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JERSEY - Allen Snyder of Jersey Community Unit School District 100 has been named one of the 2025 Teachers of Distinction by the Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools. The announcement was made recently by the association, which recognized Snyder for his innovative approach to teaching. Kerry Lorton, a representative of the association, highlighted Snyder’s use of immersive, project-based learning in his Industrial Orientation classes. “Instructors like Allen Snyder play a transformative role in students’ lives by guiding them through immersive, project-based learning experiences that blend creativity, technical skill, and real-world application,” Lorton said. “In his Industrial Orientation classes, students don’t just sit at desks — they roll up their sleeves and engage directly with tools, machines, and materials, learning through doing in a dynamic workshop environment.” The Association of Illinois Rural and Small

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WATERLOO — Ten-year-old E’lynn Kuhnert was admitted to St. Louis Children’s Hospital on June 29, 2025, after experiencing prolonged seizures that would not stop. Despite several days of heavy sedation and intubation on July 3, 2025, her seizures have persisted. After consulting with her medical team, E’lynn’s family decided to proceed with surgery on July 21, 2025. The operation aims to gain better control over her epilepsy, a condition she has lived with since age 3, though it is not expected to completely cure her seizures. The family said it hopes the procedure will improve her quality of life. E’lynn’s epilepsy has no known cause, but her family describes her as a source of light and joy to those around her. Last school year, her personal goals were “to be a good helper and a great friend,” reflecting her sweet spirit and loving nature. To support E’lynn’s medical expenses, therapy costs, post-operative care,

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CARLINVILLE – Amateur radio operators from across Illinois and neighboring states will be heading to Carlinville on Saturday, August 2 for the annual West Central Illinois Hamfest, an indoor and outdoor event that includes a flea market, forums and more at the Macoupin County Fairgrounds off Route 4. The event opens at 7 a.m., rain or shine and runs until noon. Jointly sponsored by the West Central Illinois Hamfest Consortium composed of the Macoupin County Amateur Radio Club, the Springfield-based Sangamon Valley Radio Club, the Okaw Valley Radio Club in Greenville and the Hillsboro-based Montgomery County Amateur Radio Emergency Corps, the annual event draws not only federally-licensed amateur radio operators (also known as “hams”), but also the general public. This year, Hamfest-goers can attend seminars focusing on technical aspects of the hobby, wander through the indoor and outdoor flea markets, chat with amateur radio operators, and hear Illinois Section Manage

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SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Governor JB Pritzker once again waded into national politics Tuesday when he discussed a possible mid-decade redistricting of congressional maps to counteract Texas and other Republican states. Gov. Pritzker stated: “We have to see what they decide to do about Texas… I think we ought to play by the rules,” but acknowledged “counterbalance” might be necessary. “I think cheating the way the president wants to is improper. We all ought to stand up against it. People ought to be outraged.” Assistant Republican Leader C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Murrayville) slammed Gov. Pritzker’s double-talk on redistricting and his previous flip-flop on fair maps. “What people ought to be outraged about is JB Pritzker’s flip flop on fair maps,” Davidsmeyer said. “As a candidate for governor, Pritzker said he was for an independent map and vowed to veto any map drawn by politicians. Then as governor,

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BELLEVILLE - Caritas Family Solutions will celebrate its 78th anniversary on July 31 with Caritas Day, an annual day of fundraising and awareness honoring the thousands of lives the nonprofit touches each year across Southern Illinois. To mark the milestone, Caritas will launch a 24-hour matching gift campaign from July 31 to August 1, with supporters matching $4 for every $1 donated. The goal is to raise $100,000 to directly benefit the children, families, and adults they serve. “At Caritas, we believe every life deserves love and that drives everything we do,” said Gary Huelsmann, CEO of Caritas Family Solutions. “From foster care and counseling to senior housing and disability support, our programs are designed to meet people where they are and walk alongside them toward a more stable, fulfilling life. Caritas Day is a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when we come together as a community with every donation directly supporting the over 5,200 children,

