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SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is reminding the public that the extension of expiration dates for driver’s licenses, ID cards and learner’s permits is set to end on Dec. 1, 2022. White initiated the extension in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. To address the high customer volume caused by the pandemic, White’s office also expanded online renewals for expired driver’s licenses and ID cards and continues to mail letters to eligible customers. The letter provides driver’s license and ID card holders with a unique PIN to renew online instead of visiting a facility. Customers may call 217-785-1424 to confirm their eligibility for online renewal or to obtain their PIN. They may also visit ilsos.gov/renewaldlid/eligible.jsp to look up their eligibility status. White continues to encourage people to conduct other business online at ilsos.gov. In addition to driver’s license and ID card renewals for those who qualify, online services

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ST. LOUIS - Thanksgiving is one of the country’s top days for cooking fires, and the American Red Cross of Missouri and Arkansas encourages family chefs to follow simple steps to prepare the holiday feast safely. “Home fires are a real threat over the holidays and represent most of the Red Cross disaster responses locally and nationally,” said Beth Elders, Executive Director, Greater St. Louis Chapter, American Red Cross of Missouri and Arkansas. “Help keep your family safe by always keeping an eye on what you fry, testing your smoke alarms monthly and practicing your two-minute escape plan with everyone in your household.” COOKING SAFETY TIPS Follow these safety tips and visit redcross.org/fire for more information, including an escape plan to practice with your family. You can also download the free Red Cross Emergency and First Aid apps by searching “American Red Cross” in app stores. Never leave cooking food unattended. If you must

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GODFREY - Lewis and Clark Community College has a Hike Through the Holidays on a quarter of a mile trail on campus planned from 5-9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays from December 2-23. Hiking Through the Holidays is a campus and community event developed by Lewis and Clark’s strategic efforts to build and support a transparent and inclusive campus culture. "We’re inviting our entire community to enjoy the beauty of our campus and share in the joy of the holiday season with us," Lewis and Clark Faculty Association President Debbie Witsken said. Parking is free and located behind the McPike Math and Science Complex. There is no cost for this family-friendly hiking adventure, which starts on the west side of campus, near the Andy Simpson Tennis Complex. Enter the trailhead through the tennis pavilion and follow the lights and signage. Meet Blazer the Newfie (L&C's Mascot) from 6 - 8 p.m. on Dec. 10, 17, & 23. Lewis and Clark Community College officials said that due to uneven

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ALTON - Sophomore Kiyoko Proctor is starting right where she left off. After a successful 21-7 campaign as a freshman, a season that saw her play in all but one game, she's back at it again. Having led her team in scoring last season with 409 points (15.1 PPG average), she's already making a difference this year. Through the first two games of the 2022-23 season, she's scored 25 points, helping her team to back-to-back wins over Springfield Southeast (73-32) and Mater Dei (49-36). Her strong performance earned her All-Tournament honors and Tournament MVP. "I feel like I played really well as a point guard and I got my teammates the ball and also got my points up too," Proctor said after the win over Mater Dei Saturday night. She said that her team played well together and made a lot of good choices. "I feel like we played together, and we were really smart with the ball and patient. If one of our teammates did bad we helped them up." Proctor has big expectations this season.

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ST. LOUIS - City Museum is serving up a whole month of Winter Holiday fun, including larger-than-life light displays on the outdoor playground MonstroCity and in Architecture Hall, appearances by Steampunk Santa, Tacky Christmas celebrations in Beatnik Bob's, and much more. CIty Museum's holiday activities are free with general admission or a City Museum membership. Friendsgiving Trivia Night, Black Friday Sale & Extended Hours Kick off the holidays at City Museum with a Friends-themed trivia night on Wednesday, November 23 from 5 to 9 p.m Looking for a unique gift for the Holidays? Give the gift of unlimited adventures with a City Museum membership, on sale November 22-28 only. City Museum is open extended hours Thanksgiving week to give everyone more time to play: 11/21-11/22 10 am - 6 pm 11/23 10 am - 9 pm 11/24 CLOSED 11/27 10 am - 6 pm Misfit Holiday Bar Calling all misfits! From the window to the wall, City Museum has holiday cheer for all. Come explore the island

