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EAST ST. LOUIS – The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program is now open to all income-eligible households, and State Senator Christopher Belt is urging eligible families to apply to receive assistance with natural gas, propane and electricity bills. “Winter weather is now in full force, and all households deserve to stay warm and safe this year,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Assistance is now available for all income-eligible families across the state – so be sure to apply if your household qualifies.” LIHEAP provides one-time payments directly to energy service providers on behalf of recipients. While the amount of support varies based on the needs of individual families, last year over 311,000 households received LIHEAP, with an average of over $1,000 per household. All income-eligible households can now apply for assistance, and applications will be accepted through Aug. 15, 2024, or until funds are exhausted. The energy bill assistance program

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, met with Steve Dettelbach, Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), to discuss Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations and their impact on ATF’s overall mission and priorities, including implementation of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) . “Director Dettelbach and the public servants at ATF are working tirelessly to help keep Americans safe, particularly by implementing our Bipartisan Safer Communities Act . We’ve already seen tremendous impact from implementation of this legislation, which has helped crack down on illegal firearms traffickers, catch violent criminals, recover untraceable ‘ghost guns,’ and enforce compliance with existing gun safety laws,” said Durbin. “My meeting with Director Dettelbach made it even more clear: Congress

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of both the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees—issued the following statement after Senate Republicans voted to block President Biden’s request to Congress for additional resources that would strengthen U.S. national security by investing in our domestic defense industry, countering China in the Indo-Pacific region, supporting Ukraine, helping innocent civilians in Gaza and countering Hamas, as well as bolstering security on our nation’s southern border: “Today, Senate Republicans once again showed the American people that they are more focused on politics than on strengthening our national security and supporting our allies and partners. I’m deeply disappointed that my colleagues across the aisle refused to join us in passing President Biden’s national security and aid package to provide support to Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific while helping

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement on the Department of Justice (DOJ) announcing first-of-its-kind war crimes charges against four Russian men in connection to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: “Today’s announcement by the Justice Department is a welcome step. The four Russian military personnel charged allegedly interrogated, tortured, and threatened to kill an American civilian during the Ukraine war—even holding a mock execution. Those horrific actions cannot and will not go unanswered. “We applaud the Justice Department for using the important tools in the War Crimes Act to prosecute perpetrators of horrific atrocities in Ukraine. America must continue its multifaceted approach to holding Vladimir Putin accountable for his brutal, unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. While today’s

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement expressing his frustration that the White House has announced the delay of a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation to prohibit the production and retail sale of menthol cigarettes until spring 2024: “With each additional day that menthol cigarettes remain on the market, Big Tobacco profits off the addiction and suffering in America. For too long, communities of color have been aggressively targeted by Big Tobacco’s lies and deadly products. “Lives are at stake. I urge the Biden Administration, in keeping with its stated commitment to end cancer as we know it, to revisit this unacceptable delay and to do what is right for the health of Americans.” Earlier today, Durbin delivered a speech on the Senate floor calling on the FDA and Biden Administration to swiftly implement a proposed public health regulation to prohibit the production and sale o

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GODFREY - Village of Godfrey Mayor Mike McCormick provided information Thursday morning, Dec. 7, 2023, that the administration has received quite a few calls lately regarding door-to-door solicitors. These are some comments released by Mayor McCormick about the situation: "We take a serious approach to solicitation, requiring individuals to apply for a solicitation permit," he said. "We also require that they pay $50 for the permit and an additional $10 cash deposit for a photo I.D. badge provided by the Village, and also go through a vetting process with the Madison County Sheriff’s Department. Solicitation is allowed in Godfrey between the hours of 10 a.m. – 6 p.m." He continued: "If you have a solicitor at your door, do yourself and your neighbors a favor by first asking if they have a permit, and then asking to see their photo I.D. badge. If they’re unable to provide this information, or if they’re overly aggressive, or if they solicit during non-authorized

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In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin calls out delays in implementing promised ban on menthol cigarettes, as Black communities continue to face disproportionate harm from Big Tobacco’s marketing tactics WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) delivered a speech on the Senate floor calling on the Food and Drug Administration and Biden Administration to swiftly implement a proposed public health regulation to prohibit the production and sale of menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. Durbin spoke about his own family’s grief after losing his father to lung cancer, reiterating that a ban on menthol cigarettes could save hundreds of thousands of lives annually. In his remarks, Durbin also emphasized that communities of color bear the brunt of the addiction, disease, and death from menthol cigarettes as Big Tobacco has intentionally targeted Black Americans in advertising and marketing. “Last month, FDA submitted a regulation to the White

