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President Of ‘Facts Don’t Care About Your Feelings’ Party Fires Statistician For Reporting Facts That Hurt His Feelings

3 months ago
We’re becoming everything we (perhaps naively) assumed most Americans didn’t want America to be: a backwater burg on the world map, overseen by a corrupt sheriff and known mostly for our routine rights violations and unwillingness to treat facts as facts. Bigotry is again the national sport and people bringing inconvenient facts are just fodder […]
Tim Cushing

Daily Deal: EDU Unlimited by StackSkills

3 months ago
StackSkills is the premier online learning platform for mastering today’s most in-demand skills. Now, with this exclusive limited-time offer, you’ll gain access to 1000+ StackSkills courses for life! Whether you’re looking to earn a promotion, make a career change, or pick up a side hustle to make some extra cash, StackSkills delivers engaging online courses […]
Daily Deal

LATE SUMMER entertainment

3 months ago

AUGUST & SEPTEMBER EVEN TS   Two Jews Walk into a War – through August 10 Current Productions   Two Jews Walk into a War…by Seth Rozin will open July 24, 2025. This unconventional comedy is inspired by the true story of the last two Jewish men living in Kabul, Afghanistan during the Taliban regime’s […]

The post LATE SUMMER entertainment appeared first on flovalleynews.com.

independentnws

'Ball Kids Are Phenomenal:' Futures Tournament Director Credits Teamwork For Successful Edwardsville Tennis Event

3 months ago
EDWARDSVILLE - The singles final was the climax of another successful Edwardsville Futures Tournament, one in which Director Dave Lipe hoped to do things just a little bit better than last year. And at the end of the day, he was able to accomplish all of his goals. "I think we did a lot of things a little bit better this year," Lipe said. "Our concessions were a little bit better, the way we were able to accommodate players, I think, a little bit better. we were a little better organized, our front desk, our greeting desk, was a little more professional, a few more options, in terms of swag to purchase. Just our communication as a staff, it's a very small army. "There is a lot of organization that goes into this, and our organization was a little better, a little more timely, and our ball kids were just absolutely phenomenal. Our social media game continues to be fantastic. So, there are just so many people that do such a great job. "All the workers were just so good this week,"

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Support Needed for Bethalto Special Ed Paraprofessional After Car Fire

3 months ago
BETHALTO — Keegin Morgan, a Bethalto special education paraprofessional and mother of two, lost her only vehicle in a fire at her apartment complex on Grant Street. With the new school year approaching, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help her replace the car and continue supporting her students and family. Morgan, known for her dedication and compassion in a high-needs special education classroom, was left without reliable transportation after the fire severely damaged her vehicle. Despite the setback, she remains committed to her work and her children. The GoFundMe fundraiser aims to provide Morgan with a dependable car so she can maintain her role in education and care for her two sons. Organizers are encouraging community members to contribute any amount to assist Morgan during this challenging time. "Thank you for your kindness and generosity," the organizers of the GoFundMe said. Click here for the GoFundMe for Morgan.

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Lymphedema Education Meeting Scheduled for Thursday, August 7  

3 months ago
ALTON – OSF HealthCare Rehabilitation Services in Alton will be holding its monthly lymphedema education meeting on Thursday, August 7, with the discussion topic: Beating the heat - dealing with lymphedema in hot weather. Riverbend region residents are invited to join the OSF Lymphedema Therapy Team for this free educational session about lymphedema and meet other people with lymphedema. The August lymphedema education meeting will be held: Thursday, August 7, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. OSF HealthCare Rehabilitation Services 228 Alton Square Mall, Alton, IL Enter the Rehab office from the upper mall parking lot, facing Alby Street, under the "OSF HEALTHCARE" sign Interested individuals should direct questions or requests for additional information to OSF Rehabilitation Services at (618) 463-5171. Lymphedema refers to tissue swelling caused by an accumulation of fluid that is usually drained by the body's lymphatic system. Some lymphedema facts include: I

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HFS Celebrates Child Support Awareness Month, as Illinois Marks 50 Years of Child Support Services

3 months ago
SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is recognizing August as Child Support Awareness Month, marking historic progress on key performance metrics as the state celebrates the milestone 50th year of the program. Illinois’ Child Support Services program is entering its next decade with a goal of addressing the needs of the families it serves more holistically, including providing additional assistance to the parents who pay support. The mission of the program is to improve the lives of children and create a more stable and successful future for families in the state of Illinois. “This year’s Child Support Awareness Month is a chance to celebrate a milestone in this program’s history, reflect on how it has served families in Illinois over the past 50 years and recognize the program’s improvement over the years,” said HFS Director Elizabeth M. Whitehorn . “With its future focused on innovations and whole-family

