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Sunshine Law violations by social services agency will cost Missouri $120,000

18 hours 59 minutes ago
A Cole County judge on Tuesday ordered the Missouri Department of Social Services to pay more than $115,000 in legal fees and a $5,000 penalty for “knowingly and purposefully” violating the state’s open records law. In September, Judge Jon Beetem determined that the department violated the Sunshine Law by wrongfully withholding public records based on […]
Clara Bates

The Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign Kicks Off With Community Tree Lighting

19 hours 1 minute ago
ALTON – It’s the season when red kettles begin popping up everywhere – on store counters, in restaurants and outside popular Christmas shopping locations, reminding us that the holidays are a time of caring and sharing. The Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle Campaign kicks off this coming weekend with Chairs John and Cathy Keller at the community tree lighting on Nov. 22 at Lincoln Douglas Square in Alton. The event begins at 6 p.m. and includes a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus as well as caroling, hot chocolate and cookies. Children from The Salvation Army After School Program will perform a hip-hop dance and a special rendition of “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” For those unable to attend the Tree Lighting in person, portions of the event will be streaming live on Riverbender.com, hosted by Riverbender’s C.J. Nasello and the Big Z’s Mike Roberts. The Red Kettle Campaign officially began at Walmart stores on Nov. 16 and will launch

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"Grafton is Blessed": Community Leaders Express Excitement for Grafton Country Music Fest

19 hours 4 minutes ago
GRAFTON - During the Grafton Country Music Festival, Mary Jo Cote and Dan Ebbing expressed their excitement to share the event with the community. Cote, who owns Grafton Pub, was particularly excited about the music. She said Grafton Pub was “hopping” with musicians like Dakota Danielle, Midwest Avenue and more. Meanwhile, Chamber of Commerce President Ebbing was pleased with the turnout as hundreds of people flocked to Grafton for the weekend. “Grafton is blessed,” Ebbing said. “There’s no doubt about it. The cars are lined up as far as I can see on Main Street coming into town.” This was the second annual Grafton Country Music Festival, complete with live music at almost every bar and contests throughout the weekend. Cote encouraged people to get down to Grafton Pub in time for their Mr. and Mrs. Country Music Festival coronation. “We’ve been preparing all week,” she said. “We’ve been working all

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Food is Love Hosts Monthly Block Party for Good in Alton Is Nov. 22

19 hours 11 minutes ago
ALTON - Food is Love , a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to feeding and empowering communities, is thrilled to announce its Monthly Block Party for Good this Friday, November 22, 2024 , from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Alton. This heartwarming community event will feature free groceries and free food truck meals , ensuring no one leaves hungry. The Block Party for Good is part of Food is Love’s mission to educate, empower, and restore lives through food. With the support of community partners, local volunteers, and generous donors, this monthly event brings neighbors together to celebrate community and share in the abundance of good food and good company. “Our Block Party for Good is more than just a food distribution event — it’s a gathering of love, support, and connection,” said John Michel, President of Food is Love. “We want to ensure everyone in our community has access to nutritious food while enjoying the warmth and joy

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SIUE Students Destiony Phillips and Ashley Wahome Receive Donald M. Suggs Scholarships

19 hours 15 minutes ago
EDWARDSVILLE - For mother of three, full-time nurse and student Destiony Phillips, time and money can sometimes be in short commodity. That is why the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville senior was thrilled when she was awarded a Donald M. Suggs Scholarship. Phillips, who is majoring in nursing, was one of two SIUE students to receive a scholarship from The St. Louis American newspaper’s 501 (c)3, the St. Louis American Foundation. Ashley Muthoni Wahome, a School of Engineering senior, was the other University recipient. Phillips and Wahome, each received $1,000 for the fall 2024 semester. “As a full-time nurse and mother of three children, ranging in ages 7 to 14, this scholarship helps redirect some of my finances toward caring for my family,” shared Phillips. “It is also extremely helpful leading into the holiday months.” The field of nursing was a calling that Phillips felt early on. “My younger brother was born with low functioning

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Edwardsville Woman Faces Child Battery Charge

