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CHICAGO- Today, Governor JB Pritzker, along with the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) and the Illinois Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes (CDHC), announced the official launch of Help Stop Hate, a confidential service that provides support and resources to people and communities affected by hate. Hate crimes reached an all-time high in 2023, with 11,862 incidents reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. “Across the nation and right here in Illinois, we have witnessed a rapid rise of hate crimes and discrimination. We – those who stand against hate, those who stand by our neighbors, and those who stand up for a free and inclusive Illinois – must take action.” said Governor JB Pritzker. “I’m proud to officially launch Help Stop Hate, a new resource that will help protect and empower victims and witnesses to incidents of hate. Through a free, confidential, and multi-lingual service, individuals can report hateful

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ALTON - Alton Main Street presents First Fridays, a late night art and shopping experience which spans 14 locations across the Downtown Alton district. This series is held on the First Friday of October, November and December, providing shoppers with an opportunity to check out new shops and galleries and visit familiar favorites to experience art and great specials at each business. Participants are offering a variety of discounts, refreshments, and giveaways. Everyone who has their passport stamped at a minimum of 8 locations will be entered into a drawing for a $100 gift certificate to any participating business. Free parking is available in the lot next to FLOCK Food Truck Park & Bar, located at 210 Ridge Street, and a free shuttle bus will be provided from 5:00-8:00 p.m., running a continuous loop between all participating locations. On Friday, November 1st, start your evening by picking up your First Friday passport at any participating location, then hop on the shuttle

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ALTON - The 18th Domestic Violence Memorial Service honored two Madison County residents who were lost to domestic violence this year. Roadecker “Roe” Watts and Amy Lynn Delacruz were remembered during the memorial service on Oct. 29, 2024. The service also recognized the 49,651 Illinois residents who received direct domestic violence client services between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024. “We’re here to remember those who have lost their lives here in Madison County over the last year,” said Pastor Jim Johnston. “What happens to them happens to us. It affects us, and that’s why we feel the need to have organizations like what we have to address the needs of the people, but also the justice of the people.” The annual memorial service took place at Alton Memorial Hospital. In addition to recognizing those who have been lost, people with lived experience told their stories. Those who work with domestic violence survivors also came

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EDWARDSVILLE – R.P. Lumber Co., Inc. plans to acquire Guyot Lumber, an independently owned retailer of hardware, lumber, and building materials in Perryville, MO. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The transaction, scheduled to close on Friday, November 1st, marks R.P. Lumber’s eighth acquisition this year and its first location in Perry County, MO. With this acquisition, the retailer at 800 W St. Joseph St., Perryville, MO, will become R.P. Lumber’s 88th location and its 21st in the Show Me State. Rick Guyot, co-owner of Guyot Lumber along with his brother Jim Guyot, expressed his sentiments, stating, “Our family takes a lot of pride in this business, in our people, and in Perryville. When we decided we wanted to transition out of ownership, we knew we wanted our legacy to be inherited by an honest, well-respected peer familiar with the southeast region of Missouri, and I think we’ve found the perfect fit with R.P. Lumber.” “The Guyo

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ALTON - A man from Alton faces multiple felonies after allegedly battering a victim and stealing their car in a Godfrey parking lot. Forrest S. Bayer, 28, of Alton, was charged with vehicular hijacking (a Class 1 felony), offenses related to motor vehicles (a Class 2 felony), and aggravated battery (a Class 3 felony). On Oct. 10, 2024, Bayer allegedly punched a victim multiple times in the face before stealing the same victim’s car and fleeing the scene. The incident unfolded shortly before Madison County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a stolen vehicle report, according to a petition to deny Bayer’s pretrial release. The victim advised officers she had dropped Bayer off at the Godfrey Walmart, but noticed her phone was missing after she left. When she returned to the Walmart parking lot, she saw Bayer walking near an OSF HealthCare Medical Group building. “Defendant entered 's 2003 Pontiac motor vehicle, demanding that she get into the passenger seat,”

