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Green Bay Packer fans held their collective breath during the opening week of the NFL season when their star quarterback, Jordan Love, went down with what initially looked like a serious knee injury. Fortunately for the Packers, Love’s injury was not season ending. It was a medial collateral ligament (MCL) sprain. The MCL is one of the four ligaments that stabilize the knee, along with the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), and lateral collateral ligament (LCL). The MCL is located on the inner side of the knee, and it prevents the knee from collapsing inward. Any athlete can injure the MCL, says Faheem Ahmad, MD, a family practice physician with OSF HealthCare, who completed a fellowship in sports medicine. But certain sports create a higher risk of injury, including football, soccer, hockey or figure skating, because of the twisting of the knee that is involved. Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze and San Diego Chargers lineman Joe Alt have

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BELLEVILLE — Three individuals died in a house fire early Monday morning, October 28, 2024, in Belleville, according to the St. Clair County Coroner’s Office. The victims have been identified as George Pappas, 79, Christopher Ellis, 20, and Pioquinto Pappas, 39. The fire erupted at approximately 5:20 a.m. at a residence at the intersection of West Lincoln and South 13th Street. First responders were on the scene by 5:24 a.m. and relayed a report of heavy smoke on the residence's first floor. Belleville firefighters responded to the scene, managing to rescue one person from the flames. Three other family members escaped the burning home on their own. A cadaver dog was deployed to assist in locating the victims who were trapped inside the house. The cause of the fire remains under investigation as authorities work to determine the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.

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GRANITE CITY - Two St. Louis residents face felony charges after stealing thousands in sports store merchandise, hijacking a police car, and more. Theodore Barnett, 44, and Crisshay A. Shell, 27, both of St. Louis, were both charged with the following: Armed violence (Class X felony) Vehicular hijacking (Class 1 felony) Retail theft over $300 (Class 3 felony) Resisting a peace officer (Class A misdemeanor) Barnett was additionally charged with aggravated battery, a Class 2 felony, and unlawful possession of weapons by a felon, a Class 3 felony. Both individuals were involved in a theft from Hibbett Sports in Granite City. The situation escalated after the would-be getaway car got stuck, leading to a police vehicle hijacking and battery of an officer. Petitions were filed to deny pretrial release for both Barnett and Shell, which describe the incident as follows: “Officers responded to a report of a male and female suspect stealing from Hibbett Sports,”

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Welcome to This Day in History! Today, we explore significant events that took place on October 29 throughout the years. Starting with a powerful event from the 20th century, on October 29, 1929, the United States experienced the infamous Stock Market Crash, marking the beginning of the Great Depression. The crash was a significant turning point, impacting economies worldwide. It resulted from a combination of over-speculation in the stock market, a booming economy that was not built on solid foundations, and the sudden loss of investor confidence. Thousands of investors lost their fortunes overnight, and the repercussions were felt for years, leading to widespread unemployment and poverty. This event is often seen as a cautionary tale about the risks of unchecked capitalism and the importance of regulatory oversight in financial markets. Fast forward to 1966, and another landmark event unfolded. On October 29, in a significant move towards civil rights, the National Organization

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul is reminding parents and guardians to check the state’s sex offender registry before finalizing Halloween plans and determining trick-or-treat routes for their children. “With many families planning Halloween activities this week, I am encouraging parents, grandparents and guardians to keep their families safe by checking Illinois’ Sex Offender Registry before leaving home,” Raoul said. “While Illinois law prohibits child sex offenders from distributing candy, searching the registry is a quick step families can take before leaving home to ensure everyone has a happy and safe Halloween.” Illinois law prohibits all sex offenders who committed a crime against a child from distributing candy, in addition to prohibiting them from participating in trick-or-treat events or other Halloween events involving children younger than 18. Sex offenders on parole, mandatory supervised release and probation may have

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GODFREY - The William M. BeDell Achievement and Resource Center (arc) will host its 43rd annual dance and auction on Saturday, November 16, from 7 to 11 p.m. The event will take place at the Knights of Columbus Hall at 1713 Stamper Lane in Godfrey. Tickets to the dance are $25 per person. A taco bar, beer and soda will be provided. Those who attend are free to bring appetizers, side dishes or dessert. Entertainment will be provided by DownRight DJs. According to arc Executive Director Chad Rollins, funds from the dance and auction will be used to purchase a new van to transport disabled individuals to the Community Day Services Program, community events and medical appointments. He said, “In addition to the fundraising component of the event, we look forward to the dance in a communal sense. Our clients, volunteers, staff and many friends of the agency come together and truly celebrate our history.” Chairing the event this year are John, Liz and Laura Ammann of Godfrey.