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The Edwardsville Township is once again ensuring families in the area have a holiday meal this Thanksgiving. On Thursday, November 17th, Edwardsville Township Supervisor Kevin Hall presented Edwardsville High School & Woodland Elementary School. Head Start with Thanksgiving baskets. Worden Elementary School, Hamel Elementary School, and Edwardsville Head Start also received Thanksgiving baskets. Twenty-five baskets were donated, with five baskets presented to each organization, to help residents in need this holiday season. Each basket included a gift card for a turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, rolls, cranberry sauce, gravy, cake mix & icing, bagged salad, and Ski beverages donated from Excel Bottling Company. During the Touch-A-Truck event on September 24th at Edwardsville Township, Community Park received a record number of event and vehicle sponsorships. Edwardsville Township uses this support to make the Thanksgiving baskets possible. This is the 8th year

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Electrification Caucus, introduced the Responsive Energy Demand Unlocks Clean Energy (REDUCE) Act to eliminate states’ ability to “opt out” of aggregated demand response. The legislation would allow consumers nationwide to sell their energy reductions into the wholesale market. “Allowing consumers to sell their energy reductions into the wholesale market is an important step toward decarbonizing our energy sector. On top of that, it puts money back in the pockets of Americans who are doing their part to reduce their energy usage,” said Durbin. “When it comes to taking climate action, we’re all in this together. That’s why the REDUCE Act is critical to ensuring that every state is on board to cut back on our nation’s reliance on fossil fuels and deliver savings to homeowners and businesses.” The bill would instruct the Federal Energy

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BELLEVILLE - The annual 'Way of Lights' Christmas display returned yet again this winter season, kicking off the season last Friday. It has been running for over 50 years now dating back to 1970 when the yearly tradition began. The display of over one million white lights, which tells the story of the birth of Christ, is located on the grounds of the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows. The address is 442 S. De Mazenod Dr, Belleville, IL 62223. The drive-thru event will run nightly (excluding holidays) from November 18th through December 31st. The hours are 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. On Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day the outdoor light display will remain open, but everything else will be closed. There are other things to do and see besides the Christmas light display including indoor and outdoor activities such as a wreath auction, quilt raffle, Twelve Days of Christmas Tree room, choirs, gift shop, Lego display, and shrine exhibit. Outside, guests can

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ST. LOUIS – A local turnkey manufacturer, Custom Technologies, has partnered with Switch, a sustainable design company, to manufacture the reMarker. With the belief that sustainable business starts with making things closer to home, Switch helps consumers live a zero-waste work life with its everyday circular products made in the U.S. Its goal is to raise consumers’ expectations of the goods they purchase and the companies they choose to purchase from. “We can’t switch planets, so let’s Switch everything else,” said Switch Founders David Gillespie and Nicholas Collins. With a combined 30 years of experience working with the world’s largest CPG (consumer-packaged goods) companies, the two saw an opportunity to create sustainable solutions for the tools they use in their everyday lives, namely the markers they were using during daily client workshops. Thus, Switch was born. In 2020, David and Nicholas began searching for a U.S.-based manufacturer

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STAUNTON - The Macoupin Art Collective, a non-profit art center at 115 E Main in Staunton, would like to invite the community to their annual Merry MACidays Holiday Art Market and Silent Auction/Raffle December 7-11. This event requires private shopping window reservations Wed to Sat only and can be reserved at no cost online at www.macart.org . Sunday shopping is open to all from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. This year, The MAC will feature over 35 local artists, crafters, and artisans selling their hand-crafted items in all price ranges, most from $5 to $50. In addition to the glass, ceramic, fabric, painting, wood, metal, etc options for sale, The MAC will also have a raffle of dozens of items, from arts/crafts to gift certificates to event tickets and more. The Macoupin Art Collective was founded in 2017 by professional artist and educator, Brandace Cloud. In that short time, The MAC has become a vibrant and welcoming face on Main Street, creating a safe space for art and expression fo

