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EDWARDSVILLE - Vote by mail applications officially opened this week for Madison County voters casting a mail-in ballot for the 2024 Presidential Election on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. The Madison County Clerk’s Office website details the full application process to vote by mail. The first step is to verify your voter registration through their Voter Services portal; this allows you to apply to vote by mail both temporarily and permanently, find your polling place, and more. An application to vote by mail, either in this election only or in all future elections, is available online here . After filling out and turning in your application, a packet with an official ballot, instructions for voting, certificate envelope, and a return mailing envelope will be mailed to you. While ballot packets will not be sent out until Thursday September 26, 2024, they must be completed and turned in either by mail to 157 N. Main Street P.O. Box 218 or in-person to the Madison

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JERSEYVILLE - Applications are now open for Jersey County voters looking to vote by mail ahead of the 2024 Presidential Election on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. The Jersey County Clerk’s Office recently reminded the public of some do’s and don’ts regarding mail-in voting applications. For instance, if your mailing address is different from your residential address, be sure to include your mailing address in your application. The County Clerk’s Office also asks the public to include phone numbers they can contact with potential questions and to ensure you’ve signed your application before turning it in. They also strongly emphasize not to fill out and sign an application for someone else - not only will they not accept it, they will flag it for investigation. Vote by mail applications for Jersey County voters are available here , and can be filled out and turned in via mail or in person to the County Clerk’s Office at 200 N. Lafayette

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EDWARDSVILLE — High notes and high drama will mark the high summer as Opera Edwardsville presents its annual outdoor spectacle at Edwardsville’s City Park on Aug. 23. This is the first time the event will take place in late summer. The free concert is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. Guest artists for the evening include sopranos Vanessa Becerra and Alexandra Lobianco, contralto Lauren Decker, countertenor Ley’mon Murrah, tenors Martin Luther Clark and Eric Ferring, baritone Evan Bravos, and pianist Joseph Welch. Founder and artistic director Chase Hopkins will serve as the emcee. A special student spotlight performance will feature Lucy Schapman, a senior at Edwardsville High School and the star of Opera Edwardsville’s recent opera for children, "Little Red Riding Hood." The all-English musical program will showcase highlights from the mid-20th century, a period when innovative and creative composers in the U.S. began blending opera and musical theater. The program

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GODFREY – Patrick Loftus, a Project READ volunteer tutor at Lewis and Clark Community College, has earned a 2024 Spotlight on Service award from Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias. Loftus was among 10 volunteer tutors statewide who received the award during a ceremony this past spring at the Illinois State Museum in Springfield. “It’s always a great honor to be chosen to receive an award,” Loftus said. “It was quite an honor to be considered and I wasn’t quite aware how many other people were nominated. To have been nominated and then chosen was quite an honor.” Giannoulias expressed his appreciation to the volunteers. “I’m honored to recognize the volunteer tutors who saw a need in their community and decided to make a difference,” he said. “I’m grateful to you for your selfless sacrifice.” Loftus, a life-long reader, learned about Project READ through another

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EDWARDSVILLE — Edwardsville High School Principal Dr. Steve Stuart has stepped down from his role, effective immediately, to assume the position of executive director of the EGHM Foundation. The EGHM Foundation, established in the late 1970s by the late John Hunter Jr., aims to support Edwardsville Community Unit School District 7. Dr. Stuart, an alumnus of Edwardsville High School, expressed his gratitude for his tenure as principal. "It has meant the world to me to serve as principal at EHS," Stuart said. "Being able to give back to the school I graduated from is an amazing feeling and I have many fond memories of these four years that I will carry with me forever." During his time as principal, Dr. Stuart implemented the Laude system at EHS, designed to shift students' focus from merely aiming for valedictorian status to exploring classes that might ignite their interests. Dr. Stuart also played a significant role in relaunching the EHS Hall of Fame, which had been dormant

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Hope Martine, a clinical dietitian who serves patients at OSF HealthCare, says we often view eating and weight loss in tangible terms. Calories consumed, pounds lost, different types of diets, good food and bad food. An alternative: through intuitive eating, you can pay more attention to how your body feels . “Intuitive eating is all about reconnecting to your body’s internal cues and signals about food,” Martine says. “Our bodies are naturally programmed to ignore those and focus on emotions about food or what we may believe is the truth about food or eating at a specific time.” For example, we may think of noon as the cue to eat a full meal for lunch. Instead, notice when your stomach is grumbling, and eat until your body feels satisfied. Another cue is salivating when you think about or see food. “Think about what our body is needing in that moment. That might be a full meal or just a snack,” Martine says. “Learning your hunger

