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ALTON - Award-winning local author Tori Ross stopped by “Our Daily Show!” to talk about her newest book, a “steamy romance” titled “Baked and Burned.” Ross has written several romantic comedies and contemporary books. She said the writing is “totally entertainment,” and she enjoys sharing her work with readers. She hopes this most recent book, which explores a “pregnancy trope” after a one-night stand, will appeal to her audience. “It’s mostly romantic comedy, but very steamy,” she said. “That’s one of the reasons I did not pursue traditional publishing. A lot of times, traditional publishers will be like, ‘Eh, we don’t want this scene here. We want you to clean it up.’ I don’t want to clean it up. I want to make it dirty, because that’s what people like.” Ross began writing romance in 2021. She previously worked as a special education paraprofessional

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BETHALTO — Ross Laux is navigating a new chapter of his business career as a part owner of Fast Eddie's Bon-Air. Laux is now one of the owners of the Fast Eddie's operation with Eddie Sholar Jr. Ross shares his part of the ownership with his wife, Dawn. Eddie Sholar Jr. is the long-time owner of the business. Ross is now handling the day-to-day operations of Fast Eddie's. Laux's wife, Dawn, has taken charge of day-to-day operations at the Laux Brickhouse Grille, of which Ross is also an owner, while Ashley Coyle has been promoted to general manager at that location. Coyle has been with the establishment since its expansion. Ross said the shift allows him to focus on the operations at Fast Eddie's Bon-Air, where he aims to retain all the traditions of the legendary restaurant/bar. "We have upgraded the televisions," Laux said. "We have bigger TVs and put in DirecTV. We are not trying to be a sports bar; we are Fast Eddie's, but we think the changes will enable customers to bette

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This weekend, a vibrant array of events awaits in the region, offering something for everyone—from the spooky thrills of haunted trails to delightful community festivals and engaging library crawls. Discover the full lineup of exciting activities by visiting https://www.riverbender.com/events/ for a complete listing. If you want to make sure even more of the region is aware of your event email cj@riverbender.com and explore our range of Event Promotion Services! Featured Join the celebration at the St. Mary’s Church Oktoberfest , taking place from October 11 to 13, 2024, in Alton, Illinois. This year marks the 166th Anniversary of St. Mary’s Parish, and the event is open to the public with free admission. Experience the German heritage with live entertainment, traditional food, and exciting activities, including a 5k race and a special anniversary mass. Don't miss out on the chance to participate in the $10,000 sweepstakes and visit the various entertainment

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PONTOON BEACH – Madison County Transit (MCT) is proposing several adjustments to its service as part of the upcoming January 2025 Service Change. The proposed changes reflect passenger and operator feedback, the success of the MCT Micro pilot program in Collinsville, and the ever-changing demand of Madison County residents and communities. Among the proposed changes is a proposal to allow college and university students (with a valid student ID) to purchase and ride MCT buses with the MCT Student Monthly Pass – a fare product that is available for $15 each month. MCT is also proposing to make the MCT Micro service a permanent offering in Collinsville in light of the pilot’s success in providing a flexible and efficient transportation option. Other proposed MCT service adjustments for January include: MCT Micro in Collinsville : The popular pilot program in Collinsville is proposed to become a permanent service, replacing the #15 East Collinsville Shuttle.

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MADISON - A man from Madison has been granted pretrial release after being charged with his fifth offense of domestic battery. Sanchez Wooten, 39, of Madison, was charged with aggravated battery, a Class 2 felony, and domestic battery, his fifth or subsequent such offense and another Class 2 felony. On Sept. 12, 2024, Wooten allegedly strangled a household or family member and struck them in the back of the head with his hands, causing bodily harm. Wooten has previously been charged with domestic battery on four occasions, including twice in 2017 and once in 2021 in Madison County, as well as once in 2020 in St. Louis County, Mo. The Madison Police Department presented the latest domestic battery case against Wooten, who was granted pretrial release from custody. The issuance of charges is based solely upon probable cause and is not an indication of guilt. All subjects charged with criminal offenses are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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GRANITE CITY - A series of burglaries, stolen vehicles, property damage and more have led to nine felony charges being filed against a man from Granite City. Jacob L. Bronaugh, 28, of Granite City, was charged with the following on Sept. 30, 2024: Burglary (Class 2 felony) Unlawful possession of a stolen motor vehicle (Class 2 felony) Criminal damage to property (Class 3 felony) Burglary (Class 2 felony) Criminal damage to property (Class 4 felony) Criminal damage to property (Class 4 felony) Unlawful possession of a stolen motor vehicle (Class 2 felony) Unlawful possession of a stolen motor vehicle (Class 2 felony) Aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer (Class 4 felony) These charges stem from a series of offenses carried out throughout the month of August 2024. On Aug. 5, 2024, Bronaugh allegedly entered a building without authority on Horseshoe Lake Road in Pontoon Beach, which was property of Site One Landscaping Services, with th

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ALTON - A man from Alton has been charged with battery against a 12-year-old child and domestic battery against another victim in the same case. DeMario D. Greenlee, 32, of Alton, was charged with aggravated battery (a Class 4 felony) and domestic battery (a Class A misdemeanor). On Sept. 27, 2024, Greenlee allegedly struck a 12-year-old child “in the mouth with a closed fist, causing a laceration” after he threw a household or family member “to the ground, causing pain,” according to court documents. A petition to deny Greenlee’s pretrial release reveals the 12-year-old was struck while attempting to intervene during the domestic battery incident. “Victim reported that her boyfriend, the defendant, became angry during an argument and threw her to the ground,” the petition states. “Victim's 12-year-old son observed this and moved to intervene, and the defendant struck him in the face with a closed fist, causing a laceration.”

