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Did you know that Americans spent an estimated $21.8 billion on Valentine’s Day in 2022? While the flowers, chocolates, and fancy dinners are lovely gestures of affection, they often come with a hefty price tag. But what if you could create a memorable Valentine’s Day without emptying your wallet? With a little creativity and thoughtful planning, you can celebrate love in a way that is both meaningful and budget-friendly. The Importance of Thoughtfulness Over Expense Valentine’s Day is often marketed as an occasion for extravagant gifts and luxurious experiences. However, the essence of the day lies in the thoughtfulness behind your gestures. A heartfelt note, a shared experience, or a simple home-cooked meal can convey love more effectively than any pricey gift. When planning your day, focus on personal touches that resonate with your partner, rather than the cost. Creating a Romantic Atmosphere at Home Instead of dining out at an upscale restaurant, consider

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January 31st has witnessed a myriad of significant events spanning various categories including politics, science, culture, and more. 1889: The Birth of the Modern Hydraulic Crane On January 31, 1889, a significant advancement in engineering was realized with the invention of the hydraulic crane. This innovation revolutionized construction and heavy lifting industries, allowing for more efficient and safer movement of heavy materials. The hydraulic crane utilized fluid mechanics to lift weights, making construction sites more productive and reducing manual labor. Over the years, this invention has evolved into various forms, becoming a staple in modern construction and engineering projects worldwide. 2008: The Launch of the First Human-Powered Helicopter Another remarkable event on January 31, 2008, was the successful flight of the Gamera, the first human-powered helicopter. Developed by a team of engineers and students at the University of Maryland, the Gamera achieve

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ALTON - Hank McClaine, a middle distances to distance runner at Alton High School, secured first place in the 5K Alton Great River Road Run, hosted by the Alton Road Runners Club, on a cold and snowy day just after Thanksgiving. McClaine completed the course with a time of 16:02.0, showcasing his strong performance in challenging conditions. Reflecting on his race, McClaine stated, “I felt good. Running in the snow is just mental, I was pleased with my performance." McClaine posted a P.R. of 15:47.0 for three miles in the Granite City Invite in September. He was seventh in the Southwestern Conference Championship Meet on Oct. 15 with a time of 16:01.9 and he recorded a ninth-place regional time of 16:06.3 and 15:51.2 in the sectional. His successful run comes on the heels of a promising cross-country season, where he expressed satisfaction with his performance. As he looks ahead, McClaine aims to excel in the upcoming indoor and outdoor track and field seasons. McClaine is a

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ALTON - The East End Improvement Association is set to host candidate forums for Alton and Godfrey aldermanic, trustee, and mayoral candidates. On February 4, 2025, at the Great Rivers Hotel in Alton, the Alton candidates will introduce themselves and speak on their platforms. On February 11, 2025, at the Trimpe Building at Lewis and Clark Community College, the Godfrey candidates will speak on their platforms. These candidate forums will be done in advance of the consolidated election scheduled for April 1, 2025. The forums aim to increase voter engagement and provide a platform for candidates to present their views to the community. Steve Schwartz and John Keller, both members of the East End Improvement Association, spoke this week on Our Daily Show! with host C.J. Nasello. Schwartz, who will moderate the events, and Keller discussed their plans. The forums will begin at 7 p.m. on Tuesday and attendees are encouraged to arrive early. "We want the community to get to know the candidate

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ALTON – Caleb Lewis with Alton Odyssey Tours gave an update on exciting new tour plans for 2025 and more at the Hayner Library’s recent History and Hauntings event. Lewis said that while they’re best known for their Haunted Trolley Tours during the fall, they also offer private tours throughout the year. Largely a family operation, his mother and founder of the company still acts as executive director, though Lewis has ushered it into a new era with expanded programming. For newcomers to the city, they offer a Welcome to Alton walking tour consisting of a 90-minute downtown stroll starting at The Conservatory, with stops at the Grand Theater and Stratford Hotel. These run one Saturday each month from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Working with Vintage Voices, some tours feature reenactments from local historical figures. One such tour in the works for this year is the Godfrey Legacy Tour starring John Meehan as Benjamin Godfrey, making stops at St. Paul Episcopal Church,

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GODFREY - Students and community members gathered at Lewis and Clark Community College for the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration. On Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, LCCC hosted the program with keynote speaker Debra Pitts. Students, faculty, staff and community leaders came together to honor King and hear Pitts’s speech, in which she urged listeners to take action and do more for their community. “In times such as these, what would Dr. Martin Luther King do?” she asked. “And my question, what are we doing?” This year’s celebration marked the 10th anniversary of the Dr. King event. Dr. Mumba Mumba welcomed the community to LCCC. Organizer Jared Hennings emceed the afternoon and provided music alongside pianist Ralph Monroe. Mya Lawrence, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusive Excellence, thanked attendees for their presence and recognized event organizers. Three students — Charles Ervin, Vondasia Pittman and Montrez West

