Annual squirrel bloodbath in Carlinville needs to stop | Opinion

Chicago has squirrels on the brain. Lincoln Park residents worry about a billionaire feeding luxury nuts to squirrels , but instead making for fat rats, while the intended recipients (so called rats with fluffy tails) gorge on macadamia nuts. Downstate squirrels have it much worse. Every winter Carlinville hosts a wildlife killing contest called “Squirrel Bowl.” But as of October, Carlinville has a new claim to fame as Hallmark has named it America’s “Merriest Christmas Town .” Hallmark celebrities descended on Carlinville for the surprise announcement. In addition to bragging rights, a Hallmark holiday movie will be filmed there in 2027. This will bring economic benefits to the region. However, it’s unlikely that Hallmark knew about the "Squirrel Bowl" when choosing Carlinville as “merriest.” More: Carlinville named Hallmark's Merriest Christmas Town Carlinville’s annual wildlife killing contest occurs before Super Bowl. It began in 2016, growing significantly with hundreds of hunters entering. Competitors hunt in teams. Youth and adult hunters participate. Squirrel Bowl awards prizes in categories based on criteria including dead squirrel weight. Prize categories include “Big Fox Squirrel winner” and “Big Gray Squirrel winner” for youth and adult hunters. The event raises money for charity. Squirrel Bowl isn’t unique.

Experience Burger Perfection At This Timeless Old-School Drive-In Hidden Away In Beautiful Illinois

Somewhere in Wood River, Illinois, tucked along a quiet street and covered by a canopy that’s seen more happy customers than most restaurants ever dream of, King Louie’s Drive-In is waiting for you. It’s not hiding exactly, but it’s not shouting either, and that quiet confidence is part...

Meet the man behind the popular 'Grazing Guse' account in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, IL – If you're on a social media app, you may have seen the "Grazing Guse" posting about the food scene in central Illinois and in Springfield. The popular social media account has amassed close to 200,000 followers across Facebook , TikTok , Instagram and YouTube with over 1.8 million likes alone on TikToK. If you have never heard of the "Grazing Guse," you may have still seen the impact from the videos. The popular social media account's videos on The Lumpia House and Mel-O-Cream have both garnered close to or over one million views online. The Guse's video on the Twisted Pasta food truck during the Illinois State Fair helped lead to lines curve around Main Street. More: Two new food vendors share top prize at Illinois State Fair The man behind the account is Seth Ragusa, whose last name often led to him being called "Guse" as a kid and inspired the name of the account. The concept of the videos is a simple one: Ragusa samples food and then provides a rating for the food, something he didn't think was happening enough in Springfield. “Everybody else I ever saw videos (trying food) was Chicago, Chicago, Chicago,”

Drive To This Remote Missouri Restaurant Where The Steaks Will Leave You Absolutely Speechless

Some restaurants are easy to find, and some restaurants are worth finding, and Annie Gunn’s in Chesterfield, Missouri is the rare kind that manages to be both at the same time. You just have to be willing to drive a little, and trust that what’s waiting for you at...

The Unassuming Bar In Illinois That People Will Happily Drive Hours To Reach

There’s a yellow brick building on a corner in Alton, Illinois that doesn’t care about your expectations, and that’s precisely why Fast Eddie’s Bon Air is worth every mile of the drive. The outside tells you everything you need to know before you even touch the...

Walk Into Cozy Dog Drive In And You’ll Find Springfield’s Route 66 Hot Dog History

Some road trip stops sell food, and a rare few sell a whole chapter of American history on a stick. In Springfield, Illinois, one small counter-serve spot on old Route 66 claims a big title: birthplace of the battered hot dog on a stick. The batter recipe here dates back...

This Springfield, Illinois Chili Parlor Has Been Serving Joe Rogers’ Original Recipe For Decades

One heat level on the menu is called Firebrand, and finishing a bowl gets your name on the wall. That’s the kind of dare I can respect. The recipe behind it dates back to 1945. It has survived several owners and a move across town without changing. Nobody outside...

TASTE OF THE TOWN: The Good Portion

Taste the Town is back, brought to you by our friends at See Quincy! November is all about being thankful, and good food is definitely at the top of our list. Taste the Town is back in action, showing off the delicious eats and local favorites that make our community special. This episode takes us inside one of Quincy’s hottest food trucks, The Good Portion. Chef Chuck Lankey and Megan Altgilbers give us a behind-the-scenes look at their truck, how they keep things cooking, and some exciting announcements that might just mean less cooking for you. Good food, good sauce, water, ice, and some of the freshest hibachi in town. Join Brittany Boll and Randy Phillips as they get a taste of what The Good Portion is serving up on this episode of Taste the Town. #tastethetown #muddyrivernews #quincyil #thegoodportion #foodtruck #hibachi #eatlocal #supportlocal.

