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MASCOUTAH, IL - The Good Traveler announced the launch of a new pilot program in partnership with environmental nonprofit organizations throughout the country. Individuals and businesses now have the option and opportunity to offset the carbon footprint of their air travel through mileage-based charitable donations to hyper-local projects working to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Pilot partners include San Diego Foundation (San Diego, CA), Weed Warriors Nature Stewards Program (Seattle, WA), Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities (Jackson, WY), Jamaica Bay Ecowatchers (New York, NY), and HeartLands Conservancy (Southwestern Illinois), with additional partners coming soon. HeartLands Conservancy is the participating non-profit organization most closely located to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport. MidAmerica St. Louis Airport has an established partnership with The Good Traveler as an Aviation Partner and is proud to both practice and promote more sustainable air travel. Public consciousness

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ALTON - YWCA is hosting its annual Trivia Night Fund Raiser on Saturday, November 5 at the Best Western Premier Conference Center, Alton, and is extending an invitation to the community to join this fun-filled event. Doors open at 6 pm. Trivia starts promptly at 7 pm. All proceeds benefit YWCA Programs and Services. “We are so excited to be back in person for Trivia! It has been two long years since we were together and YWCA has worked hard to develop a fun-filled and challenging evening with attendance prizes, Bucket of Booze raffle, 50/50 drawing, Trivia prizes, and more. Tables and individuals are welcome to join in the fun and support YWCA.” said Dorothy Hummel, Executive Director. Tickets are $25 a piece and tables can seat 8 to 10 persons. 50/50 and Basket Raffles will be held during the evening. Round sponsorship opportunities for $100 are still available. Program Sponsorships for our youth programs are available at $250. Cash bar for both alcoholic and

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WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS) introduced two amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to address excessively high credit and debit card swipe fees that burden American consumers, small businesses, and veterans. Their first amendment would direct the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Treasury Department to issue a report about a current law, 10 USC 1065 , that requires some veteran populations including Purple Heart awardees, Medal of Honor recipients, former POWs, veterans with service-connected disabilities, and veteran family caregivers, to pay surcharge fees for using credit or debit cards at military commissaries to cover the cost of the swipe fees. The report would ask for information from the last fiscal year on how much is being charged in these fees, which card networks and banks are receiving the fees, how much each category of veteran is being charged, and whether any banks

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ST. LOUIS – Salads 2 Your Door is announcing plans to donate its proceeds from the month of October to Chabad of Chesterfield. This nonprofit organization serves as a welcoming hub for Jewish members of the greater St. Louis community regardless of their affiliation, religion, status, or orientation.“Chabad of Chesterfield helps people live their best life, and Salads 2 Your Door helps people eat well with healthy items on their menu, making our mission and philosophy align,” said Rabbi Avi Rubenfeld, Director of Chabad of Chesterfield. “The support from Salads 2 Your Door has allowed us to help many more people over the past four years, and for that, we are extremely grateful.” Funds raised will go toward their Bowl of Love program, which delivers Chicken Matzo Ball Soup, traditionally known as Jewish Penicillin, to people not feeling well or in need of a pick-me-up. The majority of the work Chabad of Chesterfield does is fostering Jewish awareness, knowledge,

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ALTON - Weight can be a tricky topic. While our weight has no bearing on who we are or how we should be viewed or treated, it can be quite important when it comes to health and well-being. And that can be very meaningful - not only to us personally but also to our family, friends and others who care about us. Keeping weight in check can lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, arthritis, liver disease, gallstones and 13 different cancers. It can also give a boost to quality of life and even how long we live. Numbers, though, show what most of us already know: that keeping weight in check isn’t easy. Nearly 75 percent of adults in the United States are at an unhealthy weight, and just over 20 percent of children and adolescents 6 years old and up are obese. One reason for this is that many of us live and work in environments that can make it harder to make choices that promote healthy weight. For example, there may be few places in our neighborhoods where we can easil

