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BELLEVILLE - A Belleville man was charged with domestic battery and more after pursuing the victim and threatening witnesses with a weapon he claims was a toy borrowed from a nearby child. Xavier S. Lacey, 19, of Belleville, was charged with one count of aggravated domestic battery (a Class 2 felony), domestic battery (a Class A misdemeanor), and three counts of aggravated assault (each Class A misdemeanors). The victim in this case reported that Lacey “forcefully grabbed her by the collar of her sweatshirt, pushing her against a wall, choking her,” according to a petition to deny Lacey’s pretrial release. “She was able to break free and fled, and was observed by the victim and witnesses, pursuing her with a firearm in hand,” the petition states “Victim and witnesses report that stated he intended to kill the victim.” Lacey then reportedly “turned his attention to two witnesses, also pointing the firearm at them, before fleeing

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SPRINGFIELD — Illinois hunters reported a preliminary total of 54,661 deer harvested during the first weekend of the 2024 firearm deer season, which took place from Nov. 22 to Nov. 24. This figure reflects an increase from 53,348 deer harvested during the same period in 2023 and 52,354 in 2022. The seven-day firearm deer season in Illinois will continue through Dec. 5-8, with additional hunting opportunities scheduled for the remainder of the 2024-2025 season. These include a muzzleloader-only deer season from Dec. 13-15, as well as late-winter antlerless-only and chronic wasting disease deer seasons in select counties from Dec. 26-29 and Jan. 17-19. The archery deer season remains open through Jan. 19, though it will be closed in counties that are open for firearm deer hunting from Dec. 5-8. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources provides further details on deer hunting regulations and opportunities on its website. Preliminary harvest totals by county for the first weeken

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GRANITE CITY – Lane restrictions will be in place on westbound I-270 over the Mississippi River near Granite City on December 2, 2024, as the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) conducts inspections of the structure. The right lane will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., weather permitting, reducing traffic to one lane. IDOT officials indicated that all entrance and exit ramps will remain open during this time. Motorists are advised to expect delays and to allow extra time for their travels in the area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to flaggers and signs in the work zones, adhere to posted speed limits, and remain vigilant for workers and equipment. IDOT recommends using public transportation or traveling during non-peak hours when possible.

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JERSEYVILLE - The grand reopening date for the Susnig Center in Jerseyville has been made official. A Rededication Ceremony for the complex will be held on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, starting at 8 a.m. Mayor Kevin Stork made the announcement at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. As previously reported on Riverbender.com , the Susnig Center underwent a major renovation last year, seeing the installation of new gym flooring, new ADA-compliant bleachers, new restroom facilities, and much more. The facility, which is located at 401 Mound St. in Jerseyville, also houses the Jerseyville Parks & Recreation Department and the Illinois Valley Economic Development Corporation’s Senior Center. The Rededication plans come amid news of the Susnig Center getting a new neighbor in the future, as Illinois Valley seeks to expand their adult education and workforce training programs into a new building nearby. More details on those plans are available in our previous coverage o

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ST. LOUIS - An arts foundation is planning to build and arts and entertainment facility in St. Louis' Downtown West neighborhood. On Thursday, the St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) Board of Directors approved $5 million in New Markets Tax Credits to develop Delmar Stage and Studios at 2233 Delmar Blvd. A project totaling $6.25 million. In the coming months, the current tenant in the space will vacate, allowing the Kranzberg Arts Foundation (KAF) to buy the property and develop the building. KAF intends to lease the property to Logic Systems Holdings, which owns an audio, lighting, and video production company based in Valley Park, Missouri. Logic Systems Holdings will relocate roughly 150 employees to the City of St. Louis, including up to 100 more part-time employees depending on the season. Future phases and plans include new stages for film, television, and music. KAF will embed its workforce development program in the facility as well. “This is a transformative

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If you're Black Friday shopping, you may want to bundle up. It'll be a cold, but sunny day on Friday with highs only in the 30s. Breezy northwesterly winds will keep wind chills in the 20s and low 30s for much of the afternoon.

Aisha Sultan writes: I wonder if he knew how much I valued his correspondence and friendship.

The toy drive is on Friday, Nov. 29 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Bus Loop Burgers in Florissant.

The U.S. Census Bureau and a growing number of states are starting to gather more detailed information about Americans’ race and ethnicity, a change some advocates of the process say will allow people to choose identities that more closely reflect how they see themselves. Crunching and sorting through those specific details — known as data […]

Only a few local pizzerias feature the style popularized in Chicago.

These people are shaping life in the city of St. Louis—whether or not you know their names.

On Nov. 29, 2000, the St. Louis Blues staged the biggest third-period comeback in NHL history, rallying from a 5-0 deficit to defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Restaurants are facing a new reality in the post-pandemic world, and some concepts are finding tougher sledding than others due to an abundance of competition. Here's what works best in St. Louis.

Some tech billionaires hate the CFPB, which protects Americans from scams and abuse. Why?

The successful ballot measure hasn’t gotten much notice in the wake of Trump’s victory, but it has dangerous implications.

Make Sold on St. Louis your home for local holiday shopping this season! There’s no better place to pick up an STL stocking stuffer or a handcrafted gift for someone special than the store that’s all St. Louis, all the time. With more than 150 local makers, artists, and brands, there’s truly something for everyone …

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The holiday season can serve as a wonderful time when family and friends gather to give thanks, reflect on the year, and celebrate. And while this can be an exciting time, for some, the financial stress can have a profound impact on mental health and can cause depression, anxiety, feelings of hopelessness, and can even put a strain on relationships. These feelings may intensify during the holiday season for a number of reasons including gift-giving expectations or entertaining and travel expenses. Families may feel pressured to keep up with holiday traditions, which may include elaborate meals, decor, and holiday activities. These costs can add up quickly. However, this doesn’t mean the fun has to stop! Below, we discuss a few tips for enjoying the holiday season on a budget: Delay buying: If you wait at least 30 minutes before making a purchase, this could result in you buying less. Share the load: If you’re hosting a meal, prepare the main dish and one side

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