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ALTON - The sixth annual Alton Cigar Event was rated as a success as it attracted more than 150 cigar enthusiasts from both sides of the river to Bluff City Grill at 424 E. Broadway Ave. in Alton on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. Derrick D. Richardson, the creator of the annual Alton Cigar Event in Alton, said the event regularly attracts over 150 cigar smokers from both sides of the river each year. Admission was free to the public. Bluff City Grill is a local restaurant/bar owned by Cathy Gross. Scott Biancardi, the owner of STL Cigars, was described as amazingly skilled in the art of cigar-rolling. He rolled the cigar of the client's choice. Brandon Shaw aka DJ Brando, a local DJ, played a mix of the oldies and the newest hits. Richardson said the event was about bonding and cigars, and more people attend every year.

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GRANITE CITY - During the early morning hours of Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, the Granite City Police Department responded to the 2500 block of Washington Avenue in reference to a serious structure fire. "Upon arrival, officers located a large amount of smoke in the area," Granite City Major Gary Brooks, the assistant chief, said Tuesday afternoon. "After the fire was extinguished, the Granite City Fire Department advised officers that a fire investigation would be conducted," Brooks said. "At this time, no further information will be released."

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CHICAGO – The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) kicks off October with its annual College Changes Everything® (CCE) Campaign. For the past eight years, during CCE Month and the fall CCE Campaign, ISAC has partnered with schools and community-based organizations to provide free college and financial aid application completion workshops statewide. This year, however, CCE campaign activities will extend through the winter to better support students and families in light of the transition to and later launch date of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). The U.S. Department of Education has announced that the new, simplified 2024-25 FAFSA will not be available until December 2023, rather than in October. To align with the launch of the FAFSA, the 2024-25 Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (Alternative Application) for qualifying undocumented students will also launch in December 2023. During October and November, ISAC

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GLEN CARBON - Dr. Kristen M. Jacobs, MD, doesn’t want to just change the way you look; she wants to change the way you feel. Jacobs has over 15 years of experience in aesthetic medicine as the owner of Ooh La La Spa, Anti-Aging & Wellness, a medical spa at 110 Cottonwood Road in Glen Carbon. To mark the end of September, which is National Menopause Awareness Month, Jacobs is sharing tips on how to take care of your skin from the time you’re born through menopause. “My is about how to age healthily,” Jacobs said. “How do we do this in the best way that we possibly can? So yes, menopause is a huge part of a woman’s life, but if we start off knowing the tips and the tricks from the beginning, once we get to menopause, we’re good.” Ooh La La offers several products and services to minimize the effects of aging, and Jacobs has a best-selling book titled “Live Life Beautifully (With a Little Help).” She encourages

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CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is celebrating National Women’s Business Month throughout October by recognizing the significant contributions of women-owned businesses throughout the state. The monthlong celebration – which is designated through a proclamation – includes business resources such as virtual and in-person events, resource guides for financial and social capital, business spotlights on social media, and a social media campaign to support and elevate Illinois women-owned businesses. “This month and every month, we’re proud to continue supporting, uplifting, and celebrating women-owned businesses throughout our great state,” said Governor JB Pritzker . “For too long, women business leaders and entrepreneurs faced systemic and financial barriers when starting and growing a business -- but here in Illinois, we're making it possible for everyone to succeed through increased

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ALTON - Alton Main Street and Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau along with presenting sponsor Simmons Hanly Conroy invite you to a free concert at the new Alton Godfrey Rotary Park, located across the street from Alton City Hall at 101 E. 3rd Street in Alton. Funky Butt Brass Band will perform on Friday, October 6; the concert is free to attend and will be held from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. The band was formed in 2008 by six talented musicians who respect and revere the New Orleans brass band tradition. FBBB takes traditional New Orleans brass tunes and sprinkles in their own brand of special Saint Louis musical magic. At any given gig, you’ll also hear some Chicago blues, Memphis soul, Southern rock and St. Louis R&B. “We are grateful to Simmons Hanly Conroy for providing this opportunity that allows us to bring these great acts to Alton, which we anticipate will draw a big crowd from across the river to experience everything that Alton has to offer,” said

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EDWARDSVILLE - For those who enjoy an enchanted evening for Halloween season, the Edwardsville-Glen Carbon Junior Service Club is again having its Witches Night Out on Oct. 21, 2023, at Glen Carbon Miner Park. The event is from 5 to 10 p.m. "Dust off your broom, gather your coven and don your best witch’s attire for a night full of costume contests, devilishly delightful drinks, eerily excellent eats, enchanting entertainment, magical melodies, ravishing raffles, vexing vendors and so much more," the Junior Service Club said. The Junior Service Club encouraged residents to go to the Junior Service Club website to learn more about all the ways JSC gives back to our community, such as the RP Lumber Center Teen Room and the Boundless Playground. You can also find raffles, tickets, sponsorship opportunities, and vendor applications, on our website: http://www.edglenjuniorservice.org/witches-night-out-2023.html Find us on Facebook for all the updates at: https://www.facebook.com/edglenjuniorservice

