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ALTON - The Salvation Army locations in Alton and Granite City are facing a significant shortage of food items for their pantries, prompting a community response through a food drive organized by Freer Auto Body at 4512 North Alby Road in Godfrey. The "Have a Heart" food drive has started and will continue until Feb. 15, 2025. The recent winter storms have slowed typical food donations to The Salvation Army. Community members are encouraged to drop off food donations at Freer Auto Body. Additionally, those who wish to collect items at their own businesses, churches, or other locations can coordinate with the organizers for pickup. Margaret Freer, one of the owners of Freer Auto Body, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “The need in our area is great. In today’s world, no one should be hungry. We should count our blessings every day, and if you have the ability to give, you should help those in need.” She urged the public to participate in the campaign,

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ST. LOUIS — Two Belleville East High School students showcased their talents at the 15th Annual St. Louis Teen Talent Competition on Jan. 18, 2025, held at the Fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis. Seventeen-year-old Hannah Joyner performed Stevie Wonder's "Don’t You Worry ‘bout a Thing," while 16-year-old Jillian Ritter, known as Jillyb, presented her original song "Too Good to be True." Joyner, a senior, has developed her vocal skills through self-teaching and training with Steve Neale Music. Her dedication has led to significant opportunities, including performances of the national anthem at CITY SC matches. "I want to bring my signature style and talent to the stage," Joyner said, expressing her excitement about the competition. Jillian Ritter, a junior, aspires to be a pop artist and has received training at Patterson Performing Arts. "I am passionate about creating and sharing my own music," she stated, emphasizing her commitment to pursuing her artistry after

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CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced $7 million in funding for the Tech Incubator Enhancement Grants Program (TIEG) to support entrepreneurship and innovation in key growth industries through startup incubators. This grant funding will strengthen Illinois’ technology network by increasing the resilience of existing technology incubators. Grantees will be selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process. “Here in Illinois, we’re providing the critical support that startups need to grow and drive the future of technology,” said Governor JB Pritzker . “Thanks to the TIEG program grants, we’re strengthening our innovation system, modernizing incubators, and solidifying Illinois as a leader in cutting-edge industries. I highly encourage all eligible entities to apply for this funding opportunity." TIEG was designed to modernize and revitalize

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EAST ALTON – A new addition to the Wilson family arrived at 6:49 p.m. on August 24, 2023, at St. Luke's Hospital. Tauren Matthew Wilson, weighing 8 pounds 3 ounces and measuring 21 inches long, is the son of Daniel and Darcy Wilson, who reside in East Alton. The Wilsons, who have been married, welcomed their second child into the family. The couple's first child, Danny, is four years old. Tauren's maternal grandparents, Mike and Myla Dixon, are from East Alton, while his paternal grandparents, Bill and Sandi Grebe, live in Granite City. Tauren also has great-grandparents, Bill and Margie, who reside in East Alton. The family is celebrating this joyful occasion as they expand their household with the arrival of their new son.

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OAK LAWN - Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced the addition of 5,150 publicly funded preschool seats as the result of the fiscal year 2025 Early Childhood Block Grants. The grants mark the second year of Governor JB Pritzker’s Smart Start Illinois plan, which aims to expand access to early childhood education by increasing the number of preschool seats available to working families. A total of 11,000 seats have been added under Governor Pritzker’s leadership. “This is another historic step forward for early childhood education in Illinois, bringing us 5,150 seats closer to our goal of Universal Pre-K,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Every Illinois child deserves our full investment starting in their earliest years. Smart Start Illinois will put our children on the path to growth and opportunity while making our communities stronger, healthier, and more connected.” "When we educate our children,

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COLLINSVILLE — The Collinsville Police Department recognized significant personnel changes during a promotional ceremony held Tuesday evening, following the recent appointment of Chief Brett Boerm as the new Chief of Police. Lieutenant Mark Kuechle has been promoted to the rank of major/assistant chief of police, a position in which he will oversee all operational functions of the department. Sergeant Brad Akers has moved to lieutenant and will be reassigned to the patrol division. At the same time, Police Officer Jay Edwards has been elevated to sergeant and will command one of the department's four patrol squads. In addition to the promotions, the department introduced Jeremy Moore as its newest police officer. Moore is currently attending the police academy at Southwestern Illinois College. "Congratulations Major Kuechle, Lieutenant Akers, and Sergeant Edwards on your well-deserved promotions and welcome aboard Officer Moore," the department stated. The Collinsville

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EAST ST. LOUIS - In a demonstration of community service and collaboration, members of AmeriCorps joined students from the Peace Warriors program at Gordon Bush Alternative Center and East St. Louis Senior High School recently for a Day of Service honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The initiative took place at the Flyers Feeding Families Mobile Food Pantry, where participants worked together to serve the East St. Louis community. The event aimed to embody the spirit of Dr. King's legacy by promoting unity and support within the community. The Peace Warriors program, which focuses on leadership and service, played a central role in the initiative, highlighting the importance of volunteerism and civic engagement among local youth. The collaboration between AmeriCorps and the Peace Warriors is part of a broader effort to foster community involvement and address food insecurity in the area. Participants emphasized the significance of their work, noting that such initiatives help

