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Thanksgiving is one of the most anticipated holidays in the United States, celebrated with family gatherings, feasts, and a spirit of gratitude. However, for many, the journey to reach loved ones can be fraught with challenges—from crowded airports and busy highways to last-minute travel changes. To make your Thanksgiving travel experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible, we’ve compiled essential tips that will help you navigate the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Plan Ahead Book Early One of the most effective ways to reduce stress during Thanksgiving travel is to plan ahead. This means booking your flights or accommodations as early as possible. Airlines and hotels often offer discounted rates for early bookings, and you can secure a better selection of options. Aim to finalize your travel arrangements at least a few months in advance, especially if you’re considering popular destinations or peak travel days. Choose Your Travel Days Wisely Traveling

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As the leaves begin to change color and the air turns crisp, fall serves as a reminder that it's time to prepare your home for the colder months ahead. Engaging in seasonal home maintenance not only helps to preserve the integrity of your property but also ensures comfort and safety during the winter. This article delves into essential fall home maintenance projects that homeowners should consider tackling, providing practical advice and examples to help you get started. Inspect and Clean Gutters One of the most critical fall maintenance tasks is to inspect and clean your gutters. As trees shed their leaves, debris can accumulate in your gutter system, leading to clogs that can cause water damage to your home. Key Steps: Safety First: Use a sturdy ladder and consider having a friend assist you. Remove Debris: Scoop out leaves, twigs, and dirt from the gutters. Flush with Water: Use a hose to flush out remaining debris and check for proper drainage. Tip: Consider installin

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Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, reflection, and, of course, feasting. While large gatherings are often the norm, many people find themselves hosting smaller dinners, whether due to travel constraints or personal preference. Cooking for a small crowd can be less stressful, and it opens the door to creativity in the kitchen. Here, we explore easy Thanksgiving recipes that are perfect for small gatherings, ensuring you can celebrate the holiday without overwhelming yourself. Planning Your Menu Before diving into recipes, it’s essential to plan your menu. A well-thought-out menu helps streamline preparation and ensures that all dishes complement each other. Here are some key points to consider: Balance of Flavors : Aim for a mix of savory and sweet dishes, ensuring a variety of textures and flavors. Dietary Restrictions : Be aware of any dietary needs of your guests—vegetarian, gluten-free, or nut allergies, for example. Dish Size : Opt for recipes that can easily

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Welcome to another edition of 'This Day in History.' Today, we explore some of the most significant events that have shaped our world on November 25th throughout the years. One of the most impactful events in global history on this day occurred in 1947, when the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 181, which recommended the partition of Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states. This resolution marked a critical turning point in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, setting the stage for decades of political strife, violence, and negotiations. The adoption of this resolution was met with both hope and resistance; it was seen as a pathway to peace for some, while others viewed it as an injustice. The ramifications of this decision are still felt today, as the region continues to grapple with the complexities of sovereignty, identity, and territorial claims. In the realm of science and technology, November 25th, 1970, marks the anniversary of the first successful

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JERSEY COUNTY - This summer, the Jersey County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) partnered with some amazing public servants from Jersey Community Unit School District 100 (JCUSD 100) and the Jersey County Against Drugs (JCAD) Coalition to hold a first Summer Academy for some special youth in the community. The cadre of young men and women selected for the Summer Academy became Class 1, the self-proclaimed “Dream Team.” While there were many goals for the Summer Academy, it was the first such endeavor for the JCSO and was only possible with the support of the JCUSD 100 Administration, and the hard work and dedication of JCSO Deputy Katlin Edwards, Rita Robertson from JCAD, Ron Linenfelser from JCUSD 100, and Dr. Brian Johnson from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Two very special volunteers, Peyton Schulte and Megan Maness, also had the courage to step up, serve their community, and help with the project. Much of the funding for the Summer Academy came from a grant

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Welcome to This Day in History! Today, we take a moment to reflect on some significant events that have shaped our world on November 23rd and 24th throughout the years. One of the most notable events that occurred on this day is the Great Blizzard of 1888, which wreaked havoc across the eastern United States. This catastrophic storm, which began on March 11 and continued through March 14, 1888, was one of the most severe blizzards in American history. However, on November 23, 1888, the effects of the storm were still being felt as communities worked to recover from the devastation. The blizzard resulted in over 400 fatalities and left thousands stranded, highlighting the vulnerability of urban areas to extreme weather events. It also prompted advancements in meteorology and weather forecasting, as the nation sought to better prepare for such disasters in the future. Fast forward to 1963, on this day, the iconic British television series Doctor Who made its debut on the BBC. The

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ST. LOUIS - On Friday, a City of St. Louis judge allowed the St. Louis Development Corporation’s (SLDC) Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority (LCRA) to condemn and take possession of the Railway Exchange Building and adjacent parking garage through eminent domain. The Railway Exchange Building encompasses two city blocks on Locust, North 6th, Pine and North 7th Streets. The next step requires a hearing with a judge and commissioners to determine the value of the property. Appraisers selected by LCRA set the price for $5.3 million. LCRA will ask to purchase the property at the current appraised price. The next court date is pending. LCRA is hopeful to receive final determination of value before the end of the year, and aims to pay that value and take possession of the property shortly after. About St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) is the independent economic development agency serving the City of St. Louis, Missouri. I

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EDWARDSVILLE - Metro East Humane Society will host a Pawsgiving to give all their shelter dogs a turkey feast. The Pawsgiving will be livestreamed on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28, 2024, on the Metro East Humane Society Facebook page . Turkey meals will be donated by Pup Kitchen , and the humane society is asking for $25 donations to sponsor pets and contribute to their cause. “I love dogs, and to think about dogs not having homes is, to me, terribly sad,” said Marc Fussell, owner of Pup Kitchen. “It’s a part of life, unfortunately. But if we can do something to make the dogs happy for one day, I think that’s a good cause.” MEHS noted that the Thanksgiving meal is like giving the dogs “a taste of being home for the holidays.” They have approximately 40 dogs in their care right now. Pup Kitchen will be donating several pounds of food for the dogs’ meal. An Edwardsville-based business, Pup Kitchen makes human-grade, holistic,

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Legislation would roll back labor law exemptions enabling Major League Baseball to skirt federal wage and hour laws at the expense of unionized minor league players WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, introduced the Fair Ball Act , which would roll back the current broad exemption from federal wage and hour laws for Minor League Baseball players provided by the inaptly named Save America’s Pastime Act (SAPA) and replace it with a narrowly tailored exemption that would only apply if the players are being compensated pursuant to the terms of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA). If the players are not covered by a CBA, then they would have the same federal wage protections as all other workers. In 2018, Major League Baseball (MLB) successfully lobbied for SAPA in order to shield itself from a class-action lawsuit, which alleged that MLB and its teams violated federal and state wage and hour

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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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