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Strebel Issues Final Thoughts On Vision For Alton If Elected Mayor

11 hours 8 minutes ago
ALTON - Alton Alderman and candidate for Mayor Ray Strebel's campaign outlines several key themes, starting with a commitment to restoring fiscal responsibility. He argues that understanding the allocation of tax dollars should be accessible to all residents. "You shouldn’t need an accounting degree to understand how your tax dollars are spent," he said, asserting that City Hall should operate as efficiently as families manage their own budgets. He expressed concerns over proposed salary increases for department heads, labeling such actions as "negligence" rather than leadership. Public safety is another cornerstone of Strebel's campaign, as he highlights Alton's crime rate, which he notes is higher than the national average. "That’s not just a statistic — that’s a wake-up call," he said, advocating for proactive measures to enhance community safety. Strebel argues that a secure environment is crucial for attracting families and businesses to the area. Infrastructure

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Opinion: Mayor David Goins: A Vision for Alton's Future - Your Vote Matters on April 1, 2025

11 hours 8 minutes ago
Letter To The Editor: ALTON – As we stand on the brink of an important election day, I want to reach out to the extraordinary citizens of Alton. The upcoming election on April 1, 2025, provides us with a vital opportunity to shape the future of our beloved community. Your voice matters, and your vote is the key to driving our progress forward. It has been my privilege to serve as your Mayor, and I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together. My commitment to fiscal responsibility, community engagement, and public safety remains unwavering. We have faced challenges, but together we have transformed them into opportunities for growth. **A Record of Progress** In my first term, we made significant strides that have not only stabilized our economy but have also enriched the lives of our residents: - **Financial Resilience:** Together, we turned a $3.8 million deficit into a $7.7 million surplus, enhancing our city’s credit rating and securing a brighter economic

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Eads at 150

11 hours 8 minutes ago

In celebration of the 150th anniversary of the completion of the iconic Eads Bridge, Eads Bridge at 150 examines the complexities of its design, its construction, and the role it has played since it opened […]

The post Eads at 150 appeared first on Explore St. Louis.

Myranda Levins

Mississippi Mermaids Redefines Dining with a Floating Adventure

11 hours 23 minutes ago
GRAFTON – Get ready for a wild and wacky ride on the mighty Mississippi! Mississippi Mermaids is not your ordinary floating café. We’re serving up a splash of fun, a tide of flavor, and a wave of silliness that will have you laughing all the way down the river—all aboard our grand ship that is large enough to host every bit of the excitement. Step aboard our ship, a vibrant venue inspired by the river’s playful spirit. Guests will discover themed rooms, secret decks, and expansive outdoor lounges with stunning views of the water. This isn’t just a meal—it’s a full-on river adventure. Our service team takes the fun to another level. Our waiters are dressed in deep diver outfits, complete with flippers and snorkels, ready to “dive” into service with puns and playful banter. Imagine being greeted with a cheery, “Hope you’re ready to make a splash!” as you settle into your riverfront seat. Mississippi

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Alton Mayor Goins On The 'Balancing Act' Of Running A City And Campaign

12 hours 8 minutes ago
ALTON – Alton Mayor David Goins recently appeared on Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com for our State of the Race 2025 interview series with local candidates for public office. Goins outline d key accomplishments from his first term and his vision and goals for a second if re-elected on Election Day, April 1 , 2025. Goins said one one his proudest accomplishments from his first term has been the city’s financial turnaround. As he explained in a recent campaign video , his “smart financial management” turned the city’s $3.8 million deficit into a $7.7 million surplus, boosting the city’s credit rating while lowering property tax rates. American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding aside, Goins said city finances still rest comfortably at an over $3 million surplus. Alton’s finances weren’t fixed overnight, and the deficit marking the first half of Goins’s first term unfortunately kept more than four street

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Missouri House Democrats label bill protecting religious student groups as ‘discriminatory’

12 hours 21 minutes ago
Legislation that would bar Missouri universities from penalizing student groups for their beliefs faced pointed criticism during a Monday evening House committee hearing from Democrats who say it would open the door for discrimination and hate speech. “Some people call it ‘religious beliefs,’ and some people call it ‘discrimination,’” said state Rep. Elizabeth Fuchs, a […]
Annelise Hanshaw