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GODFREY - As summer comes to a close, those autumn activities are just around the corner. Soon, family activities will turn to apple and pumpkin picking. Hot apple cider and sweaters and jackets will be the order of the day. For those of us in Godfrey, we have a farm right here on Winter Lane where apples and pumpkins can be found in abundance. Heritage Farm is a family-owned and operated business. Patrick and Lindsay Gibson purchased the farm in 2017 and started the business in 2018. They and their three sons, Mason (7), Easton (5) and Austin (3), live on the property. The farm is a bit over 36 acres. Approximately 9 acres are in the orchard with 13 varieties of apples. Around two acres is in a nursery where new apple trees are started from bare roots and grafting. Another 20 acres is dedicated to growing 50 different varieties of pumpkins. About 65% of the farm’s trees are sold wholesale, and the balance are retail. Pumpkins are also sold both wholesale and retail.

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EDWARDSVILLE – Luci Klingensmith, a senior at Edwardsville High School, is set to join the Saint Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra for the first time this year. Klingensmith, who has been playing the oboe for eight years, is excited about this new chapter in her musical journey. Klingensmith's dedication to music is evident in her diverse involvement. She serves as the principal oboe in her school's symphonic band, plays saxophone in the marching band, and performs in the pit orchestra on both oboe and English horn. Additionally, she sings in the highest-level chamber chorus at Edwardsville High School. Her musical achievements have not gone unnoticed. Klingensmith has been honored as an ILMEA All-District musician multiple times and was recently selected to play oboe in the 2024 ILMEA All-State Orchestra. Beyond her musical talents, Klingensmith is an active participant in various extracurricular activities. She is a member of her FTC robotics team, where she has received a state-wid

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WOOD RIVER - Renee Strowmatt has helped the community as an OB nurse at Alton Memorial Hospital for years. Now, she needs some help in return. Strowmatt was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. Her family will be hosting a benefit from 6–9 p.m. on Oct. 6, 2024, at the Wood River Moose Lodge. Community members can enjoy a DJ, karaoke, a buffet and raffles, all for a great cause, at “Goodbye Earl: A Night Supporting the Strowmatts.” “I’m most looking forward to seeing all of the people that are really kind of standing in the gap for me and my family,” Strowmatt said. “This has been a completely unexpected experience and diagnosis, and we have had so many people rally around us from my family, my friends, my work, my church and people within our community.” Strowmatt explained that she found the lump accidentally and almost brushed it off, but felt in the pit of her stomach that something was wrong. As a lactation consultan

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GRANITE CITY – The Illinois Department of Transportation on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, announced that repairs to eastbound Interstate 270 between Illinois 3 and Riverview Drive in Missouri will require lane closures starting, weather permitting, at 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13. One lane will remain open. All lanes will reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 16. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this closure. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on the social media platform X at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced a total of $37,031,074 in federal funding for infrastructure improvements at airports across Illinois. Area airports that received funding are Scott Air Force Base/MidAmerica St. Louis Airport (Mascoutah) - $3,536,912, and St. Louis Downtown Airport in Cahokia - $4,740328. This funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration will go toward reinforcing the structural integrity of taxiways, expanding existing terminal buildings to accommodate more passengers and aircraft operations and installing various modernization measures, including mechanisms to alleviate noise pollution for surrounding residences, increase clean energy opportunities, improve drainage infrastructure and mitigate wildlife attractants. “Illinois’s airports are critical economic engines for our state and the source of jobs for s

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EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is included in the WSJ College Pulse Ranking 2025. This prestigious list, which names the top 500 colleges in the country, is presented by The Wall Street Journal, College Pulse and Statista, the leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. The award list was announced on Wednesday, Sept. 4 and can be viewed on the WSJ website. The Best Colleges in the U.S. ranks undergraduate institutions by the value they provide to their students. This value is assessed based on the learning environment, years to pay off the net price, degree completion rates, the likelihood of higher salaries post-graduation and diversity. The results are derived from official data from the U.S. Department of Education and the Census Bureau, along with a nationwide survey of undergraduate students and recent alumni who graduated within the past five years. In one of the largest-ever independent surveys of verified college students in the U.S.,

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EAST ST. LOUIS – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced lane restrictions will be encountered on northbound I-55/70 between MM 3.2 and MM 3.6 beginning Thursday, September 12, 2024, at 7:00 a.m., weather permitting. The two left lanes will be closed to allow IDOT District 8 Operations forces to perform emergency bridge deck patching on the bridge over CSX, NS, and Conrail Railroads, just east of the merge with I-70. All entrance and exit ramps will remain open. All lanes are expected to re-open by 3:30 p.m. Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. To avoid the work area, when feasible, use of alternate routes should be considered. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on X, formerly known at Twitter, at @IDOTDistrict8

