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ALTON — The Alton community will gather to honor the life and legacy of James E. Gray, a respected leader known for his commitment to education and advocacy, during a Celebration of Life at 1 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. The event will take place at at The Bridge Church Fellowship Hall, located at 504 E. 12th St. in Alton. James Gray died at the age of 90 on Dec. 27, 2024. K.J. Gray, the organizer of the celebration, expressed the importance of the event in a recent communication. "Join us in honoring the life and legacy of James E. Gray, a beloved community leader whose dedication to education, advocacy, and service left a profound impact on Alton and beyond," Gray stated. The celebration will feature tributes, music, and opportunities for fellowship, providing attendees a chance to reflect on Gray’s contributions to the community. In lieu of flowers, the family requests support for the Alton Branch of the NAACP's C Average Student Scholarship Program, which aims

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ALTON — Alton High School basketball player Alex Macias is experiencing a transformative season under new head coach Dylan Dudley. The Redbirds are now enjoying a successful campaign, boasting a 15-3 overall mark to meet rival Edwardsville at Edwardsville on Friday night, Jan. 17, 2025. Alex is an Auto Butler Male Athlete of the Month for Alton for his efforts. "Honestly, it's been amazing how Head Coach Dylan Dudley changed the program around, and the boys have come together," Macias said. "It's great to win games." Coach Dudley praised Macias, calling him "the heart and soul of our team." He noted that Macias has started every game for the past three years and is a player who prioritizes winning above all else. "All that kid wants to do is win," Dudley said. "He doesn’t care if he plays the entire game or just 10 minutes. He just wants to win." Macias and his teammates are now riding a wave of momentum, with aspirations to continue their winning ways and aim for

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CHICAGO - The 2025 tax season is quickly approaching, and the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) announced today it will begin accepting and processing 2025 tax returns on Monday, January 27, the same date the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) begins accepting federal income tax returns. Illinois will participate in the IRS Direct File program this year. Eligible taxpayers will be able to use the program to electronically complete their 2024 federal tax returns for free. Eligibility can be confirmed by visiting https://directfile.irs.gov . After filing a federal return using Direct File, the program will connect taxpayers to Illinois’ free state income tax filing system, MyTax Illinois , allowing them to file and complete their Illinois state returns. "Taxpayers are encouraged to file electronically as early as possible in the tax season and choose direct deposit in order to ensure the fastest processing and issuance of any refunds," IDOR Director David Harris said. "Eligible

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul, in partnership with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, filed a lawsuit today against Deere and Company (Deere), arguing the agricultural equipment manufacturer’s use of unfair practices has driven up equipment repair costs for farmers while also depriving farmers of the ability to make timely repairs on critical farming equipment, including tractors. “With the price of farming equipment continuing to rise, farmers should have increased flexibility to repair and maintain their equipment and not be forced to utilize expensive authorized dealers,” Raoul said. “I will continue to advocate for increased marketplace competition and stand for the rights of Illinois consumers.” In their lawsuit, Raoul and the coalition allege that for decades, Deere’s unlawful practices have limited the ability of farmers and independent repair providers to repair Deere equipment, forcing

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MARYVILLE - A Granite City resident faces multiple felonies after allegedly burglarizing two Maryville homes and driving on a suspended license. Christian N. Calderon-Zarita, 25, of Granite City, was charged with two Class 1 felony counts of residential burglary and a Class A misdemeanor count of driving while license is suspended. Calderon-Zarita unlawfully entered two different residences on Forest Drive in Maryville on Dec. 31, 2024. He was additionally charged with driving a Chevrolet Equinox on the same street at a time when his license had been revoked or suspended. A petition was filed to deny Calderon-Zarita’s pretrial release, stating he “forced entry into two different residences, stealing purses and jewelry” after specifically targeting the Maryville community. “Defendant was located near the scene and found in possession of stolen property,” the petition adds. “Defendant was not found to have any connection to Maryville, Ill.,

