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Plein Air Art Competition Invites Artists to "Capture the Essence" of Mississippi River

3 months 2 weeks ago
ALTON - Local artists are encouraged to create art for the Riverbend’s first “Mississippi Riverscapes: The 2025 Plein Air Art Competition.” Jacoby Arts Center and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will sponsor the competition. From June 1–22, 2025, community members can go to eight designated spots along the Mississippi River to paint or draw the landscape. “Artists work in a lot of different ways, but the idea is to go out and enjoy these locations and then have artists communicate that to the community, how beautiful these areas are that are maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,” explained Rachel Lappin with Jacoby. “This is for everybody. Whatever you go out and paint, just submit it and have fun.” A plein air art competition challenges artists to create art on location. Lappin and Elise Ratcliff, who works with the Corps of Engineers, encourage community members to bring their supplies to the eight spots and document

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Trump Administration Tells Supreme Court DOGE Can’t Be FOIAed

3 months 2 weeks ago
The destructive force that is DOGE still somehow manages to exist, despite it not being (depending on which claim is made and when) an official federal agency and/or overseen by anyone specifically identifiable as the head of DOGE. Until recently, everyone — including Donald Trump — knew (and said as much in public) that DOGE […]
Tim Cushing

Tom Lane State Farm Insurance Male Athlete Of Month: CM's Ryne Breyer Advances To State Tennis Tournament

3 months 2 weeks ago
BETHALTO - Civic Memorial High School is sending a boys' tennis player to the Illinois state tournament for the first time in a decade. Senior Ryne Breyer, a four-year member of the Civic Memorial tennis team, earned his spot among the state’s top competitors and will compete today. Breyer is a Tom Lane State Farm Insurance Male Athlete of the Month for CM. Breyer’s dedication to the sport has been evident throughout his high school career. Beyond his athletic achievements, he has distinguished himself academically as an Illinois State Scholar and a Silver Medallion recipient. His commitment to both academics and athletics has been recognized by coaches and peers alike. In addition to competing at the state tournament, Breyer plans to continue his tennis career this fall at Illinois College. Breyer's success marks a significant milestone for the Civic Memorial tennis program and serves as an inspiration for future athletes at the school.

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Red Cross Transitions Individuals Affected By Tornado From 12th and Park Shelter To New Shelter

3 months 2 weeks ago
ST. LOUIS, MO – The American Red Cross has opened a shelter at Ferguson Nazarene Church, 1309 Elizabeth, Ferguson, MO. Individuals staying at the 12th and Park Recreation Center location were taken by bus to the new shelter in Ferguson. 12th and Park Recreation Center is now returning its facility to its normal operations and programs. Current shelter locations are as follows: Ferguson Nazarene Church, 1309 Elizabeth, Ferguson, MO Refresh Community Church, 829 N. Hanley Rd., St. Louis, MO 63130 Friendly Temple Outreach Center, 6356 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, St. Louis, MO 63133 Peter and Paul Community Services (Garfield Building) 2612 Wyoming, St. Louis MO 63118 No ID or proof of residency is required. Red Cross services are free and available to all. Download the free Red Cross Emergency app for real-time alerts, open shelter locations and expert advice in both English and Spanish. Financial Assistance Available: The American Red

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Limited-Edition Jersey Sales Support Alton Fire and Police Departments On June 4, 2025

3 months 2 weeks ago
ALTON - The Alton River Dragons will auction limited-edition jerseys during their June 4, 2025, 6:35 p.m. home opener game against the Quincy Dog Paddlers at Gordon Moore Park to support the Alton Fire Department and the Alton Police Department’s K-9 Division. All proceeds from the auction will be donated directly to these two local organizations. The event, set to take place in Alton, encourages fans and community members to arrive early for a special announcement honoring an individual important to the community and first responders. The Alton River Dragons hope the event will raise awareness and provide financial support to the city’s emergency services. https://tickets.altonbaseball.ticketsocket.com/events Alton IL Fire Department Alton Police Department

