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Belleville News-Democrat

partner publisher · 18.9K followers
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From ‘The Office' to the Shaggs: Belleville's Ken Kwapis takes on a new story

A documentary about a sister group whose album has been called one of the worst of all time is an unusual starting point for a first film. But Belleville native Ken Kwapis has never shied away from a professional challenge. He helped bring “The Office” from British television to American audiences, directing 13 episodes, including the pilot, the 100th episode and the finale. Now, after more than 40 years in Hollywood , he’s returning home with his first documentary, “We Are the Shaggs.” Kwapis will present the film at the 35th annual Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival on Saturday, Nov. 7. “I’m excited to bring this to my home turf,” he said in a Zoom interview. The 98-minute music documentary is about sisters Dorothy, Betty and Helen Wiggin, who lived in a small New Hampshire town and were forced by their father, Austin, to become a rock band after he received a prophecy. He bought them two cheap guitars and a drum kit. In 1969, they recorded an album, “Philosophy of the World,” in a studio near Boston. Kwapis discovered the album in 1980 at a Los Angeles record store. “It was on the wall with new releases, the

Belleville, IL · 1d

wjpf.com

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Lott resigns from Pinckneyville football head coach position

Saturday afternoon most high school fans were headed to and enjoying high school football playoff games. Not in Pinckneyville. It’s been 15 years and five head coaches since the last time the Panthers made the postseason. It’ll have to be at least a sixth head coach until they return to the playoffs. Ryan Lott announced he is resigning on Saturday.

Pinckneyville, IL · 1d

southernillinoisnow.com

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Blue Angels Roll Past Shawnee, Prepare for Home Opener Against Olney Central

The Kaskaskia College Blue Angels are off to a strong start and will finally get the opportunity to play in front of their home crowd this week after picking up a road victory over Shawnee Community College on Saturday. Kaskaskia used a strong first half to take control of the...

Centralia, IL · 1d
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wpsdlocal6.com

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Community meets in Du Quoin to talk opioid addiction

DU QUOIN, Ill. — Rural Health Inc.'s RCORP Impact Network facilitated a conversation Monday in Du Quoin to help teach people how to get active in their communities on the issue of opioid addiction. The goal of the program is to teach people how to get active in their...

Du Quoin, IL · 1d
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Belleville News-Democrat

partner publisher · 18.9K followers

‘Uncle Joe' comes home: Belleville soldier missing since Korean War identified

Joseph Alfred Platzkoester was 28 when he was reported missing in action during the Korean War on May 30, 1951. Seventy-five years later, “Uncle Joe” has been accounted for and is being honored. The U.S. Army sergeant from Belleville was serving in Company H, 2nd Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, when his unit encountered a severe enemy roadblock and came under heavy attack from Chinese communist forces near Inje, South Korea. According to military reports, the battalion pushed through, but Platzkoester was reported missing after the action. Subsequent searches of the area failed to locate him or his remains. During searches for missing U.S. service members in 1951, the 148th Quartermaster Graves Registration Company recovered a set of remains. The Central Identification Unit in Kokura, Japan, was unable to identify them. In 1956, they were transported to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu for interment as an “unknown.” In November 2023, as part of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency’s project to disinter all Korean War unknowns from the Hawaiian cemetery for possible identification, the remains were disinterred and sent to a DPAA laboratory for further study. DNA testing, laboratory analysis and the totality of circumstantial

Belleville, IL · 16h

timestribunenews.com

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Potters throw everything at Knights in second round

Only eight teams remain in each of the IHSA State Final football brackets and the Triad Knights are no longer one of them. Their matchup with the Morton Potters on Saturday, Nov. 7 proved to be too tall a task, as they were thrown into the kiln of a lopsided game.

Troy, IL · 1d

timestribunenews.com

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Highland Historical Society celebrates Christmas

• The Highland Historical Society is ready to welcome guests back to The Latzer Homestead for their annual Christmas tour. Tour the beautiful 1901 home, once owned by the Father of PET milk, Louis Latzer, in its near original state. Built in 1901, the Latzer Homestead housed Louis Latzer, his...

Highland, IL · 1d

metroeaststar.com

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Emma Jackson Leads By Example at Highland High School

HIGHLAND – Emma Jackson knows the value of hard work. For her achievements, Emma Jackson is a Platinum Transportation Student of the Month for Highland High School. Jackson, a senior, is an avid member of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) organization at her school. She works hard to support her peers as well as farmers throughout the region. She understands the importance of agriculture and always tries to educate others about this, too.

Highland, IL · 1d

metroeaststar.com

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O’Fallon Freshman Alexi Albertyn Wins Two Sectional Swimming Titles

O’FALLON – O’Fallon freshman Alexi Albertyn won two freestyle events at the sectional to qualify for the state swimming meet, leading a Panthers team whose coach praised its performances and support for one another. Albertyn won the 50-yard freestyle in 23.60 seconds, finishing first in a field...

O'Fallon, IL · 2d

southernillinoisnow.com

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This is final week to fill out applications for Adopt a Family program

This is the final week to make application for assistance through the Centralia Community Youth Center and WJBD radio Adopt a Family program. Applications are available through Friday at the Centralia Community Youth Center at 1224 East Rexford from noon to five Monday through Friday and at the Salem Library at 315 South Maple in Salem from ten to seven Monday through Thursday and nine to two on Friday.

Centralia, IL · 1d

metroeaststar.com

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Reagan Dortch is Impressive Student Athlete at Highland High School

HIGHLAND – Reagan Dortch is dedicated to everything she does. For her hard work, Reagan Dortch is a Platinum Transportation Student of the Month for Highland High School. Dortch, a senior, has played ice hockey for nine years. She loves the sport and has worked hard to receive some well-deserved recognition. She is also a member of the school’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes program, through which she has received a leadership award.

Highland, IL · 1d

metroeaststar.com

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Laine Curry, Mitton, Albertyn All Qualify In Two Events Each, Tigers Get All Three Relays To State Meet

EDWARDSVILLE – Laine Curry and Morgan Mitton qualified for two individual events each for Edwardsville, while freshman Alexi Albertyn qualified for two events for O’Fallon, as the Tigers won their 13th consecutive IHSA girls swimming sectional meet Saturday afternoon at the Chuck Fruit Aquatic Center. Edwardsville won the...

Edwardsville, IL · 2d

southernillinoisnow.com

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Centralia City Council to be asked to amend electric and gas bike regulations

The Centralia City Council Monday night will be asked to add some restrictions to the operation of low-speed electric and gas bicycles in the city. City Manager Galen Mahle says the changes will update the city’s ordinance to match requirement under the new state law that goes into effect January first. The changes would require speedometers. The process for registration remains unchanged and is required with the Police Department including an inspection process and fee of $20. An annual tag will be provided to each low-speed electric or low-speed gas bicycle.

Centralia, IL · 1d

southernillinoisnow.com

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KC Blue Devils Stay Perfect, Roll Past Greenville JV 130-48

The Kaskaskia College Blue Devils continued their impressive start to the men’s basketball season, improving to 4-0 with a dominating 130-48 victory over the Greenville University JV on Monday night. KC’s offense was firing on all cylinders from the opening tip, pouring in 71 points in the first half...

Greenville, IL · 14h