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SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced that a number of new laws and rules designed to strengthen the public health system will go into effect on New Year's Day, January 1, 2025. “The Illinois Department of Public Health is excited to see new laws and rules go into effect this New Year to improve the health of Illinois’s public,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “We appreciate the leadership of Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois General Assembly and the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) in advancing solutions that protect our residents and make our Illinois communities healthier.” One of the key changes taking effect with the new year is a more stringent standard for public health intervention based on the results of testing of blood lead levels in children. Under Illinois law, any child residing in a high-risk ZIP code is to be tested automatically at 12, 24, and 36 months, and all children six years

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GRANITE CITY - A Granite City resident has been granted pretrial release from custody after committing domestic battery against an elderly victim. John N. Rushing Jr., 42, of Granite City, was charged on Dec. 27, 2024 with aggravated battery (a Class 3 felony) and domestic battery (a Class A misdemeanor). Descriptions of the charges state that on Dec. 22, 2024, Rushing struck the victim, a household or family member, “about the face with a closed fist. He reportedly knew the victim was 60 years of age or older at the time of the incident. Rushing’s criminal history dating back to 2001 includes several prior charges, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, battery, burglary, property damage, and much more. Court documents note Rushing is also currently on parole in Illinois. The Granite City Police Department acted as the arresting agency in this case. Rushing was granted pretrial release from custody with additional conditions, including that he have

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COLLINSVILLE – Improvements in the resiliency of its natural gas delivery infrastructure and upgrades to its underground storage capabilities ensure that Ameren Illinois is ready for a blast of arctic temperatures forecast in the Midwest early next week. Natural gas is the primary fuel source used by nearly 1 million Ameren Illinois customers to heat homes and power appliances in the winter. "The investments we have made to strengthen our pipelines, along with having an abundant supply of gas already purchased and available for delivery, ensures that we will be able to meet the expected increase in demand that comes when temperatures drop," said Lenny Singh, Chairman and President of Ameren Illinois. The company owns and operates 12 underground storage fields, capable of safely storing 24.2 billion cubic feet of natural gas. Ameren Illinois also leases an additional 15.3 billion cubic feet of gas from fields located outside of Illinois. The storage fields serve three primary

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GODFREY - Fifteen members of the Godfrey Women’s Club dedicated their afternoon recently to ringing bells for the Salvation Army kettles outside Schnucks in Godfrey. This event for the Godfrey Women's Club is part of the club's ongoing commitment to community service, which includes various projects throughout the year. Among those participating in the photo above on that day were Eileen Aimone, Becky Areford, Sharon Wild, and Tanya Sisk, who joined their fellow club members in raising funds for the Salvation Army. The Salvation Army kettles, a familiar sight during the holiday season, are a key fundraising initiative for the organization, which provides assistance to those in need. The Godfrey Women’s Club, known for its dedication to community betterment, regularly engages in service projects aimed at supporting local initiatives. In a statement, the club said the bell-ringing event is one of many activities the club organizes to contribute positively to the Godfrey

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ALTON - With a cold snap on the horizon, The Salvation Army at 525 Alby Street in Alton will act as a warming center during the day. Captain Cassy Grey explained that The Salvation Army (TSA) will be open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the upcoming week to support folks who need shelter from the elements. Community members who are experiencing homelessness or who need a warm place to go are encouraged to stop by TSA. “We will have a warm place for our friends to get out of the cold, along with some coffee and, while supplies last, we’ll have some snacks available,” Grey said. “We’re doing the very best we can to wrap around the marginalized.” Grey noted that TSA works with the Overnight Warming Locations to provide shelter during these cold months. The Overnight Warming Locations open when the overnight temperatures are forecasted to drop below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. On these days, TSA will often stay open until 5 p.m. so folks can spend

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ALTON - On a recent episode of “You’re Beautiful” with Brian Trust, Kidada Miller shared how God has led her through challenges and given her peace. Miller is an entrepreneur, and she serves as the founder and president of K. Miller Foundation and the Midwest Best of Black Awards Gala. In all her work, she tries to give back to the community and support other entrepreneurs and Black business owners. Her faith helps her in this work, and she relies on God’s guidance. “Being seated at His feet is the only place I’ve found peace,” she said. “I’m known to be a little extra. So when people see me, they just see this extra person. But you don’t see me when I’m seated at His feet and my face is fully wet and I’ve got a towel down because I’m just blubbering and crying everywhere. That’s the moment to get that out, and then you put that suit back on and walk outside with the utmost confidence.”