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TROY - Triad High School’s Fine Arts Department presents its fall play, The Lost Boy by Ronald Gabriel Paolillo . It will be performed in the school’s cafetorium at 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 7, Friday, November 8. “Despite finding success and fame as a writer, James M. Barrie is dissatisfied with his work and his life. He returns to his hometown in Scotland to visit his mother, who still blames him for the long-ago death of his older brother in a skating pond. Haunted by the tragic accident and his mother's harsh words, James slowly begins to confront his family's tragic past with the help of an unexpected friendship and his own gift for storytelling. This fictionalized account of the birth of Peter Pan will warm the hearts of audiences everywhere who remember the magic and mystery of The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up.” The cast includes senior Wyatt Boyer as Barrie, sophomore Gwen Wright as his mother (Margaret Ogilvy Barrie) and Neverland mermaid Meranda,

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GODFREY - Illinois Central School Bus gave away $1,500 worth of candy at their annual Bus ‘R’ Treat event. From 5:30–7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, kids were invited to the Illinois Central School Bus lot at 4525 N. Alby in Godfrey for drive-thru trick-or-treating. School bus drivers and monitors decorated their buses and dressed up in costume to hand out candy. “It’s a lot of fun. Last year we saw over 1,000 kids,” said Deb Dameron with Illinois Central School Bus. “ love coming through and seeing their drivers and monitors all dressed up…That’s why we do it, to get involved with the community.” Hundreds of families from the Alton Community Unit School District #11 stopped by the event on Oct. 24. Kids could visit with their bus drivers, show off their costumes and collect plenty of candy. Dameron said Illinois Central School Bus also gave out a hiring flier to every car that came through. There is a nationwide

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Grade Honor Roll with High Distinction (g.p.a. 4.0) 9 Marion Hemmer, Fairview Heights 9 Claire Houck, Maryville 9 Collin Hudzik, Edwardsville 9 Cole Payne, Edwardsville 9 Calista Stults, Collinsville 9 Ryan Sullivan, New Douglas 9 Lily Walloch, Collinsville 9 Josie Wright, Edwardsville Honor Roll with Distinction (g.p.a. 3.75-3.99) 9 Abby Ayer, Shiloh 9 Elijah Ball, Worden 9 Luke Bright, Trenton 9 Linus Curtis, Worden 9 Abby Dulaney, O'Fallon 9 Madison Dunn, Edwardsville 9 Oliver Elmer, Edwardsville 9 Keira Fisher, Edwardsville 9 Charlie Frey, Glen Carbon 9 Caitlyn Hardage, Caseyville 9 Lily Hartzel, Troy 9 Liam Hazelwonder, Godfrey 9 Camden Jansen, Staunton 9 Moira Krueger, Glen Carbon 9 Laynie Menard, Glen Carbon

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) released the annual Illinois Report Card at www.illinoisreportcard.com today. The Report Card shows how schools are progressing on a wide range of educational goals. One component of the School Report Card is the annual summative designation – a descriptor of how well our schools are meeting the needs of all students. The designations recognize schools with strong overall performance across a range of academic and student success indicators. There are five designations a school can receive – Exemplary, Commendable, Targeted Support, Comprehensive Support, or Intensive Support. All 13 of District #7’s schools received a COMMENDABLE designation by the State of Illinois. Areas that stood out on this year’s School Report Card include: In academic proficiency, students scored 35.7 percent for math compared to the state average of 27.9; 64.8 for science compared to the state average of 52.7 percent;

