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WOOD RIVER - A new bakery has opened in Wood River, and the story behind “The Cheesecake Lady Bakery Co.” is just as sweet as the treats they make. Since 2017, Deb Shultis has gained a reputation for the desserts she sells on her The Cheesecake Lady Facebook page . But now The Cheesecake Lady has a storefront at 333 N. Wood River Avenue, and Shultis is excited to share her baking with more people around the Riverbend. “I outgrew my kitchen by far,” Shultis laughed. “We’re looking forward to supporting the community the way they’ve shown us support. We love being here.” Shultis was always a baker, but she never expected it would become her full-time job. She simply enjoyed baking cheesecakes for her family and friends at church functions, bake sales and holidays. When her husband first suggested Shultis should sell her baked goods, she dismissed the idea right away. “It all started with just a simple crème brûlée

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GODFREY - Papa Toodles Hair Salon in Godfrey marked its ninth anniversary of serving customers on Dec. 2, 2023. The business officially opened on Dec. 2, 2014. Wade and James Gibson operate the salon and also have Angie Dennis and David Smith there as hair stylists. The hair business has changed greatly, and the cost of products to do the job in the industry has skyrocketed, the two owners said. "It’s impossible to make the wage to equal the cost," the pair said. "Women did get a weekly appointment 40 years ago to be styled. We see little of that. The COVID-19 pandemic set the industry back, causing some salons to close. We are striving not to let it happen to us. We still love visiting with our long-term people." Many ask how the creative name “Papa Toodles” was formulated. The name comes from Wade and James' grandkids’ name for Wade. James chose a career in the field because he had always enjoyed hair but never had the opportunity to pursue

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BETHALTO - The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 864, based at St. Louis Regional Airport in Bethalto, recently presented some meaningful awards at its annual Christmas Banquet. Chapter 864 consists of pilots and aviation enthusiasts who meet regularly to share knowledge and their love of aviation with each other and the local community. John Harding, president of EAA Chapter 864 at St. Louis Regional Airport, said this year's Gene Helmkamp Award winners were Phil Sisson and Dale Rust. Awards were presented by Charlie Becker, Director of Chapter and Communities from EAA headquarters. Sisson and Rust were recognized for their personal commitment and long-term contributions to civilian and sport aviation. Harding described the two award winners with the following comments: "Phil Sisson was a crop duster, flight instructor and an aviation competition champion," Harding said. "He helped people build their own airplanes and has done a lot to promote and support aviation

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Try these five strategies for reducing stress and boosting joy during this holiday season. Know your time and spending limits Don’t overextend--learn to say no to some invitations. Set realistic spending limits and stick to them. Get creative – find low-and-no-cost ways to show appreciation for the people in your life. Give yourself a break! Practice self-care. Spend a little time on something you love about the season, such as watching a holiday movie, enjoying a cup of cocoa or checking out holiday decorations in your neighborhood. Keep a gratitude journal Keeping a gratitude journal during the holiday season can help you focus on the positive things in your life and improve your mood. The simple act of writing alone may even boost your mental health. Don’t abandon good habits A healthy lifestyle may also help you make it through the holiday craziness. Stick to your normal sleep schedule and exercise routine. Avoid going overboard - eat balanced

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GODFREY - Claudia Espinoza and her staff are individuals who love their work and epitomize what it takes to be successful with customer service. The popular Happy Hour Barber Stop is marking its fifth anniversary. Claudia has a vivacious personality and she has hired a group of other staff members with the same approach to the hair business, always putting the customer first. The barber shop owner and their staff attempt to make it a "Happy Hour" for customers who visit their business. "We have free arcade games and also have a special first haircut for children," she said. "We also provide complimentary beer, water, and coffee and make it an easy wait for people. "Everybody gets an amazing haircut." The business is described as "a barber shop with a full-service and traditional style. We offer a comfortable atmosphere." On Dec. 2, 2023, Claudia wrote: "Thank you to all our loyal customers, we truly appreciate you! Because of you we will continue to keep our doors open and b

