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CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (“IDFPR”) announced today that adult use cannabis sales set a new annual record in 2023, exceeding $1.6 billion. Records were also set in sales to in-state residents and the number of items sold, with that total increasing more than 15% compared to 2022. Sales taxes collected at Illinois adult use cannabis dispensaries totaled $417.6 million in 2023, per the Illinois Department of Revenue. “From day one, my administration has put equity first to build the most accessible cannabis industry in the nation,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Our work will continue to repair past harm while providing opportunities for communities across the state and creating a more prosperous future.” “The legalization of adult use cannabis was the start of uplifting the communities most impacted by the failed war on drugs,” said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. “The benefits

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ALTON/WEST ALTON - The annual Eagle Ice Fest brought nearly 1,000 attendees to FLOCK, the National Great Rivers Museum and the Audubon Center at Riverlands on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. Attendees could enjoy live music, eagle ice carvings, raptor meet-and-greets and more at Saturday’s festival. The event encouraged people to learn more about the wildlife in the area and engage with nature by utilizing local resources. “It’s a combination of a bunch of different organizations bringing free resources to people so that not only are they getting an education, especially about eagles, but they’re learning about all these resources that they have in the area that they can go out and hike here or they can go learn about the dam,” explained Ashley Lockwood, an educator with the Audubon Center. There were two eagles spotted in the trees outside the Audubon Center, and Lockwood joked that the eagles greeted people as they entered the center. She said Eagle Ice

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DeKALB - Northern Illinois University announces its fall 2023 Dean's List students. To earn this distinction, students must meet a minimum semester grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale in the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology or a minimum of 3.75 on a 4.0 scale in the colleges of Business, Education, Health and Human Sciences, Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Visual and Performing Arts. Students from your area who achieved this honor include: MaKena Mueller, of Granite City, who is majoring in Acting. Mueller is a graduate of Granite City Senior High School. Northern Illinois University is a student-centered, nationally recognized public research university, with expertise that benefits its region and spans the globe in a wide variety of fields, including the sciences, humanities, arts, business, engineering, education, health and law.

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EDWARDSVILLE – Ahead of a frigid blast of cold weather, the City of Edwardsville is encouraging residents to pay attention to weather advisories, to avoid safety risks and to take steps to remain warm as the temperatures drop. The City of Edwardsville is working in cooperation with the following facilities to provide warming stations throughout the winter. Whenever the temperatures drop below freezing (32 degrees Fahrenheit) the following facilities will be available as warming stations during listed hours: Edwardsville Public Library, 112 S. Kansas St. -- (618) 692-7556 Hours: Monday through Thursday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday: 1-5 p.m. (The library will be closed on Monday, January 15, for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.) Main Street Community Center: 1003 N. Main St. – (618) 656-0300 Hours: Monday through Friday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (The community center will be closed on Monday, January 15, for the Martin Luther

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ALTON - The Riverbend Wellness Festival has been rescheduled for March 2, 2024, due to weather concerns. Organized by Beth Ahlin and Stella Webb, the Wellness Festival will promote spiritual, physical and mental/emotional wellness with keynote speakers, vendors and workshops. The festival, originally scheduled for Jan. 13, will now take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 2, 2024, at Milton Schoolhouse in Alton. “For Beth and I both, we really do support that wellness for our community,” Webb said. “We see clients on a daily basis, but to expand that out even further. The reason we’re doing this event is because of the community.” Webb owns Soul Sanctuary , which is based in Milton Schoolhouse. She has collaborated with Ahlin, who owns CE Ahlin Counseling , to plan the festival with local speakers and over 30 vendors. A few practitioners will offer breakout sessions, including a mental health workshop and spiritual health workshop. Web

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ALTON - The Alton City Council amended the City Code on Wednesday to grant a new local business a liquor license in addition to passing several items approved by the Committee of the Whole earlier this week . According to the ordinance amending the City Code, the city “wishes to amend its number of Class I Liquor Licenses to accommodate The Bells and Whistles on Belle Street, LLC to serve alcoholic beverages at its place of business.” No further information was provided about the business. Additionally, Mayor David Goins and the City Council “find that amending the City's regulations on the number of Liquor Licenses will encourage the City's continued healthy economic growth.” The City Council also moved several more items forward that had been approved earlier this week by the Committee of the Whole. Alderman Raymond Strebel was absent from Wednesday's meeting. Among the other items passed were expanded zoning classifications and slightly altered

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ALTON - The Alton Community Boxing Club celebrated another win, keeping their undefeated streak and highlighting the benefits of the club in the Riverbend community. The club recently had their second fight, with 12-year-old boxer Ju’coby Womack knocking out his opponent in the first round. Coach Joshua Young noted that he is proud of his boxers, and he hopes to raise community support to purchase equipment and keep the club going so it can continue to empower the kids. “It’s just the beginning and if this is any indicator of what can occur, then we can really bring the entire city together. That really feels good,” Young said. “We’re definitely wanting the community’s support. We’ve just got such great things in our plan. It’s really becoming an awesome thing and how the community has started to come forward.” Following a RiverBender.com story about the boxing club , a GoFundMe was started by Alton Middle School

