I was in downtown Belleville to do some paying of taxes for the county today (yuck!), and I saw for over a mile on Main Street dozens and dozens of Pride flags. They went down from the DMV there past the fountain and on over into the other side. If you don't believe me, I took pics to show it. They alternated between the US flag and Pride flag. According to Reddit users though, Belleville is a Conservative small town, while Edwardsville is the Liberal big city. That's odd seeing all these Pride flags flying around in a Conservative small town like Belleville. I would have thought I'd be seeing Trump flags flying downtown with them being a small Conservative town, not all these Pride flags. Hmmmm...

https://preview.redd.it/ej9vzpx7qg6d1.jpg?width=2048&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=72c4d075b317abaecee6626acb3422a85ce39f2b

https://preview.redd.it/di3bezc9qg6d1.jpg?width=1150&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=892f3fe02596ea45b8bd82697d3f262605943d3a

There was a pyramid house, literally a pyramid shaped house. I remember going to where the dog park is now inside Longacre/ Moody Park, during the 1970s. I went inside of it because it was unfinished but had electrical connections. It was under construction. Does anybody remember this? I've searched and cannot find anything about it. (Pyramids were fad, at the time).

has 30% off Green Wednesday 11/22, Black Friday 11/24 & High-ber Monday 11/27

I'm a transplant and moved to the area after just having children. I'm a male in my late 30s and I've have found it very hard make new friends, especially since I have such limited spare time between work and taking care of the kiddos.

I've tried Meetup.com, but most of the groups in the area meet in STL, which is a good hour drive for me. Facebook groups are mostly just mom groups or boomers.

I'd love advice from locals or other transplants on how best they've been able to make friends in the area.

TIA

Hello everyone!

I’m a genealogist & I am trained in discovering local Illinois family lineages and stories through vital records, census records, and newspapers.

This is the interest form I put together for anyone interested in learning more about their personal Illinois family history. I create family trees, ancestral maps, and historical road trip itineraries based on YOUR personal family history! It’s a great way to connect with your heritage and wonderful knowledge pass down to future generations.

LINK TO INTEREST FORM: Family History Interest Form

Here are some things you can discover from my research:

• Newspaper articles about your ancestors (Crime? Scandal? Who knows!)
• Custom ancestral mapping showing your approximate ethnic admixture
• Most common causes of death in your family history
• United States migration mapping showing how your ancestors migrated throughout the country
• Your great-great-great grandparents’ names
• Most popular professions and careers in your family history
• Photographs of your ancestors you have never seen before (Found in Newspaper archives, I have subscriptions to several newspaper websites)

I have a degree in Anthropology and have spent several years working for a professional genealogy company. I have been working as an individual genealogist for about 6 years. If you have any questions about my research, please fill out an interest form or email: heritagehuntersgenealogy@gmail.com

For those of you with ancestry outside of Illinois, please send me a message. I’d be happy to help you or direct you to a better suited genealogist. Thanks!

Ancestral Origins Map Example

https://preview.redd.it/ss6j1036vl5b1.png?width=962&format=png&auto=webp&v=enabled&s=10157b31a5524d8b5780a21b9f378ab667b2e8d0

USA Origins Map Example

https://preview.redd.it/a02ux0l6vl5b1.png?width=973&format=png&auto=webp&v=enabled&s=8f09b07ac263ff571cba6c6607af8e538a72e90b

LINK TO INTEREST FORM: Family History Interest Form

Combatting food insecurity in the military can be difficult. The elementary school at Scott Air Force Base now has a food donation box to help break down those stigmas. https://news.stlpublicradio.org/2023-04-10/24-of-the-military-cant-afford-enough-food-scott-afb-now-has-a-donation-box-to-help

Are there any places in Belleville or surrounding area that offer daily office rentals? I’m looking for more in Monroe County area, but the one place I know there (The Vault) is full and the Yelp review doesn’t fill me with confidence. Also, it looks like Peer 151 is closed. Thanks!

Need some people to jam with primarily blues and metal please let me know

Homicides in East St. Louis dropped 31% over the past four years, according to data from the Illinois State Police and the city’s police department. When asked what led to the drop, city leaders point to a partnership between local police, state police and the community. More: https://news.stlpublicradio.org/law-order/2023-03-13/east-safe-louis-thats-where-the-mayor-says-the-city-is-headed-as-homicides-fall-31.

The four dispensaries in the Metro East that sold recreational marijuana did lots of business in the past three years. Those sales were a stream of extra cash for Collinsville, Fairview Heights and Sauget. Now that Missouri has recreational weed, what does that mean for those dispensaries and cities? https://news.stlpublicradio.org/economy-business/2023-02-03/what-does-the-start-of-missouri-recreational-marijuana-sales-mean-for-the-metro-east

Important story for Metro East residents, particularly those in flood prone areas: FEMA is updating its flood risk maps for St. Clair, Madison and Monroe counties. If homes have been zoned into higher-risk areas, the owners could be required to purchase flood insurance — which can be expensive.

https://news.stlpublicradio.org/health-science-environment/2023-01-30/fema-and-community-advocates-want-metro-east-residents-to-review-preliminary-flood-maps

I love trying locally owned Mom & Pop restaurants, cafes, or bars with good food. I am always looking for the next good place to try. My last "new" to me find is Valbo's in Germantown. Does anyone have suggestions for me.

Long reason why I'm asking.

So I'm looking to get my CCL this year, and I'm wondering if there are any recommended people/places to go? I'm just worried about taking the class and ending up with an really political instructor.

If you’re looking to make a little extra money on the weekends and evening between now and the election in November please DM me. I’m looking to hire paid door knockers for a political campaign.

Does anyone know of a website or a resource to research the history of the East St. Louis Fire Department? I am trying to find out about a Fire Chief that I believe may have died in the line of duty back in 1939. Thank you.

Traveling scam artists going around trying to get people to buy into community solar. They will lie to your face and tell you "absolutely no cost to you ever" and will only "save you money on your electric bill".

This a essentially a solar farm time share and once you are in it is almost impossible to escape their contracts.

The thing that got me was (almost) was that it was framed as a state of IL "green initiative" that made it seem like it was government service rather than a personal subscription.

TLDR: Clearway Community Solar is a scam, will lie to your face for you signature on a contract.

check them out on BBB

At long last, the IEPA seems to have finally responded to numerous complaints and petitions regarding the horrific situation in Centreville. Okay, the IEPA isn't taking direct action, but they are offering $1 million to anyone who can devise a responsible plan to fix matters.

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director John J. Kim today announced the Prairie du Pont Watershed grant opportunity with up to $1 million in funding to develop a community endorsed watershed-based plan and voluntarily implemented projects designed to reduce stormwater runoff and fix minor sewer system infrastructure issues within the project area...

The communities of Centreville, Alorton, and East St. Louis currently experience significant flooding and sewage backups. These problems are caused by a combination of natural causes, human development activities, and the operation and maintenance of an older sewer system. A plan is needed to help identify best management practices to improve stormwater runoff controls appropriate for the watershed. Such measures will seek to reduce the number and duration of flood events and to help provide long-term relief to the existing sewer collection system.

https://www2.illinois.gov/IISNews/22377-IEPA_Anncs_Grant_Opportunity_to_Benefit_Centreville_Alorton_and_East_St._Louis.pdf

I think this funding is to pay for a study. I can't imagine that the situation would be fixed with such a small amount of money.