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Reid Memorial Library Transforms Into Makerspace and Student Hangout  

7 months ago
GODFREY – When Reid Memorial Library sustained heavy damage from a ruptured water line over winter break a few years ago, Lewis and Clark Community College transformed the chaos into creativity. Always evolving to meet the unique needs of the campus community, the library turned a necessary remodel into a major glow up, resulting in the vibrant makerspace and student hangout it is today. “We saw an opportunity to do more than fix the damage,” said Director of Library Services Dennis Krieb. “Instead, we reimagined ways to provide an even more engaging environment for creativity, collaboration, and relaxation for all L&C students, team members and local residents.” The newly designed space features comfortable modern furniture, including two collaborative media tables, four soft seating couches, and two modular seating areas, perfect for group projects and social interaction, Krieb said. A mobile device charging station ensures students

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Bethalto East Primary School Hosts Fun-Filled Touch-a-Truck Night

7 months ago
BETHALTO - Bethalto Community Unit School District #8 students and community members enjoyed a Touch-a-Truck night at Bethalto East Primary School. On Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, families came together to check out several big trucks in the Bethalto East parking lot. Kids could climb into the trucks and explore the interiors of an ambulance, firetruck, police car, UPS truck, tractor and many other vehicles. “What a beautiful evening for our Little Eagles to come together with their families and enjoy some fun!” Bethalto East Primary School said in a statement. “The excitement on faces, the giggles of joy, and seeing families spending time together, was exactly everything we hoped for!” Bethalto Community Unit School District #8 will also host a trunk-or-treat from 5–8 p.m. on Oct. 30, 2024, at Civic Memorial High School.

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Alton Man Ordered Detained After Firearm Discharge

7 months ago
ALTON - An Alton man remains in custody after being charged with firing a shotgun at an occupied Alton residence. Joshua T. Miller, 49, of Alton, was charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm, a Class 1 felony. On Oct. 2, 2024, Miller allegedly discharged a firearm at a residential property in the 300 block of Main Street in Alton. The victim in this case “reported that his front door was shot while he was sitting on the porch,” according to a petition to deny Miller’s pretrial release. Officers located birdshot shotgun pellets “lodged in the screen door, along with penetration marks,” the petition states. Using License Plate Recognition (LPR) cameras, officers were able to link a Chevrolet truck seen on video leaving the scene to Miller. After executing a search warrant at his residence, officers found “multiple shotguns capable of firing birdshot.” “Defendant admitted that the victim owed him money, but claimed he wa

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North Elementary Students Learn about Dental Health with Theater Presentation

7 months ago
ALTON/GODFREY - Students at North Elementary received a visit from the Land of Smiles to learn about dental health. On Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation presented the Land of Smiles show to second and third graders at North Elementary School. With the help of characters like Captain Super Grin, Terri Tooth Fairy, Toothpick and Caz Cavity, students learned the importance of brushing and flossing their teeth. “Theater as a teaching tool is something we think should be used as much as possible,” said Hadley Evansnash, one of the performers. “I think it’s a cool thing that Delta Dental does, taking the time and the money to make sure that this information is not just getting to kids, but getting to kids in a way that’s going to stick with them.” Evansnash and Kevin Brown, who plays Captain Super Grin, work with the National Theater for Children out of Minnesota. They have been traveling throughout Illinois for the past

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Meatpacking plants mostly pollute low-income, communities of color, EPA data shows

7 months ago
POSTVILLE, Iowa — In March, officials in Postville shut down its water treatment facility for two days as city employees worked to prevent polluted water from a meatpacking plant from entering the water supply. Agri Star Meat and Poultry had discharged more than 250,000 gallons of untreated food processing waste — blood, chemicals and other […]
John McCracken

LongHorn Steakhouse Implements Strict Safety Measures Before Reopening, 40 Team Members Cleared To Work

7 months ago
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS - LongHorn Steakhouse on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, released some statements and information about the reopening of the restaurant located at 6115 N. Illinois St., Fairview Heights. Ali Beemer, LongHorn Steakhouse manager of communications, said the following on behalf of the company: "The health and safety of our guests and team members is our top priority, which is why we voluntarily closed our restaurant on Oct. 2, 2024, and fully cooperated with the Health Department’s investigation. "During that time, we: Discarded all food items, food prep utensils and common guest touchpoint items, such as salt & pepper shakers, condiment bottles, breadboards and more. Contracted a third-party professional cleaning company to conduct a two-day disinfection process of the entire restaurant. Upon completion, no team member who previously worked in the restaurant was allowed to enter the building until having two consecutive negative tests for Shigella. To date, no Team

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Riverbend Libraries Participate In Library Crawl

7 months ago
ALTON - Several public libraries in the Riverbend will welcome new visitors throughout October with a popular program sponsored by the region’s library system. The 6th Annual Library Crawl invites patrons to explore new libraries throughout the Illinois Heartland Library System, which composes the southern half of the state. The Crawl also demonstrates the benefits of a library card, which allows users to check out materials from the libraries they visit. Some 173 libraries across central and southern Illinois are taking part in the Crawl, which runs from October 1 through October 31. Participating area public libraries include all three Hayner Public Library locations, including the main branch downtown at 326 Belle Street, the Alton Square Mall branch, and the Genealogy and Local History Library at 401 State Street. Other participating libraries include Bethalto, Roxana, Hartford, Wood River, East Alton, Madison, Glen Carbon, Edwardsville, Maryville, Jerseyville, Greenfield,

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