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GLEN CARBON – In early 2022, Girl Scouts of the USA sponsored the “Girl Scouts to the Moon and Back” essay contest to give Girl Scouts a chance to win a Space Science badge that’s actually been to space on NASA’s Artemis I. That mission is NASA’s first step toward the goal of sending the first woman and the first person of color to the moon. We’re excited to announce that two local Girl Scouts – who are also sisters – were named winners of the contest. Girl Scout Daisy Isabelle Bates and Girl Scout Senior Evania Bates, both from Belleville, were selected as winners in the essay contest. Each girl will get one of the special badges that have literally been out of this world! In her essay, Evania wrote, “There are three things I would instill in my new community. The first would be to instill honesty. Honesty because I would want my community to feel comfortable in coming up to me to tell me the truth and admit any mistakes

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GRANITE CITY - Granite City High School Guidance Office and Saint Louis University is partnering to host a Financial Aid 101 seminar on Wednesday, Sept. 28 from 6-7:30 p.m. in the GCHS atrium. SLU's financial aid office will be presenting, and senior and junior students and parents are welcome to attend. Financial Aid 101 : Overview of the scholarship and aid process. Includes information on types of aid, how to apply, and how to cover the remaining balance. We also offer a timeline for students who don't know where to start in the financial aid process.

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ST. LOUIS - The world’s quickest and fastest race cars will converge at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois, from September 30 to October 2 for the annual NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Midwest Nationals. The series’ premier classes are Top Fuel Dragster and Funny Car, with nitromethane-burning 12,000-horsepower engines that rocket the cars from zero to more than 330 miles per hour in less than four seconds. Some of the world’s biggest names in professional drag racing include: Five-time WWTR Top Fuel Dragster winner Antron Brown, a three-time NHRA champion. Legendary Funny Car pilot John Force, a 16-time champion with three WWTR wins. Five-time WWTR Pro Stock winner Erica Enders (four NHRA crowns). Two-time NHRA Funny Car champion Ron Capps (four WWTR final-round wins). Friday’s high-speed action includes a nighttime qualifying session for Funny Car and Top Fuel Dragster teams and the white-hot exhaust flames will light up the night

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CARLINVILLE - This fall, Blackburn College will once again celebrate Homecoming with its campus and the Carlinville community. The Wizard of Oz-themed “There’s No Place Like Homecoming” will take place September 23-25, 2022, and will transform the campus into Oz featuring music, fun-filled games, reunions, social gatherings, and even a hot air balloon. Events are open to all alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends of Blackburn. “Homecoming is a great opportunity to celebrate as a campus and as a community,” Alisha Kapp, Executive Director of Advancement and Alumni Relations at Blackburn, said. “In addition to our alumni, we welcome our friends from Carlinville and Macoupin County to gather with us throughout the eventful weekend.” The magic will kick off on Friday with a “Pastries with the President” welcome at Blackburn’s historic McKinley House, a musical showcase previewing songs the College Choir will perform this

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ALTON - The Riverbend area has a new, exciting hangout for hunting and fishing enthusiasts to share stories, purchase necessities and equipment, and now even practice their skills. Bluff City Outdoors, a staple in the Alton community and conveniently located along the Mississippi river, is where both Illinois and Missouri residents alike gather supplies for the day when heading out on their next big adventure. What once was a small tackle shop, is now grounds for outdoorsmen of all types. Owners of Bluff City Outdoors, Mark and Felecia McMurray, have continued to grow the footprint over the last year by building an addition to the existing store, creating the first and only archery range seen in the area in many years. Not only does the new facility bring archery back to Alton, but it does so with the newest products and technology. Bluff City Outdoors’ new bow shop is an authorized dealer of Hoyt, Mathews, and Ten Point brands. The range itself includes a Techno Hunt video system,

