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EAST ALTON – More than 900 fifth graders and their instructors participated in the 21 st Annual National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC sm ) Water Festival at the Lewis and Clark Community College’s Godfrey campus Friday, September 29. Participants spent the day on campus exploring interactive booths focused on the importance of water. “It has been so rewarding seeing students go from thinking frogs were gross and scary to thinking that they were cool and exciting,” said Jessica Mohlman, research coordinator and assistant scientist at NGRREC. “I couldn’t have been happier with the results from teaching about wetlands and the research we do at NGRREC.” This year, classes rotated between 37 stations during the five-hour long event. Students enjoyed soaking up the knowledge and entertainment from nature hikes to canoe rides. “Being a part of the largest Water Festival to date has been so exciting,”

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EDWARDSVILLE - Lexow Financial Group recently marked 30 years of helping people in the Edwardsville community reach their financial goals with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Larry Lexow, who owns the company and two others, appreciates the community’s support as he looks to help the next generation of entrepreneurs. Lexow Financial Group is a financial services company that works with individuals, businesses, and families looking to develop financial plans or reach financial independence, Lexow said. “Today, we’re celebrating the 30th anniversary of the founding of our company,” Lexow said at the event. “We have some longevity in terms of what we’re trying to do and help families reach their greatest goal in reaching financial independence.” Lexow Financial isn’t his only company with “longevity”: there’s also Lexow Properties, a company of 25 years that houses the office building for Lexow Financial and 20 other

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ALTON - Success is an annual occurrence for Alton Memorial Health Services Foundation’s Duck Pluckers, Deer Skinners, and Fish Hookers Ball. The 14 th edition held on Sept. 16 raised close to $175,000. Funds will go toward the purchase of another Alton Memorial Hospital ambulance equipped with $125,000 worth of life-saving equipment. “The support we receive at this event from our community each year has been spectacular,” said AMH President Dave Braasch. “This year was no exception. This unwavering support allows us to keep our hospital-based ambulance fleet equipped with the latest technology and road-ready. I’d like to shout out a big ‘Thank You’ to the people who sponsored the event, worked at the event, and came and donated at the event. Your contributions in maintaining and enhancing Emergency Medical Services in our region are commendable.” AMH is the largest hospital-based ambulance service in the area, covering nearly 400

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GODFREY - Join The Nature Institute for a magical evening of Halloween fun! Enchanted Forest will take place on October 20th from 6 – 9 p.m. This non-spooky fall activity is perfect for families with young children. You can enjoy the activities at your own pace then turn in your passport for a bag of treats. This family-friendly event will include a self-guided hike, yard games, a cozy fire, and educational activities. Children will receive a passport to be stamped by all of the nocturnal animal characters that they meet along the trail. Every child will receive a bag of goodies in exchange for their completed passport! The entrance fee for this family fun event is $5 for everyone over the age of 2. This event is perfect for families looking for a fun night of strolling through the forest and learning about animals. Children and adults are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes for the evening. Activities will be spread out along the paved Frog Trail, the skeet range,

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WASHINGTON DC - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) and Chair of the CST Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations and Innovation—joined the Aero Club Luncheon fireside chat with key leaders in the aviation industry where she underscored the ways we should improve aviation safety, expand accessibility for passengers with disabilities and support our aviation workforce in the Senate FAA Reauthorization Act amid our aviation safety crisis. Photos from today’s fireside chat are available here . “As a pilot and Senator, it was great to be at today’s Aero Club Luncheon to talk about all the ways I’m working to strengthen aviation safety for all passengers—especially as our aviation workforce is stretched razor thin and our entire aviation system continues to experience alarming near-misses where catastrophic loss of life was barely averted,” said

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement regarding the passing of U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA): “Dianne was a trailblazer. She spent her time in office fighting for causes that many overlooked, and she made history with passage of the Assault Weapons Ban , Violence Against Women Act , Respect for Marriage Act , and as Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee. “Dianne was my friend and seatmate on the Senate Judiciary Committee for more than twenty years. She never backed away from the toughest political battles—she was always dignified and always effective. The Senate and those of us privileged to serve with her have lost a woman whose public service wrote an inspiring chapter in the history of our nation. “Loretta and I send our condolences to her daughter, Katherine; her son-in-law, Rick; her granddaughter, Eileen; and the countless other family, friends, and colleagues who are mourning

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WASHINGTON DC - During a U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) hearing today on U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) nominees, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) secured a commitment from nominee to be Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Derek Chollet to help prioritize funding and resources for programs aimed at strengthening military coordination in Southeast Asia. These critical efforts would build on the success of a military cybersecurity partnership with Southeast Asian partners that Senator Duckworth created in 2020—and could be expanded through her Southeast Asia Partnership Expansion Act that was included the Senate-passed Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) if that legislation is signed into law. Full video of Senator Duckworth’s committee remarks is available here . “During my recent Congressional Delegation to Southeast Asia, I spoke with U.S. servicemembers advising partner militaries in the region

