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ALTON - The Alton-Godfrey Rotary Club presented Alton Community Unit School District #11 (ACUSD11) kindergarten classrooms with new manipulatives and games to promote literacy. On Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, Rotary Club members met at Gilson Brown and Lovejoy Elementary Schools to present the kindergarten teachers with the new literacy materials. They will do the same on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, at Eunice Smith and Lewis & Clark Elementary Schools. Club Directors Ron Mayhew and Damian Jones explained that this project is an important part of what the Rotary Club does in the Riverbend community. “This is a literacy project we do every year,” Mayhew said. “We tried to , ‘Okay, what are we going to do differently to help kids become better readers?’ That’s what it’s all about.” Lovejoy Principal John Ducey introduced the Rotary Club members and explained to students what the Rotary Club does in the community. Mayhew and Young asked th

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is accepting applications now for instructors for 2024 summer fishing clinics through the department’s Urban Fishing Program. Fishing instructors are the department’s boots on the ground at free clinics hosted in communities throughout Illinois. These are temporary positions not to exceed six months, making them perfect for teachers, retirees, students, and others who are eager to help people learn about fishing skills and ecology. Available spots are based in Boone, Champaign, Jackson, Jefferson, Macon, Madison, McLean, Peoria, Rock Island, Sangamon, and St. Clair counties. Numerous spots are also available for Chicago, Cook County, and the northeastern part of Illinois. The deadline to apply is approaching quickly. To learn more about the positions, qualifications and how to apply, visit https://bit.ly/IDNRjobs . Look for positions titled “conservation education representative.” The

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees, to announce that they intend to file an amendment to maintain the congressional notification requirement for all U.S. assistance to foreign militaries. Specifically, the amendment would strike a provision in the proposed national security supplemental funding bill that waives oversight requirements for U.S. funding for Israel under the Foreign Military Financing Program. If passed, the amendment would preserve the congressional notification process for Israel, just as congressional notifications are required for all other nations. “The U.S. is an indispensable country in helping allied nations in times of conflict,” said Durbin. “The October 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel was reprehensible, and I will continue to support security aid for Israel’s defense. We also have a responsibility

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ALTON - A local photographer is working on a project that aims to destigmatize cannabis use by highlighting prominent cannabis users in the Riverbend community. By taking photos of business owners, volunteers and other big names in the area while they use cannabis, Taralei Griffin hopes to break the stereotype behind marijuana. Her work will also promote the Last Prisoner Project, an initiative that pushes for criminal justice reform so no one is imprisoned for possessing or using cannabis. “People should not be having their lives ruined over this healing plant,” Griffin said. “So that’s kind of my goal. I’m going to be starting this photography project because I feel like there’s such a strange dissonance with the sheer amount of people in this area who do rely on it to get through their day, whether it’s medically or just to unwind in the evenings, but then there’s still so many people who are scared of it and don’t understand.

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GLEN CARBON - The Glen Carbon Village Board unanimously denied a special use permit for a short-term rental property on Madison Avenue after neighbors had voiced their disapproval and the owner allegedly already listed it on Airbnb, among other ordinance violations. A similar permit for a different short-term rental located on Edwards Street was unanimously approved after passing the Planning Commission with no complaints from the public. Director of Community Development Erika Heil presented both ordinances regarding the special use permits to the board for a vote on Tuesday. While she said the first short-term rental didn’t draw any criticism or public comments and passed along a 3-2 vote from the Planning Commission, the second short-term rental was unanimously voted down following a series of problems. “We’ve had some issues with this property regarding them putting it out on Airbnb ahead of time, those types of things,” Heil said. “Since

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ALTON/GODFREY - The North Alton-Godfrey Business Council (NAGBC) held its monthly meeting with guest speaker Cory Jobe on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. Business owners and community members gathered at the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center in East Alton to listen to Jobe speak. He discussed the Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau , of which he is the president, and the organization’s goals for the community. The Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau represents Madison, Macoupin, Montgomery, Jersey, Calhoun and Green Counties in Illinois where the Mississippi, Missouri and Illinois Rivers intersect. The Great Rivers and Routes region is the only place where Route 66 meets the Great River Road. Jobe’s presentation focused on the region’s unique assets, including the rivers, the Great River Road, Route 66 and Pere Marquette State Park. He noted that the annual visitors to Pere Marquette rival that of the largest state park in Illinois,

