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Trailblazing K-9 Bonnie Of St. Charles County Police Retires After Eight Years of Service

9 months 3 weeks ago
ST. CHARLES CO. - Bonnie, a St. Charles County K-9 Electronic Detection Dog, and now School Resource Officer K-9, is calling it quits after eight years of catching sex offenders and human traffickers that used electronic devices to commit their crimes. The St. Charles County Police Department is celebrating Bonnie’s eight years of faithful service September 20th at 10 a.m. with a retirement ceremony, where his many accomplishments will be acknowledged and rewarded with baskets of gifts and treats from local pet supporters. The ceremony will be at the St. Charles County Police Department (101 Sheriff Dierker Ct., O’Fallon, MO). Bonnie, a 10-year-old Labrador Retriever, began her career in 2016 with an initial 5-week training in Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) with the Connecticut State Police K-9 Unit. The Connecticut State Police K-9 Unit was the first in the world to train K-9’s in detection of ESD’s. Upon Bonnie’s completion of training in April 2016,

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The Fed says its long-awaited rate cut is apolitical, even close to the presidential election

9 months 3 weeks ago
The Federal Reserve’s first key interest rate cut in four years coincides with another major four-year event: the homestretch of the presidential election. Fed Chair Jerome Powell downplayed the central bank’s role in the race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump on Wednesday, in announcing the half-percentage point cut in its […]
Casey Quinlan

Lilli Ray: A Standout Since Freshman Year Is A Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athlete Of Month

9 months 3 weeks ago
ROXANA – Lilli Ray, a standout athlete at Roxana High School, has been recognized as the Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month. Ray, who has excelled in both softball and volleyball, batted .347 this past season under the guidance of Coach Wade Stahlhut. She recorded 25 hits and 18 RBIs in 20 games, according to Max Preps. Ray's athletic prowess extends beyond the softball field. In the fall, she serves as a defensive specialist for the Roxana girls' volleyball team. Coach Stahlhut has praised her consistent performance since her freshman year, noting her hard work and dedication. "We expect the same growth in her in the 2025 season," Stahlhut said. "We are very fortunate to have her. She is extremely hard-working and has some of the same characteristics as our other girls." Ray's contributions to her teams are not limited to her offensive skills. Coach Stahlhut emphasized her defensive capabilities, highlighting her well-rounded talent. The recognition

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"Best Year Ever": Belleville's Art on the Square Announces New Co-Directors

9 months 3 weeks ago
BELLEVILLE - The beloved Belleville Art on the Square foundation and festival has two new co-directors. The Art on the Square organization announced that Rebecca Boyer and Karl Gilpin will step into the roles previously held by Carol Bartle and Stephanie Dorris. The two new directors will see the organization through its 2025 festival on May 16–18, 2025. “It is exciting,” Boyer said. “Karl and I know there’s a lot that needs to be done, but we have a great team. They’re able and willing to help us pull this off.” Gilpin shared that Art on the Square was in a “precarious situation.” It was unclear whether the festival would happen in 2025. He encouraged Boyer to take on the director role. When she said she was too busy for the position, they agreed to come on as co-directors and collaborate to make the festival a success. “We started talking about it. I was like, well, we can’t let this thing die,” Gilpi

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Making an IMPACT Foundation Holds Third Annual Sporting Clay Classic

9 months 3 weeks ago
The Making an IMPACT Foundation, a charitable foundation established by IMPACT Strategies of Fairview Heights, IL, held its third annual Sporting Clay Classic on September 13. The event, held at NILO Farms in Brighton, IL, raised more than $20,000 for Hoyleton Youth and Family Services. IMPACT has much appreciation for our 20 subcontractor business partners […]
Dede Hance

Missouri Rural Roads & Bridges Among Most Deteriorated in U.S.

9 months 3 weeks ago
America’s rural transportation system is in need of repairs and modernization to support economic growth and improve traffic safety, but the US faces a $198 billion backlog in funding for needed repairs and improvements to its rural transportation system. This is according to a new report released today by TRIP, a national transportation research nonprofit. The […]
Dede Hance

Weekend Events

9 months 3 weeks ago

This weekend thousands will be attending outdoor festivals of all kinds across the St. Louis region. There are lots of choices…  The Greater STL Hispanic Festival runs thru Sunday at Soulard Park. On Saturday its the Great Forest Park Balloon Race.  The Harvest Fest in Augusta features a parade and pie contest, and at the STL…

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Harris plans a livestream with Oprah Winfrey while Trump is set to address an Israeli-American group

9 months 3 weeks ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are set to make appearances that are meant to fire up core supporters. Harris is participating in a livestream Thursday night with Oprah Winfrey in Michigan. Trump is scheduled to attend an evening event in Washington with prominent Jewish donors before addressing a gathering of the Israeli-American…

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Explorers' Rising Star Eccles Runs Great Time, She Is A Tucker's Automotive Repair & Tire Female Athlete Of Month

9 months 3 weeks ago
ALTON - Freshman Sabrina Eccles has quickly established herself as a rising star for Marquette Catholic's Explorers cross-country team. Eccles, who has already broken the 23-minute mark for a three-mile distance, posted a time of 22:29.4 on Sept. 7, 2024, in the Granite City Invite, securing 102nd place. Eccles' performance at the Granite City Invite follows her earlier achievements this season. She placed 25th at the CM Twilight Invite on Aug. 31 with a time of 25:22.1 and clocked in at 24:53.9 on Sept. 3 in the Carlinville Early Meet. Recognized for her dedication and performance, Eccles has been named a Tucker's Automotive Repair & Tire Female Athlete of the Month for Marquette. "I really enjoy being a member of the cross country team," Eccles said. "My goals at the beginning was to beat my sister Cassidy Eccles." With her love for cross country and running "a lot," Eccles' future in the sport appears promising, particularly as she is only in her freshman year. Again, congrats

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Armed carjacking at Richmond Heights Rec Center, suspects sought

9 months 3 weeks ago
RICHMOND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- Police are investigating an armed carjacking that targeted a 72-year-old man outside The Heights Recreation Center on Wednesday. The incident happened at around 5:50 p.m. in the center's parking lot. According to police, three young men approached the victim, initially asking to use his cell phone. The situation quickly escalated when [...]
Joe Millitzer