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Did you know that nearly one in four Americans now identify as flexitarian, vegetarian, or vegan? This burgeoning trend reflects a significant shift in dietary preferences, spurred by an increasing awareness of health, environmental sustainability, and ethical considerations surrounding food choices. The rise of plant-based diets is not merely a dietary fad but a profound transformation in how individuals approach their health and nutrition. Understanding Plant-Based Diets At its core, a plant-based diet emphasizes foods derived from plants, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, oils, whole grains, legumes, and beans. While some people might interpret this as strictly vegan or vegetarian, many adopt a more flexible approach, incorporating animal products in moderation. The diversity in plant-based eating allows for various interpretations, catering to individual preferences and lifestyles. The Health Benefits of Going Green Nutritional Advantages One of the most compelling

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Imagine a scenario where you and your loved ones gather on a sun-dappled lawn, laughter mingling with the rustling leaves, as you indulge in delightful treats laid out on a colorful blanket. In a world buzzing with the noise of technology and the demands of daily life, a picnic offers a rare chance to reconnect with nature, savor good food, and enjoy quality time with family and friends. But how do you ensure that your outdoor outing is not just an afterthought, but an unforgettable experience? Setting the Scene: Choosing the Perfect Location The first step in planning the perfect picnic is selecting an idyllic location. The right spot can transform an ordinary gathering into a memorable event. Consider parks with ample green space, lakeside views, or botanical gardens where vibrant flora enhances the aesthetic. If you prefer a more secluded experience, local hiking trails with picturesque overlooks or your own backyard can serve as intimate settings. When scouting locations, think

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LEBANON – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that intermittent lane closures on Illinois 4 north of Lebanon to the Madison County line in St. Clair County will begin, weather permitting, Monday, April 7, 2025 for resurfacing. Flaggers will maintain two-way traffic. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this closure. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. The project is expected to be completed by mid-summer. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on Twitter at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com .

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EAST ALTON/WOOD RIVER – Charges have been filed against residents of East Alton and Wood River after they allegedly stole thousands of dollars worth of copper products from Wieland. Reggie R. Runion, 34, of Wood River, and Donald G. Gibson, 60, of East Alton, were charged in separate but related cases with one count each of theft, both Class 2 felonies. From July 13, 2023 to Nov. 19, 2024, the two reportedly stole over $10,000 worth of copper metal sheets and wire from Wieland in East Alton. The East Alton Police Department presented the cases against Runion and Gibson, who were both granted pretrial release from custody. All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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ALTON - The Hayner Public Library District has several events planned for the next few weeks, from genealogy classes to line dancing lessons. “We like to try to do something different,” explained Executive Director Mary Cordes. “We’ve got all kinds of things coming up.” Hayner Library has partnered with Jacoby Arts Center and Lewis and Clark Community College’s YouthBuild program to construct little free art libraries. These libraries will operate like lending book libraries, but with art supplies. They will be scattered across the community and open to the public to take and trade art supplies, including art books. Throughout April, community members can participate in the Adult Spring Scavenger Hunt , which will take participants through Alton and the library to find different items. For every item found, participants earn a raffle ticket for the chance to win a birdfeeder, a wicker swing chair, or a raised planter. Also in April,

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ALTON - Michael Anderson is an Alton-Godfrey Rotary Club March 2025, Student of the Month. Throughout Anderson’s high school career he took honors classes and Advanced-Placement Courses, as well as College Preparatory Courses. He maintained a 4.6 GPA through his senior year. He received the Silver Medallion Award (top 8% in the graduating class) and Platinum Alpha Award (maintained a 4.5 GPA). He is currently a member of the National Honors Society as well as Mu Alpha Theta (a math honor society in which I tutor students). He played soccer for Alton High School in my junior and senior years and football in his freshman and sophomore years. He is also a 4-year varsity letterman for the swim team. He is a proud and active member of the RedBird Nest. He is also a current member of the Pickle-Ball Club and Social Studies Club. He remains active in the community and looks for opportunities to give back. He has volunteered for the Alton Athletic Association events, concessions and

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ALTON - Wren Crawford is an Alton-Godfrey Rotary Club Student of the Month for March 2025. Crawford is a senior attending Alton High School and is the daughter of Whitney Campbell and Marlon Crawford. She is thankful that the Alton-Godfrey Rotary Club has selected her as one of March’s Rotary Student of the Month recipients. Wren is grateful for her family, friends, teachers, and mentors for being a guiding light throughout her academic journey. Throughout her time at Alton High School, Wren has taken the necessary steps to achieve her goals and leave an everlasting mark on her school and community. Wren’s enrollment in Honors, Advanced Placement, and Dual Credit courses has molded her into a better student by developing fundamental skills and setting herself up for the college-bound path. Her triumph in these classes has granted her a 4.4 GPA, and she is currently on track to graduate as a Platinum Alpha, the highest honor a senior can receive by maintaining a 4.5 GPA.