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When a snowstorm strikes, being prepared can make all the difference in keeping you safe and comfortable. Here’s a list of 10 essential items to have on hand to weather the storm with confidence. 1. Non-Perishable Food Stock up on canned goods, dry snacks, and instant meals that don’t require refrigeration. In case of a power outage, these foods will keep you nourished. Don’t forget a manual can opener! 2. Bottled Water Aim for at least one gallon of water per person per day. This covers drinking, cooking, and basic hygiene if pipes freeze or water services are disrupted. 3. Flashlights and Batteries Power outages are common during snowstorms. Keep multiple flashlights ready with spare batteries. Avoid relying solely on candles, as they can pose a fire hazard. 4. Warm Blankets and Clothing Layer up with thermal blankets, heavy-duty sleeping bags, and extra warm clothing like socks, gloves, and hats. This is especially important if your heating system

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GODFREY - The Public Works Department has approximately 150 miles of road and street to clear in a hazardous weather event. Depending on the timing of the event, it may be necessary to have snow removal as quickly as possible. As such, the residents can help the snow removal process by making sure vehicles and other obstructions are off the thoroughfares in a weather event. In the past, crews have not been able to clear a street because vehicles were prohibiting access into the area. Crews will work to clear the passageways as quickly as possible. Please understand that removing piles of snow from mailboxes and driveways is usually not possible. Patience is appreciated…

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ALTON - A woman from East Alton faces multiple felony charges after a series of heated arguments led to her damaging her boyfriend’s home and car before attempting to run him over with her own car. Elyse M. Ruyle, 29, of East Alton, was charged with aggravated battery (a Class 3 felony), two counts of criminal damage to property (both Class 4 felonies), and criminal trespass to residence (a Class A misdemeanor). On Dec. 26, 2024, Ruyle allegedly used a Chevrolet motor vehicle as a deadly weapon by attempting to run over her boyfriend, causing injury to the victim and damage to the car and a nearby concrete pillar. She was also charged with damaging one of the victim’s car tires and one of the windows of his residence, with those damages totaling over $500. A petition to deny Ruyle’s pretrial release describes the circumstances leading up to the incident. The victim in this case reported to authorities that his girlfriend “attempted to run him over wit

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GLEN CARBON — Sophomore Sarah Hyten is making waves in the world of high school golf, showcasing her talent at Father McGivney Catholic High School. Recently, she earned All-State honors after finishing fourth in the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) 1A State Finals for 2024. Additionally, Hyten was named to the first-team all-Gateway Conference girls golf squad. She is a Byron, Carlson, Petri & Kalb Female Athlete of the Month for the Griffins. Hyten, a member of the class of 2026, has consistently demonstrated her skills on the course, maintaining a strong academic record with a GPA of 4.32 as an honors student. Her golf prowess is reflected in her current Golf Handicap Index (GHIN) of +1.2 and her impressive rankings: 703 nationally, 193 in her class, and 5th in the state, with the same ranking among her peers in the class of 2026. The young athlete has also qualified for the USGA Women's Amateur Four Ball, further highlighting her competitive edge. During the 2024

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ALTON - Alton Police have charged a Belleville man with theft and a Mascoutah woman with debit/credit card crimes in two separate cases. Charles B. Blount, 35, of Belleville, was charged on Dec. 30, 2024 with one count of retail theft over $300, a Class 3 felony. On Nov. 6, 2024, Blount allegedly stole an EGO commercial backpack blower from the Lowe’s on Homer M. Adams Parkway in Alton. The item had a total value of more than $300. In a separate case, Chelsea Nunn, 30, of Mascoutah, was charged with one count of unlawful use of a credit or debit card, a Class 4 felony. A description of the charge states that from Dec. 19, 2023 to Jan. 4, 2024, Nunn allegedly used someone’s credit or debit card to obtain over $300 from Busey Bank. The Alton Police Department presented both cases against Blount and Nunn. Both were granted pretrial release from custody. The issuance of charges is based solely upon probable cause and is not an indication of guilt. All subjects

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EDWARDSVILLE - Senior forward Kaylea Lacey, who's been a major part of the Alton high girls basketball team for multiple seasons, is still a key to the Redbirds as they seek to go to the IHSA Class 4A state finals in March in Bloomington-Normal. Lacey played a guiding role in the Redbirds' finish last year at 32-3, losing in the super-sectional game to Aurora Waubonsie Valley and Alton is off to a blazing 13-1 start under head coach Deserea Howard in the 2024-2025 campaign. The Redbirds proved to many observers so far this season that Alton is still a very good girls' team even without all-everything point guard Kiyoko Proctor, who has now returned to the lineup after a knee injury forced her out of action for the first part of the season. Proctor was still on the sidelines in her captain role encouraging and helping all the girls around her. Lacey is an Auto Butler Female Athlete of the Month for the Redbirds for her efforts with Alton this year. "We're definitely building chemistry,

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ST. LOUIS - The City of St. Louis is preparing for its first major winter storm of the season as the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a Winter Storm Watch for the City of St. Louis beginning Saturday, January 4 at 6:00 p.m. City agencies join NWS in urging residents to take precautions and preventive measures to protect themselves and their families during extreme conditions. The City of St. Louis will see heavy mixed precipitation, including a potential total of sleet and snow between five and 10 inches and ice accumulations between two and three-tenths of an inch. Forecasted temperatures will then drop to highs in the teens and 20s and lows in the single digits for the next several days. Residents and visitors should stay informed to make any necessary adjustments to travel plans and follow local media, the City’s website , and City Emergency Management (CEMA) social media alerts for information, resources and updates. Residents should also sign up for the City’s

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O’FALLON — HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital proudly welcomed Sevin Le’andre Rucker as the first baby born at the hospital in 2025. He arrived at 4:42 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, weighing 5 pounds, 14.5 ounces and was 19 inches long. Sevin’s proud parents are Deshaun Crockett and Quinton Rucker of Collinsville. In celebration of being the first baby born in 2025 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Sevin and his family were presented with a basket of gifts from the Women and Infants Center including baby blankets, bibs, pacifier holder, socks for mom and sweet treats. For others expecting in 2025, St. Elizabeth’s offers a wide range of services for mothers and infants, including tours, prenatal classes, and recently expanded available services by launching an Obstetric Emergency Department (OB ED) for pregnant patients facing pregnancy concerns or a pregnancy or postpartum-related medical emergency, along with adding an OB/Gyn Hospitalist program.

