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Lebanon Prepares for Annual Victorian Holiday Weekend

LEBANON — Downtown Lebanon is getting ready to welcome the holiday season with its annual Victorian Holiday Weekend, set for Friday, November 21, and Saturday, November 22, 2025. The free to attend two-day event will take place along historic West St. Louis Street, running from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM Friday and from noon to…

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Transportation Company Settles Allegations of Impersonating Military Members to Obtain Moving Contracts

Scott Air Force Base – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois announced Thursday that Denali Group, Inc., an Alaskan-based transportation company, has agreed to pay $3.5 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by submitting fake customer satisfaction surveys while posing as military personnel. Federal investigators say…

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Boil Order Lifted – Mascoutah

*UPDATE 11/5/2025 4:48PM** THE BOIL ORDER HAS BEEN LIFTED.  THERE ARE NO CURRENT BOIL ORDERS AT THIS TIME.   November 4, 2025 – 11:00 AM Mascoutah, Illinois – Due to necessary maintenance, there is a temporary water service disruption.  This was not a planned outage.  As soon as water is restored, a BOIL WATER ORDER will…

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Mascoutah Police Department announces results of fall enforcement campaign

MASCOUTAH – The Mascoutah Police Department conducted a successful Halloween enforcement safety crackdown, resulting in the following: 1 – Disobeyed Traffic Control Device 1 – Improper Use of Electronic Communication Device 2 – Operating Uninsured Vehicle 1 – Seat Belt – Driver 1 – No Valid Driver’s License 2 – Warrant Arrests 11 – Written…

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Witches Night Out Flies On Despite Rain and Misinformation

By Zachary Daum [email protected] Despite steady rain and confusion caused by online misinformation, Lebanon’s annual Witches Night Out event went forward as planned on Saturday, October 18. Now in its 23rd year, the event continues to be one of the community’s most recognizable fall traditions. Organizer AJ Dontigney said attendance was lower than usual, but…

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Laugh and Learn Hosts First Fall Festival Under New Ownership

MASCOUTAH – Laugh and Learn Childcare Center celebrated its first-ever Fall Festival on October 9, marking a new chapter for the center under the ownership of Jessica Gericke. Families and community members came together for an evening of autumn-themed fun, complete with music from a live DJ, face painting, s’mores making, and a variety of…

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Lebanon City Hall Repairs Desperately Needed; Inspection Explained

By Zachary Daum [email protected] A professional inspection of Lebanon City Hall has revealed serious structural, electrical, and plumbing problems throughout the building, raising concerns about the facility’s safety and long-term viability. Conducted by At-Eaze Inspection Service of Belleville on August 1, 2025, and published on September 8, the report by certified inspector Randall Laird spans…

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Mascoutah Middle School Earns Blue Ribbon Recognition Just as 43 Year Old Federal Program is Ended

MASCOUTAH — Mascoutah Middle School was selected as a 2025 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education; Just before federal officials announced that the long-running program would be discontinued. The U.S. Department of Education announced in late August that it would end the Blue Ribbon Schools Program, which began in 1982. Secretary…

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