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EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville congratulates Chris Gordon, PhD, associate dean of the School of Engineering (SOE), on his recent induction into Scott Air Force Base (SAFB) 2025 Class of Honorary Commanders . Gordon is one of 24 St. Louis Metro Area community leaders chosen for this role by the 375th Air Mobility Wing, the host wing of SAFB. “We have an Educational Partnership Agreement with SAFB which we have used to foster collaboration with senior design teams,” said Gordon. “My objective in participating in this program is to continue to strengthen our connection with SAFB.” Gordon is paired with his assigned commander, Colonel James Clark. Clark serves as Commander, Detachment 9, Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center, Air Force Materiel Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. Clark’s work in installation and mission support affects 70,000 personnel in 17 wings. As Team Scott’s Honorary Commander,

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ST. LOUIS – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Chief of Engineers and Commanding General Lt. Gen Scott Spellmon honored employees during the 2023 National Awards Ceremony at the Corps of Engineers headquarters in Washington, D.C., November 29, 2023. Brian Ragsdale, St. Louis District’s Dredge Potter master, was presented with the 2023 Chief of Engineers Operations and Maintenance Castle Award. This award recognizes an outstanding wage grade employee who exemplifies superior public service, technical knowledge and professionalism in support of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Operations and Maintenance Program and our vital civil works infrastructure. “In the face of challenges, Brian exemplifies the essence of leadership – his commitment to excellence, safety and unwavering dedication to the dredging mission sets a standard we all aspire to achieve,” Lou Dell’Orco, chief of the St. Louis District’s Operations and Readiness Branch said. Through

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EDWARDSVILLE — The Edwardsville Police announced it has been awarded a Federal Fiscal Year 2024 Sustained Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant to conduct additional traffic safety enforcement efforts. The STEP program focuses on high-visibility enforcement and strategies aimed at saving lives and preventing injuries by reducing traffic crashes. “We’re pleased to receive this grant to step up our road safety efforts with the goal of saving lives,” said Lt. Brandn Whittaker. “Our mission is to make travel safer through directed, proactive patrols and to stop, cite and arrest those who choose to violate traffic laws.” During the STEP grant year, which runs from Oct. 1, 2023, through Sept. 30, 2024, the Edwardsville Police will conduct additional enforcement efforts to supplement mandatory and optional campaign enforcement dates scheduled during some of the deadliest times of the year. The additional efforts will focus on the leading contributory

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ALTON – Thanks to a successful grant request, the Women’s Health and Childbirth Center at Alton Memorial Hospital received more than $73,000 this year to help make sure the numerous area pregnant and postpartum women facing health inequities due to social and economic factors receive the help they need. These funds allowed the hospital to hire an additional peer recovery specialist to focus exclusively on the needs of the Women’s Health and Childbirth Center. Most importantly, the funds provide universal screening for Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) such as mental health issues, substance abuse, food insecurity and housing instability. Kathy Alford-Spitze is the peer recovery specialist added for this position. “I want to work with women during their pregnancy and afterwards because it is something that hits close to home for me,” Kathy said. “As a mom of two biological children and three adopted children, there were a lot of times that I

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CHICAGO – Following a thorough review by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) of the Brighton Park environmental report, the State of Illinois will not proceed with an asylum seeker shelter at the 38 th and California site. IEPA cited concerns related to insufficient soil sampling and remediation. Given the significant time required to conduct additional sampling, to process and analyze results, and to implement corresponding further remediation, the State will work with the City to identify alternate shelter options. The State is expediting efforts to launch the previously announced brick-and-mortar shelter site in Little Village with plans to have 200 beds available to families and people with disabilities. Since the City of Chicago selected the Brighton Park site, the State has requested alternate sites from the City as any additional shelter will operate as part of the City’s current shelter system. The State is also working with the Archdiocese

