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The holiday season can serve as a wonderful time when family and friends gather to give thanks, reflect on the year, and celebrate. And while this can be an exciting time, for some, the financial stress can have a profound impact on mental health and can cause depression, anxiety, feelings of hopelessness, and can even put a strain on relationships. These feelings may intensify during the holiday season for a number of reasons including gift-giving expectations or entertaining and travel expenses. Families may feel pressured to keep up with holiday traditions, which may include elaborate meals, decor, and holiday activities. These costs can add up quickly. However, this doesn’t mean the fun has to stop! Below, we discuss a few tips for enjoying the holiday season on a budget: Delay buying: If you wait at least 30 minutes before making a purchase, this could result in you buying less. Share the load: If you’re hosting a meal, prepare the main dish and one side

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GLEN CARBON - Kellerman Investigations will once again host a Toys for Tots drive. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, community members are invited to stop by Kellerman Investigations at 60 S. Main Street in Glen Carbon to donate toys and enjoy games, a photo booth, raffles and more. Kimberly Brown, who helped organize the event, noted that the goal is to assist local families while providing a fun time for attendees. “We’re all blessed in our own way,” Brown said. “But to see people that are still struggling be able to contribute toys for children, that is bigger than one person. That’s a feeling, and that’s what this is about. It’s about donating for the children who don’t know any better, who should not have to worry about whether they’re going to get a toy to open up or not.” While the goal of the event is to collect donations, Brown noted that there will also be games and activities for attendees,

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November 28 holds a significant place in history, marked by a multitude of impactful events that have influenced the world across various fields. One of the most notable events on November 28 occurred in 1943, during World War II, when the Tehran Conference began. This landmark meeting brought together the leaders of the Allied Powers: Franklin D. Roosevelt of the United States, Winston Churchill of the United Kingdom, and Joseph Stalin of the Soviet Union. The conference aimed to strategize the next phases of the war against the Axis powers and laid the groundwork for the post-war order. The discussions at Tehran were critical in shaping the course of the war, leading to the eventual defeat of Nazi Germany and establishing the foundations for the United Nations. The collaborative spirit witnessed during this conference exemplified the importance of diplomacy in resolving global conflicts. Fast forward to 1979, when the United States and China took a momentous step towards normalization

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WOOD RIVER - This Thanksgiving, one of the many things Riverbend residents have to be thankful for are the countless volunteers who make our communities cleaner, better places to live. Rusty Wheat, a one-man cleanup crew and outspoken advocate against roadway litter, is one of those volunteers taking action and making a difference in his community. Wheat has a well-documented history of not only advocating for a cleaner community, but taking action to make it happen. In 2023, he told the Madison County Board to “ do a better job ” regulating garbage trucks with loose netting that were spilling trash along county highways towards the Roxana landfill. Frustrated by the lack of local government action, he took matters into his own hands and formed the “Chain Gang,” the name of his not-for-profit charter under the Illinois Adopt-A-Highway code. In a recent Letter to the Editor , Wheat said the name refers to his “ties to the community,”

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GODFREY - Students at Evangelical School recently enjoyed a Thanksgiving meal together. Along with the parent group EPIC, students helped prepare a Thanksgiving feast to share last week. Students made side dishes in the days leading up to the meal, and then all 350 students ate together in the gym on Nov. 20, 2024. “It embodies a sense of community,” said Jamie Milligan, who chairs the event with EPIC. “We’re a small community here. It's important to develop those relationships across the age timeline. I think it’s important for the older kids and the younger kids to interact.” Middle school students were paired with kindergarteners and pre-schoolers to help the younger kids decorate placemats and collect their meals. Many students wore hand-made turkey hats and enjoyed sampling the food they prepared. Principal Amanda Macias noted that the tradition is a fun way to bring the school community together. She said the Student Council also