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GODFREY - The Godfrey Women’s Club hosted their annual Christmas Carousel fundraiser. On Oct. 30, 2024, community members could shop and dine with the Godfrey Women’s Club at Lewis and Clark Community College. Club President Jennifer Wyatt explained that the Christmas Carousel is the club’s main fundraiser, and they use the proceeds to better the Godfrey community. “It’s our main mission as a club to beautify Godfrey, to make Godfrey a better place to live,” Wyatt said. Christmas Carousel attendees could shop the Christmas decor, enter raffles, and enjoy a sit-down lunch from caterer Nicky G’s Italian Eats. Wyatt noted that the event is always a fun experience for attendees, but it has a deeper meaning for the club. They raise money to decorate the Lewis and Clark Community College campus, improve the Godfrey area and support people in the Riverbend community. “This is our primary fundraising activity for the year. We raise

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GRANITE CITY – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that repairs to westbound Interstate 270 between Illinois 3 and Riverview Drive in Missouri will require one lane to be closed starting, weather permitting, at 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1. One lane will remain open. All lanes will reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, Nov. 4. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this closure. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on the social media platform X at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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O'FALLON - HSHS hospitals in Southern Illinois issued a reminder of a program set for Nov. 7, 2024, at St. Clare Church at 1411 Cross St., O'Fallon that is themed "From Southern Illinois To Ukraine: A Faith Response by HSHS. Those in attendance will learn how HSHS hospitals in the Southern Illinois area are helping provide critical resources to healthcare facilities around the world, including Ukraine. The event will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. in O'Fallon. Amid war in Ukraine, Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach – a global health affiliate of HSHS – has shipped five 40’ containers of requested medical supplies and equipment to Ukrainian hospitals. HSHS hospitals in southern Illinois, including St. Elizabeth’s Hospital-O’Fallon, St. Joseph’s Hospital-Breese, St. Joseph’s Hospital-Highland and Holy Family Hospital-Greenville, contributed to the effort to support Ukrainian hospitals in both rural and urban areas who are delivering health care

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JERSEYVILLE - Jerseyville City Council members on Tuesday unanimously passed a series of resolutions related to the ongoing Phase 2 Hollow Avenue Improvement Project. Mayor Kevin Stork said passing these resolutions was the “first step in the next phase of Hollow.” He said the project’s second phase will see roadway improvements extend to Waggoner Lane. City Council members approved an “acceptance of appraisals/appraisal reviews for the easement/right-of-way parcels” for the project, the first of three related resolutions passed on Tuesday. City Attorney William Strang said the appraisal process is part of the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) procedure to receive funding for the roadway improvements. The council also approved “land acquisition fees for easement/right-of-way parcels” for the project. Stork said the total cost is not to exceed $25,000, but each of the appraisals the city has received so far have been less than

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GRAFTON — Construction on a new ADA compliant crosswalk is set to begin on November 4 at the intersection of Route 100 and Mulberry Street in Grafton, a project aimed at enhancing pedestrian safety in the busy area. Stutz Construction is collaborating with SMS Engineering for this initiative, which addresses longstanding challenges faced by pedestrians crossing near local establishments such as the Grafton Pub, Grafton Winery, and Third Chute. The intersection has been particularly difficult for both pedestrians and drivers, especially during peak weekend traffic. The project is expected to take approximately 30 days to complete. During this time, motorists and pedestrians are advised to remain vigilant, as there will be a flag person on site and potential changes to traffic patterns. In an effort to minimize disruption, SMS Engineering and Stutz Construction coordinated with city officials to schedule the work later in the tourist season, thus avoiding the busiest visitor times.

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GRANITE CITY – Under the leadership of Head Coach Grace Hurst, the Granite City girls volleyball team has shown significant improvement, a transformation evident during a recent match against Edwardsville on Tuesday night. Although the Warriors ultimately lost 25-17, 25-10, the contest highlighted the progress made since Hurst's arrival and underscored the team's growth. Throughout the entire match, the Warriors returned some kills and hits from the Tigers that might not have occurred in previous years and the team played extremely well as a group and with constant energy and attention. Granite City recorded six wins this season and next season, the potential is there for many more. Hurst, a former standout player at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, praised her team's effort, particularly the contributions of the five graduating seniors: Noelle Richey, Brooke Dennan, Makayla Tanksley, Jade Williams, and Aubrey Whitehead. “I highlight our seniors, we had five