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ALTON - Ania Sneed of Marquette Catholic High School was one of the Students of the month for March 2025 at a regular meeting of the Rotary Club of Alton-Godfrey at Gentelin’s on Broadway Restaurant. These were comments by Sneed about the honor: "My name is Ania Sneed, and I am a Class of 2025 senior at Marquette Catholic High School. Throughout high school, I have dedicated myself to academic excellence, leadership, and creative growth. With a 4.24 GPA, I have maintained straight A’s and earned the distinction of high honor roll all four years. I am a proud member of Marquette’s National Honor Society and the National Society of High School Scholars. My passion for learning has led me to take several honors and dual-credit courses in history and English, allowing me to challenge myself and expand my perspective. "Beyond academics, service and creativity have been central to my journey. I have completed over 143 hours of community service, reflecting my commitment

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O'FALLON - Members of the Looking Glass Prairie Chapter, NSDAR, want the local community to appreciate their local library. In honor of National Library Week, April 6-12, four members of the chapter visited the O’Fallon Public Library and presented a yard sign displaying the library’s importance to chapter members. “Our members and their families rely on the library in a multitude of ways,” said Melissa McArthur, the chapter’s registrar and librarian. “We want the library workers to know how much they are needed and appreciated in today’s world. We especially appreciate coordinating with them for displays and ensuring sufficient copies of books are available for the chapter book club meetings.”

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MASCOUTAH - State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) is proud to announce Wisper ISP as his “Business of The Month” for March. Rep. Schmidt presented an official certificate to CEO Nathan Stooke while visiting his company for a meeting and tour. In 2003, Nathan Stooke helped his neighbor obtain internet access and realized several others around his rural area were in demand too. Twenty-one years and six states later, Wisper is still connecting those that need reliable, high-speed internet. “Wisper ISP is an honest company that strives to deliver affordable and reliable services to individuals who need high-speed internet, specifically in rural locations,” said Schmidt. “Nathan Stooke basically started his company from scratch over twenty years ago and now he has created good paying jobs in Mascoutah. The company’s success comes from their core values of focusing on solutions, serving one another, and becoming life-long learners.”

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For the morning coffee drinkers out there, a recent study found there may be one more reason to enjoy that first cup of the day. In a study of over 40,000 people in a national health survey, researchers found that morning coffee drinkers had a lower risk of dying prematurely than non-coffee drinkers. And the biggest beneficiaries might be those who drank coffee only in the morning rather than throughout the day. Of course, these findings are from a single study, so further research is needed on the timing of coffee drinking. At the same time, this new study adds to a large and growing amount of research showing that coffee drinking overall can have many health benefits. That could sound a little surprising. For whatever reason, coffee can still feel like one of those things we enjoy but that may not be good for us. Yet coffee has over 1,000 compounds that could aid health. Among other possible benefits, these compounds could help improve the gut microbiome, ease inflammation, hel

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Letter To The Editor: National Library Week, April 6-12, 2025, is a celebration highlighting the valuable role libraries, librarians, and library workers play in transforming lives and strengthening our communities. In 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a proclamation declaring March 16 – 22 as National Library Week. In his proclamation, President Eisenhower declared National Library Week as, “A time for the appraisal of community needs for library services and of the means for meeting them, for encouraging the development of a better-read, better-informed citizenry, and for rededication to that fine public service that has always been characteristic of the libraries of America.” Now more than ever, libraries provide a place for communities to learn, work, and play. Yes, we still offer books, but we also offer so much more. Step inside your library to see a hive of information, community, entertainment, and technology. This year’s National Library

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April 5 and 6 have witnessed a plethora of significant events throughout history, spanning various realms such as politics, science, arts, and humanitarian efforts. The year 1965 marked a transformative moment in the realm of international diplomacy. On April 5, the United States escalated its military involvement in Vietnam, sending additional troops to support the South Vietnamese government against the communist North. This decision, part of the larger context of the Cold War, would lead to an intense and controversial conflict that shaped American foreign policy and domestic politics for years to come. The Vietnam War sparked protests and debates over military intervention, civil rights, and the moral implications of warfare, leaving an indelible mark on American society. Fast forward to 1976, when the world witnessed another significant event: the launch of the first-ever portable computer, the IBM 5100. This groundbreaking piece of technology was a precursor to the personal

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EDWARDSVILLE - The man with an ingenious ecological and humanitarian idea that became a movement, caused his concepts to travel around the world and earn him the title, “Father of the Modern Sustainability Movement.” The pioneering legacy of the renowned visionary inventor R. Buckminster Fuller was applauded and his theories and beliefs revisited and discussed during a five-day conference at the Fuller Dome, Center for Spirituality and Sustainability (CSS) on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, according to CSS Manager Tovia Black. The Fuller Dome observed 90th Day programs that began Thursday, March 27 and culminated on Monday, March 31, the 90th day of the year on the planet’s 90th meridian. The event was supported by the SIUE Chancellor’s Office. The Fuller Dome’s miniature-earth geodesic dome was designed by Fuller, a Southern Illinois University professor from 1959-1975, to straddle the planet’s 90th longitudinal meridian

