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American Red Cross Opens Shelter Following Explosion In Florissant

7 months ago
ST. LOUIS – The American Red Cross has opened a shelter located at Saint Angela Merici, 3860 N. Highway 67, Florissant, MO 63034 following the explosion yesterday morning in North St. Louis County. Individuals affected by the explosion are encouraged to come to the shelter for water, meals, snacks, resources and a safe place to stay overnight. Individuals do not have to stay overnight at shelters. Individuals affected can also call 1-800-RED-CROSS for assistance or download the Red Cross Emergency app for shelter updates and resources. Identification and/or proof of residency is NOT required to be admitted to a Red Cross shelter. American Red Cross services are free and available to all regardless of race, religious beliefs, nationality, or citizenship status. The role of the Red Cross in any disaster is to focus on addressing the immediate needs of those affected. The Red Cross is coordinating with the community, government, and emergency management officials to determine

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Walking: A Simple Step Toward Relieving Back Pain

7 months ago
Let’s face it. Back pain is no fun. Millions of people suffer from some type of back discomfort and will try anything to find relief. But one the best paths to getting some relief may be an old standby – walking. Walking might strengthen your muscles, improve your posture and stabilize your back – all of which can help lessen pain, reduce flare-ups and prevent future problems. Back pain is very common, says Brittni Zick, a physical therapist for OSF HealthCare. It can impact anyone of any age for a variety of reasons. “Maybe there was an injury in the past, or poor posture is usually a big reason for it,” she says. “Or it’s the type of work that people do if they're bending and lifting a lot. It's one of the most common things I see as a physical therapist.” Zick adds that walking increases blood flow, which is important because tissue in your back can get irritated. By walking, blood circulates to those areas, helping heal

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Gov. Pritzker and Illinois Leaders Reject Trump's Military Deployment Plans

7 months ago
CHICAGO — Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined elected officials, business, faith, and education leaders, community advocates, and law enforcement leaders to condemn the Trump administration’s plan to deploy the National Guard or active duty military in Chicago despite objections from state and local leadership. After witnessing weeks of federal overreach from Washington, a broad coalition of leaders from across the city gathered to present a united front and denounce Trump’s abuse of power "There is no emergency in Chicago that calls for armed military intervention that will disrupt the daily lives of our people. What President Trump is doing is unprecedented and unwarranted. It is illegal. It is unconstitutional. And it is un-American,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Our civilian police force and elected leaders work every day to promote public safety – efforts that have successfully brought down crime. The State of Illinois is ready to stand

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Attorney General Raoul Obtains 180-Year Prison Sentence In Case Against Man For Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault

7 months ago
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced a Tilden, Illinois man was sentenced to 180 years in prison for predatory criminal sexual assault of a minor under the age of 13. The case is part of Raoul’s ongoing work, in collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies and local law enforcement officials throughout Illinois, to apprehend offenders who download and trade child sexual abuse material online. Clyde Thibodeaux, 68, was sentenced today by Randolph County Circuit Court Judge Jeremy R. Walker after pleading guilty to three counts of predatory criminal sexual assault, Class X felonies. During the investigation Thibodeaux admitted to committing acts of sexual abuse against 11 different children over the course of 50 years. “Those who prey on and victimize innocent children must be held accountable. This sentence ensures this predator who admitted to these heinous crimes will not harm these children again,” Raoul said. “My heart goes out to

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Fact Sheet: Public Safety And Violence Prevention In Illinois

7 months ago
CHICAGO – While the Trump Administration plans to deploy the National Guard, active-duty military, or federal agents into Democratic-led states, Illinois is showing that smart, data-driven policies, investment in strong law enforcement, and community engagement produce real results. In contrast to the declines in violent crime in Illinois and Chicago, a number of Republican-led states continue to see a high level of violent crime. Yet, the Trump Administration ignores these crime levels, undermining their public safety claims. Deploying military officers only seeks to undermine the hard work both state and local police departments and community members have built on to regain trust, including the ways that state and local law enforcement already coordinate with federal law enforcement to tackle crime. Instead, the Trump Administration should focus on releasing critical crime prevention and law enforcement funding back to local communities and states, rather than undermining

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Mayor Spencer Signs Executive Order Removing Barriers to Repairing and Rebuilding in Tornado-Impacted Neighborhoods

7 months ago
ST. LOUIS – Today, Mayor Cara Spencer signed Executive Order 90, removing barriers that can slow down the process of rebuilding and repairing property. The scope of this order includes neighborhoods impacted by the May 16 tornado; the City is also beginning work on a major overhaul of its Zoning Code in a thorough effort to remove barriers across the city. “While all of St. Louis needs and deserves zoning reform to remove burdensome regulations, the need to move even more urgently in the neighborhoods damaged by the tornado is obvious,” said Mayor Spencer. “This executive order brings quick, localized reform to remove barriers for those who have lost so much, effective today.” Executive Order 90 relieves regulatory barriers by: Giving the Cultural Resources Office staff flexibility when reviewing and approving permits with the applicable standards of the impacted local historic districts (such as roof materials or windows) in cases of verified hardship

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Giannoulias' Audit Finds License Plate Reader Company in Violation of State Law

7 months ago
SPRINGFIELD – Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ office recently discovered that U.S. Customs and Border Protection gained access to Illinois license plate camera data – a violation of state law his office initiated. During a recent audit, Giannoulias’ office found that Flock Safety, which operates the largest automated license plate reader (ALPR) system in the nation, allowed U.S. Customs and Border Protection to access Illinois license plate cameras on Illinois roads and surveil drivers. As a result, Giannoulias immediately ordered the company to shut off access to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. “This sharing of license plate data of motorists who drive on Illinois roads is a clear violation of the state law. This law, passed two years ago, aimed to strengthen how data is shared and prevent this exact thing from happening,” Giannoulias said. “I take my responsibility as Secretary of State seriously. It’s why we spearheaded this

