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ALTON – Alton Main Street is pleased to announce being awarded The Lieutenant Governor Award for Excellence in Revitalization, recognizing the Untold Black Stories of Alton project. The award is one of the most notable recognitions for Illinois Main Street communities to achieve for their work in bringing economic prosperity to their communities. The awards highlight projects, activities and events focused around The Main Street Approach™ (Design, Organization, Economic Vitality and Promotion), as well as outstanding volunteers and board members. “Revitalization is about using talent, resources, new ideas, and paths of collaboration for positive change,” said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. “I am so proud of this year’s award recipients for their amazing work strengthening Main Street communities after the challenges caused by the pandemic. Because of their efforts, our main streets will continue to provide goods, services, economic opportunities,

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EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine on Thursday filed felony theft charges against the treasurer of a local softball organization. Heather S. Sullivan, 37, of Roodhouse, is charged with stealing approximately $64,200 from Esprit Metro Fast Pitch. The theft is alleged to have occurred between Aug. 1, 2021, and March 7, 2022. Associate Judge Janet Heflin set the defendant’s bail at $80,000. The case was investigated by Glen Carbon Police and Assistant State’s Attorney Bruce Reppert. This charge, as well as the statements made herein, are based upon probable cause. The defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

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Dear Editor, As the sheriff in Madison County, my job is to protect the public’s safety. In this role, it’s vital to have strong partners in elected officials who share my commitment to making the right decision when it comes to protecting the public and our men and women in law enforcement. That’s why I am supporting Katie Stuart for State Representative. As State Representative, Katie has supported and fought for laws to make our communities safer and that protect our men and women who put their lives in danger each day to help keep the public safe. Katie is fighting for safer communities by delivering millions in new funding to put more police on our streets and for new high-tech resources and collaboration to solve violent crimes, carjackings, and home burglaries. That’s why Katie is the only candidate for State Representative endorsed by the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police, Sheriffs of Illinois PAC, and the Illinois Troopers Lodge #41 Fraternal Order

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ALTON - The Alton City Council discussed a resolution for a permanent response to the issues of flooding - a five-foot tall, 1,000-foot wall from the Greater Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau Office on Piasa Street to William Street. Alderman Nate Keener told the council members that originally the plan was to suspend the rules and approve the wall proposition with the State of Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and the City of Alton in an immediate fashion, but now the thought was to receive some public input and have it go directly through Alton Committee of the Whole. He explained that time is of the essence to approve the measure to receive the IEMA funding to match with city funds. “We want to take advantage of federal funds to mitigate flood damage,” he said. “But we would like to see more public input and transparency around the project. I would like to just read it and refer it to the Committee of the Whole.” Keener said there is still time

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EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced Thursday that a 25-year-old Madison man has pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in connection with a fatal shooting in Venice. Gerrin L. Massie pleaded guilty to firing a shot that killed Kenneth Stanley Jr., 30, on May 12, 2020. Private surveillance video showed Massie exiting a vehicle on Market Street in Venice, then walking down the street to the rear of a vehicle occupied by Stanley and two others. Massie fired 15 rounds into the back of the car, but only one bullet struck a person - Stanley. Stanley died of a gunshot to the back of his head. The maximum sentence available under the plea agreement is 40 years in prison, while the minimum sentence for first-degree murder is 20 years. Massie’s sentencing hearing is set for Dec. 9. “We intend to ask for the maximum available sentence of 40 years,” Haine said. “Violent crime has to be met with an appropriate measure of justice,

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EDWARDSVILLE – The Edwardsville and Glen Carbon Fire Departments have implemented an innovative way to treat patients suffering cardiac arrest that’s yielding encouraging results. The departments earlier this year began using an enhanced form of cardiopulmonary resuscitation that takes a cue from NASCAR pit crews. Anyone familiar with a NASCAR event has probably seen pit crews in action: Every member has one specific role that they handle simultaneously, enabling the crew to get their driver back on the track quickly. In the life-and-death situations emergency responders face, anything that boosts speed and efficiency is obviously even more essential. And while the enhanced CPR method doesn’t completely overhaul how cardiac calls are handled, it makes several critical improvements. “Historically, what you’d have is somebody taking charge and giving assignments at the scene, which isn’t as efficient as everybody knowing what they’re going to

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CHICAGO – The Powerball jackpot is now at an eye-watering $800 million for Saturday night’s drawing. If won, it would be the second largest Powerball jackpot and the fifth largest lottery jackpot won in U.S. history. The Powerball jackpot climbed to $800 million after Wednesday night’s drawing yielded no grand prize winning ticket matching all six numbers: 19-36-37-46-56 and Powerball 24. However, Illinois Lottery players should double check their Powerball tickets from last night. That’s because someone is holding a winning ticket worth a million dollars and another winning ticket worth $50,000. The $1 million winning ticket was purchased at Riverside Mobile, located at 503 N. Main Street in Sycamore. The manager of that store claims they know who bought the winning ticket. “A gentleman, who is one of our regular customers, popped into our store early this morning and exclaimed, 'you guys sold me a million dollar winning Powerball ticket - thank

