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Did you know that 67% of Americans believe sharing a meal with others strengthens relationships? Potlucks, where everyone contributes a dish, are among the most effective ways to foster connection, conversation, and community. When paired with a thoughtfully curated fall theme, a potluck dinner becomes more than just a meal—it becomes an experience that celebrates both togetherness and the rich flavors of the season. If you’re planning to host a fall-themed potluck dinner, the challenge lies in creating an inviting atmosphere, coordinating diverse dishes, and ensuring your guests feel both comfortable and inspired. This article offers practical tips and insights to help you craft a memorable event that highlights the best of fall’s bounty while maximizing the social magic of a potluck. Setting the Tone: Inviting Guests with a Clear and Creative Theme A well-defined theme helps guests know what to expect and sparks their creativity. Instead of a generic "fall" label

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Did you know that over 400 billion cups of coffee are consumed worldwide each year? This staggering number highlights coffee’s role not only as a daily ritual for millions but also as a cultural phenomenon spanning continents and centuries. National Coffee Day, celebrated annually on September 29th in the United States and on various other dates globally, serves as a testament to coffee’s enduring popularity. But how did this unofficial holiday come to be, and what is its significance beyond free coffee giveaways and promotions? Exploring the history of National Coffee Day reveals a fascinating story intertwined with commerce, culture, and community. The Origins of Coffee Appreciation Coffee’s journey from a mysterious bean to a global staple began centuries ago in the Ethiopian highlands, where legend credits a goat herder named Kaldi with first noticing the energizing effects of coffee cherries. By the 15th century, coffee had spread to Yemen, where Sufi monks

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September 29 marks a day of profound significance on the global stage. September 29, 1885, saw a remarkable development in the world of technology with the first patent granted for a practical typewriter design by Christopher Latham Sholes. This invention revolutionized communication and office work, setting the stage for the modern keyboard and typing technologies we rely on today. In the 20th century, September 29, 1954, was notable for the launch of the first successful nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Nautilus, by the United States. This technological breakthrough not only transformed naval warfare but also represented a significant step forward in nuclear engineering and marine science. On the cultural front, September 29 has been a day of artistic milestones as well. In 1988, the iconic Broadway musical “The Phantom of the Opera” celebrated its 1,000th performance, cementing its status as one of the most beloved and enduring theatrical productions worldwide. It

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Get ready for a warm day with a high of 89°F and a low of 57°F. The skies will be mostly sunny, shining bright with very little cloud cover. It will feel hot during the day, reaching a feels like temperature of 91°F. Tonight, expect clear skies and cooler temperatures dropping to a comfortable 57°F, feeling like 56°F. Air quality is moderate with some ozone present. Mold levels are moderate, so allergy sufferers should be prepared. Grass and ragweed pollen levels remain low today. The UV index is moderate at 5, so don't forget sunscreen if you're heading outdoors. Tomorrow's outlook calls for mostly sunny skies again with a hot high near 90°F and a low around 55°F. Expect the day to be mostly sunny and hot with light northeast winds. Night will be partly cloudy and cool. For the full latest forecast, visit https://riverbender.com/weather .

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EAST ALTON – Three cases of burglary in East Alton include two charged with breaking in to the same garage and another accused of burglarizing a house trailer. Mandy S. LaVite, 52, of Edwardsville, and Gregory M. Cooper, 43, of South Roxana, were both charged on Sept. 17, 2025 with one count each of burglary, both Class 2 felonies. On Sept. 16, 2025, LaVite and Cooper allegedly entered the same detached garage on Old Alton Edwardsville Road in Edwardsville with the intent to commit a theft. Adaam S. Agney, 36, of Bethalto, was charged in an unrelated case on Sept. 12, 2025 with a Class 2 felony count of burglary. Agney allegedly entered a house trailer which was property of Multi Family Innovations in East Alton with the intent to commit a theft on Sept. 11, 2025. All three individuals were ordered released from custody pending trial in each of the cases presented by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven

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ALTON – Two men from Alton face their first and second charges of domestic battery in two unrelated cases from the Alton Police Department. Robert W. Skelton Sr., 62, of Alton, was charged on Sept. 24, 2025 with a Class 4 felony count of domestic battery, his second or subsequent such offense. Skelton allegedly grabbed a household or family member’s face and caused injury to the victim’s cheek on Sept. 22, 2025. Charging documents state Skelton had previously been convicted of domestic battery in 2009, also in Madison County. In this latest case, he was granted pretrial release from custody with additional conditions, including that he have no contact with and remain at least 500 feet away from the victim in this case. He was also ordered not to enter the premises of the victim’s Alton apartment and was ordered to surrender any firearms and Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card in his possession to the Alton Police Department. Another Alton resident,

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September 27th and 28th are dates that carry a rich tapestry of historical events, spanning from groundbreaking scientific achievements to cultural milestones and significant political moments. One of the most globally impactful events to occur on this date was the launch of the first successful Mars rover mission by NASA in 1997. The spacecraft, named Sojourner, marked a pioneering moment in space exploration as it landed on Mars, beginning a new era of robotic planetary exploration. This mission was not just a technological triumph but also ignited worldwide interest in space science and the possibility of life beyond Earth. Going back further, on September 27, 1825, the world's first passenger railway, the Stockton and Darlington Railway, opened in England. This event signaled the dawn of the railway age, revolutionizing transportation and catalyzing the Industrial Revolution. The ability to move goods and people efficiently over long distances transformed economies and societies

