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Meteorologist Warns of Extreme Cold On Monday Night, Jan. 20, 2025, In Region

1 year 5 months ago
GODFREY — The National Weather Service in St. Louis has issued a cold advisory for Monday night, Jan. 20, 2025, to Tuesday morning, Jan. 21, 2025. Bakers & Hale has closed its kitchen due to a waterline break in Godfrey on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. The closure comes as the region experiences frigid temperatures, with actual temperatures hovering around zero and wind chills expected to dip between minus 10 and minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit on Monday night. The Bakers & Hale Bar will remain open for customers seeking beverages, but soda and tap water will not be available this evening. The waterline break has prompted concern for local businesses and residents. Halpin Music also canceled its evening classes but with non-weather-related water issues. Mark Landon of Halpin indicated that staff had been cleaning up water later in the day and expressed hope to resume normal operations at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. National Weather Service in St. Louis Meteorologist Chris Kimble

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Unexpected Funeral Expenses Prompt GoFundMe for Christina White's Family

1 year 5 months ago
LITCHFIELD - Kyle Cameron is spearheading a GoFundMe campaign to assist with the unexpected expenses following the death of Christina White, who died after a head-on collision last week. She died last week at St. John's Hospital. The fundraiser aims to cover Christina's cremation and funeral costs, as well as provide financial support for her mother, who faces additional expenses related to probate issues. Christina died in the early morning hours after her brother and mother had the opportunity to say goodbye. Cameron said the absence of life insurance and a will has compounded the challenges for her family, who shared a home with Christina. As a result, her mother will need legal assistance to address probate matters to ensure the family's pets remain in their home. The GoFundMe page emphasizes the urgency of the situation, stating that funds raised will go directly into Christina's mother's account to facilitate family arrangements. Cameron expressed gratitude for any contributions,

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Candidate Martha Pfister Outlines Goals for Alton's Ward 2 Ahead of Consolidated Election

1 year 5 months ago
ALTON - As Alton elected officials prepare for the consolidated election on April 1, 2025, Martha Pfister has thrown her hat in the ring for the Ward 2 alderperson seat. Pfister has a history of nonprofit work. She grew up in Alton before moving to the Chicago area for 14 years. Five years ago, Pfister and her husband decided to return to Alton to raise their young children. “I like to tell people, I am an Altonian by birth but also an Altonian by choice,” Pfister said. “This is where we chose to be. I love Alton.” Pfister said she is interested in “improving the quality of life for families.” She pointed to the parks and overgrown sidewalks as examples of ways to improve the quality of life. She also noted the importance of showing prospective residents that Alton cares about families and children. She said she mostly decided to run because of her love for the community. She wants to support residents and improve Alton where possible.

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Trump Inauguration Day: A Moment of Reflection for Illinois Leaders

1 year 5 months ago
WASHINGTON, D.C. — As President Donald J. Trump was inaugurated today, various Illinois political figures expressed their perspectives on the significance of the event and its implications for the state and the nation. Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski, representing Illinois' 13th Congressional District, emphasized her commitment to her constituents despite differing views on the new president. "I swore an oath to serve the people of Illinois' 13th Congressional District, and that commitment will always come first—regardless of who occupies the White House," Budzinski stated. She noted her focus on bipartisan cooperation to address economic challenges in Central and Southern Illinois. In Dieterich, State Representative Adam Niemerg expressed optimism about Trump's inaugural address, stating that it represented a vision of hope. "We have seen what happens when our leaders put the needs of regular Americans last," Niemerg said, criticizing previous administrations for their

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East Alton Man Released After Wood River Rec Center Robbery

