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SPRINGFIELD - Halloween is a fun, spooky and exciting time for kids and adults as they scour for that perfect costume and people add spooky decorations to their homes. If you don’t keep fire safety in mind, Halloween and fall decoration can add an increased fire danger to your home that could create a real scary situation. According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), each year from 2017 to 2019, an estimated average of 9,200 fires were reported to fire departments in the United States over a 3-day period around Halloween. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports from 2018–2022 there was an average of 835 home structure fires that began with decorations per year. These fires caused an annual average of 3 civilian fire deaths, 30 civilian fire injuries, and $14 million in direct property damage. Nearly half (47%) of these fires occurred because the decorations were too close to a heat source, such as a candle or hot equipment and approximately one-third

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GODFREY – State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) welcomed 44 high school students to the Lewis and Clark Community College Campus Thursday for her annual Fall Youth Advisory Council (YAC) meeting. The event allows students to get a firsthand experience in the process of state government. “It’s great to see new and returning students at my Youth Advisory Council each year,” said Senator Harriss. “This council gives our high school students a glimpse into the state government process, while also allowing them the opportunity to meet and network with other high school students from schools across the district.” Students at this year’s council started their day by meeting with Senator Harriss, followed by presentations from Megan Tyler, Executive Director of Sacred Spaces of CARE, and Elizabeth Grant, Professor at LCCC and Edwardsville Alderwoman. “I am inspired by leadership, and I want to lead in my study of engineering

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Rotary Club has chosen to honor Edwardsville High School student Sami McKenny with the Student of the Month Award for September. Sami McKenny was nominated by Edwardsville High School journalism teacher, Mrs. Amanda Thrum. Sami is the daughter of Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Mark McKenny. She is 17 years old and a senior at EHS. Sami is currently president of the National Art Honors Society and is the Vice Team Captain for the Ethics Bowl. She is a member of the National French Honor Society and the National Honor Society as well as an officer of the National English Honor Society. She is a yearbook photographer and is the Editor-in-Chief of the school papers The Claw and The Tiger Times Online. Additionally, she is a member of the Creative Writing Club and has a freelance contract with the Intelligencer to write occasional stories. Outside of school, Sami takes weekly dance classes in the studies of ballet, jazz, hip-hop, and modern. She has been a member

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GODFREY - The Godfrey Fire District and Madison County Sheriff's Office responded to a three-car accident at the intersection of West Delmar Avenue and Valley Drive. Engines 1412 and 1422 worked the scene. The crash did require some traffic disruption and the public was asked to avoid the scene for 30 minutes. The Godfrey Fire District expressed gratitude to Alton Memorial Ambulance, the Madison County Sheriff’s Department, and Bowers Towing for their assistance in managing the incident. There were individuals treated at the scene for injuries, but none of the injuries appeared to be serious in nature, according to early reports. No further details regarding injuries or the cause of the accident have been released at this time.

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GODFREY – Beverly Farm Foundation is excited to announce its upcoming #Racing4BeverlyFarm Golf Scramble Fundraiser, to be held at Grip & Sip in Cottage Hills, Illinois, on Saturday, November 16, 2024. This unique and fun event will support Beverly Farm's mission to enhance the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Golfers of all skill levels are invited to participate in this indoor, 9-hole scramble using Grip & Sip’s state-of-the-art golf simulators. The event will provide a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere where participants can compete for prizes, connect with other golf enthusiasts, and support a great cause. “We’re thrilled to partner with Grip & Sip for this exciting event,” said Crystal Officer, CEO of Beverly Farm Foundation. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together, have fun, and make a real difference in the lives of the individuals we serve.” “Participants can registe

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ALTON — Alton Pride is launching its third annual Thanksgiving Food Drive Competition, inviting local establishments to compete for the title of “Top Turkey.” The initiative, which runs until November 10, encourages businesses and the community to collect non-perishable food items to support families in need during the holiday season. Participating locations include 16 establishments, with reigning champion Pete’s Lounge among them. Other competitors include Norb’s Tavern, Bubby & Sissy’s, Morrisons Irish Pub, Old Bakery Beer Company, and several others. Each business aims to gather the most donations to win a trophy and bragging rights. Community members are encouraged to contribute various non-perishable items, including boxed stuffing mix, instant potatoes, gravy mixes, canned vegetables, cornbread mix, and more. Donations will be used to assemble Thanksgiving Dinner Boxes for families in need. Any surplus items not included in the boxes will b

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Green Bay Packer fans held their collective breath during the opening week of the NFL season when their star quarterback, Jordan Love, went down with what initially looked like a serious knee injury. Fortunately for the Packers, Love’s injury was not season ending. It was a medial collateral ligament (MCL) sprain. The MCL is one of the four ligaments that stabilize the knee, along with the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), and lateral collateral ligament (LCL). The MCL is located on the inner side of the knee, and it prevents the knee from collapsing inward. Any athlete can injure the MCL, says Faheem Ahmad, MD, a family practice physician with OSF HealthCare, who completed a fellowship in sports medicine. But certain sports create a higher risk of injury, including football, soccer, hockey or figure skating, because of the twisting of the knee that is involved. Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze and San Diego Chargers lineman Joe Alt have

