It's a somewhat sad moment in the St. Louis restaurant scene. In just a few days, longtime Botanical Heights restaurants Elaia, Olio and Nixta will leave their homes on Tower Grove and McRee avenues for good, after negotiations by restaurant owner Ben Poremba to purchase the buildings failed. Without a doubt, Poremba and his restaurants are responsible for the area's renaissance, and since the 2012 opening of Elaia and Olio, the south city enclave has flourished with new businesses, such as Union Loafers and La Patisserie Chouquette, opening.
SPRINGFIELD – As 2023 comes to a close, the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and nearly 200 law enforcement agencies across the state are reminding the public they'll be working overtime now through the beginning of the new year in an effort to keep roads safe for everyone. “Getting behind the wheel after drinking or using impairing drugs is a criminal act that jeopardizes your safety and the safety of others,” said IDOT’s Director of Highways Project Implementation Steve Travia. “Other dangerous behaviors like not wearing a seat belt, distracted driving and speeding are also strongly addressed by our laws. These laws exist for one reason – to keep the millions of people who use our public roads safe.” This final statewide enforcement push of 2023 has one goal – to save lives. During these last days of the year, additional law enforcement will be patrolling for impaired driving, seat belt, speeding, distracted
SPRINGFIELD – Workers in Illinois will begin earning paid time off on January 1, 2024. The new law allows workers to earn up to 40 hours of paid leave in a 12-month period. Workers will accrue one hour of leave for every 40 hours worked. Governor JB Pritzker signed the landmark legislation in March, making Illinois the third state in the nation and first in the Midwest to mandate paid leave for any reason. “Illinois is the most pro-worker state in the nation, and the Paid Leave for All Workers Act is a prime example of those values translating into action,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Starting January 1st, I couldn’t be prouder that Illinois is officially becoming the first state in the Midwest to mandate paid leave for any reason. From raising the minimum wage to enshrining the right to collective bargaining in our state constitution, my administration will continue to support and protect Illinois’ workforce at every turn.” “The
SPRINGFIELD – If you had a baby or adopted this year, don’t forget to open a Bright Start or Bright Directions college savings account and claim your $50 seed deposit from the Illinois First Steps program, State Treasurer Michael Frerichs reminded new parents today. “We launched the Illinois First Steps program this year to help put families on a path to saving early for their child’s education,” Frerichs said. “Saving now means money will be available when your child is ready to attend a university, community college, trade school, or start an apprenticeship.” To qualify for the Illinois First Steps $50 seed deposit, parents or legal guardians must be Illinois residents at the time of birth or adoption, the beneficiary child must be born or adopted on or after Jan. 1, 2023, open an Illinois529 college savings account with Bright Start or Bright Directions, and claim the seed deposit before the child's 10th birthday. Bright Start and Bright
At public universities across the state, staff and faculty unions have faced a contentious year of negotiations and, in some cases, strikes.
Pay has been a major issue on several campuses and the unions are now looking to Springfield for potential reforms to the state’s higher education funding.
At Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, negotiations are ongoing between campus leadership and the union that represents clerical workers.
Amy Bodenstab, who works as an office manager in…
Ed Pilla of the Maplewood Bar and Grill (Eddie’s on Manchester) passed away in mid-December, according to a friend of Pilla’s, Mike Jones. “He was 95. The best Pizza in the area. It was sad to see his place closed,” Jones said. Pilla came by the newly opened A Pizza Story in 2013 to meet […]
Most housing economists agree the conditions for housing will improve, even if only slightly, in 2024, but one report predicts that prices will fall significantly in the St. Louis area.
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James Devonte Stampley, 30, of Bellefontaine Neighbors, was charged with murder in the killing of Brandon Cotton, 43, of unincorporated St. Louis County.
Lauren E. Dean, 41, has been charged with one count of felony stealing and one count of abuse of an elderly, disabled or vulnerable person in Lincoln County.
St. Louis prosecutors say a father of four, already in custody in Wisconsin, has been charged with murder after he admitted to killing the mother of his children.
ALTON - On Christmas Eve, Alton’s Middletown Historic District was once again aglow as part of their annual luminary tradition. The tradition invites neighbors to put out 5,000 candles along Henry, E. 12th and surrounding streets. While the luminary is limited to Middletown, luminary chair Shannon Sholar said she hopes to bring in more blocks next year to enjoy the tradition. “It’s a great way to kick off the season,” Sholar said. “It showcases the beautiful historic neighborhood. It is just unbelievably peaceful and calming to drive through and see that glow up and down the streets with all the bags lined up. And it’s a great way for neighbors to come out of their homes when everybody’s stuck inside and mix with their neighbors and just kick off the holiday season.” The luminary was started 22 years ago by Margaret Hopkins, but the tradition itself has remained largely the same. Sholar explained that every block has a “block
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