Trenton Sun

10/25/2024

Wesclin Volleyball interviews

10/25/2024

Halloween shoppers can stay clear of Illinois’ spooky candy tax if they know the right candy to buy.

10/23/2024

Illinois Pumpkins!

https://vimeo.com/1021898353/d3aa5bc10d?ts=0&share=copy

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10/16/2024

Utility work to require Illinois 160 lane closures

TRENTON – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that utility work by Ameren Illinois to relocate a gas main along Illinois 160 between Highline Road and County Road 900 N in Clinton County will require alternating lane closures starting, weather permitting, Monday, Oct. 21.

Flaggers will safely guide motorists around the closures, which are expected to conclude Friday, Nov. 22.

Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to detour signs in work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment.

For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on the social media platform X at or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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10/09/2024

10/09/2024

By the time you read this, Las Vegas’s last remaining building from its mob era will be no more.

The Tropicana, the third-oldest casino on the Strip, was imploded at 2:30am PT (5:30am here on the East Coast) to make way for the new $1.5 billion baseball stadium to house the former Oakland Athletics.

Because it’s Vegas, this wasn’t your typical building implosion. According to the Associated Press, in 1993, ex-casino mogul Steve Wynn began a tradition of creating a “show” around taking down old Vegas buildings when he made it appear as if the pirate ships from his casino across the street were firing on the Dunes as it was cleared out for the Bellagio (on live TV, of course).

This morning’s 22-second implosion of the Tropicana was also a spectacle, accompanied by a drone show and a fireworks display as Vegas starts its new era as a Sports Town.

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10/04/2024

Lane closures on Old US 50 in Clinton County

CARLYLE – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that intermittent daytime lane closures will take place on Old U.S. 50 from Illinois 160 to Koch Lane in Clinton County, weather permitting, on Tuesday, Oct. 8, and Wednesday, Oct. 9.

The lane closures are necessary for the evaluation of pavement conditions.

Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all 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 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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09/26/2024

IDOT: Seasonal employment opportunities available
in Metro East

The Illinois Department of Transportation is looking to hire more than 270 seasonal positions to help with snow and ice removal in Bond, Calhoun, Clinton, Greene, Jersey, Madison, Marion, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair and Washington counties. Applications for snow removal operators and winter salaried highway maintainers, also known as snowbirds, must be completed online at https://illinois.jobs2web.com by Monday, Sept. 30.

Both full-time winter highway maintainers and hourly winter highway maintainers are being hired to help maintain more than 45,000 lane miles statewide during the winter months. The positions are required to promptly respond to emerging weather situations for snow and ice removal and be ready to work in emergency conditions at any time, including nights, weekends and holidays. The starting salary for full-time is $5,814 per month, and hourlies are paid $25 an hour.

Applicants must have a valid commercial driver’s license and email address and undergo a criminal background check. A pre-employment physical and vision test as well as drug and alcohol screening are required. A new law provides for veterans’ preference for these seasonal positions, and veterans are encouraged to apply.

Applicants will be selected based on availability, job-related experience and qualifications. For additional information, including the application process, positions available in specific districts, details on pay and potential for benefits, please click here.

Questions about these job opportunities may be directed to Human Resources Manager Ravvy Clayton at 618-346-3217 and Human Resources Associate Kelly York at 618-346-3218.

A short, animated video on the snowbird program is available on IDOT’s YouTube channel.

Apply for Jobs at State of Illinois

09/20/2024

Tempting Treats!

🎃 NEW SEASONAL MENU ITEM 🎃

Pumpkin Roll with Cream Cheese Icing
- ONLY $1.99!

09/04/2024

Southern Illinois Coffee Trail begins September 1st and goes through December 31st! ☕️

Press Coffee and Tea is one of many—55 to be exact—unique, speciality coffee stops on the 2024 trail!

Make Press one of your stops this season as you venture across Southern IL and elevate your coffee experience. I can guarantee we’ve got something for everybody—even the kiddos! 😉

Ask your barista for a passport at checkout!

08/30/2024

BOST VISITS USPS DISTRIBUTION CENTER IN ST. LOUIS TO DISCUSS DELIVERY DELAYS

U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) today met with senior leadership at the U.S. Postal Service Distribution Center in St. Louis to discuss delivery delays and emergency closures that have slowed or disrupted mail delivery to residents across Southern Illinois.

