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Lunchtime Photo

10 months 2 weeks ago
I believe this area of the Mojave Desert is zoned for single-family homes, but it looks like a pair of enterprising critters have decided to build a duplex anyway. They probably did this before SB9 got struck down.
Kevin Drum

Mayor Art Risavy, Rep. Katie Stuart Announce $2M Grant To Create Goshen Commons Downtown

10 months 2 weeks ago
EDWARDSVILLE - State Rep. Katie Stuart and Mayor Art Risavy on Tuesday, August 20, announced that the City of Edwardsville will receive a $2 million grant to transform a section of St. Louis Street in the heart of downtown into a community-centric public commons area. The Goshen Commons project will create a pedestrian-friendly public courtyard that encompasses the one-block area of St. Louis Street between North Main Street and North Second Street. When completed, the inviting streetscape will incorporate greenspace, an expansive gathering area and walkways framed overhead by a network of string lights. Other potential amenities could include oversize game boards for chess and checkers and a pavilion to accommodate performances and events. “Investing in our communities is essential in order to keep us on the path to a thriving, prosperous future with enhanced quality of life for residents and visitors alike,” Rep. Stuart said. “The upgrades we’ve secured fo

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A look at how federal plans could make the costs of housing more affordable

10 months 2 weeks ago
As renters and would-be homeowners struggle with the high cost of housing, the Biden administration has announced policies to address this strain on household budgets. That includes $100 million in funding for a program to incentivize affordable housing production and streamlining loan application processes to expedite building more housing. Some of those proposals โ€“ such […]
Casey Quinlan

Belt: Belleville, O'Fallon Schools, Others, Receive Large Amounts In Evidence-Based Funding

10 months 2 weeks ago
SWANSEA — State Senator Christopher Belt announced that 25 school districts across the area will receive over $12 million in additional funding to help address the financial challenges of recent years. From state evidence-based funding, Belleville Township High School District 201 will receive $3,044,940, while the Belleville School District 118 will receive $630,379, and the Cahokia Community Unit School District 187 will receive $182,264. Dupo Community Unit School District will receive $138,373 and East St. Louis School District will receive $4,450. In this evidence-based funding, the O’Fallon Community Consolidated School District 90 nets $1,888,753 in this funding while O’Fallon Township High School District 203 receives a total of $1,438,918. Shiloh Village School District 85 will get $144,022 and the St. Clair Regional Office of Education Safe School will receive $111,027. “Evidence-based funding makes a world of difference in school districts tha

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Alton Police Inspire Youth at YWCA Career Event

10 months 2 weeks ago
ALTON - Sgt. Manny Espinoza and Officer Steven Vaughn of the Alton Police Department engaged with local youths at the Alton YWCA’s “Career Cruisin” event recently. The officers participated in the event, aimed at providing career insights to young attendees. Held at the Alton YWCA, the “Career Cruisin” event offered an opportunity for the community's youth to explore various career paths. Sgt. Espinoza and Officer Vaughn represented the Alton Police Department, sharing their experiences and answering questions about careers in law enforcement. "We had a great time being there and interacting with area youths," Sgt. Espinoza said. The officers emphasized the department's continuous search for new recruits, hoping to inspire some of the young attendees to consider a future in policing. The Alton Police Department frequently engages in community events like these to build relationships and foster interest in public service careers.

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East Alton Fire Department Hosts Crucial Blood Drive Aug. 30

10 months 2 weeks ago
EAST ALTON – The East Alton Fire Department is set to host a blood drive at the Keasler Recreation Complex, located at 615 3rd St., on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. The event will take place in the auditorium from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This initiative comes in response to a critical blood shortage that has been widely reported in the media. East Alton Fire Chief Tim Quigley highlighted the urgency of the situation, noting that "the blood shortage is visible on TV and in the news." He emphasized that this drive is particularly crucial during a time of year when blood supplies are typically low due to factors like snow and ice-related car accidents. “We haven’t had a blood drive here since I’ve been with the department, and I’m hoping this will be a very successful event,” Quigley said. “It’s important for the community to come together and help.” Gabriel Parker, who is actively promoting the event, expressed optimism about the turnout. “We’re

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O'Fallon Police Engage Community, Raise $4,100 for Special Olympics, Torch Run Efforts

10 months 2 weeks ago
SHILOH — The O'Fallon Police Department hosted a highly successful fundraiser at Texas Roadhouse on Central Park Circle in Shiloh on Monday night, Aug. 19, 2024, raising $4,100 for its Special Olympics and Torch Run initiatives. The event, held last evening, saw strong community support through cash donations, merchandise sales, and a portion of food sales contributed by the restaurant. "We just wanted to give a quick thank you to the community for all of your support during our Tip-a-Cop event at Texas Roadhouse last evening," the O'Fallon Police stated. "Between cash donations, merchandise sales, and the food sales donation from Texas Roadhouse, we raised just over $4,100. We expect that number to go up just a bit after all the credit card donations are tallied." The fundraiser provided an opportunity for the police department to engage with the community and Special Olympics athletes. "Here at OPD we're thankful to live and work in such a supportive community. It was grea