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JERSEYVILLE - Jerseyville City Council members quickly and unanimously approved a resolution changing the zoning classification for a property commonly known as “The Diner." Located at 111 Dorothy St. behind the Jerseyville Walgreens, the restaurant and bar announced last month it had undergone a change in ownership. Tuesday’s meeting documents reveal the new owners as Pearley and Wreatha Hanold, who submitted the rezoning petition. The reclassification was described as merely a “formality” to get the new owners set up with the proper zoning. The resolution’s passage will see the land’s zoning classification change from B-3 to B-3 with Special Use for Alcohol. The City Council unanimously passed a motion approving the Hanolds’ petition to rezone The Diner. Mayor Kevin Stork wished them both “good luck” as the new owners of the business.

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HARDIN - On Oct. 21, 2024, at approximately 6:10 PM, a Deputy with the Calhoun County Sheriff's conducted a traffic stop on Illinois Route 100, south of Poor Farm Hollow, in Hardin, Calhoun County, Illinois. As a result of the traffic stop, Joshua M. Kronable, age 40, of Brussels, Illinois was arrested for the following offenses: • Possession of Methamphetamine (Less than 5 Grams), • Driving While License Suspended, • Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Kronable was arrested without incident and transported to the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office. As is now required under the provisions of the new House Bill 3653, known as the SAFE-T Act; Kronable was booked and released with a Notice to Appear at a later date at the Calhoun County Courthouse. All suspect(s) are innocent until proven guilty.

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GODFREY - Lewis and Clark Community College welcomes veterans to attend the upcoming Veterans Day Celebration from 12:30-2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024 in the Ahlemeyer Atrium (Trimpe 141). The event is free, and the entire community is encouraged to come out and support our Veterans. L&C Veterans Services will provide light refreshments and special gifts for L&C veterans. “I look forward to spending time with the Lewis and Clark community honoring our Veterans,” Special Guest Laurel “Buff” Burkel said. “This will be an exceptional day to recognize their service to our nation.” Burkel will give an inspirational speech about the story of her survival and recovery from her helicopter crash. Her speech will highlight the power of positivity in supporting one another and its fundamental connection to personal resilience. “Buff is an amazing person with an incredible story,” Veterans Services Coordinator Sarah Albright said. “She

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GLEN CARBON - This September, in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Father McGivney Catholic High School students and the McGivney Spanish Club raised over $1,500 for “The Library Project“ in Mexicali, Mexico. The Spanish Club also organized a book drive and all books were sent directly to the libraries in that area. Spanish Club representative and McG student Kylie Becker said, "The Library Project is a cause supported by Maryknoll Lay Missioners, a Catholic organization that tries to help better the lives of struggling communities in nine different countries worldwide.” The Library Project hopes to reduce violence in the families that it serves, promote literacy, and develop a love of reading by providing a community library. The library is located in a lower income neighborhood of working-class people where violence, drug addiction, and alcoholism are prevalent. This library also provides religious classes, children's books, crafts, and other projects to creat

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As the leaves begin to change color and the air turns crisp, autumn beckons many to escape their daily routines and embrace the season’s charm. A cozy fall weekend getaway can provide the perfect opportunity to unwind, reconnect with nature, and indulge in seasonal delights. This guide will walk you through the key steps to planning a memorable and cozy fall weekend retreat. 1. Choosing the Perfect Destination The first step in planning your getaway is selecting a destination that embodies the essence of fall. Consider the following options: Countryside Retreats Many picturesque locations boast stunning fall foliage, making them ideal for a cozy getaway. Areas like the Hudson Valley in New York or the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina offer breathtaking views and charming small towns to explore. Coastal Escapes While beach trips are often associated with summer, coastal areas can be surprisingly beautiful in the fall. Think of places like Cape Cod, where you can

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