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The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and reflection, and music plays a vital role in enhancing the experience. Crafting the perfect holiday-themed playlist can set the mood for gatherings, family dinners, or even cozy evenings by the fire. Whether you’re looking to evoke nostalgia with classic tunes or infuse modern hits into your festivities, this guide will help you curate a playlist that resonates with the spirit of the season. Understanding the Essence of Holiday Music Before diving into the specifics of creating a holiday playlist, it’s essential to understand what makes holiday music unique. Typically, holiday songs reflect themes of love, joy, and togetherness. They often feature familiar melodies and are infused with cultural or religious significance, depending on the holiday being celebrated. Recognizing these elements will help you select tracks that resonate not just musically but emotionally as well. Define Your Holiday Theme The first step

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years and is a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), secured several important provisions to support our state in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that passed Congress this week. Some of priorities Duckworth secured to help Illinoisans include expanding housing opportunities and surrounding infrastructure at Rock Island Arsenal, supporting school districts near military bases by helping alleviate state and local tax base funding shortfalls and expanding our military’s use of sustainable aviation fuels, which supports our Illinois farmers, protects the environment and drives economy opportunity throughout the Midwest. “The brave Illinoisans who serve our nation in uniform at home and abroad deserve to know that our country fully supports them as they and their families sacrifice to defend our country,”

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) applauded the Senate passage of the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act to ensure public sector workers and their families are able to receive full Social Security benefits after two previous statutes reduced them. The legislation—whose Senate companion Duckworth and Durbin helped cosponsor alongside U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Susan Collins (R-ME) and 58 other U.S. Senators—would repeal the Social Security Act’s Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), which significantly reduced benefits for nearly 3 million Americans, many of whom are teachers, police officers and state, county and local government workers. The bill now heads to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law. Full text of the legislation can be found on the Senator’s website . “Millions of Americans have worked their entire lives, paying into

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ALTON - Alton High School will offer two classes in American Sign Language starting next year. American Sign Language I and II will teach students the basics of American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf culture. Rene Hart, the district’s Director of Curriculum and Instruction, emphasized the importance of teaching languages like ASL at the high school level. “It’s crucial to provide students with the ability to communicate effectively in a language other than English and to foster cultural understanding,” Hart said. “Giving students the opportunity to study world languages helps to prepare them for a globalized world. Studying world languages helps develop skills in communication, cultural awareness and connections across diverse communities. So we’re really excited about the opportunity to expand into American Sign Language.” The Alton Community Unit School District #11 Board of Education approved the ASL classes at their recent meeting

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Grocery stores are ever-changing, at times creating confusing strolls up and down the aisles. But as the products in grocery stores change, consumers can update and adjust their eating habits as well. The new year is an ideal time to review grocery store offerings and consider which foods can help support a healthy lifestyle. Packed with nutrients like protein, calcium and vitamin D, dairy foods fit the bill when it comes to providing high quality nutrition. The dairy section is where variety really comes into play, with new and exciting products regularly making appearances. Consumers can find an abundance of milk, yogurt and cheese, in addition to trending options like smoothie drinks, kefir (fermented dairy drink) and cottage cheese in the dairy aisle. Fresh Start Start creating healthy meals and snacks by pairing dairy foods with fruits, vegetables and whole grains. These quick-to-fix combinations offer a bounty of nutrients, including calcium, protein, B vitamins, vitamin D,

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EDWARDSVILLE – Main Street Community Center is thrilled to announce the culmination of a successful year with their final bingo event of the year and the celebration of reaching their Annual Fund Drive goal of $50,000 in just 50 days. This remarkable achievement underscores the unwavering support and generosity of the community. For 50 years, Main Street Community Center has been a cornerstone of support for local seniors, providing essential services such as meals, transportation, recreational activities, information and assistance, and travel programs. Thanks to the dedication of numerous sponsors, all activities and programs are offered free of charge, ensuring accessibility for all seniors in the area. "We are incredibly grateful for the community's support in helping us reach our 2024 Annual Fund Drive goal," said Jessica Johnson, Executive Director of Main Street Community Center. "This achievement allows us to continue providing vital services and enriching the lives

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RIVERBEND - It’s time to get a jump on those New Year’s resolutions! If you’re feeling the reason for the season and want to help out your community in 2025, keep reading. There are plenty of volunteer opportunities in the Riverbend region that might be a great fit for you. Alton Main Street — Alton Alton Main Street organizes several events and programs in downtown Alton. They need volunteers to help at the Alton Farmers Market, Mississippi Earthtones Festival, Downtown Chili Cookoff and other events throughout the year. Alzheimer’s Association — St. Louis The Alzheimer’s Association works to end Alzheimer’s. They need volunteers to help with events, advocate for Alzheimer’s research, and educate community members. There are in-person and virtual volunteer opportunities available. Best Buddies — St. Louis The Best Buddies program matches up people with and without developmental/intellectual

