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ST. LOUIS - The Saint Louis Zoo has launched a new conservation initiative that will support research, field work and outreach to help both wild polar bears in the Arctic and the people that live among them. The Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Institute Center for Polar Bear Conservation is the first new conservation center created by the Zoo since 2019. It will be an adaptable conservation program dedicated to safeguarding the species. The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act and faces significant threats including loss of sea ice habitats due to climate change. “It's incredibly important that we better understand and protect this species now more than ever,” said Center Director Julie Hartell-DeNardo, who also serves as the Kevin Beckmann Curator of Carnivores at Saint Louis Zoo. “We hope deepening the Zoo’s longstanding support of this species can make a real impact for these magnificent bears.”

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WOOD RIVER - Midwest Members Credit Union is proud to sponsor the “Oiler of the Month” program at EAWR High School. A senior student is selected each month by members of EAWR faculty. Each student is awarded a certificate and a Subway gift card. The seniors selected each month will have the opportunity to compete for a $1,000.00 “Oiler of the Year” scholarship at the end of the school year. November's winner is Jordan Ealey. Jordan is a senior at EAWR and is involved in Softball, Volleyball, Basketball, Peer Leadership, Student Council, Big Sisters, Saturday Scholars, NHS, Senior Mentors. Jordan has received the Softball MVP award & 110% Gallatin Award. In Jordan's free time, she enjoys volunteering with Senior Mentor, Sports for Youth & Toys for Tots. After graduation, Jordan is planning on attending a 2 year for sports then transferring to a 4 year to become a speech pathologist. Congratulations Jordan and we all wish you good luck in your future!

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ROXANA - Midwest Members Credit Union is proud to sponsor the “Shell of the Month” program at Roxana High School. Students from each grade level are selected each month by members of RHS faculty. Each student is awarded a certificate and a Subway gift card. The seniors selected each month will have the opportunity to compete for a “Shell of the Year” scholarship at the end of the school year. October & November Shell of the Month winners are: Senior - Maurice Sparks, Ridley Allen, Omero Sanchez, Cali Liljenberg. Junior- Robert Horton, Madison Weidler, Ava Cherry, Mason Crump. Sophomore- Senica McGee, Aaden Curry, Aubrey Cathey, Easton Johnston. Freshman- Ethan Branch, Alexis Dopuch, Leyton Smay, Raylynne Curren. Congratulations to all the recipients Midwest Members Credit Union has been serving your community for over 89 years. To find out more information about Midwest Members Credit Union and what they are doing in your community, please visit www.midmembers.org

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ALTON — Emerson A. "Bud" Schultz Jr., a prominent figure in the Riverbend music community, died Thursday, November 14, 2024. He was 90 years old. Schultz was known for his extensive contributions to music education and performance in the Alton region, particularly as a one-time director of the Alton High School Marching 100 and a long-time member of the “You Can’t Beat Experience” Jazz Band. Tim Jarden, a former student and music teacher in the Alton School District, reflected on Schultz's influence, stating, “He was a great teacher, a super musician who helped so many people.” Jarden highlighted Schultz's ability to blend difficult music with more accessible tunes, noting his dedication to inspiring students. “He tried to pull the best out of people,” Jarden said. Born on May 28, 1934, in Champaign, Schultz earned a bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Illinois and a master’s degree in education from Purdue

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MADISON COUNTY — Authorities are seeking the public's help in identifying the driver involved in a hit-and-run crash that resulted in the death of a cyclist last month. The incident involved 43-year-old Pablo Puente of Edwardsville, who was reported missing on Oct. 3, 2024. According to a release from CrimeStoppers, family members last saw Puente on Oct. 2, 2024, when he left home riding his 29-inch Giordano Intrepid Carbon Aluminum Frame Mountain Bike. His body was discovered at 2:40 p.m. on Oct. 4, 2024, along Illinois Route 143 near Kendall Drive. Investigators determined that Puente had been struck by a vehicle that subsequently fled the scene. His bicycle has not yet been located. CrimeStoppers is encouraging anyone with information about the incident to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously by calling 1-866-371-TIPS (8477), visiting stlrcs.org, or using the P3 Tips app. Individuals who provide information leading to the arrest of the driver involved in the fatal

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MARION - Thirty children in foster care had their lives changed forever at adoptions at the Williamson County Courthouse in Marion Williamson County Circuit Court Judge Amanda Byassee Gott, Illinois DCFS and private agency staff will come together to make the day memorable for these new families. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. and the finalizations will begin at 9 a.m. A celebration, including refreshments for the families, will follow. “Williamson County is thrilled to be hosting National Adoption Day again this year,” said Judge Amanda Byassee Gott . “Presiding over adoption proceedings where children find their forever families is one of the highlights of my time on the bench as a judge each year. As a juvenile judge, it is a privilege for me to preside over this final step of permanency for youth in care of DCFS.” “We have all heard the expression about giving our children ‘roots’ and ‘wings’ to grow into successful

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BELLEVILLE - The Belleville School of Ballet and the Belleville Philharmonic Orchestra will showcase “The Nutcracker Ballet” this weekend, marking their 40th anniversary of performing the classic dance. On Nov. 23 and 24, 2024, community members are invited to Love Church at 1549 Frank Scot Parkway W. in Belleville for a performance by the Belleville School of Ballet and the Belleville Philharmonic Orchestra. The show premieres at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. “Whether you’re a longtime fan or experiencing it for the first time, you won’t want to miss this milestone performance filled with wonder, joy, and timeless holiday tradition,” the Belleville School of Ballet said in a statement. “Get your tickets now and be part of a 40-year tradition that celebrates the power of music, dance, and community!” Christopher Gass, who serves as the Youth Orchestra Conductor for the Belleville