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TROY — Downtown will be the place to be on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, as the community gathers for another exciting First Friday celebration from 5 to 8 p.m. This month’s event will feature live music from local favorites Lanny & Julie, setting the perfect soundtrack for an evening of food, fun, and community spirit. Foodies won’t want to miss the Main Street Eats lineup, including: • Spud Shack Food Truck • C-Rations Grub Hub • That's a Wrapp • Franko's Hot Dogs & Bratz • Polar Paradis • Zanny Popz Frozen Treats • Washington Kettle Corn Thirsty? Downtown’s drink vendors will be serving up a variety of refreshments from: • The Buzzed Bee • Time Out Sports Bar & Grill • Wine for the Win • The Happy Elephant • Kokomo Joe’s • VFW Post 976 Attendees are also encouraged to explore Main Street’s unique local businesses, which will remain open during the event: • The Happy

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TROY - The Troy/Edwardsville Shrine Club will host their annual family-friendly barbecue festival to raise money for Ainad Shrine and other local nonprofits. On Aug. 16 and 17, 2025, community members are invited to Tri-Township Park in Troy for the festival, called Smoke N For The Kids. In addition to the barbecue competition and food, attendees can enjoy a car show, bounce houses, a petting zoo, live music, a bags tournament, raffles and more. “What’s better than hot rods and barbecue and beer and bands?” said Matt with the Southern Illinois Street Rod Association. “You cannot beat shade, a petting zoo, beer and bands.” Smoke N For The Kids draws barbecue competitors from across the region. John with the Shrine Club noted that they have “a world-class field,” with competitors in different divisions. The competition starts at 11 a.m. both days. On Saturday, Aug. 16, attendees can participate in a bags competition at 1 p.m.

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Today’s high will reach 90 degrees with a low of 75. Expect partly sunny skies with a chance of afternoon thunderstorms. It will be uncomfortably humid, and the heat will feel like it’s climbing to 106 degrees at times. Winds will be light from the southeast. A heat advisory is in effect until 7 p.m. Thursday for parts of southwest Illinois and southeast Missouri. The heat index could reach up to 108 degrees, so stay hydrated, avoid prolonged sun exposure, and check on family and neighbors. Tomorrow, the temperature climbs even higher with a high near 95 and a low around 75. It will be mostly sunny, hot, and humid. Caution is advised for anyone spending extended time outdoors. For more weather details, visit https://riverbender.com/weather

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CHICAGO - Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined state and national transit leaders to celebrate 100 years of Chicago’s Union Station. Alongside Amtrak leadership, Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi and Regional Transit Authority Chairman Kirk Dillard, Governor Pritzker touted Chicago’s status as a critical transit hub for the Midwest and entire nation. With over 100,000 passengers passing through each day, Chicago’s Union Station is the third busiest rail terminal in the United States. Located in the heart of the nation’s busiest freight rail hub, Union Station serves as a critical nexus for economic development and connectivity. “More than just a symbol of the power and the spirit of Chicago, Union Station is the center of the most important rail hub in America for Amtrak, freight, and commercial rail,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “In partnership with our friends at Amtrak and our Congressional delegation, our rail infrastructure

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Municipal Concert Band continues its summer season with a free concert on Thursday, July 24 at 7:30 p.m. at the Cleaon Etzkorn Bandstand in City Park. This week’s performance, titled “A Musical Potpourri,” offers a lively mix of pieces that reflect the range and interests of the band’s musicians. The program features a blend of concert classics and stage favorites, including Holst’s Second Suite in F, the lively Amparito Roca, and Mancini Magic. Broadway medleys from Les Misérables, Phantom of the Opera, The Sound of Music, and Man of La Mancha round out the evening with familiar and beloved melodies. Concessions for the evening will be provided by the Chapter Ed of PEO Sisterhood, a local group that helps women pay for school. Audience members are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy a relaxed evening of music in the park. Follow the Edwardsville Municipal Band on Facebook and Instagram for more