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CARLINVILLE - Blackburn College will celebrate the holiday season with its annual Christmas at Blackburn event on Sunday, December 5, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. in Clegg Chapel. The performance will be free and open to the public. A Lessons and Carols service, the celebration will include the Blackburn College Choir, student instrumental performances, and scripture readings presented by students, faculty, and community members. Blackburn’s Music faculty, Dr. Joseph Welch and Dr. See Tsai Chan, will direct the production and provide accompaniment, respectively. “We are honored to continue the tradition of celebrating Christmas at Blackburn. The carols and candlelight make for a magical evening ushering in the Christmas season,” Raven Brooks, a music and theater faculty assistant, explained. There will be no reservations required for the event. Clegg Chapel is located in Hudson Hall - the main academic building on campus. For more information, please contact music@blackburn.edu

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ST. LOUIS - To help commuters stay toasty on transit – while also spreading a little holiday cheer – Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT), Metro Transit, St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD), Bureau of Transit Police, Metro Transit Public Safety and other partners will be hosting a public transit rider appreciation effort on Dec. 1, 2022. From 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. that day, those utilizing the North Hanley, Fairview Heights, Belleville, Central West End, Shrewsbury-Lansdowne I-44, Riverview and 5 th & Missouri Transit Centers will receive a pair of complimentary “Stay Toasty on Transit”-themed, touchscreen-friendly gloves and a candy cane. Riders will also be reminded about the benefits of taking public transit during the winter months and learn how to register for CMT’s Guaranteed Ride Home Program. “Public transit is a great option for St. Louisans during the winter,” commented Kimberly Cella, executive director of Citizens for Modern Transit.

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ALTON - Illinois American Water’s work to separate the Alton combined sewer system and install new sanitary sewers continues. Below is information about road closures from November 17, 2022, through the end of year. Piasa Valley Area: 9th Street is still closed from Alton Street east to George Street. This stretch of roadway will continue to be closed until the completion of the water main replacement and pavement restoration. Construction is anticipated to start in the next week or two. Belle Street sewer work has moved north of the intersection of 7th Street. 7th Street east of Belle Street is partially restored, with a little restoration work to continue in the coming weeks. Some business parking is still relocated across Piasa Street. Please use caution with increased pedestrian traffic in this area. The area between 8th Street and 9th Street on Belle Street has a large amount of work in this block. This area will continue to be closed to all traffic for at least

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ALTON – Staff from TorHoerman Law hosted a drive-thru turkey giveaway Saturday morning in the Alton Amphitheater parking lot. The tradition started in 2014 and has grown every year. This year, they were prepared to hand out 500 turkeys. With the average full-sized turkey costing around $20, it can be estimated that TorHoerman Law gave away over $10,000 worth of food Saturday morning. All for a good cause. “It’s more than just the food for us,” Paralegal and event organizer Kristie Stephens said. “We want to take the worry of providing a Thanksgiving dinner off the plate of families in need.” Throughout the years TorHoerman Law has impacted the lives of hundreds, if not thousands of people in the Metro-East area. “A lot of our employees have grown up in the Alton area,” Attorney Eric Terry said. He’s just happy to be helping give back to the community. “It’s just great to see staff from our firm, our family members

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EDWARDSVILLE — The Madison County Board on Wednesday approved a $181.1 million fiscal year 2023 budget, along with a $30.75 million property tax levy. The board voted, 26-0, to approve the upcoming spending plan that starts on Dec. 1. The board also approved for the sixth year in a row, a zero-growth property tax levy. “The county board once again kept the property tax levy flat,” Chairman Kurt Prenzler said. Prenzler said the board worked to balance the budget and keep the levy request the same. The levy is the amount requested from property taxes used to help finance the county’s budget. He said taxes are the No. 1 concern of both the board and property owners. “For the past five years we’ve managed to hold the levy at $30.8 million,” he said. “During my first year as chairman the county board lowered the levy by $1.8 million and it’s stayed flat since then.” The budget includes 11 funds — the general fund, along

