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ALTON - Grappling for Gifts, a jiu-jitsu-based public charity, and Strategic BJJ, a local martial arts studio, collaborated on a fundraising seminar earlier this fall which helped raise funds for gifts and supplies to be donated to the Children’s Hospital of Illinois. Ryan Prouty, director and founder of Grappling for Gifts, said while the organization has grown over time, its goal remains the same. “It started off as a way for me to use the martial art of Brazilian Jiu-Jistu as a way to raise money to buy Christmas presents for the kids in the Children’s Hosptial of Illinois,” he said. “It started off pretty simple and then just kind of bloomed into something a little bit bigger, where now I’m doing charity seminars, doing charity events, and it’s just gotten a lot bigger the past seven seasons.” Prouty said he met Strategic BJJ Owner and Head Instructor Keith Steinacher through Brazilian Jiu-Jistu circles, as it’s “a

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EAST ST. LOUIS – The Illinois State Police (ISP) Public Safety Enforcement Group (PSEG), an investigative unit utilizing a community-based approach to violent crime reduction, is celebrating its second anniversary. In October 2020, ISP and the East St. Louis Police Department began working all reported violent crime cases together to boost resources, ensure professionalism and integrity in investigations, and reduce crime. PSEG also partnered with community organizations to address the trauma caused by violent crime in the city. The District 189 Wraparound Wellness Center provides trauma services to the children of East St. Louis who have witnessed or been victimized by violent crime. The Community LifeLine Family Resource Center is another partner that provides trauma services to victims of violent crime and their families. “In order to prevent violence, we have to get at the root causes of crime—and that’s exactly what this community-based partnership

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BUZZ MAGAZINE - Five businesses were recognized at the second annual Illinois Local Conference and Awards on September 12. This year’s Illinois Local Awards were sponsored by the local independent insurance company, Troxell. Multiple businesses were nominated for awards in four categories and the finalists/winners were: Illinois Local Ambassador: True Colors Floral One Knotty Maker Main Street Florist (winner) Blessings on State Street Bed & Breakfast Illinois Local Best Use of Social Media: One Knotty Maker (winner) Sangamon Reclaimed 1221 Photography Brooke Elizabeth Photography Illinois Local Community Hero: Smart Owl Coffee Springfield Art Association Fed Kitchen (winner) Buzz Bomb Brewing Illinois Local Business of the Year: Incredibly Delicious (winner) The Storyteller Studios (winner) Meraki Salon and Spa Collected Boutique Chief Experience Officer at Troxell, Alysse Aiello Hewell, said it was an honor to sponsor the annual Illinoi

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BUZZ MAGAZINE - A few years ago I became friends with a young, hip farmer named Mindy. As someone who had just learned to operate a leaf blower, Mindy’s life fascinated me. Instead of being behind a computer, she spent her days collecting eggs and crossing the creek to check on her forest-foraging pigs. But every time I started to express even a hint of envy for Mindy’s life, she was quick to remind me, “Everyone thinks being a farmer seems cool, but they have no idea how hard it is.” Well last week I decided to put her statement to the test when I found a local farm that welcomes volunteers. Nearly smack-dab in the middle of Godfrey, Illinois is where you’ll find the 10-acre slice of heaven that is Theodora Farms. Because I’m no masochist, I chose to volunteer on a perfect 80 degree, partly cloudy day. The farm was just breathtaking. Morning dew still glistened on the top of the grass as the farm manager, Jeff, led me out to meet the rest of the

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BUZZ MAGAZINE - Shibui Studio Art Gallery, located at 119 S. Macoupin St., Gillespie, IL opened as the first commercial art gallery in Macoupin County, IL on October 1, 2022. The grand opening featured the art of Genece Hamby, gallery owner, and her sister, Patricia Frederick. Shibui Studio Art Gallery has plans to frequently rotate exhibits showcasing local and regional artists within 60 miles of Gillespie, IL, with no permanent collections. Shibui Studio will take pride in consistent high-quality exhibitions with a diverse variety of artists and mediums. The gallery’s first juried show, “Fall in Love”, is scheduled to take place October 15, 2022, through November 15. 2022. The opening reception is scheduled for Saturday, October 15, 2022, from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm. The exhibition of paintings, illustrations/drawings, and photography will present a theme celebrating all things we love about the autumn season. Each artist in the show expresses a visual interpretation

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ST. LOUIS - Schnuck Markets, Inc. today announced that, in total, Schnucks customers donated $126,825 to support United Way of Greater St. Louis as part of the company’s Sept. 21 - Oct. 4 Round Up at the Register campaign at Schnucks store locations in the St. Louis metropolitan area. One hundred percent of round-ups will benefit United Way of Greater St. Louis and will contribute to the organization’s mission to mobilize the caring power of communities to help people live their best possible lives. In 2022, the affiliate is celebrating 100 years of impact - helping one in three people and creating a stronger, healthier and more equitable region for all. “Through our Round Up campaigns, our generous customers have reinforced time and again our community’s willingness to help those most in need,” said Schnucks Chairman and CEO Todd Schnuck. “We are grateful for Schnucks’ long-standing partnership with United Way. They have stood side b