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WICHITA, Kan. - More than 430 students completed a total of 453 degrees and certificates at Wichita State University in summer 2025. The breakdown of degrees and certificates granted includes: Undergraduate: 257 degrees and certificates for 250 undergraduate students Graduate: 196 degrees and certificates for 180 graduate students Included in the grads was this Alton native: HOMETOWN, STATE; NAME, DEGREE, MAJOR Alton, IL Samantha Smith, Doctor of Philosophy, Psychology-Community For bachelor's degrees, honors were conferred to the following: Summa cum laude: 13 students Magna cum laude: 49 students Cum laude: 48 students Undergraduate students who have attained a grade point average of 3.9 out of a possible 4.0 received the summa cum laude award; those with an average of 3.55 received the magna cum laude award; and those with an average of 3.25 received the cum laude. See a full list of summer 2025 Wichita State graduates here: https://www.wichita.edu/about/wsunews/news/2025_graduates/summer_24-25_graduates_all.php.

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GLEN CARBON – Glen Carbon trustees recently approved site plans for a new Retina Institute location opening in the village’s Sunset Park Plaza development. A resolution approving site plans for the Retina Institute were approved unanimously at the Sept. 23, 2025 Village Board meeting. Their current location is at 5 Country Club Executive Park in Glen Carbon. According to Community Development Director Erika Heil, the new facility will consist of an approximately 6,318 square foot office building and parking lot on 0.97 acres of land in Sunset Park Plaza. Developers are not seeking any variances since the property is already properly zoned for its intended use, which according to the resolution, is as a “retina institute for patients and office space.” Trustee Ben Malischeski asked about the landscaping plans for the site, as nearby residents were reportedly concerned about losing trees which currently serve as a landscape buffer. Justin Venvertloh

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COLLINSVILLE – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that pavement repairs on Illinois 159 between Kinloch Avenue and Clay Street in Madison County will require intermittent lane closures beginning, weather permitting, Tuesday, Sept. 30. One lane will be open in each direction. All lanes will be open daily from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during these lane closures. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. The work is expected to be completed by mid-November. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on the social media platform X at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general and agencies to stop a deceptive nationwide charitable fundraising scheme. Raoul and the coalition filed a complaint and proposed settlement alleging Kars-R-Us.com Inc. (Kars) and its operators made false claims to deceive tens of thousands of people across the country to donate vehicles. Attorney General Raoul and the coalition filed a lawsuit against professional charitable fundraiser Kars-R-Us.com Inc. and its operators, Michael Irwin and Lisa Frank, who purported to solicit charitable donations nationwide on behalf of United Breast Cancer Foundation Inc. (UBCF), a New York-based charity that claims to assist individuals affected by breast cancer. Raoul, the FTC and the coalition allege that Kars ran national and local TV, radio and online ads in English and Spanish to solicit vehicle donations and contributions with little regard for the truth

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ALTON - Senior Services Plus, Inc. (SSP), located at 2603 N. Rodgers Avenue in Alton, will host an informational presentation, “Wills & Powers of Attorney Paperwork,” on Friday, October 24th, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. Chelsea Jakob, Senior Paralegal with Land of Lincoln Legal Aid, will be speaking at this event, aimed to help you safeguard your future by outlining your wishes for your estate and ensuring trusted individuals can make decisions on your behalf if you are unable. This event will take place in the School House Grill inside Senior Services Plus. Doors will open at 11 AM and speakers will begin at noon. The event is free, open to the public, and lunch will be provided thanks to sponsor AARP Illinois. Registration is required, and space is limited. To reserve your seat, call 618-465-3298 ext. 123 or visit https://events.aarp.org/SSPWillPOA About Senior Services Plus Senior Services Plus, Inc. is a 501(c) not-for-profit organization established to help enric

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ALTON - The National Great Rivers Museum invites the community to come out for a night of spooky fun. From 6–9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025, community members can enjoy “Night at the Museum,” complete with education stations, animal visits, trick-or-treat opportunities, a costume contest, bonfires and haunted tours of the Melvin Price Locks and Dam. “This is going to be a fun after-hours event for Halloween at the museum,” said Elise with the National Great Rivers Museum (NGRM). NGRM will screen “The Nightmare Before Christmas” in their theater. Kids can enter a costume contest, judged by the NGRM mascot Bobber the Water Safety Dog. The Nature Institute will be onsite with a bat-related activity. You can visit with snakes from the St. Louis Herpetological Society. Audubon Center at Riverlands will offer an activity, and the National Great Rivers and Research Education Center will have a station about nocturnal animals. The Alton