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Person Fatally Struck in the 5300 Block of Wilborn Drive in the City of Jennings

10 months 2 weeks ago
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO. — An adult female was fatally struck by a motor vehicle early Tuesday morning in the 5300 block of Wilborn Drive, according to the St. Louis County Police Department. At approximately 12:53 a.m., officers from the City of Jennings Precinct responded to a call reporting a person struck in the area. Upon arrival, they discovered the woman who had been hit by a vehicle. She was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment but later succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased. Initial investigations by the Bureau of Crimes Against Persons detectives and the Accident Reconstruction Unit indicate that the woman was walking on Wilborn Drive when she was struck by a vehicle that subsequently fled the scene. The investigation remains ongoing, and further details will be released as they become available. Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding the incident to contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210. For those wishin

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Alton Cemetery's History: Behind the Scenes with Vintage Voices

10 months 2 weeks ago
ALTON - Vintage Voices promises another great year of storytelling and history. As part of Vintage Voices, actors portray real people who are buried in the Alton Cemetery. They tell stories about each person’s life and how they impacted the community. This year, the Vintage Voices tours are scheduled for October 5, 6, 12 and 13, 2024. “We are a group of people very committed to keeping the history of Alton and the surrounding community alive,” said Jody Basola, chair of the Vintage Voices committee. “There is so much great history and so many great stories to be told. “ Basola explained that the Vintage Voices committee begins their work in January. They partner with Hayner Library to research people who are buried in the Alton Cemetery. Once they’ve narrowed down their search to eight or nine people, they hold auditions in June. The actors are given information about their characters and then, with the help of the directors and the

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Giannoulias Awards $2.5 Million to the Metro East Auto Theft Task Force

10 months 2 weeks ago
BELLEVILLE - To support operations and expand specialized investigations into carjackings and vehicle thefts, the Metro East Auto Theft Task Force (MEATTF) is receiving more than $2.4 million in new grant funding, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced today. MEATTF was reestablished in 2019 and is based out of the St. Clair County Sheriff’s office. The taskforce consists of partnerships with area law enforcement agencies and Madison, Monroe and St. Clair counties. The grant funding will enable MEATTF to continue operations and expand specialized investigations into crimes related to vehicular hijacking, auto theft, insurance fraud and recyclable metal theft. “For many of us, our vehicle serves as a lifeline. We depend on it for work, running errands, shuttling our kids around to practices and camps and visiting loved ones,” said Giannoulias. “To have it stolen can have terrible consequences for families and upend their lives. This

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Illinois Treasurer Visits Alton to Promote Innovation, Start-Ups in Alton and the Region ย 

10 months 2 weeks ago
ALTON – On Wednesday, August 7, Illinois State Treasurer Michael W. Frerichs met with nearly two dozen regional leaders and business professionals to promote economic prosperity, innovation, and job growth in the southern Illinois region. Frerichs shared information about the Illinois Growth and Innovation Fund (ILGIF), which is an evergreen, $1.5 billion impact investment fund that invests in ways to attract, retain and assist quality technology-enabled businesses in Illinois. The treasurer’s office does this by making targeted investments with venture capital (VC), growth equity, and private credit firms with a nexus to the State of Illinois. “A key component to my job as Illinois State Treasurer is to bring government and business leaders together to inspire and invest in opportunity and economic growth in the State of Illinois,” said Frerichs. “I’m hoping this visit will help lay a solid foundation in southern Illinois that we believe

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Edwardsville Announces Intersection Closure Near Downtown

10 months 2 weeks ago
EDWARDSVILLE - The City of Edwardsville announced today (Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024) that an intersection near downtown has been closed for road repairs. The intersection of Oak Lane and West High Street is currently closed, with work expected to last two or more weeks. The closure will allow the City to make repairs stemming from a previous water main break. A map of the affected area is available below and at the top of this story. North Second Street, Clay Street, Scott Street and other surrounding roads are still open and available to bypass the closure. The announcement was also made on the city's Facebook page , where they thanked the public for their patience and apologized for the inconvenience.

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SLATE Announces St. Louis Regional Job Expo for Veterans

10 months 2 weeks ago
ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE), in partnership with the City of St. Louis, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, and Jefferson/Franklin Region Job Centers, is excited to host the first annual St. Louis Regional Job Expo for veterans on Thursday, August 22, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Soldiers Memorial Military Museum, 1315 Chestnut Street, Downtown St. Louis. This year’s Expo will feature more than 30 businesses seeking to hire veterans and more than 15 resource providers offering essential services in areas such as housing, health care, and VA claims. The event is open to veterans, military spouses, transitioning military, and Guard and Reserve members, as well as all job seekers. “Veterans often face challenges in finding civilian roles that match their skills, as well as navigating essential services like mental health support, housing, healthcare, and education. Our Expo on August 22 brings together the best resources and employment

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