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ST. LOUIS - Today, Charter announced a new era of customer connectivity with the launch of Spectrum One for new and existing subscribers across all its markets. Spectrum One brings together Spectrum Internet®, Advanced WiFi and Unlimited Spectrum Mobile to deliver seamless, reliable and secure online connectivity in and outside of the home, with the fastest internet speeds in the U.S., at an exceptional value. “With Spectrum One, we have created the nation’s first fully converged connectivity experience to power today’s wireless world,” said Adam Ray, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer for Charter. “Just as the cable industry expanded and improved television, replaced dial-up with broadband and saved consumers money with wireline voice, now we are bringing our successful Mobile services together with Internet and Advanced WiFi to make customers’ connected devices work better, faster, securely and less expensively than before.”

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SPRINGFIELD, IL. – In 1843, Abraham Lincoln poured out his political frustrations in a letter to a friend. Support in Sangamon County was slipping away, he complained. Critics were falsely painting him as a rich aristocrat opposed to religion, and a brush with dueling was being used against him. Still, Lincoln offered his friend strategies for how they might win despite the odds. That revealing letter has not been seen by the public for generations, but the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum has acquired it and will feature it in a new display opening Nov. 1. The exhibit explores a key period when Lincoln was trying to make the leap from state office to the national level, a time when he also got married, bought a house and had children. Lincoln wrote the letter to Martin Morris, a friend from his days living in New Salem. It has remained in his family’s hands ever since. The public’s only access has been to a copy that Morris made (including many spelling

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Name: Larry Wickham Hometown: Granite City Years of Service: 1961-1966 KIA: No Branch: United States Marine Corp Rank: Sgt. Message: Thank-you for your service. Submitted By: Sharon

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Name: Ashlee Nichoalds Hometown: Cambria, Illinois Years of Service: 3 KIA: No Branch: Army Wars: Afghanistan Message: My daughter Ashlee is my military hero. She had the guts and nerve to do what I wanted to do but wasn’t brave enough and that was join the military. It’s given her confidence, self-esteem, an excellent work ethic and a sense of accomplishment that I could never teach her. I’m so very proud of her! Submitted By: Donna Cross

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ALTON - Candy L. Spraggs submitted decorations at their home at 4912 Second Street in Alton. The Halloween spirit is high throughout the region for the Alton Halloween Parade which is at 7 p.m. Monday along Broadway. "This is our second year at this house that we bought last year and we decided to decorate for Halloween," Spraggs said.

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EAST ALTON — United Way’s annual Community Christmas drive is looking for businesses, organizations, schools, churches and stores to host donation boxes and collect items for those in need during the upcoming holidays. A business can serve as a donation drop-off location by requesting one or more boxes to place within their location, accessible for customers, visitors or employees. Those interested in receiving a box should call 618-258-9800. The boxes are provided courtesy of Phillips 66 Wood River Refinery and are of no cost. Boxes will be delivered to locations in mid-November and picked up from businesses in early December. This year, Community Christmas will support dozens of local nonprofits in the Southwest Illinois area. This summer, Freer Auto Body held its annual Christmas in July event that raised a over $52,000 for Community Christmas to purchase needed items for local families. About United Way of Greater St. Louis United Way of Greater St. Louis

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O'FALLON - Senior wide receiver Daion Gaston had a big game in Edwardsville's 43-36 win in the first round of the IHSA Class 8A football playoffs on Oct. 29 at OTHS Panther Stadium, catching three touchdown passes from quarterback Jake Curry and taking a kickoff back 85 yards for another touchdown to help the Tigers advance to the second round. It was a very happy Tiger sideline when the time ran out, and like his teammates and coaches, Gaston was ecstatic after the game. "I'm feeling great right now," Gaston said during a postgame interview. "I'm just happy we get to move on to round two in the playoffs." Gaston is an iCAN Clinic Male Athlete of the Month for the Tigers. Gaston also talked about his kickoff return for the touchdown, which gave the Tigers the lead back at 21-14 with 8:51 remaining in the second quarter. "I'm feeling good," Gaston said. "I just saw that hole and I cut it back and I was gone. I know that last game (against CBC), it was like three times I could have

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COLLINSVILLE – Cooler temperatures have arrived and most of us have turned on our natural gas furnaces for the first time this fall. As an important safety reminder, Ameren Illinois is encouraging residential and business customers to have their furnaces inspected by a professional HVAC technician to check for potential natural gas leaks. Natural gas in its pure form is odorless and colorless. Ameren Illinois adds an odorant to create the distinctive rotten egg smell that makes it easier to identify and detect gas while better protecting public safety. “A customer should never smell natural gas in or around their home or business. If they do, they need to leave the premises immediately and call Ameren Illinois at 1-800-755-5000,” said Leonard Singh, President of Ameren Illinois. “Our crews will respond immediately no matter what time of day, seven days a week, and there is absolutely no charge to the customer.” Natural gas leak response is a high

