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ST. LOUIS – The Take Part Foundation , a St. Louis-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that identifies and funds medical research for rare pediatric conditions, has granted an award of $100,000 to St. Louis Children’s Hospital . This donation will help families with the cost of genetic testing, an often expensive but crucial first step toward a diagnosis. Following their first successful fundraising gala earlier this spring, founders Maria and Matt Granados presented Take Part’s largest donation to date to hospital representatives at a ceremony on July 9th. The generous contribution was made possible by the following gala sponsors: Sappington Family, Jbloom, Truck Centers Inc, The Opus Group, Summit Rejuvenation, Pace Properties, Enterprise Bank & Trust, My Beloved Bridal, Krishnan Family Foundation, Technology Partners and the Color Room. Since fall 2023, Take Part has gifted an additional $20,000 to St. Louis Children’s Hospital. “The Take Part Foundation’s

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BELLEVILLE - University of Illinois Extension will help kick off the fall season with a Pumpkin Field Day on Sept. 5 at Eckert’s Orchard at 951 S. Green Mount Rd., Belleville. The day will begin at 10 a.m., and registration includes lunch. Whether a seasoned commercial pumpkin grower or someone looking to learn more about one of the state’s most popular specialty crops, attendees can look forward to a day of everything pumpkin. Explore the world of commercial pumpkin production through presentations and research updates from Extension educators and university specialists. Additional field day activities: Tour research trials Listen to topic presentations and speakers Explore pumpkin variety trials Receive commercial pumpkin production updates Network with growers and industry vendors “Getting the chance to walk through current research variety trials provides growers the in-field experience and notes to take back to their own pumpkin crop,” says Nathan

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BETHALTO — The Bethalto Fire Department responded to a fire at a residence in the 400 block of Bartmer Drive on Thursday afternoon. Firefighters arrived to find a back deck on fire and smoke emanating from the home. The incident occurred on July 25, 2024, and prompted a swift response from the Bethalto Fire Department. "The fire started on the back deck of the home," said Bethalto Fire Chief Brian Buhs. Firefighters quickly contained the blaze before it could spread to the rest of the house. Given the potential for the fire to spread, a box alarm was requested. Fire departments from Rosewood Heights, Cottage Hills, Meadowbrook, and Wood River responded to assist in the effort. The cause of the fire remains unknown, and no injuries were reported.

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ALTON - On Thursday, July 25, 2024, a grand jury indictment of former Alton Police Officer Jeremiah Dressler was announced on charges of Theft Over $10,000, Theft by Deception Over $10,000, and three counts of Wire Fraud. Alton Police Jarrett Ford said the theft involved monies belonging to Police Benevolent Protection Association Unit #14. The initial information leading to the indictment was brought forth by a fellow Alton Police Officer once discovered, Chief Ford said. “Upon reviewing the information, I immediately contacted the Illinois State Police and requested they conduct a criminal investigation,” Ford added. “I subsequently placed Jeremiah Dressler on administrative leave and ordered an internal affairs investigation. “Prior to the completion of the criminal investigation and internal affairs investigation, Jeremiah Dressler’s employment with the Alton Police Department was ended. Jeremiah Dressler’s actions go against the core values

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TROY - Troy area residents can enjoy some good barbecue for an even better cause at the third annual Smoke N For The Kids festival and fundraiser from Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 at 8 a.m. to Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024 at 4 p.m. The jam-packed, family-friendly festival features live musical entertainment, the Rodz n Ribs Car Show, and much more, with proceeds allowing the Troy Edwardsville Shrine Club to continue supporting the Ainad Shriners and local communities. This year’s Smoke N For The Kids event will be held at Tri-Township Park at 410 Wickliffe St. in Troy. The live music lineup kicks off on Saturday with American Bluegrass Drive from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., followed by Joints 22 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. and Blue Marlin Band from 6 to 10 p.m. Last but not least, White Trash Millionaires will take the stage on Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m. The Rodz n Ribs Car Show, hosted by Southern Illinois Street Rod Association, will be held on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024 starting at 9 a.m.

