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GODFREY - The Great Godfrey Maze opens this weekend, promising fun for families across the Riverbend region. From 6–10 p.m. on Sept. 19, 2025, community members can enjoy the Great Godfrey Maze at Glazebook Park, complete with activities, inflatables and more fun. The maze and its activities will be open from 6–10 p.m. on Fridays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays, and 12–6 p.m. on Sundays through Nov. 2, 2025. “ I know people really enjoy it. I love seeing the smiles on their faces,” said Chris Logan, director of Godfrey’s Parks and Recreation Department. “We’re really proud to be able to offer this to the community. It's a great opportunity for families, at a reasonable price, to come out as a family and enjoy themselves.” This year’s maze has a “Minions” theme. The corn was planted in the shape of a minion from the movie “Despicable Me.” Attendees can traverse the maze and navigate their wa

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ST. LOUIS - Striking Boeing union members have approved a new union proposal offer on Friday morning, Sept. 19, 2025, via a vote that could potentially end their walkout. The offer, approved by 90% of union voters, now heads to Boeing’s company leadership for review. Some of the 3,200 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM District 837) have been on strike since August 4, 2025. Following the union-proposed offer ratified by union members, Boeing shared this statement: “It’s unfortunate that union leadership led its members to vote on something that isn’t real. Our previous offer is real and would make our team among the highest-paid manufacturing employees in the St. Louis area. Most people would not consider a 45% average wage increase, free primary care, and more vacation time unfair or disrespectful. We want all 3,200 of our teammates back at work, but that has to happen with a contract that makes sense in the Midwest

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ALTON - Alton’s Fall City-Wide Litter Clean-Up will be held on Saturday, October 4th, from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., rain or shine. The community is invited to pitch in by picking up bags, gloves, a free donut, and directions to areas that need cleaning. Registration stations are open from 9am- 11am and are located Downtown at the corner of 3rd & Belle St., in Middletown at Fast Eddies Chicken at 7th and Central Ave. At 9:00 a.m., groups are departing in Upper Alton, across the street from Taqueria Maya on College Ave and in North Alton from Joe K’s Restaurant, located at 2530 State St where additional supplies will be stocked if needed. Groups can pick up supplies at Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Center at 200 Piasa St, at the Pride, Inc office located within the Benjamin Godfrey mansion, and at Flock Food Truck Court two weeks prior. Alternatively, volunteers can simply pick up litter in their neighborhood and deposit it in their own trash & recycle bins. The

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ALTON — A rally in memory of late conservative activist Charlie Kirk is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Alton Visitor’s Center, organizers said. Kirk, an American conservative political activist, was fatally shot while addressing an audience on the campus of Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025. Michelle Nitzsche, who helped organize the event alongside Matthew Morales, said the rally is not political. “We went back and forth and started putting it together, and it just took off,” Nitzsche said. "Attendance estimates range from about 300 to 400 people." The event is intended as a call for peace and a celebration of Kirk’s life. “The rally is all about freedom of speech and being able to come together for a gathering and celebrate his life and mourn his death and keep his voice alive,” she said. Nitzsche hopes attendees will be motivated to continue speaking out and to overcome mourning. “I hope people take away

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EDWARDSVILLE — Edwardsville High School will host its annual “Tiger Ambush” marching band competition Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, and will draw a large crowd and feature bands from across Illinois and the St. Louis region. The event will take place at the Edwardsville High School sports complex, where students, faculty, parents and friends will gather throughout the day to support participating schools and enjoy a variety of performances. The Edwardsville High School Marching Band will perform an exhibition at the end of the competition. The event serves as a major fundraiser for the Edwardsville Marching Band Boosters, with admission prices set at $10 for adults and $5 for children. According to Stephanie Batson, publicity chair for the boosters, the Tiger Ambush and a holiday craft fair typically generate the majority of the boosters' revenue for the band. The Tiger Ambush day is always marked by a strong sense of community involvement, with students and parents