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JERSEY - Sophomore Meredith Gray is a key component of this year's Jersey Community High School basketball team. She towers above many of her foes at 6-foot-1 and is the tallest girl on the Panthers' squad. Gray is one of the team's leading scorers, averaging 12.7 points a game and 8.8 rebounds. She also has recorded 1.6 steals per game, 2.5 assists and 1.1 blocks per contest. Gray is a Sparklight Internet Female Athlete of the Month for the Panthers. She is also a varsity middle hitter in volleyball. "Meredith is a sophomore forward and she returns to her starting role this season and has built on what she did last season," Jersey head girls basketball coach Caleb Williams said. "She can play inside if we need her, but she shoots well from the outside." Williams said Meredith also drives the ball well to the basket and is a force for other teams to contend with every game. Again congrats to Meredith Gray on her recognition as a Sparklight Internet Female Athlete of the Month fo

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COLUMBIA, Mo. - Columbia College recently announced its dean's list for the Fall 2023 Semester (August-December 2023). To be named to the dean's list, a student must have completed 12 credit hours in a 16-week period and achieved a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0-point scale. Founded in 1851 in Columbia, Missouri, Columbia College has been helping students advance their lives through higher education for more than 170 years. As a private, nonprofit institution, the college takes pride in its small classes, experienced faculty and quality educational programs. With 25 locations across the country, about half of which are on military installations, students may enroll in Day, Evening or Online classes. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Columbia College has more than 97,000 alumni worldwide. For more information, visit ccis.edu. Students from the area who received this honor include: HOMETOWN; NAME, LOCATION ATTENDED Alton Cierra Johnson,

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ALAMOSA, CO. - Andrew O'Keefe, Granite City, Ill., graduated Cum Laude from Adams State University, located in Alamosa, Colo, during the Fall 2023 Commencement Ceremony on December 16, 2023. O'Keefe earned a Bachelor of Science in geoscience: physical geography and conservation; and a minor in history. "Living in Alamosa and all the people I have met as well as the things I have learned in the classroom have made life-changing impacts. I am inspired to be a lifelong learner and to hopefully share knowledge I have gained at Adams State by being a teacher someday." O'Keefe is planning on pursuing a master's degree in education at Adams State and eventually teaching high school science and coaching cross country and/or track and field. "My professors pushed me to complete quality work in the classroom. They also pushed me to apply for scholarships and get involved in work outside of the classroom that related to my degree." O'Keefe received athletic scholarships for track and field

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WOOD RIVER – Midwest Members Credit Union is proud to sponsor the “Eagles of the Month” program at Civic Memorial High School. Senior students are selected each month by members of the Civic Memorial faculty to represent each department. All students are awarded a certificate and a Subway gift card. Two seniors (1 female student and 1 male student) who were selected each month will have the opportunity to compete for $500. “Eagles of the Year” scholarship each at the end of the school year. 2023 December’s Eagles of the Month winners: Math - Sabrina Smith Visual Arts - Abigail Clowers Social Studies - Ryne Breyer PE/Health - Caleb Hartwell Choir - Sydney Law Band - Kimberly Price Science - Quentin Roose English - Abagail Saboff C.T.E. - Kaitlyn Twente Midwest Members Credit Union wishes the students well in their future endeavors. Midwest Members Credit Union has been serving your community for 89 years. To find out more information abou