Local Food Inspections November 2 - 6

The following food establishments were inspected by the Madison and St. Clair County Health Departments between November 2 and 6. November 2 Trackside Bar & Grill- Collinsville 10 (Pf) Handwashing sink shall be provided with paper towels, continuous towel system supplying user with clean towel, heated-air hand drying device or air-knife system Reference 6-301.12. MENS RESTROOM MISSING PAPER TOWELS. PIC ADDED PAPER TOWELS TO DISPENSER DURING INSPECTION. CORRECTED. 51 ( C) Plumbing needs repair. Repair according to Illinois and local plumbing code. Reference 5-205.15.KITCHEN HAND SINK HAS A LEAK. REPAIR OR REPLACE. November 3 SOS Soup Kitchen-First United Presbyterian Church- Collinsville 19 (P) Food was not reheated to 165F within 2 hours, before being placed in hot holding. Reference 3-403.11. ROAST BEEF WAS COOKED AND COOLED YESTERDAY. BEEF IS BEING SLICED AND PLACED IN CROCKPOTS WITHOUT REHEATING MEAT TO AT LEAST 165F FOR HOT HOLDING. CORRECTED BY PLACING MEATS IN OVEN UNTIL REACHING AT LEAST 165F. Jimmy Johns- Collinsville 16 (Pf) Food contact surfaces and utensils shall be clean to sight and touch. Wash, rinse, sanitize routinely. Reference 4-601.11. ONION SLICER STORED ON RACK FOUND STILL DIRTY. CORRECTED BY PLACING IT INTO 3C SINK TO BE PROPERLY CLEANED AND SANITIZED.

Woo Hoo! ‘Simpsons’ writers to talk Saturday in Springfield — yes, THIS Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – “Is Springfield America?” The answer could be found this Saturday, in this Springfield, thanks to three of the writers of “The Simpsons” — one of whom is a presidential candidate. Writers Bill Odenkirk, Josh Weinstein, and Dan Greaney...

This Illinois Bakery Inside A Historic Mansion Is Perfect For A Chilly Winter Afternoon

A French bakery fills an entire Italianate mansion in Illinois, and the garden entry even has swings built into it. That detail alone made me smile. The house once stood on a stretch of town nicknamed Aristocrat Hill. Today it serves croissants, quiche, and a flourless chocolate cake that helped make the bakery famous.

Granite City Singer-Songwriter Dana Michael Anderson's Music

Dana Michael Anderson was a singer-songwriter from Granite City, Illinois, whose recorded work included albums and live performances. He died in 2023. Dana's recorded work included albums released during his lifetime. His brother, JB Anderson, said a coroner contacted him in August 2023 to inform him that Dana had died by suicide, as detailed by BroBible. Dana's obituary, published through Central Cremation Center, states that he passed away at his residence on August 10, 2023.

An Illinois Gun Shop Asked a Wildlife Artist to Hand-Paint Five of Its Fort Knox Safes

A creative collaboration between an Illinois gun shop and a professional wildlife artist is turning ordinary safes into extraordinary hunting-inspired artwork.

Springfield restaurants offer free Veterans Day meals

SPRINGFIELD, IL – To thank veterans for their service, local and national chains are giving veterans and active-duty persons a chance to score free meals and deals this Veterans Day. Veterans Day ties back to World War I. To commemorate Armistice Day between Germany and the Allies on Nov. 11, 1918, soldiers who fought overseas coming home weren’t recognized for their service through a national holiday until decades later. In 1938 Armistice Day became a federal holiday, before shifting names to better encompass all veterans in 1954. Over a century since the first war ended, veterans who served or served in conflicts in Korea to the Middle East, and anywhere in between can be recognized and treated in Springfield at these chain locations Nov. 11. More: UIS set to honor veterans with ceremony, open house Veterans Day meal deals Applebee’s Where: 2554 Sunrise Drive, Springfield Hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Promotions: Applebee's is offering veterans, active-duty military, reservists and National Guard members a free full-size entrée from a special menu on Nov. 11, according to a news release emailed to USA TODAY. The offer is dine-in only, and proof of military service is required. Buffalo Wild Wings Where: 2808

Byway Discovery Center Grand Opening

Families Still Roast Marshmallows Around The Fireplace At This 1930s Illinois State Park Lodge

Seven hundred tons of stone, stacked into one fireplace, climbing all the way to a 50-foot ceiling. That’s the heart of a lodge built by young Civilian Conservation Corps workers in the 1930s, deep in the river bluffs of Illinois. Families still gather around that hearth after a swim,...

Granite City Fresh Market Coming to Bellmore Village

The Granite City City Council meeting opened on November 4, at 7pm. The minutes from the previous meeting were passed unanimously. In presentation of communications, representatives from Bellmore Village gave a presentation on the planned renovations of the stores they purchased, one of which will be Granite City Fresh Market. The market will offer a deli counter and fresh high quality produce. In public correspondence Susie Rodgers spoke first, on the behalf of Heather Groetecke. She read a statement from Groetecke that revolved around the "No" result of the recent referendum asking whether residents were in favor of data centers. She praised the community for standing together, calling for transparency and resisting a data center. Jacob Sudabris spoke next echoing the same sentiment as Grotecke, that the residents resisting the data centers are valid in their criticisms of the board and their concerns are not unfounded. As proven by the recent ballot initiative, they are speaking for the majority. He hopes the board will hear that message and adapt. Leslie Budoris followed Jacob, also sharing the same message as the first two speakers. She does not want a data center at all, under any circumstance. James Bailey was the next

Winners announced for the 2026 Springfield Vegan Chef Challenge

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS/WRSP) - The month-long Springfield Vegan Chef Challenge has wrapped up and the winning chefs have been presented awards. Winners were chosen by Springfield residents who dined at the participating restaurants during the Challenge. Winner List:. Papi's Pizza Pub: 1st, Best Appetizer – No Mis-Steak Cheddar Fries.

Doc’s Smokehouse earns ‘Best of the Best’ barbecue honor

Doc’s Smokehouse and Catering earns its ninth “Best of the Best Barbecue Restaurants in America” honor from Barbecue News in the past 10 years.

Audiences should “expect the unexpected” at fall SIUE dance concert

“Unlocked: A Dance Concert” features seven works by faculty and alumni choreographers, with dancers exploring modern, contemporary and theatrical movement.