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Contegra Completes 120,000SF Expansion for Elite Tool in Moscow Mills, MO

7 months ago

A hidden business gem in Moscow Mills, MO. is expanding with a new advanced manufacturing facility completed by Contegra Construction. Elite Tool, an established lean contract manufacturer for the aerospace, commercial and defense industries, has moved into a new 120,000-square-foot facility. It replaces the firm’s 70,000-square-foot manufacturing operation. The $20 million expansion is expected to […]

The post Contegra Completes 120,000SF Expansion for Elite Tool in Moscow Mills, MO appeared first on Construction Forum.

Dede Hance

Explosion near Florissant sounded like a Bomb, says Resident

7 months ago

AMERICAN RED CROSS TRANSITIONS SHELTER TO NEW SITE FOR THOSE IMPACTED BY MONDAY’S EXPLOSION NEAR FLORISSAN The American Red Cross transitioned the location of its shelter for those impacted by the explosion Monday in North St. Louis County to: Faith Church, 5320 N. Highway 67, Florissant, MO 63034 A water main break affected the original […]

The post Explosion near Florissant sounded like a Bomb, says Resident appeared first on flovalleynews.com.

independentnws

Extensive Damage From House Explosion and Fires In St. Louis County

7 months ago
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Investigators are examining a house explosion and subsequent fires that injured five people and damaged more than two dozen homes Monday morning, Aug. 25, 2025, in the 13800 block of Evan Aire Drive. The incident occurred at approximately 9:13 a.m. on Aug. 25 when the Black Jack Fire Protection District and North County Precinct officers responded to reports of an explosion. Upon arrival, first responders found five homes engulfed in flames and about 20 additional residences in the surrounding area with damage. Five victims were located at the scene. An 18-year-old male was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. An adult female was also hospitalized for non-life-threatening injuries and later released. An adult male and female remain hospitalized for minor health complications related to the explosion. Another adult male was treated at the scene and declined transport. No first responders were injured. Vera Clay, Acting Public

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Keeley Leads DB, Grubb Is Architect on $30M North County Animal Protective Association Facility

7 months ago

From St. Louis Business Journal: A nonprofit animal welfare organization is finalizing plans for its $30 million expansion to north St. Louis County. The Animal Protective Association of Missouri, more commonly known as the APA, plans to convert a former car dealership building near unincorporated Spanish Lake into a new veterinary clinic and low-cost and […]

The post Keeley Leads DB, Grubb Is Architect on $30M North County Animal Protective Association Facility appeared first on Construction Forum.

Tom Finan

Illinois Federation Of Teachers Statement On National Guard Deployment To Chicago

7 months ago
WESTMONT, IL – Illinois Federation of Teachers President Dan Montgomery issued the following statement in response to news reports that the Trump administration is deploying the National Guard to Chicago. “The Illinois Federation of Teachers strongly condemns the decision by the Trump administration to send the National Guard into Chicago. There is no basis for sending soldiers here or to any other city. There is no emergency. “This deployment will inevitably lead to more racial profiling and the terrorizing of Latino and immigrant communities, especially undocumented families who already live with the constant fear of deportation. If the goal were truly safety, Trump and his administration would not have frozen $158 million in funding for violence prevention programs in cities like Chicago, dismantled the Office of Gun Violence Prevention (OGVP), or terminated more than $800 million in anti-violence grants nationwide. “Every dollar spent on militarization

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Edwardsville School Board Approves Changes to Track and Softball Field Project

7 months ago
EDWARDSVILLE - During their regular meeting on Aug. 25, 2025, the Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 Board of Education approved several design and construction changes to the track and field and varsity softball field project. The project now includes partial area track stabilization at $33,900, F&I Storm outlet control structures at $19,150 and up to $58,855 for soil stabilization. The project will no longer include a new perimeter fence, returning $55,125 back to the budget. A Pro Style Panel Wall Backstop will also be installed for $64,945, the majority of which will be funded by the EHS Softball Boosters. During the Board’s discussion, representatives from Oates Associates, a civil engineering firm, provided recommendations to the Board. Tom Cissell and Nate Clarey with Oates Associates talked about their findings and reiterated that their firm was not involved in the signing of the contract between the district and Byrne & Jones Construction. Several

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Byron, Carlson, Petri & Kalb Female Athlete Of Month: Kennedi Taylor Celebrates 100th Win At Alton Doubles Tournament

7 months ago
ALTON - Kennedi Taylor has had an illustrious girls' tennis career at Father McGivney Catholic High School, but on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, at the Alton Doubles Tournament at Gordon Moore Park in Alton, she secured her 100th win, a landmark accomplishment in high school tennis. Father McGivney Catholic High School secured second place overall as a team at the Alton Invitational tennis tournament held Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, at Gordon Moore Park. The event highlighted the achievements of doubles team Natalie Beck and Kennedi Taylor, who also won Flight A and received the sportsmanship award. Beck is a Byron, Carlson, Petri & Kalb Female Athlete of the Month. Beck was also recently a recipient of the same honor. Taylor and Beck are both three-time state qualifiers in doubles. Their performance contributed significantly to McGivney’s strong team showing. The Alton Invitational provided a competitive platform for local high school tennis players to showcase their skills and

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