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ALTON — The 12th Night of Christmas Bonfire in Middletown has been rescheduled to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, at Haskell Park, moving up from its original date of Jan. 6 due to an unfavorable weather forecast. Molly Bailey, a coordinator of the event, noted that the decision to change the date was made in light of the expected snow and ice storm Sunday and Monday. "It didn’t sound good," Bailey said, referring to the weather forecast for the two days. "Instead of canceling, we decided to bump it up two days to try to beat the incoming weather." The bonfire, organized by Middletown Neighbors, is set to feature carols, cookies, wassail, and the traditional bonfire, which will be lit by the Alton Fire Department around 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. The event will last approximately one hour and is open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring live tree donations for the bonfire, which can be placed at the park on the 12th and Henry side in Alton. Volunteers are also

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ALTON - The Alton Public Works Department is preparing for the winter storm event coming into our area this weekend. The forecast has changed and will continue to do so until the storm arrives. "Please be aware that our crews will focus on clearing the main routes through town first before touching any side streets," the department said in a statement. A couple tips to ensure both your safety and that of City of Alton snow plow drivers, please remember and practice the following tips: · If possible, avoid travel. · Don't follow too closely behind a snowplow; follow at a safe distance, stay at least 200 feet behind it. Do not attempt to overtake, as the road behind the plow is likely to be safer than the road ahead. · If you must get around the plow, do so with great caution and NEVER pass a snowplow on the right. Don’t assume the plow operator can see you. · Be aware of where snowplows are. If a plow truck approaches you, maintain your current

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ALTON - Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau , the Audubon Center at Riverlands and the National Great Rivers Museum are gearing up for the annual Eagle Ice Festival. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, community members are encouraged to enjoy the free Eagle Ice Festival, complete with activities, crafts and eagle meet-and-greets. Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau will host people at FLOCK Food Truck Park, while the Audubon Center and National Great Rivers Museum will welcome folks to their locations for additional free activities. “You can go to all three occasions and enjoy our different activities at each site throughout the day,” explained Emily Connor, education manager at the Audubon Center. “It is a really special time for our region to get to see all these birds migrating through the winter and meeting in this confluence area of the rivers.” Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Great

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EDWARDSVILLE - The City Of Edwardsville Public Works Department on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, reports it is actively monitoring the forecast ahead of the predicted winter storm. "We are prepared and stocked with salt, trucks and other supplies as the first big snowstorm of the winter approaches," the Public Works Department said in a statement. "Our crews will be out salting and plowing as soon as possible as road conditions necessitate. For public safety, we’ll prioritize the City’s main roads to ensure our police and fire departments can safely respond and travel during emergency situations. Side streets, arterial and collector routes that serve higher traffic are the next priority, followed by subdivisions and residential areas." The Public Works Department said if you can avoid or limit travel during this winter weather event, please do so. "If you must be on the roads, please be patient, cautious and leave plenty of space between your vehicle and others on the road. It’s

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GRANITE CITY – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that as part of ongoing efforts to replace the Interstate 270 bridges between Illinois 3 and Riverview Drive in Missouri, a stage change is scheduled to take place on I-270 starting at noon on Friday, Jan. 3. To facilitate the stage change, westbound I-270 traffic will be shifted to the new south span using a temporary crossover just west of the Canal Bridge. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction while the shift occurs. By 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, all four lanes are expected to reopen on the new south span with the new traffic pattern in place. The new configuration will allow eastbound and westbound traffic to use the new south bridge while the adjacent structure is built over the next two years. As the I-270 project continues, the public should expect lane shifts, overnight lane closures and delays. Drivers are urged to allow extra time for trips through this area, pa

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GODFREY - Mayor Mike McCormick, Chris Sichra (Emergency Coordinator), Jim Lewis (Public Service Director), and Lieutenant Bobby Weller (and his Madison County Deputies) will swing into action should an unforeseen emergency happen. Still, there are almost 7,500 households in Godfrey. Odds are they won’t be focused specifically on yours — just sayin’. What plans do you have to take care of your family in a significant disruption? Each family should be thinking about what their needs would be during a disruption. Let’s take a look at some basic things to have ready if something bad happens. The following information offers some guidance. The government recommends being able to be self-sufficient for a minimum of three days. If you could not leave your house for three days, does your home become a fortress or a prison? Much of that depends upon decisions that you make in advance. Now, if the electricity stays on, things will likely be tolerable. If the electricity

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