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GODFREY – The RiverBend Growth Association has selected Jeff Lauritzen’s COUNTRY Financial office as its December 2023 Small Business of the Month award recipient. Located at 2720 Gerson Avenue in Godfrey, the insurance and financial services firm has been in business locally under the sage leadership of Financial Representative Jeff Lauritzen now for 12 years. The local office has two employees. “Our vision is to be the premiere insurance and financial services provider in the Riverbend, protecting clients from the unknown and helping them plan their futures,” says Lauritzen. “We are on a mission to build a business of long-term core clients, based on integrity and responsiveness, while also being an active contributor throughout the Riverbend.” Over the past five years, the local COUNTRY Financial office on Gerson Avenue in Godfrey was purchased in late 2019, with building renovations completed in Fall 2021. Office staff moved into the location

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ST. LOUIS – On Wednesday, a jury found a man guilty from St. Louis, Missouri, who was caught on camera carjacking a truck in 2020. Jurors in U.S. District Court in St. Louis found James Blakemore, 36, guilty of three felonies: carjacking, possessing and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Evidence and testimony at the trial this week showed that on Sept. 16, 2020, the victim was napping in his work truck at the Convention Center MetroLink Station in downtown St. Louis when someone opened his door and demanded his cash and phone at gunpoint. The robber also stole the victim’s company’s 2016 Dodge Ram. The truck was equipped with a GPS tracking device and “in-car cameras,” and both the victim’s boss and the company’s owner were able to provide police with its location. When police arrived, a man jumped out and ran away, but left a backpack behind with a pistol and both a debit

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EAST ALTON - If there was ever a village in this state or any other that should be recognized for making sure every family with children has a Merry Christmas, it would be the Village of East Alton. East Alton has developed a tradition almost second to none with its Annual “A Night Of Christmas.” The touching event this past Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, was free to families of East Alton schools. It was located at East Alton City Hall and was what was described by organizers as a “wonderful turnout for our night of Christmas.” “Over 250 kids got to spend time with Santa, the Grinch, and all our characters,” East Alton Public Works Director Mike Moore said. “Over 500 people attended the event. All the kids received a gift and treats from all seven stations with hats and gloves from the East Alton Women’s Club. Everyone also enjoyed chili and hot chocolate." The event was attended by State Sen. Erica Harriss, State Representative Amy Elik,

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RIVERBEND - The holidays can be tough for anyone, but for the loved ones of someone who struggles with substance use, this time of year can feel especially difficult. No matter if your loved one is in active addiction or somewhere in the recovery process, there are many local resources that can offer help to you and others affected by substance use. You already know how devastating addiction is. But just like your loved one can get support , so can you. “Addiction — let’s face it, it affects the whole family,” Ty Bechel said. “It affects so many people within the orbit of it.” Bechel is the executive director of Amare , a nonprofit based in Madison County that offers services to people impacted by substance use disorders. While Amare has recovery coaches, support groups and resources for people struggling with a substance use disorder, they also offer a Family Connections and Support program for friends and families. Jaime Armstrong

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As you prepare for the holiday season with lots of new electronics, a central Illinois family wants to make sure families keep small, circular lithium batteries that power many devices secure from children. Joseph Mumbu lives in rural Trivoli, in central Illinois, with his wife Stacy and 5-year-old daughter Liana, who is among the thousands of kids who each year swallow shiny lithium batteries, also known as button batteries. It happened in an instant when Joseph was working in his home office and had a battery out to put into his car’s key fob. His energetic daughter was in the office when she suddenly darted out of the room after grabbing something from his desk. Initially Joseph wasn’t concerned but he and Stacy began to worry when their daughter ran to the bathroom and started choking and crying. “Obviously she had swallowed something. Then my wife and I started looking and wondering what it was she had swallowed. She was struggling with something that was

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA) today launched the 2023 "Operation Rising Spirit," campaign encouraging service organizations, schools, communities, and individuals to write letters of appreciation and support to veterans residing at the state veterans' homes in Anna, Chicago, LaSalle, Manteno, and Quincy. “Last year, over 5,000 letters were distributed to veterans in our care which provided an abundance of holiday cheer into the homes,” said Director Terry Prince. “We encourage volunteer groups, families, and schools to participate in this kind gesture of gratitude to Illinois veterans.” To participate, notes may be sent directly to the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Letters will be disseminated equally to the five homes: Crystal Womack The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs Central Office 833 South Spring Street Springfield, IL 62794-9432 Notes may also be sent directly

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, took to the Senate floor to urge his Republican colleagues to pass President Biden’s national security supplemental funding request, which includes emergency funds for Ukraine, Israel, the Indo-Pacific, and humanitarian crises. During his speech, Durbin implored Republicans to reflect on what the late President Ronald Reagan would think about their lack of willingness to help our Ukrainian friends in their fight against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s tyranny. “Thirty-six years ago, President Ronald Reagan stood at the Brandenburg Gate that separated East from West Berlin and he said to the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union ‘Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!’ Only a few years after his historic speech, the Soviet Union collapsed, bringing in decades of freedom and prosperity in Eastern Europe and a welcome end to th

