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ALTON - Community members are invited to the first Block Party for Good of 2025. From 2:30–4:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, community members can receive free groceries, a hot meal and health screenings at Soulcial Square, in the parking lot adjacent to Morningstar Baptist Church at 1 E. 6th Street in Alton. There are no income or residency requirements to utilize these services. “Our Block Party for Good is more than just sharing food — it’s about building community, fostering connection and creating hope,” said John Michel, President of Food is Love. “We’re committed to ensuring everyone in Alton has access to nutritious food and meaningful fellowship.” Food is Love, a nonprofit that works to eliminate food insecurity, hosts the monthly Block Party for Good. Last year, they hosted six block parties in Alton and served over 1,000 meals while providing free groceries to over 2,000 family members. Michel and the Food is Love

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Key takeaways: Mixing coffee and bananas is a healthy alternative to your morning joe Bananas are rich in phytochemicals and antioxidants Bananas can replace coffee creamer and sugar Add milk and dates in for added nutrition, creaminess Some social media users are going bananas over a different take on your morning cup of joe. While many “health” trends have no substance at all, this has promise, according to Gabrielle Haskell, a clinical dietitian for oncology at the OSF Cancer Institute. The recipe calls for one to two frozen bananas, one cup of coffee, 1/3 cup of milk and two pitted dates. Mix it together in a blender and you have a frappe to enjoy. So… why bananas? “Bananas have fiber in them, which helps keep you fuller for longer. Fiber is good for blood sugar management and for management of your cholesterol,” Haskell says. “They also have added vitamins and minerals, like Vitamin C, that can really help boost your

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today issued updated guidance to state, county and local law enforcement agencies to clarify the role of Illinois’ law enforcement agencies and the enforcement of federal immigration laws. The guidance details the provisions of the Illinois TRUST Act and the Voices of Immigrant Communities Empowering Survivors (VOICES) Act. Both were enacted to increase trust and cooperation between immigrant communities and police departments generally by prohibiting law enforcement agencies from participating in federal civil immigration enforcement, and by creating procedural requirements to support immigrants who have been victims of violent crime or human trafficking. “Civil immigration enforcement is the responsibility of the federal government. State law does not grant local law enforcement the authority to enforce federal civil immigration laws. This includes participating, supporting or assisting in any capacity with federal

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On January 24, 1925, the moon eclipsed the sun. In Alton, the eastern skies were partly cloudy, but the sun broke through the clouds just after 8 a.m., right when the eclipse here was at its peak. With a totality of 86% in Alton, a crescent was still visible, and some residents expressed their disappointment that it was not truly dark. “Daylight came as usual, and the light was better at time of greatest totality than on many recent mornings when a heavy haze has shrouded the early rays of the sun.” Altonians viewed a partial eclipse, but parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island experienced totality. New York and New England saw the eclipse under ideal conditions, but in Michigan and Ontario, clouds and low visibility made it difficult to observe. In New York City, “was the spectacle magnificent. When the moment arrived and a blackness of midnight at 9:11 a.m. was accompanied by the beautiful sigh

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EDWARDSVILLE — Hi-Pointe Drive-In is hosting a fundraiser for the Overnight Warming Locations on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025. The event will take place at the restaurant located at 6147 Trace Parkway Drive in Edwardsville. High-Pointe Drive-In aims to support local efforts to provide shelter for those in need during the winter months. Hi-Pointe will donate 15 percent of each customer's check on that day to the Overnight Warming Locations. Patrons who order online or through the Hi-Pointe app can contribute by using the code "fundraiser" at checkout. Hi-Pointe's marketing department highlighted the restaurant's commitment to community involvement. "Here at Hi-Pointe, we pride ourselves in not only serving the best burgers and chef-inspired creations in the galaxy but also giving back to our community," the restaurant's marketing coordinator Danielle Frisse-Stanley said in a statement. "The restaurant engages in various charitable initiatives, including a dine-to-donate program, monetar