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WOOD RIVER - More sidewalk repairs could be coming in Wood River after City Manager Steve Palen recently suggested using $100,000 in grant funds to repair sidewalks around the city. Palen announced at Monday’s City Council meeting that the city has secured $100,000 in grant funding from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) through the Build Illinois bond program. He added that he would like to get started on expanding the city’s sidewalk repair efforts. “I just wanted to update the council on the $100,000 DCEO grant, we did get verification finally that we are going to receive that. I kind of wanted to get a head nod, straw poll from the council. “I would like to pursue a larger sidewalk project with that money. If everybody’s okay with that, we’ll start planning for that.” While no council member vocally objected, the item was not up for a vote, just discussion. Future action is likely to eventually

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ALTON - Safe Food Specialist Linda Petterson teamed up with Chef Michael Lapage and RiverBender.com’s own CJ Nasello to share tips on staying safe and baking the best cookies. Petterson provides food safety courses and certifications in food and alcohol management. She regularly works with individuals and commercial chefs throughout the Riverbend region. CJ and Petterson partner for a Food for Thought food safety segment on Our Daily Show! once a month, and she noted that her classes have grown as she gets her name out there. “I have a reputation going in the area that I do give good classes, and I really take pride in that,” Petterson said. “I’ve grown a lot, my classes have been wonderful, this segment has been great. I’m very pleased with what we’ve done. And hopefully we’ve touched a lot of other people’s lives and helped keep their food safe commercially and individually.” In the most recent Food for Thought

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JERSEYVILLE - Senior Francis Vogel is a multi-sport Jersey Community High School athlete and he is playing a pivotal role on this year's Panthers' boys basketball team under head Coach Matt Murphy. Francis is a three-year Jersey player moving from Brussels his freshman year. He was a wide receiver/cornerback on the Panthers' varsity football team in 2023. Francis is a Sparklight Internet Male Athlete of the Month for the Panthers. Coach Murphy had this to say about his senior player: "Francis has a motor that not many players have nor can match. He is an all-around very good athlete with a lot of passion for the game. Francis has natural instincts that cannot be taught on the defensive end. "He plays a lot bigger than his 6-foot-2 size and is relentless on the glass and attacking the rim. He is a two-year starter and brings experience to the team as well." Again, congrats to Francis Vogel for his honor as a Sparklight Internet Male Athlete of Month for Jersey Community High School.

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As we approach the end of the year, I’m reflecting on my New Year’s resolutions. I had big dreams 12 months ago. Did I hit every goal? Do you know me? Obviously, no, I failed. But I did manage to hit one of the most important goals on my list. Work out more. (No.) Delete social media. (Ha.) Get a hobby. (YES.) Good news, everyone, I did manage to start a new hobby or two. I needed to find a way to fill the time after work that didn’t involve staring at the TV or scrolling on my phone. So I set out to Michael’s and decided I’d get super involved in a new artsy pastime. Rembrandt, eat your heart out. I decided to start small, to ease into it. I bought a paint-by-numbers kit. This was ideal because it satisfied my creative urges without requiring any creativity. All I had to do was follow the numbers and paint in between the lines. I poured a glass of wine, turned on a podcast and set to work. Not only was this so fun, but it also required

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - December 1, 2023, was the second anniversary of Detective Antonio A. Valentine’s line of duty death. In honor of Detective Valentine’s sacrifice, the Telegraph Road bridge over the Meramec River will be named the “Detective Antonio Valentine Memorial Bridge”. A dedication ceremony will be held at the White Flag Church located at 7531 Telegraph Road in St. Louis, Missouri 63129, at 9 a.m. on Thursday, December 7, 2023. On December 1, 2021, St. Louis County Police Detective Antonio Valentine was fatally injured in a motor vehicle crash that occurred in North St. Louis County. Detective Valentine was assigned to the Bureau of Drug Enforcement. Detective Valentine is survived by his four children, who ranged in age from 10 to 22 at the time of his death. He was 42 years of age. Detective Valentine joined the Department in June of 2007 and served in the Central County Precinct, the Bureau of Transit Police, the North County Precinct, the Special

