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ALTON - The Russell E. Dunham Memorial VFW Post #1308 will mark Veterans Day with their annual wreath-laying ceremony. Located at 4445 N. Alby Street in Alton, the Post will welcome the public at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, to watch the ceremony. Alton Mayor David Goins and a retired Navy Corpsman will speak. “We just get together and reflect back on everybody that we knew and what we’ve done,” Bob Myers, a longtime Post #1308 member, said. “This is for all veterans. We like people to remember the veterans and those who didn’t return. You’ve got to think back and think how lucky you are to be here.” The ceremony will recognize all branches of the U.S. military. The public is invited to honor the veterans and enjoy coffee, donuts and Hardee’s breakfast sandwiches. After the event at Post #1308, Myers said that several members will also stop by local nursing homes and cemeteries to recognize the veterans there. It’s

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WOOD RIVER - Wood River Mayor Tom Stalcup awarded several individuals with Certificates of Appreciation at the City Council meeting this week. Several were presented to community cleanup participants, while one was awarded to Karen Weber for serving on the Library Board for a decade. First, Mayor Stalcup presented Karen Weber with a Certificate of Appreciation for her 10 years of service on the Wood River Library Board of Trustees. “Thank you for your time, dedication, and commitment to the citizens of Wood River, for your service on the Wood River Library Board of Trustees,” Mayor Stalcup said. “Karen dedicated 10 years to the board, seven of which was served as secretary and another three years as treasurer. So Karen, we really want to thank you for all your service. Before posing for a picture with Weber and her certificate, Stalcup added: “We’re going to truly miss her as a board member.” Mayor Stalcup also presented certificates t

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Treasurer’s Office returned more than $18.9 million in missing money during October, Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced today. The total includes more than $18 million in cash and interest and more than $900,000 in stock value. All told, 33,845 claims were paid. “We help Illinois’ economy by putting money back in people’s pockets,” Frerichs said. “Our efforts to improve the efficiency of reuniting people with their missing money are paying off.” Illinois’ missing money program — also known as I-CASH — is one of the state’s oldestconsumer protection initiatives. The State Treasurer is tasked with safeguarding unclaimed property, such as the contents of overlooked safe deposit boxes, unpaid life insurance benefits, forgotten bank accounts and unused rebate cards. Illinois holds more than $5 billion in unclaimed property. The Treasurer’s Office has returned more

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EDWARDSVILLE - As the festivities of the holiday season begin, Home Instead® encourages Edwardsville residents to participate in the Be a Santa to a Senior ® program and share joy by giving a gift to older adults in the community who may not have anyone to celebrate with. “The holidays can be hard for many older adults, especially those who may not have a companion to share them with,” said Nikki Bishop, owner of the Edwardsville Home Instead office. “Through Be a Santa to a Senior , we can help these seniors experience the happiness and togetherness the season can bring.” This year program coordinators hope to collect 400 gifts for local older adults. This is the program’s 3 rd year in the area. To participate, shoppers can look for Be a Santa to a Senior trees or displays at locations around the area. Ornaments featuring the name and desired gift of an older adult will be on display, and shoppers can buy the requested gift and return

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), today reintroduced the Lincoln Home National Historic Site Boundary Modification Act , legislation that would expand the boundary of the Lincoln Home National Historic site to include a replica 1844 Lincoln cottage and the Elijah Iles home. The bill would also require the National Park Service to increase the height of the road in front of the Lincoln home and at the intersection of 8th and Jackson to provide greater accessibility within the existing Lincoln Home site. “Abraham Lincoln is a central figure in Springfield’s rich history. We should preserve the Lincoln Home National Historic site to ensure that future generations can learn about his presidential legacy. With this legislation, Illinoisans and tourists can appreciate our state’s history while visiting the Elijah Iles House and the replica Lincoln cottage,” said Durbin. The Abraham

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CHICAGO - The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) announced an arrest and charges against a 23-year-old man for his part in an armed robbery of more than $14,000 worth of casino chips from Rivers Casino in Des Plaines. On October 31, Ismail Ahmed Ateyat is suspected of entering Rivers Casino wearing a black face mask, pulling out a handgun, pointing it at casino employees, stealing $14,100 in casino chips, and fleeing the casino. Ateyat, of Chicago Ridge, was charged by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office with three counts of armed robbery on November 1. He is currently being held without bond. Gaming Board Agents were able to track Ateyat to his Chicago Ridge home, where they discovered the handgun, the mask and the stolen chips. “Because of the swift and diligent work by our Gaming Agents and our local law enforcement partners, we were able to arrest this individual and recover the stolen casino chips,” said IGB Administrator Marcus D. Fruchter. “I

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Name: Matthew Garland Hometown: Jerseyville Years of Service: 6 years Branch: Navy Rank: Petty officer 2nd class Message: Proud of this Navy nuke! Love mom and dad Submitter's Name: Joseph Garland

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Name: Elmer D. Haines Hometown: Bethalto Years of Service: 1950-1953 KIA: No DOD: January 28, 2006 Branch: Army Rank: 187 Airborne Wars: Korea Submitter's Name: Patricia Lowrance

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JERSEY COUNTY - Jersey County Sheriff Nick Manns reported that a vehicle crash occurred on Route 3 on Wednesday night where one vehicle struck another and one of the drivers ran away from the accident. Another passenger, who suffered an arm injury, followed after the driver. Eventually the sheriff's deputies arrived and arrested the woman. Manns said it was an apparent crash that involved a drunk driver. A name has not been released in the situation. The incident occurred in the Route 3 and White Pine Lane area.