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EDWARDSVILLE - Community members gathered at SIUE to hear from Donzaleigh Abernathy, a speaker, actress, writer, activist, and the goddaughter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. On Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, SIUE hosted its 42nd annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Luncheon. Abernathy, the keynote speaker, spoke about her memories of “Uncle Martin” and her parents Rev. Dr. Ralph David and Juanita Jones Abernathy, leaders in the Civil Rights Movement. She urged audience members to speak up for what’s right and continue to fight for justice. “If I have to lay down and die, I will die for my freedom, because we’re not going back,” she said. “Courage is not when you’re brave and going on out there anyway because you want to go. Courage is when you’re timid…but you summon up the strength anyway. That's courage.” Abernathy said her father issued the call for the Civil Rights Movement after Rosa Parks was arrested.

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JERSEYVILLE – Jersey County Treasurer Katie Abbey is currently under investigation for allegedly misappropriating public funds, though few details are publicly available. Jersey County Board Chairman Gary Krueger read the following statement at the last Jersey County Board meeting on Jan. 14, 2025: “In late summer of 2024, the Jersey County Sheriff received allegations that the Jersey County Treasurer was misappropriating public funds. Due to obvious conflicts, an outside law enforcement agency and forensic examiner were brought in to investigate. A criminal investigation is ongoing at this time. “As with any ongoing investigation, confidentiality is critical and often required by law to ensure the integrity of the investigation and evidence collected. All of us understand the importance of transparency in government, but we are respectfully asking the public to be patient and respect the investigative and judicial process in this matter. When appropriate to do

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GRANITE CITY – Ameren Illinois customers driving in and around Illinois Route 203 from World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison to Granite City near U.S. Steel facilities in Madison County will see energy at work now and throughout July as the company upgrades a major natural gas transmission pipeline to comply with enhanced federal transmission pipeline regulations established in 2019. Ameren Illinois is replacing 1960s era pipeline along a six-mile stretch with new steel pipeline, while adding three new regulator stations and two new control valve stations as part of the Ameren Illinois' multi-year plan for all of its gas transmission pipelines to comply with the U.S. Department of Transportation's 2035 deadline for overall completion. Ameren Illinois is working with IDOT and Madison County to control traffic near the construction area. Weather permitting, this project should be completed by early July. "These proactive steps will ensure the continued safe, reliable deliver

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ST. LOUIS — The National Museum of Transportation was vandalized early Friday morning, Jan. 10, 2025, causing an estimated $20,000 in damage to two historic trolley artifacts. The incident occurred at approximately 6 a.m. on Jan. 10, and involved graffiti being painted on the trolleys, which are integral to the museum's operations during its operating season. The National Museum Of Transportation is located at 2933 Barrett Station Road, St. Louis. National Museum Of Transportation Executive Director Terri McEachern expressed her dismay over the incident, stating, "We are heartbroken by this careless, selfish, and senseless act. Our volunteers work extremely hard to restore these priceless artifacts and return them to operating conditions for our guests to enjoy." The trolleys affected are the 1914 St. Louis Waterworks Railway #10 and the 1947 Southern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority #2740. The museum, a non-profit organization, relies on community support for its preservation

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EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Alumni Association and Athletics joined forces for an extraordinary evening of recognition and celebration for the 2025 Hall of Fame induction on Friday, Jan. 10. The event, held as part of the 2025 Alumni Weekend, highlighted the remarkable achievements of distinguished alumni and outstanding athletes, bringing together the SIUE community in a spirit of pride and camaraderie. The 2025 Hall of Fame Ceremony was segmented after dinner with two halves of presentations. Joe Pott, director of athletics communication and broadcasting, served as the evening’s master of ceremonies, welcoming attendees to a night that showcased the profound impact of SIUE’s alumni and athletics programs. Recipients were given an award to keep and their names engraved on a plaque to be displayed on campus. Each inductee delivered heartfelt remarks, reflecting on the role SIUE played in their success. Maggie Krumwiede, ’05, ’09,