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ALTON - Porch Café will host its annual music festival in honor of Bud Summers this weekend. From 1–5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, community members are invited to the Alton Amphitheater for a free concert, complete with food trucks, craft vendors and more. All proceeds will go to the Bud Summers Music Foundation, a new local nonprofit that supports kids who want to play music. “There are so many stories. Everybody had a story about Bud,” said Jamie, one of the event organizers. “We get to hear so many different stories and it’s really cool to see everybody just pay a day of tribute to him. And the family has been very gracious. They’re very thankful. It’s for Bud, but it’s for all the local musicians.” Several bands will play at the festival, as well as solo acts who will perform in between the bands’ 45-minute sets. Jason McAtee, another organizer and member of the band Porch Café, teased that attendee

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TAMPA, FLA. - A man nicknamed "Lieutenant Dan" has captured quite a bit of attention in Tampa as Hurricane Milton heads to the area with a fury. Folks, keep Lieutenant Dan in your thoughts. With a sense of divine purpose, he says, “God told me to come out here and get a boat.” But there’s a catch — he doesn’t have a lifejacket. Dan isn't a strong swimmer — he’s missing a leg, much like the character from Forrest Gump . Despite this, he's convinced he’ll simply rise and fall with the floodwaters, not seeming to worry about the 180-mph winds, intense currents, or dangerous debris around him. Lieutenant Dan knows that people across the nation are concerned for his safety, but he compares himself to Noah. Last night, he was out on the water (spoiler alert: tidal knowledge is not his strong suit). These are the words on the GoFundMe for Lt. Dan: "Ahoy, mateys! We're rallying together to help our dear friend Lieutenant Dan who lives on

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ALTON - In the most recent episode of “You’re Beautiful” with Brian Trust, Michelle Albright spoke about finding joy through Christ. She believes that people have control over their own happiness, and they can find this happiness through their relationship with God. She encourages people to focus on building this relationship to experience joy. “You have to understand that there is hope,” she said. “Sometimes you have to look for it, but it’s there. You have to be willing to work for it. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.” Albright noted that there is a big difference between organized religion and one’s personal relationship with God. As a self-described “terrible Bible-reader,” Albright often connects to God through music. She believes that people need to focus on forming their own relationship with God. “First of all, there is a big difference between religion and a relationship,”

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MADISON COUNTY - A 22-year-old Millstadt man lost his life early Sunday, October 6, 2024, following a motorcycle crash near Interstate 55, according to Madison County Coroner Stephen P. Nonn. Dylan Hardin Stanley was identified as the sole occupant of a red 2024 Honda CBX 1000 motorcycle that crashed at the 34-mile marker. Nonn said the incident occurred when Stanley was traveling southbound on the frontage road, Old US Route 66, and for reasons still under investigation, he left the roadway and crashed into the median area adjacent to the interstate. Despite wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, he sustained significant injuries. Family members became concerned when Stanley did not return home and utilized a cell phone app to track his location. They discovered the crash scene and alerted emergency services at 2:41 a.m. this past Sunday. The Illinois State Police and Worden Fire Department responded to the call. Coroner's Office Investigator Sakina Vernor pronounced Stanley

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ALTON - Local Pampered Chef consultants banded together to provide a donation to The Salvation Army. On Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, The Salvation Army (TSA) received canned goods and a $3,200 donation from Pampered Chef. Gloria Vaughn, who oversees the TSA food pantry, noted that it’s more important than ever to help out the community. “Even though Alton is a small town, there are a lot of people that need assistance out here,” Vaughn said. “That is the purpose of The Salvation Army, to walk with Christ and to try to reach and embrace as many people as we can, to take that insecurity away from them, to make them comfortable with how life is going.” According to Vaughn, TSA’s food pantry serves around 300 people a month. They’ve seen a 20% increase in clients in recent months because of the rising costs of groceries. Michelle Anderson, a consultant with Pampered Chef, helped organize a fundraiser along with Robin Blackerby, Kathy Gleason,

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GODFREY - State Representative Amy Elik’s re-election campaign has been endorsed by several key labor and business groups. The Illinois Chamber of Commerce, National Federation of Independent Businesses, AFSCME Illinois, International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 150, Technology and Manufacturing Association, and the Illinois Manufacturers Association have all endorsed Elik’s campaign. Elik’s endorsements come as a testament to her commitment to pro-business policies and her strong advocacy for opportunities for workers. During her time in Springfield, Elik has built a reputation as a legislator who fights for economic growth, fiscal responsibility, and the creation of good-paying jobs in the 111th district and across the state. Her record includes voting to support job-creating initiatives, opposing tax hikes on small businesses, and backing reforms aimed at improving Illinois’ business climate. “I’m proud of every endorsement I have