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced that Illinois is joining with 13 other states to defend health insurance access for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients from court challenges. Raoul and the coalition filed a motion to intervene as the incoming federal administration is expected to halt federal efforts to legally defend a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) rule granting DACA recipients, commonly referred to as Dreamers, access to Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchanges. “Every day, Dreamers make invaluable contributions to our schools, workplaces and communities,” Raoul said. “Granting them access to purchase health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace would lead to better health outcomes for them and improved public health for everyone.” Established in 2012, DACA enables certain young people, who came to the United States as children

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GREENVILLE - The area students shown below were placed on the Dean's List at Greenville University for the fall 2024 semester. To qualify for the Greenville University Dean's List, a student must successfully complete a minimum of 12 hours for the semester. Freshmen (0-29.5 credits) must have a semester GPA of 3.5 or above. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors must have a semester GPA of 3.7 or above. (HOMETOWN, STATE; NAME, CLASS YEAR) Alton, IL Aaron Andrews, senior Addison Miller, senior Chau Nguyen, junior Bethalto, IL Megan Belangee, senior Brighton, IL Olivia Baalman, junior Jillian Beilsmith, junior Carrollton, IL Hannah Henson, junior East Alton, IL Stephanie Kamp, senior Edwardsville, IL Gloria Bremer, sophomore Colton Hulme, freshman Kristen Krampf, freshman Granite City, IL Brennan Bronnbauer, senior Jerseyville, IL Josephine Lohr, sophomore Danielle Pace, senior

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ST. LOUIS - LOUIS, MO. – Join the American Red Cross and the St. Louis Blues at the annual St. Louis Blues Blood Drive, sponsored by FanDuel Sports Network and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield on Tuesday, January 21 at one of ten convenient locations in Missouri and Illinois, from 12 p.m. – 7 p.m. except Enterprise Center, which is from 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Louie and the Blue Crew will be briefly visiting several locations. “This wonderful partnership with the St. Louis Blues to organize this annual blood drive is truly inspiring,” said Barry Falke, Chief Executive Officer, American Red Cross of Missouri and Arkansas. “With their support as well as that of the community and generous donors we truly can make a difference for those who depend on blood products.” Everyone who presents to donate will receive a specially designed Blues Blood Drive T-shirt, while supplies last and can enter a drawing to win one of ten pucks

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Marquette Catholic High School 2024 Fall Honor Rolls High Honor Roll Seniors: Ava Albert, Izabela Albers, Lily Berkenbile, Samantha Booth, Sophie Borman, Rose Brangenberg, Cassidy Eccles, Alyssa Coles, Alyssa Converse, Lily Covert, Payton Crane, Nola Effinger, Sophia Elliott, Marian Elmendorf, William Fahnestock, Addison Groshans, Caleb Harteis, Gracie Hlavaty, Radley Hoener, Nicholas Koeller, Paul Marturana, Karson Morrissey, Addison Pranger, Jackson Pruitt, Willa Pruitt, Brooke Rister, Chloe Roberts, Kel'C Robinson, Tyler Roth, Erin Schwartz, Grace Schwegel, Ania Sneed, Chloe Steele, Maya Stephan, Davin Thomas, Eleanor Tiemann, Claire Varble, Tyra Wells, Elliotte Williams, Andrew Zacha, Rodger Zawodniak. Juniors: Carson Bauer, Andrew Belden, Ashlynn Bennett, Cali Bequette, Adelaide Bryson, Elizabeth Callahan, Karly Davenport, Laila Davis, Isabel Downey, Sharon Dugas, Jessica Eales, Holly Forrester, Cameron Golike, Tyler Hawkins, John Hornsey, Sarah Hubert, Josephine Kuykendall,

