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RIVERBEND - With less trash on Highway 143, Rusty Wheat and his one-man Chain Gang are focused on new topics that affect the Riverbend region. In a recent episode of “Our Daily Show!” with host C.J. Nasello , Wheat spoke for the American flag and against what he perceives as the widespread “desecration” of flags. Wheat pointed to the Blue Lives Matter flag and the Pride flag as two examples of flags that go against the U.S. Flag Code. He argued that flags like this should not be hung in public buildings like police stations and libraries. “I’m fresh out of causes. I don’t have a whole lot to do, so I look at things I used to write about and I think, well, I’m going to talk about some of the things that I perceive that’s wrong with America today. And one of the things that I perceive wrong is what I consider the desecration of the American flag,” Wheat said. “When it comes to public buildings and publicly-funde

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SPRINGFIELD – Unemployment stats were mixed throughout the region in the latest June 2024 survey. Edwardsville had the lowest stat of Metro East communities with a 4.6 percent mark compared to 3.7 percent a year ago. East St. Louis recorded a 9.0 percent rate compared to 7.7 percent a year ago, while Alton was at 7.4 percent compared to 6.1 percent in 2024. East St. Louis had a 1.8 percent rise in unemployment, while Alton 1.3 percent. Belleville stood at 5.6 percent compared to 5.1 percent a year ago and Collinsville recorded a 5.4 percent rate compared to 4.6 percent in 2023 at the same time. Granite City had a 6.4 percent rate in 2024 compared to 4.6 percent a year ago, also a 1.8 percent spike and O’Fallon rested at 5.5 percent compared to 4.6 percent a year ago. Clinton County had a remarkable 4.1 percent overall rate, compared to 3.5 percent a year ago, while Bond had a 5.0 percent rate. Madison County’s mark was 5.4 percent, Monroe had the lowest tally

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Say yes to yogurt to fill nutritional gaps in teens’ meals While teens are known for their big appetites, you might feel like your teen is not receiving proper nutrition as fast food, sugary energy drinks and empty-calorie snacks edge out well-balanced meals. This feeling usually ramps up during the school year as early morning schedules can lead to skipping breakfast. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans confirms this parental intuition, noting that adolescents usually fall short in meeting their nutritional needs due to not eating enough dairy, grains, fruits and vegetables. Teens, for example, need three servings of dairy a day, but, oftentimes, do not meet this recommendation. As your children navigate their teen years, evaluate your shopping patterns and make strategic changes to stock your refrigerator and pantry with more nutrient-dense foods to support their growing bodies. Adding dairy foods, such as milk, cheese and yogurt, to meals and snacks will elevate your family’s

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In today's competitive world, choosing the right path for your career is more crucial than ever. While a traditional college degree offers broad academic exposure, investing in a career in aviation provides a targeted, high-return pathway to a rewarding and lucrative future. Piston Aviation, with their original facility in Creve Coeur, Missouri, opened at the St. Louis Regional Airport in Bethalto this past March. Owned by Joe and Meghen Ord, Piston Aviation operates with an open-door policy to the general public and other aviators, and has incorporated industry approved curriculum with training programs for: Private Pilot, Sport Pilot, Instrument Certification, Commercial Pilot, CFI and CFII. “This is our second location, so it represents an expansion of our business,” said Joe. “The community here has been extremely supportive and we’re excited to be part of it. I really enjoy getting to support our students through their journey and their goals.

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EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County State's Attorney Tom Haine announced Friday, July 26, 2024, that felony charges, including Aggravated DUI Resulting in Death and Reckless Homicide, have been filed against a 24-year-old Bethalto man in connection with a fatal crash. The charges were filed against Israel K. Evans, 24, of Bethalto, following a single-vehicle crash that occurred on the night of May 20, 2024, in Hartford. The incident took place on Illinois 3 near Rand Avenue and resulted in the death of Evans' passenger, 24-year-old Jacob S.P. Werner, also of Bethalto. Evans faces two counts of Aggravated Driving Under the Influence Resulting in Death (class 2 enhanced felony), one count of Reckless Homicide (class 3 felony), and two counts of Aggravated DUI (class 4 felony). The charges allege that Evans had a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 percent or more when his 1998 Chevrolet Corvette left the roadway and struck a tree. Additionally, the state's attorney's office said it is alleged

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CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after receiving briefings this week from law enforcement officials that discussed security at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August: “As we approach next month’s Democratic National Convention in our great city, we will continue working with our local law enforcement partners to ensure proper coordination and the safety and security of convention attendees and Chicagoans. This includes meetings with federal and local law enforcement officials this week and pressing the Acting Director of the U.S. Secret Service and Executive Assistant Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to do everything in their power to ensure proper coordination with local and state authorities and address all potential vulnerabilities in a closed-door briefing today. “Everyone should