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ALTON - In the late months of 1924 and early months of 1925, the Joy Club threw dances every Wednesday night and Saturday night at The London. The London, formerly College Inn, sat at the corner of Main Street and College Avenue in Upper Alton. There were also special nights of dancing to celebrate holidays, and an ad in the Alton Evening Telegraph on December 30, 1924, invited revelers to the New Year’s Eve dance “from eight ‘till early in the morning.” Admission for gentlemen was 75 cents, but ladies got in free. Christmas Eve 1924 and Valentine’s Day 1925 were also celebrated by the Joy Club at The London, and a “sod-busters ball” mixed things up in March 1925. The dance was “said to be the first farm-yard frolic ever attempted in the city.” The Joy Club promised “something unique in the way of entertainment when the hay slingers and apple knockers meet. Persons attending have been requested to come attired in clothes

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PIASA - Through hard work and dedication, Reagan Beilsmith has earned a long list of accolades. For her accomplishments, Reagan Beilsmith is a Student of the Month for Southwestern High School. A senior at the high school, Beilsmith currently serves as the Spanish Club president and is also a member of National Honor Society and Student Government. These memberships require high grades and many hours of community service. Beilsmith participates in cross country, track and field, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She previously competed on the Scholastic Bowl team. As part of her sports, she has earned multiple leadership and MVP awards over the years. She has been a part of Southwestern’s band program for over seven years, and she has received a lot of recognition for her devotion to the band. She plays the drums and has earned Division 1 and 2 ratings for her solos at band competitions, as well as the “Outstanding Band Student Award” every year since

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ALTON - The spirit of Christmas is alive and well in Madison County thanks to the many bell ringers and donors who have contributed to the Red Kettle Campaign. A special thank you goes out to the anonymous individual(s) who placed gold coins in the kettles, making the holidays brighter for many families in our community. The first gold coin was discovered by Salvation Army volunteer Terry Steward in the Wood River Walmart kettle on Dec. 7. The second coin was found by Terry’s brother, Chuck Steward, on Dec. 20. It had been placed in the kettle at Godfrey Schnucks. Counting the kettles is a family tradition for the two brothers. As children, the brothers grew up as soldiers in The Salvation Army. Their mother, Fran Steward, counted kettles for more than 20 years. Terry has volunteered as a kettle counter for 25 years while Chuck has been counting the kettles for 12 years. "We are truly blessed by these coins, valued at $245 each for a total of $490,” said Salvation Army

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ALTON - Justin L. Caldwell, 39, of Alton, was charged with one count of stalking (a Class 4 felony) and three counts of attempted burglary (each Class A misdemeanors). Caldwell allegedly tried entering the victim’s vehicle on three separate occasions - once on Sept. 14, 2024, again on Oct. 4, 2024, and once more on Oct. 28, 2024. On each occasion, he was accused of lifting the car door handle in an attempt to burglarize the vehicle and cause the victim emotional distress. A petition to deny his pretrial release from custody notes Caldwell has tried breaking into the victim’s vehicle “on at least three occasions,” and has admitted to going to the victim’s residence “on at least six occasions.” The petition adds Caldwell has a “high likelihood of willful flight to avoid prosecution” given his prior failures to appear in court for four prior Madison County criminal cases against him. The Alton Police Department presented th

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ALTON — The Alton Police Department, in collaboration with the Metro East SWAT Team, executed a search warrant on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, in connection with a shooting incident that occurred just over a week earlier. The operation took place in the 800 block of Brown Street, Alton. The search was part of an ongoing investigation into a shooting that happened at 4:07 a.m. on Dec. 15, 2024. The Alton Police Department was alerted by a local hospital that a male victim with multiple gunshot wounds had been admitted to their Emergency Department. The victim was subsequently transferred to a hospital in St. Louis for advanced medical care. Investigators determined that the shooting occurred in the parking lot of Circle Gas, located at 911 College Avenue, Alton. Following the investigation, the Madison County State's Attorney’s Office filed charges on Dec. 20, 2024, against 23-year-old Quan G. Teamer of Alton. The charges include aggravated battery with a firearm, reckless

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CHICAGO - Building on a strong team of diverse experts in their fields, Governor JB Pritzker announced the following appointments in his administration. Illinois Health Benefits Exchange Advisory Committee Anusha Thotakura will serve as a Member of the Illinois Health Benefits Exchange Advisory Committee.* Thotakura currently serves as the Director of Illinois Citizen Action, where she successfully led efforts to ban price gouging for generic and off-patent prescription medication. Previously, she served as Special Projects Manager for the Progressive Turnout Project and was a Graduate Civics Fellow with the Blue Haven Initiative. Thotakura earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master of Public Policy from Harvard University. Stephanie Altman will serve as a Member of the Illinois Health Benefits Exchange Advisory Committee.* Altman is the Director of Healthcare Justice and Senior Director of Policy at the Shriver Center on Poverty

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ALTON - An Alton man accused of failing to register as a sex offender faces multiple other charges in two Madison County criminal cases. Patrick J. Wooldridge, 45, listed as homeless out of Alton, was charged in one case on Dec. 13, 2024 with violating the Sex Offender Registration Act (a Class 2 felony) and unlawful possession of less than five grams of methamphetamine (a Class 3 felony). In that case, Wolldridge reportedly failed to register as a sex offender with local authorities on a weekly basis as required for homeless individuals under state law. The charging documents note he had previously been convicted of the same offense in Madison County court in 2021. In another case filed on the same day, Wooldridge was charged with one count each of theft and unlawful use of a credit or debit card, both Class 4 felonies. On Nov. 23, 2024, he reportedly stole an individual’s purse wallet and house keys and knowingly used their stolen debit card to obtain merchandise.

