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St. Louis County Eyes Land Bank for Vacant Homes

11 months 2 weeks ago
From St. Louis Business Journal:  The St. Louis County Council will soon consider whether to create a land bank in St. Louis County. The idea, which appeared on the council agenda this week but has not yet been formally introduced, was sponsored by two council members who represent districts in north St. Louis County, Shalonda […]
Dede Hance

Highway Shutdown in Metro-East

11 months 2 weeks ago

Motorists who use Interstate 255 in the Metro-East are reminded that a stretch of that highway will be shut down in both directions for about 6 months beginning on Saturday. Details from KTRS’ Steve Potter. Officials say that by shutting down the highway completely in both directions construction work will be completed in 6 months…

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The Latest: Collision between passenger jet and Army helicopter near DC leaves no survivors

11 months 2 weeks ago

There were no survivors after a collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and an Army helicopter at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport near Washington, D.C. The plane carried 60 passengers and four crew members. Three soldiers were on board the helicopter. All 67 are believed to have been killed in the late Wednesday accident.…

The post The Latest: Collision between passenger jet and Army helicopter near DC leaves no survivors appeared first on The Big 550 KTRS.

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How Does Ladder Use Cost Your Company?

11 months 2 weeks ago
From Construction Business Owner:  The construction industry is burdened with a massive productivity problem. And ladder use is contributing to it. Ladders can cause wasteful motion, which leads to fatigue and reduces productivity. The less productive contractors are, the more costly it is. According to a McKinsey Global Institute report, lagging construction productivity costs the […]
Dede Hance

Pontoon Beach to Offer Free Flag Football Program for Local Girls

11 months 2 weeks ago
PONTOON BEACH - This winter, local girls can learn how to play flag football. The free Open Field program will run from Feb. 20 to March 27, 2025, at the Field Sports Complex in Pontoon Beach. Every Thursday from 6–7:30 p.m., girls ages 5–7 and 8–12 can participate in a flag football training program that will teach the basics of the sport, encourage friendships and build athletic ability. Coach Andre Collins noted that he has enjoyed coaching girls flag football, and he hopes more new athletes will come out and learn to love the sport. “This is the most fun I’ve ever had,” said Collins, who coaches through Champions Sports Academy. “This program will be at no cost at all, and it’s just open field. So girls will come, there will be a little bit of instruction, but then we’ll just play the game. I want them to just have fun playing flag football.” Collins started teaching flag football in spring 2024, after he learned

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Forest Park’s Next Chapter

11 months 2 weeks ago
From St. Louis Business Journal:  Like many St. Louisans, Fred Ruhrwien has fond childhood memories of Forest Park. His family didn’t have a car until he was 12, so Ruhrwien’s father would borrow one to take the family to the park from their home in north St. Louis in the late 1930s. “We’d watch that […]
Dede Hance

Spencer Homes Female Athlete Of The Month: Mia Semith's All-Around Skills Elevate Tigers' Performance

11 months 2 weeks ago
EDWARDSVILLE - Mia Semith, who emerged as an important player for Edwardsville's girls basketball team last season, is proving to be a key player for the Tigers this season as well. Semith hit for 11 points in Edwardsville's big 50-46 win over O'Fallon on Jan. 28, 2025, at Lucco-Jackson Gym, and has been up among the leading scorers in recent games as well. She currently averages a team-leading 11.8 points-per-game, and also averages 6.5 rebounds-per-game, also having 20 assists, 25 steals, and 14 blocked shots. Mia is a Spencer Homes Female Athlete Of The Month for the Tigers. In her postgame interview, Semith felt she had a good game, and was happy to help the Tigers overcome O'Fallon on the night. She said: "I felt like we worked really hard this week in practice, and we performed really well tonight. Alandyn (Simmons) had a big night, with 20 (points). I really helped; I think I played solid defense, Layne (Logan) did a great job guarding Josie (Christopher), and I feel

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Pritzker, Winters, Announce Record High Enrollment On State's Health Insurance Marketplace

11 months 2 weeks ago
CHICAGO - Today, Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Insurance (IDOI), and Get Covered Illinois announced a record high 17% jump in enrollment numbers for the 2025 Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment Period. Nearly 466,000 Illinoisans enrolled in Get Covered Illinois Marketplace plans since November 1st. Nationally, the total number of people who signed up for Marketplace coverage reached more than 24 million . “For the second year in a row, we are seeing more working families accessing affordable, high-quality health insurance plans made available through the Get Covered Illinois Marketplace,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “On average, Illinois residents saved $540 a month on health insurance costs through enhanced subsidies offered on the marketplace, underscoring both my administration’s commitment to lowering the cost of health care and the incredible value the Affordable Care Act brings to our residents.” Earlier this

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Lunchtime Photo

11 months 2 weeks ago
This is the Maria Therese chapel at Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna. I wasn't supposed to be where I was to take this picture, but there was no one around to tsktsk me and what's the harm? But it does show that you have to keep an eye on photographers every second or they'll just ramble ...continue reading "Lunchtime Photo"
Kevin Drum

Section of I-255 Closing Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, For $65.4 Million Rehabilitation, Resurfacing

11 months 2 weeks ago
COLLINSVILLE – The Illinois Department of Transportation is reminding the public that a full closure of Interstate 255 in both directions between Illinois 157 to Illinois 15 goes into effect early Saturday, weather permitting, as part of an accelerated $65.4 million rehabilitation and resurfacing. Made possible by the historic, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program, the project is the second of five phases to repair and improve I-255 in Illinois, an effort being done faster, cheaper and safer by closing the work zone to traffic when possible. “The reputation of I-255 as one of the roughest stretches of road in the state is well-known, but that’s about to change,” said Acting Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi. “By strategically closing the work zone, we are delivering these much-needed improvements quicker and at a reduced cost. We look forward to providing safer, more reliable travel throughout the region for you and your families

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Scott AFB Open House & STEM EXPO Is Set For Early Summer

11 months 2 weeks ago
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE - Team Scott is excited for its annual Open House and STEM EXPO From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 14, 2025. This event is free and open to the public, no base access required. There will be static aircraft displays, STEM Exhibits and a Career Field Village. Anticipated Static Aircraft Displays B-25 GA-8 PT-17 C-172 PT-19 C-182 PT-26 HE-1 P-51 C130J DH-115 TMB Avenger C-21 Please visit https://www.scott.af.mil/Open-House-STEM-Expo-2025/ for the latest updates on displays and exhibits. If you have any questions, please email 2nd Lieutenant Faith Powers 375amw.pa.org@us.af.mil.

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HSHS St. Elizabeth's Hospital In O'Fallon Recaps Year Of Quality Recognitions

11 months 2 weeks ago
O’FALLON — HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital announces a year filled with significant achievements in quality care and a commitment to excellence. With numerous recognitions and accreditations earned over the past year, the hospital has exhibited its dedication to delivering exceptional care that consistently meets or exceeds national standards and more importantly ensures patients have access to quality care services. These accomplishments reflect the hard work, dedication and expertise of staff, providers and other partners, who each play a vital role in ensuring the well-being of every patient, underscoring St. Elizabeth’s colleagues’ dedication to quality, innovation and industry leadership. Some of the accreditations and recognitions received in the past year include: The radiation oncology team was awarded a three-year term of accreditation after a review by the American College of Radiology (ACR). The ACR is the nation’s oldest and most widel

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