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,”

Massage therapist Karsgaard completes three-day workshop

Massage therapist Mary Karsgaard of Jacksonville has completed a three-day workshop on the Spontaneous Muscle Release Technique.

We Ranked The 9 Breakfast Restaurants In Springfield, Illinois, You’ll Want To Know About

One breakfast spot in Illinois serves a pancake roughly the size of a large pizza. I can’t stop thinking about the size of the plate needed for that. Then there’s the breakfast horseshoe. It’s a local legend built from toast, eggs, meat, and potatoes, all buried under cheese sauce or gravy.

Edwardsville girl’s Halloween costume prompts invite from ‘The Rock’

A 10-year-old wrestler who dressed as Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson for Halloween has been invited by Johnson to a movie premiere in California.

This Overlooked State Park In Illinois Is A Fisherman And Kayaker Dream Come True Every Time

Illinois has a habit of hiding its best stuff in plain sight, and Sangchris Lake State Park in Rochester is one of the finest examples of that habit. You’ve probably driven through central Illinois without giving it much credit, and that’s a mistake worth correcting as soon as possible.

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...

Hallmark Just Crowned the 2026 Merriest Christmas Town in America

Want to visit a place that looks plucked straight out of a Hallmark Christmas movie? Head to Carlinville, Illinois. The sweet little 5,000-person (and some change) town was just crowned the winner of Hallmark Channel's inaugural Merriest Christmas Town contest. Earlier this year, the network put out the call: Which...

Is The Lincoln Museum Gift Shop Worth A Trip On Its Own? Springfield Locals Say Yes

Some of the best stops in Illinois are the ones you almost walk right past. I went looking for a quick souvenir and left with a story, a handful of postcards, and a real urge to come back. The little shop I found felt less like a store and more...

Local Food Inspections for the Week of November 2 - 6

The following food establishments were inspected by the Madison County Health Department between November 2 and 6. November 2 Jimmy Johns- Granite City No violations Duke Bakery- Granite City 2 (C) The food establishment is not under the operational supervision of a Certified Food Protection Manager that is present at appropriate times. Provide an adequate number of staff with approved training. Reference 2-102.12. NO CFPM ON SHIFT DURING INSPECTION, FACILITY NEEDS AT LEAST ONE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER PER SHIFT, RECHECK. 45 (C) Single-Use Articles are stored incorrectly. Single-Use Articles shall be stored: 1) in a clean and dry location; 2) away or protected from contamination; 3) at least six inches above the floor; 4) covered or inverted. Reference 4-903.11(A) and (C). OBSERVED SINGLE USE TRAYS STORED ON FLOOR UNDER SHELVING UNIT. TRAYS MOVED TO SHELVING, CORRECTED. 53 (C) The women's restroom lacks a covered receptacle for disposal of feminine hygiene products. Provide at least one covered trash receptacle in the women's restroom. Reference 5-501.17. LIDDED TRASHCAN NEEDED FOR BATHROOM. Chocolate Covered Creations- Granite City 37 (C) The PERMIT HOLDER shall notify CONSUMERS by written notification of the presence of MAJOR FOOD ALLERGENS as an ingredient in UNPACKAGED FOOD items that

Ribbon cutting to be held as Curve Inn reopens after fire

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS/WRSP) - The Curve Inn is officially celebrating its reopening tonight. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is being held after the historic bar was shut down for months following a fire in February. The fire was ruled to be accidental in nature. Investigators believe it was electrical and started in...

US Beauty Award Reveals Its October 2026 Verified TOP Salon Winners

UNITED STATES - November 7, 2026 - The US Beauty Award announces three Verified TOP Salon recipients for October 2026, recognizing outstanding beauty establishments in Texas, California, and Illinois for their dedication to craftsmanship, professional excellence, and exceptional client experiences. Texas: A Journey of Passion and Resilience. Nice Nail Spa,...

the woods of southern illinois

The sun sinks towards the horizon as we race south towards Alton. I tried reading my book, and now my stomach feels heavy with that familiar pit of nausea. With nothing else to do, I’ve taken to running my fingers along the tray table and looking around. For all the novelty of my first Amtrak (at eighteen years old), it is remarkably similar to an airplane. Smooth, gray, plastic seatbacks and smooth, gray, plastic fold-down tray tables. Faux leather upholstery that wrinkles when you sit on it too long. Nondescript blue carpeting down the center aisle. Dry, stale air. The outside view is new, though. This is the flattest place I’ve ever seen. Back in Massachusetts, the highways are bordered by steep rock faces and a never-ending supply of trees. The world seems so crowded, with only a stripe of sky overhead and cars all around, but here—it’s so empty. I see why they call it plains. Miles and miles of treeless countryside pass, seemingly to the end of the earth. I rest my head against the cold, clear plastic of the window and watch lone houses flash by in the waning daylight.

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.

The Rock invites Edwardsville family to ‘Jumanji’ premiere

Brooklynn Keppler’s Halloween costume catches The Rock’s attention, leading to an invitation for the Edwardsville family to attend the “Jumanji: Open World” premiere.

Free Santa Photos and the Historic Teller Room 1925 in Downtown Alton

Wine & Whiskey for the Watershed returns Nov. 12

Proceeds support conservation, habitat restoration and environmental education at the Watershed Nature Center.

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

Maull’s barbecue sauce is back

Get those “park” steaks ready, St. Louisans. Maull’s is making a comeback. According to its website, the St. Louis barbecue sauce brand will return December 1, closing out its 100th year with new packaging and the promise of the same bold, tangy, flavor that generations of St. Louisans grew up with.

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 Main House Offers Historic-House Dining On South Main Street In St. Charles, Missouri

Some dinners happen in a plain room with a parking lot view. Others happen in an old building on a brick-lined street, with a deck that looks toward the Missouri River. St. Charles has plenty of the second kind, and one South Main Street restaurant has quietly become a favorite for birthdays, anniversaries, business lunches, and lazy weekend brunches. People book tables here for the patio alone, and some of them stumble in by happy accident and come back on purpose.