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Byron, Carlson, Petri & Kalb Male Athlete Of Month: Drew Kleinheider Leads McGivney Baseball With Stellar Season

1 year 2 months ago
GLEN CARBON - Drew Kleinheider was part of the "heart and soul" of the Father McGivney Catholic boys baseball team this past season. He has played the past three years as the starting shortstop and was one of the captains for his high school baseball team. McGivney was 38-4 overall during last year's baseball season. He played in every game during his senior season, and Kleinheider never went a season without recording more than 50 hits. He finished with a batting average of .413 last year. Kleinheider is a Byron, Carlson, Petri & Kalb Male Athlete of the Month for the Griffins. Kleinheider’s offensive contributions were matched by his speed and versatility. Last season, he stole 49 bases, showcasing his ability to impact the game on the basepaths. Known for his grit and consistent performance, he frequently hit third in the batting order and was a key run producer for his team. He was a guard for the Griffins boys' basketball team. Defensively, Kleinheider maintained a hig

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Fundraiser Supports Fire-Damaged Mustang Sanctuary

1 year 2 months ago
ALHAMBRA - Alex Odom and two others are organizing a fundraiser to support the Legendary Mustang Sanctuary after a recent fire damaged the sanctuary’s home. The Legendary Mustang Sanctuary, which rescues and rehabilitates wild mustang horses and burros, suffered fire damage to one room and smoke damage throughout the rest of the home. The sanctuary’s mission focuses on healing sick and abused animals, restoring their natural spirit, and ultimately placing them in permanent, loving homes. The Legendary Mustang Sanctuary is located at 10107 Klenke Road in Alhambra, IL., 62001. “I volunteer for the Legendary Mustang Sanctuary, and their core mission is to rescue as many of the wild mustang horses and burros as we possibly can, gentling them by healing the sick and abused, restoring the natural spirit, and winning their confidence and trust,” Odom said. “They have helped me and many others countless times, and their selfless actions are why I wish to try

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Alton Residents Urge City Officials To Keep State Street Trails Non-Commercial

1 year 2 months ago
ALTON – Alton residents living near the State Street Trails voiced opposition to the property becoming a commercial development at Wednesday’s City Council meeting. Nicholas Goewey, who has reportedly been working on the trails for the past 19 years and secured city approval to operate them years ago, wrote in a June 2025 post on the State Street Trails Instagram page that the property was being targeted by a “troubling neighbor” who was allegedly getting other residents to complain to city officials about the trails. Goewey said he was told by the Alton Police Department at the time that if enough neighbors complained to the city’s Building and Zoning Department, the trails may be shut down entirely. A follow-up post on Aug. 22, 2025 confirmed the trails would likely be shut down because they “are not zoned properly.” Keeley Bogart, who lives in the nearby Norside neighborhood, thanked city officials at Wednesday’s meeting

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Bethalto School District Gives Update on Discolored Water, Asks for Water Donations

1 year 2 months ago
BETHALTO - Following reports of discolored water in the Village of Bethalto, Bethalto Community Unit School District #8 Superintendent Dr. Jill Griffin gave an update on the district’s water use during the regular Board of Education meeting on Aug. 28, 2025. Griffin thanked many community members and public officials for donating water to the district’s students and staff members. She noted that while this week’s water has been “the clearest water that we’ve had consistently” in some time, they still need water donations to ensure the school community has safe water for drinking and cooking. “We bring quality water into our kitchens to cook with and prepare food,” she explained. “We’re bringing water in right now in all of our kitchens, and then we’re also bringing water and bottles of water for students and staff right now while we wait for things to clear up with the Village.” Griffin thanked the kitchen

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St. Louis changes its family and medical leave policy

1 year 2 months ago
ST. LOUIS - The City of St. Louis is changing its family and medical leave policy. Mayor Cara Spencer says workers now cannot use paid family and medial leave until they have used their accrued medical leave, sick leave, vacation leave and comp time. Paid family and medial leave was a benefit passed by city ordinance in 2022, providing [...]
Joey Schneider

South STL native excelling at Princeton University

1 year 2 months ago
Joseph Harris, a first-generation college student from South City, is starting his sophomore year at Princeton University, balancing a rigorous academic schedule with football practice, while being a role model for his three younger brothers.
Blair Ledet

Bethalto School Board Votes to Table AI and Constitution Day Resolutions

1 year 2 months ago
BETHALTO - During their regular meeting on Aug. 28, 2025, the Bethalto Community Unit School District #8 Board of Education voted to table two items regarding the use of AI and the implementation of Constitution Day. Both items were spearheaded by Board member Dallas Zimmerman, who explained that he wants to see “responsible AI use” by the school district, starting with Board operations. He proposed using AI to record, transcribe and summarize Board meetings. “It’s just about good governance,” Zimmerman said. “Board members are charged with ensuring the efficiency and the accountability and the transparency of our district operations, and adopting AI for Board use is a step forward in that.” Director of Teaching and Learning Dr. Alyssa Smith added that the district put out a survey to the district community to create a committee to build an AI policy. This committee includes Board members, union leaders, and other teachers and administrators.

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Week Without Driving Challenge, Bike Bus Both Return to Edwardsville in September

1 year 2 months ago
EDWARDSVILLE – The City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee is encouraging everyone who can to try going a week without driving, and is offering students a chance to do their part by traveling to school via the Bike Bus. The Week Without Driving challenge and Bike Bus are two initiatives championed by the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, which focuses on education and accessibility issues for pedestrians and cyclists in Edwardsville. The Week Without Driving is happening this year from September 29 to October 5. The idea is simple: Try to avoid taking a solo trip in a vehicle during the designated week. Instead, consider walking, biking, taking public transportation, carpooling or hailing a ride service. It’s not a failure if you must drive, but organizers suggest using the opportunity to consider the costs and impact on people whose options aren’t so varied. “Encourage others and your family and your neighbors to try it out,”

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