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Jacoby Arts Center Sponsors Art Program that Pairs Students with Adults with Dementia

2 months 1 week ago
ALTON - Jacoby Arts Center will host a special program for people with dementia. The “Opening Minds Through Art” program is a nationally-recognized initiative that pairs high school or college students with older adults living with dementia. Over the course of eight weeks, the two collaborate to make art projects together. Jacoby’s “Opening Minds Through Art” project runs from 10:30–11:30 a.m. every Saturday from Sept. 27, 2025, through Nov. 15, 2025. “It gives them an opportunity to create and have choice in life. As dementia progresses, people often lose the ability to make choices,” explained Chris, who serves as the program director. “People living with dementia can still function in ways. You might have to simplify it, simplify it some more, simplify it some more. But they still can create. They still can function and do something meaningful and purposeful.” Chris graduated from Maryville University with a degre

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Venice Mother Grieves Son Lost To Gun Violence

2 months 1 week ago
VENICE - On Saturday, August 25, 2025, in Venice, Illinois, Natasha Thomas, a Venice mother, experienced a devastating loss when her only son, Jerry Lamont Haynes Jr., was fatally shot in his yard after returning from a birthday celebration for his young son. What should have been a day of joy turned into a tragic moment for the family. Haynes Jr.’s death has deeply affected those close to him, including his cousin Miranda Mosby, who is organizing a fundraiser to assist the family during this difficult time. Mosby emphasized the heavy burden Thomas carries as the primary caregiver for her aging parents in addition to coping with the loss of her son. “I am asking for the community for your help. I want to help lift this burden from my cousin,” Mosby said. She also noted that prayers and donations of any size are welcome to support the family. A GoFundMe page has been created to help cover funeral expenses and provide some relief to the grieving family. Click

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ISP Investigates Fatal Crash In Saline County

2 months 1 week ago
GALATIA – The Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Patrol Troop 10 and Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Zone 8 are investigating a fatal crash in Saline County. On August 8, 2025, at approximately 1:58 a.m., ISP Troopers responded to IL-34 about one mile west of Harco Road, near Galatia, in Saline County. A Chevrolet Silverado was traveling southbound on IL-34 when it drove off the roadway and into a ditch. The driver and one passenger were airlifted to a regional hospital with injuries. A second passenger was pronounced deceased on scene. The ISP Traffic Reconstruction Unit and DCI Special Agents responded to the scene. Unit 1 driver – Jacob C. Ahrens, 21-year-old male from Ridgway, IL Unit 1 passenger – Konner C. Pemberton, 20-year-old male from Ridgway, IL Unit 1 passenger – Mattix T. Sandifer, 20-year-old male from Ridgway, IL (deceased) ISP continues to investigate and is working closely with the Saline County State’s Attorney’s

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Domestic Dispute Yields Felonies For Granite City Man, Injuries For Elderly Victim

2 months 1 week ago
GRANITE CITY – A Granite City man faces felony charges after allegedly injuring an elderly victim who tried intervening in a domestic dispute with another victim. Brandon L. Evans, 29, of Granite City, was charged on Aug. 20, 2025 with two felony counts of aggravated battery, one being a Class 2 felony and the other being a Class 3 felony. He was additionally charged with one count each of domestic battery and resisting a peace officer, both Class A misdemeanors. On Aug. 19, 2025, Evans allegedly struck a victim 60 years of age or older in the back, causing the victim to sustain multiple rib fractures. He is also accused of throwing a table at a different victim and resisting arrest. According to the state’s petition to deny Evans’s pretrial release from custody, Evans threw the table at the second victim during an altercation before the first victim attempted to intervene. “Victim tried to intervene and defendant pushed her, then threw an object at her

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Home Builders Fund Seniors Handicap Access

2 months 1 week ago

On behalf of the Home Builders Charitable Foundation (HBCF), 2025 HBA President Jason Hughes (T.R. Hughes Homes) presented a $16,988 donation to St. Peters Senior Citizen Corporation advanced development coordinator and resident Frances Kern. The donation will go toward the replacement of handicap ramps and sections of sidewalks that are cracked and have become dangerous […]

The post Home Builders Fund Seniors Handicap Access appeared first on Construction Forum.

Tom Finan

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are engaged

2 months 1 week ago
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — It's a love story and, baby, she said yes: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are engaged, they announced Tuesday. In a five-photo joint post on Instagram, the superstar singer and football player revealed their engagement, the fairytale culmination of a courtship that for two years has thrilled and fascinated millions [...]
JOCELYN NOVECK and DAVE SKRETTA, Associated Press

April Riley's Textile Toys Emphasize Humor and Originality

2 months 1 week ago
EDWARDSVILLE - These are artists who will have work featured at the upcoming Edwardsville Arts Fair Sept. 26-28, 2025, at Edwardsville City Park. Today's featured artists are April Riley, Don Tran and Steven Martin. Artist #1: April Riley – RileyMade Medium: Textiles Artist Statement: "My handmade toys are designed to be remembered and loved, each one unique and full of personality. I carefully choose fabrics that are both beautiful and durable, ensuring years of comfort and play. Many of my designs come from my original illustrations, and I love adding touches of humor and sweetness." Instagram Artist #2: Don Tran – Hand-Sewn Silk Embroidery Medium: Textiles Artist Statement: "I hand-stitch colorful silk threads onto black cotton, creating vibrant images from my imagination. I begin with a simple outline, then build depth through shading and color blending. Each piece is unique, made entirely freehand as I embroider." Website

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With Intel, Trump Continues His Race To Violate Every Clause In The Constitution By Now Arriving At The Takings Clause

2 months 1 week ago
Trump’s quest to stress-test every line in the Constitution continues apace, with his declaration that the government now owns 10% of Intel looking like nothing but a great, big, gigantic taking. Of course, it is also terrible policy. While there are sometimes compelling arguments that companies should be in public hands, like for utilities, where […]
Cathy Gellis

130-Year-Old IWR Adapts New Branding

2 months 1 week ago

IWR, a 130-year-old leader in architectural glass and metal enclosures, is entering a new era with a refreshed brand identity. The rebrand—features a modernized logo, bold tagline, and enhanced digital presence. A news release said the rebrand highlights IWR’s ambition to be the nation’s premier enclosure partner. “I’m proud to usher in this new era […]

The post 130-Year-Old IWR Adapts New Branding appeared first on Construction Forum.

Tom Finan

Trump administration threatens to yank state funds over truckers’ English proficiency

2 months 1 week ago
Three states are at risk of losing some federal transportation funding because they are not enforcing President Donald Trump’s executive order that commercial truck drivers must be proficient in English, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Tuesday. New Mexico, Washington and California will have 30 days to comply with the order or risk losing funding […]
Jacob Fischler

Maine man accused of faking death captured in Missouri

2 months 1 week ago
A Maine man who vanished over a year ago was just arrested in Missouri.  According to the U.S. Marshals Service, Gregory Heimann, 51, faked his own death to evade arrest by disappearing in a canoe near the Canadian border, and has been arrested after more than a year on the run.
Alex Barton