a Better Bubble™

Aggregator

East Alton-Wood River High School Announces 2025 Hall of Fame Inductees

2 months 1 week ago
WOOD RIVER — East Alton-Wood River High School will honor the newest inductees to the Oiler Alumni Hall of Fame at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. The event will take place in Memorial Gym and will include a dinner and awards presentation. The 2025 Hall of Fame class includes Doug Booten (Class of 1987), Neil Enloe (Class of 1956), Tyler Martin (Class of 1987), Col. Dustin Richards (Class of 1997), Dr. Katie Richards (Class of 2002), Mike Ringering (Class of 1984), Dave Sever (Class of 1977), and Dr. Kerry Studnicki (Class of 1999). Tickets for the dinner are available to the general public for $20 each. They may be purchased starting Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, at the EAWR High School Main Office from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on student attendance days. This year’s ceremony will differ from previous inductions by featuring informal interviews with each inductee. Additionally, the event venue has been moved to Memorial Gym.

Continue Reading

The Korte Company Founder Ralph Korte Dies After Long Legacy

2 months 1 week ago
HIGHLAND — Ralph Korte, founder of The Korte Company and a pivotal figure in the construction industry, died on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, surrounded by family. Born in 1934 in rural Highland, Illinois, Korte built a legacy that influenced both his community and the nation’s approach to design-build construction. Korte grew up as one of 14 children on a small family farm and left formal schooling after the eighth grade. He developed a passion for building by assisting neighbors with farm projects. During boot camp in Arkansas, he earned his GED, which motivated him to continue learning. He served in the Korean War, returning with a veteran’s perspective that emphasized hard work, learning, and courage. In 1958, armed with a $79 electric saw and a simple business philosophy — “Don’t charge too much, and work hard” — Korte founded The Korte Company. What began as a side job evolved into a nationally recognized Design-Build firm known for

Continue Reading

Community reaching out to help home explosion victims

2 months 1 week ago
Just two days after the destructive explosion caused damage to nearby homes and condos, neighbors have been showing up in support, offering food, toiletries, gift cards, and clothing to help their fellow neighbors.
Patrick Clark

Trump administration says CDC chief ousted. Her lawyer says she hasn’t resigned or been fired

2 months 1 week ago
WASHINGTON — The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention doesn’t appear inclined to leave her post, despite the Trump administration announcing Wednesday that she’s no longer running one of the country’s top public health agencies.  Attorneys for Susan Monarez, who received Senate confirmation in late July, posted that she hasn’t been fired […]
Jennifer Shutt

"Wine for Whiskers" Fall Festival Aims to Raise $55,000 for Belleville Area Humane Society

2 months 1 week ago
BELLEVILLE - The Belleville Area Humane Society will host their annual “Wine for Whiskers” fall festival event to support animals. From 5:30–9 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, community members can enjoy dinner, drinks, carnival games, a silent auction, raffles and more fun at The Weingarten in Belleville. Geared towards adults, this fall festival promises a fun evening to benefit local animals. “It’s just going to be a really good night,” said Chelsea Erxleben with Belleville Area Humane Society (BAHS). “The community always just wraps their arms around us and they support us so much. We couldn’t do it without our community because obviously we’re a nonprofit running on donations. We’re here because the community believes in us, and we believe in them.” Tickets to the event cost $50 each and include dinner from Tavern on Main and two drink tickets. In addition to the dinner, live music, raffles and silent

Continue Reading

Why is 'St. Louis' included in the name of a rare mosquito-borne virus?

2 months 1 week ago
St. Louis was once the site of an epidemic that inspired the name of a rare mosquito-borne virus across the Midwest. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), St. Louis Encephalitis is a virus spread to people through the bite of an infected mosquito and can cause inflammation of the brain.
Alex Barton