Farm property is assessed differently with farm homesites and dwellings subject to regular assessing and equalization procedures. Farmland and farm buildings are assessed according

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BETHALTO - The Bethalto Chamber of Commerce provides resources for Bethalto businesses and community members. At the recent 28th Annual Wings & Wheels Fly-In at St. Louis Regional Airport in Bethalto, the chamber sponsored the children’s area and drummed up excitement for their upcoming Christmas Village attraction. Jane Ahasay, a spokesperson for the chamber, noted her excitement to be a part of the organization and the event. “Life has been busy, but it’s always a good busy,” Ahasay said. “The chamber is coming into our fourth year. We are continuing to grow. We are so pleased to be a partner here at the Fly-In.” Ahasay noted that the chamber will begin preparing for Christmas Village later this week. She encouraged anyone who wants to volunteer to contact her at 618-240-2777 or email bethaltochristmasvillage@gmail.com . While the chamber loves the Christmas Village, they could use some help, especially from younger people with “young

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BUZZ MAGAZINE - “Art from the Vault” is a new exhibit at the Madison County History Museum in Edwardsville. The exhibit features various forms of art from the museum collections, including some pieces which are rarely seen. The exhibit opened recently and will run through Nov. 15, 2024. Exhibit hours are Wednesday-Friday, 12-4 p.m. and Sunday, 1-4 p.m. There is no charge to see the exhibit, although donations are always welcome. The exhibit has paintings, sculptures, prehistoric pottery, trench art, and more. A stroll through the exhibit reveals portraits of early Madison County residents, the work of poster artist James Kane, and an example of the art of Miriam McKinnie whose colorful, imaginative, murals have brightened the children’s department at the Edwardsville Public Library for more than 60 years. There are needlework creations more than a century old, including an 1873 embroidered map depicting part of Hamel Township. Children’s art

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EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is proud to be part of a paired double degree program that makes for an educational opportunity and cultural exchange that spans two countries. SIUE and the Hochschule Mainz- University of Applied Sciences of Germany (HS-Mainz) are in partnership to both offer civil engineering degrees, according to Nader Panahshahi, PhD, professor and chair of the SIUE Department of Civil Engineering. “SIUE students can earn a second bachelor’s in civil engineering from one of the top technical schools in Germany, with only one extra semester of study,” said Panahshahi. “Students can also obtain an international prospective for their engineering career.” And a continent away, Germany students have the same prospect. Hochschule Mainz students can earn a second bachelor’s in civil engineering from SIUE, an ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) accredited civil engineering program

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WOOD RIVER — Emergency responders were dispatched to Illinois Route 143 near Kendall Hill Friday afternoon, Oct. 4, 2024, following the discovery of a body. Upon arrival, first responders confirmed the presence of a deceased individual and subsequently requested the assistance of the Madison County Coroner's Office. The Illinois State Police has been assigned to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, according to police officials. In response to the ongoing investigation, several police departments were on the scene, managing traffic. As a result of the investigation, Illinois Route 143 is closed at I-255 and also Wanda Road, creating significant detours for local traffic. Further details regarding the identity of the deceased and the nature of the incident have not yet been released.

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GODFREY - Mont Bodine might have been his legal name, but to his friends, loved ones and fans, Bodine will live on as Flea, the legendary bassist of pop punk band judge nothing . Flea passed away on Oct. 1, 2024, in Godfrey. Born in Alton, Flea quickly stood out for his musical talent. He joined the band judge nothing as a student at SIUE, and the group of young musicians traveled the U.S. They released two albums through Thick Records and shared the stage with major artists like Green Day and Joan Jett. Andy Dykeman, the drummer of the band, remembers Flea as a dear friend. “We traveled the United States in a stinky van, playing music and creating enough memories and adventures for multiple lifetimes,” Dykeman said. “After the time in the band, we maintained our close relationship. Our wives were close friends, even our dogs.” Carlos Huddleston, Mark Kanak, Brian Leitner, Doug Nothing and Rob Wagoner made up the rest of the band. The musicians remained

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GRANITE CITY - Students at Maryville Elementary Education Center welcomed several birds of prey to their school. On Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, Ameren Illinois and the Illinois Raptor Center partnered to bring birds of prey to the school. With a gym filled with 400 first and second graders, the assembly allowed students to study the birds and learn about conservation, life cycles and ecosystems. “I was really excited when reached out to me about the opportunity and we were able to put this together,” said Dr. Liz Niepert, principal at Maryville Elementary Education Center. Niepert said this was the school’s first indoor assembly of the year, and students had been practicing their “Mustang manners” to prepare. She added Maryville Elementary Education Center cares about conservation, and they try to instill these values in their students. The school has a recycling club and recently installed a hydroponic garden. The first and second graders also

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JERSEYVILLE - Students at St. Francis Holy Ghost School in Jerseyville recently applied their understanding of energy transfer and motion by constructing marble roller coasters as part of their science curriculum. The project, led by science teacher Joan Dougherty, allowed the students to engage in hands-on learning and teamwork. The roller coaster competition took place as part of their science classes, where students were tasked with designing and building functional marble roller coasters. The results were evaluated based on creativity, engineering principles, and the ability to maintain the marble's motion. In the competition, two teams were awarded first place. The first group consisted of Stella Pohlman, Braylee Waier, Bridget Heltsley, and Holly Hernandez-Lamer, while the other first-place team included Gracie Flowers, Allison Millitello, Louise Bregenzer, and Daphne Slusser. Second place was claimed by the team of Luca Derrick and Caleb Maag, along with another team consisting

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WOOD RIVER — The Wood River Oilers celebrated Senior Night with a decisive 7-2 victory over the Roxana Shells in girls tennis on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. The match showcased strong performances from the Oilers, particularly in singles play. Kaylynn Buttry, Hailey Handler, Jaden Downs, Saaphyri DeSelle, and Khloe Whitfield all secured wins in their respective singles matches. Additionally, the duo of Buttry and Handler emerged victorious in doubles competition. The event not only highlighted the athletic achievements of the team but also served as a farewell to the senior players, marking a significant moment in their high school tennis careers. The senior tennis players are Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athletes of the Month.

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