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Millstadt Balloon Glow and Triathlon to Raise Money for First Responders

2 months 1 week ago
MILLSTADT - Buttercup Ranch and Creamery invites the community to join them for their annual balloon glow and CiderMan Triathlon. At 6 p.m. on Sept. 5, 2025, community members can come out to the farm for a balloon glow and concert by Scott Vignassi’s Big Little Big Band. This will be followed by the triathlon at 7 a.m. on Sept. 6, 2025. Mary MacKeen, who owns the farm, can’t wait to share the experience with people from across the Millstadt region. “We’re excited,” MacKeen said. “Of course, we’re a little frazzled, but we're getting ready. It’s looking great.” MacKeen explained that both the balloon glow and the triathlon are fun, family-friendly experiences that aim to bring the community together. MacKeen’s family started these events in honor of John Ogonowski, the pilot of Flight 11, who died on Sept. 11, 2001. Proceeds from both events will go toward the local police department and fire department in honor

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Update: Authorities Continue Search For Missing Bill Crispin In Swansea

2 months 1 week ago
SWANSEA/O'FALLON — Authorities continue to search for Bill Crispin, who went missing after walking eastbound on Frank Scott Parkway East on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. The last confirmed sighting of Crispin was near Old Collinsville Road, but his whereabouts remain unknown. The Swansea Police Department, in collaboration with the O’Fallon Police Department and four other agencies, is urging residents in the area to review any security camera footage from 3:40 p.m. onward on that day. Officials specifically request that residents check cameras covering outbuildings, sheds, wooded areas, and other locations near Frank Scott Parkway East and Old Collinsville Road. Crispin is described as a taller white male last seen wearing a light grey short-sleeve t-shirt, blue jeans, and a black hat. Anyone with information or relevant video footage is asked to contact the Swansea Police Department at 618-233-8114. Video evidence can also be uploaded to the department’s website.

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Madison County Promotes Kelsey Jones

2 months 1 week ago
MADISON COUNTY — The Madison County Coroner’s Office announced the promotion of Senior Investigator Kelsey Jones, recognizing her years of dedicated service and commitment to the community. Jones, who has been with the office since 2013, has been praised for her investigative expertise and advocacy for victims and their families. The office described Jones as “an invaluable part of our team” and noted that her promotion reflects her outstanding contributions. Officials expressed pride in having Jones as a key member of their staff.

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Durbin, Cassidy Send Letters To Companies That Operate Online Marketplaces Requesting Information On The Senators' Inform Consumers Act

2 months 1 week ago
CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today sent 46 letters to companies that operate online marketplaces requesting information on the implementation and enforcement of the Senators’ Integrity, Notification, and Fairness in Online Retail Marketplaces for Consumers (INFORM Consumers) Act, which went into effect on June 27, 2023. The Senators sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) inquiring about the same information last week. The Senators wrote, “We write to request information regarding your ongoing compliance with the Act and any additional steps has taken to ensure that stolen, counterfeit, or unsafe items are not being sold through your marketplace.” The legislation, which was sponsored by Durbin and Cassidy and signed into law in December 2022, combats the online sale of stolen, counterfeit, and dangerous consumer products

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Glen Carbon Sets Limit On Short-Term Rental Properties

2 months 1 week ago
GLEN CARBON – Glen Carbon trustees have officially capped the number of short-term rental properties allowed in the village at one time to 15. At the Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025, Village Board meeting, trustees unanimously approved an ordinance limiting short-term rentals in the Village of Glen Carbon. The Glen Carbon Village Code defines a “short-term rental property” as “a building or portion thereof that is held out or offered for rent, for overnight lodging for non-permanent or transient guest, for a period shorter than 30 consecutive days.” Erika Heil, the village’s Director of Community Development, said the limit of 15 was formed in comparison to Edwardsville’s population and short-term rental limits. She noted Glen Carbon will only allow properties currently unoccupied by the property owners to be used as short-term rentals. “Edwardsville allows for 30 owner-occupied as well as 30 owner-unoccupied ,” Heil said. “We

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Centerstone Explains Intensive Outpatient Program and Substance Use Resources

2 months 1 week ago
ALTON - Centerstone offers mental health and substance use disorder treatment services throughout Illinois, including an intensive outpatient program. Stacy Seitz, VP of Clinical Services, noted that Centerstone’s intensive outpatient program (IOP) is designed for individuals who are experiencing a substance use disorder. This program might be useful for people who are stepping down from a residential treatment program, or for others who could use additional support in the community. “We’ve offered IOP services for a while, but we did a revamp of the program within the last year,” Seitz explained. “I think the biggest thing that we recognize is we needed a level of support that was in-between.” Centerstone clients can participate in the residential treatment program in Anna, Illinois. This program is extremely structured, with programs “every single hour of every single day,” Seitz said. Centerstone realized that a “middle

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Were A Few Random DEI Programs Worth Killing Democracy?

2 months 1 week ago
Eight months ago, those of us actually paying attention—not just scrolling outrage bait about Biden’s age or the latest campus controversy, but genuinely tracking the systematic preparation for authoritarian rule—warned that Trump represented an existential threat to democratic governance. We were diagnosed with “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” The reasonable people explained, with infinite patience, that we […]
Mike Brock

Tower Grove CDC Releases 2025-2026 Community Resource Directory

2 months 1 week ago

As part of our five-year business plan, Tower Grove CDC annually releases the Shaw, Southwest Garden, and Tower Grove South Community Resource Guide in partnership with STL Programs.

While Tower Grove CDC maintains a narrow focus on real estate-related activities, we also actively promote other non-profit organizations and neighborhood groups that contribute to our community. Our collaborative efforts are helping to create one of the best areas in South St. Louis City.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/k6o8uj4r8cl3yrnjde0h5/Shaw_SWG_TGS_Directory_2025-26_FINAL.pdf?rlkey=fasfvvs1ttesfb62tgimv8o4r&e=1&st=x5stub22&dl=0

Cover Photo Credit: Caitlin Sterman

Sean Spencer

Alton High School FCCLA Students Earn Awards At National Convention

2 months 1 week ago
ALTON – Alton High School FCCLA Students earn recognition at the Alton School District school board meeting for their accomplishment of making it to FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) National Convention this past summer in Orlando, Florida with their STAR events projects. Lillian Fazio, AHS Senior, Alton FCCLA President and IL FCCLA State Officer won gold at nationals. Lilly Burns, AHS Junior, Alton FCCLA Community Service Chair won silver at nationals. Carter Stahl, AHS Junior, Alton FCCLA Vice President won bronze at nationals. They were presented certificates of achievement by the Alton School District Board and Superintendent Elaine Kane. FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) is a nonprofit national career and technical student organization for young men and women involved in Family and Consumer Sciences education, aiming to develop leadership and life skills. Founded in 1945 as the Future Homemakers of America, FCCLA provides members

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