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ROXANA - It’s been a season to remember for the Roxana Shells on the football field as the Shells are now 8-0 overall. A perfect start, ranked in state, a very deep Shells football team has been lighting up the scoreboard so far this fall. Junior Kael Hester has been making his presence felt during this memorable season for his team. Hester is a starting tight end on the 2023 Shells team. “Talk about unsung,” said DeVries of Hester, specifically remembering 2022. “Last year my left tackle got into a car accident, and (Kael) was a backup tight end and all a sudden I threw a new jersey on him and he started at left tackle for eight games.” “Now his job is 98% blocking, and 2% catching the ball.” Even if his job is just 2% catching the ball, Kael has racked up over 150 yards through seven games, mostly coming on big plays. With a handful of TDs from the tight end spot, Hester is still a constant threat to find the endzone in the fast-paced and

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CHICAGO, October 13, 2023 – Residents in the small town of Woodhull (population of 750) are buzzing with excitement after a $3 million winning Illinois Lottery ticket was purchased at a local gas station. A lucky Illinois Lottery player purchased a 200X Payout Instant Ticket for $30, and scored the top prize of $3 million. The winning ticket was purchased at a BP gas station, located at 111 NW 5th St in Woodhull, which is 30 miles southeast of Moline, and 65 miles northwest of Peoria. “I am so excited but still can’t believe it!” exclaimed Jennifer Damer, store manager at the BP in Woodhull. “It’s so surprising to me that our local, little gas station sold a ticket that won such a big prize!” “We are the go-to stop for many townfolk, including farmers who live nearby and truck drivers passing through,” added Damer. “Most of them even sit for a while and enjoy our freshly-made breakfast biscuits and chat about the news an

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BETHALTO - BCUSD#8 Bethalto East Primary School was recently recognized by Solution Tree as a Promising Practices Professional Learning Community at Work® for its initial success in raising student achievement. District 8’s commitment to implementing the PLC at Work process has been a major contributing factor in making a visible, positive impact on student learning. PLCs are schools and districts in which educators recognize that the key to improved learning for students is ongoing, job-embedded learning for the adults who serve those students. The three big ideas of a PLC call upon educators to: 1. Focus on learning 2. Build a collaborative culture 3. Create a results orientation Responding to news of the recognition, Dr. Racheal Leckrone, Bethalto East Principal, said, “We are very excited to see our collective efforts come to fruition in the form of student achievement results. Staff have remained focused on our mission to work collaboratively and achieve high

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – As millions of families continue to be at risk of infection during the fall and winter months, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) is urging the President and CEO of America’s Health Insurance Plan (AHIP) to help increase widespread access to nirsevimab for prevention of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) under many common health insurance coverage plans for infants and children. With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) already notifying our nation’s healthcare providers that RSV activity is spreading, increased access could help ensure that hundreds of millions of Americans can receive the high quality, affordable care they need and prevent RSV infection. In her letter, the Senator wrote: “I write to urge you to work with your members, who are health insurance providers across the country in every market, to increase access to nirsevimab for prevention of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in all … infants younger than

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) is releasing the first Illinois Law Enforcement Response to Homelessness Guidebook (Guidebook). The Guidebook is designed to provide law enforcement agencies and officers across Illinois with practical community resources, planning tools, training resources, and policy examples to help create a safer and more inclusive environment for all residents, including people experiencing homelessness (PEH). “Law enforcement officers respond to all types of emergencies and social-service related calls among all populations, including people experiencing homelessness,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “Because of these interactions, officers are in a position to provide information about resources and programs available in communities, and help connect individuals to longer-term solutions to prevent and end homelessness.” When responding to calls, police officers face contributing factors to homelessness

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As we enter fall, the emails from your workplace or pharmacy may start to pop up in your inbox. “It’s time for a flu shot!” But how early is too early to get the yearly jab? It depends, says Jason Kole, DO, an emergency department provider at OSF HealthCare. Dr. Kole says every influenza season is different. When will it peak? What will be the dominant strain of the virus? How effective will the flu vaccine be against that strain? Plus, Dr. Kole says, health care providers are still devoting time to treating COVID-19 patients. “If actually hits the strain of flu that’s prevalent during that season, then the flu season’s going to be relatively mild,” Dr. Kole says. “If it doesn’t hit that strain, then we’re going to have a heavy flu season.” “We’re all going to have to stay on our toes and make sure we’re well prepared,” Dr. Kole adds of the upcoming flu season. Dr. Kole recommends

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ST. LOUIS - October is Credit Awareness Month! To celebrate and help the community, the St. Louis Regional Financial Empowerment Coalition is proud to bring the Community Resource Fair to the Florissant Valley location of St. Louis Community College for the first time. The Community Resource Fair is open to the public and will provide a vast array of resources. The event will take place on Saturday, October 14 th , in the Physical Education Building from 10 AM-2 PM. The event features community resources from across the St. Louis region. Organizations represented will include Ameren, Missouri American Water, CAASTL, Urban League, HUD, the Salvation Army, & more! Members of the organizations will host credit counseling sessions as well as classes and attendees of the event will be eligible for raffle prizes! For more information, please visit https://www.moneysmartstlouis.org/financial-resources/event-calendar/