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BUNKER HILL - Bunker Hill Community Unit School District #8 will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the addition of their new middle school wing. At 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, community members are invited to join the ribbon-cutting ceremony at 700 W. Orange Street in Bunker Hill. The new junior high annex was built onto Wolf Ridge Elementary and includes four classrooms, restrooms and a STEM lab. “We wanted to get our junior high kids together,” Superintendent Todd Dugan said. “That addition is going to basically be the middle school wing.” Dugan explained that the new wing will allow middle school students to stay together. Previously, seventh grade students attended Wolf Ridge Elementary while eighth graders attended Bunker Hill High School. This split middle school sports and activities between the two schools. Dugan believes this led to an “identity crisis” for middle schoolers. The new addition will keep junior high students

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MEDORA - The Village of Medora will host their Sesquicentennial Celebration to celebrate the town’s 150th birthday. On Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, community members can enjoy a parade, bingo, a car show, a pageant, bounce houses, a petting zoo and more at Pavilion Park in Medora. Samantha Thornton, a member of the Sesquicentennial Committee, believes the event will bring the town together. “We’ve never had something quite this big in our village,” Thornton said. “Our village is 150 years old, so we wanted to do something big for the community, kind of bring out the community and get them together. Our town has around 380 people, and we’ve had a lot of new people move in in the last couple of years. So it’s going to help integrate all those people into the community that was already here.” The festival will kick off at 10 a.m. with a parade through town. All other activities start at 11 a.m. with a car show, bounce houses, petting

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GODFREY - Evangelical School is excited to announce its Open House event, inviting people to explore the campus and learn more about its educational programs. Prospective students, current students and their families, and community members interested in learning more about the school, you are welcome to attend this special event. Scheduled for Sunday, August 11, from 11:00 a.m. to noon, the Open House offers an excellent opportunity for everyone to experience firsthand the vibrant atmosphere and innovative learning environment that Evangelical offers. During the event, guests will have the chance to: Tour the state-of-the-art facilities, including classrooms, library, and recreational areas. Meet the dedicated faculty and staff who provide an exceptional educational experience and support to all students preschool through 8th grade. Learn about academic programs, including a new comprehensive curriculum for PreK 4, to give students a head start on key developmental skills.

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RIVERBEND - Pride Month has come to an end, but there are still a lot of local resources available for LGBTQ+ kids and adults. No matter where you fall on the LGBTQ+ spectrum, there are organizations in place to help you stay healthy, happy and connected with other queer community members. Support groups, community centers and more are available locally to support you. “It was good to bring something over here because we’ve met a lot of people that have not even known other trans people in the area,” said Jamie Donelson, who helps facilitate a support group for transgender, nonbinary and gender expansive people in Alton. “You’re not alone.” Alton Pride Alton Pride is the organization that sponsors the city’s Pride festival every September. They recently began hosting support groups every third Saturday of the month for kids and adults. The adult group is for anyone over age 18 and runs from 10–11:15 a.m., while the kids group

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Fair offers a variety of free entertainment, allowing families to have fun together without breaking the bank. SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois State Fair offers a variety of free entertainment, allowing families to have fun together without breaking the bank. “The Illinois State Fair is synonymous with family fun,” said Jerry Costello II, Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture. “Expanding free entertainment options helps draw families to the fair, allowing them to make memories that last a lifetime.” Grand Central Stage will feature free concerts every night of the fair. This year’s lineup is: Fri. Aug. 9:Zepparella - 7 p.m. Sat. Aug. 10:Kylie Morgan - 7 p.m. Sun. Aug. 11:Lily Rose - 7:30 p.m. Mon. Aug. 12:Beatlemania Magic - 7:30 p.m. Tue. Aug. 13:Marshall Tucker Band - 7:30 p.m. Wed. Aug. 14:The Steel Woods - 7:30 p.m. Thurs. Aug. 15:Tyler Braden - 7:30 p.m. Fri. Aug. 16:Vandoliers -

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ST. LOUIS, MO. – Ten years ago today, Michael Brown, Jr., an unarmed black male, was killed by a white officer in Ferguson, MO. This act prompted difficult conversations about racial inequities in the St. Louis region that continue to this day. “Ten years ago today, the St. Louis region was changed forever. My heart is with the Brown family and our entire regional community as we continue to mourn this loss, ten years on,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. “In the decade since Michael was killed, St. Louis has had to face hard truths about our community’s relationship to the police and their local government. Our focus after Ferguson continues to be about creating an environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. While we have made notable progress, there is so much more work to do.” Below is a non-exhaustive list of key improvements that the City of St. Louis has made in the areas of economic justice and racial justice in the years since

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CASEYVILLE – The Illinois Department of Transportation on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, announced that lane restrictions will be encountered on southbound I-255, at the I-64 interchange, beginning Tuesday, August 13, 2024, at 7 a.m. weather permitting. The two right lanes will be closed to allow IDOT District 8 Operations forces to complete bridge deck patching and expansion joint repairs. All lanes are expected to reopen by Friday, August 16, 2024, at 3 p.m. Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to flaggers and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits and be on the alert for workers and equipment. Public transportation and traveling during non-peak hours are recommended if possible. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on gettingAroundIllinois.com.