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EDWARDSVILLE — A Wood River man has been charged with three felony counts in connection with an alleged domestic dispute and subsequent shooting. Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, that Alec A. Sabatino, 28, has been charged with aggravated battery with a firearm (class X), aggravated domestic battery (class 2) and aggravated battery (class 3). Haine’s office has filed a petition asking that Sabatino be denied pretrial release while awaiting trial. Shortly after 2:30 a.m. on Dec. 26, 2023, Wood River Police responded to a woman’s report of a domestic battery that occurred at a residence on Mildred Street. The woman making the report had fled to the nearby home of her parents. Minutes later, police received a report of shots fired on Sixth Street near Acton Avenue. At the Sixth Street location, police found two men with gunshot wounds: Sabatino and the woman’s father. The woman’s father has a license to

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EAST ST. LOUIS – State Senator Christopher Belt announced over a dozen school districts around the Metro East area have received nearly $30,000 to provide resources to libraries through books, e-books, audiobooks, periodicals, multilingual materials, technology and programs. “Libraries play a major role in students’ academic success at all age levels,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “This funding will empower our school districts to strengthen their library resources, allowing new and updated learning and technology opportunities for students.” Funding for the School District Library Grant Program originates from the General Reserve Fund and is appropriated for this purpose by the Illinois General Assembly. Some school districts receiving funding include: Belleville Township High School District 201 - $4,199 East Saint Louis School District 189 - $3,559 Mascoutah Community Unit District 19 - $3,473 O'Fallon School District 90- $3,370 Cahokia

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GODFREY - “Like a good neighbor, State Farm (or should we say, Karen) is there…” And what a good neighbor she is to so many in the community. Mrs. Wilson is very active and committed to the community. She does, or has, served on several community service organization boards. She is on the boards of the Riverbend Growth Association, North Alton-Godfrey Business Council, Pride, Inc., Lewis and Clark Community College Foundation, and Asbury Village. Karen was very instrumental, through Pride, Inc., in developing the “Welcome to Godfrey” signs at both the northern and southern entrances to the Village. She has chaired the local Bucket Brigade, which her father started in 1988. She also co-chaired, with Pat Ackman, the Miles Davis Memorial Committee that raised money to erect a statue of Miles Davis in his birth town of Alton. While many currently recognize Karen as a State Farm agent, she does have a varied career. Back in the day, she sold real estate

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EDWARDSVILLE — Local businesses and civic groups can now get more involved in helping keep the county clean. The Madison County Board voted on in December to renew its Adopt-A-Highway program throughout the county. County roads are a vital piece of the county’s transportation network, connecting the places where residents live, work and play. “While development, construction and weather treatment are the most critical aspects of road maintenance, it is also important to maintain the areas around roadways through litter clean-up,” County Engineer Adam Walden said. “The Adopt-a-Highway Program will allow residents, local businesses and civic groups to participate in beautifying county roadways.” Walden said the county’s Adopt-A-Highway program offers an opportunity for organizations or individuals to adopt a section of up to two miles of county-maintained roadways and conduct periodic litter clean-ups to help protect the environment and keep

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This weekend is packed with a diverse array of events for everyone to enjoy! From live music and theater to wellness activities and community gatherings, there's something to appeal to every taste. Make sure to visit https://www.riverbender.com/events/ for the full event listing. The Alton VFW Post 1308 Presents: Tragg Band is ready to rock your world! This Oldies/Motown/Classic Rock show is perfect for those who love to dance the night away. With no cover charge, it's an irresistible invite for Saturday, January 13, 2024, from 7 to 11 p.m. Don't miss out on the largest dance floor locally and an evening full of good vibes and great music! Celebrate the tradition of bluegrass music at The Harmans Bluegrass 46th Annual LCCC Show . Join us at Lewis and Clark Community College on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at 7PM for a night of foot-tapping music featuring the talented Mo Pitney. Tickets are just $20, so call 618-278-4422 or 618-917-7355 to secure your spot for this cherished

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CHICAGO – Governor Pritzker today joined the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), Salesforce, Intersect Illinois, Metro Edge, the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce and BMO at the brand-new Salesforce Tower in downtown Chicago to celebrate major economic development milestones and highlight positive momentum as Illinois advances into 2024. “Over the past several years, we’ve seen exceptional tech giants expand their foothold in Chicago as their leaders read the writing on the wall—Illinois business is stronger than ever, and there’s no better place to expand and grow,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Salesforce is shining example of that commitment, and their new downtown tower will be an engine for economic growth and innovation right in the center of the greatest city in the world.” Positive momentum in 2024 comes after a record year for economic development in key sectors, including tripling investments incentivize