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JERSEY COUNTY - The Jersey County Drug Court program was named one of the best rural justice projects in the nation and selected to serve as an example for other rural communities to follow Jerseyville. The Rural Justice Collaborative (RJC) Advisory Council has selected Jersey County Drug Court Program in Jerseyville – Jersey County as one of six new Rural Justice Innovation Sites. These are the country’s most innovative rural justice programs which will serve as models for other communities. The RJC initiative will provide resources to enable other communities to replicate these Innovation Sites’ successes. “Rural community leaders often don’t have the resources to develop programs from scratch but we know that many rural justice leaders, like those from Jersey County Drug Court have found innovative solutions to their complex problems. Before this, there has been no nationally concerted effort for justice leaders and their collaborators in other sectors

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The children and grandchildren of Paul and Jo Ann (Walton) Stilwell of Godfrey would like to invite family and friends to join them in a celebration of their 80th birthdays and 60th wedding anniversary. The party will be held on Jan. 14, 2024 from 1-4 p.m. at the Brick Hall at 220 N. Prairie Street, Bethalto, IL 62010. There will be a tribute presentation at approximately 2 p.m. No gifts necessary. Heavy appetizers and beverages will be served. The happy couple was married at St. Mary’s church on April 4th of 1964. They have three married children, Aaron & Tammy Stilwell, of Godfrey, Anessa & Jack Emmons of Brighton, and Amy & Tyler Gross of Wake Forest, North Carolina. They have seven grandchildren: Curtis (and Megan) Stilwell, Sara Stilwell, Alex (and Amy) Dodge, Abbie (and Joel) Hobart, Jackson Emmons, and Audrey Gross. The couple also has four great grandchildren: Elijah Stilwell, Azena Dodge, Joel Hobart Jr. and Jayden Hobart. Paul retired from Owens-Illinois Glass, where

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SPRINGFIELD - The OSFM stresses the importance of fire safety while decorating for the holiday season. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) more than one-third of home decoration fires are started by candles. More than two of every five home decoration fires occur due to decorations being placed too close to a heat source. The NFPA also reports U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 790 home structure fires per year that began with decorations, excluding Christmas trees. Between 2017-2021, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 150 home fires per year that started with Christmas trees. Electrical distribution or lighting equipment was involved in more than two in five home Christmas tree fires with nearly one in five Christmas tree fires being started by lamps or bulbs. Roughly two of every five home Christmas tree fires started in the living room. Candle fires peak in December followed closely by January. More than half of home

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ST. LOUIS - World Wide Technology , a global technology solutions provider, today announced plans to invest more than $500M over the next three years in technology, infrastructure and people to help power their clients’ adoption of artificial intelligence solutions at global enterprise scale. Building on WWT’s investment in the company’s proprietary Advanced Technology Center (ATC) over the past 15 years, this commitment expands the ATC’s formidable capabilities with a lab environment where organizations can try, test and validate AI applications unique to their business needs and use cases. “AI will be the most impactful and transformational technology of all time, but the complexities of today’s rapidly evolving landscape give organizations more options and risk considerations than ever before,” said Jim Kavanaugh, co-founder and chief executive officer of WWT. “For over a decade, the ATC has helped IT leaders cut technology evaluation

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WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed Irma Ramirez to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement regarding Judge Ramirez’s confirmation: “Judge Irma Ramirez is an accomplished litigator and jurist who has over 30 years of legal experience, including as a current magistrate judge for the Northern District of Texas. Her qualifications and dedication to equal justice under the law earned her the support of Senators Cornyn and Cruz, demonstrating another good-faith effort by Republican Senators and the White House to identify candidates to fill judicial vacancies. Notably, she joins the bench as the Fifth Circuit’s first Latina judge. “I congratulate Judge Ramirez on becoming the thirty-eighth Circuit Court judge confirmed under President Biden, and the latest example of the Senate Judiciary Committee advancing highly qualified

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