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BELLEVILLE - Belleville’s first-ever cannabis dispensary will get a portion of their local taxes paid back to them after City Council members this week unanimously approved a sales tax rebate for the business. Mystic Greenz has a dispensary located at 360 S. Green Mount Road in Belleville. It marks the city’s first-ever cannabis dispensary, joining many other Riverbend communities which have welcomed dispensaries - and their sales tax revenues - in recent years. The company behind this Mystic Greenz location, Indus 365 Belleville LLC, has promised annual cannabis sales of at least $3.5 million in addition to a $1.2 million investment in remodeling the building. They have also agreed to create six full-time jobs and two part-time jobs within a year of opening, as well as operate at the site for at least five years. In return for this projected revenue, and to incentivize the building remodel, the city has agreed to pay the dispensary back one-third of the 3%

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ROXANA - Felony charges have been filed against a man accused of using a stolen identity to illegally purchase a Cadillac DeVille in Roxana. William L. Green, 56, listed as homeless out of Alton, was charged on Nov. 14, 2024 with offenses related to motor vehicles (a Class 2 felony) and identity theft (a Class 3 felony). Green reportedly used the personal identifying information of another person to fraudulently obtain a Cadillac DeVille motor vehicle on Sept. 25, 2024. Green made the unlawful purchase at Roxana Auto Sales, where the car was bought for more than $300 but less than $2,000, according to court documents. The Roxana Police Department presented the case against Green, who was granted pretrial release from custody. The issuance of charges is based solely upon probable cause and is not an indication of guilt. All subjects charged with criminal offenses are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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MILLSTADT - Colleen C. Hensel, a dedicated educator and beloved community member, died on Nov. 20, 2024, at age 82. She impacted the lives of countless people in the Millstadt/Belleville area through her work as a mother, wife, teacher, volunteer, and friend. Born and raised in Springfield, IL., Colleen attended Sacred Heart-Griffin School and later pursued her education at a junior college before earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Saint Louis University in 1962. Her teaching career began at Ritenour High School in St. Louis, where she taught History, English, and Geography. It was during her first day at the school that she met her future husband, Pete Hensel, who sought her help for directions. Their relationship blossomed, leading to a marriage that lasted over six decades. After moving to Belleville where Pete took a teaching and coaching position, Colleen continued her career in education at Belle Valley South Elementary School. For 20 years, she taught seventh-grade

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ALTON - Tabitha Craig-Robinson and Dan Robinson, owners of Tab's Cafe in Alton, are preparing to serve a Thanksgiving meal and trimmings to individuals in need on Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. The restaurant is closed that day to provide a turkey dinner, complete with dessert, to 80 selected individuals from the Salvation Army. Anyone who receives the meal will have to go through the Salvation Army for tickets. The meal service will begin at noon and run until 5 p.m., with guests divided into groups of 20 for hourly servings. Each hour will accommodate a new group, ensuring that all attendees receive a warm meal. Tickets for the event can be obtained from the Salvation Army, which began distributing them earlier this week. David Thomason, a friend of the Robinsons, praised their initiative. "This is the only restaurant business in the Alton area doing this, I think," he said. "I think it is amazing. They are going to do this at Christmas time, too." While tickets for the event are limited,

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Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, family, and, of course, plenty of delicious food. However, it can also become a wonderful occasion for creating lasting memories through games and friendly competition. A Thanksgiving-themed game night offers a unique way to bring family and friends together in a festive atmosphere, allowing everyone to engage in fun activities while celebrating the spirit of the holiday. Here’s how to create a memorable Thanksgiving game night that will leave your guests with smiles and laughter. Setting the Scene: Create a Festive Atmosphere To kick off your Thanksgiving-themed game night, it’s essential to set the right ambiance. Here are some ideas to transform your space: Decorate with Fall Colors Utilize autumnal colors such as oranges, browns, and golds in your decorations. Incorporate elements like pumpkins, gourds, and fall leaves to enhance the festive feel. You might consider a centerpiece for your table made of mini pumpkins or a cornucopia

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Welcome to another installment of our series, 'This Day in History,' where we take a closer look at significant events that have shaped our world. One of the most significant events that occurred on November 22nd was the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963. This tragic event shocked the nation and the world, marking a pivotal moment in American history. Kennedy was shot while riding in a motorcade through Dallas, Texas, and his death was met with an overwhelming wave of grief. The assassination led to a series of investigations, including the Warren Commission, which concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. However, conspiracy theories surrounding the event continue to thrive to this day, fueling debates about the circumstances of his death and its lasting impact on American politics. Fast forward to November 22, 1975, when the world witnessed the rise of a new political leader in Spain. King Juan Carlos I was proclaimed King of Spain following the death o

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) reminds firearm deer hunters that mandatory check stations will be open this year in counties where chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been detected. The 2024 Illinois firearm deer season dates are Nov. 22-24 and Dec. 5-8, 2024. Check stations are used by IDNR to monitor CWD in Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Grundy, Jo Daviess, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, LaSalle, Livingston, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, Will, and Winnebago counties. In those counties, hunter-harvested deer must be taken to a designated firearm deer check station by 8 p.m. on the day the deer is killed. Successful firearm hunters in CWD counties should not attempt to report their deer online or via telephone; check station attendance in these counties is mandatory. A list of check station locations for CWD testing can be found online . Hunters harvesting deer in Kane County should take their deer to a check station in an adjacent county. Hunters should

