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ALTON — Fast Eddie's Bon Air in Alton has welcomed new co-owners Ross and Dawn Laux, for the popular establishment known for its vibrant atmosphere and community engagement. Ross Laux expressed his excitement about the new venture, stating, "I’m thrilled to share that we’ve officially purchased half of Fast Eddie's Bon Air and have taken over the day-to-day operations." He emphasized his commitment to continuing the legacy established by the Sholar family, who previously owned the venue. "My mission is to continue making this place the greatest bar in the world while pushing it forward," he said. The Lauxes have a history of setting and achieving goals, which Ross described as his "driving force." He reflected on the lessons learned throughout his journey, stating, "Every goal has taught me valuable lessons — through the highs and lows — and each one has shaped who I am today." He aims to connect with employees and customers to understand how to evolve

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COLLINSVILLE - Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 unveiled design plans Wednesday morning, Oct. 9, 2024, for the upcoming Collinsville Area Vocational Center expansion. The architectural plans and renderings were shared publicly for the first time at the future site of the new facility at the intersection of South Morrison and Caseyville Roads in Collinsville. The property is located across the road from the existing facility and Collinsville High School campus. Representative Katie Stuart was among the guests who got the first look at the vision for the new CAVC. She was an early and strong advocate for this project which aligns with the State of Illinois' focus on Career and Technical Education (CTE). “Representative Stuart was instrumental in securing the appropriation and allocation for CAVC to serve as a workforce pipeline in our area and provide career opportunities for students from ten school districts in the metro-east,” said Collinsville CUSD Superintendent

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GLEN CARBON - Glen Carbon Police Chief Todd Link was honored on Tuesday night for building up the GCPD and its morale over his three decades of law enforcement service. Mayor Bob Marcus presented Chief Link with the Meritorious Service Award at this week’s Village Board meeting. Officers from multiple police departments, including his own, submitted 35 letters in support of Link. Among the many attendees were Retired Chief Scott Penny from the Fairmont City Police Department and John Cunningham, former NAACP president and personal friend of the chief. From boosted morale to equipment upgrades , new officer hires , a $1 million expansion of the GCPD Dispatch Center , and more, Public Safety Administrative Supervisor Coleen Schaller said Chief Link’s “true leadership” has ushered in a new era for the department. “The Glen Carbon Police Department has not always been great,” Schaller said. “10 years ago, Chief Link did not inherit

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GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College enrollment continues to trend upward, closing out the Fall 2024 enrollment period with 4,606 total students – up 9.77 percent over Fall 2023 – taking a total of 36,883.5 credit hours, also up more than 5 percent over last year. Ethnicity Asian 1.24% Black or African American 9.25 % Hispanic 4.52% Two or More Races 3.54% Unknown 3.58% White 77.50% Gender Female 57.17% Male 42.83 % Age 17 and Under 40.47% 18 - 19 24.23% 20 - 24 19.82% 25 - 29 5.08% 30 - 34 3.56% 35 - 39 2.41% 40 - 44 1.91% 45 - 49 1.15% 50 - 54 0.52% 55 - 59 0.26% 60 and Over 0.59% Residence In-district 94.62% Out-of-district 4.39% International 1% " v:shapes="_x0000_s1026" style="width: 3.3333in; height: 6.052in;">“The Lewis and Clark team of faculty and staff is doing excellent work to advance the college,” said President Ken Trzaska. “I am proud of our efforts. Enrollment continuing to trend in a positive manner is a reflection

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MADISON COUNTY – The Salvation Army Madison County Corps Advisory Council announced today that John and Cathy Keller will lead the 2024 Red Kettle Campaign, which aims to raise $422,000 to support local families in need. This goal marks a 20% increase from the previous year’s fundraising efforts. John Keller, who has served as president of the RiverBend Growth Association since 2017, emphasized the importance of community involvement. “I’ve always been a believer in giving back locally,” he said. “Whether it’s through volunteerism or donations, giving increases personal pride in your community. By volunteering to ring or donating to the kettle, you’re helping those in need, right here in the Riverbend.” The campaign will run from November 29 to December 24 at participating area businesses. Due to a shortened season, bell ringing will begin early on November 18 at Dierbergs locations. The Salvation Army also expressed gratitude

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ALTON - As a teacher, Amy Green knows the importance of being there for her students. In fact, she’s there for them even seven years after they were in her class. Every year, Green sends a lucky penny and a note to the graduating Alton High School seniors who were in her fifth grade class. It’s a powerful reminder to the students that she is still rooting for them, and it means a lot to Green, too. “Sometimes I do long for the small-town feel, and I feel like this gives me that because then I get to hear back from the students,” she said. “It’s a little bit of community.” Green collects pennies from the current year so she can send them to her students when they become seniors at Alton High School. She got the idea from her mother, a teacher in Jerseyville who used to do the same thing. Green started sending the pennies when her first fifth grade class became seniors, about three years ago. This year, she was pleased to receive several

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ALTON - The City of Alton is moving forward with a plan to give 350 laptops to “low-income, unconnected” households in Alton with the help of Alton Forward , the nonprofit arm of AltonWorks . Alton Forward President Mark Carlie said at Monday's Commitee of the Whole meeting that these laptops are essential for maximizing the impact of AltonWorks’ $20 million fiber optic network project , which he estimates will bring high-speed internet to 95% of Alton residents. “Just because we have internet everywhere doesn’t mean we have it able to be used,” Carlie said. “We need two more things for each user - they need the internet, they need a device, and they need to safely know how to use it to its maximum advantage - and that’s where Alton Forward comes in.” Carlie said Alton Forward formed a “Digital Equity and Inclusion Task Force” to find ways to make the upgraded network accessible to more Alton residents.