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BELLEVILLE — Three individuals died in a house fire early Monday morning, October 28, 2024, in Belleville, according to the St. Clair County Coroner’s Office. The victims have been identified as George Pappas, 79, Christopher Ellis, 20, and Pioquinto Pappas, 39. The fire erupted at approximately 5:20 a.m. at a residence at the intersection of West Lincoln and South 13th Street. First responders were on the scene by 5:24 a.m. and relayed a report of heavy smoke on the residence's first floor. Belleville firefighters responded to the scene, managing to rescue one person from the flames. Three other family members escaped the burning home on their own. A cadaver dog was deployed to assist in locating the victims who were trapped inside the house. The cause of the fire remains under investigation as authorities work to determine the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.

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GRANITE CITY - Two St. Louis residents face felony charges after stealing thousands in sports store merchandise, hijacking a police car, and more. Theodore Barnett, 44, and Crisshay A. Shell, 27, both of St. Louis, were both charged with the following: Armed violence (Class X felony) Vehicular hijacking (Class 1 felony) Retail theft over $300 (Class 3 felony) Resisting a peace officer (Class A misdemeanor) Barnett was additionally charged with aggravated battery, a Class 2 felony, and unlawful possession of weapons by a felon, a Class 3 felony. Both individuals were involved in a theft from Hibbett Sports in Granite City. The situation escalated after the would-be getaway car got stuck, leading to a police vehicle hijacking and battery of an officer. Petitions were filed to deny pretrial release for both Barnett and Shell, which describe the incident as follows: “Officers responded to a report of a male and female suspect stealing from Hibbett Sports,”

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Welcome to This Day in History! Today, we explore significant events that took place on October 29 throughout the years. Starting with a powerful event from the 20th century, on October 29, 1929, the United States experienced the infamous Stock Market Crash, marking the beginning of the Great Depression. The crash was a significant turning point, impacting economies worldwide. It resulted from a combination of over-speculation in the stock market, a booming economy that was not built on solid foundations, and the sudden loss of investor confidence. Thousands of investors lost their fortunes overnight, and the repercussions were felt for years, leading to widespread unemployment and poverty. This event is often seen as a cautionary tale about the risks of unchecked capitalism and the importance of regulatory oversight in financial markets. Fast forward to 1966, and another landmark event unfolded. On October 29, in a significant move towards civil rights, the National Organization

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul is reminding parents and guardians to check the state’s sex offender registry before finalizing Halloween plans and determining trick-or-treat routes for their children. “With many families planning Halloween activities this week, I am encouraging parents, grandparents and guardians to keep their families safe by checking Illinois’ Sex Offender Registry before leaving home,” Raoul said. “While Illinois law prohibits child sex offenders from distributing candy, searching the registry is a quick step families can take before leaving home to ensure everyone has a happy and safe Halloween.” Illinois law prohibits all sex offenders who committed a crime against a child from distributing candy, in addition to prohibiting them from participating in trick-or-treat events or other Halloween events involving children younger than 18. Sex offenders on parole, mandatory supervised release and probation may have

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GODFREY - The William M. BeDell Achievement and Resource Center (arc) will host its 43rd annual dance and auction on Saturday, November 16, from 7 to 11 p.m. The event will take place at the Knights of Columbus Hall at 1713 Stamper Lane in Godfrey. Tickets to the dance are $25 per person. A taco bar, beer and soda will be provided. Those who attend are free to bring appetizers, side dishes or dessert. Entertainment will be provided by DownRight DJs. According to arc Executive Director Chad Rollins, funds from the dance and auction will be used to purchase a new van to transport disabled individuals to the Community Day Services Program, community events and medical appointments. He said, “In addition to the fundraising component of the event, we look forward to the dance in a communal sense. Our clients, volunteers, staff and many friends of the agency come together and truly celebrate our history.” Chairing the event this year are John, Liz and Laura Ammann of Godfrey.

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SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced the Illinois Flag Commission received 4,844 entries during the six-week submission period that closed Oct. 18. “I’m thrilled by the number of submissions the commission has received, as well as the excitement that this project has generated. I can’t wait to see which designs the commission selects for public voting,” Giannoulias said. “The contest has encouraged us all to reflect on what makes us proud to be Illinoisans, resulting in some great stories and unique designs reflecting what our state represents.” Now that the submission period is closed, the Illinois Flag Commission will meet before the end of the year to select the top 10 designs. Beginning in January, the public will have the opportunity to vote online for one of 10 new designs, or one of the three former flag designs, including the current state flag, the 1918 Centennial Flag and the 1968 Sesquicentennial Flag.