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ALTON - Brody Macias stole the show with his violin solo in the Alton High Marching 100 performance at halftime of the Alton-Edwardsville football game on Friday night. The Marching 100 has always been one of the crown jewels of Alton High School and it is the same this year under Blake Korte. Alton School District Superintendent Kristie Baumgartner said: "We are so proud of the Marching 100 and our student musicians and performers. "It always enhances our football games when you also get to see the Marching 100 perform at halftime or at other competitions and events. "Blake Korte and his team are very dedicated to our band students and I think that shows in the high level you see every time." The versatile Macias is also a drum major for the Marching 100 and when he finished the violin solo, he moved back to that position to finish the group performance.

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EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County State’s Attorney Thomas A. Haine on Monday announced a murder conviction and 40-year prison sentence for a defendant who fatally shot a man during a robbery attempt. Caleb D.E. Smith, 22, of Tilden, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of Devin Judd, 23, of Lenzburg, in April 2020. Smith and Judd were acquainted and had been together on the night of the shooting when Smith attempted to rob Judd. The victim stumbled into the lobby of a Collinsville hotel and was taken to a St. Louis hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. Smith will have to serve 100 percent of the prison sentence. “Thanks to the diligent work of police and assistant state’s attorneys, this defendant will spend most of his adult life behind bars,” Haine said. “Violent crime in Madison County will always be met with vigorous prosecution by my office.” Haine commended the work of Assistant State’s

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ALTON - The weather on Saturday in Alton was beautiful and David Goins’ Mayor’s Basketball Day at James Killion Park at Salu was simply “amazing,” he and his wife, Sheila, said. The touching side story to the whole event is David and Sheila both met at Salu Park late in their respective childhoods. Both were basketball players and each consider the park home. “I didn’t live that far away, and David was close to the park, too, growing up,” Sheila said. Both said James Killion Park and especially the basketball courts, hold a special place in their hearts. “It was an amazing day and the event was well attended and overall, I think everyone had a good time,” Mayor Goins said. Both agreed they have done a lot inside the park to bring young and old together from Movie Nights, Juneteenth, and many other special events like this one on Saturday. The two praised Jason Harrison and his wife, Kayla, and LaMay’s Catering for their

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EAST ALTON – Nine regional fifth-grade classes explored interactive booths focusing on the importance of water during the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC sm ) 20 th Annual Water Festival, held Friday, Sept. 30, at the Lewis and Clark Community College’s Godfrey campus. Since 2002, more than 13,000 students and 150 teachers from 42 schools in about a dozen counties and two states have participated in the Water Festival. “Water is something that we rely on every day and the work that we do here at NGRREC is dedicated to not just studying and protecting our freshwater resources, but also educating people about the importance of those valuable resources,” Director of Environmental Education Sarah Fisher said. “Water Festival is a way for us to bring together regional schools and community partners in a day dedicated to celebrating and learning about water.” Water Festival, which began as the Water Stewardship Project,

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CALHOUN COUNTY - Teresa L. Hammitt, age 59, of Barry, Illinois, was arrested on multiple charges as a passenger in a traffic stop on Illinois Route 96 near the Mozier Junction in Mozier, Calhoun County, at 5:26 p.m. on Sept. 23, 2022. Hammitt faces the following charges: Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Pike County, IL Warrant Subsequent to an investigation, the driver, Stephanie A. Shelton age 45, of Barry, Illinois, was arrested on the following charges: Pike County, IL Warrant Calhoun County Warrant. Both subjects were arrested without incident and transported to the Pike County Jail. All suspect(s) are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law