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ALTON – Sharyn Luedke, owner of the McPike Mansion, recently shared the fascinating history of the home and its inhabitants as the unmistakable Alton landmark has stood on storied grounds for over 150 years. “My husband and I bought the house back in 1994, when we were both young … I thought we could just about do anything,” Luedke said. “We’re real proud of what has been accomplished so far. McPike Mansion is a part of the past and it is working towards the future.” The impressive brick estate on Alby Street, built in 1869, has long been rumored to be haunted by its original inhabitants – the building’s namesake, Henry Guest McPike, and his family. “We do believe that of course, Henry is one of the spirits of the house,” Luedke said. “It is his house, he wants to be there … Mary is one of the spirits, she’s a very, very gentle spirit of the house, even though she didn’t live there. “I

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PONTOON BEACH - This winter, local girls can learn how to play flag football. The free Open Field program will run from Feb. 20 to March 27, 2025, at the Field Sports Complex in Pontoon Beach. Every Thursday from 6–7:30 p.m., girls ages 5–7 and 8–12 can participate in a flag football training program that will teach the basics of the sport, encourage friendships and build athletic ability. Coach Andre Collins noted that he has enjoyed coaching girls flag football, and he hopes more new athletes will come out and learn to love the sport. “This is the most fun I’ve ever had,” said Collins, who coaches through Champions Sports Academy. “This program will be at no cost at all, and it’s just open field. So girls will come, there will be a little bit of instruction, but then we’ll just play the game. I want them to just have fun playing flag football.” Collins started teaching flag football in spring 2024, after he learned

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EDWARDSVILLE - Mia Semith, who emerged as an important player for Edwardsville's girls basketball team last season, is proving to be a key player for the Tigers this season as well. Semith hit for 11 points in Edwardsville's big 50-46 win over O'Fallon on Jan. 28, 2025, at Lucco-Jackson Gym, and has been up among the leading scorers in recent games as well. She currently averages a team-leading 11.8 points-per-game, and also averages 6.5 rebounds-per-game, also having 20 assists, 25 steals, and 14 blocked shots. Mia is a Spencer Homes Female Athlete Of The Month for the Tigers. In her postgame interview, Semith felt she had a good game, and was happy to help the Tigers overcome O'Fallon on the night. She said: "I felt like we worked really hard this week in practice, and we performed really well tonight. Alandyn (Simmons) had a big night, with 20 (points). I really helped; I think I played solid defense, Layne (Logan) did a great job guarding Josie (Christopher), and I feel

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CHICAGO - Today, Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Insurance (IDOI), and Get Covered Illinois announced a record high 17% jump in enrollment numbers for the 2025 Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment Period. Nearly 466,000 Illinoisans enrolled in Get Covered Illinois Marketplace plans since November 1st. Nationally, the total number of people who signed up for Marketplace coverage reached more than 24 million . “For the second year in a row, we are seeing more working families accessing affordable, high-quality health insurance plans made available through the Get Covered Illinois Marketplace,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “On average, Illinois residents saved $540 a month on health insurance costs through enhanced subsidies offered on the marketplace, underscoring both my administration’s commitment to lowering the cost of health care and the incredible value the Affordable Care Act brings to our residents.” Earlier this

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COLLINSVILLE – The Illinois Department of Transportation is reminding the public that a full closure of Interstate 255 in both directions between Illinois 157 to Illinois 15 goes into effect early Saturday, weather permitting, as part of an accelerated $65.4 million rehabilitation and resurfacing. Made possible by the historic, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program, the project is the second of five phases to repair and improve I-255 in Illinois, an effort being done faster, cheaper and safer by closing the work zone to traffic when possible. “The reputation of I-255 as one of the roughest stretches of road in the state is well-known, but that’s about to change,” said Acting Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi. “By strategically closing the work zone, we are delivering these much-needed improvements quicker and at a reduced cost. We look forward to providing safer, more reliable travel throughout the region for you and your families

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SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE - Team Scott is excited for its annual Open House and STEM EXPO From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 14, 2025. This event is free and open to the public, no base access required. There will be static aircraft displays, STEM Exhibits and a Career Field Village. Anticipated Static Aircraft Displays B-25 GA-8 PT-17 C-172 PT-19 C-182 PT-26 HE-1 P-51 C130J DH-115 TMB Avenger C-21 Please visit https://www.scott.af.mil/Open-House-STEM-Expo-2025/ for the latest updates on displays and exhibits. If you have any questions, please email 2nd Lieutenant Faith Powers 375amw.pa.org@us.af.mil.