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SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced the Illinois Flag Commission received 4,844 entries during the six-week submission period that closed Oct. 18. “I’m thrilled by the number of submissions the commission has received, as well as the excitement that this project has generated. I can’t wait to see which designs the commission selects for public voting,” Giannoulias said. “The contest has encouraged us all to reflect on what makes us proud to be Illinoisans, resulting in some great stories and unique designs reflecting what our state represents.” Now that the submission period is closed, the Illinois Flag Commission will meet before the end of the year to select the top 10 designs. Beginning in January, the public will have the opportunity to vote online for one of 10 new designs, or one of the three former flag designs, including the current state flag, the 1918 Centennial Flag and the 1968 Sesquicentennial Flag.

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Halloween is a thrilling time for children, filled with costumes, candy, and the excitement of spooky decorations. One of the best ways to celebrate this festive season is through DIY Halloween crafts. Engaging in craft projects not only fosters creativity but also provides an opportunity for quality family bonding. In this article, we will explore a variety of easy and fun DIY Halloween crafts that kids can enjoy, along with tips, materials needed, and step-by-step instructions. Why DIY Halloween Crafts? Engaging in DIY crafts has numerous benefits for children: Creativity and Imagination : Crafting allows kids to express themselves and explore their creative abilities. Fine Motor Skills Development : Cutting, gluing, and assembling crafts improve hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. Problem-Solving Skills : Crafting often involves following instructions and troubleshooting, enhancing critical thinking. Bonding Time : DIY projects provide a wonderful opportunity

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GILLESPIE - Gillespie Community will host a Community Blood Drive with ImpactLife, the provider of blood components for local hospitals. The blood drive will be from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at 900 Broadway, inside Gillespie Methodist Church Gym. What: Gillespie Community Blood Drive When: Monday, November 11, 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm Where: Gillespie Methodist Church Gym, 900 Broadway, Gillespie, IL Appointments: To donate, please contact Brenda Lowe at (217) 710-1336 or visit www.bloodcenter.org and use code 60020 to locate the drive. You may also call ImpactLife to schedule at 800-747-5401. Appointments are requested. Donor Eligibility Criteria: Potential donors must be at least 17 years of age (16 with parental permission form available through www.bloodcenter.org ) and weigh more than 110 pounds. A photo I.D. is required to donate. For questions about eligibility, please call ImpactLife at (800) 747-5401. Donors who last gave blood on or before Sept.

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PIASA — The Piasa Southwestern boys cross country team secured a spot in the sectional meet next week at Elmwood, demonstrating strong performance at the IHSA Class 1A Rushville-Industry regional meet held Saturday morning, Oct. 26, 2024, at Scripps Park Golf Course. Pleasant Plains claimed the team title with a commanding score of 33 points, significantly ahead of second-place Quincy Notre Dame Catholic, which finished with 86 points. Petersburg PORTA followed closely in third with 91 points, while Carthage Illini West took fourth with 116 points. Liberty finished fifth with 124 points, and the Piasa Birds secured their advancement with a total of 149 points. Beardstown rounded out the qualifying teams in seventh place with 158 points. The Piasa Birds are Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Male Athletes Of The Month. In individual performances, Thor Springman led Southwestern with a seventh-place finish, clocking in at 16:37.0 for three miles, which marked a personal recor

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Fresh Express is voluntarily recalling a limited number of Gourmet Café Chicken Caesar Salad Bowls due to the inclusion of recalled chicken items from BrucePac, an outside ingredient supplier. The BrucePac recall is due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The fresh vegetable components are not impacted by this recall. Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. The salad bowls were distributed in the following states: CA, LA, TX, WA. Fresh Express is no longer using chicken ingredients from the ingredient supplier’s (BrucePac) impacted facility and we will not do so until the USDA has inspected

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ST. JOSEPH – Today, the Illinois State Police (ISP) joined Trooper Corey S. Thompsen’s family and friends, along with officers from law enforcement agencies across the country, to honor and pay their respects to Trooper Thompsen, who was killed in the line of duty on October 18, 2024, as the result of a traffic crash in Champaign County. Trooper Thompsen was laid to rest today. “Our hearts are broken today, but our spirit is not,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “To allow our spirit to be broken would dishonor what Trooper Thompsen, his family, and ISP stand for. This week and then forever, we will honor him. "We will honor his life of service, and the service and sacrifice of his family and friends.” Trooper Thompsen began his career in law enforcement in 2018, serving as a member of the Vermilion Metropolitan Enforcement Group. On this exact day, five years ago, Trooper Thompsen entered the ISP Academy in Springfield as a cadet in

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WOOD RIVER - As families enjoyed Wood River’s Downtown Trick-or-Treat night last week, Mayor Tom Stalcup reflected on the town’s growth. Stalcup noted that the town has brought in many new businesses and revitalized their downtown district. He thanked the people in the city who have made this possible. “We got together with a lot of the building owners who are down here and got some new ordinances passed and cleaned up some of the older buildings, and it just started snowballing from there,” Stalcup said. “About four years ago, when I first came into office, Chief Wells, who’s also our Building and Zoning czar, he had some ideas. And Steve Palin came into office for the city manager’s job, and they work really well together.” The Downtown Trick-or-Treat event represents the town’s expansion over the years, as Stalcup noted the sidewalks were “shoulder-to-shoulder” with families and kids enjoying their evening

