SPRINGFIELD – A new law going into effect on Jan. 1 is expected to eliminate the number of food deserts in Illinois’ communities, thanks to State Senator Christopher Belt. “There is no reason why individuals should struggle to find access to fresh food,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “We have communities all over the state that have this issue, and it’s time that is addressed.” In 2021, the Illinois Department of Public Health issued a study that found 807 census tracts are considered food deserts, meaning urban residents have to travel more than a half-mile and rural residents must travel more than 10 miles to get to the nearest grocery store. Under the new law, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is required to provide grants and other forms of financial assistance to grocery stores located in or to be located in a food desert. This aims to help mitigate the issue of food deserts across the state. “The Grocery Initiative
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today applauded President Biden for signing into law their bipartisan National Guard and Reservists Debt Relief Extension Act, which reauthorizes relief for an additional four years for qualifying members of the National Guard and Reserves experiencing financial hardship. The legislation will protect a long-standing bipartisan carveout from means-testing restrictions in Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases. The legislation passed the House of Representatives and the Senate earlier this month. The bill was signed into law yesterday. “Declaring bankruptcy is a difficult choice for any American, and that option should be assessed using an accurate depiction of a person’s income and financial standing. Our National Guard members and reservists must not be penalized for any active duty pay
ALTON - Alton Community Unit School District #11 held a Truth in Taxation hearing before their regular Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023. Mary Schell, the district’s Director of Financial Services, explained the proposed 2023 tax levy to the Board and community members. “A Truth in Taxation hearing is held to let voters and taxpayers in the community comment on the proposed local property tax levy the district’s making for the current year taxes payable in the following year,” Schell said. “When the district’s proposed aggregate levy is greater than 105% of the prior year's aggregate extension, a Truth in Taxation hearing must be held…In summary, this Truth in Taxation hearing is taking place because the 2023 district aggregate levy, based on 15% increase in , exceeds the 2022 aggregate extension by more than 105%.” Schell explained that the levy is “simply an educated guess” about the projected amount
GRAFTON - The kids are off from school and you have a few days of vacation before the holidays really start. If you’re looking for something fun to do, the City of Grafton has got you covered this weekend whether you want a family outing, a date night or a relaxing solo afternoon! You can always find good food and drinks at the many eateries, wineries and bars in town. Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023, is the final day the famous Oyster Bar will be open until their season resumes in February, so stop by for some good Cajun cuisine and seafood. When you’re ready for dessert, Grafton Fudge and Ice Cream is a sure way to satisfy your sweet tooth. Located at 321 E. Main Street, the shop also has lots of candy for sugary stocking stuffers. Do you still have some last-minute shopping to do? There are plenty of great gift cards available for fun in Grafton, starting off with a super deal on Oyster Bar gift cards where you pay just $35 for a $50 card. Supplies are going
Billy Gibbons has added one more show to his 2023 schedule. The ZZ Top rocker is set to headline a concert at New York’s City Winery, with the gig billed as “Billy Gibbons & Friends.” The…
EDWARDSVILLE — Give the gift of travel this holiday season. “Do you know someone who is in need of a passport?” Madison County Circuit Clerk Tom McRae asked. “If so, the Circuit Clerk’s Office can help.” McRae said he wants to remind the public about passport services offered by the office. “If you know someone who is planning a trip out of the country and doesn’t yet have their passport, consider bringing them to our office to apply for one,” McRae said. “It’s a gift that will keep on giving for the next 10 years.” The Circuit Clerk’s Office offers passport processing, including photo service. “It’s a one-stop for both the photo and the application process,” McRae said. The circuit clerk’s office began offering photo service six months ago after acquiring equipment specifically designed to take pictures for passports. McRae said the federal government routinely rejects passport
EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 (ECUSD7) has replaced Dr. Rusti Blount as principal of Lincoln Middle School. Dr. Beth Renth will serve as interim principal until further notice. A spokesperson for the District said they are “unable to comment on personnel issues.” Blount had previously served as a principal with Seagraves School District in Texas and as an education professional on the Houston County Board of Education in Georgia. She took on the role of Lincoln Middle School principal in July 2022. Renth retired from ECUSD7 in December 2022 after serving as the principal of Worden Elementary School for 22 years. During the regular Board of Education meeting on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, Board President Jill Bertels made a motion to amend the meeting agenda to remove action item 9.13 “Approval Resolution to Dismiss and Authorize Notice of Dismissal of a Classified Employee.” The Board unanimously approved the motion.
One detainee bit another this morning at St. Louis’ troubled City Justice Center, an incident severe enough that one inmate is facing assault charges while the other had to be taken to the hospital. The St. Louis Fire Department has confirmed they were called to the jail around 5:30 a.m. and that they took one detainee to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Stifel Theatre, located adjacent to the Enterprise Center downtown, for the first time will host a sports event with its stage featuring a collegiate wrestling match.
WOOD RIVER - Wood River City Council members are proceeding with caution to potentially pursue membership in the Illinois Main Street organization. After lots of questioning and discussion at Monday’s meeting, city officials’ hesitancy seemingly centers around an obligation to provide financial support to the organization for at least three years if they were to join. The agenda item in question concerns “a Letter of Intent with Wood River Business Alliance to pursue Main Street Affiliation and provide partnership and financial support for a minimum of three years.” The city’s financial obligation to the organization upon officially joining would amount to $25,000 per year for three years. The Wood River Business Alliance, formerly known as Wood River Economic Development, is an organization promoting new and existing small businesses in Wood River. Illinois Main Street is part of a larger national organization, Main Street America. According to
On Saturday, December 16, a submerged car was retrieved from a pond on private property in the southern part of Camden County. The vehicle has been linked to a missing person, Donnie Erwin.
Are you looking for gifts that are sure to arrive in time for Christmas? If so, you may want to consider giving subscription gifts to those left on your Christmas shopping list.
This is a.......yellow flower of some kind. It seems like it should be easy to identify, but I tried a couple of flower ID sites and they didn't help. Any ideas? I took the picture in southern Colorado.
The proposal, which suggests a collection of buildings along the St. Louis riverfront downtown represents remnants of St. Louis' manufacturing prowess at the turn of the 20th century, would open the redevelopment project to millions in historic tax credits.
Memories Are Made of These When browsing the Internet recently, I came upon some tea sandwiches, that were unbelievably easy to make. They brought back memories of being in London and having tea at Harrods and at the historic Brown Hotel. Building a Tea Sandwich As it turned out, I had all the items on...
JERSEYVILLE - The Jersey County Sheriff’s Department recently announced they have new winter gear to keep warm this winter, thanks to a donation from Mustache March 4PD. The department shared more about the donation on their Facebook page and through their Jersey County Sheriff's Office app. “Thank You to MM4PD,” they wrote. “Yesterday morning it was 18 degrees! Luckily for us, the amazing folks at Mustache March 4PD provided our Sheriff's Office with the generous funds for new winter gear this year. We cannot thank them enough.” Mustache March 4PD is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization of volunteers who continuously raise funds for local police departments. They recently surprised a few lucky customers at Hit N Run in Alton with over $2,500 worth of free gas , with members of the Alton Police Department pumping the gas and chatting with the community. In addition to raising funds, the organization also aims to "increase the amount of assistance
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