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Halloween is a thrilling time for children, filled with costumes, candy, and the excitement of spooky decorations. One of the best ways to celebrate this festive season is through DIY Halloween crafts. Engaging in craft projects not only fosters creativity but also provides an opportunity for quality family bonding. In this article, we will explore a variety of easy and fun DIY Halloween crafts that kids can enjoy, along with tips, materials needed, and step-by-step instructions. Why DIY Halloween Crafts? Engaging in DIY crafts has numerous benefits for children: Creativity and Imagination : Crafting allows kids to express themselves and explore their creative abilities. Fine Motor Skills Development : Cutting, gluing, and assembling crafts improve hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. Problem-Solving Skills : Crafting often involves following instructions and troubleshooting, enhancing critical thinking. Bonding Time : DIY projects provide a wonderful opportunity

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GILLESPIE - Gillespie Community will host a Community Blood Drive with ImpactLife, the provider of blood components for local hospitals. The blood drive will be from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at 900 Broadway, inside Gillespie Methodist Church Gym. What: Gillespie Community Blood Drive When: Monday, November 11, 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm Where: Gillespie Methodist Church Gym, 900 Broadway, Gillespie, IL Appointments: To donate, please contact Brenda Lowe at (217) 710-1336 or visit www.bloodcenter.org and use code 60020 to locate the drive. You may also call ImpactLife to schedule at 800-747-5401. Appointments are requested. Donor Eligibility Criteria: Potential donors must be at least 17 years of age (16 with parental permission form available through www.bloodcenter.org ) and weigh more than 110 pounds. A photo I.D. is required to donate. For questions about eligibility, please call ImpactLife at (800) 747-5401. Donors who last gave blood on or before Sept.

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PIASA — The Piasa Southwestern boys cross country team secured a spot in the sectional meet next week at Elmwood, demonstrating strong performance at the IHSA Class 1A Rushville-Industry regional meet held Saturday morning, Oct. 26, 2024, at Scripps Park Golf Course. Pleasant Plains claimed the team title with a commanding score of 33 points, significantly ahead of second-place Quincy Notre Dame Catholic, which finished with 86 points. Petersburg PORTA followed closely in third with 91 points, while Carthage Illini West took fourth with 116 points. Liberty finished fifth with 124 points, and the Piasa Birds secured their advancement with a total of 149 points. Beardstown rounded out the qualifying teams in seventh place with 158 points. The Piasa Birds are Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Male Athletes Of The Month. In individual performances, Thor Springman led Southwestern with a seventh-place finish, clocking in at 16:37.0 for three miles, which marked a personal recor

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Fresh Express is voluntarily recalling a limited number of Gourmet Café Chicken Caesar Salad Bowls due to the inclusion of recalled chicken items from BrucePac, an outside ingredient supplier. The BrucePac recall is due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The fresh vegetable components are not impacted by this recall. Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. The salad bowls were distributed in the following states: CA, LA, TX, WA. Fresh Express is no longer using chicken ingredients from the ingredient supplier’s (BrucePac) impacted facility and we will not do so until the USDA has inspected

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ST. JOSEPH – Today, the Illinois State Police (ISP) joined Trooper Corey S. Thompsen’s family and friends, along with officers from law enforcement agencies across the country, to honor and pay their respects to Trooper Thompsen, who was killed in the line of duty on October 18, 2024, as the result of a traffic crash in Champaign County. Trooper Thompsen was laid to rest today. “Our hearts are broken today, but our spirit is not,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “To allow our spirit to be broken would dishonor what Trooper Thompsen, his family, and ISP stand for. This week and then forever, we will honor him. "We will honor his life of service, and the service and sacrifice of his family and friends.” Trooper Thompsen began his career in law enforcement in 2018, serving as a member of the Vermilion Metropolitan Enforcement Group. On this exact day, five years ago, Trooper Thompsen entered the ISP Academy in Springfield as a cadet in

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WOOD RIVER - As families enjoyed Wood River’s Downtown Trick-or-Treat night last week, Mayor Tom Stalcup reflected on the town’s growth. Stalcup noted that the town has brought in many new businesses and revitalized their downtown district. He thanked the people in the city who have made this possible. “We got together with a lot of the building owners who are down here and got some new ordinances passed and cleaned up some of the older buildings, and it just started snowballing from there,” Stalcup said. “About four years ago, when I first came into office, Chief Wells, who’s also our Building and Zoning czar, he had some ideas. And Steve Palin came into office for the city manager’s job, and they work really well together.” The Downtown Trick-or-Treat event represents the town’s expansion over the years, as Stalcup noted the sidewalks were “shoulder-to-shoulder” with families and kids enjoying their evening

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HARDIN – The Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Special Investigations Unit (SIU) on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, announced charges against the Calhoun Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) Treasurer. ISP worked with the Calhoun County State’s Attorney to bring charges against Peggy Hall for theft. On February 13, 2024, the Calhoun County State’s Attorney notified ISP of allegations of theft against Calhoun County Assessor Peggy Hall. The allegations of theft were related to her role as PTO Treasurer and not in her capacity as Calhoun County Assessor. ISP conducted a thorough investigation into allegations of stealing PTO funds and turned its case over to the Illinois State’s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor. On October 22, 2024, Hall was charged with one count of Theft over $10,000 and one count of Deceptive Practices. Hall was served a warrant and released. Hall’s first court appearance is set for November 6, 2024. All suspects

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