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BETHALTO - Civic Memorial High School cross country coach Jake Peal highlighted the significant improvement of runner Calista Webb over the past year, noting her dedication and hard work. Webb, a key contributor to the team culture alongside teammate Mya Walker, showcased her commitment to the sport by competing in the 10-miler at the River Road over Thanksgiving weekend. Calista is a Tom Lane Insurance Civic Memorial High School Female Athlete Of The Month. Webb recorded a personal best time of 25:50.1 at the IHSA 2A Cross Country Regional in Jacksonville, where the Civic Memorial girls team finished sixth overall. Throughout the season, Webb consistently improved her performance, starting with a time of 28:12.9 at the Granite City Robinson/Lang Cross Country Invitational and later achieving a time of 28:12.3 at the Mississippi Valley Conference Meet on Oct. 17. Coach Peal expressed optimism for Webb's future, stating, “I am looking forward to seeing her improve on the track

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NASHVILLE — The Marquette Catholic High School Dance Team achieved notable success at the Illinois Dance Team Association (IDTA) Regional competition held recently. The team secured first place in both the Jazz and Lyrical dance categories, earning qualification for the upcoming IDTA State Championship. The Marquette girls dance team members are Tucker's Automotive Repair & Tire Female Athletes of the Month. In addition to the team's accomplishments, senior Grace Schwegel's solo performance garnered first place and also qualified for the IDTA State Finals. Junior Alana Taylor was recognized with a Rising Star Award for her performance. The event highlighted the dedication and talent of the Marquette Catholic dancers, showcasing their hard work and commitment to excellence in the competitive dance arena.

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In today's fast-paced world, the concept of continuous learning has emerged as a crucial element for personal and professional development. With the rapid evolution of technology, shifting market demands, and the need for adaptability, employees and organizations alike must cultivate a culture of ongoing education. This article delves into the significance of continuous learning, its benefits, effective strategies for implementation, and the role of employers in fostering a learning environment. Understanding Continuous Learning Continuous learning refers to the ongoing, voluntary, and self-motivated pursuit of knowledge for personal or professional development. Unlike traditional education, which often follows a structured path, continuous learning is more fluid and can occur through various channels, including online courses, workshops, mentorship, and self-directed study. It encompasses both formal and informal learning opportunities and emphasizes the importance of staying current

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Welcome to January 16th! Today, we take a journey through time to explore significant events that have shaped our world. Let's look back to 1979, a landmark year in Iranian history. On January 16th, the Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, left Iran for exile as the Islamic Revolution gained momentum. This marked a significant turning point in Iran's political landscape and had far-reaching implications for the region. The revolution ultimately led to the establishment of the Islamic Republic under Ayatollah Khomeini, fundamentally altering Iran's relations with the West and influencing political dynamics across the Middle East. On January 16th, 2001, the world was introduced to a revolutionary technological innovation: the launch of Wikipedia. Founded by Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger, Wikipedia transformed the way people access and share information. The platform democratized knowledge, allowing users to collaboratively create and edit articles, making it one of the most visited

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WOOD RIVER - Unhoused community members and local nonprofits are invited to engage with one another at Project Homeless Connect. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Riverbend Family Ministries in Wood River, approximately 30 nonprofit organizations will be available to answer questions, connect people with resources and provide services for individuals experiencing homelessness. Unhoused community members and those who want to learn more about local nonprofits and how to help are all invited. “We want to connect homeless folks. We’re trying to connect them with resources,” said David Kerr, Madison County’s Homeless Program Coordinator. “It's also an opportunity for other agencies to network with each other. There can be so many agencies that it’s difficult to keep up, and there’s new ones popping up all the time, so it’s kind of hard to know at times. But this is a chance to try and get together in one place.”

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There’s a misperception that cancer mostly impacts older people. Not so. Cancer is on the rise in people 50 and under. Actor Paul Teal, best known for his role on “One Tree Hill” recently died after a bout with cancer. Teal was 35. There are many reasons for the spike, especially lifestyle factors starting early in life and adulthood which are likely to increase the risk of cancer. Factors include poor diets, sedentary lifestyles, and obesity. The rise isn’t limited to just one type of cancer. Since 1990, there has been a significant increase in cancers of the breast, colon, esophagus, kidney, liver, and pancreas around the world. For example, according to the American Cancer Society, the rate of people diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the U.S. is dropping in those 65 and older but increasing in younger people. Deborah Oyelowo is a family nurse practitioner who specializes in hematology/oncology for OSF HealthCare. She points to the lack of screening, especiall