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HIGH HONOR ROLL Senior Class of 2024 High Honor Roll List for Semester 1 Matthew Arendell, Reydien Bailey, Chiara Biciocchi, Kelsey Bray, Carson Burns, Lola Francis, Mia Greenwell, Abigail Hellrung, Ashlynn Huber, Gavin Humm, Alyssa Kasten, Logan Keith, Colin LeMarr, Parker LeMarr, Allyson Mann, Abigail McDonald, Aubrey Reno, Zachary Rue, Hope Seniker, Madison Seymour, Haley Stormer, Fiery Street- Heywood, Alexandra Wigger, Emma Wyman Junior Class of 2025 High Honor Roll List for Semester 1 Ike Austin, Laine Behrends, Reagan Beilsmith, Ian Brantley, Secilia D’Angelo, Gracie Darr, Madison Fenstermaker, Kyle Foss, Hailey Gula, Alexis Harrop, Addison Jeffers, Kori Laubscher, Ryan Lowis, Nicholas McGee, Hannah McQuay, Elizabeth Milford, Ava Pulley, Emily Raymer, Anneliese Shatley, Addison Strohbeck, Sydney Valdes, Piper Voorhees, Danni Wehmeyer, Sophomore Class of 2026 High Honor Roll List for Semester 1 Gage Alexander, Gus Arnold, Ava Bacon, Ava Ballard, Bram

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GODFREY - The Nature Institute will host two Owl Prowl events to give the public a chance to learn more about owls and hear them in the preserve. Great-horned owls and barred owls are the two common owls in Illinois. During the winter these owls build nests, find mates, and defend their territory. Since owls are active and vocal when defending their territories, it gives us a chance to consistently hear them in the wild. Treehouse Wildlife Center will bring several owl species to The Nature Institute on two occasions this winter. The Valentine’s Day Owl Prowl on February 14th is designed for adults. This program will be a unique event with learning, appetizers, and wine for groups of friends and couples to enjoy together. The Treehouse program will start indoors with the live owls and snacks, then we will head outside to call and listen for wild owls. On February 16th, Treehouse will return for a family oriented program. Families will learn about owls, and meet the owl ambassadors

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SAINT LOUIS – Crime continues to decline in the City of St. Louis. Today Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, joined by Public Safety officials and Community Violence Intervention partners, highlighted the significant progress on the state of public safety since the administration took office in April of 2021. With targeted investments in crime prevention, intervention, and enforcement, St. Louis experienced a 21 percent reduction in homicides (158 in 2023 compared to 200 in 2022), the lowest murder rate in a decade and one of the biggest year-over-year reductions in violent crime in 90 years. Total Part 1 crimes, consisting of murder, sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, felony theft and auto theft, are down a total 22 percent. “I am encouraged by our continued progress to make St. Louis safer,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. “But now is not the time to celebrate. One life lost to gun violence is one too many, and in 2024 we will continue to stick

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Rockhurst University has announced the dean's list for the fall 2023 semester. This honor recognizes students who have achieved a grade-point average of 3.5 or above. Rockhurst University, founded in 1910 and located in the heart of Kansas City, Missouri, is a Catholic university in the Jesuit tradition committed to providing inclusive, innovative and transformative education. As a comprehensive university and supportive community of nearly 4,000 students, its mission is to form lifelong learners in the liberal arts tradition who engage the complexities of our world and serve others as compassionate, thoughtful leaders. U.S. News & World Report consistently names Rockhurst among the top Midwest Regional Universities. Rockhurst has held the community engagement classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching since 2010. Learn more at www.rockhurst.edu. The following students earned a place on the list: HOMETOWN, NAME Glen

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JERSEYVILLE - Adam Kribs is off to an outstanding season for the Jersey boys bowling team. Adam bowled a 1332 series at the Abe Invite with a high game of 278 and an average of 222 for the day, the sixth-best against some of Southern Illinois' best teams. Adam is a Sparklight Internet Male Athlete of the Month for the Panthers. "Adam is a senior leader for our program and he puts in the work and leads by example with his attitude and work ethic toward becoming a better bowler and teammate," his bowling coach Trent Morgan said. Season statistics for the first six matches: 11/29/23 - Bowled 599 series against the Roxana Shells 11/28/23 - Bowled 642 series - high game 258 against the Triad Knights 11/27/23 - Bowled 653 series against the Taylorville Tornadoes 11/21/23 - Bowled 649 series - high game 279 against the Waterloo Bulldogs 11/16/23 - Bowled 606 series against the Southwestern Piasa Birds 11/15/23 - Bowled a 696 series - high game 245 against the Metro East Lutheran Knights

