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CHICAGO – The Illinois Office of Tourism today released its annual Illinois Made Holiday Gift Guide , highlighting 16 small businesses statewide that are part of the Illinois Made program, just in time for Small Business Saturday on Nov. 30th. The 2024 guide features a variety of handcrafted items and homemade goods, each reflecting the diversity of Illinois’ local businesses. From artisanal candles and essential oils to savory treats and seasonal coffee blends, this guide celebrates the unique craftsmanship of small businesses across the state. “Small businesses are the backbone of Illinois’ economy, and through this annual guide we’re helping both visitors and residents discover the incredible Makers in every corner of our state,” said Kristin Richards, Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) . “By discovering the items featured in the Illinois Made Holiday Gift Guide, holiday shoppers can support

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EDWARDSVILLE - Two individuals from out of state face the same set of felony charges in two separate but related cases of money laundering. Michael J. Reese, 40, of Moreno Valley, Calif., and Lester A. Vega, 47, of Fort Worth, Texas, were charged with two counts each of money laundering, all classified as Class 1 felonies. On Nov. 13, 2024, the two allegedly drove a Freightliner tractor-trailer through Madison County, Illinois. The vehicle was reportedly carrying approximately $255,000 in U.S. currency which was placed “in heat-sealed bags hidden behind a refrigerator.” According to court documents, the currency had been “criminally derived” and was concealed in an effort “to avoid a transaction reporting requirement.” The charges against both individuals were filed on Nov. 15, 2024. Both have since been granted pretrial release from custody. The issuance of charges is based solely upon probable cause and is not an indication of guilt.

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GRAFTON - Grafton’s newest police officer was sworn in at the City Council meeting on Tuesday night, November 19, 2024. Officer Daniel Meredith graduated from the police academy in 2016 and worked as a full-time certified officer in Belleville, Illinois before coming to the Grafton police department in April 2024. The city is happy to officially welcome Officer Meredith to the force. The City Council accepted the retirement of Police Chief Eric Spanton, who has faithfully served the city and residents of Grafton since 2017 when he had just retired as a 28-year veteran of the Illinois State Police. The community is grateful for his service and guidance during his term of office. Grafton has greatly benefited from his experience and leadership and the police department is on solid footing because of these attributes. SGT Dave Womack was sworn in as Interim Chief of Police and will work with retired Chief Spanton to ensure good communication and a smooth transition. SGT Womack

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EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County Police Officer Isom Thomas Gillham is finally receiving recognition after being killed in the line of duty in 1852. During the Madison County Board’s regular meeting on Nov. 20, 2024, Madison County Sheriff Jeff Connor shared information about Gillham, one of the first police officers to be killed in the line of duty in Madison County. Connor explained that Gillham will be recognized on the Madison County Fallen Officer Memorial that they are currently working to build at the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. “We’ve recently been working to create a new Fallen Officer Memorial in front of the Sheriff’s Office, and in that process, we’ve been doing some research, locating a Madison County Sheriff Constable we found out that had been killed in the line of duty that was not recognized,” Connor said. “And what we found out is that on Dec. 11, 1852, we found the deputy that was killed in the line of duty in

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ST. LOUIS - The Precautionary Boil Water Advisory that was issued by the City of St. Louis Water Division on Nov. 19, 2024 for portions of North and South city has been lifted effective 8 p.m. on Nov. 20, 2024. The Water Division conducted several tests on water samples collected in the affected areas and has verified the water is not contaminated and is safe to consume.

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ST. LOUIS - After more than a year of soliciting ideas and feedback from the public, the Board of Aldermen will now determine how to direct the Rams settlement to address a range of resident-backed, city-wide priorities. Members of the public identified six priority areas for funding in January 2024. The most important issues to residents were water and street infrastructure, Downtown streets and sidewalks, subsidized child care for city residents, and the establishment of a revolving redevelopment loan fund to support distressed areas throughout the city. Public hearings on specific topics began in May 2024 where experts and advocates presented the estimated cost of those ideas and their feasibility. Previous public hearings held in Fall 2023 reported on data collected on priority challenges identified by residents and which resident-submitted policy ideas received the greatest support. The final online phase of the public engagement process invites the public to review legislative

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EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is releasing an economic impact report, which shows SIUE’s role as an economic engine in the Southern Illinois region and St. Louis Metropolitan Area. SIUE leaders will also share details of future growth potential in the area. Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD, will address the following: A 2023 fiscal year report that includes generated revenue, job growth and SIUE students, personnel and visitor expenditures in the surrounding area SIUE’s commitment to community and the region Return on investment for students, the State of Illinois and the 60% of SIUE alumni who continue to reside in the area SIUE Points of Pride and Public Impacts Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Jebaraj Asirvatham, PhD, in agricultural and applied economics and Scott Gilbert, PhD, in economics, who authored the report, will be in attendance. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville provides students with a high-quality

