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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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HARDIN - A Jacksonville woman faces various drug-related charges in Calhoun County. After a Calhoun Sheriff's Office investigation, Jennifer M. Geninatti, 43, of Jacksonville, faces the following charges: Driving Under the Influence - Drugs Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia The sheriff's office said on Nov. 15, 2023, a Deputy Sheriff with the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a white 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe at Illinois River Road near Gallinepper, in Calhoun County, Illinois. Geninatti was arrested without incident and transported to the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office. As is now required under the provisions of the new House Bill 3653, known as the SAFE-T Act; Geninatti was booked and released with a Notice to Appear at a later date at the Calhoun County Courthouse. All suspect(s) are innocent until proven guilty.

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BETHALTO – Midwest Members Credit Union is proud to sponsor the “Eagles of the Month” program at Civic Memorial High School. Senior students are selected each month by members of the Civic Memorial faculty to represent each department. All students are awarded a certificate and a Subway gift card. Two Seniors (1 female student and 1 male student) who were selected each month will have the opportunity to compete for a $500 “Eagles of the Year” scholarship each at the end of the school year. 2023 November Eagles Of Month Winners Math - Sabreena Davis Visual Arts - Vinny Williams Social Studies - August Frankford P.E/Health - Milla Munsch Choir - Gabriella Moore Band - Grant Shirley Science - Zachary Wooten English - Addyson Huddleston C.T.E. - Blake Carroll Congratulations to all the Civic Memorial “Eagles of the Month” and the “Teacher of the Month!” We all here at Midwest Members Credit Union wish you well in your futur

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Compilation features 60 stories from cat lovers plus exclusive foreword by Mandy Moore ST. LOUIS -0 This year, Purina® Cat Chow® marks its 60th anniversary as a trusted provider of cat nutrition by celebrating the meaningful bond between cats and their owners. To commemorate this milestone, Cat Chow asked cat lovers to share their stories of how cats have positively impacted their lives. From thousands of entries, 60 were chosen and gathered into the new book, " 60 Years. 60 Stories: Celebrating the Extraordinary Impact of Cats," featuring a foreword by renowned actress and singer, Mandy Moore. The book is available for purchase now at CatChow.com/60Years . In this unique compilation, 60 personal stories from cat owners across the country highlight the profound impact cats have had on their lives. From Annie, the cat who comforts a young cancer patient, to Gypsy, the source of strength during her owner's panic attacks, to "Samson the Magnificent," the cat with resting

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ROXANA – Midwest Members Credit Union is proud to sponsor the “Shell of the Month” program at Roxana High School. Students from each grade level are selected each month by members of RHS faculty. Each student is awarded a certificate and a Subway gift card. The Seniors selected each month will have the opportunity to compete for a “Shell of the Year” scholarship at the end of the school year. November Shell of the Month winners are: Senior - Grace Ray & Joshua Gilbert Junior - Joseph Newton & Azalia Gordon Sophomore - Allie Keller & Eithen Weigler Freshman- Jackson Null & Makina Eckhoff Congratulations to all the recipients Midwest Members Credit Union has been serving your community for over 88 years. To find out more information about Midwest Members Credit Union and what they are doing in your community, please visit www.midmembers.org If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Tiffany James at 618-251-7334 or email

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ST. LOUIS - On Tuesday, December 5, 2023, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued charges on suspect Tyrone Leslie, 38 years of age, of the 1900 block of Washington Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri 63103, for two counts of Robbery First Degree. A booking photo of Leslie is attached. Leslie is being held on $300,000 cash only, no 10%, bond. The probable cause statement reads: On November 14, 2023, the defendant entered the US Bank at 13001 Tesson Ferry, and presented the teller a note advising her that he had a gun and demanded money. The clerk remanded US currency to the defendant who then fled the bank in a red Dodge Durango. On December 2, 2023, the defendant entered the PNC Bank located at 15061 Manchester Road, and presented the teller with a note advising her that he had a gun and demanded money. The clerk remanded US currency to the defendant who then fled the bank in a red Dodge Durango. St. Louis County Police Department Bureau of Crimes Against Persons

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GLEN CARBON - Kellerman Investigations invites families to join them for a toy drive, complete with free hot cocoa, cookies, a raffle and a visit from the Grinch. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, community members can stop by Kellerman Investigations at 60 S. Main Street in Glen Carbon to donate a toy and enjoy some holiday cheer. Kimberly Brown, organizer of the event, explained that the company wanted to donate to Toys for Tots in memory of Brown’s father and her best friend Michele Hill’s father, both of whom were veterans. “We wanted to do a special event day and really highlight that we’re doing this and honor not just my father and her father, but all service people. So it’s in memory and to do good things and celebrate that kindness from the community to help others,” Brown explained. “I want to run out of cookies and coffee and all that that day and have so many people. That would be great.” Kellerman