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Swansea Police Showcase Three Units at 2025 Memorial Day Event

3 months 2 weeks ago
SWANSEA — The Swansea Police Department took part in the annual Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 26, 2025, honoring veterans and remembering those who have fallen in service to the nation. The Swansea Police Department showcased its Honor Guard, Bicycle Unit, and newly formed ATV Unit during the event. In a statement, the department expressed gratitude to all veterans, emphasizing the significance of the day. “We were honored to showcase our Honor Guard, Bicycle Unit, and our newly formed ATV Unit. It’s always a privilege to take part in this meaningful community event,” the Swansea Police Department said. The parade serves as an opportunity for the community and local officials to pay tribute to the sacrifices made by military members. The department’s participation highlighted its commitment to honoring and remembering those who served.

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East St. Louis School District 189 Recognizes Kenneth Watts' Impact On Student Attendance

3 months 2 weeks ago
EAST ST. LOUIS — Kenneth Watts, a Truancy Officer with East St. Louis School District 189, is retiring after 17 years of dedicated service, the district announced Tuesday, May 27, 2025. Watts has spent nearly two decades working to remove barriers to student attendance and ensure access to education for all students in the district. His role involved making home visits, collaborating with families, and encouraging students to maintain their academic progress. Throughout his tenure, Watts focused on building relationships and providing support while also holding students accountable, a combination district officials say has had a lasting impact on the school community. “Mr. Watts led with compassion and consistency,” the district said in a statement. “His presence will truly be missed across the district.” East St. Louis School District 189 expressed gratitude for Watts’ commitment and the legacy he leaves behind after nearly two decades o

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IDNR Monitoring Black Bear Sighting in St. Clair County

3 months 2 weeks ago
SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is monitoring a black bear sighting in southwestern Illinois, with the animal first observed Monday, May 26, 2025, in St. Clair County and confirmed by an IDNR wildlife biologist Tuesday, May 27, 2025. The bear has been seen multiple times in the same area and has caused damage to some private property bee hives, though it has had no direct interaction with humans. While black bear sightings in Illinois are rare, the IDNR notes they are not unprecedented during summer months. Bears from neighboring states with established populations, including Missouri and Wisconsin, occasionally move into Illinois. Previous confirmed sightings have occurred in counties such as Jo Daviess, Lake, Saline, Pope, Williamson, and Jackson. The IDNR advises residents to avoid direct encounters with bears and to remove potential food sources that could attract them. Bears have a strong sense of smell and can detect food odors

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Jerseyville Keeps Grocery Tax After City Council Vote

3 months 2 weeks ago
JERSEYVILLE – Jerseyville is the latest Riverbend community to keep a sales tax on groceries in place after the state’s own grocery tax is set to expire in 2026. 100% of the proceeds from the state’s 1% sales tax on groceries have gone directly to local municipalities since the state first imposed them in 1990. Faced with significant revenue loss, municipalities were given the option to pass their own ordinances imposing 1% sales taxes on groceries and grocery “services” within their communities. Jerseyville officials first considered retaining the 1% grocery tax at the city level in April of 2025. According to a breakdown of city revenues contained within Jerseyville’s Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan , sales tax accounted for nearly 60% of intergovernmental revenues in 2024, amounting to over $3.5 million. While the 1% grocery tax retention wouldn’t raise prices any further for consumers, it also wouldn’t lower them, effectively

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Conservative Judges To Trump: Your Law Firm Death Warrants Are Unconstitutional Garbage

3 months 2 weeks ago
Federal judges don’t normally punctuate their rulings with multiple exclamation points while invoking the Founding Fathers. But then again, no president before has issued executive orders targeting law firms for the clients they represent and the cases they take. In the last week, two George W. Bush-appointed conservative judges delivered brutal constitutional smackdowns of Trump’s […]
Mike Masnick