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WOOD RIVER – Today, Democratic Candidate for State Senate Kris Tharp (IL-56) announced his endorsement from yet another law enforcement organization, the Sheriffs of Illinois. This makes him the Democratic state senate candidate with the most endorsements from law enforcement groups in Illinois. “I’ve been a police officer for 25 years, an elderly service officer for the seniors in our community, and deputy commander for one of the oldest, most successful homicide task forces in the country,” said Tharp. “I know the importance of public safety and will always stand with my fellow police officers and law enforcement agencies to ensure they have the resources to keep our communities safe.” “Kris Tharp is one of us, a public servant dedicated to protecting his community and improving the lives of community members,” said Sheriffs of Illinois Chairman Dwight Baird, Kendall County Sheriff. “The Sheriffs of Illinois endorses Tharp because

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COLLINSVILLE – On October 2, 2022 at approximately 9:55 p.m., Illinois State Police (ISP) District 11 Troopers responded to a reported expressway shooting on Interstate 55 southbound near milepost 5. The victim stated they were traveling southbound on Interstate 55 at the above location and time when someone inside a dark gray or black pickup truck (possible 4-door) fired an unknown number of shots at their vehicle. The victim reported no injuries and the suspect vehicle and occupants have not been located. On September 25, 2022, at approximately 12:16 a.m., ISP District 11 Troopers responded to a reported expressway shooting on Interstate 55 southbound near milepost 6. The victim stated they were shot at by someone in a dark blue or black pickup truck. The victim suffered a gunshot wound to the leg and was treated at a local hospital. The suspect vehicle and occupants have not been located. These shootings occurred in the same area and the suspect vehicle is very similar. Th

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GLEN CARBON - Senior middle blocker Sophia Ivnik has shown great leadership and has also been a rallying point around the girls' volleyball team at Father McGivney Catholic High School during the 2022 season. After two Gateway Metro Conference wins Sept. 27 over Centralia Christ Our Rock Lutheran and Sept. 29 over Maryville Christian, Ivnik has played well. having two service points for the season, with 62 kills, 95 blocks, 44 assists and seven digs in matches through the win over the Lions, helping the Griffins to a 14-8 record going into the final month of the season. She's also one of the team's leaders and hardest workers, helping to set the standard for the younger players to follow and a player the others rally around for leadership and strength. For her efforts both on and off the court, Ivnik has been selected as a Byron Carlson Petri & Kalb Female Athlete of the Month. Ivnik, who plays for head coach Jake Williams, was feeling very good after the sweep over COR on Sept. 2

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ALTON – OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center is pleased to add a new clinical psychologist to its staff to better serve the Alton community and surrounding areas. The addition of Ari Lakritz, PsyD, ensures increased access for patients in need of behavioral health and psychological testing services at the OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center – Psychological Services office at 1 Saint Anthony’s Way in Alton. In addition to providing clinical assessment and outpatient therapy treatment, Dr. Lakritz will provide psychological testing for diagnoses that include ADHD, chronic pain and cognitive impairments including dementia, post stroke, concussion and IQ testing/learning disabilities. Dr. Lakritz received a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Yeshiva University in New York, and he received both a Master of Arts and Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology from William Paterson University. Dr. Lakritz interned with Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital

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ALTON - Alton Public Works Department members have been busy in recent days preparing for fall tourist visits to the city during the fall colors rush and other constant autumn activities. “We want things to look nice for fall,” Alton Public Works Director Mike Parsons said on Monday morning, with his group active with mowing efforts near the Clark Bridge area and beyond to Cpl. Chris Belchik Memorial Expressway. Parsons said he puts a lot of emphasis on safety, so they only cut the grass about once a month in the area near the bridge - and when they do, they mark the areas with warning signs for motorists. He said there has also been some painting work in areas along Broadway that has been done with crosswalks and center lanes, and more will be done before fall ends. He said they will do as much as they can in these efforts because by December, the main attention normally turns to handling any snow and ice situations through winter.