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It’s a word that stings just coming out of your mouth. And it’s certainly an illness you want to avoid. There are time-tested treatments for the disease that’s associated with chickenpox – namely an effective vaccine. But new research from the University of Pennsylvania and New York University (NYU) gives hope to people who have suffered eye complications from shingles. “It’s promising,” says Fred Burke, MD, an emergency medicine physician who provides care at OSF HealthCare. Shingles basics Dr. Burke says shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. Chickenpox is common in children, who typically suffer from a blistering rash for four to seven days. “That virus will lie dormant in the nerve cells of the body. For some unknown reason, it gets activated later in life,” causing shingles, Dr. Burke says. “Generally, that’s in people 50 and over. You’ll get a localized

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO. — Two 17-year-old males were arrested on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, in connection with the homicide of Logan Snyder, a 16-year-old from St. Louis. The incident occurred near the intersection of Regina Avenue and Horn Avenue in South County. The suspects are currently being held at the St. Louis County Family Court on charges of second-degree murder and armed criminal action. Logan Snyder, who resided in the 400 block of West Ripa Avenue, was identified as the victim following the investigation that began shortly after the incident. Authorities have stated that the investigation is ongoing and have encouraged anyone with information to contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210. For those wishing to remain anonymous or potentially receive a reward, CrimeStoppers can be reached at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477). Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

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ALTON - The 10th annual Robert Sean Hilligoss Memorial Toys for Tots Benefit is scheduled for this weekend. On Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, community members are invited to the Alton VFW for live music, raffles, a silent auction and more. Proceeds benefit the local Toys for Tots drive, from which 14,000 children in Madison County are expected to receive toys. “This is a personal endeavor for me. This is for my brother Sean,” said organizer Kevin Hilligoss. “We’re trying to do everything we can.” Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and Tragg Band plays from 6–10 p.m., with a few guest performers expected. The 21+ event will include a cash bar, food, raffles, a 50/50 raffle and a silent auction. The suggested donation is $10, or attendees can bring a new, unwrapped toy to enter for free. Hilligoss explained that his brother, Robert Sean Hilligoss, was a Christmas-loving father who died at the age of 44. He left behind a 4-year-old daughter and a newborn.

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GRANITE CITY - A high-speed police chase resulting in a crash and more has led to multiple felony charges filed against a Belleville resident. Lecourtney A. Luckett, 44, of Belleville, was charged with aggravated battery (a Class 2 felony), aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer (a Class 3 felony), driving while license is revoked, and resisting a peace officer (both Class A misdemeanors). On Nov. 12, 2024, Luckett allegedly fled from police at a high rate of speed before crashing the vehicle, fleeing on foot, spitting on a police officer, and more. A petition to deny his pretrial release describes the incident as follows: “Defendant was identified as the driver of a motor vehicle exceeding the posted limit and officers attempted a stop. Defendant continued to accelerate to 105 mph in a 55 mph zone and attempted to pass a semi-tractor trailer on the shoulder, striking the truck and crashing into a ditch. “Defendant then fled on foot, ignoring

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Andrew Hade was diagnosed with diabetes a year ago. While the Rockford, Illinois, resident was surprised, he was more shocked when he later found out he also has diabetic retinopathy. “Retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that affects the back of the eye and can cause vision loss, blurry vision and other complications,” says Pamela Garcia, a nurse practitioner for OSF HealthCare. Garcia adds that early symptoms of retinopathy include floaters, blurriness, dark areas of vision and difficulty perceiving colors. Mild cases may be treated with diabetes management and more serious cases could require surgery. It's important for people with diabetes to schedule a thorough eye exam at least once a year. That’s because most patients, like Hade, display no symptoms of diabetic retinopathy until it’s too late. “I initially was dismissive about the eye test, because, I had no symptoms,” he says. “It's hard to think of something being wrong that's

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ALTON - Food Is Love will host their free monthly block party from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. today, Nov. 22, 2024. Located in the “Soulcial Square” — the parking lot next to the Salvation Army in Alton — the Block Party for Good offers free groceries and hot meals to community members. There are no residency or income requirements to receive food. Community members can stop by the Soulcial Square any time during the block party until they run out of food. “Our Block Party for Good is more than just a food distribution event — it’s a gathering of love, support, and connection,” said John Michel, President of Food is Love. “We want to ensure everyone in our community has access to nutritious food while enjoying the warmth and joy of fellowship.” The block parties are scheduled for the last Friday of every month. Hosted by AltonWorks , Food Is Love and Currency of Caring , the events offer food and information about local

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ALTON — Shalom Harvest is scheduled to distribute food baskets to families in need on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, from 10 a.m. to noon. The initiative aims to provide assistance amid rising prices that have left many struggling to feed their families. The distribution will take place at two locations in Alton: Tabernacle Church at 2521 Amelia St. and Today's Beauty Supply at 1415 Central Ave. In total, five hubs will be operational across the region, including the Shalom Church Lindbergh Campus, Skate King Roller Rink, and Shalom Church Berkeley Campus. Food will be distributed until it runs out. The program will distribute a total of 1,000 food baskets, with 200 available at each site. The drive-through format will be first come, first served, allowing families to collect food without leaving their vehicles. "Everything is high right now; food prices are astronomical. People are really struggling how to feed families and kids," said Jacqueline O’Quinn, emphasizing the importance

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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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