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O’FALLON — HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital announces a year filled with significant achievements in quality care and a commitment to excellence. With numerous recognitions and accreditations earned over the past year, the hospital has exhibited its dedication to delivering exceptional care that consistently meets or exceeds national standards and more importantly ensures patients have access to quality care services. These accomplishments reflect the hard work, dedication and expertise of staff, providers and other partners, who each play a vital role in ensuring the well-being of every patient, underscoring St. Elizabeth’s colleagues’ dedication to quality, innovation and industry leadership. Some of the accreditations and recognitions received in the past year include: The radiation oncology team was awarded a three-year term of accreditation after a review by the American College of Radiology (ACR). The ACR is the nation’s oldest and most widel

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ALTON - Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford has announced that a suspect is in custody after the shooting in the 2100 block of State Street in Alton on Tuesday night, Jan. 28, 2025. The Alton Police were notified that a person had been shot at 8:11 p.m. on Tuesday night. Chief Ford said physical evidence was also recovered. "Charges are pending review by the State's Attorney's Office at some point this week," Ford said. Officers immediately responded to the 911 call and located a 16-year-old male who suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. The male was treated on scene by members of the Alton Fire Department and transported to an area hospital where he was later transferred to a St. Louis area hospital for further treatment. Ford said preliminary investigation revealed the two involved individuals, both known to law enforcement, are familiar with each other and this was not a random act. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Alton Police

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EAST ST. LOUIS - East St. Louis School District 189 has announced a revised school calendar to compensate for lost instructional time due to inclement weather in January. The decision comes after the district utilized all five eLearning days permitted by the Illinois State Board of Education, along with three emergency days when schools were closed. East St. Louis School District 189 Superintendent Arthur R. Culver communicated the changes in a letter to families, emphasizing the district's commitment to maximizing instructional time. The adjustments were necessary following a series of snow days and virtual learning sessions that began in early January due to icy road conditions affecting the community. The revised calendar includes the addition of three previously designated non-attendance days as student attendance days. Specifically, February 18 and 19, 2025, will now be school days, with the latter having a one-hour early dismissal. Additionally, March 3, 2025, which is Pulaski

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO. — Detrice Young, a 56-year-old resident of the 10500 block of Castle Drive, faces serious charges following the death of a 4-year-old girl, Aubreeyonna Muex, who was shot in the chest on Jan. 27, 2025. The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office charged Young with Endangering the Welfare of a Child Creating a Substantial Risk and Endangering the Welfare of a Child First Degree Resulting in Death. The incident occurred when officers responded to a report of shots fired at approximately 1:43 p.m. on Jan. 27. Upon arrival, they found Muex suffering from a gunshot wound. She was transported to Christian Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. According to a probable cause statement, Young was at home with two other adults and three children, ages 2, 4, and 11, when the shooting occurred. Witnesses reported that both aunts were awakened by a gunshot and discovered the 2-year-old and 4-year-old at the foot of Young's bed, with the gun present and Muex injured

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EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County Board Chairman Chris Slusser on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, discussed the freeze on federal funding. Slusser said that he was never concerned about the pause because the federal money Madison County receives does not conflict with the president’s executive orders, or the memo issued through the Office of Management and Budget (OMB.) “The executive orders and the memo from OMB made it very clear to me that none of the federal funds received by Madison County would be included in the freeze,” Slusser said. Slusser said he understands why the federal government wanted to review agency programs. “We understand that people were worried about how this would have affected them,” he said. “What we did know is that that federal assistance to individuals would not have been affected, including Social Security, Medicare, food stamps, student loans and scholarships, rental assistance or energy assistance for low-income families.”

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SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) has provided more than $3.6 million to 32 Illinois Community Colleges to support student mental health in 2025. These funds will introduce new services, augment existing practices, and target service gaps to help meet the mental health needs of thousands of students on community college campuses across the state. “We know many college students nationwide face mental health challenges. A recent U.S. News survey revealed nearly 70% of college students report struggling with their mental health. This investment will help community colleges better meet the needs of students outside the classroom, contributing to their success in the classroom, said ICCB executive director Brian Durham. A 2023 Healthy Minds Study, which surveyed 800 campuses across the country found that 41% of college students screened positive for clinically significant symptoms of depression and 1 in 3 college students screened positive for anxiety. T

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SAINT LOUIS - The Eastern Missouri Beekeepers Association invites beginning and experienced beekeepers to their 2025 Beekeeping Workshop and Honey Show. From 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, community members are invited to Holiday Inn in Sunset Hills, Missouri for a full day of speakers and vendors. Intermediate and expert beekeepers will learn more about biology, queen rearing, pest control and colony behavior, while the beginner track is tailored toward those with no beekeeping experience so they can start beekeeping in the spring. “We really wanted to focus a lot on quality. Any time that the Eastern Missouri Beekeepers Association tries to do something, we try to do it pretty well,” said Tom, a representative with EMBA. “Whether you want to be a beekeeper or not, you really need to come. The fascination of learning about this God-given insect that we have here is just mind-boggling.” Tom, Dan and Melissa, who all work with EMBA,

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SPRINGFIELD – It will soon be five years since the Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) began accepting certified payrolls from contractors who perform construction work on public works projects. Public works projects include any construction work funded in whole, or in part, by state or local public tax dollars. Certified payrolls are a record of wages paid to workers on these projects and are required by the Prevailing Wage Act to include such things as the workers name, classification, trade, hourly wage rate, and hours worked each week on the public works project and any other project. “Prevailing wage certified payroll filings help ensure that workers on government-funded projects are paid the correct wages and benefits for their work,” said Illinois Department of Labor Director Jane Flanagan . “Illinois’ public certified transcript of payroll portal provides transparency in the industry, helps maintain accountability among contractors that have

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