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SPRINGFIELD – As spring sets in and more people head outside, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is reminding everyone to leave baby birds and young animals alone when they encounter them in the wild. Well-intentioned people may believe they’re helping nature by taking possession of young rabbits, fawn deer, baby birds and other animals that appear to be orphaned or abandoned. However, in nearly all cases, human intervention does more to hurt animals than to help. Young birds and animals are still being fed and cared for by their parents, who usually stay away from nests and dens if humans are nearby. “The most helpful thing people can do for wildlife is to enjoy the animals through observation, not interference,” said IDNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie. “If you really care about the animals, just leave them alone when you come across them in nature.” The Illinois Wildlife Code provides legal protection for wildlife. Keeping

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC)—issued the following statement in response to the Department of Defense (DoD) Acting Inspector General Steven Stebbins announcing an investigation into Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s use of Signal, an unclassified, commercially-available messaging app, to discuss specific details about a U.S. military strike in Yemen: “Of course, this obvious leak of classified information by the Secretary of Defense himself must be investigated. Not just by the DoD Inspector General, but by the FBI and Congress as well—and I'll keep pushing for accountability from these senior Trump officials who continue to put our troops and national security at risk.” Since he was first nominated and throughout his confirmation hearing , Duckworth has made it clear that Secretary

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PONTOON BEACH – In response to the upcoming IL-111 & I-270 interchange reconstruction, Madison County Transit (MCT) will implement several service adjustments beginning Sunday, May 11, 2025, to preserve reliable, convenient transit access throughout the construction period. Construction is expected to impact travel from May through October 2025. To minimize disruption and enhance service flexibility, MCT is expanding its MCT Micro service and restructuring routes serving affected areas. These updates aim to ensure passengers can continue reaching their destinations with as much ease as possible. Building on the success of last fall’s new MCT Micro service in Collinsville, MCT will be launching MCT Micro – Bethalto | Cottage Hills, an on-demand microtransit zone creating more convenient access to transit within Bethalto and Cottage Hills, as well as the introduction of service in Rosewood Heights. Passengers will also have the flexibility to schedule rides to the Mai

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SPRINGFIELD - Patients in central and southern Illinois will now have expanded access to expert kidney care, as SIU Medicine expands its nephrology specialty services. SIU Medicine Nephrology will provide high-quality kidney care, supported by the strength of academic medicine and a team-based approach to treatment. SIU Medicine Nephrology will offer comprehensive kidney health services, including management of chronic kidney disease, oversight of dialysis treatments and referrals for transplant care. Patients will continue to receive care from their trusted providers, who were previously affiliated with Central Illinois Kidney and Dialysis: Oritsegbubemi Adekola, MD Vikram Bhatti, MD Xueguang G. Chen, MD Max Nutt, MD Nirali Ramani, MD “The integration of kidney care services with our existing service lines allows us to provide seamless, highly coordinated care to SIU Medicine patients needing specialized kidney care,” said John Flack, MD, MPH, chair of the Department

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GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College is excited to host its inaugural comic and pop culture convention, Blazer Con, from 1-8 p.m., Saturday, April 12, 2025, in the George C. Terry River Bend Arena on the Godfrey Campus. The event is free and open to the public. Register today at https://lcedu.jotform.com/team/blazer-con/attendee-registration to secure your limited edition Blazer Con 2025 badge and lanyard featuring student-designed artwork. Badges are required for entry. “Blazer Con is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in a world of sci-fi, fantasy, and pop culture,” Blazer Con creator and Media Specialist Jared Smilack said. “Whether you’re a die-hard D&D enthusiast, a video game aficionado, or someone who loves great food and socializing, there’s something for everyone.” Blazer Con will feature a diverse range of vendors and activities. Attendees can enjoy a variety of food options to satisfy their cravings, providing

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Museum (ISM) is excited to announce the donation of a collection of items from President Abraham Lincoln’s extended family in Springfield. These family belongings are donated by descendants of the Hickox-Edwards families in memory of Catharine Officer Saxe Loucks. Passed down through five generations, they offer an exciting glimpse into the social and familial relationships of Lincoln’s Springfield. “These items tell the story of people who helped shape Illinois history,” said ISM Director Jenn Edginton. “The Illinois State Museum is thrilled to receive such an amazing donation. We cannot wait to share it with the people of Illinois.” The donated items represent the families of Virgil and Catharine Hickox and Ninian and Elizabeth Todd Edwards. They were passed down through the descendants of Charles and Mary Hickox Edwards, who married in 1868. Elizabeth Todd Edwards was the oldest sister of Mary Todd Lincoln;

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