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The Institute For Local Self Reliance (disclosure: I have done writing and research for them) has released an updated interactive map of every community-owned and operated broadband network in the U.S. All told, there’s now 400 community-owned broadband networks serving more than 700 U.S. towns and cities nationwide, and the pace of growth shows no […]

EDWARDSVILLE – Brendan McKee was appointed to serve as the next fire chief for the Edwardsville Fire Department, receiving unanimous approval from the City Council at the Tuesday, October 1, meeting. McKee will step in to the role later this month to replace Chief James Whiteford, who is retiring after 28 years with the department. McKee has been Edwardsville’s deputy chief since 2020. “Our community has benefited tremendously from the leadership and professionalism of Fire Chief James Whiteford. We are equally fortunate that he surrounded himself with a team of unparalleled expertise, experience and dedication,” Mayor Art Risavy said. “Deputy Chief Brendan McKee exemplifies that kind of professional depth. He is well known as a fire service expert; he is well regarded and well respected in Edwardsville and throughout the region.” McKee will officially take over as chief after Whiteford’s final day on the job, Friday, October 11. That same day,

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EDWARDSVILLE – Brendan McKee was appointed to serve as the next fire chief for the Edwardsville Fire Department, receiving unanimous approval from the City Council at the Tuesday, October 1, meeting. McKee will step in to the role later this month to replace Chief James Whiteford, who is retiring after 28 years with the department. McKee has been Edwardsville’s deputy chief since 2020. “Our community has benefited tremendously from the leadership and professionalism of Fire Chief James Whiteford. We are equally fortunate that he surrounded himself with a team of unparalleled expertise, experience and dedication,” Mayor Art Risavy said. “Deputy Chief Brendan McKee exemplifies that kind of professional depth. He is well known as a fire service expert; he is well regarded and well respected in Edwardsville and throughout the region.” McKee will officially take over as chief after Whiteford’s final day on the job, Friday, October 11. That same day,

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Nearly six months after her daughter's disappearance, a rural Illinois woman is asking that more deputies be hired to help cover all cases, routine and out of the ordinary.

Fall allergies are common for our pets, with a variety of symptoms from watery eyes to skin irritants. 

COLLINSVILLE — Ameren Illinois and the Illinois Raptor Center are collaborating to provide an educational experience for students at Maryville School in Granite City, focusing on birds of prey. The event, titled "Wild about Wildlife," will take place on Friday, Oct. 4, at 12:45 p.m. at 4651 Maryville Road in Granite City. The presentation will allow children from kindergarten through fifth grade to observe various raptors, including hawks, owls, and falcons, up close. The Illinois Raptor Center, a non-profit organization based in Decatur, rehabilitates native animals and promotes conservation education. The raptors featured in the program have been rehabilitated but are unable to return to the wild, making them suitable for educational outreach. Ameren Illinois has been proactive in avian protection for over a decade, implementing an Avian Protection Program aimed at safeguarding birds of prey and migratory species from potential hazards associated with utility infrastructure.

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COLLINSVILLE — Ameren Illinois and the Illinois Raptor Center are collaborating to provide an educational experience for students at Maryville School in Granite City, focusing on birds of prey. The event, titled "Wild about Wildlife," will take place on Friday, Oct. 4, at 12:45 p.m. at 4651 Maryville Road in Granite City. The presentation will allow children from kindergarten through fifth grade to observe various raptors, including hawks, owls, and falcons, up close. The Illinois Raptor Center, a non-profit organization based in Decatur, rehabilitates native animals and promotes conservation education. The raptors featured in the program have been rehabilitated but are unable to return to the wild, making them suitable for educational outreach. Ameren Illinois has been proactive in avian protection for over a decade, implementing an Avian Protection Program aimed at safeguarding birds of prey and migratory species from potential hazards associated with utility infrastructure.

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This October, the region is brimming with a wide variety of events that cater to every interest, from festive fall festivals and vibrant markets to thrilling haunted attractions and enriching cultural experiences. For a complete listing of events happening in the area, be sure to visit https://www.riverbender.com/events/ . If you want to make sure even more of the region is aware of your event email cj@riverbender.com and explore our range of Event Promotion Services! Featured Celebrate Cougar Nation: SIUE Homecoming & Family Weekend invites you and your family to an unforgettable weekend from October 4-6, filled with memorable events and activities. This event is designed for community members, alumni, and students. Highlights include COUGARFEST with live music by Dr. Zhivegas, a Homecoming Run, a pancake breakfast, a Cougar Fan Zone, and a men’s soccer game featuring a halftime fireworks display. Check out their website for more details and a full listing of events.

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This October, the region is brimming with a wide variety of events that cater to every interest, from festive fall festivals and vibrant markets to thrilling haunted attractions and enriching cultural experiences. For a complete listing of events happening in the area, be sure to visit https://www.riverbender.com/events/ . If you want to make sure even more of the region is aware of your event email cj@riverbender.com and explore our range of Event Promotion Services! Featured Celebrate Cougar Nation: SIUE Homecoming & Family Weekend invites you and your family to an unforgettable weekend from October 4-6, filled with memorable events and activities. This event is designed for community members, alumni, and students. Highlights include COUGARFEST with live music by Dr. Zhivegas, a Homecoming Run, a pancake breakfast, a Cougar Fan Zone, and a men’s soccer game featuring a halftime fireworks display. Check out their website for more details and a full listing of events.