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SPRINGFIELD – The 2023 Illinois fall trout season will open Saturday, Oct. 21 at 59 ponds, lakes, and streams throughout the state, and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is warning anglers that warm weather will delay some early stockings this fall. The early catch-and-release season, scheduled to open Oct. 7 this year, will be stocked later than expected because of forecasted and observed warm water temperatures. Trout stocked in waters warmer than 70 degrees will experience high mortality. IDNR will stock the early catch-and-release sites as soon as water temperatures cool and will provide updates on the ifishillinois.org website and social media channels for ifishillinois.org and IDNR. No trout may be taken from any of the stocked sites until the regular fall season opens at 5 a.m. Oct. 21. The daily catch limit is five trout. All anglers, including those who participate in the early catch-and-release season, must have an Illinois fishing license and

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ALTON - Participants at the free utility bill clinic on Wednesday hosted by State Representative Amy Elik (R-Alton) and the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) learned how to save money on their utility bills. The free utility bill clinic was held at Senior Services Plus (SSP) in Alton. “This event was very popular, several people who attended found ways to save on their electricity bill by switching their alternative rate electric supplier,” said Rep. Amy Elik. “In one instance I had a constituent that was paying .17 cents per kWh with an alternative rate electric supplier when other rates available are half the cost. Since the demand to learn how to save money on utility bills was so high, my office plans to host another free utility clinic early next year if not sooner.” In the meantime, Representative Amy Elik is encouraging individuals who would like to receive help finding ways to save on their utility bills, to please call the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) a

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SPRINGFIELD – The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) and Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) are visiting and inspecting haunted houses to ensure they’re safe before the doors creak open and screams are let out. “Inspectors with IDOL’s Amusement Ride and Attraction Safety Division, along with other State and local partners, walk through, inspect and permit haunted houses before they’re open to the public,” said Illinois Department of Labor Carnival Manager Brian Fox. Haunted houses in Illinois are required to be inspected prior to operation, though haunted houses operated by not-for-profit religious, educational, or charitable organizations can apply for an exemption from IDOL inspection. These haunted houses, however, must still be inspected by local authorities and/or the State Fire Marshal's office. “Haunted houses are a fun and scary activity many enjoy during the Halloween season,” said Illinois State Fire Marshal

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ALTON - As September comes to a close, the “Alton Flyway Mural” at 136 Front Street is taking shape. Robert Fishbone with On the Wall Productions started work on the mural two weeks ago. He originally predicted it would take about a month to complete. The two prime coats have been applied and the design is laid out on the wall. Over the past few days, Fishbone has been applying the first coat of paint. “One of the things that distinguishes the work that my company does is everything we do is site-specific. That means it’s geared toward the community and the history of the people,” Fishbone explained at a “What’s Up Downtown” information exchange in August . The “Alton Flyway Mural” is a recreation of a painting by Elsah artist James K. Schmidt. Fishbone has adjusted Schmidt’s painting so that it fits on the eastern wall of 136 Front St. and nothing is obscured by the building’s windows or piping. Above

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GODFREY/ALTON - On the surface, Helen Shelby’s career seems like a regular story. Shelby is retiring on Sept. 29 after 58 years as a hairdresser in salons across Alton and Godfrey. She speaks fondly about her customers and coworkers, recounting their loyalty and her gratitude for their friendships. If you ask Shelby, it’s been a good career, though nothing special. Her friends and customers would disagree. “One said to me, ‘You have no idea how you’ve touched my life.’ And let me tell you, that just got to me,” Shelby said. “You don’t think, maybe, you’re helping someone. But I’ve had things and people that affect me like that too, so I know what that feels like.” Some of these people are women that Shelby has seen once a week for over 50 years. They sit in her chair and chat about their lives, their families, and their stresses. They tell her things they haven’t been able to tell anyone else. “They

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ALTON - Dave and Marla Thomas may have Grammys hanging on their wall, but they’re normal people who, like all of us, must cope with the extraordinary, devastating and mundane parts of love. In their family, that includes navigating their relationship with adult children with severe mental illness. And because Dave is a part of the famous a capella gospel group Take 6, they’ve done all of this while in the spotlight. Now, the couple is working to make that fight easier for other families. “Mental illness kicked the door to my house open and snatched out what was most valuable: two of my three children,” Marla said. “The decision platform that has to deal with the things that are most sensitive in our family is one that we landed on ... I didn’t choose this. I’m responding to it. But I’m responding to it responsibly and in truth and transparency.” Dave and Marla met in the second grade and became high school sweethearts.

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ALTON - Alton firefighters were joined by East Alton and the Madison County Rehab Unit to battle a very serious fire with a call-out at 6 a.m. Friday at 20th and Alby. Alton Deputy Fire Chief Matt Fischer said the fire occurred at 1912 Alby and declared the blaze "a total loss." He said when firefighters arrived, flames were shooting through the second floor. The firefighters had to battle the blaze from a "defensive standpoint" for safety. All occupants of the structure were reported out of the structure, the deputy fire chief said. Fischer said the structure had been added to and was cut up on the inside, which made it even more difficult to fight. He praised his firefighters and the others for their efforts and said an Alton shift change handled the transition seamlessly. As of 8:50 a.m. on Friday, the firefighters were still out at the scene fighting the fire and that area on Alby is also blocked off to traffic, the deputy chief said.