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EDWARDSVILLE - Greta Deist had an excellent meet at the 62nd Southwestern Illinois Swimming Association Championships on July 21, 2024, at the Chuck Fruit Aquatic Center at Edwardsville High School. Deist was a part of the Sunset Hills girls 13-14 200-yard medley relay team, which came in second at 2:11.22, then won the 100-yard individual medley at 1:06.71, and also won the 100-yard breaststroke at 1:15.75, then took her third consecutive event in the 100-yard backstroke, having a time of 1:05.00. She finished her day as a part of the 200-yard freestyle relay team, who came in fourth at 2:05.57. Greta is a Spencer Homes Female Athlete of the Month for Edwardsville. All in all, it was a very good day for Deist, and in an interview after her winning 100-yard backstroke race, she expressed her happiness and satisfaction with her results. Deist also rated her overall performance as solid, but the most important part to her was being able to swim and compete with her friends, which

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EAST ST. LOUIS – In an effort to foster stronger ties between residents and law enforcement, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of Illinois, alongside event organizers and police officials, is inviting the East St. Louis community to participate in National Night Out. This free event, designed to celebrate community unity and cooperation, will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 6, at 8206 State St. in East St. Louis. National Night Out will feature a variety of activities for attendees of all ages, including competitive games, police demonstrations, and entertainment provided by a live DJ. Community partners will also distribute school supplies to students and provide food to families, aiming to support local residents and enhance the festive atmosphere. The event is being organized through a collaborative effort involving numerous local and regional entities. Participating organizations include Ameren Illinois, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,

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ALTON – Removal of an MRI machine will result in the complete closure of the circle drive outside Alton Memorial Hospital beginning at 6 a.m. on Friday, July 26. The planned crane lift is scheduled for 9 a.m. The area is expected to be open again by the end of the day. All entrances and exits to the hospital that lead out to the circle drive will be closed for the duration of the crane lift. The Duncan Wing valet entrance and the Olin Wing entrances (Family Care Pharmacy and Human Motion Institute) will be open, although traffic will be diverted in those areas. Security tape and signage will be posted around the affected areas and AMH Public Safety personnel will be present, as available, to help direct traffic. Alton Memorial’s commitment to provide excellent care to the community is growing by replacing our 3T MRI machine with the newest technology later this year. AMH thanks you in advance for your patience and cooperation.

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CHICAGO – Today, Democratic Party of Illinois Chair and Illinois Delegation Co-Chair Lisa Hernandez proudly issues the following statement after Illinois’ presidential delegation voted unanimously to endorse our next president, Kamala Harris: “The Democratic Party of Illinois is fully committed to mobilizing our communities in support of Kamala Harris, and tonight, Illinois Democrats once again rallied behind our future president. Vice President Harris’ platform reflects the values and priorities of Illinoisans, and we believe she is equipped to defeat Donald Trump. The Democratic Party and the Illinois Presidential Delegation stand united in our belief that Vice President Kamala Harris is uniquely qualified to lead our nation forward. We pledged to support her now, in just 26 days in Chicago and all the way to November 5th.” Vice President Harris has secured the support of enough Democratic delegates to become her party’s nominee against Republican

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representatives Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13), Mike Bost (R-IL-12), Alex Mooney (R-WV-02) and Matt Cartwright (D-PA-08) introduced the Monitoring, Investigating, Navigating and Explaining Subsidence (MINES) Act to improve transparency into the federal government’s efforts to prevent coal mine collapses. The bipartisan legislation would require the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) to provide a report to Congress on the agency’s efforts to prevent subsidence events and deal with local economic consequences of coal mine collapses. Doing so is an initial step toward expanding and improving prevention and response efforts. Across the country, there are hundreds of thousands of acres of abandoned coal mines. When these mines are uninspected and left empty for decades at a time, they can collapse in a subsidence event, impacting and endangering communities built on top of them.