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ST. LOUIS - It’s the time of year when we’re drawn to comfort foods. As the days get shorter and hats and coats take center stage in the closet, many of us seek out dishes that warm us up. While comfort foods vary, they commonly include casseroles, soups, stews and noodle dishes, among others. They’re often familiar foods we may have grown up with or been introduced to at pivotal times in our lives. During the colder months, they can feel as much a part of the season as spiced apple cider and hot chocolate. At the same time, many comfort foods aren’t the healthiest of choices. They can be high in unhealthy fats, calories and refined grains, and have few nutritious vegetables. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have them, but it may be healthiest to keep some dishes on the occasional list, rather than the regular menu. When we do enjoy some of our favorites, though, one easy way to give them a health boost while also keeping their familiar flavors i

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, along with U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chair of the Subcommittee on Criminal Justice and Counterterrorism, today met with members of FAMM, including more than 20 individuals impacted by the First Step Act ahead of the legislation’s fifth anniversary. During the meeting, Durbin heard stories from formerly incarcerated individuals about how the First Step Act impacted their experience with the criminal justice system. Durbin also reiterated his commitment to ensuring that the First Step Act is properly implemented and that incarcerated individuals are afforded the reforms, programs, and assistance laid out for them in the legislation. “Five years ago, Congress came together to pass the First Step Act , the most important criminal justice reform legislation in a generation. Today, I was able to mark this momentous anniversary by meeting with formerly incarcerated

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator and combat Veteran Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, today responded to U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) finally backing down and allowing many of the more than 450 critical military promotions he has been blocking—with the help of many of his Senate Republican colleagues’ silence—to finally move forward. For almost a year, Senator Tuberville’s reckless and damaging holds have been hurting our military readiness and national security, as well as forcing unnecessary harm on our military families. “This never should have taken so long. If he was going to cave like this, Senator Tuberville could have done it months ago and prevented all of the damage these holds have caused over the last year. And while I’m relieved he finally relented on most of these holds, it’s absurd that he’s still blocking some of our most senior 4-Star promotions even now.

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Jack Reed (D-RI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), today reintroduced legislation to ensure struggling student loan borrowers are treated fairly and understand the full range of repayment options and resources available to them. The Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights Act creates consistent servicing and disclosure standards across private and federal student loans and allows the Secretary of Education to adjust those standards for federal servicers through regulation to benefit federal student loan borrowers. More than 43 million Americans hold $1.6 trillion in cumulative student loan debt, preventing Americans from fully participating in our nation’s economy by reducing homeownership, jeopardizing retirement security, and limiting entrepreneurship. “Student loan debt is a crushing weight on the backs of American students

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CHICAGO — Today, Governor JB Pritzker was joined by Dollywood Foundation Executive Director Nora Briggs, United Way of McLean County President and CEO David Taylor, local officials, parents, and community members at the Bloomington Public Library for the statewide launch of Illinois’ partnership with The Dollywood Foundation to provide Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. This book gifting program mails free, high-quality, and age-appropriate books to children from birth to age five, regardless of the family’s income. Governor Pritzker’s FY24 budget allocates $1.6 million to the program to support early childhood learning in Illinois and instill lifelong reading practice. “Today, I couldn’t be prouder to announce that Illinois is beginning its journey to provide every child under the age of five an opportunity to sign up and have a free book delivered to their house every month,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Research shows that early

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HARDIN - A Greenfield woman has been charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle (theft over $10,000). Laura L. Green, age 46, of Greenfield, Illinois, was arrested and now has been charged. The Calhoun Sheriff's Office said the case unfolded as follows: At 2:03 p.m. on Dec. 1, 2023, the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint of a stolen motor vehicle from the Senior Center on Main Street in Hardin, Calhoun County, Illinois. Calhoun County Sheriff's Deputy Nic McCall responded to the area and immediately began an intensive investigation and attempted to locate the stolen vehicle; which was identified as a white 2010 Ford truck. With assistance from the citizens of the village of Hardin, Deputy McCall located and recovered the stolen vehicle, and apprehended a suspect within less than three hours of the initial report. After its recovery and processing, the stolen motor vehicle was returned safely to the owner. Green was arrested without incident and

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Letter The Editor: When I left McDonnell Douglas in the spring of ’92, it was my intention to open Imo’s Pizza in the early summer. With only a small window during which I wouldn’t have health insurance, I didn’t really give it much thought or worry. Playing nine holes of golf at the Muny Golf Course proved me mistaken in my beliefs when I twisted my ankle badly. I reached out to my good friend, Dr. Robert Simpson. Dr. Simpson, who was a retired podiatrist at this time, gave me a quick once over and said he thought my leg was fractured. “But Robert,” I said. “I don’t have health insurance!” He told me not to worry about it, he would see what he could do. The next day, I found myself in the office of Dr. Randy Rogalsky. I started the conversation by immediately blurting out that I had no insurance, but he didn’t seem very concerned with this detail. After taking a set of x-rays, he fitted me with a boot. He assured

