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Did you know that more than 145 million Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged each year in the United States alone? This staggering figure only scratches the surface of what has become a multi-billion dollar industry centered around love and affection. Yet, beneath the glossy surface of red roses and heart-shaped chocolates lies a tapestry of history woven with ancient customs, cultural shifts, and surprising origins. What if the traditions we hold dear today are not what they seem? The Ancient Roots of Romance To truly understand Valentine’s Day, one must journey back to its early beginnings. The origins of this celebration can be traced to the Roman festival of Lupercalia, which took place in mid-February. This ancient festival was a rite of fertility, where young men would draw names from a jar to pair with women for the duration of the festival. Such practices highlight a time when love was seen as a more communal and less romantic affair. As the centuries passed,

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February 12, 2025, marks an extraordinary day in the annals of history, as it commemorates significant events that have shaped the world in various ways. Moving back in time, February 12, 1809, was the birth date of two prominent figures: Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln. While they were born in different parts of the world and would go on to lead vastly different lives, both men would leave indelible marks on history. Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection fundamentally changed the way we understand life on Earth, while Lincoln's leadership during the American Civil War and his commitment to abolishing slavery redefined the values of justice and equality in the United States. Fast forward to February 12, 1947, when the first-ever successful test flight of a jet aircraft took place. The Boeing 377 Stratocruiser took to the skies, marking a significant milestone in aviation history. This event signaled the dawn of a new era in air travel, enabling faster and more

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BUZZ MAGAZINE – If you’re like me, when you want to dine out, your first choice is always a locally owned restaurant, no matter what town you are in. We even look for them when we travel. These culinary gems seem to be fewer and farther between these days but I have some good news. A new, locally owned restaurant has recently opened in downtown Litchfield, and with just a little more than a month under their proverbial belt, customers are giving them rave reviews! “Very good food! Large portions and great prices too. We will definitely be back!!” “Had the fried pickles and taco salad tonight. Everything including the service was great.” “We had the appetizers, loaded fries with bacon & cheese and the mozzarella sticks. They were fabulous! I had the pulled pork baked potato. The food was delicious & the service was great! The server was so super sweet.” Litchfield is Montgomery County’s shopping hub, conveniently located

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BUZZ MAGAZINE – The Negro Leagues have only recently received their due in baseball history, as their story, in a time when blacks were barred from Major League Baseball, was pushed aside. One franchise, however, always found a way to stand out. The Kansas City Monarchs were one of the elite teams of the Negro League era, loaded with talent that went on to star in the majors. Thirteen former Monarchs are in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Until Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947, blacks were excluded from the majors, partly due to the influence of dictatorial MLB commissioner Kennesaw Mountain Landis, who fought to keep baseball all-white. The barrier prevented many of the game’s top players from ever appearing in a Major League game, based on their skin color. Many of these players ended up in the Negro Leagues, a loose confederation of seven baseball associations that dates to 1920. Black baseball, however, traces its roots to 1885 with the Cuban Black Giants, considered

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BUZZ MAGAZINE – This season has brought the usual snow and cold weather to much of Illinois. It’s nothing compared to the Year of the Deep Snow. That fateful winter, also called the “Big Snow,” in 1830-31 was so severe that it became a defining moment in the early history of Illinois. Over 190 years later, it remains a standard by which other winters are judged in the state. “The pioneers who lived through the Deep Snow never forgot the experience,” said Dr. Samuel Wheeler, an acclaimed research historian from Springfield. “It was almost a badge of honor to say you lived through it. They measured time based on that winter.” Remarkably, the fall of 1830 was unseasonably warm, as were several previous winters. But the winter of 1830-31 packed a wallop. On December 20, a cold rain began to fall and lasted for four days, sometimes changing to an icy mix. On Christmas Eve, however, the conditions began to deteriorate. Accounts of that winte

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois State Police are advising the public that a winter storm with the potential for several inches of snow is anticipated Wednesday, creating slick and slippery conditions, reduced visibility and longer travel times across much of the state. The team from IDOT will be plowing and treating roads throughout the event, but the public should be prepared and consider adjusting travel plans, especially during the height of the storm in the afternoon and evening.