"Since January of last year, my office has received over 250 complaints about postal service issues from almost every single one of the 34 counties in my Congressional District," said Bost."Southern Illinoisans have been consistently facing delivery delays, missing mail, and significant problems that all link back to the USPS St. Louis Distribution Center. This has caused serious disruptions, like delayed medications or utility bills, late fees, and even the loss of cremated remains. This widespread problem is not just a service failure but a violation of trust, and it demands accountability and urgent reform. That’s why today I visited the St. Louis Distribution Center, where I spoke with those responsible for distributing our mail about ways we can work together to make sure we find a resolution to this issue."

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08/23/2024

Wesclin student Raymond needs your help to complete his service project. Currently our soccer fields only have a bench for players to sit on during the games. Raymond would like to raise enough money to provide players with shelter to keep their feet and belongings dry during inclement weather. This will give players the opportunity to seek shade as well.

He will host a BBQ at the New Baden Fire Station on Saturday, Aug 24, 2024 from 11:00 to 5:00. Money raised will be used to buy material and supplies needed to complete this project. Lets show Raymond and our soccer team our support!!

08/21/2024

DU QUOIN STATE FAIR ANNOUNCES 2024 THEME DAYS

Du Quoin, IL – The Du Quoin State Fair announces theme days for 2024.

“Theme days highlight the diversity of the Du Quoin State Fair and celebrate everything we have to offer over the next 11 days,” said Luke Davison, Du Quoin State Fair Manager. “We continuously pursue opportunities to improve the Du Quoin State Fair and to broaden our lineup with an emphasis on agriculture, our state’s number one industry.”

Here is the complete list of the 2024 Du Quoin State Fair theme days:

Friday, August 23 – Family Night
Saturday, August 24 – Governor’s Day
Sunday, August 25 - Veterans Day
Monday, August 26 – Agriculture Youth Day
Tuesday, August 27 – Republican Day
Wednesday, August 28 – Senior Day
Thursday, August 29 – Sponsor Appreciation Day
Friday, August 30 – Illinois Tourism Day
Saturday, August 31 – Coal Heritage Day / SIU Day
Sunday, September 1 – First Responder Day
Monday, September 2 – Labor Day

The Du Quoin State Fair ribbon cutting will be held on Friday, August 23 at 5:30 p.m. with the Twilight Parade stepping off at 6 p.m. The grand marshal of the parade is 4-H.

Admission to the fair is free, and parking is free on August 23. For remaining fair dates, parking is $15 for Gate 1, and $10 for all other gates. Please visit dsf.illinois.gov for additional information including seasonal parking and handicap parking details.

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08/15/2024

LIL WAYNE CONCERT BREAKS ILLINOIS STATE FAIR GRANDSTAND ATTENDANCE RECORDS

Lil Wayne brought big numbers to the Illinois State Fair Grandstand Wednesday night.

Illinois State Fair officials announced that 15,427 people attended the show, surpassing previous records set in 2011.

The top ticket seller was previously Jason Aldean who packed 15,329 seats in 2011, followed by Florida Georgia Line in 2014 with 15,204 tickets sold. Reba McEntire sold 14,823 in 2019 and Hootie and the Blowfish round out the top five record holders with 13,956 tickets sold in 1995.

“The Illinois State Fair brings people together,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Yesterday, our naturalization ceremony welcomed nearly 200 new citizens from 49 countries. That night, Lil Wayne smashed concert attendance records. Both events provided opportunities for people of all backgrounds, faiths and musical tastes to come together and celebrate our differences as well as our similarities.”

“Our team worked hard to ensure something for everyone at the Grandstand, and Lil Wayne is a rap legend,” said Jerry Costello II, Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture. “To break the previous attendance records underscores the importance of a diverse lineup at the Illinois State Fair.”

Grandstand shows continue through Sunday with the Jonas Brothers tonight, Smashing Pumpkins Friday night, Miranda Lambert Saturday night and Shaboozey closes out the fair Sunday night. Concert tickets are still available online at ticketmaster.com or at the Grandstand box office.

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