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SPRINGFIELD - The September area unemployment rate for the Illinois Section of the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area was 3.8 percent, a decrease of -0.7 percentage points from the September 2021 rate of 4.5 percent. Some of the local city results in September were Edwardsville at 2.8 percent unemployment, compared to 2.9 percent in September 2021. Granite City recorded a 4.2 percent rate compared to 5.8 percent in 2021 at the same time, and Alton stood at 5.4 percent, down from 7.0 percent in September 2021. Belleville had a 4.4 percent rate compared to 5.9 percent a year ago. County comparisons showed Jersey at 3.1 percent for September 2022, against 3.6 percent a year ago, Macoupin County had a 3.4 percent rate and was 3.8 percent last year. Greene also recorded a 3.6 percent rate compared to 4.0 percent a year ago. Calhoun was at 3.6 percent compared to 3.8 percent in 2022 at the same time, and Madison County was at 3.6 percent this year and was at 4.3 percent in September

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TRENTON - Roxana's girls' cross country team has had an amazing season and the Shells added another big accomplishment Saturday at the IHSA Class 1A Trenton Regional, with a fourth-place team finish to advance to the sectional this weekend. At Wesclin High, McGivney had three of the top ten spots, while both Roxana and Marquette Catholic went through as teams in the Class 1A regional. Ben Scamihorn, a former SIUE runner, has coached the Shells girls and boys this year and has done a phenomenal job. He said he couldn't be more proud of his girls' group for how hard they have worked for their success. Breese Mater Dei Catholic won the meet with 52 points, with the Griffins coming in second with 75 points. Freeburg was third with 97 points, Roxana came in fourth with 111 points, Breese Central was fifth with 127, the Explorers were sixth at 142 points and Columbia got the final team berth with a seventh-place finish at 182 points. Belleville Althoff Catholic was eighth with 206 points,

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WOOD RIVER – Today, Democratic Candidate for State Senate Kris Tharp (IL-56), a police officer of 25 years, announced his endorsement from Madison County’s Sheriff John Lakin. “Kris Tharp is a man of integrity who has consistently demonstrated his devotion to community and to improving public safety in Madison County," said Madison County Sheriff John Lakin. "He has always looked for ways to protect the most vulnerable, worked to reduce crime, and advocated for higher policing standards. I’m proud to have worked alongside him and I strongly believe there is no one more qualified than him to represent the people of Madison County as their State Senator." Kris Tharp has been a public servant for 25 years, working as a police officer, an elderly service officer for the seniors in his community, and Deputy Commander of the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis, one of the oldest, most successful homicide task forces in the country. “Working for Sheriff

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JERSEYVILLE - When someone sees the special Mass kit at a Veteran’s Day Mass at St. Xavier Parish Church in Jerseyville, they need to understand the meaning behind it. The kit dates all the way back to the Vietnam War and the special relationship Father Marty Smith has with a Vietnam Chaplain who became a priest - Father Micheas Langston. Father Micheas has had a huge influence on Father Marty and is one of the reasons Marty became a priest. Father Micheas was a chaplain in the Vietnam War and in 2019, marked 60 years in the priesthood. He is now a Saint Meinrad monk. Father Micheas gave Father Marty the Vietnam Era Mass kit and wanted him to find inspiration and continue to use it. The Mass Kit is one of Father Marty's most treasured possessions. Father Marty will perform the Mass at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, at the St. Xavier Parish with the kit. “When I met Father Micheas in the service, I think I saw his life of service as a priest and it really resonated

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ALTON - State Rep. Amy Elik (R-Alton) racked up dozens of endorsements this election cycle, but says no endorsement is “more important than that of the voters.” “From farmers to teachers to first responders to job creators and more, I’m proud of every endorsement I’ve received this year,” said Elik. “But no endorsement means more than that of the voters. Every vote cast can be a vote to stop corruption, bring forth a fiscally responsible state government, and create a better life for working families. I encourage everyone to use their vote to save Illinois.” Elik previously announced support of business groups, including the Illinois Manufacturing Association, Illinois Chamber, Associated Builders & Contractors, Technology & Manufacturing Association, Illinois Farm Bureau, and NFIB-IL PAC. Standing up for constitutional freedoms, groups including the National Rifle Association, Illinois State Rifle Association, ABATE of Illinois, and

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O'FALLON — HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Foundation is excited to announce the return of the Elizabethan Gala after a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic and invites the public to attend. The 2022 Gala will be held on Friday, Nov. 4 at the Regency Conference Center, 400 Regency Park in O’Fallon, beginning at 6 p.m. with a cocktail reception, followed by dinner and a program. The evening concludes with live music by the Fabulous Motown Revue. During the program, HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Foundation will honor Tom Vernier and Fr. James Deiters as Elizabethan Awardees for their commitment to HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital and the future of health care in the region. The Elizabethan Gala is a traditional fall event that dates back to 1983. The “Elizabethan Holiday” was started by St. Elizabeth’s Auxiliary as a luncheon and fashion show to promote positive community relations for the hospital, support the hospital’s mission and honor the Feast of