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WOOD RIVER - East Alton-Wood River High junior Isaac Thornton is quite an athlete for his school. Thornton has become a star of the football team as an offensive and defensive lineman. Thornton is also a straight-A student for East Alton-Wood River. During his freshman year, Thornton played golf for the Oilers boys squad. Thornton said he would like to thank Garry Herron and Kraig Daniels for giving him a chance and transforming him into the athlete he has become. The Oilers junior is a Midwest Members Credit Union Male Athlete of Month for East Alton-Wood River High. He feels his best attributes are his hard work and being an example to his teammates, as well as his good grades. "This will be my second year playing football," he said. "I love the team I’m a part of, watching myself as well as my friends grow to be good players and people is very rewarding. Football has taught me how to fight through tough situations and how to be selfless." Thornton is also involved in the

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EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County Treasurer Chris Slusser recently announced the third installment of property tax payments will be due soon on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023. “With the due date quickly approaching, I want to remind everyone that the third of four tax installments will be due Fri, Oct 6,” Slusser said. “The Treasurer’s office is open for business Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but will be closed the Monday after the due date in observance of Columbus Day on Oct 9.” Taxpayers have several payment options available. Payments can be made: At a participating collector bank or credit union in Madison County Through your financial institution’s online bill pay service On the Treasurer’s website at www.madcotreasurer.org By mail (letters must be postmarked on or before Oct. 6) By phone at 1-844-919-4300 In-person at the Treasurer’s Office, located at 157 N. Main St., Suite #125 in Edwardsville “No

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Touch-A-Truck event this past Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, again attracted thousands of families to Township Park. This year's event had 50 vehicles and considerable business support. There were a variety of children's activities and the most popular appeared to be face painting, which drew a crowd the entire time. The medical helicopter present was again the most visited with a constant line. Children were able to sit in the helicopter and hear an explanation of how everything worked. Adam Colvin, the administrator of Edwardsville Township, said they were extremely pleased with its highest turnout ever and the highest turnout of vehicles. “Some vehicles are pretty big and we have to have space,” Colvin added. “We knew we had almost 50 vehicles, which is the most we have had. We also had the highest sponsorships from businesses and feel this was our most successful Touch-A-Truck event ever. We also had really great weather.” Colv

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ALTON - The Alton Redbirds finished a disappointing fourth place at regionals last Wednesday, Sept. 27, at Belk Park Golf Course. Only the top three schools move on as a team. The top 10 individuals outside of those schools also qualify. The same thing works to qualify for the state tournament. So, after being bested by O'Fallon for the third and final team spot, the Redbirds had to settle for three individual spots, seniors Alex Siatos and Cooper Haegen, and junior Sam Ottwell. Siatos shot a three-over-par 75 at Belk Park Golf Course last Wednesday. Ottwell shot a 78 and Hagen shot an 81. The three took to Monday's Pekin Sectional at Lick Creek Golf Course vying to earn a spot at state. The only way to do so would be in the top 10 individuals and it was a blistering cut line at seven-over-par 79. Ottwell ended up shooting two-over-par 74, earning himself a second-place finish at the sectional and a state berth. Siatos shot an 80 and Hagen came up with an 89. "As we expected

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has launched a redesigned and enhanced Illinois Hospital Report Card website, with patient safety and quality of care information presented in a more user-friendly format. The same website, https://www.healthcarereportcard.illinois.gov , also includes an updated Illinois Public Health Community Map, with county-level information on health outcomes and access to care across Illinois. “Illinois residents deserve access to accurate, reliable data about the quality of health care provided in our State,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra . “This updated website will allow consumers to be more knowledgeable about their health care options, as well as provide greater information on the health needs of their communities. Our goal is that these resources – the updated, enhanced Hospital Report Card and Community Map - will provide Illinois residents, elected officials, and health care professionals

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EDWARDSVILLE - The second annual Edwardsville Unity Festival combined fun and friendship for attendees on Saturday, Sept. 30. People could check out informational booths, connect with local organizations and enjoy free food and live music throughout the day. This year’s Unity Fest grew from last year’s and saw several hundred attendees. The organization Edwardsville Unity hosted the festival and chose the theme “Unity begins with U.” “The idea was originally to just have a big party for Edwardsville, but also to get people talking to each other, communicating, finding space where we have similarities because there’s a lot of strife happening right now,” said Natalie Casey, a member of Edwardsville Unity. Unity Fest invited organizations to set up a booth in Leclaire Park so they could share resources and information about their services. There were several speeches and performances from community members, including opening remarks by

