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GRANITE CITY - The Rotary Club of Granite City recognized juniors Kaylee Hobbs and Grace Walker as Students of the Month for December. Students were nominated by teachers, and were chosen on the basis of academics, as well as scholastic, extracurricular and civic honors and awards, and organization membership and leadership. Each honoree will receive a framed certificate and a gift card , and will be recognized at the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast on March 25, 2025. KAYLEE HOBBS Three-year varsity cheerleader ... High Honor Roll ... Secondary Honors ... Saturday Scholars ... Member of Renaissance Club, Spirit Club, Varsity Club and Working Warriors ... GC Little Braves Volunteer Coach ... Peer Tutor ... Wilson Park Trash Clean up volunteer ... Daughter of Tiffany Kimmel. GRACE WALKER Three-year varsity cheerleader ... Secondary Honors ... Member of Foreign Language Club, Photography Club, Spirit Club and Varsity Club ... GC Little Braves Volunteer Coach ... Pee

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SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced that a number of new laws and rules designed to strengthen the public health system will go into effect on New Year's Day, January 1, 2025. “The Illinois Department of Public Health is excited to see new laws and rules go into effect this New Year to improve the health of Illinois’s public,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “We appreciate the leadership of Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois General Assembly and the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) in advancing solutions that protect our residents and make our Illinois communities healthier.” One of the key changes taking effect with the new year is a more stringent standard for public health intervention based on the results of testing of blood lead levels in children. Under Illinois law, any child residing in a high-risk ZIP code is to be tested automatically at 12, 24, and 36 months, and all children six years

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Incoming Attorney General Dave Sunday didn’t mention climate change on the campaign trail, but fossil fuel donations tell a different story.

**Winter Storm Warning and Ice Storm Warning in place across our viewing area from 10PM Saturday through 6AM Monday. We are still on track for our major winter storm to impact the region beginning late tonight through Sunday, wrapping up early Monday morning. St. Louis is still very much within the transition zone and will [...]

GRANITE CITY - A Granite City resident has been granted pretrial release from custody after committing domestic battery against an elderly victim. John N. Rushing Jr., 42, of Granite City, was charged on Dec. 27, 2024 with aggravated battery (a Class 3 felony) and domestic battery (a Class A misdemeanor). Descriptions of the charges state that on Dec. 22, 2024, Rushing struck the victim, a household or family member, “about the face with a closed fist. He reportedly knew the victim was 60 years of age or older at the time of the incident. Rushing’s criminal history dating back to 2001 includes several prior charges, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, battery, burglary, property damage, and much more. Court documents note Rushing is also currently on parole in Illinois. The Granite City Police Department acted as the arresting agency in this case. Rushing was granted pretrial release from custody with additional conditions, including that he have

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COLLINSVILLE – Improvements in the resiliency of its natural gas delivery infrastructure and upgrades to its underground storage capabilities ensure that Ameren Illinois is ready for a blast of arctic temperatures forecast in the Midwest early next week. Natural gas is the primary fuel source used by nearly 1 million Ameren Illinois customers to heat homes and power appliances in the winter. "The investments we have made to strengthen our pipelines, along with having an abundant supply of gas already purchased and available for delivery, ensures that we will be able to meet the expected increase in demand that comes when temperatures drop," said Lenny Singh, Chairman and President of Ameren Illinois. The company owns and operates 12 underground storage fields, capable of safely storing 24.2 billion cubic feet of natural gas. Ameren Illinois also leases an additional 15.3 billion cubic feet of gas from fields located outside of Illinois. The storage fields serve three primary

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GODFREY - Fifteen members of the Godfrey Women’s Club dedicated their afternoon recently to ringing bells for the Salvation Army kettles outside Schnucks in Godfrey. This event for the Godfrey Women's Club is part of the club's ongoing commitment to community service, which includes various projects throughout the year. Among those participating in the photo above on that day were Eileen Aimone, Becky Areford, Sharon Wild, and Tanya Sisk, who joined their fellow club members in raising funds for the Salvation Army. The Salvation Army kettles, a familiar sight during the holiday season, are a key fundraising initiative for the organization, which provides assistance to those in need. The Godfrey Women’s Club, known for its dedication to community betterment, regularly engages in service projects aimed at supporting local initiatives. In a statement, the club said the bell-ringing event is one of many activities the club organizes to contribute positively to the Godfrey

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ALTON - With a cold snap on the horizon, The Salvation Army at 525 Alby Street in Alton will act as a warming center during the day. Captain Cassy Grey explained that The Salvation Army (TSA) will be open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the upcoming week to support folks who need shelter from the elements. Community members who are experiencing homelessness or who need a warm place to go are encouraged to stop by TSA. “We will have a warm place for our friends to get out of the cold, along with some coffee and, while supplies last, we’ll have some snacks available,” Grey said. “We’re doing the very best we can to wrap around the marginalized.” Grey noted that TSA works with the Overnight Warming Locations to provide shelter during these cold months. The Overnight Warming Locations open when the overnight temperatures are forecasted to drop below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. On these days, TSA will often stay open until 5 p.m. so folks can spend

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ALTON - On a recent episode of “You’re Beautiful” with Brian Trust, Kidada Miller shared how God has led her through challenges and given her peace. Miller is an entrepreneur, and she serves as the founder and president of K. Miller Foundation and the Midwest Best of Black Awards Gala. In all her work, she tries to give back to the community and support other entrepreneurs and Black business owners. Her faith helps her in this work, and she relies on God’s guidance. “Being seated at His feet is the only place I’ve found peace,” she said. “I’m known to be a little extra. So when people see me, they just see this extra person. But you don’t see me when I’m seated at His feet and my face is fully wet and I’ve got a towel down because I’m just blubbering and crying everywhere. That’s the moment to get that out, and then you put that suit back on and walk outside with the utmost confidence.”

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When a snowstorm strikes, being prepared can make all the difference in keeping you safe and comfortable. Here’s a list of 10 essential items to have on hand to weather the storm with confidence. 1. Non-Perishable Food Stock up on canned goods, dry snacks, and instant meals that don’t require refrigeration. In case of a power outage, these foods will keep you nourished. Don’t forget a manual can opener! 2. Bottled Water Aim for at least one gallon of water per person per day. This covers drinking, cooking, and basic hygiene if pipes freeze or water services are disrupted. 3. Flashlights and Batteries Power outages are common during snowstorms. Keep multiple flashlights ready with spare batteries. Avoid relying solely on candles, as they can pose a fire hazard. 4. Warm Blankets and Clothing Layer up with thermal blankets, heavy-duty sleeping bags, and extra warm clothing like socks, gloves, and hats. This is especially important if your heating system

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GODFREY - The Public Works Department has approximately 150 miles of road and street to clear in a hazardous weather event. Depending on the timing of the event, it may be necessary to have snow removal as quickly as possible. As such, the residents can help the snow removal process by making sure vehicles and other obstructions are off the thoroughfares in a weather event. In the past, crews have not been able to clear a street because vehicles were prohibiting access into the area. Crews will work to clear the passageways as quickly as possible. Please understand that removing piles of snow from mailboxes and driveways is usually not possible. Patience is appreciated…

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