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SPRINGFIELD – Macoupin and Montgomery Counties have each received part of a massive grant to replace lead lines from the Illinois Environmental Protection Association. Illinois EPA Interim Director James Jennings has announced $43,159,886 in funding that is being provided to 17 individual communities to replace lead service lines during the last quarter of State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024. The City of Carlinville in Macoupin County will receive $458,939 to replace 42 lead service lines, while the City of Hillsboro in Montgomery County will receive $845,910 to replace approximately 74 lead service lines. The funding is provided through the Illinois EPA’s State Revolving Fund (SRF), which provides low-interest loan funding for drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater projects. The funding for each of these awards is being provided in the form of principal forgiveness, so none of the communities will not have to repay any of the funds awarded. Cook County, Shelby, Will,

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GODFREY - The Christmas in July fundraiser at Freer Auto Body raised over $73,500. On July 26, 2024, Freer Auto Body hosted the annual Christmas in July fundraiser with all proceeds going to Community Christmas, an initiative that provides toys, clothes and gifts for local families during the holiday season. Community members bought raffle tickets and donated money to contribute to the fundraiser. The Freers broke their record for the most money ever raised through Christmas in July. “I’m just blown away,” said Margaret Freer, owner of Freer Auto Body. “I cannot say enough about the community. It’s not us. It is not us. The community sees the need. They know what good it does, and they’re there. They support it. So we plan it, but the community hits it out of the park every year.” Margaret said they thought they would exceed their goal of $60,000, but she is shocked by how much more was raised. She attributed it to top ticket sellers

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ELSAH - Elsah resident Rhonda Brown is set to reprise her award-winning role in "Red Hot Patriot: The wit of Molly Ivins" at this year's STL Fringe Festival, scheduled for August 12-18. Brown stars as Molly Ivins, the renowned 6-foot-tall Texan reporter known for her sharp political commentary and liberal stance. Brown's performance as Ivins, who passed away in 2007 at the age of 62 after battling cancer, has been widely acclaimed. Ivins made a significant impact on American journalism with her incisive humor and bold political critiques. Her career included stints at prominent publications such as the Houston Chronicle, the Texas Observer, the New York Times, the Dallas Times Herald, and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Ivins' syndicated column reached more than 300 newspapers, and she authored over 10 books. The play, which captures Ivins' indomitable spirit and colorful take on national politics, has received praise for its authentic portrayal. "Rhonda Brown plays Ivins in what amounts

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ALTON - Sacred Spaces of CARE is collecting money and supplies for back-to-school giveaways. On Saturday, July 27, 2024, the nonprofit will be at the Alton Police Department to give out supplies alongside Highways of Holiness. From 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Sacred Spaces will be handing out wellness supplies like journals, stress balls, fidget toys and more. Megan Tyler, founder of Sacred Spaces, explained that they hope to participate in more giveaways like this in the future, and they are asking for the community’s support. You can donate through their Amazon wish list . “I’ve had a lot of people, over the course of several months since we’ve gotten up and going now, wanting to know how they can contribute and become involved,” Tyler said. “And I think the wish list just provides a really tangible way for people to feel like they can contribute something that’s meeting an immediate need.” As an organization, Sacred Spaces

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This week marks the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) being signed into law by President George H.W. Bush in the South Lawn outside the White House. The event occurred on July 26, 1990, a seminal moment for the disability community and our collective civil rights. More than three decades later, two things about the landmark law’s enactment are indelibly etched into my psyche. It seems unfathomable that (1) it really took until I was almost 9 years old that disabled people had a codified set of rights in America; and (2) a Republican was willing to sign the bill. The latter strikes me as more incredulous than the first, if only because it has been made abundantly clear modern-day Republicans wouldn’t bother with such peasantry . That said, it’s heartening to see news surface on Thursday from Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) that she was once again assuming the front lines in championing a bill that makes the country more accessible

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CAHOKIA HEIGHTS - State Representative Kevin Schmidt continued his commitment to fighting food insecurity by fulfilling his monthly donation to the TWIGS lunch program. As part of his ongoing commitment, Rep. Schmidt donated the legislative pay raise he voted against each month in the form of essential food items to local food pantries and non-profits within his district. “I was grateful today to donate my legislative pay raise in the form of food to the TWIGS lunch distribution program,” Rep. Schmidt said. “This program distributes food to children who are at risk of not having lunch during the summer months outside of school in Dupo, Cahokia Heights, and East Carondelet. I’m inspired by the work that TWIGS is doing in our community! Thank you, TWIGS!” To learn more about TWIGS and what they do, visit https://www.twigsforkids.com

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EDWARDSVILLE – The Roxana Fire Department and the Roxana Police Department responded to a vehicle fire on Rte 143 at South Moreland Road on Friday afternoon, July 26, 2024. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy flames coming from the engine compartment of a Charter Communication bucket truck. Firefighters swiftly extinguished the blaze, but the truck was declared a total loss. Traffic in the area was affected while the firefighters worked to control the fire. It is unknown what caused the fire.

