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ALTON - Jocelyn Harris is a local baker with a national following. Harris, who goes by Lady J, specializes in gooey butter cakes. She has sold thousands of cakes across the U.S., but her favorite place to vend is in her hometown of Alton. Whether you find her at the Alton Farmers Market every weekend or run into her at special events like the Alton Expo, you can expect a great dessert courtesy of Lady J’s Gooey Butter. “I’ve had a pretty good year,” Harris said. “I continue to sell at the farmers market here and other local markets around the Metro area, and that goes well. I sell online on my website and on Etsy.” Harris explained that she learned how to bake gooey butter cake from her mother, who made “the best of the best.” Over the years, Harris has figured out the ideal recipe to make her cakes stand out. “I just kept trying it until I perfected it,” she said. “I got the recipe from my mother. She gave m

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EDWARDSVILLE - Sivia Law is proud to announce the addition of two distinguished attorneys, Richard Vitali and Nick Sikes, who bring diverse legal expertise and passion to the firm. Their arrival reinforces Sivia Law’s commitment to providing top-tier legal services to the community. With 43 years of legal experience, Richard Vitali is a seasoned professional who has practiced in various corporate environments, including banking, finance, and casino gaming. Richard earned his Juris Doctor (JD) from Pepperdine Caruso Law in California after completing his undergraduate studies in Political Science at Rutgers University. His extensive career includes serving as Associate General Counsel for Argosy Gaming Company, where he managed legal operations for five gaming properties, as well as serving as General Counsel for Greektown Casino in Detroit. Richard is a resident of the Alton area, where he has lived with his wife, Shannon, since 2002. Together, they have six adult children. Outside

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GODFREY - In support of ‘Churches on the Streets,’ a non-profit organization that helps people in need, the Village of Godfrey is now accepting donations for those affected by Hurricane Helene in North Carolina. They are currently making preparations to make their fifth trip to North Carolina with supplies loaded onto a truck and U-Haul trailer. Aside from winter coats, gloves, and hats, please DO NOT make clothing donations. The following will be graciously accepted in Mayor Mike McCormick’s office at Village Hall at 6810 Godfrey Road through next Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024: Tents, all sizes Tarps Emergency blankets Emergency sleeping bags Long stem lighters Thermal gloves Thermal socks Hand/feet warmers Hot hands - Stick on body warmers BBQ propane tanks Camp stoves Heavy blankets Sleeping bags Zero-Degree sleeping bags Five-gallon buckets with Amazon toilet seats Canned heat Survival bags (Amazon) Muck/Rain/Winter Boots (all sizes) Coats (all

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SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois State Police (ISP) continues to target vehicle theft, hijacking, and related violent crimes using grant funding from the Illinois Secretary of State Illinois Vehicle Hijacking and Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance Verification Council. ISP was awarded a $10 million grant for the first fiscal year, and another $677,000 grant announced in June 2024. From July through September 2024, ISP missions resulted in the following: Vehicles recovered – stolen and/or hijacked: 210 Stolen vehicle arrests: 17 Hijacked vehicle arrests: 2 Firearms seized as a result of stolen/hijacked vehicle recovery: 11 Missions targeting stolen/hijacked vehicle recovery and related violent crime: 39 K9 used for stolen/hijacked vehicle recovery and related violence crime: 26 Air Operations targeting stolen/hijacked vehicle recovery and related violent crime: 39 Forensic laboratory assignments related to stolen/hijacked vehicle: 1,262 Highlights of ISP vehicle

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CARLINVILLE - Blackburn College recently celebrated two major events highlighting the College’s commitment to athletics and recreation, student life and engagement, and strengthening connections with the Carlinville community. The Dedication of M.C. Court and the celebration of the new Blackburn Athletic Center took place on September 27, marking significant milestones in Blackburn’s Winning Together: A Campaign for Athletics & Enrollment initiative. Both events featured remarks from President Larry K. Lee, Athletic Director Kim Camara-Harvey, current student-athletes, as well as alumni and donors. Dedication of M.C. Court The newly completed M.C. Court, located in Blackburn’s historic Dawes Gymnasium, serves as the competition floor for volleyball and basketball. Named in honor of Marion Elizabeth Carlson, a former educator and administrator at Blackburn, the court commemorates her more than 40 years of dedication to the College. Carlson was instrumental in advancing