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BETHALTO - The Speed Demons Car Club of Bunker Hill might keep all four wheels on the ground, but that didn’t stop them from enjoying the 28th Annual Wings & Wheels Fly-In at the St. Louis Regional Airport. At the event on Sept. 28, 2024, members of the Speed Demons showed off their cars and enjoyed each other’s company. Mark, president and founder of Speed Demons, explained that the club has 40 members and “just keeps growing.” “It was just a tight community,” he said. “We all had hotrods, and we wanted a place to meet together and create a little group because we all had the same interests. We just have fun together. It’s like extending your family.” The Speed Demons Car Club is all about “cool, American-made cars,” Mark said. When they first started hosting events, they would have maybe 15 cars. Now, they regularly welcome over 200 cars to their car shows, including their show at the Wings & Wheels Fly-In.

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BETHALTO - The Speed Demons Car Club of Bunker Hill might keep all four wheels on the ground, but that didn’t stop them from enjoying the 28th Annual Wings & Wheels Fly-In at the St. Louis Regional Airport. At the event on Sept. 28, 2024, members of the Speed Demons showed off their cars and enjoyed each other’s company. Mark, president and founder of Speed Demons, explained that the club has 40 members and “just keeps growing.” “It was just a tight community,” he said. “We all had hotrods, and we wanted a place to meet together and create a little group because we all had the same interests. We just have fun together. It’s like extending your family.” The Speed Demons Car Club is all about “cool, American-made cars,” Mark said. When they first started hosting events, they would have maybe 15 cars. Now, they regularly welcome over 200 cars to their car shows, including their show at the Wings & Wheels Fly-In.

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BELLEVILLE — Belleville East High School has welcomed back one of its own for this school year as Tina Knapp joined the English department. Knapp, a graduate of Belleville East, brings a decade of teaching experience to the role, having previously worked in District 90 and District 118. Knapp earned her bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) and is currently pursuing a master's degree in diversity and equity at the same institution. She is a mother of two, with a twelve-year-old daughter, Avery, and a seven-year-old son, Dexter, alongside her two pit bulls, Andi and Sully. In her personal life, Knapp enjoys a variety of outdoor activities, including barbecuing, playing volleyball, and hiking, as well as spending quality time with her children. Tina cites her mother, Debby, as her greatest inspiration, describing her as the "kindest and most sincere woman" she has ever met.

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BELLEVILLE — Belleville East High School has welcomed back one of its own for this school year as Tina Knapp joined the English department. Knapp, a graduate of Belleville East, brings a decade of teaching experience to the role, having previously worked in District 90 and District 118. Knapp earned her bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) and is currently pursuing a master's degree in diversity and equity at the same institution. She is a mother of two, with a twelve-year-old daughter, Avery, and a seven-year-old son, Dexter, alongside her two pit bulls, Andi and Sully. In her personal life, Knapp enjoys a variety of outdoor activities, including barbecuing, playing volleyball, and hiking, as well as spending quality time with her children. Tina cites her mother, Debby, as her greatest inspiration, describing her as the "kindest and most sincere woman" she has ever met.

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GODFREY - The Godfrey Village Board of Trustees voted on Tuesday to approve pay raises for the Mayor, Village Board, and Village Clerk. These salary increases will not take effect until after the April 1, 2025 municipal election, but they spurred some discussion at this week’s meeting. A newly approved ordinance lays out the updated salaries for each position. The “Village President,” another term for “Mayor” according to the Illinois Municipal Code , will be paid $70,000 annually from 2025 to 2026. They will also receive yearly raises of $5,000, ending with an $85,000 salary from 2028 to 2029. Mayor Mike McCormick spoke against the proposed raises for the mayor’s position, stating he had a “problem” with them being so much higher than the raises for other village staff. “A $15,000 raise for a share results in an almost 30% increase - we don't give our employees anywhere close to that,” McCormick said. “Originally

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GODFREY - The Godfrey Village Board of Trustees voted on Tuesday to approve pay raises for the Mayor, Village Board, and Village Clerk. These salary increases will not take effect until after the April 1, 2025 municipal election, but they spurred some discussion at this week’s meeting. A newly approved ordinance lays out the updated salaries for each position. The “Village President,” another term for “Mayor” according to the Illinois Municipal Code , will be paid $70,000 annually from 2025 to 2026. They will also receive yearly raises of $5,000, ending with an $85,000 salary from 2028 to 2029. Mayor Mike McCormick spoke against the proposed raises for the mayor’s position, stating he had a “problem” with them being so much higher than the raises for other village staff. “A $15,000 raise for a share results in an almost 30% increase - we don't give our employees anywhere close to that,” McCormick said. “Originally

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The Beach Boys brought out a special guest during their set at Maryland's 2024 Oceans Calling festival, The Offspring frontman Dexter Holland.Holland joined the Mike Love-led band for a rendition of the Beach Boys classic…

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When I worked at St. Louis City Hall in the Recorder of Deeds office, our employee manual prohibited use of personal email accounts on our City computers and use of our City email accounts for personal purposes. Both were fireable offenses because of security concerns and highly problematic for Sunshine Law purposes. It is hard … Continue reading Alders Still Using Personal Email Accounts →

Homeowners in St. Louis County waited in line for hours to apply for the senior tax freeze Wednesday. Thousands already applied ahead of the deadline next summer.