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ST. CLAIR COUNTY - Homeowners and renters in Illinois affected by severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding from July 13 to July 16, 2024, now have additional time to seek federal disaster assistance. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has extended the application deadline to December 13, 2024, for residents in Cook, Fulton, Henry, St. Clair, Washington, Will, and Winnebago counties. The assistance provided by FEMA may cover a range of needs, including grants for temporary housing, basic home repair or replacement, and other disaster-related expenses. These expenses can include moving and storage costs, primary vehicle repair or replacement, essential furniture and appliances, as well as medical, dental, and childcare costs. Residents can apply for FEMA assistance through several methods. The fastest way is to visit DisasterAssistance.gov, download the FEMA mobile app, or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Those using relay services, such a

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The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced the 2024 annual Adoption Excellence Awards recipients. Additionally, officials introduced new public service announcements encouraging the adoption of foster care children awaiting forever families. Hosted by the Children’s Bureau at ACF, each November in celebration of National Adoption Month, the awards recognize individuals, families and organizations that have demonstrated excellence in contributing to the permanency of children in foster care. This year’s awardees were honored at an event in the HHS Great Hall this afternoon, led by ACF Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Meg Sullivan, and Children’s Bureau Commissioner Rebecca Jones Gaston. “It is a privilege to present today’s honorees with the 2024 Adoption Excellence Award,” said ACF Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Meg Sullivan. “Every child deserves a stable

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, hosted the U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink, to discuss continued Congressional support for Ukraine and the need to strengthen the NATO alliance ahead of the incoming Administration. Senate Armed Services Chair Jack Reed (D-RI) also joined the meeting. “ More than two and a half years after Putin began his brutal, criminal invasion, Ukraine remains on the frontlines of democracy,” said Durbin. “As the United States Congress prepares for a new Administration, I reiterated to Ambassador Brink that we stand with our Ukrainian allies. We must continue bipartisan support for the NATO alliance and to reject Russian tyranny.”

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BETHALTO - A beloved teacher at Trimpe Middle School in Bethalto has died. Marissa Banovz was a sixth and seventh grade math teacher at Trimpe, where students and faculty alike knew her as a kind, smart and dedicated individual. Banovz died on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, following a battle with metastatic breast cancer. “When she was sick in the hospital, she was making videos for her students on how to figure out test corrections or how to do a problem. She was still working,” remembered Laura Gipson, principal of Trimpe Middle School. “She was such a fighter, always had a positive attitude, no matter what. On days she wasn’t feeling well, you would have never known.” Banovz became a math teacher and technology coach at Trimpe in 2001. She was quickly deemed the “go-to person” for any questions about technology or scheduling. Gipson explained that the middle school’s schedule can be “very tricky,” and Banovz would

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The Joe Lawrence Flying Circus performed on Sunday, November 16, 1924, at Hugh F. Poag’s field in South Roxana. There were stunts, fancy flying, a parachute leap from the plane a mile high, wing walking, skating in the air, and a break-away, in which a man or woman jumps from a wing end to a rope ladder swinging beneath the plane. All stunts were announced and explained by megaphone and were performed without safety measures. Admission to the field was 25 cents. Passenger airplane trips cost $3, with half fare for children under 12 years old.\ The following week, to advertise their upcoming shows on November 23 and 27, the Joe Lawrence Flying Circus planned to do something no one had ever done before. On Thursday, November 20, at 12:30 p.m., pilot William F. Spencer and stunt man Roy Johnson attempted to fly under the Alton Bridge, with Spencer piloting and Johnson on top of the plane. Hundreds of people gathered on the Alton riverfront to watch. The plane took off from

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EDWARDSVILLE - A new local business is creating well-rounded, holistic, healthy meals for dogs. Pup Kitchen, based out of Edwardsville, is a family business that focuses on all members of the family, including the four-legged ones. The company sells homemade, AAFCO-certified nutritious dog food. Owner Marc Fussell noted that his dogs’ health has improved since he started feeding them Pup Kitchen meals, and he hopes to help other dogs get the same benefits. “With humans, you hear many times, 'Let food be thy medicine.' And I think even with dogs, if you feed them a healthy diet, a well-balanced diet, that’s going to be what they need to have longevity,” Fussell said. About 20 years ago, Fussell became interested in nutrition and began cooking healthy, whole-food meals for his family. He soon realized how much better he felt, and he started to wonder if better food could have the same effect on his pets. At first, Fussell and his wife Christie bought