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O'FALLON - State Representative Kevin Schmidt is excited to announce a FREE Tire Recycling Event scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at the O'Fallon Township Building. This event provides residents with a safe and secure method to dispose of old tires. Residents are invited to bring up to five tires per car. Representative Schmidt emphasized the importance of responsible waste management, stating, "This event provides our community with a safe and responsible way to dispose of old tires, ensuring cleaner neighborhoods and reducing potential environmental hazards. I encourage everyone to participate and contribute to our efforts to clean up our community.” For more information about the Tire Recycling Event, please contact Representative Kevin Schmidt's office at 618-215-1050 or visit RepSchmidt.com. Event Details: Date: Saturday, July 27, 2024 Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Location: O'Fallon Township Building, 801 E. State St., O’Fallon,

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Madison County Sheriff's Office announced significant changes to its personnel this week, with a promotion and a new hire reshaping the team. Shannon Hudson has been promoted to the rank of sergeant in the patrol division. Sheriff Jeff Conner expressed his support for Hudson, stating, "We wish you the best in your new role." In addition, Madison County Sheriff's Deputy Dylan Sykes is set to begin field training and will join the office's patrol division. Sykes brings several years of law enforcement experience to the position. Sheriff Conner remarked, "We look forward to the contributions he will make."

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ALTON - For years, horticulturalists around Alton worked hard to encourage a love of flowers in the local citizenry. On July 30, 1924, Alton Horticultural Society member Edwin H. Riehl announced that despite having cut approximately 500 gladiolas daily to sell for some time, he had not shipped any away from the area. The demand for the flowers was good enough in Alton to require all of his stock, and he could have sold more if the weather conditions had been more favorable for flowers. “He and other florists who have been trying for many years to develop a general taste and love for flowers in Alton can feel satisfied with the progress along that line they have made. Altonians are becoming genuine flower-lovers.” Edwin H. Riehl, like many members of the Riehl family, was extremely successful in horticultural pursuits and experiments. Edwin H. Riehl’s father, E. A. Riehl, won the American Pomology Society's prestigious Wilder Award in 1922 for his work in chestnut

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EAST ALTON - The Village of East Alton has a variety of activities and programs planned for the last few weeks of summer. From a Back-to-School Giveaway to the beloved Soapbox Derby, the Parks and Recreation Department will host several events through the end of summer into fall. Gabby Parker, the new Parks and Recreation Superintendent, noted that her new role has been a great experience so far and she looks forward to doing more for community members in the coming months. “The things we do for the community are great,” Parker said. “I was meant to be in East Alton.” Robin Carlton, the adult/seniors event coordinator, echoed Parker and pointed out that most of their events and activities are completely free to the community, including the big Back-to-School Giveaway that’s scheduled for Aug. 3, 2024. Families must register their children online, and kids receive a meal, school supplies, new outfits, new shoes, hygiene supplies and haircuts.

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BELLEVILLE — Multiple Belleville firefighters attended a Firemanship Conference in Aurora recently, joining colleagues from other departments for intensive training and lectures. The event, which spanned three days of lectures and two days of hands-on classes, featured some of the most prominent names in the fire service. The Belleville Fire Department places a significant emphasis on training to ensure its firefighters are prepared for a wide range of emergency situations. This commitment to readiness was evident as members of Battalion 4 engaged in various training exercises throughout the week. These exercises included rescue operations, hauling systems, and ropes and knots skills. The conference provided an opportunity for firefighters to enhance their skills and knowledge, fostering both professional growth and improved safety for the communities they serve. The combination of theoretical lectures and practical classes aimed to equip firefighters with the latest techniques

