News

Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice opens Monarch Youth Center in Lincoln to serve youth in central Illinois

LINCOLN – The Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) celebrated the grand opening of a new youth center yesterday that will serve youth from central Illinois who are in state custody.   The Monarch Youth Center has a 30 bed capacity and is located on the site of the former Lincoln Developmental Center. The youth center is a

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Chester Parks and Recreation Committee meets Tuesday at 6 p.m.

CHESTER – The Chester Parks and Recreation Committee will meet Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the Municipal Building, 1330 Swanwick Street.   The meeting is open to the public.   The tentative agenda:   Parks And Recreation Committee Meeting Agenda 1330 Swanwick Street, Chester, Illinois 62233 Tuesday, September 9, 2025, 6 P.M.   Call To

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Build-A-Bear Founder Maxine Clark to Speak at McKendree University Sept. 25

LEBANON, IL — Maxine Clark, founder of the Build-A-Bear Workshop, will be speaking at McKendree University’s Hettenhausen Center for the Arts on Thursday, Sept. 25 at 3 p.m. Clark is speaking as part of the university’s annual Wayne E. Lanter Lecture Series, which invites influential business leaders and entrepreneurs to share their insights and strategies

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Bob Odenkirk’s return visit to Southern Illinois includes public event at The Varsity

by Kim Rendfeld CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Carbondale alumnus Bob Odenkirk will return to the region in September. He and his brother Bill Odenkirk will meet with SIU students and others, and their visit includes a public event at The Varsity Center from 3-5 p.m. Sept. 12.     Bob and Bill Odenkirk

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SIU Carbondale enrollment up in Southern Illinois region, overall enrollment remains steady

by Jeff Harmon CARBONDALE, Ill. – Southern Illinois University Carbondale is pleased to report that the overall enrollment on the 10th day of class for fall 2025 remains steady (flat) at 11,785 – only five fewer students than last year – which saw a record percentage enrollment growth.     This figure reflects increases among

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The Ken Page Awards announce open registration for the 2025-2026 school year

ST. LOUIS – The Fabulous Fox, The Muny and Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation are pleased to announce that registration is now open for the first season as the newly renamed The Ken Page Awards, formerly known as the St. Louis High School Musical Theatre Awards (SLHSMTA).     Last year, 52 high schools across

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SIU’s THRIVE event on Sept. 17 focuses on mental health, suicide prevention

by Christi Mathis CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Carbondale will host an entertaining, informative event focusing on wellness, mental health and suicide prevention on Sept. 17. Wellness and Health Promotion Services is sponsoring THRIVE from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Student Services Building Pavilion, and while the focus is especially on students, everyone is

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