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SPRINGFIELD - Thanksgiving is the leading day for home fires involving cooking equipment, with four times the average number occurring. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) on Thanksgiving Day alone, an estimated 1,610 home cooking fires were reported to U.S. fire departments in 2022, reflecting a 399 percent increase over the daily average. Cooking causes over half (52%) of all reported home fires and nearly two of every five (36%) home fire injuries, and it is a leading cause of home fire deaths (17%). Ranges and cook-tops account for almost three out of every five home fires reported involving cooking, with ovens accounting for 13% of those fires. “Kitchens are the heart and soul of many homes and that is even more true during Thanksgiving,” said Illinois State Fire Marshal James A. Rivera . “Things can get hectic as people scramble to prepare for Thanksgiving dinner. Please, set timers to help remind yourself of items that are cooking

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, with the attorneys general of Arkansas, North Carolina and Ohio, led a bipartisan coalition of 46 attorneys general calling on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to improve its Robocall Mitigation Database (RMD) and close an unmonitored loophole that bad actors exploit to access the U.S. telephone network. “Robocalls cost consumers time and money and violate their privacy, and the FCC provides critical federal protections that enhance state efforts to address the problem,” Raoul said. “I am urging the FCC to improve its Robocall Mitigation Database to increase accountability as we all work to reduce the illegal and intrusive robocalls that plague the people of Illinois and around the country.” Telecommunications providers must register on the FCC’s database to operate as voice service providers in the United States. However, since it went live in 2021, the RMD has done little to prevent bad actors

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) voted to pass the bipartisan Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act . This package includes many provisions that are priorities for veterans and veterans service organizations (VSOs), such as support for home- and community-based care, improvements to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) educational and employment programs and assistance for homeless veterans. The legislation is anchored by the Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act which will enable veterans to remain at home, age safely in place and avoid or delay admission to nursing homes and other costly institutional settings of care. “When our veterans step up to serve our country, we make a promise to take care of them when they come home,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “This week, we honored that promise by passing the single largest expansion of VA long-term care services in decades. This comprehensiv

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O’FALLON — New and expectant moms and their families will be treated to a holiday baby shower of educational resources about pregnancy, newborns, child safety and more when HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital’s Women and Infants Center hosts “Bundles for Babies” from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, in the main lobby, 1 St. Elizabeth’s Blvd., O’Fallon. “Becoming a parent is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming,” said Amanda Schaefer, MSN, RN, nurse manager of the Women and Infants Center. “We are proud to partner with the community in sponsoring this one-stop shop of services offered by our team and local organizations for moms, moms-to-be and families.” Women and Infants Center staff and providers will be on hand to educate attendees about lactation services, including St. Clair County’s only milk dispensary; safe sleep practices for babies; car seat safety; pain management options such

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GRAFTON - At the recent Grafton Country Music Festival, the owner of 3rd Chute Bar & Grill reflected on her experience working with the Grafton community. Chastity Niemeyer, who bought 3rd Chute from her in-laws two years ago, shared her excitement to be involved in Grafton’s business community. She noted that the business owners often work together to put on events like the Country Music Festival, and she expressed her appreciation for the Chamber of Commerce, fellow entrepreneurs and the residents of Grafton for their continued support. “I’ve always worked here, but two years ago I took over, and I got to know a lot more of the business owners and I work with all of them,” Niemeyer shared. “The Grafton Pub and I go back and forth all the time, helping each other out. The community is just growing and growing. The events that they’re putting together are amazing.” Located at 220 W. Main Street in Grafton, 3rd Chute is known for it

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SPRINGFIELD - Teachers looking for new ways to engage and empower their students now have a playbook to use as they adopt a “coaching” mindset. A new book about “Coaching in the Classroom” aims to expand educators’ view on teaching beyond the restrictions of standardized testing. Author Linda Hopper, Ph.D., said she began with a career in business coaching and consulting before shifting gears to become a teacher, finding her prior experience relevant in her new role. “I went into the classroom - that was a second career for me - to see how I could implement coaching into a classroom,” Hopper said on Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com . “My goal was always to figure out how to bring it so every single teacher could do it in their classroom.” Hopper doesn’t buy into the “one-size-fits-all” approach of centering education around standardized testing, instead giving students the tools they need for life

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GODFREY - Here's a look at the many events coming up soon at Lewis and Clark Community College: Nov. 24, 2024 – Civic Memorial Theater Production: 2 p.m., Ann Whitney Olin Theatre, Hatheway Cultural Center, Lewis and Clark Community College, 5800 Godfrey Rd., Godfrey. (618) 377-7230. Nov. 27 – Trailblazers Men’s Basketball vs. Lakeland: 6 p.m., George C. Terry River Bend Arena, Lewis and Clark Community College, 5800 Godfrey Rd., Godfrey. (618) 468-6290. Nov. 30 – Trailblazers Men’s Basketball vs. Illinois College JV: 1 p.m., George C. Terry River Bend Arena, Lewis and Clark Community College, 5800 Godfrey Rd., Godfrey. (618) 468-6290. Dec. 3 – Brown Bag Event, The Holly and the Brass, Featuring the Bi-State Brass Quintet: Noon, Atrium, Ringhausen Music Building, Lewis and Clark Community College, 5800 Godfrey Rd., Godfrey. (618) 468-4731. Dec. 4 – L&C New Student Orientation: 4-6 p.m., The Commons, McPike Math and Science Complex,

