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ALTON - The Lucy Haskell Playhouse has a few events lined up to celebrate Lucy’s legacy. From 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, July 12, 2025, community members can stop by the playhouse in Middletown for an open house. Families can play old-fashioned games and tour the playhouse. This will be followed by Lucy’s birthday party from 6:30–8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, where you can enjoy cake, ice cream, games, pony rides and more. “It’s building that sense of community,” said Sarah, one of the volunteers. “I just love the legacy of the Haskell family, the fact that Florence Haskell donated this house and playhouse and land to the City of Alton for the education and recreation of children. It’s beautiful to be able to continue that legacy for the family. I just love the sense of community that it builds for all of us.” All of the Lucy Haskell Playhouse events are completely free to attend. Organizers Sarah and Margaret

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GRANITE CITY — President Donald Trump announced in late May 2025 a revised partnership agreement between U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel, reversing earlier opposition to the acquisition that officially closed June 18, 2025. The deal includes commitments to keep U.S. Steel’s headquarters in Pittsburgh, maintain an American CEO, and ensure a majority of U.S. citizens on the board. Nippon Steel pledged $14 billion in U.S. investments, including $2.4 billion for facilities in Pennsylvania’s Mon Valley region. Despite these assurances, officials and community leaders in Granite City and Illinois state legislators have raised concerns about the future of the local U.S. Steel plant. The legislators are on both a statewide and a national level. Granite City Mayor Michael C. Parkinson has expressed frustration over the absence of clear investment plans for Granite City Works, which reopened in 2018 following President Trump’s monumental visit to the community and the steel

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If your ash tree’s canopy is thinning, bark is flaking off in patches, or woodpeckers are suddenly interested in your trunk, you may be seeing the signs of an emerald ash borer infestation. These bright green beetles may look harmless—no bigger than a penny—but their larvae are devastating tree killers, and they’ve been sweeping through the Midwest for years. In late spring, adult emerald ash borers lay eggs in the cracks of your ash tree’s bark. When the eggs hatch, the tiny larvae chew their way under the surface and begin tunneling through the soft layer just beneath the bark. That’s where your ash moves water and nutrients. As the larvae feed, they leave behind winding S-shaped galleries that slowly choke the tree from the inside out. Over time, your tree’s upper branches begin to die off, bark splits open, and shoots sprout directly from the trunk—a desperate attempt by the tree to survive. Left untreated, the damage builds year afte

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From lively summer camps and vibrant county fairs to engaging cooking classes and exciting concerts, the variety of events happening across the Riverbend offers something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re looking for family fun, community gatherings, or unique local experiences, there’s plenty to explore and celebrate. For a full listing of upcoming events, be sure to visit https://www.riverbender.com/events/ . If you want to make sure even more of the region is aware of your event email cj@riverbender.com and explore our range of Event Promotion Services! Featured GGCA Summer Camp invites kids ages 3 to 12 to embark on an unforgettable adventure with their 2025 Summer Camp themed "Bible Explorer: Trek through Truth!" This engaging camp, held at Greater Glory Christian Academy in Alton, Illinois, offers a full schedule of outdoor and water games, crafts, weekly field trips to local attractions and the NCG Cinema, and daily hot meals. Operating weekdays from Jun

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MARYVILLE – State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) has teamed up with the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office to host an ICASH event this Thursday at the Maryville Community Library. Constituents are encouraged to stop by to check if they are owed unclaimed property and receive assistance filing a claim. ICASH Event Details Who: Senator Erica Harriss; Illinois State Treasurer’s Office When: Thursday, July 10, 2025, from 3:00PM – 6:00 p.m. Where: Maryville Community Library, 15 Professional Park Drive, Maryville, IL 62026 ICASH events help residents across Illinois locate and reclaim unclaimed property. Since 2015, more than $2 billion in assets have been returned to Illinoisans. Unclaimed property can include everything from forgotten bank accounts and uncashed checks to insurance payments, stocks, and even the contents of safe deposit boxes.

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JACKSONVILLE – State Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Murrayville) has announced that he is running for re-election as State Representative for the 100th House District. “I am pleased to announce that I am running for re-election as State Representative of Illinois’ 100th District. After talking with so many friends and constituents, I have been encouraged by the number of people asking me to continue to serve as their voice in Springfield,” said Rep. Davidsmeyer. “I first ran for office on the promise that I would remain a good person, that I would fight against big-government intrusion, and that I would work to create a better future for the next generation of Illinoisans. I have remained true to that promise, and I have become a stronger voice than ever against the Democratic majority that wants to take away our God-given rights.” As State Representative, C.D. Davidsmeyer continues to speak out against the radical leftist polices of Gov. J