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EDWARDSVILLE – The Edwardsville Police Department announced on Friday, January 24, that a 24-year-old Edwardsville man was taken into custody and is facing charges stemming from an investigation into the distribution of child pornography. The investigation began on September 11, 2024, based on information received from the Illinois Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC). On Thursday, January 23, 2025, the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office issued a formal charging document known as a criminal information on the suspect: James Tyler Berry M/W, 24 years of age. The criminal information included the following offenses: COUNT 1 – Child Pornography, a class X felony COUNT 2 – Child Pornography, a class X felony COUNT 3 – Child Pornography, a class X felony COUNT 4 – Child Pornography, a class 2 felony COUNT 5 – Child Pornography, a class 2 felony COUNT 6 – Child Pornography, a class 2 felony COUNT 7 – Chil

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MARYVILLE/TROY - Community members have the chance to win a half-a-million-dollar home while helping local kids. The Home Builders and Remodelers Metro East Association (HBRMEA) is sponsoring a raffle where the grand prize is a new home in Troy, Illinois, or $300,000 cash. Tickets cost $100 and only 20,000 tickets will be sold. All proceeds go to Make-A-Wish Illinois and Make-A-Wish Missouri/Kansas. “Right now in Missouri and Illinois, there are over 2,000 kids waiting for wishes,” said Shannon Stelling with HBRMEA. “This project can make such an impact and cut into that number by a large amount to help these kids get their wishes come true…I encourage everyone to come out and support this project.” The home drawing will take place on April 29, 2025, live on Fox 2. The winner can choose between the new home in Troy or the $300,000. The house, valued at over $500,000, is 1,800 square feet with an unfinished basement. It has three bedrooms,

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While respiratory illness season storms on, one virus continues to be the unfortunate leader of them all. Influenza, or the flu, is dominating the other viruses like COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), norovirus, Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) and others, according to Doug Kasper, MD, an infectious disease specialist with OSF HealthCare. He adds that the increase in flu cases is “typical and expected” for this time of year. The strain of flu that is circulating is an Influenza A strain, which is also predicted. Flu at highest rate and climbing "Seasonal influenza rates are increasing each week, per the CDC. That refers to the number of positive tests that are being seen at access sites, like (OSF) PromptCare, urgent care, emergency departments and primary care offices," Dr. Kasper says. "The percentage of tests returning positive for influenza is climbing and it's at its highest level for our season." This comes just days after the Chicago Department of Public

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SAINT LOUIS, MO. - Principia School invites middle schoolers and jazz enthusiasts across the Greater St. Louis region to enjoy a jazz clinic and concert at their first annual Principia Middle School Jazz Honors Festival. On Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, middle school jazz musicians from schools across the region can attend a jazz clinic from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Principia School, located at 13201 Clayton Road, St. Louis, Missouri. Emanuel Harrold, a two-time Grammy Award winner and St. Louis-based musician, will lead the clinic. The day concludes with a free concert, open to the public, at 5 p.m. in Ridgway Auditorium. “We want to be a great musical neighbor,” said Keith Evans, percussion instructor. “Come be a part of this. Here's what we have going on on our campus. We’d like this family to grow. Music is the only language that is universal.” The middle school jazz clinic costs $35 and includes lunch and snacks. Evans said students will rehearse and

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Did you know that breakfast eaters tend to consume about 100 fewer calories throughout the day compared to those who skip the morning meal? While many of us may reach for the same familiar toast or cereal each morning, there exists a treasure trove of unique breakfast ideas that not only satisfy hunger but also elevate our mornings into a delightful culinary experience. Embracing variety in breakfast can be the key to starting your day with energy and enthusiasm. Let’s explore some innovative options that can transform your morning routine. Breakfast Bowls: A Canvas of Flavors Breakfast bowls are a wonderful way to combine different flavors and textures into one delicious meal. They encourage creativity and customization based on personal preferences or what’s available in your pantry. Savory Oatmeal Bowl: Instead of the traditional sweet oatmeal, prepare a savory version. Cook steel-cut oats and top them with sautéed spinach, a poached egg, crumbled feta cheese,

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Welcome to January 24, a day that has witnessed a multitude of significant events throughout history, shaping politics, culture, science, and society. In 1984, a groundbreaking event took place that would forever change the landscape of technology and communication. Apple Inc. launched the Macintosh computer, introducing a user-friendly interface that brought personal computing to the masses. This innovative product not only revolutionized the way people interacted with computers but also set the stage for the modern digital age. The Macintosh was notable for its graphical user interface, which was a stark departure from the text-based systems prevalent at the time. This launch marked the beginning of a new era in technology, influencing countless innovations that followed. Fast forward to 1965, when a significant moment in space exploration occurred. The United States launched the first successful test of the Saturn I rocket. This was a groundbreaking achievement for NASA, as th