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CARBONDALE – Illinois State Police (ISP) Troop 10 Commander, Captain Joshua Anderton, announces the ISP will conduct Nighttime Enforcement (NITE) patrols in Williamson County during December. NITE patrols allow the ISP to focus on preventing, detecting, and taking enforcement action in response to impaired driving and occupant restraint violations especially between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. The number of unrestrained drivers killed in traffic crashes is significantly higher at nighttime and combined with impaired driving means even more traffic deaths during these critical hours. Officers working the enforcement patrols will be watchful for motorists who show signs of impaired driving, improper seatbelt and child restraint usage, speeding, distracted driving, and other Illinois Vehicle Code violations. Alcohol and drug impairment are estimated to be a factor in more than 47% of all fatal motor vehicle crashes in Illinois. Over half of all fatal crashes in Illinois occur

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EAST ST. LOUIS – Illinois State Police (ISP) conducted a violent crime suppression detail on Nov. 18-20, 2024 in St. Clair and Madison counties, focusing its efforts on East St. Louis and neighboring Metro East communities. The operation utilized intelligence and technology to target known high crime areas, violent offenders, and structured criminal groups in the communities of the Metro East. Detail Results Arrests: 34 Felony Charges: 46 Criminal Charges: 79 Firearm Related Charges: 19 Firearms Seized: 8 Controlled Substance Seized: 177.7 grams Stolen Vehicles Recovered: 3 There were several notable events and arrests during the detail. On Nov. 18, 2024, troopers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for Illinois Vehicle Code (IVC) violations. The vehicle fled. Trooper located the vehicle a short while later and attempted to conduct another traffic stop on the vehicle, when the vehicle rammed an ISP squad car and began fleeing again. Th

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O’FALLON, Ill. — Rake leaves – check. Store lawnmower for winter – check. Buy Thanksgiving turkey – check. Schedule lung cancer screening – what? Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) is encouraging all eligible adults to add a lung cancer CT scan to their November to-do list since this month is also Lung Cancer Awareness Month. A lung cancer screening can detect nodules or spots on a lung, which may be an early indicator of lung cancer. Individuals aged 50 or older who have a history of smoking – at least a pack a day for 20 years or two packs a day for 10 years – are at risk of developing lung cancer. More people in the United States die from lung cancer than any other form of cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Yet the national screening rate for lung cancer stands at 6%, according to the American College of Surgeons – far below screening rates for colorectal and breast cancers, which rank 70% and

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MARYVILLE - The Pavilion for Women’s Birth Equity team received accolades for its contributions to maternal health at the Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative (ILPQC) conference held recently in Chicago. The recognition highlights the team’s ongoing efforts to improve health outcomes for women and infants in Illinois. Since its inception in 1993, the Pavilion for Women has been a vital resource for expectant mothers in the community, delivering thousands of babies. The facility emphasizes patient-centered care, adapting to the evolving needs of the community it serves. “Our focus is to continue to offer care based on the patient’s desires and needs for her delivery,” a representative from the Pavilion stated. The ILPQC, established to enhance the quality of care and health outcomes for infants and women across the state, launched its Birth Equity initiative in 2021. This initiative aims to address maternal disparities and promote equitable care in

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GRAFTON - At the Grafton Country Music Festival, Seed to Sewn shared their work with the Riverbend community. As a business, Seed to Sewn creates direct-to-film custom shirts, hoodies and more. They have collaborated with the City of Grafton to design products for the National Memorial of Military Ascent (NMMA) and other Grafton projects like Witches on the Water and Music in the Park. “We’re proud to support Grafton, the memorial, Music in the Park, the Country Music Festival, Witches on the Water,” said owner Joellen. “I think Grafton is a great town with a lot of great people. Can’t think of a better cause.” Seed to Sewn was selling products during the Country Music Festival, with donations going to support the Grafton Chamber of Commerce to help build the NMMA. Co-owners Joellen and Chris noted that they are eager to help out local projects and causes by donating percentages of their sales. For example, during Grafton’s

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GLEN CARBON - This month, we will celebrate Thanksgiving Day. Many will be cooking turkeys, baking apple pies, pumpkin pies, and sweet potato pies. It is important to get together with family and friends. As we celebrate, let us reflect back on how blessed we are. Let’s not allow food and football to make us forget the reason we celebrate this day. We have many reasons to be thankful. I often find myself reflecting back on giving thanks. My mother always believed that you can learn a lot about a person if you sit down and share a meal with them. I think of our Savior - during a meal, He took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to others. Then after supper, He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to others as well. Let us all be people with grateful hearts to others and let us show acceptance and appreciation. Maya Angelou once said: “Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer.” Being thankful brings the power of gratitude

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ST. LOUIS - The Saint Louis Zoo has launched a new conservation initiative that will support research, field work and outreach to help both wild polar bears in the Arctic and the people that live among them. The Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Institute Center for Polar Bear Conservation is the first new conservation center created by the Zoo since 2019. It will be an adaptable conservation program dedicated to safeguarding the species. The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act and faces significant threats including loss of sea ice habitats due to climate change. “It's incredibly important that we better understand and protect this species now more than ever,” said Center Director Julie Hartell-DeNardo, who also serves as the Kevin Beckmann Curator of Carnivores at Saint Louis Zoo. “We hope deepening the Zoo’s longstanding support of this species can make a real impact for these magnificent bears.”