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ST LOUIS, Mo. - The following students have been named to the dean's list for the spring 2024 semester at Washington University in St. Louis. Washington University in St. Louis is counted among the world's leaders in teaching, research, patient care and service to society. The university draws students to St. Louis from more than 110 countries and all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands and the Virgin Islands. The total student body is more than 16,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students. These are the area students named to the Dean's List: Bethalto (62010) - Allie Lively is enrolled in the College of Arts & Sciences. To qualify for the Dean's List in the College of Arts & Sciences, students must earn a semester grade point average of 3.6 or above and be enrolled in at least 14 graded units. Edwardsville (62025) - Dev Mathur graduated in May from the university's McKelvey School of Engineering. To qualify for

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ALTON — Alton Mayor David Goins provided an update on the morning of Thursday, July 25, 2024, regarding the ongoing efforts to address the recent collapse of New Frontier Materials' limestone mine, which resulted in a significant crater at Gordon Moore Park. The mayor emphasized the importance of safety and swift recovery in his communications with New Frontier Materials (NFM) officials. "Drilling has been progressing well, and we are continuing to advance through the access road area," NFM officials stated in their latest report. "To enhance our productivity, we have brought in a second machine. We continue to hold weekly meetings with the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). These meetings have been productive and methodical." A team of experts is currently reviewing the work completed thus far and discussing further steps to facilitate the reopening of the park. Mayor Goins expressed satisfaction with the progress and collaboration between NFM and MSHA. "We are

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ALTON – C.J. Nasello, host of the popular "Our Daily Show!" on Riverbender.com , is again stepping up to support the community, this time with raffle ticket sales for the Christmas In July event at Freer Auto Body . Nasello announced on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, that he has 48 raffle tickets remaining and aims to sell them all before the event concludes in roughly 24 hours. The raffle, which features several top-tier prizes, is the major highlight of the Christmas In July event other than Freer's fabulous Sloppy Joe's. This year's prizes include $3,000 cash donated by Axalta Coatings, a seven-night stay in a two-bedroom condo in Panama City Beach donated by Darel and Vicky File, a seven-night stay in Destin, Fla., with private beach access donated by Greg and Robin Nasello, and a five-night stay at "Beds by the Creek" in Choteau, Montana, donated by Phyllis Bechtold. Additional prizes feature a three-night all-inclusive resort stay at Dreams Riviera Cancun donated by Travel

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GODFREY - The offerings for this year’s annual Christmas In July 2024 for the Community Christmas raffle event at Freer Auto Body are once again sensational. Tickets for the raffle will be available at the event set for 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Friday, July 26, 2024, at Freer Auto Body in Godfrey. This year's offerings include $3,000 cash donated by Axalta Coatings, a seven-night stay in a two-bedroom condo in Panama City Beach donated by Darel and Vicky File, a seven-night stay in Destin, Fla., with private beach access donated by Greg and Robin Nasello, and a five-night stay at "Beds by the Creek" in Choteau, Montana, donated by Phyllis Bechtold. Additional prizes include a three-night all-inclusive resort stay at Dreams Riviera Cancun donated by Travel Leaders and AM Resorts, four St. Louis Cardinals Green Seats donated by John and Jayne Simmons, and $1,000 cash donated by Freer Auto Body. Margaret and Carrie Freer are once again rallying the community to support their

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ALTON - The Food on the Move free grocery trailer will make a stop in Alton on Friday, July 26, 2024. At 2:30 p.m. on Friday, the trailer will park in the parking lot east of the FLOCK Food Truck Park & Bar. Community members are invited to come to the trailer, pick up food and enjoy a hot meal. The trailer will remain open until it runs out of food, and it will return on the final Friday of every other month. “It's just an opportunity to bring the community together,” said John Michel. “It’s an opportunity to help individuals who maybe just need a little extra help. And we think it’s the ultimate demonstration of ‘Food is Love.’” People do not have to bring any verification of income or proof of need. They can simply come to the trailer and pick out the food they want, from produce and proteins to milk, eggs and canned goods. The Soul Burger Truck from Belleville will also be onsite to provide free hot meals to shoppers. The

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