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CHICAGO – Last week, Governor Pritzker demanded answers from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on the deployment of federal law enforcement agents in Illinois after she recorded b-roll and fled the state without providing any answers . Prior presidential administrations have always kept local leaders and members of Congress updated on their immigration enforcement plans, but the Trump Administration is refusing to provide clear answers. In response, members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation issued a letter requesting a meeting with Chicago Field Office Director Russell Hott after ICE rescheduled their meeting. The Governor stands with the Illinois Congressional Delegation’s calls for transparency and accountability, and continues to push for answers from the Trump Administration in the wake of uncoordinated federal deployments. “Secretary Kristi Noem and the Trump Administration are not serious about public safety—they only care about producing

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SPRINGFIELD - Illinois residents now have 24/7 access to driver’s license and vehicle renewal services through Central Illinois’ first drive-through DMV kiosks located at the office’s Springfield Flagship Center, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced. “The Fast-Lane kiosks at our Springfield Flagship Center provide a new level of convenience for Central Illinois drivers, offering driver’s license renewals and vehicle sticker purchases outside of normal business hours, without ever leaving the car,” Giannoulias said. “This is an important step in our ongoing effort to modernize the office and make it easier for people to access essential services.” Located at 2701 S. Dirksen Parkway, the two kiosks allow customers to: Renew vehicle registrations and immediately print license plate stickers. Renew driver’s licenses or state IDs and receive a temporary document on-site while the new card is mailed within 15 business

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SPRINGFIELD - Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today hosted a celebration to commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month, honoring the work of community leaders from throughout the state. The event was an opportunity to reflect on great achievements and present awards to eight Latino leaders: the president of Aurora University; the head soccer coach at South Suburban College; an entrepreneur who launched importing and candy businesses; the president and CEO of a community foundation; a business manager with a union local; the executive director of a family resource center; a state lawmaker; and a theater educator, director and researcher. “Today, we shine a spotlight on some of our Hispanic and Latino neighbors to formally recognize their contributions,” Frerichs said at the event held at the state government building at 555 W. Monroe St in Chicago. “We’re expressing appreciation for their longtime dedication, and we’re celebrating their work in making

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CHICAGO - Today, Governor JB Pritzker, Lieutenant Governor Stratton, and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) released the Illinois Birth Equity Blueprint - a roadmap designed to improve maternal healthcare and birth outcomes in Illinois. The Blueprint builds upon the Illinois Birth Equity Initiative, which was featured on MSNBC during a panel to discuss the Blueprint release hosted by Morning Joe’s Mika Brzezinski with panelists Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton, Chicago Beyond Founder and CEO Liz Dozier, and actress and Baby Yams founder Tatyana Ali. “The Illinois Birth Equity Blueprint is the way forward in maternal health and birth equity. Conceived, written, and published with the input of experts, advocates, community leaders, and providers across the state – this report is a roadmap for unlocking an improved future for Illinois’ mothers and families,” said Governor Pritzker. “Since our first days in office, Lieutenant Governor

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WOOD RIVER - The Illinois Secretary of State's mobile Driver Services unit will be at Wood River Public Library on Monday, November 3, 2025. The event will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 326 E. Ferguson Ave, Wood River, IL 62095. Representatives of the Secretary of State's office will be on hand to assist with renewing or correcting driver's licenses, converting existing standard driver’s licenses into REAL ID driver’s licenses, obtaining renewed or first time Standard or REAL state IDs, issuing free state IDs for seniors aged 65 or older, and purchasing license plate stickers. Attendees can also register to be an organ donor/tissue donor and register to vote while applying for a driver’s license or identification card. Please contact the Wood River Public Library at (618) 254-4832 or info@woodriverlibrary.org with questions. A list of acceptable documents for the issuance of first time ID’s and REAL ID’s can be found at www.ilsos.gov .

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JOLIET – Today, Governor Pritzker joined school leaders, elected officials, students, staff and community members at Joliet Junior College (JJC) to celebrate the grand opening of its new Center for Student Wellness and Support (CSWS), a dedicated space designed to promote the holistic well-being of students through accessible, compassionate, and culturally responsive mental health services. Rooted in a commitment to equity and inclusivity, the center honors the diverse identities and experiences of JJC students while empowering them with tools to thrive both academically and personally. JJC alumnus and former student trustee, Josh Stamborski, initially came up with the idea for a center and student retreat on campus, and with collective support from Government Pritzker and Illinois General Assembly partners, Illinois allocated $250,000 of state funding to make it possible and further invest in the wellbeing of Illinois students. “Joliet Junior College is an engine of economic

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CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) today announced the success of the most recent round of SmartBuy, a first-of-its-kind initiative that helped 533 Illinoisans eliminate $16 million in student loan debt while achieving the dream of homeownership in only 12 weeks. Through SmartBuy, homeowners were able to purchase a home eight years earlier than traditional IHDA borrowers. “Making life more affordable for working families in Illinois is core to my mission as Governor, and my administration is committed to helping Illinoisans turn their dreams of homeownership into a reality,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “We’re proud to help more than one thousand Illinoisans become proud homeowners while forgiving millions of student loan debt through this innovative state program.” Relaunched in December 2024, SmartBuy offered an affordable 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage with $5,000 in deferred down payment or closing

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