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GRANITE CITY — U.S. Steel announced Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, that its Granite City Works steel plant will continue processing steel slabs, reversing a previous plan to halt slab deliveries by the end of October 2025. The decision came just 10 days after workers were instructed to stop working at the facility. The company confirmed that it will maintain slab deliveries to the Granite City plant, emphasizing its goal to preserve operational flexibility. U.S. Steel also had previously stated that no layoffs are expected at the company over the next two years. State Representative Amy Elik, R-Alton, and State Senator Erica Harriss, R-Glen Carbon, expressed support for the decision in a joint statement. “We are elated with U.S. Steel’s decision to continue Granite City Works’ steel slab processing. This is a win,” the lawmakers said. They also thanked the Trump administration and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick for responding to their advocacy efforts.

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EAST ST. LOUIS — A few favorite numbers – and one winning ticket – have turned an Illinois Lottery player into a multimillionaire overnight. “I started playing Lotto in January last year, and it quickly became my favorite game,” said the winner, who has chosen to remain anonymous under the name ‘East St. Louis Lotto Winner.’ When asked about the winning numbers, the winner simply stated, “They’re my favorite numbers.” It wasn’t until the morning after the draw that the news really sunk in. “I checked the Illinois Lottery’s website to see who won—and realized it was me. Of all of the people, it was me! I cried because I was too shocked.” The winning Lotto ticket was purchased at Crown Mart, located at 306 E Broadway in East Saint Louis, Illinois. It matched all six numbers — 5-9-14-18-22-23 — in the August 25 Lotto drawing to secure the $14,600,000 jackpot. As a reward for

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COLLINSVILLE– Sara McChristian, a Collinsville High School senior, was selected to serve on the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Student Advisory Council (SAC) for the 2025-26 school year. The Student Advisory Council provides a meaningful forum for students to share their experiences and personal perspectives on education in Illinois and to help shape policies that directly affect themselves and their peers. Throughout the year, SAC members will meet virtually with ISBE staff and stakeholders to lend their voices to policy development in education. SAC members will also participate in activities such as the Student Summit and present a research project to the State Board of Education. Twenty-one high school students from across Illinois were chosen to participate this year. Council members are selected through a rigorous process that includes a written application and video interview, in which students demonstrate their communication skills, leadership potential and

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ALTON - The Marquette Catholic High School Mega Raffle promises to distribute $62,000 in cash prizes over the next few weeks, including a $50K grand prize. The Mega Raffle raises money to support students at Marquette Catholic High School. Tickets cost $50 for one or three for $100. On Sept. 19, 2025, an Early Bird drawing winner will walk away with $1,000. The big drawing will be held at the Marquette Homecoming Block Party on Oct. 25, 2025. “Everybody has the chance to win the big pot,” said Director of Development Mary Hough. “You have until now until somewhere around 9 o’clock on Oct. 25 to get those tickets in.” Early Bird drawings are slated to take place on Sept. 19, Oct. 3, Oct. 17, and Oct. 24. These winners will receive $1,000. On the night of the Block Party, a few other lucky community members will walk away with $5,000, $500, and $250. If your ticket is drawn as an Early Bird winner, it will go back into the drawing for the chance

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ROSEWOOD HEIGHTS - Rosewood Heights Scout Eric Scott Pulaski received the Medal of Merit for outstanding service in implementing scouting skills and ideals during a high-adventure summer camp in the Florida Keys. The award was presented recently at a troop meeting held at St. Paul Methodist Church in Rosewood Heights. Pulaski’s father, Brad Pulaski, who holds a leadership position with the local Troop and Pack, shared details about the honor and provided a photo of the presentation. The photo shows Scott Pulaski on the left, with Scoutmaster John McCurdy on the right, who was also part of the Florida Keys trip. The high-adventure camp, known as Seabase, took place in 2024 and provided scouts with opportunities to engage in challenging outdoor activities while applying scouting principles. The Medal of Merit is awarded by the Boy Scouts of America to recognize individuals who demonstrate outstanding service through the implementation of scouting skills and ideals. Brad Pulaski