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EDWARDSVILLE - Steven Moore, Jr. was one of the key offensive players for the Edwardsville football team that finished the season at 6-4, combining with fellow senior Gavin Yates to form a lethal one-two backfield punch that was very hard to stop on many nights. In the game where the Tigers officially clinched an IHSA playoff berth, a 20-10 win over Belleville East on Oct. 11 at Tiger Stadium, Moore ran for 47 yards and Edwardsville's first touchdown in the second quarter, a comeback win for the Tigers that put Edwardsville's record at the time at 6-1. For the season, Moore ran for 711 yards and eight touchdowns, also catching 18 passes for 130 yards and two more touchdowns. Moore also had 16 receptions for 138 yards and two touchdowns. After the win over the Lancers, Moore felt the Tigers played well in gaining a great and important win. "We just came as a team, played together, and got the win," he said. "It all started in practice the day before the game, and it all translated

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GRANITE CITY - Senior offensive lineman Matt Fetrow had one of the most important jobs on the football gridiron this past football season for the Granite City Warriors – he was starting center on the offensive line, and a play couldn't start without him. Besides being the center, Fetrow served as the engine that kickstarts the Warrior offense. Fetrow enjoyed the 2024 season under Warriors' head football coach Steve Roustio. "We've had more positivity and worked hard, I feel, from this year to last year," Fetrow said. Fetrow also feels that this past season will give the Warriors a chance to turn the Warriors' program around with several young players coming back for next year. "We're headed in the right direction for the future," the lineman said. Fetrow was also excited to have Steve Roustio as his new head coach, and he enthusiastically endorsed Roustio. "I think he's great," Fetrow said. "He's brought in some charity, and he's been better than the last few coaches.

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ALTON - Alton Redbirds boys golfer Sam Ottwell's time on the golf courses around the region will not be forgotten for years in the future. Alton's Ottwell at the IHSA Large Schools State Championship achieved a two-day score of 151 for 24th place at The Den at Fox Creek in Bloomington. Ottwell is an Auto Butler Male Athlete of the Month for the Redbirds. Earlier in the season, Ottwell achieved a school record by shooting a 65 to win the Collinsville Class 3A Regional at Arlington Greens in Granite City. He also finished as the runner-up in the Decatur MacArthur Class 3A Sectional at Hickory Point Golf Course, where he matched par on his last 11 holes, finishing at 1-under 71. Dylan Dudley, head boys golf coach for the Alton Redbirds, expressed pride in Ottwell's accomplishments. “To see him break through and win a postseason championship is special. He represents our school program better than almost anyone; he’s a coach’s dream,” Dudley said. Dudley praised

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-IN) today applauded President Biden for signing into law their Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act, legislation that extends funding for public health efforts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to improve childhood survival rates, prevent premature death and disability, and increase quality of life for the two-and-a-half million Americans living with congenital heart disease (CHD). Heart defects are the deadliest and most common form of birth defects—every 15 minutes a child is born with a heart defect. The bipartisan legislation builds upon the law Durbin and Young passed in 2018 to expand CDC’s research and awareness efforts for CHD. “Heart defects are the most common birth defect, and if you ever get the devastating news that your precious little one has a serious medical condition, you hope there’s a treatment or care option for them,”

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today joined the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and a bipartisan coalition of 38 attorneys general in announcing a robust package of remedies to end Google’s unlawful monopoly over internet search engines and restore competition to benefit consumers. “For too long, Google has maintained a monopoly as an online search engine. The remedies included in our proposed final judgement will ensure increased competition for consumers who have been left with few alternatives to Google’s platform,” Raoul said. “Consumers deserve to have a choice and the confidence that they are getting the best search results. I will continue to work to increase options for consumers and reign in anticompetitive behavior wherever it occurs.” In 2020, Raoul and a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general filed a lawsuit against Google alleging that Google illegally maintains its monopoly power over general search engines through anticompetitive

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BETHALTO - Civic Memorial High School's Landon Kearbey is making a name for himself in the world of cross country, showcasing significant improvement as he approaches the final year of his high school athletic career. The junior runner recently competed at the IHSA Class 2A Boys State Cross Country Meet, where he finished 74th with a time of 15:36.30. For his tremendous time at state and the regional and sectional meets for CM, Landon is an individual Tom Lane State Farm Insurance Male Athlete of the Month. Kearbey's journey has been marked by consistent progress. As a freshman, he recorded a time of 19 minutes, but his dedication and hard work have transformed him into a highly competitive athlete, clocking in at 15:19 as a best this season. His coach, Jake Peal, highlighted Kearbey's commitment, stating, "He had a really good summer and worked really hard. The miles you put in year after year add up to be when you dive into developing your craft." Kearbey's recent performances include

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement regarding U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders’ (I-VT) motions to discharge S.J.Res.111, S.J.Res.113, and S.J.Res.115, which would suspend the sale of $1 billion in certain U.S.-made weapons to Israel: “I believe passionately that Israel has not only the right to exist, but the right to defend itself in the dangerous neighborhood of the Middle East. The terrorist attack of October 7 was truly horrific and the Hamas terrorist group, which is dedicated to the destruction of Israel, should be eliminated. I have consistently voted for military assistance to Israel throughout my congressional career to protect it from the threats which it faces on a daily basis. “I voted today to suspend three specific arms sales to Israel. My reason is very straightforward. It is reported that more than 43,000 Palestinians have died in the conflict in Gaza—60 percent of them have been

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