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FBI now says driver responsible for deadly New Orleans rampage acted alone

7 months 3 weeks ago
NEW ORLEANS (AP) β€” The U.S. Army veteran who drove a pickup truck into a crowd of New Year’s revelers acted alone, the FBI said Thursday, reversing its position from a day earlier that he likely worked with others in carrying out the deadly attack, which officials say was an act of terrorism inspired by [...]
ERIC TUCKER, JIM MUSTIAN, KEVIN McGILL and JACK BROOK, Associated Press

Hope Animal Rescues to Host 50s-Themed Trivia Night Fundraiser

7 months 3 weeks ago
GODFREY/COLLINSVILLE - Hope Animal Rescues will host their 19th annual trivia event to raise money for their dog rescue mission. On Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, community members are invited to Madison County Fireman’s Hall at 9510 Collinsville Road in Collinsville for a retro 50s-themed trivia night. The evening will include a silent auction, a 50/50 raffle, grab bags, prizes and more, and all proceeds will go to Hope Animal Rescues. “We have a blast,” said Jackie Spiker, director of Hope. “It’s one of our biggest fundraisers of the whole year, so it really helps us with our mission each year to be able to pay for the vetting of the rescue dogs that we take in. It’s a great event. Every year we have a lot of fun.” Hope rescues dogs from animal control facilities on the day they are scheduled to be euthanized. The organization pays to get the dogs spayed or neutered, microchipped and vaccinated. They also handle any additional veterinarian

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Riverbend Dental Opens Office in Jerseyville, Welcomes New Dentist to the Team

7 months 3 weeks ago
GODFREY/JERSEYVILLE - Riverbend Dental has opened a new office in Jerseyville, and they welcome Dr. Ryan Schmidlkofer to their team. The dental business previously had offices in Alton and Godfrey. They welcome new and returning patients to their Godfrey office at 5209 Mae Drive and their new Jerseyville office at 105 South State Street. Amy Sikes, Director of Lab Operations, noted the business’s eagerness to expand and introduce additional doctors to the community. “Honestly, the timing just all fell into place,” Sikes said. “We’re very excited that this move worked out. I know both of our dental office teams are super excited.” Riverbend Dental decided to close their Alton office and open in Jerseyville when Dr. Randall Toppmeyer, a dentist based in Jerseyville, reached out wanting to sell his practice and retire soon after. Riverbend Dental realized that many of their patients were traveling from Jerseyville (and surrounding towns) to

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Hayner Library Preps for 2025 with Caregiving, Nature, Cooking Programs and More

7 months 3 weeks ago
ALTON - The Hayner Public Library District has a busy new year ahead. Mary Cordes, Hayner’s executive director, outlined some of the upcoming programs and events that the library will offer in the next few months. She encourages people to come by the library and enjoy all of the activities they have planned. “It has been a very good year,” Cordes said. “We’ve got a lot coming up in January, and we hope to see everybody there.” Starting in January, community members are invited to a three-part series on dementia that the library is sponsoring in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association. Caregivers can attend “Building Foundations of Caregiving and Supporting Independence” from 6–7:30 p.m. on Jan. 16, 2025. This will be followed by “Communicating Effectively and Responding to Dementia-Related Behaviors” on Feb. 20 and “Exploring Care and Support Services” on March 13. “There

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Sex Offender Detained After Failure To Register

7 months 3 weeks ago
GRANITE CITY - A local sex offender remains in custody after failing to register and repeatedly failing to comply with court orders. Bryon G. Rodgers, 58, listed as homeless out of Granite City, was charged with failure to register with local authorities on a weekly basis, as is legally required for sex offenders with no fixed address. A petition to deny his pretrial release states Rodgers was seen by officers in a CVS shortly before he was arrested for failing to register. The petition notes Rodgers has not registered since September of 2024 and has since “picked up two prior charges for failure to register, for which he is on conditions of release.” He also reportedly failed to appear in court for two other criminal cases against him, both of which were filed in Madison County within the past year. At the time of the petition’s writing, Rodgers had still not registered as a sex offender. Rodgers faces a Class 3 felony in his latest case, which was presented

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Winter Driving Safety Checklist

7 months 3 weeks ago
Driving in winter conditions can be challenging and dangerous if you’re not properly prepared. Snow, ice, and reduced visibility require extra caution and preparation. Use this checklist to ensure you and your vehicle are ready for winter roads. 1. Prepare Your Vehicle Ensuring your car is ready for winter conditions can make all the difference in staying safe. Inspect Tires : Check the tread depth on your tires or consider switching to snow tires for better traction. Properly inflated tires also improve handling in icy conditions. Check Battery Health : Cold weather can weaken your car battery. Ensure it’s fully charged and in good condition. Top Off Fluids : Keep windshield washer fluid full with a winter-grade solution to prevent freezing. Check your oil and antifreeze levels as well. Replace Wiper Blades : Worn-out wipers can’t handle heavy snow or ice. Install winter-grade blades for optimal performance. Carry Chains or Traction Aids : For areas wit

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Missouri Women in Trades Re-Elects Officers

7 months 3 weeks ago
From St. Louis/Southern Illinois Labor Tribune:Β  Members of Missouri Women in Trades (MOWIT) met Dec. 7 for their annual retreat and planning session at the Golden Hoosier and re-elected officers to serve an additional one-year term. The officers include: Norma West of Stagehands Local 6, who will serve as treasurer; Dawn Fleming of Carpenters Local […]
Dede Hance

How to Prepare for a Major Snowstorm

7 months 3 weeks ago
When a major snowstorm is on the horizon, preparation is key to staying safe and comfortable. Use these practical tips to ensure you're ready for the worst while making the experience more manageable. 1. Stock Up on Essentials Even if a snowstorm is expected to last only a couple of days, the aftermath can bring extended challenges. Food and Water : Roads may remain hazardous or blocked even after the storm stops, delaying grocery restocks and deliveries. Power outages could spoil perishable foods in your fridge, making it essential to have shelf-stable options like canned goods, granola bars, and dried fruits. Ensure at least one gallon of water per person per day to account for drinking, cooking, and basic hygiene needs. Medications : Pharmacies might close or face delays, so having a full supply of essential prescriptions is critical, especially for chronic conditions. Household Items : Essentials like toilet paper, pet food, and baby supplies can run out quickly if you’re

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Local Grocery Stores Prepare for Winter Storm

7 months 3 weeks ago
ALTON - With a winter storm predicted for this weekend, local grocery stores are preparing for an influx of customers. People are encouraged to make their grocery trips as soon as possible and remain patient with employees. Managers at Schwegel’s and Schnucks in Alton said they have ordered more staple foods like bread and milk, and they are working to support their employees through the busy shopping days leading up to the storm. “We try to have fun with it. That way we don’t cry,” said Karen Flowers-Raymond, customer service manager at Alton’s Schnucks location. “Just be patient. We are on a holiday week, and we’re doing the best we can.” Flowers-Raymond said that Schnucks management came together on New Year’s Eve to assess their schedule for the next few days. Though many of their employees are off for the holidays, they worked to bring in as many employees as possible. They also noted which employees live farthest awa

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