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Mentorship Programs Aim to Help Alton Kids Think About Their Futures

3 months ago
ALTON - There are two new mentorship programs available for kids in Alton. Donald Mason-El works with the Alton Housing Authority to organize mentorship programs for kids in Alton Acres, Oakwood Estates and beyond. His initiatives aim to provide alternatives to gun violence and break the cycles of generational poverty. “If you can cause children to view things different, they’ll do things different,” Mason-El said. “We’re just really trying to get them an opportunity to have a chance at life." For two hours every Tuesday and Thursday, kids ages 5–16 can come to the recreation centers at Alton Acres and Oakwood Estates for the F.L.Y. mentorship program. They currently welcome 70 kids every week, who enjoy a meal and participate in lessons on math, science and history. Starting in September, the girls will prepare the meal while the boys learn basic home maintenance skills. Last week, Mason-El taught five of the students how to replace

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Commentary: Zach Hardin Launches 2026 Calhoun County Sheriff's Office Campaign

3 months ago
To Whom it May Concern: I, Zach Hardin, am proud to announce my candidacy for Sheriff of Calhoun County in the 2026 election. I currently reside in Brussels, Illinois, with my two daughters, Sophia and Amelia. My love for Calhoun County stemmed from my childhood summers spent with my grandparents at their farm in "Cappelville" (Point Precinct). I was born in Alton, Illinois and graduated from Alton High School in 2007. I attended Lewis & Clark Community College with a focus on History and Criminal Justice. I had the honor ofjoining the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office in 2019, when I was hired as a Deputy Sheriff. I was promoted to Sergeant in December of 2022, where I served as the Patrol Supervisor; before being promoted to Chief Deputy Sheriff in March, 2024. While working for CCSO, I have continued my training, and am currently a Lead Homicide Investigator, High-Risk Traffic Stop Instructor, Juvenile Officer, and a member of the Illinois Crisis Intervention Team. During my tim

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Thompson Coburn Relocates Southern Illinois Office to O'Fallon, IL

3 months ago
O'FALLON – Thompson Coburn announced today that its Southern Illinois office has relocated from Belleville to O’Fallon, Illinois. The new office will be located on the third floor of The Blade building, at 1405 N. Green Mount Road. “This is an exciting move for our team in Southern Illinois. For generations Thompson Coburn has understood the importance of maintaining a full service and fully staffed litigation presence in Southern Illinois—not just a storefront—to handle complex litigation in Madison County, St. Clair County, and beyond. This new office reaffirms our commitment to providing our clients the top notch legal services and boots on the ground that they expect in these jurisdictions.” said Erick VanDorn, Thompson Coburn Southern Illinois office managing partner. “This new space also reflects Thompson Coburn’s commitment to its people in the region by providing them an accessible and convenient work location and the amenities

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St. Clair County Sheriff's Office Warns Of Phone Scam Impersonating Deputies

3 months ago
BELLEVILLE — The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department in Belleville is warning residents about a new phone scam in which callers impersonate deputies and other local law enforcement officials, falsely claiming that individuals have outstanding civil judgments or arrest warrants. The department cautions that these criminals may demand immediate payment of back taxes to the I.R.S. or ask for bond money, often requesting payments electronically. “The Sheriff’s Department will not call you and promise to arrest you if you don’t submit back taxes to the I.R.S. immediately by telephone,” the department said in a statement. They also stressed that officers will not contact residents by phone to demand payment for warrants. Numerous scammers have been reported using the names of actual officers to lend credibility to their calls. The department advises anyone uncertain about the legitimacy of such a call to visit the sheriff’s office in person

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St. Clair County Sheriff's Department Bids Farewell to Lt. Col. Thomas Knapp

3 months ago
BELLEVILLE — Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Knapp officially retired from the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department on Thursday, July 31, 2025, after 38 years of service, marking the end of a long and distinguished law enforcement career. Knapp began his career with the department as a correctional officer on Nov. 17, 1986. Over almost four decades, he held nearly every position within the agency, including booking officer, sergeant, administrative sergeant, lieutenant, captain, superintendent of the jail, major, lieutenant colonel, and executive deputy. Throughout his tenure, Knapp received multiple awards recognizing his performance and dedication. Notably, he earned a commendation from the U.S. Department of Justice for apprehending an escaped inmate in 1990. He was also honored by the Governor of Kentucky, the National Sheriff’s Association and was named Correctional Officer of the Year in 1991. The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department expressed gratitude

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