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ALTON - St. Mary’s Catholic Church and School will host its annual Oktoberfest this weekend. This community staple includes fun for adults and kids of all ages. Starting at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, with a 5K run and one-mile fun run, families can also enjoy games, inflatables, live music, a silent auction, adult gaming, food and drinks until 11 p.m. on Friday. The fun continues from 1–11 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12 and 12–8 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. “The community gets together and has a good time,” said Carolyn Simansky, one of the organizers of Oktoberfest. “It means a lot. This is our biggest fundraiser all year long. It helps our school. It helps our parish.” The weekend’s festivities kick off at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 11, with the 5K and fun run . St. Mary’s is also sponsoring a “Beer Dash,” where participants have to keep a full cup of beer from spilling as they maneuver around a course

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ALTON - The president of Alton Forward outlined the nonprofit’s plan to bring high-speed internet to an estimate of over “95% of the homes in Alton” at Monday’s Committee of the Whole meeting . Alton Forward is “the nonprofit arm of AltonWorks ,” according to its website . According to a 2023 legislative agenda for AltonWorks, the company received $20 million from the Illinois Capital Development Board to construct a fiber optic network throughout the City of Alton. The broadband program, termed “AltonWorks FiberNet,” will start in the downtown business district before expanding throughout the city, eventually bringing high-speed internet and free Wi-Fi to the entire area. “AltonWorks will construct a fiber optic network throughout Alton that will deliver symmetrical, ten gigabit-speed, enterprise-level service to Alton residents and businesses,” the agenda states. “All users will be connected

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WASHINGTON, MO. - The Collinsville High School Marching Kahoks showcased their musical talents at the Washington High School Gene Hunt Marching Band Invitational in Washington, Mo., on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, where they achieved significant recognition. Competing against various bands, the Marching Kahoks placed second in Class 4A and received the award for Outstanding General Effect during the preliminary competition. The event, held at Washington High School, featured multiple performances, culminating in a finals round where the Marching Kahoks continued to impress the judges. After their finals performance, the band secured second place overall and received additional accolades for Outstanding Visual and Outstanding Percussion. The achievements highlight the dedication and hard work of the Marching Kahoks, contributing to the school's reputation in competitive marching band performances.

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CHICAGO – U.S. Senator and combat Veteran Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), who serves on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees, issued the following statement recognizing the one-year anniversary of Hamas’s terror attacks against Israel on October 7th, 2023: “One year ago, Hamas committed the single deadliest atrocity against Jews since the Holocaust, killing nearly 1,200 innocents and taking hundreds more hostage—nearly 100 of whom remain in captivity to this day. My thoughts are with them, and with their loved ones, today and every day. “My heart breaks for those who lost loved ones during the attacks, for the families of tens of thousands of innocent Palestinian civilians killed in the days since, for those who suffered the unique torture of having their hopes of ever seeing their captive loved ones again so heartlessly dashed—like the parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin—and for the millions in Gaza who are still suffering

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SPRINGFIELD — Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) Acting Director James Jennings today announced a $27 million Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the replacement of existing public transit buses with new all-electric transit options. Grant awards will cover 75% of the eligible cost per electric transit bus and any necessary charging infrastructure, with a minimum award amount of $300,000. Madison and St. Clair counties will receive funding for the replacement of existing public transit vehicles. Eligible applicants include government and transit agencies that own and operate public transit buses in any of the three priority areas outlined in the Volkswagen Beneficiary Mitigation Plan (BMP) and further described below. This funding opportunity will remain open until funding is depleted with grants awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. As outlined in Illinois’ BMP for the Volkswagen diesel emissions settlement, and as specified in the

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—co-founder of the U.S. Senate Lead Task Force and the U.S. Senate Environmental Justice Caucus—and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today lauded the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to finalize the Biden Administration’s proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI), which would lower the lead action level to better protect human health and require water systems to replace old and deteriorating lead pipes within a decade. In addition to the LCRI, EPA also announced that Illinois will receive $75,558,000 in newly available drinking water infrastructure funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) to support lead-related activities, including lead pipe replacement projects. The finalized rule comes ahead of the October 16th finalization deadline to not only help ensure these important improvements are implemented as quickly as possible, but also prevent water

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MARYVILLE - Anderson Hospital Foundation accepted a generous contribution from Allison’s Friends of Hope! Their 2024 Golf Tournament was “a huge success”, raising funds and resulting in a $12,500 donation towards Anderson Friends of Hope Breast Diagnostic Center. This center was named after Allison Cassens, who unfortunately lost her life due to colon cancer. We are beyond grateful for the support of Allison’s Friends of Hope and their remarkable efforts in cancer research. Their unwavering commitment to this cause has managed to raise more than $1 million since 2004, and we could not be more thankful for their dedication. Allison’s Friends of Hope truly embodies the spirit of generosity and kindness, and we are honored to have them as part of our community.