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GODFREY - Three mayoral candidates addressed the Village of Godfrey’s successes and challenges at a recent candidate forum. On Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, Godfrey Mayor Mike McCormick and challengers Beth Johnes and Trustee Craig Lombardi gathered at Lewis and Clark Community College for the forum, hosted by the East End Improvement Association. The three candidates introduced themselves and answered five questions posed by the audience before delivering closing remarks. “We’re doing this to introduce the candidates to the community and then hopefully to increase the voting here in the Godfrey-Alton area,” said Steve Schwartz with the East End Improvement Association. “I invite everyone to go out and vote.” The consolidated election is scheduled for Tuesday, April 1, 2025. Beth Johnes Johnes introduced herself as a lifelong Alton-Godfrey resident. She is a member of St. Mary’s Church and a graduate from Marquette Catholic High School

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GLEN CARBON – The Glen Carbon Road shared use path project is getting closer to construction as the village seeks additional funding for Phase 1. At Tuesday’s Village Board meeting, Public Works Director Scott Slemer said construction may start this summer. “We’re one step closer to getting this built,” Slemer said. “This project is anticipated to bid on the March letting, it should be under construction by June of 2025, and the extents of this phase are Schon Poark to the Lakewood Estates subdivision.” Phase 1 improvements will span 0.28 miles of Glen Carbon Road from Oakdale Lake Drive to Lakewood Drive. The project’s second phase would extend the shared use path from Lakewood Drive to Mark Trail Drive. Once fully completed, the path will connect Schon Park and Route 159. Trustees on Tuesday unanimously approved a joint funding agreement for federally funded construction between the village and IDOT for the project’s first

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EDWARDSVILLE - Sophomore guard Kennedy Gieseking is perhaps the most important player who comes off the bench for the girls' basketball team at Edwardsville, and makes very important contributions to the success of the Tigers. In a game on Feb. 4, 2025, against Collinsville, Gieseking scored seven points off the bench, including a key three, as the Tigers took control in an 18-0 run in the third quarter to defeat the Kahoks 55-26. In an Edwardsville win over East St. Louis two nights later, she scored two points in a 76-36 win over the Flyers and made good contributions to a Tigers win at Granite City on Friday night, making the Tigers' record 16-9. Kennedy is a Spencer Homes Female Athlete of the Month for Edwardsville. For the season, Gieseking is averaging 2.1 points and 1.8 rebounds per game, going along with three assists, eight steals, and a blocked shot. She's a very reliable player off the bench for the Tigers, and showed it in the win over the Kahoks, and was very pleased

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EDWARDSVILLE – The Edwardsville Police Department announced it made 1 Driving Under the Influence of Drugs arrest and issued five speeding citations during the recent Super Bowl enforcement campaign. One citation was issued for illegal transportation of alcohol and one citation was issued for illegal transportation of cannabis. Five other citations were issued during the enforcement period. The Super Bowl weekend “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Click It or Ticket” enforcement efforts ran from Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, through the early morning hours of Monday, Feb. 10, 2025. The goal was to keep impaired drivers off the roads and ensure more people buckle up and follow all traffic laws. “Motorists should understand the warning that we are serious about cracking down on impaired drivers and seat belt and other traffic safety law violators. We do it to save lives,” said Lt. Brandn Whittaker. The recent law enforcement campaign was made possibl

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ALTON - Mississippi Valley Christian School recently announced its decision to rebrand as Riverbend Christian Leadership Academy, and Administrator Tim Lee breaks down what this means for the school. Located at 2009 Seminary Street in Alton, the school serves students from preschool through high school. They offer a Christ-centered education for families across the Riverbend region. Lee emphasized that the changes are an opportunity to sustain the school for years to come. “We have been discussing what we need to do for sustainability in the future. We want to honor the heritage that we have,” Lee said. “With change comes fear. People fear what that change looks like. It’s not going to be the same that it always was, because the last time I came here, we were going bankrupt and going to not be existing at this point. So there are changes that we’re going to make and we’re going to make intentionally. Doesn’t change our mission. Doesn’t

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ALTON — The Alton Police Department has welcomed its newest member, Officer Allen Foster, who was officially sworn in by Chief Jarrett Ford. Foster will begin his training at the Illinois State Police Academy on Feb. 16, 2025. Chief Ford expressed enthusiasm about Foster's potential contributions to the community. "We’re excited to see him grow in his new career and serve the Alton community with dedication and integrity," Chief Ford said. As Foster embarks on this important step in his law enforcement career, the community is invited to congratulate him and extend their support.

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GRANITE CITY – A Granite City man faces multiple felonies for firing a weapon at an occupied vehicle in a residential neighborhood. Travion D. Brooks, 31, of Granite City, was charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm (a Class 1 felony) and reckless discharge of a firearm (a Class 4 felony) on Jan. 29, 2025. Brooks allegedly shot multiple times at a vehicle he knew was occupied. Court documents state he “repeatedly discharged a firearm in a densely populated residential neighborhood.” The “reckless manner” with which he discharged the weapon reportedly endangered the safety of neighborhood residents in the 2800 block of Iowa Street in Granite City. A petition was filed to keep Brooks detained, including a report from a neighbor who witnessed the incident unfold and indicated Brooks was the shooter. “Resident reported that his neighbor was outside arguing with a female and repeatedly discharged a firearm into her vehicle as she fled,”