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CHICAGO – An Illinois iLottery player recently did not turn into a pumpkin - instead, just after midnight on Monday, January 8, the online player won $607,328 on Fast Play Illinois Super Jackpot. Illinois Super Jackpot is a $20 progressive Fast Play game. The jackpot begins at $50,000 and grows with each ticket sold statewide until the jackpot is won. So far this year, over 43,000 winning tickets for Illinois Super Jackpot have been purchased, netting players almost $2.3 million in prizes. Fast Play games can be purchased in retail, or online via IllinoisLottery.com or the Illinois Lottery app. There are currently more than 25 Fast Play games offered at various price points and play styles. About the Illinois Lottery Founded in 1974, the Illinois Lottery has contributed over $24 billion (since 1985) to the state’s Common School Fund to assist K-12 public schools, as well as hundreds of millions of dollars to the Capital Projects Fund and to special causes. For

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Police Department is accepting applications for the public to get a “hands-on, interactive view into the day-to-day operations of the City's police department” with their upcoming Citizens Police Academy next week, the department recently announced . “Do you have an interest in law enforcement or are curious about how the Edwardsville Police Department fulfills its duty to serve and protect the community? The 2024 Citizens Police Academy gets underway next week and can provide answers on those topics and much more,” the department said on Monday. The academy will run one night per week for 10 weeks, each from 6 to 9 p.m. starting on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024. The City of Edwardsville announced recently that there are still openings as the event draws closer. Academy sessions will include tours, demonstrations, and “practical exercises allowing participants to experience life from a police officer’s point

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GODFREY - Scott Mandrell and other volunteers are trying to make Burns Night a special annual occasion for the area. This year, the group will mark the 265th birthday of Robert Burns, a celebrated 1700s poet. Burns recorded and celebrated aspects of farm life, regional experience, traditional culture and religious experiences. He is considered the national poet of Scotland. He was born on Jan. 25, 1759. Mandrell said his group was pleased with last year’s Burns Celebration gathering at Lockhaven Golf Club but hopes for more attendees this year. This year’s celebration event begins with cocktails at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, at Lockhaven. Piper Matt Pantaloon will be the special guest for the event. He is president of the St. Louis St. Andrew’s Society. Mandrell thanked Heinz Peter and the Lockhaven Country Club for again hosting the event. There will be a Parading of the Haggis, Address to the Haggis, The Selkirk Grace, Supper an

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ALTON - The Mississippi River Water Trail Association (MRWTA) will host their annual “Mississippi Meanderings” event with a focus on source-to-sea paddling. On Jan. 20, 2024, the organization will highlight Dale Sanders, the oldest person to paddle the entire Mississippi River at age 87. Attendees can listen to a history of long-distance paddling on the Mississippi, enjoy a Q & A session with Sanders, and watch “The Grey Beard Adventurer” documentary that was made about Sanders’s trip. The event starts at noon at the National Great Rivers Museum in Alton. “I really think this is just kind of an excuse for those of us who really love the river and are in the paddling community to get together in the middle of winter when it’s a lot harder to get outside and enjoy the river directly,” Dean Klinkenberg said. “We get to hang out with each other, share some companionship and some stories. And this year, it’s a good

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CHICAGO - A new State-supported shelter is beginning to serve asylum seekers in Chicago today. The location is the site of a former CVS in the Little Village neighborhood. The shelter will be part of the City of Chicago’s existing asylum seeker shelter system and will house approximately 220 people as they transition to independent living. The shelter development is part of Governor JB Pritzker’s investment of an additional $160 million, via the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis presented by the arrival of over 34,000 asylum seekers from the U.S. southern border. The State saw an uptick of new arrivals over the holidays and created a temporary shelter at a Chicago hotel. Those new arrivals are now transitioning to the shelter in Little Village. With the cold weather and continued arrival of asylum seekers, the State is committed to partnering with the City of Chicago to take the necessary actions to keep people safe

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ALTON - Granite City's Nick Raftopoulos, a candidate for state representative, held one of his meet-and-greets at the Tango Event Center in Alton this past Saturday. Abe Lee Barham, one of the organizers, said about 40 people came out and it was a session for about an hour and a half with the candidate running for state representative. "There were not any questions that he didn't answer," Barham said. "I encourage people to post to him and participate in the Democratic process because your voice matters. Educating yourself on who will be your elected officials is very important to move our country and towns forward." Nick responded to questions about unions, school safety, and nurses' rights in a town hall type of style. Barham said he thought the meet and greet was informative and "enlightening" for those in attendance.Nick has stated he is running for the Democratic nomination for state representative in Illinois' 111th House District because he wants someone to

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police Department Crimes Against Persons and Regional Arson and Explosives detectives are investigating a homicide in the 10500 block of Baron Drive that resulted in the death of an adult male. At 8:50 p.m. on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, St. Louis County police officers from the North County Precinct responded to a call for service for a house fire in the 10500 block of Baron Drive. Fire personnel extinguished the house fire and located one adult male who was deceased. The investigation is ongoing. Additional information will be disseminated as it becomes available. Please contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210 to speak with investigators if you have any information regarding this incident. To remain anonymous or potentially receive a reward, please contact CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477).

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