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CHICAGO – Double double toil and trouble. An Illinois iLottery player doubled their Powerball prize by adding the game’s Power Play feature – and is now pocketing a cool $2 million. The winning Powerball ticket was purchased online for the Monday, October 7 drawing and matched all five numbers in the drawing to win $1 million. Plus, the player added the Power Play feature, which doubled their prize – scoring a $2 million prize. The winning numbers were: 18-30-31-52-63. Winners have one year from the date of the winning draw to claim their prize. So far in 2024, more than 2.3 million winning Powerball tickets have been bought by Illinois Lottery players, with prizes amounting to over $26.2 million. The next Powerball drawing is tonight, with an estimated jackpot of $336 million. Powerball tickets are $2 each, and players have the option to add the Power Play feature for an additional $1 for the chance to multiply non-jackpot prizes. Powerball drawings

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ALTON - A series of serious felonies have been filed against an Alton man accused of home invasion, domestic battery, and more. Clarence L. McCray Jr., 41, of Alton, was charged on Oct. 1, 2024 with home invasion (a Class X felony), aggravated domestic battery (a Class 2 felony), and theft (a Class 3 felony). A petition was filed to deny McCray’s pretrial release. It describes the incident, which occurred on Sept. 30, 2024, as follows: “Victim reported that her ex-boyfriend entered her apartment without permission and damaged her property,” the petition states. “He then struck her face and threw her to the ground, strangling her. Defendant then fled, taking the victim's cell phone.” The petition adds McCray has “a long history of domestic violence” including three prior Madison County criminal cases. McCray committed his latest domestic battery offense while on conditional pretrial release for battery of the same victim. McCray’s

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ALTON - Get your tickets now for the first-ever Great Rivers & Routes Craft Beverage Festival celebrating local craft beverage producers on Saturday, Nov. 2 from Noon to 4 p.m. at Old Bakery Beer Co, 400 Landmarks Blvd., Alton. A limited number of tickets are available for the festival which features signature pours from craft beer, wine and spirits producers based in southwest Illinois. Tickets are $25 and include a commemorative glass, drinks paired with food from local restaurants. There are $10 tickets available for designated drivers which includes a glass, non-alcoholic drinks and food. Purchase tickets online at: https://www.riversandroutes.com/things-to-do/buy-tickets/ “We have a wide range of craft beverage producers in the Great Rivers & Routes region who put a lot of time, energy and talent into their signature pours,” Cory Jobe, President/CEO of the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau says. “They deserve a festival dedicated to showcasing their craftsmanshi

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SPRINGFIELD – Today, the Illinois Education Association (IEA), the largest education organization in Illinois, will release data from a Red for Ed membership poll showing nearly 60% of teachers, higher education professors and education support staff are considering leaving the profession. This news comes amid a critical teacher and support staff shortage both in Illinois and nationwide. “This data should set off massive alarm bells for parents, students and community members. We are in a dire situation with teacher and support staff shortages. We know districts cannot attract and retain enough talented adults to work with our students,” IEA President Al Llorens said. The data show: 94% of IEA members work additional hours outside their contractual workday. 97% spend their own money on supplies for their students and classrooms, with one in four educators spending at least $500 on things like pencils, furniture and hygiene products. 59% are considering

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GRANITE CITY - Granite City High School congratulates four graduates who are entering the GCHS Wall of Fame Class of 2024. Thomas Miner Jr. (Class of 1990), James V. Rooney (Class of 1996), Cory L. Simpson, Md, PhD (Class of 1999) and Sharon (Koesterer) Van Meter, W.M.C.S. (Class of 1975 North) will be honored on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024 during induction ceremonies in the GCHS atrium. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., dinner will be served at 6 p.m., followed by the induction ceremony at 7 p.m. To reserve a table of eight seats for $200, please email GCHS Wall of Fame Chair Daren DePew: depewdaren1@gmail.com Thomas Miner Jr. - Class of 1990 Thomas Miner Jr. is a former Colonel in the United States Air Force (USAF), a position he held until his retirement in 2020. While in the USAF he served as the commander of five organizations. He had the honor and privilege of leading the air forces’ premier global airborne contingency response unit, nuclear security for the nation’s largest

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Welcome to another edition of This Day in History! Today, we take a look at October 9th, a date that has witnessed a remarkable array of historical milestones across the globe. In 1967, the revolutionary figure Che Guevara was executed in Bolivia. Guevara, an Argentine Marxist revolutionary, was instrumental in the Cuban Revolution alongside Fidel Castro. His legacy continues to spark debate and admiration, representing a symbol of rebellion and the fight against imperialism. His death on this day marked the end of an era for many who viewed him as a beacon of hope for oppressed people worldwide. Another significant event occurred on October 9th, 1986, when the American singer and songwriter John Lennon was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Lennon, a member of the legendary band The Beatles, was a cultural icon whose music and activism left an indelible mark on the music industry and society at large. His induction into the Hall of Fame was a recognition

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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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