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Illinois Fall Trout Season Opens Oct. 21 In Locations Statewide

2 years 7 months ago
SPRINGFIELD – The 2023 Illinois fall trout season will open Saturday, Oct. 21 at 59 ponds, lakes, and streams throughout the state, and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is warning anglers that warm weather will delay some early stockings this fall. The early catch-and-release season, scheduled to open Oct. 7 this year, will be stocked later than expected because of forecasted and observed warm water temperatures. Trout stocked in waters warmer than 70 degrees will experience high mortality. IDNR will stock the early catch-and-release sites as soon as water temperatures cool and will provide updates on the ifishillinois.org website and social media channels for ifishillinois.org and IDNR. No trout may be taken from any of the stocked sites until the regular fall season opens at 5 a.m. Oct. 21. The daily catch limit is five trout. All anglers, including those who participate in the early catch-and-release season, must have an Illinois fishing license and

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Rep. Elik's Utility Clinic Helps Seniors Save On Electricity Bills

2 years 7 months ago
ALTON - Participants at the free utility bill clinic on Wednesday hosted by State Representative Amy Elik (R-Alton) and the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) learned how to save money on their utility bills. The free utility bill clinic was held at Senior Services Plus (SSP) in Alton. “This event was very popular, several people who attended found ways to save on their electricity bill by switching their alternative rate electric supplier,” said Rep. Amy Elik. “In one instance I had a constituent that was paying .17 cents per kWh with an alternative rate electric supplier when other rates available are half the cost. Since the demand to learn how to save money on utility bills was so high, my office plans to host another free utility clinic early next year if not sooner.” In the meantime, Representative Amy Elik is encouraging individuals who would like to receive help finding ways to save on their utility bills, to please call the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) a

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Safety First As OSFM & IDOL Inspect Haunted Houses

2 years 7 months ago
SPRINGFIELD – The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) and Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) are visiting and inspecting haunted houses to ensure they’re safe before the doors creak open and screams are let out. “Inspectors with IDOL’s Amusement Ride and Attraction Safety Division, along with other State and local partners, walk through, inspect and permit haunted houses before they’re open to the public,” said Illinois Department of Labor Carnival Manager Brian Fox. Haunted houses in Illinois are required to be inspected prior to operation, though haunted houses operated by not-for-profit religious, educational, or charitable organizations can apply for an exemption from IDOL inspection. These haunted houses, however, must still be inspected by local authorities and/or the State Fire Marshal's office. “Haunted houses are a fun and scary activity many enjoy during the Halloween season,” said Illinois State Fire Marshal

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Shutdown would mean even more delays in overwhelmed U.S. immigration courts

2 years 7 months ago

WASHINGTON — A looming partial government shutdown will put added pressure on an already strained system — U.S. immigration courts. Canceling or rescheduling court cases that many immigrants have awaited for years will cause even more backlogs, immigration attorneys and judges have warned. “Where we’ll really kind of see the backlog continue to build will […]

The post Shutdown would mean even more delays in overwhelmed U.S. immigration courts appeared first on Missouri Independent.

Ariana Figueroa

What happened when 15 St. Louis students got lost in rural Missouri

2 years 7 months ago
SHANNON COUNTY, Mo. - A group of middle schoolers led by two high school seniors were found after an hours-long search near the Roger Pryor Pioneer Backcountry south of Echo Bluff State Park in Shannon County. Thirteen 7th graders from John Burroughs School in St. Louis embarked on an outing in a wooded area of [...]
Emilee Kuschel

Alton Mural Nears Halfway Point

2 years 7 months ago
ALTON - As September comes to a close, the “Alton Flyway Mural” at 136 Front Street is taking shape. Robert Fishbone with On the Wall Productions started work on the mural two weeks ago. He originally predicted it would take about a month to complete. The two prime coats have been applied and the design is laid out on the wall. Over the past few days, Fishbone has been applying the first coat of paint. “One of the things that distinguishes the work that my company does is everything we do is site-specific. That means it’s geared toward the community and the history of the people,” Fishbone explained at a “What’s Up Downtown” information exchange in August . The “Alton Flyway Mural” is a recreation of a painting by Elsah artist James K. Schmidt. Fishbone has adjusted Schmidt’s painting so that it fits on the eastern wall of 136 Front St. and nothing is obscured by the building’s windows or piping. Above

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Beloved Local Hairdresser Retires After 58 Years

2 years 7 months ago
GODFREY/ALTON - On the surface, Helen Shelby’s career seems like a regular story. Shelby is retiring on Sept. 29 after 58 years as a hairdresser in salons across Alton and Godfrey. She speaks fondly about her customers and coworkers, recounting their loyalty and her gratitude for their friendships. If you ask Shelby, it’s been a good career, though nothing special. Her friends and customers would disagree. “One said to me, ‘You have no idea how you’ve touched my life.’ And let me tell you, that just got to me,” Shelby said. “You don’t think, maybe, you’re helping someone. But I’ve had things and people that affect me like that too, so I know what that feels like.” Some of these people are women that Shelby has seen once a week for over 50 years. They sit in her chair and chat about their lives, their families, and their stresses. They tell her things they haven’t been able to tell anyone else. “They

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