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JERSEYVILLE - Jerseyville’s tenth annual Downtown Country Christmas Festival promises a fun day for families this weekend. On Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, kids of all ages and their loved ones can come out to City Center Park in Jerseyville. The festivities kick off at 1 p.m., and Santa Claus will be arriving by helicopter at 1:30 p.m. Kids can enjoy a movie, bounce houses, activities and Elf School, all for free. The event will conclude with a City of Jerseyville tree lighting ceremony at 5 p.m. and a parade to Dolan Park at 5:30 p.m. “It’s going to be great,” said organizer Michael Ward. “Honestly, it’s good to see everybody enjoying themselves and getting out in Jerseyville. There’s a lot going on that day.” Ward said that the Downtown Country Christmas Festival is often compared to a Hallmark movie. The entire community comes out to kick off the holiday season. The Stadium Theater will be showing “The Polar Express”

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ALTON - Prerak Patel, owner of Milton Food and Liquor in Alton, provided a meaningful Thanksgiving contribution to each Alton Police Department and Fire Department member. The Alton Police Department expressed gratitude this holiday season for Patel's generous contribution and the generosity of local business owners who contributed to their festive celebrations. The initiative was announced by the Alton Police Department, highlighting Patel's significant contribution as a gesture of appreciation for the hard work of local law enforcement and fire personnel. In addition to Patel's generosity, the department also acknowledged Mike Schwegel and Schwegel's Market for their role in facilitating the smooth pickup of the turkeys. "This kindness and community spirit are truly appreciated and mean so much to all of us," the department stated in their announcement. The collaboration reflects a commitment to fostering community relationships and supporting those who serve the public.

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CHICAGO – Ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Attorney General Kwame Raoul is reminding Illinois residents to exercise caution when shopping both online and in person to avoid fraud and scams. “Black Friday and Cyber Monday are two of the biggest shopping days of the year, but it is important that shoppers not inadvertently become victims of scams or purchase unsafe products in their rush to chase down the best deal,” Raoul said. “My office provides advice and free resources to help avoid scams while shopping for loved ones. I encourage all Illinois residents to visit my office’s website for free tips to a safe holiday shopping season.” Attorney General Raoul also encouraged shoppers to take steps to protect themselves from scams, such as those involving drained gift cards. Scammers steal gift cards to copy the card number and then put the cards back on the shelf. Once the card has been purchased and a consumer’s funds are loaded o

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and law enforcement agencies throughout the state are ramping up patrols and reminding the public to buckle up and drive sober this Thanksgiving. Hundreds of enforcement zones and other enforcement patrols will be looking for seat belt law violators and impaired drivers through Dec. 2. “Buckling your seat belt is the law in Illinois – and your best defense if you’re in a crash,” said Stephane B. Seck-Birhame, IDOT’s bureau chief of Safety Programs and Engineering. “If you think you might drink or use drugs, plan to designate a sober driver so your and everyone else’s Thanksgiving holiday is safe and filled with memories you’ll cherish for a lifetime.” During the Thanksgiving holiday period from Nov. 22-26 in Illinois last year, IDOT reported 2,842 crashes, including 16 people killed in 16 crashes, six of which involved alcohol. “The

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CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reminding Illinoisans to celebrate the 2024 Thanksgiving holiday safely by taking precautions to protect everyone from foodborne illnesses as well as uninvited guests - those seasonal viruses that may be circulating. Hosts can protect their guests by following basic food safety steps, including keeping hot foods hot, cold foods cold, and properly thawing frozen turkeys before roasting them. “Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “I love the food, spending time with family and friends, and the football. As we gather in community this week, I want to remind everybody, and especially those preparing food, that we can prevent unwanted illnesses by following proven food safety tips. Two of the most important are: thoroughly thaw frozen turkeys in the fridge and make sure the turkey and stuffing are cooked to a safe temperature of 165° Fahrenheit.”