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The 2015 horror film “The Visit” gives the Hollywood treatment to sundowning. An impostor grandmother is seen running the halls, scratching the walls and vomiting, terrorizing two children in the home. A little exaggerated, says Courtney McFarlin, PA , an OSF HealthCare internal medicine provider who specializes in geriatrics. But she says sundowning is an all too real experience for some older adults. What is sundowning? McFarlin explains that sundowning is not a medical condition, but rather a way to describe behavior seen at night. It’s triggered by a disruption in your circadian rhythm. “That’s our body’s natural, 24-hour sleep/wake cycle,” McFarlin says. “It’s regulated by the hypothalamus in the brain. Based on daylight and darkness, it tells our body to be alert during the day. And it helps us settle down in the evening to want to go to sleep.” Many things can disrupt your circadian rhythm, like illness,

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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville firefighter/paramedic Mark Vann recently completed his first year with the department and he is being featured as a Difference Maker in that community. Vann was appointed to the Edwardsville Fire Department in 2023. “He brought a great deal of fire service and emergency medical service experience to the job,” Edwardsville Fire Chief James Whiteford said. Vann previously had volunteered with the Rosewood Heights and Bethalto fire departments. Along with that, he had been employed by Alton Memorial EMS. He also had been a member of the Edwardsville Fire Department Explorer Post. Vann said he enjoys training alongside and the knowledge he gains from the other Edwardsville firefighters. "I really enjoy working in a busy and fast-paced department,” he said. Vann added that in his off time, he enjoys fishing and playing guitar. Mark is married; his wife is Megan.

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JERSEY - Sophomore Meredith Gray is a key component of this year's Jersey Community High School basketball team. She towers above many of her foes at 6-foot-1 and is the tallest girl on the Panthers' squad. Gray is one of the team's leading scorers, averaging 12.7 points a game and 8.8 rebounds. She also has recorded 1.6 steals per game, 2.5 assists and 1.1 blocks per contest. Gray is a Sparklight Internet Female Athlete of the Month for the Panthers. She is also a varsity middle hitter in volleyball. "Meredith is a sophomore forward and she returns to her starting role this season and has built on what she did last season," Jersey head girls basketball coach Caleb Williams said. "She can play inside if we need her, but she shoots well from the outside." Williams said Meredith also drives the ball well to the basket and is a force for other teams to contend with every game. Again congrats to Meredith Gray on her recognition as a Sparklight Internet Female Athlete of the Month

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EDWARDSVILLE - In Crowd will host a “Blooming Where We Are Planted” brunch fundraiser on behalf of Habitat for Humanity. From 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Jan. 14, 2024, people can enjoy brunch from several local restaurants, live and silent auctions, and a dueling pianos performance with Mike Sonderegger. All proceeds go to the Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Chapter of Habitat for Humanity, which provides housing and financial literacy classes for families in need. Lindsay Gilreath, executive board member with In Crowd, explained that the networking group is eager to host a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity. “ was really born on the idea that professionals need a time and place to form relationships and growth with one another on both a professional and a personal level,” Gilreath said. “One of those core pillars is an intentional community, which for us has two meanings. One is building the networking community inside In Crowd, having those that you can

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JERSEYVILLE - The American Red Cross and the NFL are teaming up to reward two lucky blood donors a trip to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. Donations will be accepted the entire month of January 2024 - donors can either sign up at this link or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter “DelhiBaptist” to schedule an appointment. A blood drive is also scheduled from 2 to 6 p.m. on Jan. 29, 2024 at Delhi Baptist Church, located at 18151 Church Lane in Jerseyville. All donors throughout January will be automatically entered into a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, which also includes access to day-of in-stadium pre-game activities, tickets to the official Super Bowl Experience, round-trip airfare to Las Vegas, three-night hotel accommodations (Feb. 9-12, 2024), and a $1,000 gift card for expenses. The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years.

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