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Name: Donald Elledge Hometown: Wood River Years of Service: 1970-1974 Branch: U.S. Navy Rank: Seaman Wars: Vietnam War Medals Earned: National Defense Service Medal Vietnam Service Medal Vietnam Campaign Medal Meritorious Unit Commendation Navy Unit Commendation Submitter's Name: Jenny Johnson

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Name: Gregory Bock Hometown: Alton Years of Service: 22 years Branch: Navy/Air Force Rank: E7 Submitter's Name: Laura Bock

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GRAFTON - Stop by the Grafton Winery on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, for a three-hour performance by 2022 Atlanta Blues Festival winner Drew Ashworth. From 5–8 p.m., Drew will play covers and original songs with blues, jazz and country influences. This performance will follow the Winery’s Sip & Sign event hosted by Angela Ashworth , Drew’s wife. He encourages people to enjoy the American Sign Language event and a glass of wine before an evening of classic blues music and “a real chill vibe." “I’m lucky because I got my calling really, really early in life and I kind of always knew this was what I’m supposed to do,” Drew said. “The music that I’m making these days, I like to call it y’allternative, because it’s got a little bit of everything. It’s got a little bit of neo-soul, it’s got a little bit of jazz, blues, but there’s also a heavy dose of country and southern rock-n-roll in it. An

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Name: Brian Frier Hometown: Bethalto Years of Service: 2007-2013 Branch: Marines Rank: Sergeant Wars: Iraq Submitter's Name: Patricia Lowrance

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EDWARDSVILLE - State Senator Jason Plummer (55 th -Edwardsville) and Senator Erica Harriss (56 th - Glen Carbon) have released the below statement following the Senate’s passage of HB 2394, which provides additional resources to the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation licensure process: “Delays at IDFPR have been an ongoing issue for far too long, which has created a major backlog for a large number of people who need to be licensed and certified to be able to work. Through several conversations regarding this issue, it was evident that some of the issues were due to the agency’s outdated systems. As a major concern for many families in our districts, we proudly supported HB 2394, which was written to help modernize the licensing system. It is our hope that this legislation will help our highly trained professionals to be able to get back to work, stay on the job, and support their families.

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Vet name: Mikel Phillips Hometown: East Alton Years of service: 2005-2014 Branch: Army Rank: SGT/E5 Wars: Operation Iraqi Freedom Medals honors earned: National Defense Ribbon Army Achievement Medal Good Conduct Medal Iraqi Campaign Medal Global War on Terror Service Medal Army Service Ribbon Message: "Thank you for all your hard work, dedication and service to our country." Submitter name: Samantha Phillips

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SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Governor JB Pritzker acknowledged U.S. Service Members who dedicate their lives to protecting the nation’s independence and freedom today by reminding residents about the Illinois Governor’s Challenge Campaign. The initiative created the Veterans Crisis hotline and online training resources for organizations interested in supporting Service Members, Veterans, and their Families (SMVF). Too often, Veterans face their toughest challenges when they return home. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates 17-22 Veterans die by suicide in our country every day. “As Governor, I am committed to making sure that every Illinoisan, including our veterans, has access to quality mental healthcare and critical suicide prevention services that save countless lives,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “It’s why we started the Illinois Governor’s Challenge in partnership with IDHS and IDVA to combat suicide among service

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Vet name: Stanley Middleton Hometown: Alton Years of service: 20 Branch: Navy Rank: Senior chief Wars: Gulf Submitter name : Jean Middleton

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Vet Name : Terry Alesandrini Hometown: Cottage Hills Years of service: 1970-1974 Branch: Navy Rank: Engineer Wars: Vietnam Medals honors earned: National defense, Vietnam service, good conduct Message: "Thank You Uncle Terry." Submitter name: Rhonda Stewart

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EAST ST. LOUIS – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that bridge repairs will require a weekend closure of northbound/eastbound Interstate 55/70 the I-64 interchange and Illinois 203 in St. Clair County starting, weather permitting, at 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10. A posted detour will be in place to direct motorists to I-64 and I-255. The work is expected to be complete by 5 a.m. Monday, Nov. 13. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and all detour signs prior to the work zone, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on Twitter at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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GRANITE CITY - Nick Raftopoulos, the democratic hopeful for State Representative in Illinois’ 111th House District, will host a meet and greet event on Saturday, November 11, 2023, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Bubby & Sissy’s in Alton. All are welcome for an opportunity to converse with Raftopoulos, gain insight into his background and political platform, and inquire about his vision for effectively representing the 111th District. “These meet and greets emphasize my commitment to open dialogue, community engagement, and creating a lasting impact,” Raftopoulos says. Located at 602 Belle St., Bubby & Sissy’s is one of the Metro East’s most prominent LGBTQ+ spaces. As a passionate advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, Raftopoulos is a firm believer of diversity, inclusivity, and equal rights for all. “It is my privilege to host this event at Bubby & Sissy’s, a symbol of LGBTQ+ pride and acceptance,” he states. “This establishment has

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