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EDWARDSVILLE - During their regular meeting on Nov. 20, 2024, the Madison County Board approved the 2025 budget summary. The total budget for Financial Year 2025 is $187,531,116. Chris Guy, the chair of the Finance Committee, provided context about the budget. “This is the eighth year in a row since 2017, when the county chairmanship changed and the majority of the Board flipped, this is the eighth year in a row that a zero tax levy hike has taken place,” Guy said. “I think we should commend this Board, administration and all department heads and county employees who work with everybody on passing another balanced budget without a property tax levy hike.” Guy noted that the flat levy is $30.7 million, which is $3 million lower than ten years ago. He said this was “something to be commended” considering inflation and other rising prices. “When you look at your tax bill and you look at your levy, and your property taxes have gone up

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ST. LOUIS – Boeing has announced it is set to lay off nearly 700 workers across Missouri, with the reductions scheduled to begin on January 7, 2025. The aerospace company filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) with Missouri’s Office of Workforce Development on Wednesday, outlining the affected locations, which include Berkeley, Hazelwood, Kansas City, Kingsville, Maryland Heights, O’Fallon, St. Charles, St. Louis City, and St. Ann. The layoffs are part of Boeing's broader strategy to adjust its workforce in response to financial challenges and a shift in business priorities. “As previously announced, we are adjusting our workforce levels to align with our financial reality and a more focused set of priorities,” a Boeing spokesperson said. The spokesperson emphasized the company's commitment to supporting employees during this transition. Most of the 692 employees affected by the layoffs are expected to depart the company in mid-January.

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Thanksgiving is a time for gathering with loved ones, sharing hearty meals, and expressing gratitude. While the feast often takes center stage, desserts hold a special place in the hearts of many. A well-selected dessert can serve as the perfect ending to a celebratory meal, leaving guests satisfied and happy. With a variety of options, from traditional pies to modern treats, there’s something for everyone. In this guide, we will explore the best Thanksgiving dessert ideas that can elevate your holiday gathering. Classic Thanksgiving Pies Pumpkin Pie No Thanksgiving table is complete without the iconic pumpkin pie. This classic dessert boasts a creamy, spiced filling made from pureed pumpkin, eggs, and a blend of warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Traditionally served with a dollop of whipped cream, pumpkin pie is loved for its rich flavor and comforting texture. To elevate the experience, consider using a homemade crust or adding a sprinkle of toasted pecans for

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On November 21st, we pause to reflect on a series of significant events that have shaped our world across various categories. One of the most pivotal events occurred in 1964, when the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. This landmark resolution was a significant step in the global fight against racial injustice, promoting equality and dignity for all people, regardless of their race or ethnicity. The declaration was part of a broader movement during the 1960s aimed at addressing the deep-rooted issues of segregation and discrimination that plagued many societies around the world. The adoption of this declaration was a clear message from the international community that racism would no longer be tolerated. In the realm of technology, November 21, 1996, marked the launch of the first version of the popular web browser, Internet Explorer 3.0, by Microsoft. This release was a game-changer in the world of technology,

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SPRINGFIELD - As technological innovation continues to advance, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources cautions hunters to be mindful of rules and best practices surrounding the use of technology in the field. This includes the use of drones for recovering wildlife, artificial intelligence for reviewing hunting laws, and e-bikes to access hunting sites. Drones The use of unmanned aircraft, or drones, for any aspect of hunting or recovery of wildlife is unlawful in Illinois. “Not only is drone use for hunting unlawful in Illinois, it goes against the spirit of fair chase and widely accepted hunting ethics,” said Jed Whitchurch, director of the IDNR Office of Law Enforcement. “Illinois Conservation Police officers are monitoring for drone use during the fall and winter hunting seasons. We encourage all hunters to familiarize themselves with the Wildlife Code and abide by the law.” The unlawful use of drones for hunting could result in enforcement action,

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EAST ST LOUIS - At approximately 4 a.m. on Tuesday, the East St. Louis Fire Department responded to a reported fire at a vacant commercial building located in the 400 block of North 33rd Street. Firefighters encountered heavy flames emanating from the top floor of the two-story structure. All three fire companies were dispatched to the scene, where they initiated a quick and aggressive interior fire attack. Their efforts were focused on containing the blaze, which was successfully limited to the top floor of the building. However, firefighters faced significant challenges due to numerous walled-over doors and holes in the upper level. The firefighting operation lasted about three hours, during which crews worked diligently to locate and extinguish any remaining hotspots. Firefighters also conducted overhaul procedures to ensure that the fire was fully under control and that no lingering threats remained. The cause of the fire has not been determined.

