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Meet Miss Calhoun County Abby Johnes

1 month 3 weeks ago
HARDIN - Calhoun County Fair Queen Abby Johnes couldn’t be more excited to be the face of her hometown. “I love Calhoun and everybody in it, so of course, it’s great to be able to represent them,” she said. Johnes, 18, recently won the Calhoun County Fair and was named Miss Calhoun for the 2025–2026 year. With this title, Johnes will represent Calhoun County at events and area fairs until September 2026. She looks forward to advocating for her county and representing the community. Beyond her fair queen duties, Johnes works 30 hours a week as a bank teller in Brussels. She also attends Lewis and Clark Community College, where she is studying architecture. While her schedule keeps her busy, she loves everything she is doing. She shared that she decided to enter the Miss Calhoun pageant on a whim. She “always knew” she wanted to compete, but it was a last-minute decision to enter this year. “It sounded exciting, something that

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Oktoberfest: More Than Just Beer—A Celebration of Culture and Community

1 month 3 weeks ago
Did you know that Oktoberfest attracts over six million visitors annually, making it the world’s largest folk festival? But beyond the sea of frothy beer steins and traditional Bavarian garb lies a rich tapestry of history, cultural identity, and communal spirit. Oktoberfest is not merely a party; it is a living tradition that reflects the values and heritage of Bavaria while inviting the world to partake in its joyous customs. The Origins and Cultural Roots of Oktoberfest Oktoberfest began in 1810 as a royal wedding celebration in Munich, Bavaria, to honor the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. The citizens of Munich were invited to join the festivities, which included horse races and agricultural shows. The event was so popular that it evolved into an annual celebration. Over the years, Oktoberfest grew beyond its initial festivities, incorporating Bavarian music, dance, traditional clothing like lederhosen and dirndls, and, of

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Survival Flight Manager Leads Donation to Alton Police

1 month 3 weeks ago
ALTON — The Alton Police Department received a donation of three tactical trauma bags filled with lifesaving medical supplies from Justin Chapman, Regional Manager of Ground EMS Services with Survival Flight, and his son, Grayson Chapman, a student at Alton Middle School. The donation was made to ensure that officers and staff at Alton Middle School have immediate access to critical medical tools during emergencies. The kits will be kept on hand at the school to assist in the event of a critical incident where rapid response is essential. School Resource Officer Ashley Clare will oversee the placement and readiness of the trauma bags. The Alton Police Department expressed gratitude to the Chapman family and Survival Flight for their commitment to student and community safety.

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This Day in History on October 21: Thomas Edison Successfully Tests the First Electric Light Bulb

1 month 3 weeks ago
October 21 has been a day marked by significant events that have shaped our world across centuries and continents. Turning back the clock to the 18th century, October 21, 1805, stands out with the Battle of Trafalgar, a naval engagement during the Napoleonic Wars. The British Royal Navy, under Admiral Lord Nelson, defeated the combined fleets of France and Spain, decisively asserting British naval dominance. This victory not only prevented Napoleon’s invasion plans of Britain but also shaped European geopolitics for years to come. Nelson’s leadership and sacrifice during the battle have become iconic symbols in naval history. In the realm of politics and governance, October 21, 1965, marks the establishment of the Indo-Pakistani ceasefire after the intense and brief conflict known as the Second Kashmir War. The ceasefire, brokered by international actors, helped de-escalate tensions on the Indian subcontinent, although the underlying issues remained unresolved for decades.

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Work groups zero in on proposed changes to Missouri school funding formula

1 month 3 weeks ago
The funding formula for Missouri’s public schools is poised for wide-ranging changes as work groups studying elements of the model reached the halfway point of their work at meetings on Monday. The groups, led by the state education department’s former finance chief Kari Monsees, have convened three times each. They are scheduled to meet three […]
Annelise Hanshaw

Today's Weather: Mostly Sunny and Windy

1 month 3 weeks ago
You can expect a mostly sunny day in the River Bend and Metro East areas with a high of 61 and a low of 40. Winds will be quite breezy, coming from the west at 17 mph with gusts up to 43 mph. Despite the sunshine, the afternoon will feel a bit cooler with a feels like temperature around 57. This morning starts out clear and crisp, then the afternoon stays mostly sunny but windy. The wind will be strong enough to remind you to hold onto your hats. Evening brings clear skies and a chilly feel with temperatures dropping into the 40s and wind gusts still around 25 mph. Overnight remains clear and chilly with lows around 40. The allergy outlook shows moderate mold levels and low ragweed, with air quality considered moderate for particle pollution. Tomorrow will be sunny and breezy as well, with a high near 61 and a low around 38. Expect another cool but bright day. For live updates throughout the day, visit RiverBender.com/weather .

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