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ROXANA - Roxana senior Ethan Broadfoot might not get to see his name on the scoreboard too often as a two-way lineman on the Shells football team, but all of that changed in the Shells big win over their cross-town rivals East Alton-Wood River. Broadfoot, the big 6’7” lineman, got a designed run play drawn up for him on the Shells Senior Night. Ethan got around the edge and rumbled for a good gain. “It was awesome,” said Broadfoot after that game. “Especially going all these years, this is my fourth year, and I’m finally able to touch the ball. I was just thinking ‘run the best you can’.” Broadfoot is a Midwest Members Credit Union Male Athlete of the Month for the Shells. Outside of his rushing exploits that night, Broadfoot’s usual role in the high-powered and high-tempo Roxana offense is that of a willing blocker, opening up the running lanes for the Shells’ running back triumvirate of Evan Wells, Terrel Graves,

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CHICAGO — Governor JB Pritzker recognized Hispanic Heritage Month and Manufacturing Month by visiting multiple businesses across Chicago. He began by joining Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Latinx Business Development Manager, Diana Alfaro, for three small business stop-bys on Chicago’s Southwest side. “Here in Illinois, we value our Latinx business-owners and their many cultural and economic contributions,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re honoring the small businesses in Chicago who are not only creating jobs, but having immeasurable positive impacts on our communities.” In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month which is celebrated September 15- October 15, Governor Pritzker visited the following Hispanic-owned businesses: Teatro Tariakuri : A nonprofit community arts established in 2004 by Karla Galvan that has created a theatrical venue focused on creativity and contemporary

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today, with 23 other attorneys general, filed a brief supporting access to medication abortion and other essential health care for all Americans. Raoul and the coalition filed the amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court in support of the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) and Danco Laboratories LLC’s petitions for certiorari seeking review of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit’s ruling that reinstated certain medically-unnecessary restrictions on the medication. Mifepristone is the only FDA-approved abortion medication, and the coalition argues that the Fifth Circuit’s ruling would have dangerous consequences on reproductive health care outcomes, particularly for low-income and underserved communities. The 5th Circuit’s decision has not gone into effect because of a prior stay issued by the Supreme Court freezing restrictions on the drug until the case is resolved. “Mifepristone has been

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ST. LOUIS — Since announcing a national blood and platelet shortage a month ago, thousands of donors across the country have rolled up a sleeves to help rebuild the American Red Cross blood and platelet supply. Donors have been stepping up to help rebuild the blood supply since the American Red Cross first announced our national blood and platelet shortage last month. "Unfortunately, hospital demand continues to outpace donations," Sharon Watson, Regional Communications Director for the Red Cross, said on Friday. "We need an additional 10,000 blood and platelet donations each week over the next month to meet patient needs. "The Red Cross is working around-the-clock to ensure patients have access to lifesaving transfusions and must collect 10,000 additional blood and platelet donations – over and above expectations – each week over the next month to sufficiently meet hospital needs. Donors of all blood types are urged to book a time to give now, especially those

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GRAFTON - Raging Rivers Water Park is a favorite summer spot, but the history of the property is more spooky than sunny. This month, the park is hosting a Haunted Trail for those who are brave enough to face the ghosts. The Raging Rivers’ Haunted Trail is a 30–45 minute walk through “Illinois’s darkest and most haunted forest,” according to the park’s website . Located at 100 Palisades Parkway in Grafton, the trail is open every Saturday until Oct. 28, 2023, with plenty of scarers and props to keep you on your toes. “We took advantage of some of the haunted woods that we have on our property,” explained Jeremy Hayes, general manager at the park. “Back in the 40s there was a nitroglycerine plant that was on the property, and they had multiple accidents. After the final accident, they finally shut it down…It’s a little creepy back there, it really is, if you know the history of the woods a little bit.” Nitroglycer

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EAST ALTON – Welcome in the spooky season by learning all about bats with biologist and bat researcher Brittany Rogness at the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center’s next Neighbor Night event, Oct. 17. For many, bats have become synonymous with Halloween, but some may not be aware that they also serve an important ecological function by keeping insect populations at bay. “Bats are an important part of a healthy ecosystem and to modern agriculture because they love to eat crop-destroying insects,” NGRREC sm Environmental Educator Erica Doerr said. This month’s topic expert, Rogness joined the Illinois Bat Conservation Program in 2020 and has been researching bats in the Midwest for eight years. She is passionate about contributing to the conservation of bats across the state. “I’m excited to teach guests about the Illinois Bat Conservation Program and how they can help scientists monitor bats in the State of Illinois,”