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today joined U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) on the Senate floor in an attempt to pass the Assault Weapons Ban by unanimous consent in an effort to combat mass shootings and gun deaths in America. U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) objected to the unanimous consent request. “Since 2020, the United States has suffered from over 600 mass shootings every year, almost two a day. I ask those who are listening to my remarks to reflect on one fact: there is no other country on Earth not engaged in active war where this type of killing occurs on a daily basis,” Durbin said. “In Highland Park and communities across America, shooters have used military-style assault weapons to cause irreversible harm in just a matter of minutes.” Durbin continued, “I listened to my friend from Wyoming object to the effort to bring this legislation to

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ALTON - Alex Macias, a junior guard on the Alton High boys basketball team, had a good game in the Redbirds' 76-61 loss at Edwardsville on Dec. 1, scoring nine points in the game, with a huge 15-0 start by the Tigers setting the tone for the events to follow in the game. Macias is expected to be one of the key players off the bench for the Redbirds, and in limited playing time he saw as a sophomore, he averaged 2.4 points and 0.9 rebounds per game while collecting nine assists and seven steals. Macias is an Auto Butler Car Wash Athlete of the Month for the Redbirds. The Redbirds are off to a 4-2 start, dropping back-to-back games after winning their first four, a great reversal of fortune from the previous season, and Macias is very determined to help the team to a winning season and turn things around for the program. "I mean, we've worked so hard for these games," Macias said during a postgame interview. "We just need to work on just coming out stronger, knowing our defensive

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GODFREY - New Japanese restaurant Toko Sushi and Boba is officially open in Godfrey. Located in Suite D at 5775 Godfrey Road, the restaurant serves authentic Japanese cuisine, boba tea and rolled ice cream. They open at 4 p.m. on Dec. 6, 2023, and then kick off their regular hours. “I get all the recipes from Japan itself. I learned from there,” owner Eko Adikaputra said. “Our food is made by the order and with high quality. I’m trying to make it the best I know, in my knowledge. Quality is everything.” Toko Sushi and Boba specializes in Japanese cuisine. Sushi, sashimi, ramen, stir-fry noodles and other favorite dishes are on the menu. All of the sushi rolls are named after famous songs. They also offer sake, wine and milk tea with boba, which is dairy-free. And for dessert, they have Thai-style rolled ice cream, mixed on a cold iron right in front of the customer. This menu is the culmination of Adikaputra’s 15 years in the restaurant business.

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HARDIN - A Hardin man faces multiple charges - stalking, violation of an order of protection, and criminal damage to property after a report from Nov. 19, 2023. The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint of stalking and criminal damage to property and after an investigation, Donald G. Dawson, age 55, of Hardin, was arrested and charged. Dawson was arrested without incident and was booked into the Greene County Jail and is currently being held without bond. Dawson was on mandatory supervised release (parole) from the Illinois Department of Corrections, regarding a 2021 Calhoun County conviction for the offenses of intimidation and threatening a Public Official. The Illinois Department of Corrections has since ordered a Parole Violation Warrant and Dawson is to return to the custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections. All suspect(s) are innocent until proven guilty.

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Just in time for Christmas, Hayner Public will host its second annual Local Author Book, where you can meet thirty local authors, buy their books, and have them signed. The event will be held Saturday, December 9, 2023, from 12:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. in the courtyard outside of Hayner Library at Alton Square Mall (between the mall and JC Penney). The event will feature library card registration, showcase items in the Library of Things, and other library highlights. There will also be activities, crafts, and story times for the kids. You can browse and make purchases—and be sure to leave some time to explore Hayner Library at Alton Square Mall. The Friends of Hayner Library will also have items for sale at the event. Find a new favorite author and stock up your book collection to keep you busy during the approaching cold winter. What is more inviting than a stack of books to ease your cabin fever? The books also make a great Christmas present or stocking stuffer! "There are

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EAST ALTON - East Alton Social Worker Angela Gray recently received the Illinois and Midwest School Social Worker of the Year award. Kelsia Ivy, a social worker in St. Louis, said Gray is “very special” and has contributed greatly with programs and more to help local students. “Her love and support for her students goes far beyond her job description,” Ivy said of Gray. “She puts her all into her students.” Gray has been a social worker for over 20 years and currently works in the East Alton #13 School District. Under her leadership, the district implemented a peer mediation program at EAMS and the Boyz to Men group at Eastwood, which brings community members and young men together for mentorship. Over her 20-year career, Gray has created and implemented these and several other programs to aid in helping local students express themselves in a positive manner. Ivy added: “If all school districts could have an Angela Gray, there would

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