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National Great Rivers Research and Education Center to Host 23rd Annual Water Festival   

3 months 2 weeks ago
EAST ALTON – The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC), in partnership with Lewis and Clark Community College, is proud to announce the 23rd Annual Water Festival. This year’s festival is set for Friday, Sept. 26, with a scheduled rain date of Friday, Oct. 3, on the campus of Lewis and Clark Community College, Godfrey. More than 900 area fifth-grade students will take part in a full day of hands-on activities designed to inspire curiosity about water, wildlife and the environment, helping students to understand water’s vital role in shaping nature, supporting wildlife and sustaining everyday lives. While Water Festival is focused on providing an immersive learning experience for local schools, each year NGRREC invites new schools to participate*. The 2025 Water Festival will welcome students from a dozen area schools: Academic Development Institute - Lincoln, Ill. C.A. Henning Elementary School – Troy, Ill. Calhoun Elementary –

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Patterson Road & Hwy 67 Improvement Project Open House Sept. 24

3 months 2 weeks ago

Notice: Patterson Road & Hwy 67 Improvement Project Open House  Sept. 24 Notice is hereby given to all interested persons that a public open house will be held to review the proposed resurfacing and safety improvement project on Patterson Road. DATE & TIME: Wednesday, September 24, 2025, 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM CST LOCATION: JFK […]

The post Patterson Road & Hwy 67 Improvement Project Open House Sept. 24 appeared first on flovalleynews.com.

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Family Business Patty's Petals Offers Top-Notch Floral Arrangements

3 months 2 weeks ago
GODFREY - Patty’s Petals is a family business that aims to make your special occasion even more memorable. Located at 3104 Godfrey Road in Godfrey, the business offers custom floral designs. They specialize in weddings and funerals, but offer a wide variety of gifts and displays for any occasion. Missy Seymour and Tara Trent, who run the business alongside their mother, noted that they are proud to be a part of the family’s legacy and provide flowers for people throughout the Riverbend region. “We are a very close-knit family, so we do a lot together anyway,” Trent said. “Being able to work together on a daily basis — families all have their things, but we seem to work through it.” Trent and Seymour shared that the fall season is their favorite, especially because there are many weddings during the upcoming fall months. They enjoy preparing flowers for weddings and helping to make a special day even more memorable. They noted that

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Chancellor Minor Declares Budget Deficit Resolved and Looks Ahead   

3 months 2 weeks ago
EDWARDSVILLE – With the publicity still fresh surrounding Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s fall enrollment growth despite challenging national trends, SIUE Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD, gave an encouraging address, thanking students, faculty, staff, and administrators for achieving the monumental feat. Minor delivered the University Budget Update on Thursday, Sept. 4 in the SIUE Morris University Center’s Legacy Room to a crowded audience. Minor opened his remarks by applauding a “community of educators” who exceeded expectations, reflected in a balanced budget projected for FY26 – the first in eight years. All SIUE’s work and business, Minor repeated his favorite refrain, must be tied to the mission of the institution, which begins with being “student-centered.” He reiterated the goals for graduation rates, according to the University’s strategic plan. SIUE has seen an increase in numbers in recent years,

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Justin Seivers Arrested After Calhoun County Crash

3 months 2 weeks ago
CALHOUN COUNTY — On the morning of August 19, 2025, a two-vehicle crash with injuries occurred near the intersection of Mississippi River Road and Rose Lane in Golden Eagle, Calhoun County, Illinois. The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office was notified of the incident at approximately 9:11 a.m. The Point Fire Protection District was the first to respond to the scene, followed by Chief Deputy Zach Hardin and two ambulances dispatched by Calhoun County Volunteer EMS. Injured individuals received treatment on site before being transported to area hospitals for further care. Following an investigation, Justin J. Seivers, 44, of Meppen, Illinois, was arrested in connection with the crash. He faces charges including aggravated DUI – third or subsequent offense, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a hypodermic syringe, and DUI involving drugs. Seivers was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s

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The Importance of Self-Care During Busy Fall Schedules

3 months 2 weeks ago
Did you know that nearly 77% of people report feeling overwhelmed by their daily responsibilities during peak work periods? As schedules tighten and obligations pile up, the risk of burnout increases significantly. This phenomenon is particularly pronounced in the fall, when professional demands, academic pressures, and personal commitments often converge. Amidst this whirlwind, the practice of self-care emerges not as a luxury but as an essential strategy for maintaining mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Why Self-Care Is Essential in Busy Seasons In high-pressure periods, individuals often prioritize tasks and deadlines over personal health. This tendency can trigger a cascade of negative effects, including elevated stress levels, diminished productivity, and impaired decision-making. Self-care acts as a buffer that mitigates these risks. It restores energy, sharpens focus, and enhances resilience, enabling individuals to navigate their responsibilities more effectively.

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How to Prepare Your Garden for the Winter Months

3 months 2 weeks ago
Did you know that gardens prepared thoughtfully in the fall can yield up to 30% more robust growth and healthier plants in the spring? This increase isn't just a matter of chance—it’s the result of intentional care during a critical period often overlooked by casual gardeners. Preparing your garden for the fall season is an investment in your landscape’s future vitality. By implementing targeted strategies now, you can ensure that your garden not only survives the dormant months but emerges thriving and ready to flourish. Assessing and Cleaning Your Garden Space Before the garden beds are covered with frost or the last leaves have fallen, it's essential to give your garden a thorough once-over. Removing dead plants, spent annuals, and fallen debris reduces the risk of pests and diseases that can overwinter and damage your plants next season. For example, powdery mildew spores and certain fungal infections often linger on decaying plant matter. Practical tip: Use

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How to Incorporate Mindfulness into Your Daily Routine

3 months 2 weeks ago
What if the secret to improving your focus, reducing stress, and enhancing your overall well-being could be unlocked in just a few minutes each day? Mindfulness, the practice of paying deliberate attention to the present moment without judgment, is more than a buzzword—it’s a scientifically supported approach to living that many overlook amid busy schedules. Incorporating mindfulness into daily life may seem daunting, but with intentional steps, it can become a natural and rewarding habit. Understanding Mindfulness and Its Benefits Mindfulness is often misunderstood as simply “relaxing” or “meditating,” but it encompasses a broader awareness of thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surroundings. Research by the American Psychological Association highlights that mindfulness-based practices can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, improve attention spans, and even enhance immune function. A landmark study published in JAMA Internal Medicine

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