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GLEN CARBON - Christine Young is organizing a fundraiser to support Bill Decker, who is facing significant challenges following the sudden passing of his wife, Cynthia Becker, of Glen Carbon. "Cynthia, a beloved wife and mother known for her psychic abilities, passed away recently after a long battle with a debilitating neurological disorder that confined her to a wheelchair," Christine Young said. The fundraiser aims to help Bill cover immediate expenses related to arrangements and to assist with the loss of the business they built together, which relied heavily on Cynthia’s gifts. Cynthia's death has left a profound impact on those who knew her. For many years, she fought bravely against her condition, never allowing it to define her. Despite the physical limitations she faced, Cynthia continued to connect with and support countless individuals through her psychic work. "Bill, her husband, was a steadfast source of support throughout her struggles, dedicating himself to

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MASCOUTAH - I llinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced his office will hold a REAL ID enrollment “pop-up” event at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. The appointment-only event for Illinois residents is part of the Secretary of State’s statewide effort encouraging residents to “Get Real” prior to the federal deadline. The office hosted similar events last month at airports in Quincy and Bloomington and Peoria. Effective May 7, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security will require airline passengers to present a REAL ID to board a domestic flight or enter federal buildings such as military bases and federal courts. Travelers will also have the option of using a valid passport to board flights. “Partnering with airports like MidAmerica allows our office to provide REAL ID services at a convenient location for frequent travelers,” Giannoulias said. “With the REAL ID deadline fast approaching, we

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with Han Kuo-yu, the Speaker of Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan, and a delegation from the Legislative Yuan yesterday to discuss how the United States can best continue to support Taiwan amidst threats from the People’s Republic of China (PRC), help Taiwan strengthen their national security and further enhance our bilateral economic ties. Photos of the meeting can be found on the Senator’s website . “If America wants to remain a global leader, we have to show up and support our friends like Taiwan who is facing escalating threats from the PRC as they work to strengthen their own democracy,” said Senator Duckworth. “In recent years, I’ve worked across the aisle to help the people of Taiwan strengthen their civil defense, deliver desperately-needed COVID vaccines in the height of the pandemic and deepen our trade ties on everything from chip manufacturing to agricultural investments. I’m

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DEERFIELD – Today, Governor JB Pritzker, Fortune Brands Innovations and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced new investments in the company’s expanded headquarters in Deerfield. Fortune Brands Innovations’ significant investment in capital expenditures, bolstered by an Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) agreement, will enable the company to expand its headquarters to increase its operations and position the company and its brands for long-term growth. “Fortune Brands Innovations’ decision to establish its global headquarters in Deerfield is a testament to Illinois’ talented workforce, dynamic business ecosystem, and culture of innovation,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Supported by the EDGE program, this significant investment will generate hundreds of new jobs and further solidify Illinois as the premier state to live, work, and do business.” An industry-leading innovation

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CHICAGO - Today, Governor JB Pritzker announced a $38.6 million investment from the U.S. Department of Transportation towards Amtrak’s Borealis Intercity Passenger Rail Service Line, which began service in May 2024. Borealis service runs from Chicago to Minneapolis with an additional Illinois stop in Glenview. In September, Governor Pritzker joined Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers in a coordinated bid between their states to deliver this expanded commuter rail service in the Borealis corridor. The funding will support six years of operations for the Borealis service. “As Governor, I’m always working to improve transportation options for the people of Illinois and in our surrounding region,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “I’m thankful to the Biden-Harris administration for their ongoing support of Amtrak’s Borealis Service, which connects Chicago to our northern neighbors in Wisconsin and Minnesota. More rail connections