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GRANITE CITY - Granite City High School sophomore Landon Harris was recognized by the Board of Education on Dec. 10, 2024, for his impressive achievement in cross country, qualifying for the 2024 IHSA Class 3A Cross Country Championship. Harris secured a time of 15:05.20, making him the 12th-fastest sophomore and earning him a 78th-place finish in the competition. Landon is a Stillwater Senior Living Male Athlete of the Month for the Warriors. This marks the second consecutive year that Harris has qualified for the state cross country meet, demonstrating his consistent performance in the sport. In addition to his cross country success, Harris has also excelled in track and field, having run under 2 minutes in the 800 meters and posting a time of 4:21.97 in the 1600 meters last spring. During the Board meeting, Harris was joined by Granite City High Principal Tim McChristian, GCHS Cross Country Coach Aaron Werths, and GCSD9 Board Vice President Eric Stacy, who all acknowledged

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WOOD RIVER - Sierra Holbrook-Blair, a senior at East Alton-Wood River High School, is being recognized for her contributions to the cheerleading team. Holbrook-Blair, who has transitioned from soccer to cheerleading, credits her success to a supportive environment and a positive mindset. Sierra is a Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month. Holbrook-Blair began her cheerleading journey this year, having previously played soccer, where she served as a captain during her junior year. "I came into this new sport with unease but gained a positive attitude that I could do anything if I just put my mind to it," she said. The welcoming nature of her teammates and coaches, particularly head coach Alison Beachum, helped her adjust to the new atmosphere. In addition to her athletic commitments, Holbrook-Blair is actively involved in various extracurricular activities, including the National Honor Society, Big Sisters, Renaissance, Student Council, Spirit Club, and Senior Mentor.

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BETHALTO - Adam Ogden, a standout player for the Civic Memorial boys basketball team, recently achieved a significant milestone by scoring his 1,000th career point. The accomplishment took place during the Roxana Tournament. Ogden's achievement was celebrated during a recent Eagles home game, where he was presented with a commemorative basketball. Ogden is a Tom Lane Male Athlete of the Month for the Eagles. Coach Lee Green praised Ogden's dedication to the sport, stating, "No one else better deserves it. He puts so much time in on his own, playing with his select AAU travel team, always in the gym shooting, and always with CM. He does so much on his own." Ogden's commitment to basketball extends beyond high school; he has expressed interest in pursuing a collegiate education while continuing to play the sport. According to Coach Green, Ogden is a "very intelligent kid" with a strong SAT score, and he is considering several universities for his future. In addition to basketball,

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) and author of the All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP) Act —celebrated the United States Senate voting by voice vote to confirm David Capozzi to serve on Amtrak’s Board of Directors as the Boards’ designated disability advocate—a seat created by a provision Duckworth authored and successfully included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. On Amtrak’s Board, Capozzi will help ensure senior Amtrak leadership hears the voices of individuals with disabilities who have demonstrated histories or experience with accessibility, mobility and inclusive transportation in passenger rail or commuter rail. “I worked hard to create this position on Amtrak’s Board of Directors because it is important that the disability community is represented at the table, and I’m proud that the Senate confirmed David

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul led a coalition of 22 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief supporting the federal government’s actions to increase the minimum wage for employees of certain federal contractors. In April 2021, President Biden issued an executive order increasing the minimum wage for these workers to $15 and directing the U.S. Department of Labor to implement subsequent annual raises to reflect changes in the cost of living. Raoul and the coalition submitted the amicus brief in Nebraska v. Su, a case challenging the increase in minimum wage for federal contract workers. “Employees of federal contractors have a right to fair wages that allow them to provide for themselves and their families,” Raoul said. “We all benefit when workers in our states earn decent living wages, and I will continue to advocate for the rights of all workers to receive fair compensation for the work they do – particularly when they are working on behalf

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SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) has created a new Informal Resolution and Mediation Unit, which will help workers and employers resolve straightforward claims before they reach an administrative hearing or litigation. By bringing parties together to resolve their disputes, informal resolution and mediation processes can resolve claims more quickly and efficiently, saving time, resources, and money for everyone involved. “The Informal Resolution and Mediation Unit is not only beneficial for workers and employers, it also allows IDOL to prioritize enforcement resources on complex, strategic, or high-impact investigations,” said Illinois Department of Labor Director Jane Flanagan. The Unit currently has two primary functions: A pilot project for proactive resolution of single employee, low-dollar wage claims; and Administration of the new Illinois Freelance Worker Protection Act. As the Unit grows and evaluates outcomes from the pilot project,

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