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GODFREY - On July 26, 2024, Freer Auto Body hosted its annual Christmas in July fundraiser to raise money for Community Christmas. The Community Christmas initiative aims to fundraise for local families during the Christmas season. All proceeds from Christmas in July and Community Christmas go toward families in the Riverbend region. The Christmas in July fundraiser marks the beginning of Community Christmas, with a raffle, Sloppy Joes and more at Freer Auto Body throughout the day. “The community is awesome,” said Margaret Freer, owner of Freer Auto Body. “We live in a wonderful, wonderful community. We organize this, but the community makes it happen. We’re going to surpass last year’s goal, I’m sure.” Last year, the Christmas in July fundraiser netted approximately $57,000. They hope to reach $60,000 before the end of the day on July 26. This is their 15th year of Community Christmas, and Margaret noted that it has grown a lot since

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GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) placed in the top 10 across the nation in at least one area at the FBLA Collegiate National Leadership Conference in Orlando, FL. The FBLA received several awards from the State Leadership Conference earlier this year: seven first-place awards, two second-place awards, and three third-place awards. Associate Professor and FBLA Club Advisor Christina Wickenhauser said she attributes her team’s success to student involvement and determination. “My students rose to every challenge I presented to them and excelled far beyond what I had imagined,” Wickenhauser said. Wickenhauser said the club members are always encouraging and supportive of one another, especially when faced with discouragement or disappointment. Nicc Edwards, Vondasia Pittman and Bre Welch said their biggest priority preparing for the conference was meeting after school and constantly

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WOOD RIVER - Seven felony charges have been filed against a Wood River man accused of fighting multiple police officers who were attempting to arrest him during a domestic violence incident. Tristan S. Acup, 21, of Wood River, was charged with the following: Aggravated battery - Class 2 felony Aggravated battery - Class 2 felony Aggravated battery - Class 2 felony Domestic battery (2nd or subsequent) - Class 4 felony Resisting or obstructing peace officer - Class 4 felony Resisting or obstructing peace officer - Class 4 felony Criminal damage to government supported property - Class 4 felony A petition to deny Acup’s pretrial release states that he was identified as the suspect in a domestic violence incident on July 10, 2024 in which he repeatedly threw the victim to the ground, causing bruising. He was also reportedly on probation at the time for a prior incident involving the same victim. Officers attempted to take Acup into custody when the situation escalate

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BELLEVILLE - The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows will hold its 81st Healing and Hope Novena. From July 28 to Aug. 5, 2024, community members are invited to the church for nine nights of prayer. Different priests will cover different topics every night. This year’s theme is “Pondering the Word of God with Mary,” and each sermon addresses an important time in Mary’s life. “I think it’s very important,” said Beth Mertz, marketing and events coordinator with the church. “This is a Healing and Hope Novena, so it helps us heal, it gives us hope, and it just makes us a little bit stronger in our faith and working through everyday life.” On the first night on Sunday, July 28, 2024, Father David Uribe will cover “The Annunciation,” followed by Father Mark Powell’s July 29 sermon on “The Visitation” and Father Jim Fee’s July 30 sermon on “The Magnificat.” Wednesday, July 31 wil

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Welcome to another edition of 'This Day in History,' where we delve into the past to uncover the significant events that have shaped our world. 1965: The Maldives Gains Independence On July 26, 1965, the Maldives, an island nation in the Indian Ocean, gained independence from British rule. This historic event marked the end of 78 years of British protectorate status, ushering in a new era of self-governance. The Maldives' independence laid the foundation for its development into a popular tourist destination known for its stunning beaches and vibrant marine life. 1956: Egyptian President Nasser Nationalizes the Suez Canal In a bold move on July 26, 1956, Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser announced the nationalization of the Suez Canal. This pivotal decision sparked the Suez Crisis, leading to a military intervention by the United Kingdom, France, and Israel. The crisis underscored the geopolitical significance of the canal and highlighted the shifting dynamics of post-colonial

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JERSEYVILLE - A Jerseyville man with an extensive criminal history faces multiple new charges after allegedly committing domestic battery against two victims under the age of 18. Patrick D. Hendy, 39, of Jerseyville, was charged with two counts of domestic battery/bodily harm, both Class A misdemeanors. On July 20, 2024, Hendy allegedly caused bodily harm to a 12-year-old family member by striking them, pinning them against the wall, throwing them on a couch and pulling their hair. He was also charged with causing bodily harm to another minor family member who was 17 at the time. Hendy had been out on pretrial release from a prior domestic battery case filed on March 20, 2024, but the state filed a petition to revoke his pretrial release following the charges filed in his latest case of domestic violence. A petition to deny his pretrial release filed on July 22, 2024, adds that Hendy “has a history of criminality dating back to at least 2012,” including multiple

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SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Office of Law Enforcement is seeking applicants for the position of conservation police officer trainee. Conservation police officers enforce state laws intended to protect Illinois' natural and recreational resources. They are vested with full state-wide police authority and are trained to the highest standards for law enforcement professionals in Illinois. Conservation police officers serve as an important link between IDNR and its constituencies, and they are often called upon to assist other agencies in emergency situations and rescue operations. IDNR’s Office of Law Enforcement is currently looking to expand its ranks by 15 officers with the newest class of trainees. Applications must be submitted electronically by Friday, July 26. Instructions for applying can be found online . Criteria to be considered: Applicants must be 20 years of age and have successfully completed an associate’s degree or 60

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