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HIGHLAND - Everyone wants to tell the story of their lives, and artists are no exception. The Highland Arts Council will celebrate world-class art in a hometown atmosphere with its 18th annual Art in the Park event. At this free, two-day outdoor and indoor juried show, you will have time to meet artists and listen to the stories behind their artwork. How were they inspired to create it? What does it take to create such a piece? Where were you when the inspiration hit? All this will happen during Art in the Park on October 8 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and on October 9 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Lindendale Park in Highland, Illinois. Brady Kesner, Photographic artist from Highland, Illinois might tell you this. “I spent four days in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park of East Tennessee chasing this landscape photography addiction that I have and came home with some nice images and a relaxed state of mind. Nature is good for that. I got rained on all four days and didn't

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ALTON - The annual Vintage Voices tours, held in the Alton Cemetery, are returning on the following dates: October 1, 2, 8, and 9, 2022. Tours will leave the cemetery gate every 15-20 minutes between noon and 2:30 pm. The non-walking performance will be held on October 9, 2022, at Jacoby Arts Center. Vintage Voices is produced by a volunteer committee and volunteer actors who bring the history of Alton to life. The tours are an important cultural event in our community. Alton Cemetery is located at 5th and Vine Streets, Alton IL 62002. This year the tours will have nine stops with actors portraying: Marcellus H. Filley, a private night watchman who was murdered on Halloween Lyne Shackelford Metcalfe, an Alton mayor and a founding board member of the Alton Unitarian Church, and his wife Sarah Baker Metcalfe, the daughter of prominent Alton attorney David Jewell Baker Colonel John Kuhn who joined the Alton Jaeger Guard and served as one of the Company’s lieutenants

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O’FALLON - The sixth annual BaconFest is going to be held this Saturday, September 10 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Sgt. Charles A. Fricke VFW Post 805 in O'Fallon, located at 221 W. 1st St. The event will feature food vendors, non-food vendors, a dunk tank and more, and the event’s proceeds support Relief Funds for veterans. SugarFire, Spud Shack, Peel Wood Fired Pizza and many others will join several food vendors that will be serving up bacon-related items, in addition to non-food vendors offering crafts and more. VFW Post 805 Senior Vice President Marcia Crawford said this year will see several new vendors, including some traditionally non-food vendors that are getting in on the bacon action this year. “A lot of people are new this year. We have a lot of craft vendors this year,” Crawford said. “I’ve got a real estate agent - one of their people has their food handler’s license, so they’re going to serve mac and cheese with bacon

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GODFREY – Just shy of 1,000 riders will converge on Lewis and Clark Community College’s Godfrey Campus this weekend to change the world for people affected by multiple sclerosis at the 2022 Bike MS: Gateway Getaway Ride. The two-day ride, hosted by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS), will start and finish Saturday, Sept. 10, and Sunday, Sept. 11 at Lewis and Clark, as it has since 2015. “We are proud to partner with the NMSS each year for this inspiring event,” said L&C Vice President of Administration Lori Artis, who has ridden as a member of the Trailblazers team during previous years. “The energy on campus on Bike MS weekend is contagious and exciting. It’s also a wonderful opportunity for thousands of visitors to not only experience our campus but also our district communities.” Riders will tackle their choice of 25-, 50-, 75- and 100-mile routes both days, traveling along the limestone bluffs on the Great River Road and

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HARDIN - The Calhoun County Sheriff's Office received an anonymous tip that a resident was in possession of child pornography and after an investigation, a felony arrest warrant was issued. Tammy E. Wurtsbaugh, 40, of Hardin, has been charged in the case. The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office said it executed a thorough investigation of the situation prior to the arrest. On August 30, Wurtsbaugh was arrested and taken into custody for the aforementioned offense. She is currently held in Greene County Jail. The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office said it would like to thank the Illinois State Police Digital Crimes Unit for its assistance in this case. All suspect(s) are innocent until proven guilty.

