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Confluence Wealth Management Celebrates Clients and Crisis Food Center at Christmas Party

1 year 3 months ago
ALTON - Confluence Wealth Management recently welcomed over 200 guests to their client appreciation Christmas party, where they also raised $7,132 for Crisis Food Center. Confluence Wealth Management, a locally-owned financial planning and wealth management firm affiliated with Raymond James Financial Services, works with Riverbend residents across the community. Co-owners Jack Hoelscher and Robert Diaz were excited to see so many of their clients come together on Dec. 19, 2024, to celebrate and support a good cause. “It's just everybody getting together and having a good time and celebrating what a great year it’s been,” Hoelscher said. “One of the main reasons we got into this business is the people element and the relationships that we’re able to build.” Located at Old Bakery Beer Company, the party invited clients to connect with each other and learn more about Crisis Food Center, a local food pantry in downtown Alton. Clients were encouraged

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Celebrating National Ugly Sweater Day: Fun Ideas

1 year 3 months ago
As the holiday season approaches, many people look forward to various festivities that bring joy and camaraderie. Among these quirky celebrations is National Ugly Sweater Day, observed on the third Friday of December. This lighthearted occasion encourages individuals and groups to don their most outlandish and garish holiday sweaters, creating a fun and festive atmosphere. In this article, we will explore the origins of this unique celebration, provide creative ideas for participation, and share tips on how to make the most of your National Ugly Sweater Day experience. The Origins of National Ugly Sweater Day National Ugly Sweater Day emerged as a response to the growing trend of wearing garish holiday sweaters during the festive season. While it is difficult to pinpoint the exact origins of the day, it is widely believed to have gained popularity in the early 2000s alongside the broader movement of embracing all things quirky and kitschy in fashion. The day serves as a friendly reminde

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This Day in History on December 20: Louisiana Territory Transferred to the United States

1 year 3 months ago
December 20, 2024, marks a significant day in history, filled with events that have shaped our world across various dimensions. Turning to 1989, a pivotal year in world history, when the Berlin Wall fell, symbolizing the end of the Cold War and the beginning of a new era in Europe. On December 20 of that year, East and West Germany began the process of reunification. This monumental shift not only changed the political landscape of Germany but also set the stage for the expansion of the European Union and the promotion of democratic values across the continent. The reunification of Germany remains a powerful symbol of reconciliation and hope for nations divided by ideology. In 1803, December 20 also witnessed the formal transfer of the Louisiana Territory from France to the United States. This acquisition doubled the size of the nation and paved the way for westward expansion. The Louisiana Purchase is often hailed as one of Thomas Jefferson's most significant achievements, as i

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USDA’s Tyson Foods investigation collected thousands of documents. Would Donald Trump end it?

1 year 3 months ago
Despite remaining tight-lipped about its investigation into Tyson Foods, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has collected nearly 18,000 related documents. However, some worry the inquiry could end under the next Trump administration. In August, Investigate Midwest reported that the nation’s largest poultry processor was under investigation by the USDA’s Packers and Stockyard Division, the office […]
John McCracken

Submissions Open for 2025 World Water Day Photo Contest

1 year 3 months ago
EAST ALTON - The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC) is now accepting entries for the 2025 World Water Day Photo Contest. This year’s theme is Textures and Tones of the River. The submission deadline is February 14, 2025. Contestants may submit one photo per category. Each participant will have one photo professionally printed (cost covered by entry fees and NGRREC) for a photography exhibition at NGRREC. “This year’s theme highlights textures and tones of our river systems,” Swarovski Foundation – Waterschool USA Program Manager Jolena Pang said. “We’re also maintaining our tried-and-true categories from 2024, such as River Scenery, Wildlife, and Rivers & People.” The $20 entry fee (for adults) covers the cost of three photo submissions (maximum of three photos, one per category) and the professional printing of one image per contestant. Youth participants under 18 can enter free of charge. The overall prize

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Wyden Again Warns That ‘SS7’ Telecom Flaw Lets Foreign Countries Broadly Spy On American Communications

1 year 3 months ago
For many many years, experts have warned about massive longstanding flaws in Signaling System 7 (SS7, or Common Channel Signaling System 7), a series of protocols hackers can exploit to track user location, dodge encryption, and even record private conversations. Governments and various bad actors routinely exploit the flaw to covertly spy on wireless users around the planet without them […]
Karl Bode

St. Louis County clerk readies defense attorney as grand jury indictment looms

1 year 3 months ago
The St. Louis County clerk has hired an outside attorney after her attorney says she was indicted by a grand jury Wednesday. Sources familiar with the investigation say St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell green-lit the grand jury proceedings before leaving for vacation. But when papers were turned in to a judge Thursday morning, those specific indictment papers were not included—bringing into question if there's a possible internal dispute inside Bell's office over whether or…
Mark Maxwell, Sam Clancy and Brent Solomon