Kaskaskia College invites area veterans, their families, and community members to attend its annual Enduring Freedom Celebration on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, on the College’s main campus in Centralia. The event will feature a complimentary breakfast and a special program honoring the service, sacrifice, and dedication of the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces.

The celebration will begin with a free biscuits and gravy breakfast for veterans and their guests from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. in the Kaskaskia College Student Center. A patriotic program will follow at 9:45 a.m. in the Jane Knight Auditorium, featuring the posting of the colors, military service songs, and a keynote address by Colonel Jason B. ”Caesar” Wolff of the United States Air Force.

Colonel Wolff currently serves as Chief of the Air Transportation Division at Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. In this role, he directs global transportation policy and strategy for 18,000 Total Force personnel across all Combatant and Major Commands, overseeing a logistics portfolio exceeding $4.1 billion. His leadership supports the strategic readiness and operational effectiveness of the Mobility Air Forces.

Commissioned through Officer Training School in 2001, Colonel Wolff has held distinguished assignments with the Air Force Logistics Management Agency, Joint Staff, and U.S. Forces Japan.

Throughout his military career, he has deployed in support of numerous major military operations, including Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and Inherent Resolve. Prior to his current assignment, he commanded the 86th Logistics Readiness Group at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

Kaskaskia College’s Enduring Freedom Celebration is an annual tradition that brings together veterans, their families, and the community to recognize the contributions of those who have served and express appreciation for the freedoms their sacrifices have helped preserve.

The event is free and open to the public. Veterans from throughout the Kaskaskia College district, along with their families and guests, are encouraged to attend.

For more information, please contact Kaskaskia College Veterans Coordinator Emily Eilers at 618-545-3075 or eeilers@kaskaskia.edu.

City Hope Church - Family Movie Night: Wonder

Come enjoy a movie for the entire family! Suggested donation at the door with concessions available for purchase!

SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital will participate in National Lung Screening Day by offering a limited number of free low-dose CT (LDCT) lung cancer screenings to eligible uninsured and underinsured individuals on Saturday, November 14.

The initiative, supported through a grant from the American Lung Association, means to increase access to potentially life-saving lung cancer screenings for individuals who may otherwise delay care due to financial barriers. SSM Health will provide screenings for up to 12 qualifying patients at no cost.

“Low-dose CT screening has been a remarkable tool in the fight against lung cancer,” said Gayla Hall, RN, Clinical Trial Coordinator for SSM Health in Southern Illinois. “We’ve seen an increase in patients being diagnosed at earlier stages of lung cancer which significantly improves survival rates and quality of life.”

SSM Health first became involved with LDCT screening when the program was part of the International Early Lung Cancer Action Program (I-ELCAP), a clinical trial initiative that helped establish lung cancer screening as a preventative measure. Medicare began covering LDCT screenings in 2015, allowing SSM Health to formally launch the program in Southern Illinois.

In addition to providing screenings, SSM Health has introduced a regional multidisciplinary review process designed to accelerate care for patients with concerning findings. Patients whose scans receive a Lung-RADS score of four are reviewed by a team of cardiothoracic surgeons, pulmonologists and radiologists who collaborate to determine the most appropriate next steps.

“This process helps patients move more quickly from abnormal imaging to diagnosis and treatment when needed,” Hall said. “By bringing specialists together to review each case, we’re able to reduce delays and help patients navigate follow-up care more efficiently.”

The screening process is simple, painless and typically takes less than 30 minutes from registration to completion. No IV contrast is required, and the CT scan itself is only five to 10 minutes.

To participate, patients must first schedule an appointment by calling Karen Kelley, RN, at 618-899-1894. Prior to the scan, patients will meet with Nocole Abenes, APRN-CNP- for a shared decision-making visit to confirm eligibility, review smoking history and discuss any potential follow-up care if abnormalities are detected.

Turn Your Passion into Purpose at IDHS!

At the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), you can turn your skills and passion into meaningful work that supports individuals, strengthens families, and transforms communities across Illinois.

Why Join Team IDHS?

• A supportive, inclusive workplace culture

• Making a meaningful difference in the lives of Illinois residents.