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ALTON - A few local authors are officially international bestsellers, and they’re celebrating by sharing their wisdom at the first-ever “Perfectly I’Mperfect” Women’s Empowerment Summit on Nov. 4, 2023. “We’re not expecting people to get in there and then just all of a sudden run out and change the world,” Tara Hurst said. “What we’re hoping is that a teeny tiny spark is lit so that they’re willing to change themselves.” The summit is scheduled from 8–2:30 p.m. on Nov. 4, 2023, at Julia’s Banquet Center in Alton. Six speakers will address topics in mindset, spirituality and health and wellness. Organizers Hurst and Nina DeAngelo emphasized that these are valuable lessons, but the summit’s main goal is to bring women together. “The purpose of the summit is to create a community for women who are looking for that group that they can meld with and become part of to lift them up and help

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EDWARDSVILLE – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Homecoming & Family Weekend has launched with 27 events and more than a thousand registered for the key celebration: the COUGARFEST Block Party. This signature event, complete with the live band Jackson and Mars, food trucks and games, is an opportunity for visitors to the campus community to meet SIUE Athletic Teams in person and participate in family fun. Due to impending weather conditions, organizers have relocated COUGARFEST from City Park in downtown Edwardsville to SIUE First Community Arena, Vadalabene Center Friday, October 13, 5 – 10 p.m . “COUGARFEST will really kick off the weekend,” said Cathy Taylor, MPA, Senior Director of Alumni and Donor Relations. “This is a new component to our Homecoming celebration. Be prepared for the big reveal of the new Eddie Mascot .” Friday afternoon, the COUGARFEST Block Party will open with SIUE Volleyball facing off against Tennessee Tech,

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ST. LOUIS, MO. – Earlier this week, the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority of the City of St. Louis (LCRA) — a development board staffed by the St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) — closed on its acquisition of a building and 29 vacant parcels at 3940 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive in St. Louis, Mo. SLDC plans to stabilize and transform the 150,000-square-foot industrial building that is situated on 15 acres into a workforce training hub for manufacturing and other high-paying, in-demand jobs. “We are so proud to plant our flag in the heart of North City as an anchor along one of the corridors where our redevelopment and Economic Justice efforts are centered,” said SLDC President & CEO, Neal Richardson. “This is a long-term investment in the future of St. Louis, and we look forward to opening our doors to the community in 2024.” SLDC will work with partner agencies in the St. Louis region to ensure programming at the facility

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ST. LOUIS - Mayor Tishaura O. Jones announced the appointment of Chief Charles Coyle as the Public Safety Director for the City of St. Louis. A 45-year veteran of the St. Louis Fire Department, Chief Coyle has served as interim public safety director since February 2023. “Since becoming interim director earlier this year, Chief Coyle has tackled significant challenges head on, including modernization of 911 services,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. “While this search began as a national one, Chief Coyle’s extensive experience in City government has positioned him well to implement innovative plans and solutions. I look forward to continuing to work alongside Chief Coyle in this role and am excited about the detail-oriented, community-driven eye he brings to this job.” Modernizing 911 remains a top priority for Chief Coyle. The Department of Public Safety is currently undertaking a three-phase consolidation plan, poised to unite Fire, Police, and EMS dispatch

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mike Bost (IL-12) issued the following statement regarding his endorsement of Jim Jordan (R-OH) for Speaker of the House: “I am proud to support Jim Jordan for Speaker of the House. Jim is a conservative fighter who cares deeply for this country. At a time when we face serious challenges at home and abroad, House Republicans can’t afford to wait another moment to unify and get back to governing. When the House meets behind closed doors this afternoon, I’ll be voting for Jim Jordan; and I’ll do the same when his nomination comes to the House Floor.”

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CARROLLTON - A candlelight vigil will be held soon for Amy Baumgartner Faltin, a 39-year-old Greene County woman who went missing over three months ago. The vigil will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, at the Greene County Courthouse in Carrollton. Matthew Hamby, a member of the Help Find Amy Faltin/Baumgartner Facebook group, announced the vigil last month and encouraged attendees to “come light the courthouse for Amy!” Faltin is described as a white female with hazel eyes, brown hair, and tattoos on her face, neck, and arms. She is approximately 5 feet tall and 140 pounds. She was reportedly last seen on July 12, 2023, somewhere east of Carrollton. For more information and updates, see the Help Find Amy Faltin/Baumgartner Facebook group. Anyone with information about Faltin’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Illinois State Police at 618-384-9694.

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ALTON - Alton Golf Hall of Fame Inductee Ray Morales recently discussed his golf career, his induction into the Alton Golf Hall of Fame, giving back to his hometown community, and more on Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com . As an Alton native and golfer of 30 years, Morales said being in the Hall of Fame “means a lot” to him, and gave a special shout-out to his wife for her support and understanding. “I was pretty surprised,” Morales said of his nomination and induction. “Being from Alton, that means a lot. born and raised in Alton and I’ve stuck around here, I’ve had a business here in Alton and my wife’s a schoolteacher here … we’ve been married 27 years and she’s been with me basically my whole golfing career, and she’s put up with a lot of long days. “She’s really understanding about that and allows me to have my space and enjoy my passtime, so I love her a lot for that, for being

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