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(Photos by Michael Allio and J.R. Compton) MADISON - On Sunday, World War II POW veteran Sgt. Vincent Rowles served as grand marshal for the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Midwest Nationals at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison and is a day he will not ever forget. Sgt. Rolves on stage during pre-race ceremonies and when 16-time NHRA Funny Car world champion John Force takes time to speak with Sgt. Rolves during pre-race ceremonies. Wilbert Vincent “Vince” Rolves was born in Albers, Illinois, in 1924. The 98-year-old resident of Carlyle, Illinois is one of the last living WW II prisoners of war in Southern Illinois. Rolves was drafted into military service in 1942. After 13 weeks of basic training, he was assigned to the U.S. Army’s 45 th Infantry Division and shipped overseas to the North African region of the European Theater. In December of 1943, Rolves was shot and wounded during a battle in L’Aquila, a mountainous region in central Italy.

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ALTON - Alton Main Street and Jacoby Arts Center are partnering to present First Fridays, a late-night art and shopping experience which spans 16 locations across the Downtown Alton district. This event will be held on the First Friday of each month through December 2022, providing you with an opportunity to check out new shops and galleries and visit familiar favorites to experience art and great specials at each business. Participants are offering a variety of discounts, refreshments, and giveaways. Everyone who has their passport stamped at each location will receive a $10 gift certificate to any participating business. Free parking is available in the lot next to Jacoby Arts Center, located at 627 E. Broadway, and a free shuttle bus will be provided from 5:00-9:00 p.m., running a continuous loop between all participating locations. On Friday, October 7 th , start your evening by picking up your First Fridays passport at Jacoby Arts Center. There you will receive a 10% coupon fo

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ST. LOUIS - Through their giveback initiative, Closets for a Cause, Saint Louis Closet Co. is announcing plans to donate a portion of their October profits to Special Spaces. This nonprofit is dedicated to creating dream bedroom makeovers for dependent children, ages 2-19, battling cancer or within one year of treatment. Special Spaces focuses on transforming a child’s bedroom because it’s where they sleep, rest, play, and spend time away from the challenges of their illness. All funds go directly to the St. Louis chapter for room makeovers. “Our bedrooms are designed around the child’s wishes and dreams of what they want in their special space,” says Keelyn Schwegel and Teresa Hutton, Co-Directors of Special Spaces St. Louis. “Through our partnership with Saint Louis Closet Co., we will be able to provide more dream bedrooms to children battling cancer in St. Louis and surrounding counties.” Serving the St. Louis area since 2011, Special

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GODFREY - Join The Nature Institute for a magical evening of Halloween fun! Enchanted Forest will take place on October 21st from 6 – 9 pm. This family-friendly event will include a self-guided hike, a movie on the big screen, timed star shows in our pop-up planetarium dome, yard games, a cozy fire, and educational activities. Children will receive a passport to be stamped by all of the nocturnal animal characters that they meet along the trail. Every child will receive a bag of goodies in exchange for their completed passport! The entrance fee for this family fun event is $5 for everyone over the age of 2. This event is perfect for families looking for a fun night of strolling through the forest and learning about animals. Children and adults can wear their Halloween costumes for the evening. Activities will be spread out along the paved Frog Trail, the skeet range, and around the lodge. Some partner organizations that will be participating include Treehouse Wildlife Center

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EDWARDSVILLE - A “base ball” game in Edwardsville, on Saturday, October 15, will be played using rules established in 1860 when “swearing, spitting and sliding” were considered taboo. Hosted by the Madison County Historical Society (MCHS), the game will be played at the Winston Brown Recreation Complex (Hoppe Field) on Schiller Avenue in Edwardsville. Adults and children over age 10 are invited to attend batting practice (12:30-1:30 p.m.) before the main attraction, a 1:30 p.m. game between the Belleville Stags and the St. Louis Brown Stockings. Both teams regularly play ball using the old rules, uniforms, and equipment. There are numerous differences between modern baseball and vintage base ball, including spelling the name of the game with two words. In 1860, there were bounce rules, that meant if a ball was caught after the first bounce the batter was out. The hurlers (pitchers) throw the ball underhand, but it’s not slow-pitch, the ball comes in fast.

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