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HARDIN – The Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Special Investigations Unit (SIU) on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, announced charges against the Calhoun Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) Treasurer. ISP worked with the Calhoun County State’s Attorney to bring charges against Peggy Hall for theft. On February 13, 2024, the Calhoun County State’s Attorney notified ISP of allegations of theft against Calhoun County Assessor Peggy Hall. The allegations of theft were related to her role as PTO Treasurer and not in her capacity as Calhoun County Assessor. ISP conducted a thorough investigation into allegations of stealing PTO funds and turned its case over to the Illinois State’s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor. On October 22, 2024, Hall was charged with one count of Theft over $10,000 and one count of Deceptive Practices. Hall was served a warrant and released. Hall’s first court appearance is set for November 6, 2024. All suspects

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DUPO – Lane closures on northbound I-255 will begin on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, as part of a pavement maintenance project, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) announced today. The closures will extend from Exit 9 (Dupo) to Exit 10 (Cahokia Heights) and are expected to last until Thursday, October 31, 2024, weather permitting. Starting at 9 a.m. on October 29, the left lane will be closed for the duration of the project. Additionally, the adjacent lane will be closed daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. during this period. All entrance and exit ramps will remain open, according to IDOT. These lane restrictions are necessary to perform essential maintenance work in the area, and IDOT District 8 crews will be overseeing the improvements. Full access to the highway will be restored as soon as possible. Motorists are advised to anticipate delays and to allow extra time for their travels through this section of I-255. The department encourages drivers to consider alternate

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SHILOH — HSHS Medical Group is pleased to welcome Dr. Emily Dahm, family medicine, to their team. Dr. Dahm is now scheduling patients at HSHS Medical Group Family Medicine –Shiloh, located at 1116 Hartman Lane in Shiloh. As a primary care physician, Dr. Dahm cares for patients of all ages and offers a variety of services, including minor procedures, general wellness, well-child visits, women’s health care, and acute and chronic illness management. Dr. Dahm is an Illinois native who has returned to serve her community. She earned her Bachelor of Medical Science at Saint Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri. She received her medical degree from Saint Louis University School of Medicine also in St. Louis. Dr. Dahm completed a family medicine residency at Saint Louis University – Southwest Illinois Family Medicine Residency in Belleville, Illinois. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dahm, please call 618-641-9011 or schedule online at hshsmedicalgroup.org

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EDWARDSVILLE - After a nationwide and highly competitive application process, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), has awarded the Madison County Drug Court a $2,000,000 grant, Project Reclaiming Hope. Chief Criminal Judge Kyle Napp, who has been the presiding judge of the drug court since 2010, announced the exciting news on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024. The Project Reclaiming Hope grant will last five years, and it will allow the courts to increase the number of participants accepted into drug court. The grant will provide funding for two vital staff positions, both a probation officer specialist and a high-risk probation officer. The grant will also provide much-needed funding for additional drug and mental health treatment, parenting classes, the hiring of three more treatment providers, housing vouchers, funding for GED classes and additional training. Judge Napp praised the work of Deputy Chief Probation Officer Mike Wilkinson. “Mike spent countles

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - On Saturday, October 26, 2024, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued charges on suspect Justin Bradshaw, 34 years of age, of the 2900 block of Lemay Ferry Road in St. Louis, Missouri, 63125, for Resisting/Interfering with Arrest for a Felony, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Assault Third Degree of a Special Victim, and Assault Fourth Degree. A booking photo of Bradshaw is attached. Bradshaw is being held on $100,000 cash only, no 10%, bond. Please note, charges are merely an accusation, and Defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law. The probable cause statement reads: "On October 26, 2024, Officer #1 on patrol in the area of South Broadway Avenue and Vincent Avenue observed a silver Pontiac G6 driving on South Broadway Avenue. License plate check comes back to a Chevrolet vehicle. Officer #1 initiated a traffic stop for license plate violation. Upon contacting the occupants of the vehicle, Officer

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HARDIN - At 7:46 p.m. on Sept. 20, 2024, a deputy with the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office conducted a traffic stop on Illinois River Road, near Meyer Lane in Calhoun County. Subsequent to an investigation, the driver, Benjamin K. Brummett, aged 46, of St. Louis was arrested for the following offenses: Possession of Methamphetamine (Less than 5 Grams), Possession of Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Operating Uninsured. Brummett 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; Brummett 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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MADISON COUNTY - Illinois State Police Troop 8 responded to a fatal traffic crash early Monday morning, Oct. 28, 2024, on Interstate 55 northbound near milepost 3. The incident occurred at approximately 4:31 a.m. on October 28, 2024. ISP said preliminary reports indicate that the crash involved two vehicles, resulting in one person being pronounced deceased at the scene. In response to the accident, authorities closed the northbound lanes of I-55 and diverted traffic to I-64 eastbound. The roadway was reopened around 8:30 a.m. As of now, no further information has been released regarding the circumstances of the crash or the identity of the deceased. The investigation is ongoing.

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