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ROXANA - Kinsley Mouser, a 5-foot-7 senior, has stepped up in recent games for the Shells and been a team leader in her guard position. Over the past three games, Roxana head girls coach Addaya Moore said Kinsley "put the team on her back." She also said Mouser is the type of player that gives it 110 percent-plus in both practice and games. Kinsley Mouser is a Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month for Roxana High School. The new head coach said having a solid point guard is so important to the overall success of a girls' basketball team and Kinsley provides that spark for the Shells. "The team follows their point guard," she said. "If a point guard isn't on board, the rest of the girls won't work. It is like a domino effect. I am a new coach and I have never felt any pushback from Kinsley; she has adjusted well to me. She is very coachable." Kinsley is a "definite leader" on the team, her coach said. Moore said she believes Kinsley will continue to have success

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GODFREY - Godfrey is the latest municipality to exempt itself from the Illinois Paid Leave For All Workers Act following unanimous approval from the Village Board of Trustees on Tuesday night. This comes after similar ordinances were tabled last week in Glen Carbon and passed in Jerseyville . Godfrey Trustees voted to expedite the process under a suspension of the rules after Village Attorney Phil Lading advised it was best to have the policy implemented by year’s end. “The state law says if you do not have some form of paid leave, general use leave for part-time employees prior to year end, then you are subject to the new state law that goes into effect on Jan. 1 , and you have to provide 40 hours of paid leave,” Lading said. As stated in a copy of the ordinance, the village already “recognizes the importance of paid leave and currently provides reasonable paid leave benefits to its employees.” The Godfrey Leave Policy already contains

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HARTFORD - Colman’s Country Campers is offering free photos with Santa or the Grinch to anyone who contributes to their food and toy drive. On Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, people can stop by Colman’s at #2 Fun Street in Hartford to pose with a Christmas character. Lucy Lu Photography will be onsite from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to take one photo for every guest who donates a food item or toy. People can also purchase a mini session for $35 in addition to their donation, which gives you five edited digital photos. “We enjoy giving back to the community,” co-owner Matt Diamond said. Diamond and his fellow owner Brian Campbell were convinced by their staff to organize the event as a way to finish the year strong. Diamond noted that the company is “just like a small family,” and they enjoy giving back to the community as much as possible. January 2024 will mark Campbell and Diamond’s fifth anniversary as owners of Colman’s Country Campers.

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WOOD RIVER - A new bakery has opened in Wood River, and the story behind “The Cheesecake Lady Bakery Co.” is just as sweet as the treats they make. Since 2017, Deb Shultis has gained a reputation for the desserts she sells on her The Cheesecake Lady Facebook page . But now The Cheesecake Lady has a storefront at 333 N. Wood River Avenue, and Shultis is excited to share her baking with more people around the Riverbend. “I outgrew my kitchen by far,” Shultis laughed. “We’re looking forward to supporting the community the way they’ve shown us support. We love being here.” Shultis was always a baker, but she never expected it would become her full-time job. She simply enjoyed baking cheesecakes for her family and friends at church functions, bake sales and holidays. When her husband first suggested Shultis should sell her baked goods, she dismissed the idea right away. “It all started with just a simple crème brûlée

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GODFREY - Papa Toodles Hair Salon in Godfrey marked its ninth anniversary of serving customers on Dec. 2, 2023. The business officially opened on Dec. 2, 2014. Wade and James Gibson operate the salon and also have Angie Dennis and David Smith there as hair stylists. The hair business has changed greatly, and the cost of products to do the job in the industry has skyrocketed, the two owners said. "It’s impossible to make the wage to equal the cost," the pair said. "Women did get a weekly appointment 40 years ago to be styled. We see little of that. The COVID-19 pandemic set the industry back, causing some salons to close. We are striving not to let it happen to us. We still love visiting with our long-term people." Many ask how the creative name “Papa Toodles” was formulated. The name comes from Wade and James' grandkids’ name for Wade. James chose a career in the field because he had always enjoyed hair but never had the opportunity to pursue

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BETHALTO - The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 864, based at St. Louis Regional Airport in Bethalto, recently presented some meaningful awards at its annual Christmas Banquet. Chapter 864 consists of pilots and aviation enthusiasts who meet regularly to share knowledge and their love of aviation with each other and the local community. John Harding, president of EAA Chapter 864 at St. Louis Regional Airport, said this year's Gene Helmkamp Award winners were Phil Sisson and Dale Rust. Awards were presented by Charlie Becker, Director of Chapter and Communities from EAA headquarters. Sisson and Rust were recognized for their personal commitment and long-term contributions to civilian and sport aviation. Harding described the two award winners with the following comments: "Phil Sisson was a crop duster, flight instructor and an aviation competition champion," Harding said. "He helped people build their own airplanes and has done a lot to promote and support aviation

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