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MADISON COUNTY — Deputies from the Madison County Sheriff's Office participated in the Alton River Dragons First Responder Night event recently in Alton. Deputies Chris Alfaro and Maricela Williams represented the sheriff’s office during the event, which also included a tribute to Alton Police Department K9 Odin, who was killed in the line of duty. The First Responder Night event was aimed at honoring first responders and recognize their service to the community. The Madison County Sheriff's Office expressed sincere gratitude for the opportunity to pay tribute to K9 Odin, acknowledging the sacrifice made by the K9 and the police department.

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CENTRALIA - Friends, family and supporters of Staff Sergeant Josh Melton have launched a fundraiser to repair a memorial statue honoring the fallen soldier in Centralia, organizers announced Monday, June 23, 2025. The campaign, created by Alex Pracht, a former Army comrade of Melton’s, and Mike Melton, Josh’s father, seeks donations to cover the cost of repairing damage recently sustained by the statue. The memorial stands as a tribute to Melton’s service and sacrifice and holds deep significance for his family, friends, and the local community. “Josh was not only a brother-in-arms but a remarkable friend, and his memory continues to inspire all of us who knew him,” Pracht said in a statement. He added that the damage to the statue has been “heartbreaking,” but expressed hope that with public support, the statue can be restored to its original condition. Funds raised will be used for materials, labor and any restoration work necessary to retur

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EDWARDSVILLE — A Parkinson’s support group at the Edwardsville YMCA has been providing resources, activities, and social connection for people living with the disease and their caregivers since summer 2019. The group meets at 2 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month at the Edwardsville YMCA Niebur Center, located at 1200 Essic Drive in Edwardsville. It is open to individuals with Parkinson’s, their caregivers, and anyone interested in learning more about the condition. The support group continues to add people with each session. Jean Price, a retired nurse who has volunteered as a facilitator for two years, described the group as a place where participants “do some fun things” and share practical tips to make everyday life easier. The program often features guest speakers, including healthcare professionals such as pharmacists, physical therapists, and dietitians, as well as instructors offering yoga and spinning classes on stationary bikes. Past session

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GREENE COUNTY - The Greene County Economic Development Group (GCEDG) met recently with Frontier Communications to discuss the timeline and permitting for the fiber internet projects in the county. Over 1 million feet of fiber cable is expected to be installed in Greene County by the end of 2025, covering most of the county. The remaining projects are expected to be completed in the first half of 2026. When all the projects are complete, over 500 miles of fiber will provide available service to over 4,500 locations across Greene County. Frontier recently installed fiber in and around Carrollton providing fast, reliable internet to residents of that community. A significant number of residents in that area are experiencing great internet service with significant cost savings. Work has begun in both Roodhouse and White Hall to prepare the switch hubs for fiber installation in those communities and the rural areas across the northern part of the county. In addition, the engineering design

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ALTON - Lee and Dottie Graham of Alton celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with a family cruise to the Southern Caribbean. Lee and the former Dorothy Harlan were married May 29, 1965, at First Baptist Church where Rev. Gilbreath officiated their wedding. Lee retired from Guy’s Chips and Madison County Transit and Dottie is retired from Dierberg’s, Park and Shop and Kroger’s. They are the parents of Julie and Todd Heinemann of Bethalto, Holly and Michael Bunch of Godfrey and the late Christopher Graham. They have six grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

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SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE – The US Air Force Band of Mid-America's Shades of Blue Jazz Ensemble will present a series of July 4th concerts in the St. Louis area: Wednesday, July 2, 7:00 p.m. – Logan University, Purser Center (1851 Schoettler Rd, Chesterfield, MO 63017) Thursday, July 3, 5;00 p.m. – Shiloh Community Park Pavilion (14 Park Dr, Shiloh, IL 62269) Friday, July 4, 6:30 p.m. – Bond County Square, as part of the Bond County Fourthfest (Downtown Greenville, IL 62246) Concert and venue information: All concerts are free and open to the public. Venues for July 3 and 4 are outdoors. Ticket reservations are required for the July 2 and 3 performances at afbandtix.org . Shades Of Blue Jazz Ensemble The Shades of Blue Jazz Ensemble performs a variety of styles, ranging from traditional big band jazz to bebop, swing, and modern jazz. At one of their concerts you are just as likely to hear the music of contemporary composers as you would the classic

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GRANITE CITY – Granite City High School has been awarded a Readers’ Choice Grant from the Association of Illinois School Library Educators/LBSS Endowment Fund. This competitive, annual, state-wide grant is available to school and public libraries that have registered for the Monarch (Pre-K-2), Bluestem (3-5), Caudill (6-8) or Lincoln (9-12) reading programs. Fifty-nine libraries around the state were awarded this grant. GCHS library/media center specialist Jennifer Connolly applied for the grant. This grant is designed to encourage students to read books on this year’s Readers’ Choice lists and generate excitement for library programs. GCHS media center will receive a full set of the books for students to read and enjoy. As an added bonus, GCHS students will vote for their favorite book from the set and results will be submitted for the state-wide award winner. Part of the application process included: State who and how the program would