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HARDIN - On Friday, July 1, the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint about a theft from a local business. The Calhoun Sheriff's Office began an investigation which led to a request for the issuance of a search warrant. On July 2, deputies with the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office executed a court-authorized search warrant at an apartment building located in the 300 Block of South County Road, Hardin in Calhoun County. The sheriff's office said the search warrant resulted in the arrest of Barbara M. Dawdy, 61, of Hardin, for the offense of Theft. "Suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were seized for later testing," the sheriff's office said. Subsequently, on August 26, 2022, a deputy with the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office arrested Shaun J. Dawdy, age 34, of Hardin, on a Calhoun County Felony Warrant for the offense of Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine (Less than 5 Grams), in relation for the aforementioned search warrant. All suspect(s)

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Mike Bost (R-IL) and Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) today introduced a pair of bills to discourage states from banning gas-powered vehicles. Bost’s bill, the Options for Ownership Act, would require the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to withhold 15% of a state’s Highway Trust Fund dollars if the state prohibits the sale of non-zero emission vehicles. LaMalfa’s bill, the Revoking Engine and Vehicle (REV) Requirements Act, would repeal California’s Clean Air Act waiver the state uses to set its own emissions standards. "With inflation already sky-high, drivers should not be forced to purchase a car they cannot afford simply to appease the liberals’ Green New Deal dreams,” said Bost. “If states choose to force drivers to purchase cars that don’t use gasoline, then they shouldn’t be able to reap the benefits of the federal fuel tax. It’s that simple.” “The government should no

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ALTON - Marquette Catholic High School has canceled Friday night's home game against Columbia because of injuries to its limited roster. The Explorers have a very young varsity football team and after some injuries to key players that will limit the number of players available, the athletic department made a decision to not play the home encounter. Most of the injured players are expected to return for the school's homecoming game on September 16. Brian Hoener, Marquette’s director of athletics, said it was a “difficult decision,” but one he and others affiliated with Marquette felt they had to do. He said the Columbia athletic director was "very understanding" about the situation. “The health and safety of our players are at the forefront of every decision we make, including this one, and our focus remains on the long-term growth of the program,” Hoener said. “We have a great group of dedicated players, with good numbers in our freshman class, wit

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ST. LOUIS - St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones had a strong reaction to the tragic hit-and-run accident Tuesday on South Grand in St. Louis. Police have identified the victim on a bicycle as Danyell McMiller, 47, of St. Louis. He was hit just before 1 p.m. Tuesday in the 2800 block of South Grand Boulevard in the Tower Grove East neighborhood and he later died at an area hospital. Jones said: “Throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic, cities across the country have seen a spike in traffic violence, and today’s tragic hit-and-run on South Grand is a reminder that St. Louis is no exception. "City departments continue to review potential solutions to make our streets safer no matter how St. Louisans choose to get around.” Police described the car that hit the man as a "white, newer model Kia" with no license plates. If anyone has any information about the incident, you are encouraged to contact the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department at 314-231-1212.

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - On Tuesday, September 6, 2022, St. Louis County Police Colonel Kenneth L. Gregory announced the promotions of Lieutenants Anthony Cavaletti and John Pfanstiel to the rank of Captain, Sergeant Edward Magee to the rank of Lieutenant, and Police Officers Daniel Bradley, Brandon McCrary, and Matthew Reed to the rank of Sergeant. Captain Anthony Cavaletti joined the Department in 1999. Captain Cavaletti previously served in the South County Precinct, the St. Louis County and Municipal Police Academy, the Central County Precinct, the Bureau of Crimes Against Property, the Bureau of Crimes Against Persons, and the North County Precinct, and is currently assigned to the Criminal Intelligence Unit. Captain Cavaletti earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and Management from Southern Illinois University and a Master’s Degree in Business of Security Management from Webster University. Captain Cavaletti has received 11 Department awards and commendations. Captain