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ALTON - Five Below is officially open. On Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, the store celebrated its grand opening with a busy first day. Located at 1739 Homer M. Adams Parkway in Alton Circle Center, the store will welcome customers from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday. “Today is our grand opening,” said Janie, a manager at the store. “We’re really excited to be in the area.” Janie said the first day was “really good,” with plenty of customers coming by to check out the new store. Five Below has a wide selection of products. Most of their items range from $1 to $5. There are over 1,500 Five Below locations nationwide. While the Alton location is currently fully staffed, they will be hiring seasonal employees in the coming months. For more information about Five Below and their products, or to apply for a job, visit FiveBelow.com .

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EDWARDSVILLE – The weekend of August 16-18, 2024, in Edwardsville will feature a tempting trio of activities sure to satisfy any interest: an enchanting Shakespearean performance; cyclists careening through the downtown streets amid a family-friendly festival; and an impressive fleet of classic cars supporting the Edwardsville D.A.R.E. Program. The first of this fun series of events kicks off at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, August 16, in City Park, where St. Louis Shakespeare Festival’s TourCo troupe will stage “The Tempest,” an enchanting comedic tale. TourCo’s free performances have become a summer staple in City Park, 101 S. Buchanan Street. Find details on the Edwardsville Parks & Recreation Facebook page: www.facebook.com/EdwardsvilleParksAndRec. Saturday, August 17, marks the 14th run of the exhilarating Edwardsville Rotary Criterium Festival, featuring thrilling high-speed bicycle races through the heart of downtown, free kids races, a children’s art

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BETHALTO - Civic Memorial High School ninth graders prepared for the school year with a freshmen orientation. Throughout the day on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, students could walk through the building, practice opening their lockers, and learn more about the teachers and expectations in the high school. Teacher Phil Schneider oversees the FreshMentor program, which connects freshmen students with upperclassmen mentors. He explained that the orientation and the FreshMentor program eases the transition to ninth grade. “It helps the freshmen and it helps the upperclassmen,” Schneider said. “The first day of school, no matter what grade, you always get kind of anxious, especially freshman year. We want to make it as easy as possible and kind of set them on the right path from the very beginning.” Justin Newell, Civic Memorial principal, echoed Schneider and noted that programs like the FreshMentors help students feel more comfortable. Students are able to learn

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BELLEVILLE - The Illinois Center for Autism (ICA) will host their annual Pedal for Autism fundraiser and Family Fun Fest. From 7–9 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, bicyclists can ride two routes to raise money for ICA’s programs. Starting at 10 a.m., the Center will host a free festival for families and kids to enjoy. Both events will take place at the Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) campus. “Right before school really gets rolling, we thought it’d be a good way to kind of bring the summer to a close,” explained Rachel Newsome, ICA’s Communications Officer. “Although our Pedal for Autism event has been around for many years, we decided it was time to expand our event and we wanted to focus on the family. This event has something for everyone.” ICA has hosted the Pedal for Autism fundraiser for the past 15 years. Bicyclists pay $25 or $70 for a family of four, then choose one of two routes to ride on the morning of Aug. 17.

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GRANITE CITY – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that road repairs will require lane closures in both directions of Interstate 270 between Illinois 3 and Riverview Drive in Missouri starting, weather permitting, at 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9. One lane will remain open. All lanes will reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 12. 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 X, formerly known as Twitter, at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com .

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GRAFTON - An evening of family-friendly fun awaits Grafton residents and visitors for Grafton Family Fun Day 2024 this weekend on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Red Hawk Park in Grafton. In addition to face painting, rock painting, and other activities, this year’s Family Fun Day will also include pickleball following the installation of pickleball courts at Red Hawk Park which debuted at last year’s event . Local royalty will be making an appearance this year, as Miss Jersey County and Little Miss Jersey County join the festivities on Saturday. Food and drink including hot dogs, chips, and water will be provided for attendees, who are asked to bring their own blankets and/or chairs. Family Fun Day 2024 will also see the return of local emergency vehicles, including a helicopter from Survival Flight, vehicles from the Grafton Police and Jersey County S.W.A.T., as well as QEM fire trucks and an ambulance from the Jersey Community Hospital (JCH) Ambulance

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EDWARDSVILLE - These are another of a series of profiles on artists who will have art displayed at the Edwardsville Art Fair in City Park Sept. 27-29, 2024. Artist #1 Artist Name: Rhonda Gurgone Artist Medium: Jewelry Artist Statement: " I believe that jewelry we wear should not only look beautiful but also tell a story. The antique buttons I use in my pieces are selected for their unique design and historical significance. My goal is to create jewelry that is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also meaningful and sentimental." Artist #2 Artist Name: Kara Hayes Artist Medium: Jewelry Artist Statement: " I am a dual artist. I seamlessly blend the elegance of precious metals with the luminosity of fused glass to craft captivating jewelry. Through meticulous techniques and passion for innovation, each piece I create is imbued with beauty. My ultimate goal as an artist is for my creations to resonate with the souls of others and to activate an emotion deep within."

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