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WOOD RIVER - Midwest Members Credit Union is proud to sponsor the “Oiler of the Month” program at EAWR High School. A senior student is selected each month by members of EAWR 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 $1,000.00 “Oiler of the Year” scholarship at the end of the school year. November's winner is Jordan Ealey. Jordan is a senior at EAWR and is involved in Softball, Volleyball, Basketball, Peer Leadership, Student Council, Big Sisters, Saturday Scholars, NHS, Senior Mentors. Jordan has received the Softball MVP award & 110% Gallatin Award. In Jordan's free time, she enjoys volunteering with Senior Mentor, Sports for Youth & Toys for Tots. After graduation, Jordan is planning on attending a 2 year for sports then transferring to a 4 year to become a speech pathologist. Congratulations Jordan and we all wish you good luck in your future!

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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. October & November Shell of the Month winners are: Senior - Maurice Sparks, Ridley Allen, Omero Sanchez, Cali Liljenberg. Junior- Robert Horton, Madison Weidler, Ava Cherry, Mason Crump. Sophomore- Senica McGee, Aaden Curry, Aubrey Cathey, Easton Johnston. Freshman- Ethan Branch, Alexis Dopuch, Leyton Smay, Raylynne Curren. Congratulations to all the recipients Midwest Members Credit Union has been serving your community for over 89 years. To find out more information about Midwest Members Credit Union and what they are doing in your community, please visit www.midmembers.org

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ALTON — Emerson A. "Bud" Schultz Jr., a prominent figure in the Riverbend music community, died Thursday, November 14, 2024. He was 90 years old. Schultz was known for his extensive contributions to music education and performance in the Alton region, particularly as a one-time director of the Alton High School Marching 100 and a long-time member of the “You Can’t Beat Experience” Jazz Band. Tim Jarden, a former student and music teacher in the Alton School District, reflected on Schultz's influence, stating, “He was a great teacher, a super musician who helped so many people.” Jarden highlighted Schultz's ability to blend difficult music with more accessible tunes, noting his dedication to inspiring students. “He tried to pull the best out of people,” Jarden said. Born on May 28, 1934, in Champaign, Schultz earned a bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Illinois and a master’s degree in education from Purdue

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MADISON COUNTY — Authorities are seeking the public's help in identifying the driver involved in a hit-and-run crash that resulted in the death of a cyclist last month. The incident involved 43-year-old Pablo Puente of Edwardsville, who was reported missing on Oct. 3, 2024. According to a release from CrimeStoppers, family members last saw Puente on Oct. 2, 2024, when he left home riding his 29-inch Giordano Intrepid Carbon Aluminum Frame Mountain Bike. His body was discovered at 2:40 p.m. on Oct. 4, 2024, along Illinois Route 143 near Kendall Drive. Investigators determined that Puente had been struck by a vehicle that subsequently fled the scene. His bicycle has not yet been located. CrimeStoppers is encouraging anyone with information about the incident to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously by calling 1-866-371-TIPS (8477), visiting stlrcs.org, or using the P3 Tips app. Individuals who provide information leading to the arrest of the driver involved in the fatal

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MARION - Thirty children in foster care had their lives changed forever at adoptions at the Williamson County Courthouse in Marion Williamson County Circuit Court Judge Amanda Byassee Gott, Illinois DCFS and private agency staff will come together to make the day memorable for these new families. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. and the finalizations will begin at 9 a.m. A celebration, including refreshments for the families, will follow. “Williamson County is thrilled to be hosting National Adoption Day again this year,” said Judge Amanda Byassee Gott . “Presiding over adoption proceedings where children find their forever families is one of the highlights of my time on the bench as a judge each year. As a juvenile judge, it is a privilege for me to preside over this final step of permanency for youth in care of DCFS.” “We have all heard the expression about giving our children ‘roots’ and ‘wings’ to grow into successful

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BELLEVILLE - The Belleville School of Ballet and the Belleville Philharmonic Orchestra will showcase “The Nutcracker Ballet” this weekend, marking their 40th anniversary of performing the classic dance. On Nov. 23 and 24, 2024, community members are invited to Love Church at 1549 Frank Scot Parkway W. in Belleville for a performance by the Belleville School of Ballet and the Belleville Philharmonic Orchestra. The show premieres at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. “Whether you’re a longtime fan or experiencing it for the first time, you won’t want to miss this milestone performance filled with wonder, joy, and timeless holiday tradition,” the Belleville School of Ballet said in a statement. “Get your tickets now and be part of a 40-year tradition that celebrates the power of music, dance, and community!” Christopher Gass, who serves as the Youth Orchestra Conductor for the Belleville

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