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EDWARDSVILLE - The children made it look easy. They hustled and bustled without any talking – only intense concentration – as they industriously pulled weeds, removed brush, sticks and other debris from the over-run Community Garden beds on the Wyvetter H. Younge Higher Education Campus in East St. Louis. Seven students from the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Project Success Program participated in the Green-Thumb Project, made possible by the SIUE Learning Resource Center. “The idea for starting an LRC Gardening Club came to me after attending Reaching Forward South, a conference for library staff hosted by the Illinois Library Association,” said LRC Coordinator Amber Davis. “One of the sessions focused on integrating STEAM education through sustainable gardening, which inspired me to explore ways to bring low-cost, engaging STEAM programming to the LRC. The concept of sustainable gardening resonated with me because of the desire to help

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GRANITE CITY - State Senator Erica Harriss and State Representative Amy Elik have partnered to host a free Kids Fair Event this weekend. The event will feature free resources for parents and their children, free vison/hearing tests, face painting, food, touch-a-truck, a foam party, and so much more! The Kids Fair will be held this Saturday, June 28, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at The Mill (Former Niedringhaus United Methodist Church), located at 1311 20th Street, Granite City, Ill., 62040.

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EAST ALTON/WOOD RIVER - Fallyn Sanders, a rising senior at East Alton-Wood River High School, has been named a Midwest Members Credit Union Athlete of the Month for her achievements in cheerleading and soccer. Sanders has been involved in cheer since sixth grade and has played soccer throughout her high school career. Sanders credited her family for their continuous support and highlighted the influence of her coaches, Alison Beachum for cheer and Diane Cox for girls soccer. Among her notable accomplishments, Sanders was named cheerleader of the day during her sophomore year at cheer camp and earned the title of “Ultimate Flyer” in her junior year. She and a teammate were recognized as “Ultimate Athletes” and invited to a parade in Rome. Additionally, she was co-MVP of her cheer team last year and received the most improved award for soccer during the 2025 season. Reflecting on her athletic experiences, Sanders said, “My involvement in sports shaped m

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WOOD RIVER — The Wood River Fire Department, along with East Alton and Roxana fire departments, responded Monday morning, June 23, 2025, to a fire alarm at East Alton-Wood River High School. Fire Chief Wade Stahlhut said units discovered smoke in a shop building caused by a minor electrical fire in a heater. Firefighters ventilated the area and isolated the problem, containing the smoke to the shop room. No injuries were reported. The school plans to investigate any further issues or concerns related to the incident.

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ALTON - After nearly five decades of safeguarding the memories of one of America's most legendary music festivals, Lyle Ward is bringing his treasure trove to Alton. As a former director of the Mississippi River Festival (MRF), which hosted The Grateful Dead, The Who, and Bob Dylan in its heyday – Ward’s personal collection of irreplaceable memorabilia will be on display during the revived festival weekend, Saturday, June 28, between 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at The Wedge located at 620 E Broadway, Alton, IL 62002. Ward, who launched the legendary festival in 1969 on the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville campus, is bringing his irreplaceable collection of memorabilia, photographs, posters, and archives to the current MRF team, who will maintain the collection for future public enjoyment and preservation. "Alton will benefit from the New Mississippi River Festival in many ways. BE A PART OF IT!" said Ward who is also the current President of the MRF Preservation

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SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Secretary of State’s office is awarding over $1 million in new grants to assist public libraries in underserved communities with needed technology enhancements, Secretary and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias announced today. According to the Secretary of State’s office, 88 public libraries are receiving a grant – totaling an amount of either $27,500 or $12,500 – depending on the size of the population they serve. “Libraries play a significant role in our communities, providing a place for every Illinoisan to connect, learn and explore,” Giannoulias said. “We have a responsibility to ensure that all libraries, regardless of their community’s location or wealth, have the resources to meet the needs of residents and expand their offerings, particularly when it comes to technology.” To qualify, the libraries must have a low tax base in relation to the population of their service area. In applying for th

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. bombed three Iranian nuclear sites: “I ran for Congress so that when the drums of war started beating in Washington again, I’d be in a position to make sure that our leaders fully consider the true costs of war—not just in dollars and cents, but in the sacrifices and blood of our troops. The Trump Administration illegally bombed Iran tonight, putting American troops and citizens at risk of retaliation and threatening to draw us into yet another Middle East war without Constitutionally-required Congressional approval. I have long said Iran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon. But this goal could and should have been pursued through diplomatic means first. “In this dangerous moment, my top priority is—and the Trump Administration’s top priority should be—ensuring the safety and security

