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Grafton Winter Lights Parade Draws Huge Crowd

4 months 4 weeks ago
GRAFTON - The recent Grafton Winter Lights Parade welcomed hundreds of community members for an evening of holiday cheer in Grafton. On Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, the parade route traveled down Water Street and ended at The Loading Dock in Grafton. The parade featured over 100 entrants, from the QEM Fire Protection District to personal trucks decorated with lights. “Bundle up, bring the family out and enjoy,” said Paula Jameson, who oversees the Enjoy Grafton Facebook page and helped organize the parade. The evening started with a tribute walk for former Police Chief Eric Spanton , who passed away on Dec. 14, 2024. Jameson and Dan Ebbing, the president of the Chamber of Commerce, explained that the parade started as a joke between locals. Four years ago, a few people draped their side-by-sides in lights and went on a pub crawl throughout Grafton. But over the years, it has grown into a full-fledged parade, bringing in visitors from across the St. Louis

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This Day in History on December 24: The Christmas Truce of World War I

4 months 4 weeks ago
December 24th is a day that carries a rich tapestry of historical significance across various cultures and nations. As we travel back in time, we find ourselves in 1800, a year that bore witness to a significant cultural development in the United States. On December 24th of that year, the first edition of the "New-York Evening Post" was published. Founded by Alexander Hamilton, this newspaper would go on to play a vital role in American journalism and public discourse. The Post gave a voice to various social and political issues of the time and helped shape public opinion, emphasizing the importance of a free press in a democratic society. Over the years, the paper has undergone numerous transformations but still stands as a testament to the enduring nature of journalism. Fast forward to 1914, during the height of World War I, a remarkable event known as the Christmas Truce occurred. On December 24th, soldiers on the Western Front engaged in an unofficial ceasefire, laying down

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How to Create a Holiday-Themed Playlist

4 months 4 weeks ago
The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and reflection, and music plays a vital role in enhancing the experience. Crafting the perfect holiday-themed playlist can set the mood for gatherings, family dinners, or even cozy evenings by the fire. Whether you’re looking to evoke nostalgia with classic tunes or infuse modern hits into your festivities, this guide will help you curate a playlist that resonates with the spirit of the season. Understanding the Essence of Holiday Music Before diving into the specifics of creating a holiday playlist, it’s essential to understand what makes holiday music unique. Typically, holiday songs reflect themes of love, joy, and togetherness. They often feature familiar melodies and are infused with cultural or religious significance, depending on the holiday being celebrated. Recognizing these elements will help you select tracks that resonate not just musically but emotionally as well. Define Your Holiday Theme The first step

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Woman dies after car gets struck by train in Berkeley

4 months 4 weeks ago
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - A woman was left dead after her vehicle was fatally struck by a train Tuesday morning in Berkeley. According to a spokesperson from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash happened overnight Tuesday morning involving a car and a train. The crash happened after the woman's vehicle traveled off the [...]
Nick Gladney

Duckworth Secures Key NDAA Provisions to Strengthen Rock Island Arsenal, Support Families and Farmers in Illinois and Beyond

4 months 4 weeks ago
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years and is a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), secured several important provisions to support our state in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that passed Congress this week. Some of priorities Duckworth secured to help Illinoisans include expanding housing opportunities and surrounding infrastructure at Rock Island Arsenal, supporting school districts near military bases by helping alleviate state and local tax base funding shortfalls and expanding our military’s use of sustainable aviation fuels, which supports our Illinois farmers, protects the environment and drives economy opportunity throughout the Midwest. “The brave Illinoisans who serve our nation in uniform at home and abroad deserve to know that our country fully supports them as they and their families sacrifice to defend our country,”

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Duckworth, Durbin Applaud Senate Passage of Bipartisan Legislation to Help Ensure Public Employees Receive Full Social Security Benefits

4 months 4 weeks ago
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) applauded the Senate passage of the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act to ensure public sector workers and their families are able to receive full Social Security benefits after two previous statutes reduced them. The legislation—whose Senate companion Duckworth and Durbin helped cosponsor alongside U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Susan Collins (R-ME) and 58 other U.S. Senators—would repeal the Social Security Act’s Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), which significantly reduced benefits for nearly 3 million Americans, many of whom are teachers, police officers and state, county and local government workers. The bill now heads to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law. Full text of the legislation can be found on the Senator’s website . “Millions of Americans have worked their entire lives, paying into

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Alton High School to Offer American Sign Language Classes

4 months 4 weeks ago
ALTON - Alton High School will offer two classes in American Sign Language starting next year. American Sign Language I and II will teach students the basics of American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf culture. Rene Hart, the district’s Director of Curriculum and Instruction, emphasized the importance of teaching languages like ASL at the high school level. “It’s crucial to provide students with the ability to communicate effectively in a language other than English and to foster cultural understanding,” Hart said. “Giving students the opportunity to study world languages helps to prepare them for a globalized world. Studying world languages helps develop skills in communication, cultural awareness and connections across diverse communities. So we’re really excited about the opportunity to expand into American Sign Language.” The Alton Community Unit School District #11 Board of Education approved the ASL classes at their recent meeting

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New Year, New Choices: Transform Your Grocery Shopping Routine

4 months 4 weeks ago
Grocery stores are ever-changing, at times creating confusing strolls up and down the aisles. But as the products in grocery stores change, consumers can update and adjust their eating habits as well. The new year is an ideal time to review grocery store offerings and consider which foods can help support a healthy lifestyle. Packed with nutrients like protein, calcium and vitamin D, dairy foods fit the bill when it comes to providing high quality nutrition. The dairy section is where variety really comes into play, with new and exciting products regularly making appearances. Consumers can find an abundance of milk, yogurt and cheese, in addition to trending options like smoothie drinks, kefir (fermented dairy drink) and cottage cheese in the dairy aisle. Fresh Start Start creating healthy meals and snacks by pairing dairy foods with fruits, vegetables and whole grains. These quick-to-fix combinations offer a bounty of nutrients, including calcium, protein, B vitamins, vitamin D,

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Main Street Reaches Fundraising Goal and Celebrates Last Event Of Year

4 months 4 weeks ago
EDWARDSVILLE – Main Street Community Center is thrilled to announce the culmination of a successful year with their final bingo event of the year and the celebration of reaching their Annual Fund Drive goal of $50,000 in just 50 days. This remarkable achievement underscores the unwavering support and generosity of the community. For 50 years, Main Street Community Center has been a cornerstone of support for local seniors, providing essential services such as meals, transportation, recreational activities, information and assistance, and travel programs. Thanks to the dedication of numerous sponsors, all activities and programs are offered free of charge, ensuring accessibility for all seniors in the area. "We are incredibly grateful for the community's support in helping us reach our 2024 Annual Fund Drive goal," said Jessica Johnson, Executive Director of Main Street Community Center. "This achievement allows us to continue providing vital services and enriching the lives

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