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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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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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