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ALTON, IL – Something electric is happening in downtown Alton. The Wedge, powered by SIUE, is turning up the energy this July with a lineup of dynamic events that bring together entrepreneurs, visionaries, and changemakers from across the region. “At The Wedge, we’re not just hosting events—we’re building a culture of possibility. July’s lineup is about giving people the tools, connections, and momentum to move their ideas forward,” said Stephanie Schrage, Community Manager at The Wedge . “Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a creative, or just curious about what’s next—we want you in the room.” From rooftop networking and expert-led business courses to storytelling labs that reimagine how we see and shape our communities—every event this month is designed to spark collaboration and increase impact. “At The Wedge, we’re building more than just a space—we’re building momentum for bol

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ALTON – Alton Parks and Recreation would like to notify residents and visitors of upcoming temporary closures of the Splash Pad located near the Alton Amphitheater due to major events in the area. To ensure public safety and accommodate event operations, the Splash Pad will be closed on the following dates: Friday, June 27, and Saturday, June 28 – Closed for the Mississippi River Festival Friday, July 18 through Sunday, July 20 – Closed for the F1 Powerboat Races The Splash Pad will reopen for regular business hours (10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) the day following each event. "We appreciate the community’s understanding as we support these exciting events along the riverfront," the park and rec department said. "These closures are necessary to manage large crowds and maintain a safe environment for all attendees." For more information regarding the Mississippi River Festival, please visit their website directly at www.mississippiriverfest.com. F1 Power

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GODFREY — ThriVe Metro East is pleased to announce the appointment of Jacqueline “Jackie” Duty as its new executive director, following the resignation of former director Cara Paschal earlier this year. The Board of Directors conducted a careful search, seeking a leader with the marketing expertise and digital strategy experience to expand outreach and serve more at-risk women and families in the region. With the recent launch of telehealth services, ThriVe Metro East is focusing on increasing its digital footprint, enhancing client engagement, and continuing to provide life-affirming care in new and innovative ways. “We are proud to welcome Jackie Duty as the next Executive Director of ThriVe Metro East,” said Board Chair Dale Blachford. “Her decades of experience in media, marketing, and community development — combined with her deep-rooted commitment to life-affirming values— make her uniquely suited to lead this ministry forward.”

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Imagine standing on a ridge overlooking an endless tapestry of mountains bathed in golden light, the scent of pine filling your lungs, and a gentle breeze whispering through the trees. This is the transformative power of hiking—a simple yet profound way to reconnect with nature while invigorating both body and mind. For those seeking the perfect blend of breathtaking vistas and refreshing outdoor experiences, certain trails stand out as must-visit destinations during the summer months. Why Choose Summer for Hiking? While hiking is a year-round activity, summer offers unique advantages that enhance the experience. Longer daylight hours provide ample time to explore, and many high-altitude trails are accessible only when snow has melted. Additionally, summer’s warm temperatures make it easier to tackle longer or more challenging routes without the constraints imposed by cold weather gear. However, the abundance of sunlight and warmth also means hikers need to prepare carefully

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Did you know that children who read just six books over the summer maintain reading skills better than those who don’t? Yet, the challenge remains: how do you craft a reading list that appeals to everyone in the family—from toddlers to grandparents—without overwhelming or underwhelming any age group? Building a summer reading list that spans generations requires intentionality and creativity, but the rewards include fostering lifelong reading habits, sparking conversation, and creating shared memories. Understanding the Reading Needs of Different Age Groups Before selecting books, it’s crucial to recognize that reading interests and abilities vary widely with age. What captivates a preschooler will rarely engage a teenager, and adults often seek different themes and complexities. Young Children (Ages 0-7): At this stage, picture books with vibrant illustrations and simple narratives are most effective. These books build vocabulary and encourage early literac

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Imagine gathering around a glowing circle of warmth, where stories flow as easily as the flickering flames, and the night air carries the scent of wood smoke and toasted marshmallows. A backyard fire pit is more than an outdoor feature; it’s a catalyst for connection, relaxation, and memorable evenings. But creating this inviting space takes more than just stacking stones—it requires thoughtful planning, safety considerations, and a touch of craftsmanship. Why Build a Backyard Fire Pit? Before diving into the how-to, it’s worth noting the growing popularity and benefits of backyard fire pits. Studies indicate that outdoor living spaces enhance home value by up to 20%, and fire pits are among the most sought-after features. Beyond aesthetics and property value, fire pits serve as social hubs, offering a cozy retreat for family and friends. Planning Your Fire Pit: Location and Design Choosing the Right Spot Selecting the ideal location is crucial for both safety

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