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Chinese Culture Days

2 weeks 4 days ago

Immerse yourself in awe-inspiring Chinese cultural performances, music, art and history while enjoying authentic cuisine. Since 1996, the Missouri Botanical Garden has collaborated with the Chinese Culture Education and Services […]

The post Chinese Culture Days appeared first on Explore St. Louis.

Rachel Huffman

Alton, Granite City Men Charged With Sunnybrook Apartments Site Burglaries

2 weeks 4 days ago
ALTON – Two Riverbend residents are accused of burglarizing the construction site of the Sunnybrook Apartments in Alton. Henry R. Lakin, 37, of Alton, and David L. Miller, 50, of Granite City, were both charged on April 30, 2025 with Class 2 felony counts of burglary. On March 7, 2025, the two allegedly unlawfully entered a building on the Sunnybrook Apartments construction site, located in the 700 block of Washington Avenue in Alton, with the intent to commit therein a theft. Both were arrested by the Alton Police Department and have been granted pretrial release from custody. Miller was previously charged in a separate case of burglary out of Granite City. More details on that and a string of other Granite City burglaries are available in this story on Riverbender.com . All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of la w.

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Granite City Police Charge St. Louis Man With Murder

2 weeks 4 days ago
GRANITE CITY – A man from St. Louis faces first degree murder charges and more after fatally shooting someone in Granite City. DeWayne Franklin, 41, of St. Louis, was charged on April 28, 2025 with two counts of first degree murder, both Class M felonies. He was also charged with a Class 3 felony count of possession of a weapon by a felon, as well as a Class 4 felony count of aggravated unlawful possession of weapons. On April 20, 2025, Franklin allegedly shot 58-year-old St. Louis resident Kenneth Whitehorn in the head, causing his death. Whitehorn was found deceased on Alton Street near Pontoon Road in Granite City. The weapon Franklin used in the killing, a 9mm handgun, was unlawful for him to possess as a felon previously convicted of possession of a controlled substance. He also had no valid Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card or Concealed Carry License at the time of the offense. A petition was filed to deny Franklin’s pretrial release from custody,

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East Alton's Boyz 2 Men Program Mentors and Empowers Young Boys

2 weeks 4 days ago
EAST ALTON - East Alton’s Eastwood Elementary School has a special program for its young men. The Boyz 2 Men Mentorship Program allows fourth and fifth graders to engage with male role models as they complete community service projects. Male volunteers and teachers meet with this group of students once a month. The adults noted the students have grown a lot since the program’s inception. “I’m really proud of these kids,” said Eric Hensley, a fifth grade teacher at Eastwood. “A lot of schools could use it, but we definitely saw the need here. I liked the idea of it because some of these kids, they’re not always the most successful in the classroom, but you see so much potential. So it was nice to have some sort of outlet for them to do, to be able to show off what they can do. I feel like they have a little bit more freedom and self-confidence in this group, which is good for them to practice and use.” Angela Gray, East Alton Schoo

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Wood River to Host Annual Summer Kickoff Festival

2 weeks 4 days ago
WOOD RIVER - Riverbend residents are invited to Wood River for their annual Summer Kickoff festival. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, 2025, the City of Wood River will offer live music, food, craft vendors, games, a dunk tank and more to celebrate the summer season. Community members of all ages are invited downtown to the corner of Wood River Avenue and Ferguson for a fun day of festivities. “There is a lot going on,” said Kristen Burns, executive director of Wood River Main Street, which organized the event. “I love the Summer Kickoff. I mean, all of the events are favorites. But I really, really like the Summer Kickoff.” In addition to the downtown shops and restaurants, which will be open and ready for business during the event, there will be over 30 vendors downtown that day. Wood River has also arranged for several food trucks to come out and provide food and drinks. “We always get a lot of vendors for these,” Burns said

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Community Invited to Celebrate Loved Ones at Memorial Butterfly Release Ceremonies

2 weeks 4 days ago
O’FALLON, Ill. — HSHS Home Care invites community members to join them for butterfly release ceremonies at locations throughout southern Illinois at these Hospital Sisters Health System hospitals: HSHS Holy Family Hospital, Greenville Wednesday, May 14 at 4 p.m. in the fountain area (front of the hospital). HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, O’Fallon Wednesday, May 21 at 5:30 p.m. at the main entrance by the statue. HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital, Highland Tuesday, June 3 at 5:30 p.m. in the Healing Garden. HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital, Breese Wednesday, June 4 at 5:30 p.m. in the Healing Garden/Gazebo Area Family and friends are invited to celebrate and remember the life of a loved one who has passed. The ceremonies will include the reading of the names of those being honored in addition to the butterfly release. Valerie Engelbart, Bereavement Services Supervisor for HSHS Home Care, said, “These butterfly release

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St. Louis Public Schools hosts community budget forum

2 weeks 4 days ago
ST. LOUIS – On Saturday morning, St. Louis Public Schools is hosting a community budget forum, giving parents, students, and taxpayers a chance to weigh in on next year’s spending plan. A meeting Monday night kicked off the discussion earlier this week. District leaders say your input is critical as they work to close a [...]
Jaime Travers

Two fallen officers honored in annual memorial ceremony

2 weeks 4 days ago
ST. LOUIS – On Saturday, two fallen officers will be honored for their ultimate sacrifice. Independence Police Officer Cody Allen and St. Louis Police Officer David Lee will be remembered during the annual Missouri State Law Enforcement Memorial in Jefferson City. Officer Allen was shot and killed while serving an eviction notice in February of [...]
Jaime Travers

Hazelwood bus driver charged after alleged altercation with students

2 weeks 4 days ago
FLORISSANT, Mo. – A Hazelwood School District Bus Driver has been charged after an alleged fight with students on board. Police have arrested a Hazelwood School District bus driver after an alleged altercation with students. Lamar Murray faces two felony counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Those charges include allegations of physical assaults. [...]
Jaime Travers