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SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) is seeking nominations for the 2025 induction class of the Senior Illinoisans Hall of Fame, which honors the accomplishments of Illinois residents aged 65 and older. “Whether it's the teacher who goes the extra mile for their students or the neighbor who's always ready to lend a hand, our seniors are the backbone of our communities — embodying kindness, generosity, and ingenuity,” said Governor JB Pritzker . “Each year, my administration is proud to honor four older adults for their contributions in community service, education, arts, and labor by inducting them into the Senior Illinoisans Hall of Fame. I encourage everyone to take this opportunity to nominate the older adults in their lives whose impact deserves to be recognized and celebrated.” Each year, four older adults are inducted into the Hall of Fame for their work in the arts, sports, and entertainment; community service; education; or

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EDWARDSVILLE/JERSEYVILLE - More than 11,500 Iowa State University students have been recognized for outstanding academic achievement by being named to the fall semester 2024 Dean's List. Students named to the Dean's List must earn a grade point average of at least 3.50 on a 4.00 scale while carrying a minimum of 12 credit hours of graded course work. The following students are from our area: Edwardsville, Illinois Henry Lingafelter, Senior, Architecture, B.Arch. Christopher Merica, , Mechanical Engineering, B.S. Mitchell Steinkuehler, Senior, Mechanical Engineering, B.S. Jerseyville, Illinois Chloe Kallal, Sophomore, Event Management, B.S. Kendal Lacy, Sophomore, Industrial Design Undergraduate Pre-Major

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of both the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees—and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Peter Welch (D-VT) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) in introducing a resolution affirming that the Palestinian people have the right to self-determination and to express the sense of the Senate that the United States shall not deploy U.S. military assets or personnel to Gaza. The resolution rebuts President Donald Trump’s declared support for forcibly displacing millions of Palestinians. Trump did not rule out using U.S. military force to take over Gaza. “Although the President’s inner circle has tried to walk back his comments, Donald Trump continues to double down on his unhinged proposal to send

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CENTERVILLE — The City of Centerville has declared a snow emergency that will take effect from 10 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, and will remain in effect until 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. During this period, parking will be prohibited on all streets within the city limits to facilitate snow removal efforts. Centerville Police said residents are encouraged to arrange for off-street parking ahead of the emergency. While parking will be permitted on the square during normal business hours, any vehicle found parked on the street during the snow emergency may be towed, and the owner could face a citation. The Centerville Public Works Department will be working extended hours to ensure safe snow removal from roadways. Officials have requested that residents assist in this effort by relocating their vehicles during the snow emergency. The city has indicated that the snow emergency declaration may be adjusted based on the actual amount of snowfall received. Updates will be provided

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced a Germantown, Illinois man prosecuted by his office was sentenced to 32 years in prison for disseminating child sexual abuse material. Charles Huelsmann, 63, was sentenced Friday by Clinton County Circuit Court Judge Douglas Gruenke after previously pleading guilty to two Class X felony counts of dissemination of child pornography. “Child predators must be held accountable for their participation in the exploitation of innocent children,” Raoul said. “My office’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is committed to continued collaborations with local law enforcement agencies and state’s attorneys to keep Illinois’ families and communities safe.” Huelsmann was prosecuted as part of Attorney General Raoul’s ongoing efforts to apprehend offenders who download and trade child sexual abuse material online. Raoul’s investigators, along with officers from the Clinton County Sheriff’s

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ALTON - Community leaders and social service workers came together to learn more about homelessness in Madison County, including a proposal for a new shelter. On Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, Hand Up Housing (HUH) and Inner City Mission presented “Homelessness Reexamined,” a workshop focused on solutions to homelessness. Dani Robinette, executive director of HUH, and Scott Payne with Inner City Mission explained how homelessness has evolved and their plans to combat homelessness in Madison County. “We really want this day to be a larger continuation of a conversation we’ve been having for years in Madison County,” Payne said. “What I’m asking Madison County to do is come alongside Hand Up Housing and start looking at this. What I’m asking you to do is think about specific areas where you’d be willing to help.” In 2024, an outreach team with HUH identified 251 individuals who are experiencing street homelessness in Madison

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MASCOUTHAH - Ryan Cann is rallying support for his sister, Hannah Cann, and her boyfriend, Sebastian, who are facing a challenging situation as they prepare for the birth of their son. The couple, from Mascoutah, is navigating the complexities of a medical condition known as Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH), which was diagnosed at 34 weeks of pregnancy. CDH is a birth defect that occurs when the diaphragm does not fully form during fetal development, allowing abdominal organs to move into the chest cavity. This condition can impede lung development and typically requires immediate medical intervention after birth. The infant is expected to undergo special surgery upon delivery and may spend several months in the hospital. As of now, Hannah, the mother, is 36 weeks pregnant. The couple recently traveled to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Fla., recognized as the top hospital for treating CDH. Cann emphasized the urgency of their situation in a Facebook

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