19 hours 21 minutes ago
EDWARDSVILLE - An Edwardsville woman faces a felony aggravated battery charge after striking an 8-year-old child with an electrical cord. Tantiyana S. Bacon, 29, of Edwardsville, was charged on Nov. 15, 2024 with aggravated battery (a Class 3 felony) and domestic battery (a Class A misdemeanor). On Sept. 20, 2024, Bacon allegedly struck an 8-year-old child who was a household or family member “with an electrical cord about his body, leaving marks,” according to court documents. The Edwardsville Police Department presented the case against Bacon, who was remanded to jail for her initial court appearance. Madison County Sheriff’s Office records indicate she has since been released from custody. The issuance of charges is based solely upon probable cause and is not an indication of guilt. All subjects charged with criminal offenses are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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$650,000 Lucky Day Lotto Jackpot Winner Used Numbers Related To Late Wife

19 hours 22 minutes ago
CHICAGO – An Illinois Lottery player from Chicago scooped up a $650,000 Lucky Day Lotto jackpot prize after playing numbers related to his late wife. “I typically play Pick 4 but that day, I noticed that the Lucky Day Lotto jackpot was pretty high so I decided to switch it up and try something new,” said the winner, aka “Big Money D.” “I picked numbers related to my late wife – when I won, it felt like it was a message from her.” The winning ticket was purchased for the Saturday, November 16 evening drawing at Mariano’s in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood, located at 5201 North Sheridan Road. The winner mentioned that it took an entire day for his win to sink in. “I’m still so shocked and excited about the win, I have barely been able to sleep!,” exclaimed the lucky winner. Big Money D purchased the winning Lucky Day Lotto ticket matching all five numbers in the November 16 evening drawing to score

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IDOA 'Fall Covers For Spring Savings' Crop Incentive Program Returns

19 hours 25 minutes ago
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) is implementing its sixth year of the popular Fall Covers for Spring Savings Program. Users will again be able to enter their information into the application and validate it during a pre-enrollment period starting at 8 a.m. CST on December 4, 2024. Applications can be submitted once the program opens at 8 a.m. on December 16, 2024. Prior to submission, applications can be saved and edited at any time. Pre-Enrollment Opens 8 a.m. CST, December 4, 2024 Program Opens (Applications can be submitted) 8 a.m. CST, Monday, December 16, 2024 Program Closes 11:59 p.m. CST, January 15, 2025 A total of 190,000 acres are available for the 2025 program. In 2024, this acreage allotment was met in less than an hour, and a total of over 241,650 acres were requested by the time the application period ended. Funding of eligible acreage is on a first come, first serve basis. “The ‘Fall Covers

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Belt To Host Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway At Belleville YMCA

19 hours 28 minutes ago
BELLEVILLE – State Senator Christopher Belt is partnering with State Representative Jay Hoffman, Downtown Belleville YMCA, Meridian, YouthCare, and HealthChoice Illinois to host a turkey giveaway on Monday, Nov. 25 in Belleville. “Every family should be able to have a nice, hot meal on Thanksgiving,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Representative Hoffman and I know the importance of giving during the holiday season, and this turkey giveaway is the best way to start.” The giveaway will be held at the Downtown Belleville YMCA located at 200 S. Illinois St. on Monday, Nov. 25 at 9 a.m. while supplies last. One turkey will be provided per household. An ID is required to differentiate households per car. For more information, call Senator Belt’s office at 618-875-1212 or visit his website .

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Illinois American Water Provides Tips for Identifying Scammers on Utility Scam Awareness Day

19 hours 30 minutes ago
BELLEVILLE – Illinois American Water wants to keep customers and the general public safe on Utility Scam Awareness Day by providing important tips to help identify and avoid scammers targeting unsuspecting utility customers. Utility company imposters often attempt to scam individuals in two main ways: 1) they may pose as utility workers to gain access to someone's home; 2) they might urgently contact the person, either by phone or another method, demanding immediate payment to prevent a disruption in services. It's important to be cautious and verify the identity of anyone claiming to be a utility worker before letting them into your home or providing any personal information. Illinois American Water urges customers and the general public to verify the identity of utility workers by requesting identification before granting access to their homes or businesses. All Illinois American Water employees carry a company-issued photo ID, wear company branded clothing

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