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ALTON - Haywood North, Upper Alton resident, “had an earnest desire to make his own meat for next winter,” so he went out to the country and bought two little pigs from a farmer. He paid $10 (adjusted for inflation, this would be $183 in 2025). He brought the pigs home in his Ford car and placed them in a pen he had set up in his yard at 2201 Elizabeth Street. When he awoke the next morning, they had escaped. He searched the neighborhood in vain for several days. Finally, someone spotted them in a field near Rock Spring Park. North tried to catch up with them, but they eluded him. A week went by without any other sightings, so North went into the Alton Evening Telegraph office to put an ad in the paper for his pigs. However, William Stone of Maupin Avenue had just been at the newspaper office to place an ad in the paper for the owner of the two pigs he had caught and was keeping at his residence, “hence, it was not necessary to put either ad in the paper as the

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ALTON – Six months after a burglary and theft at Funky Cards & Collectibles and Alton , felony charges have been filed against a man from Bethalto. Alexander C. Brooks, 32, of Bethalto, was charged on Sept. 11, 2025 with one count each of burglary (a Class 2 felony) and a violation of the Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Registration Act (a Class 3 felony). Brooks allegedly unlawfully entered Funky Cards & Collectibles at 104 W. 3rd St. in downtown Alton without legal authority and with the intent to commit a theft on March 11, 2025. As a Violent Offender Against Youth, he was additionally accused of failing to register his new address with the Bethalto Chief of Police within five days of establishing a new Bethalto address. According to the Illinois State Police Offender Registry , Brooks was previously convicted of aggravated battery of a child under 13 years of age, causing permanent disability to the victim, while Brooks was 19 at the time of the offense.

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EDWARDSVILLE – Here are nine things to know this week about Southern Illinois University Edwardsville: Homecoming & Family Weekend Register for the 10th Annual Cougars Unleashed Homecoming Run & Pancake Breakfast, kicking off Homecoming & Family Weekend. Participants can choose from a 10K, 5K, or Fun Run—whether running competitively or simply showing up for pancakes, there’s something for everyone. SIUE alumni receive a $5 registration discount, and current students enjoy special pricing. The event is open to alumni, students, faculty, staff, and community members, with proceeds supporting the SIUE Alumni Association Scholarship and Programs, which provide more than $20,000 annually in scholarships and alumni programming. After crossing the finish line, participants are invited to enjoy a complimentary pancake breakfast from Chris Cakes and—for those 21 and older—a post-run beer from GlobalBrew. Special Appearance SIUE Vice Chancellor

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Arts Center will host their annual Edwardsville Art Fair complete with vendors, kids’ activities, live music and over 100 artists. Community members can enjoy the fair from 5–9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 26, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sept. 27, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sept. 28, 2025, at City Park in Edwardsville. Programming Director Carolyn Tidball expressed her excitement to share the festival with the community. “So much about the Art Fair is about community togetherness and people from all walks of life coming together with a shared appreciation for art and activities,” Tidball said. “Community is a huge part of this. This has been really good for Edwardsville as a community. It’s definitely one of the most anticipated events.” Attendees are invited to visit the artists’ booths to view and purchase their art. You can talk with the artists to learn more about their process and their work. There will

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JERSEYVILLE – The City of Jerseyville’s Planning and Zoning Board will look slightly different after a series of staff changes were approved at this week’s City Council meeting. On Sept. 16, 2025, council members unanimously approved the resignations of Derek Russell and Jennifer Graklanoff from the Planning and Zoning Board. Russell is resigning from his position on the board to become the city’s new Director of Building and Zoning/Code Enforcement. His appointment was made official in June, and he replaces former Director Jeff Soer. Graklanoff’s resignation follows her being sworn in on Sept. 2, 2025 as the city’s newest City Council member and Commissioner of Public Property. She replaces former Public Property Commissioner Zach Crawford, who made his resignation official on the same night. Also approved this week was the appointment of Sue Cutright to the Planning and Zoning Board. As a newcomer to the board, Mayor Kevin Stork said