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WOOD RIVER - During this Thanksgiving holiday time, Wood River residents are saluting a cherished man who recently celebrated his 100th birthday. Jacob Miller, a World War II veteran in the U.S. Army, was honored recently at the Wood River City Council meeting. To celebrate a century of life and service to his community, Wood River resident Jacob Miller was honored this week as Mayor Tom Stalcup recently proclaimed Nov. 18, 2024 “Jacob Miller Day.” “I have known him practically all my life,” Stalcup said of Miller. “He raised his family in Wood River, he came from Arkansas. All the kids were born in Wood River - they had two boys and a girl, and Jacob’s wife was a cook at Roxana High for forever. Really, really nice family.” The official proclamation describes Miller as “an individual whose journey has inspired and touched the lives of family, friends, and community.” “Jacob has witnessed a century of change

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As dinner plates get filled this holiday season, it’s important to decide what to, and what not to add to your meal. Health experts say moderation is key. “Make sure you choose a little bit of everything you want and savor those foods you enjoy. Don’t fill your plate with foods you don’t like to eat,” says OSF HealthCare registered dietitian Sara Umphfleet. “When referring to moderation, also think about alcohol. It’s typically one drink for women and two drinks for men is the definition of moderation. It’s important that if you’re going to have alcohol, to have a glass of water every time you have a drink, because alcohol can really dehydrate you.” Surrounded by holiday staples like turkey, casseroles, stuffing and more, it’s an easy time to overeat and break any healthy eating habits. Umphfleet shares some ways you can combat this. “If you know it’s going to be some time after breakfast before you have

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EDWARDSVILLE - A team of 26 student entrepreneurs is bringing a family-friendly event to Edwardsville to kick off the holiday season and raise seed money for their own business ventures. Students in the Edwardsville CEO program have been hard at work planning their first-semester fundraising event. “ Jumpstart To Joy - Winter Wonderland Edition ” is coming up soon on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the YMCA Meyer Center in Edwardsville. Tickets are $10 each (plus service fees) and can be purchased online here . While tickets will also be available at the door, the price will increase to $15 each. Ticket holders will gain access to the following activities at no additional cost: Bounce Houses & Obstacles Courses Roller Skating Meet and Greet with Santa & Mrs. Claus Meet and Greet with Princesses ( Brittain's Princess Parties ) Face Painting ( Glitter Faces ) Arts & Crafts Jumbo Games Scavenger Hunt Raffle Items The Edwardsville

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that lanes that have been closed for construction will reopen, where possible, for the Thanksgiving holiday to minimize travel disruption. Non-emergency closures will be suspended from 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27, to 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2. The following lane closures will remain in place during the holiday weekend. Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through these areas. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and stay alert for workers and equipment. At all times, please buckle and drive sober. District 1 City of Chicago Kennedy Expressway (Interstate 90/94) reversible lanes between Lawrence Avenue and Ohio Street; closed. Kennedy between Milwaukee Avenue and Hubbard’s Cave; lane reductions continue. Foster Avenue over the Kennedy; closed.

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EDWARDSVILLE - Senior forward Alandyn Simmons joined the Edwardsville girls basketball team as a transfer from Lift For Life Academy in the Soulard neighborhood of St. Louis, and has made an immediate impact on the Tigers, scoring 23 points in the Tigers' first three games, all wins, 48-43 over Pleasant Plains, 42-29 over Quincy, and 53-38 over Springfield, as the Tigers have started the new season at an impressive 3-0. Simmons scored 11 points in the opener against the Cardinals, then scored six points each in the win over the Blue Devils and the Senators, and has also made an impact defensively, making some big plays in the clutch to help the Tigers go out to their undefeated start. Simmons is a Spencer Homes Female Athlete of the Month for the Tigers. As a junior playing for the Hawks last season, Simmons averaged 2.8 points and 3.1 rebounds-per-game, going along with 12 assists, 21 steals, and 13 blocked shots in helping Lift For Life to the Missouri Class 4 championship, defeatin