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today led a coalition of 13 attorneys general supporting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposal to strengthen dust-lead hazard standards and post-abatement clearance levels, as authorized by the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). In a comment letter , Raoul and the coalition strongly support the EPA’s efforts to strengthen its dust-lead hazard standards and clearance levels, two important regulations that help protect the public against dangerous dust-lead and lead paint exposures. These stronger regulations are especially important for environmental justice communities, such as low-income communities and communities of color, that currently bear a disproportionate burden from exposure to lead. “The EPA should quickly adopt its proposal to protect communities in Illinois, and across the nation, from dangerous lead exposure while addressing long-standing dust-lead inequities,” Raoul said. “This

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On Tuesday, Oct. 3, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Consumer Financial Protection Bureau v. Community Financial Services Association of America. CFSA is asking the Supreme Court to affirm the 5th Circuit’s ruling that threatens the CFPB’s funding and existence. Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 16 attorneys general, is asking the Supreme Court to reverse the 5th Circuit’s decision and maintain the CFPB’s existence because it is vital to protecting consumers and ensuring a fair financial system. Earlier this year, Attorney General Raoul and a group of state attorneys general filed an amicus brief in this case . The CFPB serves several functions that are invaluable to states and state attorneys general. It provides necessary transparency and clarity to consumers seeking to navigate a confusing and opaque financial marketplace. It provides educational resources that aid consumers with questions or issues related to their various

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ALTON - As law-abiding gun owners are required to register their specific firearms with the Illinois State Police between October 1, 2023, and January 1, 2024, State Representative Amy Elik (R-Alton) filed legislation to protect the rights of law-abiding gun owners pending the outcome of Constitutional challenges on Illinois’ gun ban. “My legislation ensures that if certain gun-related provisions are found unconstitutional, the information collected from law-abiding gun owners when registering their firearms is immediately destroyed,” said Rep. Amy Elik. “This protects the privacy of law-abiding gun owners, preventing the government from retaining their personal information.” Rep. Amy Elik’s legislation (HB 4150) would require the Illinois State Police to immediately and permanently destroy the gun registry of all law-abiding gun owners if Illinois’ gun ban is found unconstitutional. Constitutional challenges are working their way through

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JERSEYVILLE - A Jerseyville woman has been charged with residential arson in connection to a Jersey County home that burned down last Friday, September 29, 2023, according to recent court filings. Rochelle K. Maltimore, 31, of Jerseyville, was charged with one count of residential arson from the incident. According to court documents, Maltimore “knowingly located a blanket just inside the residence”, which was located in the 28,000 block of McClusky Road in Jersey County. She then “draped it through a window, and set it on fire, totally destroying the residence.” Maltimore was arrested and charged with a Class 1 Felony. She has been taken into the custody of the Jersey County Sheriff until her initial appearance in court - her hearing in this case is set for Nov. 6. The issuance of charges is based solely upon probable cause and is not an indication of guilt. All subjects charged with criminal offenses are considered innocent until proven guilty in

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ALTON - Residents of Alton’s Ward 6 are planning a community meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 3 to address crime, drug use and homelessness in their neighborhoods. Residents say there have been many break-ins and gunshots fired in recent months, which they believe is a result of the substance abuse and unhoused population in the area. They have held a few community meetings with over 35 attendees, and Ward 6 Alderwoman Stephanie Elliott and Alton Mayor David Goins have been invited to the Oct. 3 meeting to hear their concerns. “It’s just citizens in the neighborhood getting together because there is a lot of crime going on, a lot of homelessness and a lot of drug abuse, and a lot of vacant houses that are so bad that the vines are taking them over,” Robyn Hamlin said. “That provides places for these homeless drug addicts to sleep, who then turn around and go steal. People have had their houses broken into, gunshots are starting to be fired…It’s

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CHICAGO – With National Breast Cancer Awareness Month underway across the country, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) are reminding the public that early detection is the most effective way to prevent the deadly disease. The Governor has issued a proclamation declaring October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month and October 20 as Mammography Day in Illinois. However public health officials are urging Illinoisans not to wait and to schedule a comprehensive exam as soon as possible. “Regular mammograms can help detect breast cancer at an early stage when treatment is most successful. That’s why it’s important that anyone who delayed screenings during the pandemic should schedule an exam with their provider,” Governor Pritzker said. “And for those who are uninsured or underinsured, IDPH operates the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program which offers free mammograms and other important services.” While

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul co-led a coalition of 23 attorneys general in support of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) new proposed rule aimed at combatting deceptive practices concerning the use of consumer reviews. “Consumers rely on accurate information to make decisions that are in their best financial interest. When companies attempt to manipulate the marketplace with fake or misrepresented reviews of products, consumers suffer and pay the price,” Raoul said. “I am proud to stand with my fellow attorneys general in support of the Federal Trade Commission’s efforts to crack down on fake or misleading reviews.” Raoul and the coalition filed a comment letter with the FTC in response to the FTC’s notice of proposed rulemaking. In the letter, the attorneys general were supportive of the proposed Trade Regulation Rule on the Use of Consumer Reviews and Testimonials, which, if enacted, will specifically prohibit: Fake or false

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