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LOS ANGELES - Alton High grad IV4 recently shared her excitement Tuesday with Riverbender.com about winning the Opening Act quarterfinals to advance to the competition's semifinals. She said: "I am shocked! The amount of love and support my friends, and family have been showing me throughout this competition is overwhelming. Even though I'm hundreds of miles away, from my hometown of Alton - people have been pushing me through this contest. "I think it's amazing what people can do when they're unified for a good cause (suicide prevention). I'm incredibly grateful for how far I've come, but the competition is not over yet! I believe we can do this." IV4 was a student at Alton High, where she graduated in 2014. Since then she has been pursuing her dream to become a professional singer and it happens one step at a time. She now lives in Los Angeles and is signed with Warner Music. She released her first musical project last March called "Get rich and cry trying" and she has songs featuring

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JERSEYVILLE – COUNTRY Insurance Agent and proud SFHG parent, Nathan Wittman is pleased to support St. Francis Holy Ghost School’s purchase of classroom supplies as teachers and administrators gear up for the first day of school. After providing lunch, Wittman presented a donation of $1,500 to St. Francis Holy Ghost School on August 16. “We are so pleased to be able to help take care of those who help care for us and enrich our lives and strengthen our community – everyday heroes like our teachers,” said Wittman. “This donation is a small token of our appreciation that I hope will continue to positively impact our community by ensuring that teachers have the supplies that they need to support our students.” COUNTRY Financial, an insurance and financial services company, has donated more than $4 million since 2020 to organizations and programs that support teachers, first responders, active-duty service members and veterans, supporting the

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EDWARDSVILLE - This is another in a series of articles on entries with photos in the Edwardsville Art Fair on Sept. 23-25. Today, Alton, Highland, and Herrin artists are featured. Artist Name: David Bailey Location: Alton Artist Statement: "Shaping and soldering Sterling Silver using time-honored silversmith techniques and tools is how I create my jewelry. Bringing the piece to reality and seeing a sense of joy, wonder, and satisfaction from my patrons is thrilling and humbling." Artist Name: April Goeke Location: Herrin Artist Statement: "Animals are the center of attention for my art. My paintings focus on creating intimate images of wildlife and domestic animals. The scenery in my art is often full of flora." Artist Name: Brady Kesner Location: Highland Artist Statement: "I am a believer in the power of Nature to provide comfort, and healing, and reduce stress. It is my intention to connect the viewers of my images (and myself) to Nature in order

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SHIPMAN - Harman Auction, a family-owned and operated auction house in Shipman, holds large on-site auctions every Tuesday starting at 4:30 p.m. They sell a variety of things from antiques and primitives to tractors, farm implements, and vehicles. They also see quite a bit of sports memorabilia come through. They don't typically hold a lot of online-only auctions but will do so so for large collections and/or high-dollar items. Their on-site auctions are cash and check only, however for this online auction credit/debit card payments can be made. Shipping is also available on almost every item for out-of-state buyers. Local buyers can pick up their items from the auction house. Their most recent online auction, going on now until September 21, features a variety of signed and other collectible sports items. This auction includes authentic NFL helmets signed by the likes of Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, Andrew Luck, and Mac Jones to name a few. There are also jerseys signed by Ezekial

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WOOD RIVER - As expected, East Alton-Wood River High School senior running back Seth Slayden has emerged as one of the Oilers' top players in the 2022 football season that just kicked off. Seth Slayden is a Midwest Members Credit Union Male Athlete of the Month for the Oilers. Slayden said he wanted to thank his parents and grandparents for all their support in his various sports activities. "I want to thank all my coaches who have had faith in me on the fields, and in the gym, and have helped me be the best I can be," he said. "I believe my hard work ethic has helped me reach my goals. My high school sports career has taught me how to work hard and stay focused to reach my goals." "This is my eighth year of playing organized football and my favorite thing about this sport is the bond that you make with your teammates." Seth said he enjoys hanging out with friends and riding motorcycles in his spare time. Seth wants to continue with sports in college, but he is undecided about wher

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