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COLLINSVILLE – Starting Monday, October 21, 2024, at 8:30 a.m., motorists on southbound I-55/70 will encounter lane restrictions as the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) undertakes emergency bridge deck patching. The work will take place between mile markers 14 and 13, specifically on the bridge over Keebler Avenue, and is expected to conclude by 3:30 p.m. on Friday, October 25, 2024, weather permitting. During this period, the right lane of the highway will be closed, and the ramps for the southbound weigh station will also be unavailable. IDOT advises that drivers should anticipate delays and plan for additional travel time in this area. Motorists are encouraged to consider alternative routes to avoid the construction zone, if possible. IDOT recommends that drivers remain vigilant by adhering to posted speed limits, avoiding the use of mobile devices, and being alert for workers and equipment in the vicinity. For ongoing updates, IDOT District 8 can be followed o

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GODFREY - Local volunteers came together to plant native trees at Glazebrook and LaVista Parks in Godfrey. On Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, students from Alton High School joined the Village of Godfrey and the Sierra Club Piasa Palisades chapter to plant trees as part of a “Recover, Replant, Restore!” grant from Trees Forever. “It’s great to have the support of Godfrey,” said Virginia Woulfe-Beile with the Sierra Club. “We went to both the Parks Department and the Board of Trustees, and they were very supportive of it.” Woulfe-Beile and Christine Favilla coordinate the Three Rivers Project, which emphasizes environmental education in the Riverbend region. They brought in a field ecology class from Alton High School to help plant the trees at the parks. The Sierra Club worked with the Village of Godfrey and the Godfrey Sustainability Commission to secure the grant through Trees Forever. As a nonprofit, Trees Forever has many forestry initiatives

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EDWARDSVILLE – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) and the Friends of Art is excited to announce its ANNUAL ART AUCTION on November 8, 2024, with funds raised supporting the Art & Design department’s visiting artist program as well as student scholarships, assistantships, and awards. This long-standing annual event (since 1979) will take place in the ART & DESIGN WEST GALLERY at SIUE, starting with a Preview at 5pm and the LIVE auction at 7pm by local auctioneer Gary Niemeier. This year’s auction will showcase a diverse array of artworks from both local and national artists, faculty, alumni and current students. Some highlights include pieces by Alexander Calder, Pablo Picasso, Victor Vasarely, Thomas Gipe, Daniel Raedeke, Andy Magee, JaimeJo Fisher and many more! Proceeds from the auction provide a unique opportunity for attendees to acquire unique and original pieces while contributing to the growth of the SIUE art community. The auction directly benefit

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GODFREY - To my fellow Godfrey residents, I would like to take a moment to introduce myself and let you all know that I am running for the office of Godfrey Village Clerk. I was born and raised in the area and moved to Godfrey in 2006. I have worked for the Village of Godfrey since 2016; first, in the Assessor’s Office and later, moving to the Parks and Recreation Department when the township was dissolved in 2019. I have pursued additional education and earned multiple certifications through the State of Illinois Property Assessment Institute in order to better serve Godfrey residents. I am interested in pursuing the office of Village Clerk because I know that I can continue to bring my level of dedication and customer service to the Clerk’s position. When Godfrey was first designated a Village, there were services offered within the Clerk’s office that have since been discontinued; I would like to pursue bringing additional services back to Godfrey. As an enthusiastic

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As the air turns crisp and the leaves shift into vibrant hues of orange and gold, fall presents a perfect opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. There’s something special about taking a leisurely walk during this beautiful season, with the scent of pumpkin spice and woodsmoke wafting through the air. To enhance this experience, why not pair your stroll with a captivating podcast? From engaging stories to enlightening discussions, podcasts can provide the perfect backdrop for your autumn walks. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best fall podcasts that will make your walks more enjoyable and enriching. The Benefits of Listening to Podcasts While Walking Before diving into the podcast recommendations, let’s take a moment to discuss why combining walking with podcast listening can be particularly beneficial: Mental Stimulation : Engaging with a podcast can stimulate your mind, making your walk not just a physical activity but also a mental workout. Inspiration