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ALTON — The Alton High and Marquette Catholic High School boys soccer teams united for a cause greater than competition and on Tuesday night, Nov. 19, 2024, their efforts concluded. The boys sold T-shirts during their annual rivalry match to raise funds for the Alton Police K-9 program. The proceeds from this initiative will honor Officer Odin, a K-9 who was killed in a shooting earlier in the year. The boys donated $1,100 to the Alton Police K-9 unit. Greg Nasello, head boys soccer coach at Alton High, emphasized the importance of community engagement through sports. “Kids need to learn life lessons out of sports," Coach Nasello said. "Giving back to the community is just as important as taking from it. I think our kids do a good job of that.” This year marks another time that the Marquette Catholic and Alton's boys soccer teams have sold T-shirts for their rivalry match and donated to a cause. According to Amy Lombardi of the Alton Athletic Association, last year's

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) spoke from the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives in honor of Rural Health Month to call out predatory drug middlemen called Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) for squeezing out rural community pharmacists through unfair and anticompetitive business practices. WATCH: Budzinski Calls Out Predatory Drug Middlemen on House Floor Earlier this month, Congresswoman Budzinski hosted a roundtable with independent pharmacists, pharmacy students and faculty at the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) School of Pharmacy to discuss PBMs. One local pharmacist who spoke at the roundtable was Michelle Dyer, the owner of Michelle’s Pharmacy in Carlinville, IL. In 2009, Michelle expanded her business to Gillespie and in 2016, she opened a pharmacy in Bunker Hill – a community that had been without pharmacy service for over 25 years. However, as PBMs consolidated and poached patients

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HARDIN - The Calhoun Sheriff's Office has issued charges after a long investigation of a sexual assault case. The timeline on the case goes as follows: On October 22nd, 2024, the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office was notified of a Sexual Assault which was alleged to have occurred on October 20th, 2024, in the 900 block of Herren St., Hardin, Calhoun County. The victim came into the Sheriff’s Office and was interviewed by Chief Deputy Zach Hardin, and subsequently escorted to Alton Memorial Hospital for a sexual assault examination. Following the initial investigation, an arrest warrant was issued for the suspect identified by the victim. The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office was further notified that the suspect had left the area and returned to his home, located in the area of Pineville, Louisiana. Chief Deputy Hardin contacted the Pineville Police Department, who immediately assisted in the investigation. On October 30th, 2024, Pineville Police Department took

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GRAFTON - After nearly a decade of service and seafood, Grafton Oyster Bar owner Brad Hagen said business is still booming at one of the only floating restaurants in the state of Illinois. “The Oyster Bar’s doing wonderful - it’s busy like the rest of Grafton right now,” he said, noting an uptick in tourism in recent years. “Grafton’s always been a destination place on the weekends, but it seems like over the past few years, we’ve just continued to get more and more tourism coming through our town,” he added. “Our community, the Chamber of Commerce, they all work so hard to promote that tourism, and it’s really paid off for us.” Featuring a wide-ranging menu of seafood specialties, sandwiches, salads, and a drink menu with beer, wine, and cocktails, the Oyster Bar offers something for everyone. “I’m big on the seafood part of it - I really like the char-grilled oysters,” Hagen said.

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GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College’s Professor of Sociology Paula Kelso is the winner of the 2024 Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award. Each year, Emerson Electric Company sponsors the Excellence in Teaching Awards program to recognize educators in the St. Louis metropolitan area – from kindergarten teachers to college professors – who are examples of excellence in their field. Kelso was shocked and humbled when her win was announced. “I was so surprised, but thrilled and honored to be acknowledged,” she said. Liberal Arts, Business and Information Technology Dean Randy Gallaher was pleased about Kelso’s win. “I am delighted that Professor Kelso will represent Lewis and Clark Community College as the Emerson Award winner,” he said. “Paula’s sociology courses are very popular, and she has an excellent reputation among students.” Kelso started her undergraduate degree at Millikin University, but ultimately

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GRAFTON - Two local business owners - Paula with Lady Luck Designs & Photography and Jesse with J. Weller Removal & Junk -shared more about their businesses on Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com . Paula said she’s worked in photography and graphic design for several years, and decided one day to take the leap and start working for herself. “Several years ago, I was managing a little bar down the street off the river called the Clifton Terrace Inn,” she said. “I was working myself into the ground making another person rich … I realized then and there, if I can work that hard for somebody, I can work that hard for me. She said she’s always loved Grafton and felt she had something unique to offer her community. During the pandemic, she “dove deep” into building her own business; she emerged as the proud owner of Lady Luck Designs & Photography, which remains in business two and a half years later. Paula can handle everything

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EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville- Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (SIU SDM) proudly supported 84 veterans last week with their annual Veterans Dental Care Day, which offered free services provided to local area veterans on Thursday, Nov. 14. Dental care included cleanings, fillings, extractions and imaging, free of charge. According to Katie Kosten, DMD, director of Community Dentistry in the SIU SDM, the total value of community care was $43,479. As the patients filed in, many began sharing stories with each other. The festively decorated SDM welcomed the veterans with sweet treats, a spray of balloons and warm smiles that greeted them. While they waited for their appointed turn in the dental chair, stories were swapped like baseball cards. Bob Hope performing on a battleship turret, chants from the USMC, taps every night at ten — a few years ago for some, a faraway place for others. “We had the fastest battleship of all

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