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UPDATE: As of July 9, 2025, this work has been postponed until further notice. GRANITE CITY – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that intermittent lane closures on Illinois 3 between Schaefer Road and the McKinley Bridge will begin, weather permitting, Monday, July 14. One lane will always remain open in each direction. To minimize impacts to commuters, all lanes will be open each weekday between 6 and 8 a.m. and 3 and 5 p.m. The closures are necessary for a $25.87 million pavement resurfacing project, which is expected to be completed by mid-summer 2026. Drivers are encouraged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. Over the next six years , IDOT is planning to improve more than 3,000 miles of highway and nearly 10 million square feet of bridge deck as part of the Rebuild Illinois capital program, which i

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EDWARDSVILLE – The Edwardsville Police Department participated in the statewide "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" safety campaign, focusing on impaired driving and other traffic violations. During a six-hour enforcement detail, officers made one arrest for impaired driving. In addition to this, they conducted seven traffic stops for various violations, including speeding, distracted driving, and following too closely. The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” “Drive High Get a DUI” and “Click It or Ticket” campaigns are made possible by federal traffic safety funds administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation. These efforts are complemented by IDOT’s “It’s Not a Game” media campaign, which emphasizes the serious consequences of impaired driving and other unsafe driving behaviors.

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CARLINVILLE - There’s a new support group available for survivors of domestic violence. Locust Street Resource Center will offer a support group for domestic violence survivors at 6:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month at 320 S. Locust Street in Carlinville. Executive Director Maria Clark explained that Locust Street Resource Center has been providing mental health and social services support for over 50 years, and they look forward to offering this new resource to community members. “We have some staff members who are in recovery and have experience with domestic violence, and they also wanted to start a domestic violence support group. We thought that was a great idea, definitely something that's needed in our communities,” Clark said. “They are peer-led, so those with lived experience along with mental health professionals are there to supervise the groups.” The domestic violence support group is completely free to attend. Locust Street

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When Gordon Ramsay raises his voice, it is usually about an undercooked dish. But last year, the celebrity chef was calling for help after a scary bicycle accident. “It really shook me,” says the avid cyclist in a June 15, 2024, Instagram post . “Honestly, I’m lucky to be here.” Ramsay says he didn’t suffer any major injuries, but he’s bruised and on the mend. And he’s again joining health care professionals in stressing the importance of wearing a helmet and biking within your means. “I don’t care how short the journey is,” Ramsay says. Biking accidents in the emergency department Kurt Bloomstrand, MD , an emergency medicine physician at OSF HealthCare, has treated people who have fallen off a moving object. It could be a bicycle, scooter or motorcycle. Sometimes it’s a child who’s learning their way. Or it could be an adult who didn’t hit the brakes in time. “A lot of times what happens

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SPRINGFIELD - This summer will bring $45 million in cash to a record-breaking 600,000 people who will receive money they didn’t even know they had from the state’s missing money program, and the only thing they must do is cash the check, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs said today. The checks are part of the latest round of the Enhanced Money Match program – which takes the “claim” out of unclaimed property. Treasurer Frerichs’ office helps get the check in the mail by leveraging technology to return money to individuals, through I-CASH, the state’s unclaimed property initiative. Most of the matched claims in this Enhanced Money Match round equal $50 or less, though some people can have multiple claims and their checks will amount to much more. “The first thing we tell people, is this – the money belongs to you, the check is real, and this is not a scam,” Treasurer Frerichs said. “The second thing we tell them,

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) published a post on the New Dem Dispatch , the New Democrat Coalition’s Substack, detailing some of the lesser-known consequences of Congressional Republicans’ Big, Ugly Bill. In the post, Budzinski discusses the sweeping impacts of the bill on the healthcare industry, food assistance, working families’ bank accounts, American jobs, and public safety. Congresswoman Budzinski serves as Vice Chair for Policy of the New Democrat Coalition, a group of 115 center-left House Democrats committed to breaking through gridlock to deliver results for Americans. Read the full post on the New Dem Dispatch here , and below: 10 Things You Might Not Know About Republicans’ Big, Ugly Bill By Rep. Nikki Budzinski Last week, Congressional Republicans forced through one of the worst and most harmful bills in American history. For months, Democrats have joined the American people – who oppose

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EAST ST. LOUIS – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that the westbound Interstate 55/64 right exit ramp to the Martin Luther King Bridge will be closed for one day. The closure will begin at 5 a.m. Saturday, July 12, and the ramp is expected to reopen by 5 p.m. the same day. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this closure. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on the social media platform X at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 20 attorneys general, filed an amicus brief in support of a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for unlawfully terminating the Environmental and Climate Justice Block Grant Program. In their brief , Raoul and the coalition explain that the EPA’s mass cancelation of the environmental and climate justice grant program violates clear congressional mandates and fundamental constitutional principles. “The EPA’s congressionally mandated grants are essential to communities that face overlapping environmental and public health crises. Residents of these often rural or low-income communities deserve equal environmental justice, regardless of geographic location or family income,” Raoul said. “I will continue to stand with my fellow attorneys general to fight for critical funding that continues to be unlawfully withheld from those who need it most.” The gran