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EDWARDSVILLE – Ian Kim, a rising freshman at Edwardsville High School, is set to embark on a significant milestone as he joins the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra’s viola section this year. Ian’s journey in music began with the violin before he made a permanent switch to the viola at the age of 7. His musical repertoire also includes the piano, which he studies through the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Keyboard Program. Since sixth grade, Ian has consistently received top marks at the Illinois Grade School Music Association (IGSMA) Solo and Ensemble Competitions and has participated in the Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) Junior Orchestra Festivals for the past three years. Most recently, he performed with the Alton Symphony Orchestra, gaining valuable orchestral experience. Victoria Voumard, the Edwardsville High School orchestra director, said Ian is talented, hard-working, fearless and motivated. "He is constantly searching fo

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BUNKER HILL - Bunker Hill residents looking for a day of family fun, live music, fireworks, and more won’t have to wait long; Bunker Hill Fall Fest 2024 is right around the corner on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The festival takes place in the downtown area of Bunker Hill. The jam-packed event includes vendors, food and beverages, a bounce house, a Car Show and Burnout Contest, an interactive Illinois Department of Natural Resources booth, and a fireworks display starting at 8 p.m. This year's festival will also feature two back-to-back live musical acts. City Heat, a five-piece band with Bunker Hill’s own Bill Sehlmeyer on drums, will take the stage from 12 to 4 p.m. before a performance from Rock Bottom closes out the evening from 6 to 10 p.m. The Bunker Hill Speed Demons Car Club is hosting both a Car Show and Burnout Contest at this year’s event. Participants can register for the Car Show starting at 8 a.m., with awards being presented

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ALTON - On September 17, 1924, the Alton Telegraph announced that the Ocean Wave driving track had officially closed. A year before, Chester A. Murphy, Metropolitan Life Insurance agent and car salesman, had decided to build an ocean wave road on a strip of property near Bethalto. With the help of property owner Ed Balster, on Balster’s land, he built a half mile of mounds meant to be driven up and down at about 30 miles per hour for a thrill. The road resembled an ocean wave in that it had a series of elevations and depressions, the difference of which was about the height of a Ford car. Murphy, who left Metropolitan Life to dedicate all of his time to the amusement business, also constructed a dancing pavilion and planned to erect a Ferris wheel. In June 1924, the Ocean Wave opened and Murphy began charging a dime to automobile owners to drive the bumpy track. However, the wave was not as popular as expected, and by the end of August, no one was monitoring the attraction

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BETHALTO - Amare will host their annual Rockin’ for Recovery festival to raise awareness about substance use disorders and National Recovery Month. From 4–9:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, community members can enjoy the free music and food truck festival at Central Park in Bethalto. The family-friendly event will also feature testimonials and a Fun Zone, and several organizations will be onsite to share more about their work. “It’s about bringing the community together,” said Jason Farley, Recovery & Community Engagement Specialist with Amare. “This was the goal all along, to get different pathways to recovery and different resources all in one place, get everybody working together and supporting people who are reaching out for help with substance use disorder and their families.” The festival will include music by Dry Clean Only, Crossroads, and Black Magic. The food trucks Falafel Saha, Kona Ice, Fusion Taco and Overboard will

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TROY - The Troy/Maryville/St. Jacob/Marine Chamber of Commerce will host a festival to commemorate the organization’s 40th anniversary. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in downtown Troy, community members can enjoy food trucks, artisan vendors, a gaming truck, a car show, Downtown Business Bingo and more. “The incentive is come see us, come do a little business with us, come eat something good, and here we are,” explained Dawn Mushill, executive director of the Chamber. “It’s just going to be one of those great days.” There will be a shuttle to transport people from the parking lots to downtown Troy at Market and Main Streets. Downtown Troy is currently under construction, so there will also be volunteers at the crosswalks to help people safely cross through the construction. The event starts at 9 a.m. with DJ Big Papa G, food trucks and the Downtown Business Bingo. The artisan vendor fair will open at 10 a.m., and a

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O'FALLON — On Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) sent a letter to Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Secretary Omer Osman requesting IDOT’s assistance with a persistent safety issue at an O’Fallon, Illinois, interstate exit. A video of the regular traffic backups at Exit 16 on I-64 Eastbound in Illinois recently went viral on TikTok, garnering more than 40.7 million views. Click here to view the video. “Today, I asked the Illinois Department of Transportation to help us address chronic traffic backups at Exit 16 on I-64 in O’Fallon," Budzinski said. "The confusion and congestion at this interchange create a dangerous situation for local drivers and impedes the flow of traffic. "I’m grateful to the local resident who shared their experience with this exit on TikTok and I look forward to working toward a solution that eases traffic and improves safety.” These are some other comments she provided

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ALTON — Kavon Lacey, one of Alton High School's most celebrated basketball players of all time, has continued to make an impact both on and off the court. Lacey, who scored 1,499 points during his high school career, was an all-state selection and played a pivotal role in leading the Redbirds to a 100-27 record during his career, securing two regional titles and one sectional crown. After a successful high school career, Lacey went on to play college basketball at the University of Evansville from 2007 to 2011. There, he emerged as a team leader, contributing 537 points, 282 assists, and 257 rebounds over his collegiate career. Lacey's leadership skills have since translated into his current role as the men's basketball coach at Lewis and Clark Community College. As the new season approaches, Lacey expressed his enthusiasm for the Trailblazers' prospects. "I am excited about the upcoming season," he said, reflecting on his journey from a standout player to a mentor and