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BUZZ MAGAZINE - After a two-year hiatus, the Madison County Historical Society (MCHS) has resumed all regular programming, including the annual Dining in History (DIH) event. DIH, which also serves as the Society’s annual meeting, is held at a historic site in Madison County and includes a program on that location. In years past, it has been held in the Madison County Courthouse for the building’s centennial, the Wildey Theatre, and Diamond Mineral Springs, to name a few. The 2022 Dining in History event will be held on Sunday, November 6, at the Old Bakery Beer Company in Alton. The Old Bakery Beer Company is a certified organic craft brewery and restaurant that occupies a century-old building that was used as a commercial bakery from 1903 to the 1980s. It opened as a brewery in 2015. Tours of the modern brewery begin at noon and are followed by a buffet luncheon at 1 p.m. Immediately after the meal there will be a brief Annual Meeting, held for the purpose of electing

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BUZZ MAGAZINE - For the home gardener, seeds are a topic of great interest. Some of us shop for our seeds each spring and some of us spend the tail end of each growing season collecting our seeds for next year's gardens. I can honestly say that I am both. I feel like it is important to save your own seeds for several reasons: saving seeds is free, supply chain shortages can make it difficult, if not impossible to acquire your garden seeds, seed saving produces stronger plants each year and it builds a stronger community. One of my early spring indulgences is to fix myself a big mug of hot Earl Grey and flip through my seed catalogs with sticky notes and notebook. I love finding pretty new flowers to incorporate and new varieties of my favorite foods to try, either for their beauty or new flavor profiles. If you're like me, you know just how costly this can quickly become. The cost of seeds is growing each year and the number of seeds you get per pack is dwindling. I used to share

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Name: Quentin C. Downing Hometown: Bethalto Years of Service: 1980-1983 KIA: No Branch: Army Rank: Sergeant Submitted By: Tamara Downing

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ST. LOUIS - All aboard for the Sleigh Shed, St. Louis’ newest seasonal pop-up cocktail experience. This season the Train Shed restaurant at St. Louis Union Station is transformed into Sleigh Shed, a glittering holiday destination with creative cocktails and delicious dining. Gather your friends and experience a wonderland of whimsy, decorated from top to bottom with the bling and baubles of the season. Sleigh Shed is ready for its close up on your Insta page. The holiday hot spot at Union Station opens on November 4 and continues through New Year’s Eve. Sleigh Shed will be open Sundays through Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Celebratory cocktails at Sleigh Shed include: Rudolph’s Reserve: Zafra Masters Reserve 21 year Rum Blood Orange Cordial Lime Cocktail Punk Smoked Orange Bitters Sleigh All Day: Bruzco Mezcal Cava de Oro Blanco Tequila Suau Orange Brandy Pineapple Gum Syrup Lime Juice Cocktai

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ALTON - The National Great Rivers Museum (NGRM) in partnership with the Meeting of the Rivers Foundation (MTRF) is now accepting entries for their second annual “Winter on the River” Photography Contest MTRF is looking for artists to capture the beauty of winter along the river for a community photo contest that will be exhibited at the NGRM beginning January 7, 2023. All entries will remain on display as part of this exhibition through the end of the winter season. Artists will be able to submit up to three photos for a one-time, entry fee of $20.00 that will benefit the mission of MTRF in promoting and inspiring lifelong, environmental stewardship for the Mississippi River and great rivers system. The contest is open to photographers of all skill levels with no age restriction. Entries must be mailed or brought to the National Great Rivers Museum during the submission period beginning November 1, 2022, through December 19, 2022. Contest eligibility, regulations, and

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BELLEVILLE - Illinois American Water is encouraging customers to participate in the Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this coming Saturday, Oct.29, 2022. Customers are encouraged to drop off unwanted medications at approved collection sites so they can be incinerated. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends having unwanted medications incinerated. Flushing medications down the toilet and throwing them in the trash are discouraged. The event is Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participating Illinois Take Back Day collection sites can be located here. Take Back Day events help keep medications from getting into the wrong hands and provide an opportunity for medication to be disposed of in an environmentally-friendly way. Proper disposal also helps prevent medications from being flushed down the toilet or poured down a drain. The DEA offers National Take Back Day twice a year in April and October. In April 2022,

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ALTON - Alton Pride is excited to announce its first annual Thanksgiving Food Drive Competition! Area bars are competing for the title of “Top Turkey”, a trophy, and bragging rights. From October 29 thru November 12 participating locations will be collecting non-perishable food items for Thanksgiving. The business with the most donations will be crowned the winner. People can donate several non-perishable items, including but not limited to: Boxed Stuffing Mix Dry Macaroni Canned Cranberry Sauce Canned Pie Fillings Flour Powdered Drink Mixes Jell-O Mix Graham Crackers Instant Potatoes Canned Yams Cornbread Mix Pie Crust Mix Vegetable Oil Rice Pudding Mix Cream of Mushroom Soup Gravy Mixes/Jars Canned Vegetables Muffin Mix Cake Mixes/Icing Sugar Dried Beans Powdered Milk French Fried Onions We encourage the community to drop their donation off at their favorite hangout. There are currently ten businesses competing to be crowned Top Turkey:

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