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COLLINSVILLE — Chief Steve Evans retired from the Collinsville Police Department this week, concluding an 11-year tenure marked by community engagement and significant departmental achievements. Evans, who was appointed Chief of Police on Nov. 27, 2013, previously served as a Lieutenant with the Fairview Heights Police Department. Throughout his time in Collinsville, he became known for his commitment to both the department and the local community, actively participating in various service organizations. Under Evans' leadership, the Collinsville Police Department (CPD) reached several milestones, including the establishment of a Youth Academy and the implementation of an officer wellness program. The department also achieved Tier 1 accreditation through the Illinois Law Enforcement Accreditation Program, a recognition of its adherence to professional standards. "Chief Evans has left the department in a much better place as it heads into 2025," said CPD in a statement. "His

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EDWARDSVILLE - State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) is excited to announce her annual “Valentines for Seniors” Card Drive is now underway, and she needs your help in making cards for area seniors. “This card drive is a simple but meaningful way for our community to spread love and joy to those who may feel overlooked on a day centered around love,” said Senator Harriss. “Through this initiative, we hope to brighten the day of local seniors in nursing homes, assisted-living, and long-term care facilities.” Senator Harriss invites students, scout troops, churches, families, and community groups to participate by crafting heartfelt, homemade Valentine’s Day cards. These cards will be hand-delivered to residents in facilities across the 56th District. Cards can be dropped off at Senator Harriss’ District Office, located at 120 North Main Street, Suite 1B, Edwardsville through Feb. 7, 2025. Drop-offs are welcome during

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EAST ST. LOUIS — East St. Louis School District 189 announced the closure of its schools on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, due to ongoing icy conditions affecting side roads in the community. The district said the decision comes as it prioritizes the safety of its students and staff. The district confirmed that no virtual instruction would occur, as it has already utilized all state-allowed eLearning days for the current school year. In-person classes are scheduled to resume on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. The district expressed gratitude to local municipalities, including East St. Louis, Washington Park, Cahokia Heights, Fairview Heights, and Caseyville, for their efforts in clearing the icy roads. St. Clair County Board Chair Mark Kern was also acknowledged for activating county resources to assist in these road-clearing efforts, which have been deemed essential for ensuring a safe return to in-person learning. "The past two weeks have been very challenging for our students, parents and

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Coughing can be normal, but coughing up things like vomit and blood should be looked into quickly Key takeaways: Coughing can be a normal way our body protects your lungs and airways from irritants. But if you cough up thick mucus, vomit or blood, it could be a sign of something serious. You should see a health care provider quickly. Vaccines and good hygiene can help prevent illnesses that bring about coughing fits. Fall and winter could be renamed “coughing season” with seasonal illnesses in the air. But there’s more to coughing than the brief but annoying impact on your day. Some coughing is normal. But you should see a health care provider quickly when you cough up things you shouldn’t. The basics: Why do you cough? Aminat Ogun, MD , a family medicine physician at OSF HealthCare, says coughing is one way your body protects your lungs and airways from irritants. You expel the bad stuff out of our system, she says. Some everyday

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SPRINGFIELD - The Smith Alzheimer’s Center at SIU Medicine is offering two new lab internship opportunities for undergraduate college students in 2025. Selected students will explore cutting-edge research associated with Alzheimer’s disease. The nine-week internships run from June 2 through Aug. 1. “We’re excited to launch this new opportunity for young researchers interested in learning more about aging and Alzheimer’s disease,” said Erin Hascup, PhD, executive director of the Smith Alzheimer’s Center. “This provides a direct, hands-on experience for future scientists to advance their journey toward translational research or medicine.” Applications will be accepted through February 28, 2025, and internships will be based at the Springfield campus. Travel and housing are not provided. Qualified applicants will have completed their freshman year of college by June 2025, and not graduated. Applicants must be U.S. citizens. Applicants

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