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EDWARDSVILLE – A short segment of East Franklin Avenue between West Lake Drive and Gerber Road will be closed for roadwork from Thursday, October 10, 2024, through the end of the day Friday, October 11, 2024. Anyone who lives within the impacted area will have access to their homes, but that section of road will be closed to through traffic. The City’s Public Works Department is in communication about the closure with school transportation officials. The work was scheduled for a two-day period when school is in session for only one of those days in an effort to minimize disruptions to bus transportation. The Edwardsville School District will not be in session on Friday, October 11. The closure will allow Public Works crews to perform needed patching in that area of East Franklin Avenue. While the closure is in place, the roadwork may be extended a bit farther east on East Franklin toward Circle Drive, as time allows. The work is anticipated to get underway early Thursday.

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ROXANA - Village officials are actively addressing a mosquito problem at Roxana Park, which has become a concern for visitors and residents. The park has been treated with pesticide every two weeks from April through October of this year, but recent heavy rains have created conditions that allow mosquitoes to breed. In a statement regarding the situation, local officials acknowledged the ongoing issue, saying, "We are very aware of the mosquito issue in the park." They emphasized their commitment to managing the problem by eliminating standing water on the property and maintaining regular spraying schedules. However, they noted that recent rains have complicated their efforts. "Unfortunately, the last significant rains created a breeding ground for mosquitos and they emerge after the incubation period," officials stated. The park's exterminator, who is bound by time-limit regulations for pesticide applications, encountered an equipment failure during a scheduled visit. "He was

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EDWARDSVILLE - Students and community members are invited to pack period products and decorate pumpkins at the upcoming “Pumpkins and Period Packing” event at SIUE. The SIUE chapter of “I Support the Girls” (ISTG), a nonprofit that provides period products and bras to people who need them, will host this event from 3–4:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in the Goshen Lounge on the SIUE campus. Anyone is welcome to come out and help. “We're just trying to raise awareness because there are so many people in our community that are struggling right now,” said Allison Szostak, president of the SIUE chapter of ISTG. “We just hope this event raises awareness about period poverty because most people don’t understand how actually serious it is in today’s world. It has always been around, but it’s much more difficult in today’s time.” ISTG was founded by Dana Marlowe in Washington D.C. Her best friend, Dr. Alicia

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ALTON - The American Red Cross continues to work to restock critically needed blood products uncollected due to the ongoing impact of Hurricane Helene’s devastation in the Southeast. Donors outside of affected areas are encouraged to make an appointment to give now and help keep the blood supply stable in the weeks to come. Since making landfall, the storm and its aftermath have led to the cancellation of more than 100 blood drives, causing thousands of blood and platelet donations to go uncollected. For so many people living with urgent medical care needs, blood transfusions are essential, and donations in the Southeast are key to keeping our nationwide network stocked. The Red Cross operates through a national inventory with the ability to move blood wherever and whenever it is needed most. As a thank-you, all who come to give Oct. 1-31 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email, plus be automatically entered for a chance to win one of three $5,000 gift cards. For full

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ALTON - This month, the Hayner Public Library District has a wide range of free programs for people with all different interests. Executive Director Mary Cordes said that this quarter’s newsletter was the longest newsletter that Hayner has ever put out, largely due to the sheer number of events and programs that they have planned. She hopes these events are well-attended, and she looks forward to sharing the library’s resources with the community. “We’ve got a lot going on,” Cordes said. “This is all free.” At 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, at Alton Square Mall, the library will host Wrestling at the Chase: An Evening with Ed Wheatley. Wheatley, a sports historian who believes St. Louis is the greatest sports town in America, will share information about wrestling in the region. Cordes said she has been stopped by many people who tell her how excited they are for the program. Also on Oct. 15, 2024, Hayner’s new

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WOOD RIVER - Community members in Wood River and Bethalto are invited to participate in the upcoming Halloween parades, scheduled for Oct. 26, 2024, and Oct. 28, 2024, respectively. The "Chain Gang," a non-profit group registered with the Illinois Department of Transportation, will be leading the efforts, with military members expected to join in the festivities. The Wood River Halloween Parade will take place at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, with setup beginning at 9:30 a.m. The parade will start at Emerick Park on Sixth Street, proceed south on Sixth to Ferguson Avenue, then west on Ferguson to Wood River Avenue, before ending at Central Park. The Bethalto Halloween Parade, sponsored by the Bethalto Rotary Club, has a line-up set for 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, at Rose Lawn Cemetery on the Erwin Plegge side. The parade route will travel down Erwin Plegge and conclude at Bethalto City Hall. Participants are encouraged to bring their children and grandchildren, dressed i

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