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Annual Edwardsville-Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce Halloween Parade begins at 6:30 p.m. Monday. The line-up begins at 4 p.m. in the Woodland Elementary School and Lincoln Middle School parking lots. All parade entries should be in place no later than 5 p.m., the Edwardsville Chamber of Commerce said. The parade begins promptly at 6:30 p.m. Monday. Every year, the parade has tremendous participation with floats, bands, community and school organizations, politicians, businesses, and athletes taking part, along with government officials and more. The Chamber says the safest place to unload are the parking lots of Woodland Elementary and Lincoln Middle School. “Follow the specific instructions of police officers at the end of the parade route,” the Chamber said. “Do not pull over on Main Street and unload.”

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ALTON - The 105th Alton Halloween Parade should once again be a showcase for the region, Steve Schwartz, East End Improvement Association's publicity coordinator for the parade, said. The parade will begin at 7 p.m. Monday on Broadway and Washington and will conclude at Piasa and Fifth Streets. East End Improvement Association is the long-time Alton Halloween Parade sponsor. The parade will be live-streamed once again on Riverbender.com . The Riverbender.com Daily Show's C.J. Nasello will be the prime host of the parade for the live stream. Stella Cowan, an Alton High School freshman, won the poster contest to be featured in the Alton Halloween Parade. It is shown below. Schwartz said there will be "tremendous participation" in the annual Alton event. "We have received a lot of good responses," he said. "The Halloween Parade is the biggest event every year in Alton and it is typically wall-to-wall people along the route. There aren't many gaps." The Grandpa Gang will be this

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GRANITE CITY - Granite City High School congratulates five graduates who are entering the GCHS Wall of Fame Class of 2022. Jack Jenkins ( Class of 1971) , Jerry Kent ( Class of 1971) , Robin Nunn ( Class of 1973) , Mike Patton (Class of 1981) and Kim Seybert (Class of 1975) will be honored on Friday, November 11 during induction ceremonies in the GCHS atrium. Doors open at 5 p.m., dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m., followed by the induction ceremony at 6:30 p.m. To reserve a table of eight seats for $200, please email GCHS Principal Daren DePew: daren.depew@gcsd9.net . Jack Jenkins - Class of 1971 Jack Jenkins was the resident house organist at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis, a position he held until retiring in 2021. While at the Fox, Jenkins recorded two record albums that sold throughout the states including Australia, Canada, England and Germany. In 1987 he changed directions accepting a position in sales at the Wicks Pipe Organ Company. This opened the world t

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GODFREY – The Lewis and Clark Community College Veterans Club will host an American Red Cross Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday, November 9, in the Hatheway Cultural Center Gallery on L&C’s Godfrey Campus. “We are proud to be working again with the American Red Cross on this great campus and community blood drive,” said L&C Director of Career and Veteran Services Terry Lane. “By taking part in this opportunity to help others, you just might save a life. Please make an effort to attend, and please share this information with your family and friends.” To schedule an appointment, go to www.redcrossblood.org and enter Sponsor Code: LewisClark1 or call 800-RED CROSS. Walk-ins are always welcome, but scheduling an appointment helps the Red Cross make sure they have the right number of people and supplies on hand for the drive. Those who wish to donate can streamline their donation experience and save up to 15 minutes by visiting www.RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass

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SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $36,103,607 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to bring high-speed internet access to people living and working across 13 counties in Illinois. Today’s investments include funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which provided a historic $65 billion to expand reliable, affordable, high-speed internet to all communities across the United States. “The pandemic emphasized that Illinoisans need access to high-speed internet to run their businesses and farms, go to school, access health care, connect with family and friends, and more,” said Durbin. “Today’s grant announcement for Hamilton County Telephone Co-Op and Shelby Electric Cooperative will help make high-speed internet access a reality for folks across rural Illinois. I’ll continue to work with Sen. Duckworth to brin

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BELLEVILLE - After unveiling updates made to the Belleville Transit Center in June as part of the “Transit Stop Transformation” project, the St. Clair County Transit District today celebrated the completion of an additional $348,000 in upgrades at the highly utilized station, located at 718 Scheel Street in Belleville. The improvements, which include rider amenities and office space, were made possible through an IDOT Capital Grant and local sales tax funding. A celebration got underway at 7:30 a.m., featuring an open house for riders and area residents to explore the newly revamped 2,352 square-feet of space, while enjoying beverages and sweet treats. A ribbon cutting ceremony was also held, and formal remarks were made by City of Belleville Mayor Patty Gregory and representatives from St. Clair County Transit, Chestnut Health Services and Citizens for Modern Transit. The upgrades include two, fully renovated public restrooms; refreshed lobby space, featuring décor,

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