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NGRREC Welcomes Owl Expert Mark Glenshaw for Nocturnal Neighbors STREAM Series

2 months 1 week ago
EAST ALTON – The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC) will welcome naturalist Mark H.X. Glenshaw, widely known for his work with great horned owls in St. Louis’ Forest Park, for an upcoming STREAM Series event, Oct. 15. Glenshaw’s presentation, “Forest Park Owls: Hiding in Plain Sight,” will go from 5-7 p.m., and include stories and insights from nearly two decades of studying the park’s owls. His presentation will highlight the fascinating lives of these nocturnal neighbors and how people can observe similar wildlife in their own communities. Doors will open to the public at 5 p.m. Guests can kick off the event with a seasonal craft activity in the NGRREC lobby before heading into the Riverview Room for Glenshaw’s presentation. After the talk, guests will be invited to join NGRREC staff for a twilight rooftop tour. As the sun sets at 6:22 p.m., participants can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Mississippi River.

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Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois' United We Lead Gala a Great Success

2 months 1 week ago
GLEN CARBON – Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSofSI) held their annual United We Lead Gala on Friday, September 12 in Edwardsville, Illinois. Thanks to the generous support of the community, the event raised nearly $110,000 for the organization. The United We Lead Gala, themed “Building a Sweeter Future” in 2025, brings together a wide range of people who share a common goal – to empower today’s girls to become tomorrow’s leaders. Guests were entertained by musicians Mel Goot and Marguerita Page, listened to first-hand experiences, participated in various auctions, and heard about the organization’s mission to empower the lives of girls in Southern Illinois. A highlight of the evening was presenting the annual Distinguished Community Leader Award to Agency for Community Transit (ACT). ACT has been a catalyst in making Camp Torqua more accessible. The 72-acre Girl Scout camp, which is located outside of Edwardsville, has been greatly

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Collinsville Resident Presented with Highest Civilian Honor for World War II Service

2 months 1 week ago
COLLINSVILLE - A local woman was honored with the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest honor a civilian can achieve. On Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, at the Collinsville VFW, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski presented Betty Wrigley with the medal in recognition of her service during World War II. Wrigley, 98, was a “Rosie the Riveter” and joined the workforce during WWII. “I’m grateful for the honor, really,” Wrigley said. “At the time, I didn’t think it was that important.” Peter Stehman, museum manager at the Collinsville Historical Museum, shared information about the Rosie the Riveter program. He noted that six million women joined the workforce, half of whom left school, like Wrigley. Less than 10% of these women actually worked in the war industry. At age 15, Wrigley left her home in St. Louis and traveled to Washington State to work in the Puget Sound Navy Yard. She worked as a shipfitter’s helper and helped repair ships

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Celebrate The Grape At Annual Harvest Fest

2 months 1 week ago
GRAFTON - It’s harvest season and the grapes at Grafton Winery The Vineyards are now off the vine which means it is time for the vineyard’s annual Harvest Festival. Head to this scenic full production winery nestled in the rustic countryside outside of Grafton for fun, food and drinks Sunday, Oct. 19 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The free family friendly event highlights the delights of local wine production. Spend the day at the scenic winery located in rural Grafton at 21028 Eckert Orchard Rd. Sip award winning wines from the Grafton Winery. Beer cocktails and soft drinks are also available. A special events food menu will also be offered. All food and beverages must be purchased on site. A variety of local arts and crafts vendors will also be in attendance at the festival. Enjoy live music by the popular Porch Café Band from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The Porch Café Band is an Alton-Godfrey cover band that brings energy, passion and great sounds to every performance.

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Jerseyville Man Faces Arson, Property Damage Charges

2 months 1 week ago
JERSEYVILLE – A Jerseyville man accused of intentionally setting a local residence on fire and damaging its windows faces multiple charges in his latest felony case. Franklin M. Heindricks, 37, of Jerseyville, was charged on Oct. 7, 2025 with a Class 1 felony count of residential arson and two counts of criminal damage to property, both Class 4 felonies. Heindricks allegedly knowingly damaged a Jersey County residence by means of fire on Oct. 3, 2025. Charging documents state he “used a lighter and scrap of cardboard to light a fire under a scrap piece of siding on the exterior portion of residence.” In addition to over $500 in damage caused by the fire, Heindricks is also accused of causing over $500 worth of damage to an exterior window and storm door window on the same residence. The state’s petition to deny his pretrial release from custody states Heindricks “has a significant criminal history dating back to at least 2005.” Heindricks has

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PERSPECTIVE: Six Months in, Cara Spencer’s Pragmatism Sets Tone at City Hall

2 months 1 week ago

by Dave Drebes – Publisher of the Missouri Scout, a private news service covering state politics Editor’s Note: This op-ed originally appeared in the St. Louis Business-Journal. It is reprinted here, in its entirety, with permission from SLBJ. It’s been just about six months since Cara Spencer was sworn in as mayor. And while it’s still […]

The post PERSPECTIVE: Six Months in, Cara Spencer’s Pragmatism Sets Tone at City Hall appeared first on Construction Forum.

Tom Finan

The Best Fall-Flavored Coffee Drinks to Try at Home

2 months 1 week ago
What if the secret to elevating your daily coffee ritual lies not in exotic beans or high-tech machines, but in the simple art of flavor infusion? Coffee’s versatility extends far beyond the classic black cup, and nowhere is this more evident than in the realm of fall-inspired flavors. These concoctions marry the warmth and complexity of coffee with the rich, comforting spices and ingredients that evoke a sense of indulgence and coziness. Whether you’re a seasoned barista or a casual coffee lover, crafting fall-flavored coffee drinks at home can transform your mornings and afternoons into moments of delight. The Art of Fall Flavors in Coffee Fall-flavored coffee drinks are not just about taste; they’re a sensory experience that taps into aromatic spices, natural sweetness, and earthy undertones. Pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and maple are staples, but understanding how these flavors work with coffee’s intrinsic bitterness and acidity is key to creating a balanced

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