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For the thousands of people who have asthma (a chronic lung disease that impacts your airways), the thought of vigorous exercise may be daunting. They may think, “What if I’m working out alone and find myself short of breath or worse?” Enter Brittany Delaney, an athletic trainer at OSF HealthCare who works with young athletes on a variety of conditions, including asthma. She says workout warriors and their parents need not be afraid. You can work up a sweat with asthma if you know your body and prepare for possible problems. “Actually, we like that exercise a lot because it will help maintain a healthy weight. It also strengthens the lung muscles,” Delaney says. “It's very important for athletes to know how to manage their symptoms when they’re in sports. That way, we can reduce the likelihood of an asthma attack,” she adds. Signs to watch for include shortness of breath, hyperventilation (where you breathe fast and deep), dizziness,

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CHICAGO - Today, Governor JB Pritzker commended Stellantis, the United Autoworkers (UAW), and other partners who helped secure an investment for the Stellantis manufacturing facility in Belvidere. The company’s announcement includes hiring back 1,500 union jobs to aid in the production of a new mid-size truck at the plant, beginning in 2027. “We commend Stellantis on its investment in Belvidere that will put 1,500 Illinoisans back to work in good-paying union jobs and grow the automotive industry in Illinois. This would not be possible without proactive collaboration and coordination between the State of Illinois, Stellantis, UAW, the Biden-Harris Administration, and our champions in Congress, including Senator Durbin, Senator Duckworth, Representative Bill Foster, and Representative Eric Sorensen,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “My administration has worked tirelessly with our partners to secure this investment and we are excited to see it come to fruition. We

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SPRINGFIELD – Since the Illinois State Police (ISP) began conducting inspections of Federal Firearms License (FFL) dealers, the number of guns stolen from dealers has decreased. In 2024, the number of firearms stolen from FFL dealers in Illinois dropped almost 80% compared to 2023, and 92% compared to 2022. “Five years ago, I signed a bipartisan law to combat illegal gun trafficking—and the data ISP released today demonstrates that state oversight works,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Too many Illinoisans know the pain of gun violence and the added security measures enforced by ISP are ensuring that guns don’t fall into the wrong hands.” “Stemming the flow of stolen guns used in crime is one way we are fighting gun violence,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “Inspections, which ensure firearm dealers have security measures in place, reduces the number of guns stolen often later used to commit violence, and this effort

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Did you know that over 60% of travelers begin planning their trips months in advance? This statistic highlights the importance of thoughtful travel planning, especially when it comes to optimizing experiences and maximizing enjoyment. As spring approaches, many travelers are on the lookout for destinations that offer unique experiences, breathtaking scenery, and cultural richness. In this article, we will explore some of the top destinations that should be on every travel planner's radar this spring, providing insights and tips to help you make the most of your journey. Enchanting European Escapes 1. The Tulip Fields of the Netherlands One of the most iconic springtime images is that of tulip fields in full bloom across the Netherlands. The Keukenhof Gardens, located in Lisse, is the largest flower garden in the world, showcasing millions of tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths. The best time to visit is from mid-March to mid-May, when the flowers are at their peak. In addition to

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WOOD RIVER - The Alton Community Service League will host a Speakeasy: Swing Dance and Concert event to raise funds for their grant program. On Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, community members are invited to the Wood River Moose to enjoy a swing dance lesson, a concert by the Granite City Swing Band, raffles, specialty cocktails and more. Tickets cost $35 or $50 for VIP tickets, and all proceeds go to the Alton Community Service League (ACSL) grant program to support nonprofits in the Riverbend community. “It will be an experience, taking you back to the days of a speakeasy and Prohibition and that sound of a swing concert,” said Jill Moon, one of the fundraiser’s organizers. “It’s immersive and interactive.” Ticket prices include a complimentary dance lesson from Norma Kelly, who will teach attendees how to swing dance from 5–5:45 p.m. Following this, the Granite City Swing Band will provide music until 9 p.m. under the direction of Music

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