1 year 5 months ago
WOOD RIVER - An East Alton man accused of aggravated robbery in the parking lot of the Wood River Recreation Center has been released after a Madison County court found insufficient evidence was presented in the case against him. Antonio M. Shaw, 19, of East Alton, was charged with aggravated robbery (a Class 1 felony), robbery (a Class 2 felony), and theft (a Class 3 felony). On Jan 12, 2024, Shaw allegedly stole two pairs of Air Jordan shoes from two different victims after “indicating verbally or by his actions …. that he was presently armed with a firearm.” According to a petition to deny his pretrial release, the incident unfolded at the Wood River Recreation Center when officers responded to a report of a robbery. One of the victims told authorities they were meeting with Shaw “to exchange a pair of shoes for a laptop computer.” “Upon arrival, victim and victim’s mother observed defendant along with two other individuals,”

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Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Male Athlete Of Month: Ian Brantley Is A Powerful Force Behind Piasa Birds Basketball

1 year 5 months ago
PIASA — Ian Brantley, a senior athlete for the Piasa Birds, has made a significant impact on the basketball court this season, averaging approximately 17 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. He is 6-foot-7 inches tall and has outstanding rebounding and shooting ability. Brantley's versatility has drawn attention from opposing teams, often leading them to double-team him. Brantley is an Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Male Athlete of the Month for the Piasa Birds. Brantley’s offensive skills include the ability to make three to four three-point shots in many of the Piasa Birds' games, which opens opportunities for his teammates. Coach Jason Darr highlighted Brantley’s contributions, stating, "Offensively, he is our leading scorer, rebounds the basketball, and defensively his presence inside makes it hard to score around the basket. He is a shot blocker, and his presence is felt." In addition to his basketball prowess, Brantley has also showcased his athletic

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Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Female Athlete Of The Month: Piasa Birds Look To Zurheide For Leadership And High Performance

1 year 5 months ago
PIASA - Vivian Zurheide, a dynamic 6-foot junior at Southwestern High School, is making her mark this season as a standout player for the girls' basketball team. Known for her scoring ability and impressive ball-handling skills, Zurheide plays a pivotal role in both offensive and defensive strategies alongside teammate Gracie Darr. Vivian is an Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Female Athlete Of The Month. Zurheide and Darr share responsibilities on the court, each contributing to the team’s success. Coach Darren Mosley highlighted their complementary skills, stating, "On the basketball floor, they are not the same player, but they complement one another." This season, Zurheide has been tasked with guarding the opposing team's best player, while also excelling as a top scorer, rebounder, and shot-blocker. In addition to basketball, Zurheide is a prominent athlete in volleyball and softball, further showcasing her versatility as a three-sport athlete. Coach Mosley praised

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Midwest Members Credit Union Honors Shells' Dugan For Basketball Excellence

1 year 5 months ago
ROXANA — Roxana sophomore Cohen Dugan has emerged as a key player for the Roxana High School basketball team, averaging 7.1 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. His contributions on the court have earned him recognition as a Midwest Members Credit Union Male Athlete of the Month for the Shells. Dugan, who plays as a shooting guard, has shown significant growth in his game this season. Coach Mark Briggs noted that Dugan has developed not only his shooting skills but also his defensive capabilities. “Cohen has really adapted and is buying into playing both ends of the court,” Briggs said. “This year, he has had the opportunity to play varsity basketball and it is like a switch has gone off; he is good on both ends of the court.” In addition to his basketball achievements, Dugan is also a member of the Roxana football team, further demonstrating his athletic versatility. As the Shells continue their season, Dugan remains a player to watch as he contributes

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Local Organization to Host Movie Premiere, Trivia Night to Raise Awareness About Mental Health

1 year 5 months ago
ALTON - Sacred Spaces of CARE is gearing up for a great 2025 with several events already planned. The Alton-based nonprofit works with individuals experiencing homelessness, substance use and mental illness. They help connect people to resources, and they also work with the Alton Police Department to respond to crises in the community. They have multiple events planned in the next few weeks, including a film screening and a trivia night fundraiser. “There’s significant need out there,” said Megan Tyler, founder of Sacred Spaces. “But also, one thing I want to talk about today is we still need to celebrate the success stories, because these are people’s lives behind these numbers…We do have those numbers, but we need to tell stories and we need to understand that those are people behind those numbers.” From 4:30–6:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, community members are invited to a “Community Connect” event at Cal

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