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ELSAH/GRAFTON - The QEM Fire Protection District Auxiliary will host their annual fish fry to raise money for the fire department. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, community members can enjoy fish dinners, sandwiches and desserts at the QEM Fire Protection District, located at 14905 Elsah Road in Grafton. There are also several raffles available. The money raised will help the auxiliary provide meals and equipment for the firefighters. “It’s one of our biggest fundraisers to help raise funds to support the firefighters,” said Heather, who organized the event. “We try to help with getting the firefighters things they need.” The auxiliary regularly provides meals and drinks when the firefighters are on extended call fires. Heather said one meal costs about $150 to provide. While the QEM Fire Protection District funds the buildings and trucks, the auxiliary raises money for extra equipment, including leaf blowers and brush gear.

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ALTON – The Alton Black Alumni Association continues to make a significant impact in the community through its annual golf tournament and reunion. The event serves as a key fundraiser for the Leo C. Cox Memorial Scholarship, which awards $1,000 per year for up to four years to selected students. In 2023, the association introduced a new $500 scholarship to further support educational pursuits. Since its inception, the scholarship has recognized several deserving students: Maika Miller (2016), A'Miracle Gray (2017), Alianna Kottabi (2018), Daijia Robinson (2019), Nina Womack (2020), Trinity Ingram (2021), Kamren Mason-El (2022), Stephens Isabella (2023), and for 2024, Savanna Brown and Keion Lacey. Rhonda Cox, niece of Leo C. Cox, expressed her family's dedication to continuing his legacy. "My family and I are deeply honored to continue to care for his mission and unwavering commitment to the community. This organization meant a lot to him," Cox stated. Richard Watson, wh

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ELSAH/GRAFTON - Four firefighters with the QEM Fire Protection District climbed 2,200 stairs to remember the firefighters who were lost in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. On Sept. 11, 2024, the firefighters climbed up and down the burn tower at the QEM Fire Protection District at 14905 Elsah Road in Grafton. They climbed a total of 110 stories, or 2,200 stairs, in honor of the 343 firefighters who died in the 9/11 attacks and the many others who responded to the call. “The whole event started with my guys wanting to do something to honor the fallen and all the lives we lost that day,” said Aaron Darr, fire chief. “They just honor them that way, by doing the climb that they had to do.” Victoria Westfall, Steven Looney, Ray Clothier and Cameron Mank participated in the climb. The firefighters' friends and families watched as they climbed up and down the tower 37 times. Darr said he “couldn’t be prouder” of his team. “A lo

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September 12th has been a significant date in history, marking numerous impactful events across various fields globally. 1962: JFK's Bold Vision for Space On September 12, 1962, President John F. Kennedy gave his iconic speech at Rice University, setting the ambitious goal of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to Earth before the end of the decade. This speech was instrumental in galvanizing public support for the Apollo program, which ultimately led to the historic moon landing in 1969. Kennedy's vision not only ignited the space race but also inspired generations to reach for the stars. 1940: Discovery of the Lascaux Cave Paintings In a serendipitous event on September 12, 1940, four teenagers and their dog stumbled upon the Lascaux Caves in France, unveiling one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. The cave walls were adorned with prehistoric paintings dating back approximately 17,000 years, offering invaluable insights

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EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced Wednesday that a jury has issued a verdict finding a man to still be a Sexually Dangerous Person due to propensities to commit sex crimes. The jury’s finding means James M. Lopes, 49, formerly of Idaho, will remain in the custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections. Lopes came to the attention of local authorities in 2016 after he had interactions with children and parents at public places in Collinsville, Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, and Livingston. In one incident, he claimed to be on a “mini-date” with a young girl. In others, he referred to young girls as “princess.” Lopes claimed to be a founder of “Rise Star Church,” which on various media channels promoted sex and marriage between adults and children. He distributed business cards, which included a web address for “Rise Star Church,” to children and their parents. His various interactions

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ALTON - The Alton City Council on Wednesday approved a resolution to provide 350 free laptops to “low-income, unconnected households within the Alton School District.” Under the resolution, the city would allocate $68,250 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to the nonprofit organization Alton Forward , who would then provide the laptops to the households in need. For 350 laptops in total, the cost comes out to $195 per laptop. The question of who exactly would be eligible for the free devices prompted some discussion at the Committee of the Whole meeting earlier this week . Alderwoman Carolyn MacAfee questioned what qualifies as “low-income” and said she opposed the inclusion of four households technically located in Godfrey, some of whom she claimed were “Godfrey taxpayers.” Alderman Raymond Strebel reiterated that the children in these households attend schools in the Alton School District, as stated in the resolution. Alderma

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