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ALTON - Alton Main Street is preparing for the 100th birthday celebration of Miles Dewey Davis, a jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and composer who was born in Alton, Illinois on May 26th, 1926. In anticipation of the upcoming festivities for one of the most influential and acclaimed figures in the history of jazz and 20th-century music, the organization has commissioned a new public art project by St. Louis-based artist Peat "Eyez" Wollaeger. Eyez has commemorated many notable individuals through their murals all around the country and is known globally for their colorful stencil portraits and large scale murals. Eyez and their intern Nora Baumgart have been busy installing the 12’ x 12’ portrait on the high-visibility wall behind Hiram’s Bar at the corner of Broadway and State Street. Property owner Hiram Lewis had reached out to Alton Main Street in 2023 to offer the opportunity to place a mural on this wall due to the high traffic count which passes by. “Hosting

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ALTON - Fans of Bloody Marys and supporting local veterans will have the perfect opportunity for both at the Riverbend Patriots’ Bloody Mary Competition fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. From 12 to 4 p.m. at Roper’s Regal Beagle, attendees can try each competitor’s spin on the Bloody Mary for just $25 per person before voting for their favorites. Tickets can be purchased in advance by contacting Riverbend Patriots at (618) 447-9996 or RiverbendPatriots@gmail.com . Riverbend Patriots is a local organization dedicated to helping veterans, service members, and first responders “heal through fellowship and activities,” according to their Facebook page . Dustin Dixon, vice president of Riverbend Patriots, said all proceeds from the event will go to the organization to help them continue their mission. “A bunch of bars and restaurants in the area are bringing their own recipes,” he said. “We’re going to be outside,

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TROY — A St. Louis man died early Friday morning following a motor vehicle crash on Interstate 70, Madison County Coroner Stephen P. Nonn said Friday. The victim, identified as 43-year-old Douglas M. Lodge, 43, succumbed to injuries sustained in the incident at Anderson Hospital in Maryville. The crash occurred at approximately 3:20 a.m. on Friday, October 18, 2024, when Lodge's passenger car struck a guardrail and became disabled in the left-hand lane of the eastbound lanes at the 18.2-mile marker near Troy. Emergency services were notified shortly after the initial collision. As Illinois State Police Troopers were responding to the scene, Lodge's vehicle was subsequently struck by a tractor-trailer at 3:32 a.m. He was transported to Anderson Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased by medical staff at 4:56 a.m. The coroner's office said the preliminary cause of death has been ruled as blunt head trauma, with the final cause pending completion of all reports, including routin

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EDWARDSVILLE — A community is coming together to honor a beloved feline known as Newt, whose presence brought joy to residents and trail-goers over the years. A dedication ceremony for a memorial bench took place this week at the intersection of Cloverdale and the Nickel Plate Bike Trail, marking the spot where Newt often roamed. The bench dedication event coincides with the Newt Scoot bike ride on Saturday, an 11-mile trek that benefits the Metro East Humane Society. "Newt was more than just a pet; he became a cultural icon for many who frequented the trails," MCT's S.J. Morrison said. "He was a culture maker because he was such a friendly cat," said one community member. "He really brought a community of people together, not just those who used the trails but also those who love animals." The memorial bench will feature kitty paw prints in concrete, symbolizing Newt's frequent paths around Cloverdale. "It is a testament to the community," Morrison noted. "Sometimes animals

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COLLINSVILLE — A pedestrian was struck and killed by a vehicle on Tuesday evening, Oct. 15, 2024, at the intersection of East Church Street and South Morrison Avenue in Collinsville. The incident occurred around 5:51 p.m. and involved 59-year-old Regina Shaw of St. Louis. Shaw was transported to a local hospital by Collinsville Fire Department EMS, where she was pronounced deceased. The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene and is fully cooperating with the investigation. The Collinsville Police Department has enlisted the help of the Metro East Crash Assistance Team (MECAT) to conduct a thorough investigation into the accident. As of now, no additional information is available, pending the completion of the MECAT investigation.