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ALTON – Food is Love is thrilled to announce our 12th Free Block Party for Good, happening this Friday, July 25th from 2–4 PM at The Soulcial Square (located at Market & 5th Street in Alton). We’re teaming up again with our incredible, award-winning partners — The St. Louis Area Foodbank, OSF Healthcare, and Theodora Farms — to deliver an afternoon of joy, nourishment, and neighborly care. This community celebration is open to everyone and will feature: Free fresh produce from Theodora Farms Grocery giveaways courtesy of the St. Louis Area Foodbank Free health screenings provided by OSF Healthcare Hot, delicious food truck meals – served with love by our Currency of Caring network “This isn’t just a block party — it’s a love letter to our community,” said John Michel, President of the Food is Love Foundation. “Every plate we serve, every bag of produce we give, every smile we share is part of our mission

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BELLEVILLE/EAST ST. LOUIS - In February 2011, Truman Smith was shot and killed in East St. Louis. Fourteen years and five months later, charges have been announced thanks in part to a few Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students. SIUE Criminal Justice students have teamed up with the Illinois State Police (ISP) to solve cold cases in the Metro East. As part of this program, students reviewed Smith’s death and worked with ISP Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 6 special agents to solve the case, which ultimately led to first-degree murder charges against 34-year-old Alan Davis of East St. Louis. “We don’t realize sometimes that these cases don’t wrap up in 52 minutes like with a television show,” said ISP Director Brendan Kelly. “It is a long process. It is a complicated process, and there’s often times where things can seem hopeless, but you just have to stay after it and hope for a break. This is an example of that.”

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GLEN CARBON – Glen Carbon Village Board members are set to consider a study to explore the feasibility of expanding and upgrading the village’s police station. The Glen Carbon Police Department aims to partner with FGM Architects Inc. on an agreement “to perform a feasibility study for expansion of the police department,” according to a memo from Police Chief Todd Link to village officials. Under the current proposal from FGM, the full scope of the project would include the following upgrades: The Police Department’s locker rooms and restroom facilities would be expanded, allowing for separate accommodations for men and women. Additional lockers would also be installed to meet future staffing demands as “the current number of lockers is insufficient.” The fitness room may be relocated as part of a building addition into the existing courtyard, as the facility’s current fitness room reportedly “lacks sufficient space for gy

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BELLEVILLE - The Illinois State Police (ISP) and students at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) have partnered to solve several cold cases in the region. The partnership started in 2022. SIUE Criminal Justice students worked with ISP Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 6 special agents to identify three women who were killed by serial killer Maury Travis in 2002. Their work also led to charges against Alan Davis for the murder of Truman Smith in 2011. “It's one thing to study in the classroom. It’s another thing entirely to see your work bring real answers and real closure to a grieving family,” said Ryleigh Franklin, an SIUE graduate involved in the program. Each semester, SIUE students review cold cases and choose to focus on ones they believe they can help solve. Students have also created a “Murder Book” with searchable information for cold homicide cases in the Metro East. The three Jane Does, believed to be victims o

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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — Schnucks grocery stores across the Midwest hosted their annual Hydrate Our Heroes beverage drive through Tuesday, July 16, 2024, collecting drinks to support local police, fire departments, and other first responders during the summer months. The Fairview Heights drive collected 7.5 watermelon bins with water and Gatorade, which was a big success. The campaign, now in its third year, invites community members to donate water, Gatorade, juice, energy drinks, and sparkling water at all 114 Schnucks locations. Monetary contributions are also accepted at the stores’ customer service desks, where organizers purchase beverages on behalf of donors. “A huge thank you to everyone who donated and helped us with our Hydrate Our Heroes event here at Schnucks," Kelly Francis, a coordinator of the Fairview Heights drive, said. Paul Simon, spokesperson for Schnucks, said the drive focuses on collecting the most requested items by first responders. Francis added