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BETHALTO — Madison County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a traffic crash in the 1700 block of South Moreland Road Thursday night, Jan. 23, 2025. Preliminary investigations indicate that a northbound vehicle crossed into the opposing traffic lane, resulting in a collision with a southbound vehicle. Both vehicles sustained extensive damage; however, no injuries were reported. Madison County Sheriff's Department is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

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Among the New Year’s resolutions worldwide, many people have pledged to find and stick with a healthy diet. But there’s a lot more to it than just grabbing every “reduced fat” item off the grocery store shelf. Karen Whitehorn, MD, an OSF HealthCare internal medicine physician, hears questions all the time about diets. Her first question back is usually: what do you want out of your diet? Do you want to be healthy? Lose weight? Manage a medical condition? Sort through the details, and you’ll find the best option. Exploring the popular options U.S. News and World Report each year consults a panel of medical and nutrition experts to rank the best diets. The Mediterranean diet topped the list. Dr. Whitehorn says this diet is based on the eating habits of people who live near the Mediterranean Sea. It’s a plant-based diet, incorporating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, brown rice and seafood. An added benefit: recent research shows the Mediterranean

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CHICAGO - Today Governor JB Pritzker joined the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), state and local leaders at the Will Group to announce $10 million in funding for the Office of Economic Equity and Empowerment (OE3) Small Business Capital and Infrastructure Grant Program to help small businesses achieve sustainable growth, improve efficiency, and create and retain jobs through capital improvements. This grant program is designed around equity to uplift businesses owned by historically underrepresented groups and very small businesses with fewer than 10 employees. “Creating economic opportunity for diverse and small businesses demonstrates our commitment to investing in all of our people and growing the economy,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “In communities across Illinois, small businesses are sustaining quality jobs, anchoring downtowns and commercial districts, providing vital goods and services, playing an integral role in supply chains,

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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 (one female student and one male student) that were selected each month will have the opportunity to compete for a $500 “Eagles of the Year” scholarship each at the end of the school year. 2024 December’s Eagles of the Month winners: Math - Stephen Henson Visual Arts - Brailey Harrop Social Studies - Kaylea Falk P.E./Health - John Wallace Choir - McKenzie Martin Band - Madeline Wood Science - Bryce McArthur English - Myleigh Erwin C.T.E. - Sawyer Meyer Teacher of the Month winners: Dan Carlson - Physical Education Congratulations to all the Civic Memorial “Eagles of the Month” and the “Teacher of the Month!”

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MADISON COUNTY — A police chase concluded without incident on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, according to East Alton Police Chief Scott Golike. The pursuit, which involved multiple law enforcement jurisdictions, ended on Buchta Road in Madison County, where traffic was temporarily halted. East Alton Chief Golike reported that the chase was traffic-related and noted that the vehicle involved had been in a crash before the pursuit. The damage displayed was not new. As of 4:17 p.m. on Thursday, Buchta Road remained closed while authorities continued their investigation. Chief Golike stated that more information would be released as the situation develops. A subject is in custody.

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GODFREY - St. Ambrose Catholic School has released its second quarter honor roll. 2024-2025 4th Grade High Honor Roll Colton French Sophie Hoefert Hunter Johnson Cayla Kory 4th Grade Honor Roll Chrisley Bechtold Lucas Lacy Leo Noss Reid Pruetzel Ella Schroeder Lily Yemm 5th Grade High Honor Roll Miles Schroeder 5th Grade Honor Roll Elijah Baird Tucker Eberlin James Erwin Holly Franklin Kamryn Hollinger Audrina Klasner Alysa Kochan Jackson Lacy Maizy McCahill William Monahan Eileen Rodriguez-Frias 6th Grade High Honor Roll Danica Dornes Finn Kane Lydia Lara Caroline Morrissey 6th Grade Honor Roll Stella Copple Charles Droste Rylan Estes Charlotte Hendrickson Emma Kory Neal Pichee Liam Rose Finn Stephan Isla Stevenson Thomas Stirnaman Ryan Terry Cameron Weirich 7th Grade High Honor Roll Piper Adams Erin Crawford Kayli Jacobs Leon Kerkemeyer Charlotte Kohl Parker Williams Laken Wong 7th Grade Honor Roll Nata

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ALTON - During their regular meeting on Jan. 21, 2025, the Alton Community Unit School District #11 Board of Education recognized Sarah Magary-Burns, the recipient of the Emerson Excellence in Education Award. The Emerson Company recognizes over 100 teachers every year in the St. Louis metropolitan area, from kindergarten teachers to college professors. Alton Superintendent Elaine Kane commended Magary-Burns for the hard work she demonstrates every day. “Let me tell you, Sarah does not like attention. Nothing about what she does is to get attention or recognition,” Kane said. “We’re going to put her on the spot here because she deserves it, and it’s really important because she represents excellence in the profession. We have so many teachers here to celebrate, and she is an excellent representative of the work that we do here in Alton.” Magary-Burns currently teaches second grade at North Elementary School. In the past, she has taught at

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