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EDWARDSVILLE — Circuit Clerk Tom McRae announced Wednesday that Madison County was awarded a $105,407 Technology Modernization Grant from the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC). “We are grateful to the Illinois Courts for this generous grant and the opportunity to make necessary upgrades without having to pass the costs on to the people of Madison County,” McRae said. McRae credits Circuit Clerk’s Information Technology Manager Brian Davis for his efforts in securing the grant. “I appreciate that he went the extra mile to make this possible,” McRae said. “He always goes above and beyond for the taxpayers of Madison County.” Davis said the grant will fund an IBM iSeries server used for courts case management system and image storage retrieval system. He said this is the third grant received by the Third Judicial Circuit Court in Madison County. He said previous amounts were much less and the grants were used to purchase

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For many, the holidays are filled with friends, family and constant celebration. People put socialization on overdrive and seem to take no breaks. However, for others, the holidays can feel lonelier than any other time of year. Not everyone has close friends and family to spend their time with during these cold few months. Some may have it reserved for extra alone time, and not by their own choice. Taking more time for yourself during the holidays is not unhealthy on its own, but doing so too much can lead to negative emotions and feelings of isolation. There is a difference in taking some alone time to avoid being around others. “Taking some time alone is kind of like taking a break at halftime of a football game,” says Megan Williams, Director of Suicide Prevention for Centerstone. “You’ve been chatting with people, trying to keep the conversation going for a couple of hours, and you need to take a 15-minute break to step away and recharge your batteries.”

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GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College’s Paralegal program has fueled the careers of many students who are excited to share their successes. Chase Giffin recently earned the position of deputy circuit clerk at the Madison County Courthouse and credits the connections he made and opportunities he acquired through L&C’s Paralegal program. “Thank you for offering this amazing program that gave me the opportunity to take internships at Illinois JusticeCorps and Simmons Hanly Conroy LLP, Those opportunities gave me a leg up against the competition,” he said. “If it wasn’t for your program, I would not have gotten this position with Madison County.” Jasmine Akers also expects a brighter future thanks to the Paralegal program. “I wanted to express how much your program has evolved my career path,” she said. “I’ve just accepted a job, and I start Monday. I’m very excited for my new career.

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PONTOON BEACH – The holiday spirit is making its annual debut on the streets of Madison County as the Madison County Transit (MCT) “Holiday Bus” returns to delight passengers throughout December. This tradition embodies the joy of giving, offering complimentary rides to passengers aboard these festive buses. In 2023, the Holiday Bus provided over 5,300 free rides, a testament to the growing excitement surrounding this seasonal event. From December 1 through December 31 , the Holiday Bus will operate daily on three MCT vehicles of varying sizes, traveling across randomly assigned routes in the MCT service area. Passengers boarding these special buses will find a farebox wrapped like a holiday present, signaling their free ride. Some buses may also feature cheerful holiday decorations to brighten riders’ journeys. “Our Holiday Bus has become a favorite tradition for both our riders and our drivers,” said MCT Managing Director SJ Morrison. “Passengers

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GLEN CARBON - Dutch Bros Coffee is one step closer to opening their first-ever Illinois location in Glen Carbon’s continuously developing Orchard Town Center. Plans for the new coffee spot were first announced in June , when Mayor Bob Marcus said the village is “proud to be home to Dutch Bros' first Illinois location." While the location is still far from opening its doors, one minor step towards its construction was taken this week. Village Board members on Tuesday approved a re-subdivision of Orchard Town Center Outparcel 12, dividing it into lots 12A and 12B. "12B is where Dutch Bros will be putting their drive-through establishment,” Community Development Director Erika Heil said. She added that the occupant of lot 12A has not yet been announced. A construction timeline for the new coffee shop is still unclear, as Heil said the site plan is currently under review. Once the site plan goes through the Planning and Zoning Commission, the plan will face

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