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EAST ST. LOUIS - Citizens for Modern Transit, AARP in St. Louis and the St. Clair County Transit District have selected MetroBus Stop #13101 – located in the retail corridor of East St. Louis in front of Walgreens at 2510 State Street – for its next Transit Stop Transformation Project. The stop is served by MetroBus #1 – State and Main and MetroBus #8 – Alta Sita, which connects 47% of all transit riders in St. Clair County to shopping destinations, places of employments, four Metro Transit Centers and other destinations. The site will be transformed into a colorful, user-friendly space that cultivates community, promotes safety and further increases ridership. Transit riders, area residents, elected officials and other stakeholders are encouraged to weigh in on the types of enhancements they would like to see at the site by completing a short online survey at www.cmt-stl.org by August 30, 2025. Public input will play a key role in the development o

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What if the next great literary conversation took place under an open sky rather than within four walls? Hosting a book club meeting outdoors can transform the typical gathering into a memorable experience, blending the joy of reading with fresh air, natural light, and a relaxed atmosphere. But creating the perfect outdoor book club requires thoughtful planning to ensure comfort, engagement, and a seamless conversation flow. Choosing the Perfect Outdoor Venue Selecting the right location is the foundation of a successful outdoor book club meeting. Consider spaces that offer both aesthetic appeal and functional convenience. Parks and Public Gardens: These spaces often provide picnic tables, benches, and ample shade. For example, a local botanical garden can infuse the meeting with tranquil surroundings that stimulate thoughtful discussion. Backyards or Private Gardens: Hosting at a member’s home allows for greater control over amenities such as seating arrangements, lighting,

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July 9 has been a day of remarkable events across the globe, marking significant turning points in history, culture, and science. Moving back in time, July 9 witnessed the birth of the United States' first capital. In 1790, the Residence Act was signed, which established Washington, D.C., as the nation’s capital. The significance of this decision cannot be overstated, as it laid the foundation for the political center of the United States, a city designed specifically to serve as a symbol of democracy and federal governance. In the realm of science and exploration, July 9 has its own share of milestones. On this day in 1962, Telstar 1, the world's first active communications satellite, was launched into orbit. This breakthrough ushered in a new era of global telecommunications, enabling live broadcasts and data transmissions across continents—a precursor to the interconnected world we experience today. July 9 has also been marked by significant cultural moments. For instance

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ALTON - Following a July 4, 2025, shooting that left a 17-year-old dead , community members gathered at the Alton Housing Authority for a protest. On July 7, 2025, protest organizers called for increased policing and a gate around Alton Housing Authority properties. The shooting on July 4, 2025, claimed the life of a 17-year-old girl whose name has not been released, though those at the protest described her as “a shining star.” “We lost a shining star, a beautiful young lady, well-mannered, focused, and it's a shame,” said Donald Mason El. Mason El is the founder of the 100 Man Movement Crime Prevention Initiative and the F.L.Y. Mentorship Program. The 17-year-old victim was a mentee, and he said she acted as “a big sister” to many of the other young girls in the program. Lee Barham, who organized the July 7 protest, stressed the importance of accountability. He emphasized that elected and appointed officials must be held accountable,

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GLEN CARBON – Glen Carbon trustees on Tuesday unanimously approved more than $200,000 for improvements to a major intersection in the village. The project will consist of widening Illinois Route 159 to the east and Glen Carbon Road to the south to establish a northbound and an eastbound right-turn lane at the intersection of Route 159, Glen Carbon Road, and Cottonwood Road. The improved area will cover an approximate length of 0.19 miles, according to the village’s Resolution for Improvement Under the Illinois Highway Code. The Village Board has allocated $209,627 for the project, which will be paid using Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) funds. Mayor Bob Marcus asked if the village had more MFT funds available, which was confirmed. Public Works Director Scott Slemer explained at Tuesday’s meeting that the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) asked the village to adopt a resolution authorizing the use of MFT funds for the project, which trustees did shortly afterwards.

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HIGHLAND - The Highland Police Department is investigating a fatal traffic crash that occurred Sunday, July 6, 2025, at approximately 12:40 p.m. on Veterans Honor Parkway at Michael Road. Officers responding to the scene found that two vehicles were involved in the collision. The Highland Fire Department and EMS personnel from multiple agencies were called to provide care and treatment to the victims. One individual was later pronounced deceased. Authorities are withholding the victim’s identity out of respect for the family. The police department is working with the Metroeast Crash Assistance Team to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash. The investigation remains ongoing. “We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones affected by this tragic incident,” the Highland Police Department said in a statement. Officials are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or has information to contact the department at 618-654-2131, extension 1.

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