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ALTON - Community members are invited to a unique culinary program at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church featuring a famous monk. Father Dominic Garramone, known as “The Bread Monk,” will be onsite at St. Paul’s on Aug. 24, 2025, with a meal and a presentation. Fr. Garramone hosted the PBS cooking show “Baking Bread with Father Dominic” from 1999 to 2001. He has also written several cookbooks and an award-winning children’s book. Father Garron Daniels with St. Paul’s Episcopal Church expressed his excitement to meet Fr. Garramone. “I look forward to warmly welcoming Fr. Dominic to our Church and to the many other visitors we will have!” Fr. Daniels said. At 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 24, attendees can enjoy a light lunch based on Fr. Garramone’s recipe. A braided ham and cheese roll, salad, drinks and dessert will be served, followed by the presentation by Fr. Garramone at 2 p.m. Fr. Garramone is a Benedictine monk from St. Bed

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EAST ALTON – An East Alton man remains in custody after committing his sixth domestic battery offense while on pretrial release from a prior criminal case. Paul B. Hamlin, 56, of East Alton, was charged on July 16, 2025 with a Class 2 felony count of aggravated domestic battery and his sixth offense of domestic battery, also a Class 2 felony. On July 15, 2025, Hamlin allegedly strangled a household or family member and struck them about the head and face with a closed fist. Madison County court records show Hamlin had previously been convicted of domestic battery on five prior occasions; twice in 1998 and once each in 1996, 2009, and 2018, all in Madison County. At the time of this latest offense, Hamlin was out on pretrial release from a 2024 case of driving under the influence, according to the state’s petition to deny Hamlin’s pretrial release from custody in this case. The petition notes the victim reported that Hamlin becoming angry with them before striking

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COLLINSVILLE – Beginning with the 2025-26 school year, Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 students in grades K-12 will not be charged admission to any home athletic events held on a district campus. The new policy was approved by the Board of Education at their July 21, 2025 meeting. Students in grades 7-12 must present a valid school ID. Students in grades K-6 who must show their Skyward access to the ticket taker at the gate. Note: All students in grades K-8 must be accompanied by an adult to gain entry. The initiative aligns with the Kahok Athletic Department’s ongoing commitment to foster a strong, supportive and passionate school culture. The goal is to encourage student attendance at athletic events, which will hopefully lead to greater student interest and participation in athletic programs as they progress through school. “By removing the financial barrier to attendance, we believe this move will significantly enrich the school experience for

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MADISON COUNTY — Madison County Sheriff Jeff Connor announced today his reelection campaign, marking a continued commitment to public safety, innovation in law enforcement, and the community he’s proudly served for four decades. “With 40 years in law enforcement, I've seen firsthand the power of community collaboration, the importance of accountability, and the need for steady leadership,” said Sheriff Connor. “I’m proud of the progress we’ve made, and I’m ready to keep working to protect and serve the people of Madison County.” Sheriff Connor’s tenure has been defined by proactive policing, enhanced officer training programs, modernization of department systems, and a focus on mental health initiatives. Under his leadership, the Sheriff’s Office has built stronger ties with local organizations, prioritized transparency, and made measurable improvements in neighborhood safety. His reelection campaign will emphasize continue

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BELLEVILLE — A collaboration between the Illinois State Police (ISP) and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) is advancing investigations into cold homicide cases while offering hands-on experience for criminal justice students. Students and ISP agents reviewed the 2011 shooting death of Truman Smith in East St. Louis. Smith was shot while making a delivery and later died at a hospital. On May 22, 2025, 34-year-old Alan Davis of East St. Louis was charged with first-degree murder related to the case. Davis is currently incarcerated at Graham Correctional Center in Hillsboro on an unrelated 2012 aggravated battery conviction. The partnership has contributed to identifying women involved in Jane Doe cases linked to serial killer Maury Travis. Three bodies found along Illinois roadways in 2002— previously unidentified — were confirmed through forensic efforts supported by the collaboration. ISP entered these cases into the National Missing and Unidentified

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