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ALTON - Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Members from Illinois and Missouri celebrated the Feast Day of Christopher Columbus at the Annual Memorial Mass held at the Cardinal Glennon Hospital Chapel Monday, October 14, 2024. Father Charles Ferrara was the celebrant and is also a 4th degree Sir Knight and Friar of the Saint Louis Assembly. Twenty-two Honor Guard Sir Knights and an additional eleven Sir Knights were in attendance at the Mass along with several of their relatives. State officers present included Missouri State Deputy Michael Auchly, Vice Supreme Master Gerry Mattix-Wand, Past State Master of Illinois Marce Tebbe and State Chairman Jerry Herbert. The following Honor Guard and 4th degree Sir Knights were also in attendance: Eric Bruns, Ed Vokum, Bruce Bange, Gene Berviller, Paul Watters, Ben Robben, John Vansaghi, Tom Lange, Dennis Buchheit, Henry Fulkerson, Louis Mushell, Rich Koeckenmeier, Lou Libermann, Roland Schriever, Mike Amad, David Stukenberg, John Dempsey, Stan

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Starting today, Illinois Comptroller Susana A. Mendoza is suspending “offset” payments to the Village of Orland Park. “Offsets” refers to money collected from state payments our office withholds from people who owe traffic tickets or other money to municipalities such as Orland Park. These payments are worth about $120,000 a year to the village. The IOC is taking this action because Orland Park has failed for two years to file its statutorily required annual financial reports with this office. These reports are an important tool in tracking local government spending and offer transparency to taxpayers wondering how their tax money is being used. “We take very seriously our statutory obligation to collect annual financial reports from municipalities around Illinois,” Comptroller Mendoza said. “We very rarely use tools like this to enforce compliance, but we have been asking for two years.” Today’s action by the Illinois Office

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WOOD RIVER - The Wood River Museum has announced the release of its 2025 calendars, honoring local veterans who lost their lives in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The calendars feature photographs and information about these individuals, serving as a tribute to their sacrifices for freedom. The calendars are available for purchase at various locations, including the Wood River Museum, the Library, City Hall, Busey Bank, Midwest Members Credit Union, First Mid Bank & Trust, Farm Fresh, and Rustic Roots. Priced at $5.00, the calendars also serve as a significant fundraiser for the Wood River Heritage Council. For those unable to purchase the calendar in person, it can be mailed within the United States for an additional fee of $3. Interested buyers can call 618-254-1993 and leave a message to arrange for mailing. Bruce Jean, a representative of the Wood River Museum, said the calendar aims to ensure that the contributions of these veterans are not

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GRANTSBURG – Illinois State Police (ISP) officials investigated a traffic crash in Johnson County involving an ISP trooper who was hit by a motorist who failed to move over. On October 17, 2024, at approximately 3:50 p.m., an ISP Troop 10 trooper was parked with their emergency lights activated, providing traffic control for a truck-tractor semi-trailer fire on the right shoulder of Interstate 24 eastbound near milepost 21 in Grantsburg, IL. Approaching traffic failed to reduce their speed in time and a separate three-vehicle crash occurred near the trooper. Immediately after, another truck-tractor semi-trailer swerved near the shoulder to avoid the crash that had just occurred, but instead sideswiped the driver’s side of the parked squad car. The squad car’s driver side was scratched and the mirror was broken. The trooper was inside of the squad car at the time of the crash, and fortunately, was uninjured. The driver of the truck-tractor semi-trailer, 36-year-old

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GODFREY – When Reid Memorial Library sustained heavy damage from a ruptured water line over winter break a few years ago, Lewis and Clark Community College transformed the chaos into creativity. Always evolving to meet the unique needs of the campus community, the library turned a necessary remodel into a major glow up, resulting in the vibrant makerspace and student hangout it is today. “We saw an opportunity to do more than fix the damage,” said Director of Library Services Dennis Krieb. “Instead, we reimagined ways to provide an even more engaging environment for creativity, collaboration, and relaxation for all L&C students, team members and local residents.” The newly designed space features comfortable modern furniture, including two collaborative media tables, four soft seating couches, and two modular seating areas, perfect for group projects and social interaction, Krieb said. A mobile device charging station ensures students

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