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Glen-Ed Pantry has received a $50,000 donation from First Presbyterian Church, and the community is invited to match the donation. On Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, members of First Presbyterian Church presented Glen-Ed Pantry Executive Director Jane Ahasay with a check for $50,126.08. This money will go toward the pantry’s $3 million capital campaign as they prepare to break ground on a new building. Ahasay noted that the donation will make a major impact on their ability to serve the District #7 community. “We are supported by the community,” she said. “We don’t run on state grants. We don’t run on federal grants. We’re community-based. It is neighbors feeding neighbors. It’s a beautiful, wonderful, generous community, and we are grateful for all the support that they provide us to feed the hungry. First Presbyterian Church has collaborated with the Glen-Ed Pantry for decades. Many of their members regularly volunteer

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Did you know that International Talk Like a Pirate Day, celebrated annually on September 19th, has grown from a playful inside joke between two friends in 1995 to a worldwide phenomenon embraced by millions? What began as a quirky idea quickly caught the imaginations of pirate enthusiasts, language lovers, and pop culture aficionados alike. But how can you truly make the most of this whimsical day beyond the standard “Ahoy!” and “Shiver me timbers!”? Here are some innovative ways to dive into the spirit of piracy with creativity and flair. Dive Into Pirate Language: Beyond the Basics Many people associate International Talk Like a Pirate Day with adopting a few stereotypical phrases. However, the pirate lexicon is surprisingly rich and offers a fascinating glimpse into seafaring culture and nautical slang from the Golden Age of Piracy. Explore Pirate Linguistics Challenge yourself or your group to learn and use authentic pirate terms such as “crows

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September 19 has long been a date marked by events that have shaped the course of history across the globe. Moving back in time, on September 19, 1893, New Zealand became the first country to grant women the right to vote in national elections. This groundbreaking achievement was a major milestone in the global suffrage movement and paved the way for women's political empowerment worldwide. The success in New Zealand inspired activists in other nations to intensify their campaigns for equal voting rights, marking the day as a symbol of progress in gender equality. The battlefield has also seen significant events on this date. During the American Civil War, the Battle of Chickamauga commenced on September 19, 1863. This battle was one of the bloodiest in the conflict and resulted in a Confederate victory, influencing the momentum of the war in the southern states. The intensity and scale of this clash underscored the profound divisions within the United States at the time and the immens

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has awarded nearly $1 million in grants to support 15 stewardship programs managed by land trusts on land protected by the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission (INPC). The grants are part of the Illinois Natural Areas Stewardship Grant program , which aims to increase the delivery of much-needed land and water stewardship activities to natural areas permanently protected within the INPC system. Given the growing stewardship needs of natural areas throughout Illinois, this grant program funds projects that help land trusts expand staff and purchase equipment for these activities. The following grants were awarded for fiscal year 2025: The Nature Institute | Madison County $80,680.95 Enlist staff and contractual support for oak and hickory woodland restoration. Ballard Nature Center | Effingham County $65,458.50 Purchase supplies and equipment to expand volunteer stewardship including protective equipment

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (D-MA-5) today reintroduced legislation to help increase access to on-campus child care for the more than 3 million parenting students currently enrolled in postsecondary education programs. Despite the latest cuts from the Trump Administration, the Child Care Access Means Parents in Schools (CCAMPIS) Reauthorization Act would reauthorize and increase funding for the only federal program that exclusively supports on-campus child care services and ensure the U.S. Department of Education is meeting the needs of parenting students. “Whether by illegally withholding CCAMPIS funding or repeatedly calling to eliminate the program altogether, it’s deeply cruel that Donald Trump is working to rip yet another lifeline away from student parents across the country,” said Senator Duckworth. “No parent should be forced to drop out of college or take on even more

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