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ACI to Host Public Seminars on ACI CODE-318-25 and ACI CODE-562-25

2 months 2 weeks ago

The American Concrete Institute (ACI) today announced it will conduct multiple public seminars on ACI CODE-318-25 and ACI CODE-562-25 from September to November 2025. The seminars, “ACI 318-25: Changes to the Concrete Design Standard” and “ACI 562-25: Assessment, Repair, and Rehabilitation of Existing Concrete Structures—Code Requirements and Commentary,” will be held at multiple locations throughout […]

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Dede Hance

Brighton Toddler Amara Advances in National Toddler of the Year Contest

2 months 2 weeks ago
BRIGHTON — Amara, a 2-year-old toddler from Brighton, Illinois, is competing for the title of Toddler of the Year in an ongoing national contest. The competition, which involves multiple rounds of voting, is currently in its fourth round, set to conclude in the coming days. Amara must remain among the top five contestants to advance further in the contest. Amara lives at home with her parents and her oldest sister, who is nine years her senior. Her family describes her as "sweet, silly, and determined," noting that she has recently embraced her independence. “She is smart and determined and she never gives up. She is brave and fearless and loves her family hard,” parent Doni Smelser said. Her favorite activities include playing outside, especially jumping in puddles, playing in water, and enjoying swings and slides. Indoors, Amara enjoys magnatiles, dinosaurs, painting, baby dolls, her play kitchen, and playing doctor. If Amara wins the $25,000 prize, her family

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Former Alton Man Sentenced For 1994 Shooting Case

2 months 2 weeks ago
EDWARDSVILLE — A former Alton resident who lived under a false identity for decades in Michigan has been convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison for a 1994 shooting that injured a man. Robert D. Mason III, 54, pleaded guilty in Madison County Circuit Court to attempted murder and identity theft charges related to the shooting at an Alton residence. After the incident, Mason disappeared and the shooting charges remained unresolved for nearly 30 years. Mason was located earlier this year in Kalamazoo, Mich., following an investigation by Alton Police into an identity theft report. An Alton resident had alerted authorities that someone in Michigan was using his name for financial transactions. The investigation revealed Mason had stolen the victim’s birth certificate and Social Security card before fleeing Illinois. State’s Attorney Tom Haine praised the collaborative efforts of multiple agencies, including the U.S. Marshals Service, local police departments, an

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Alton City Skate Park at Hellrung Park Temporarily Closed for Repairs

2 months 2 weeks ago
ALTON — The City of Alton announces the immediate temporary closure of the Hellrung Park Skate Park effective today, 08/21/2025, due to necessary repairs. This closure is essential to ensure the safety of all visitors and to address structural concerns identified during routine inspections. The city is actively working to obtain quotes and contractor proposals, with a Request for Proposal (RFP) being issued immediately to expedite the repair process. "We appreciate the community’s understanding and patience during this time," the city of Alton said. "The city remains committed to providing safe and enjoyable recreational spaces for residents and visitors alike."

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Local Author Encourages People to "Interrupt the Autopilot" in New Book

2 months 2 weeks ago
ALTON - Michael Gebben’s new book, “A Pause Practice,” encourages people to break out of their defaults, flip their perspectives, and take action. Gebben encourages people to feel their emotions and take actions that improve their lives. He believes a lot of people “default” back to safer patterns like procrastination and anxiety, but with practice, you can overcome these defaults and choose paths that set you up for success. “It’s to interrupt the autopilot, the automatic. That’s really the goal of it. We are so living through our subconscious where we’re just running on autopilot, everything we do,” Gebben explained. “It’s not our fault. It’s our default, and you can change the result.” For years, Gebben considered himself “the massive imperfect action guy” who was constantly moving and producing. When he found himself in a procrastination cycle three years ago, he began to

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Repeat Domestic Battery Offenders From Granite City Face Felonies

2 months 2 weeks ago
GRANITE CITY – Two Granite City men with prior domestic battery convictions face new charges in their second and fourth domestic battery cases. Brian P. Watts, 33, of Granite City, was charged on Aug. 11, 2025 with two Class 2 felony counts of aggravated domestic battery, as well as his second or subsequent offense of domestic battery, a Class 4 felony. On Aug. 9, 2025, Watts allegedly struck a household or family member in the mouth with a closed fist, “causing two of the victim’s teeth to be forcibly knocked from her mouth,” according to charging documents. He was additionally accused of intentionally strangling the same victim. Watts reportedly punched the victim after they confronted him “about his drinking,” according to the state’s petition to deny his pretrial release from custody, which adds he strangled the victim as she attempted to flee. “She was able to get away and went to the police department, observed covered in

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