• Competitive pay & Outstanding State of Illinois benefits

• Excellent career growth and advancement opportunities

Check-Out This Week’s Vacancies & Apply Today: www.dhs.state.il.us/jobs

Upcoming In-Person Career Fairs – See Attached Flyers for Details

Nov 9 |11AM – 1PMMabley Developmental Center - 1120 Washington Avenue Dixon, IL 61021 

Nov 17 |11AM – 1PMMurray Developmental Center - 1535 W. McCord Street., Centralia, IL 62801 

Nov 17 |2PM – 4PM Alton Mental Health Center - (Offsite Location) Madison County Employment & Training/American Job Center - 101 East Edwardsville Road, Wood River, IL 62095

Learn More at Our Virtual Recruitment Information Sessions - Register today: IDHS: IDHS Virtual Recruitment Events   (Evening & Saturday sessions available!)

Get an inside look at

• High need career opportunities

• The application and hiring process

• Live Q&A with our Recruitment Team

Please share these opportunities with your friends, family, colleagues, and community. Your referral could help someone find a meaningful career in public service.

To receive future recruitment updates or if you have questions, contact us at DHS.Recruitment@illinois.gov.

Help Us Make an Even Greater Impact!

IDHS Recruitment Team

RSVP Online:
https://forms.gle/SPq83TJXU42w34fN9

Join us for the Chamber lunch sponsored by SSM Health on Wednesday, November 18, from 12:00pm-1:00pm.

“Power of Philanthropy” Presentation by Kay Zibby-Damron, SSM Health Foundation - Southern Illinois

SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital - Gymnasium
500 N. Pleasant, Centralia
Please park west of the gymnasium on the north side of the hospital.

RSVP Online:
https://forms.gle/SPq83TJXU42w34fN9

Community solar makes solar power available to everyone, whether you rent, your roof isn't suited for panels, or you simply want an easier way to save on energy.

You can get credit on your energy bill for the power generated by a nearby solar array. No installation, no upfront cost, and no equipment to maintain. Just savings and a chance to support the project in your own neighborhood!

Stop by anytime during the open house. Please have your Ameren account info and a recent electric bill available if you wish to sign up immediately. We'd love to meet you and show you how easy it is to get started.

Hosted by Trajectory Energy Partners.

Get ready for The Turkey Trek, an exciting community-wide scavenger hunt hosted by the Little Egypt CEO class on November 21, 2026! Teams will compete in a fun, interactive adventure to complete challenges and explore the community that Salem has to offer. The Turkey Trek will bring people together for a day of teamwork, friendly competition, and local fun while supporting our student-led business. Gather your team, put your skills to the test, and see if you have what it takes to win Turkey Trek! Find more information on the Little Egypt CEO Facebook or at littleegyptceo.com. 

The 5th Annual SO German Christmas Market will be Saturday, November 21st from 1:00-8:00pm.

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗞𝗘𝗬 𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗧 𝟱𝗞 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗦𝗘 𝗜𝗦 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘!

𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗶𝗴 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗹!

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 & 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗵: 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝘄𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘇 𝗢𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱

𝟭𝟵𝟰𝟮 𝗖𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱, 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗮𝘆 • 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟲: 𝟴:𝟯𝟬 𝗔𝗠

𝗥𝘂𝗻 𝗶𝘁, 𝗷𝗼𝗴 𝗶𝘁, 𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝗶𝘁.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝟱𝗞 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲!

𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆, 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗯 𝗮 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗶𝗲.

The Annual Historic Downtown Christmas Stoll is on Friday, December 4, 2026. This is a free event, open to the public. All are invited to come find a hidden ornament in participating businesses in downtown Centralia. A map will be posted online and available at the event of all participating businesses!

Santa will be in the Chamber office, a gingerbread building competition will be held, along with a kid’s arts and crafts station, and much more throughout beautiful historic downtown with horse-drawn carriage rides and lots of Christmas Spirit.

SCHEDULE OF ENTERTAINMENT:
4:00pm-7:00pm - Christmas Sing-along with Rick Runyon Acoustic One-man Band (location TBD)
4:00pm - CHS Rock Band 101 (location TBD)
5:00pm - CHS Choir at Illinois Theater
6:00pm - Bell Tower Concert at Centralia Carillon Park

This event is organized by The Greater Centralia Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Bradford National Bank, Monken Auto, See Centralia, and Trajectory Energy Partners.

MORE DETAILS COMING SOON!

Walk in the Woods Exclusive Sponsor Night:
Friday, December 11, 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Walk in the Woods - Free & Open to the Public
Saturday, December 12, 2026
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Please contact Alex Hyer if you would like to participate: 618.532.4590.

City Hope Church - Family Movie Night: Klaus

Come enjoy a movie for the entire family! Suggested donation at the door with concessions available for purchase!

City Hope Church - Family Movie Night: The Greatest Showman

Come enjoy a movie for the entire family! Suggested donation at the door with concessions available for purchase!