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ST. LOUIS - Audiences and critics alike have been singing praises for Union Avenue Opera’s 29th Festival Season, which closed last month, setting box office records with their run of Flaherty and Ahrens’ "Ragtime" that was hailed as “astonishing!” “perfectly sung,” and brimming with “excellence and deep talent.” Union Avenue Opera (UAO) is back this fall with a special 30th Anniversary Season Announcement Concert which will feature the return of soprano Marsha Thompson who sang the role of Abigaille in the company’s 2018 production of "Nabucco ." On Thursday, Oct. 26 at 7:30 p.m., Artistic Director Scott Schoonover will announce UAO’s highly anticipated 30th Anniversary Season line-up in a not-to-be missed concert celebrating the start of this momentous year. Joining Ms. Thompson on the UAO stage will be Meroë Khalia Adeeb (Governess) and James Stevens (Peter Quint) from this summer’s production of "The Turn o

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GRANITE CITY/EAST ST. LOUIS - Kyla Gerhardt of Granite City was crowned the Miss Illinois Juneteenth for 2023 on June 3, 2023. She will represent the state of Illinois in the National Miss Juneteenth Pageant, which will be held in October of 2023. Kyla, an 18-year-old 2023 graduate of Granite City High School, is a freshman at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville majoring in Early Childhood Education. An accomplished vocalist, Kyla won the talent and essay competitions to win the title of Miss Illinois Juneteenth 2023. She has sung across the country and recently performed at Carnegie Hall. Kyla uses her voice not only to entertain, but to educate, advocate and be a voice for children without a voice. She believes that musical therapy is the perfect way to give voice and to communicate with nonverbal children. In addition to being the 2023 Miss Illinois Juneteenth, Kyla is Fox Teen Talent Finalist and a Silver winner for the National ACT-SO Competition, where sh

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ALTON - Alton Memorial Hospital’s College Avenue entrance will be closed starting Monday, Oct. 2, and is expected to remain closed approximately a month for renovation work. The main objective of the project is for renovation and widening the entrance to allow for better traffic flow into and out of the hospital campus. Entrances to the Alton Memorial campus from Rock Springs Drive and Brown Street will remain open at all times. “We very much appreciate generous gifts from our community over the years to enhance and modernize our beautiful campus,” said AMH President Dave Braasch. “We thank our patients and visitors in advance for their cooperation during this project. The end result will be well worth it.” Patients and visitors are asked to turn south onto Rock Springs Drive from College Avenue and use the Memorial Drive entrance from Rock Springs to the hospital campus. The contractor will have a sign at the College/Rock Springs intersection

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WASHINGTON DC - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $1,008,750 in federal funding to Kaskaskia Regional Port District, located in Red Bud, IL, and one of the largest inland ports in the country. Today’s federal investment through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Maritime Administration’s America’s Marine Highway Program will support the purchase of eight shuttle cars to make cargo movement more efficient and reduce congestion. “Located on the Mississippi and Kaskaskia Rivers, Kaskaskia Regional Port District serves as a critical part of Southern Illinois’s economy,” Duckworth said. “Today’s announcement will help ensure they have the resources needed to increase operations and improve their infrastructure, as well as to lower carbon emissions. I was proud to support this project and will continue working to secure investments that help us rebuild our state’s infrastructure

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ALTON - Alton Little Theater (ALT) invites you to come to the final performances of “Beer for Breakfast,” a fun PG-13 show with local brews available for any audience members who want to get in the spirit of the play. The “very funny show” kicks off the theater’s 90th season and tells the story of five friends grappling with middle age. After last weekend’s performances were delayed when two cast members fell ill, the show is back with performances scheduled on Thursday, Sept. 28 through Sunday, Oct. 1. “Come and sit in the dark, have a beer — we bought all this extra selection of beer because it’s called ‘Beer for Breakfast’ — and come enjoy this funny, funny show,” director Lee Cox said. Cox and her fellow director Gail Drillinger arranged for the theater to offer an increased selection of beers and brews, including a breakfast stout, during the “Beer for Breakfast” run. Not only is

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GRANITE CITY - Illinois State Representative Amy Elik served as "Principal for the Day" at Maryville 1-2 Education Center in Granite City on Sept. 22. Elik read to 1st and 2nd grade students and also visited with staff. "I have loved my visit at Maryville Elementary. I don't actually get to spend a lot of time in schools, so anytime I do, I absolutely love to see the kids," Elik said. "The kids were polite, respectful, happy, excited and going about their day-to-day. Everyone should feel just so grateful for all the teachers here that spend their days teaching our kids. They do a wonderful job of it."

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