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Winter is quickly approaching. For people who live in the Midwest, it may even feel like winter is already here. This time of year consists of colder weather, traveling, holiday gatherings, family get-togethers, and more time spent cooped up indoors – all of which can become the perfect storm for seasonal illnesses to brew. This year, health experts are advising individuals to be extra diligent. Flu season historically peaks between December and February each year. However, according to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an early increase in seasonal flu activity is happening nationwide – and it is estimated that just in the United States, there already have been at least 2.8 million cases, 23,000 hospitalizations, and 1,300 deaths. This early and drastic spike in flu cases, combined with the current spread of other illnesses like RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), COVID-19, and the common cold, has people wondering what they

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EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s nationally-recognized Office of Military and Veteran Services is committed to providing support through education and resources to military-connected students as well as civilian campus community members for the mutually beneficial growth and understanding of all. Critical to that work is raising awareness of both strengths and necessary improvements in the military. Throughout October, the Office of Military and Veteran Services brought civilians, veterans and current servicemembers together through a book group to shed light on military sexual trauma (MST). The reading and discussion came two years after the murder of Army soldier specialist Vanessa Guillen at the hands of an alleged fellow soldier. “The murder of Guillen disturbed me to my core, and still bothers me to this day,” said Telisha Reinhardt, assistant director of Military and Veteran Services, who coordinated and facilitated the MST discussions.

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WOOD RIVER - Jenny Scoggins has a love of cats and it has led to the building of Bubble Kitties Cat Grooming at 17A East Ferguson in Wood River. "I have the love and passion for their pets as if they were my own and I take time to get to know each individual pet," she said. "We are a dog-free cat-only facility. This puts less stress on the groomer and the cat. Your cat will be in a calm, quiet environment and does not have to put up with other barking dogs. We also schedule only one cat at a time. We are the only dog-free facility in the area." Jenny said she believes those who visit her place see the love she has for their pets and the knowledge she has about animals in general. "I am proud of the fact that my new clients trust me with their beloved pet cats," she said. "My favorite part of my job is getting to know the different types and personalities of each and every cat that comes through our doors. The community has been supportive and most of them are excited to see a new smal

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COLLINSVILLE – In response to continued high energy prices, Ameren Illinois is introducing a package of energy efficiency solutions, flexible payment programs, and financial options to help its customers manage their energy costs during the heating season. "Our customers count on us every day to deliver the electricity and natural gas they need, and no one wants to see higher energy bills," said Joe Solari, Vice President, Customer Experience, Ameren Illinois. "With our Energy Care Plan, we're providing our customers with low- and no-cost, easy-to-implement solutions to help them to take more control over their energy usage and save money." Information on energy management solutions in the Energy Care Plan is available at AmerenIllinois.com/ EnergyCarePlan. Highlights include: Home Energy Assessment – A team of energy efficiency experts will conduct a thorough examination of a customer's home to look for changes that can reduce energy usage and shave dollars off their monthl

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BELLEVILLE – If you’re looking to add a touch of European flair to your holiday plans, look no further than the 9 th Annual Belleville Christkindlmarkt. Modeled after Christmas markets in Germany, this open-air market opens on November 25 th at the Public Square and runs through December 23 rd . The Christkindlmarkt features European food and beverages and unique items from 30 different vendors. “I like shopping at the Belleville Christkindlmarkt because there is a wide variety of vendors, tasty food and beverages, and my kids have fun trying to find Gustav the Elf in each chalet while I browse.” a Christkindlmarkt shopper says. Along with shopping, you can enjoy live entertainment, visit Santa, and even a free horse-drawn trolley ride! Since its start in 2014, Belleville’s Christkindlmarkt has drawn people from far and wide, including many shoppers who come back year after year. “It’s so authentic; it’s a little taste of Germany right

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