They're building WHAT? Where?

The one where we say goodbye...

In this, our final episode, we recap nearly 5 years of podcasting on The 618 Now! We have thoroughly enjoyed being your go-to source for what's happening right now in OFallon and Shiloh! We feel so grateful to have had some of the most loyal listeners (Ryan, Becky, Leah, Dan, Linda, Judy and her boys! just to name a few) who contributed to the over 51,000 downloads. Thank you for being part of our efforts to contribute to all of the things that build up our communities.  Take care yourselves, and each other. On the calendar: Dec 7 & 8th USAF Band of America Holiday Concert [https://mckendree.universitytickets.com/w/event.aspx?id=2274] Dec 13 @ 8am Breakfast with Santa [https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1319926810177651&set=a.238088498361493] hosted by the OFallon Police Dept Dec 13 @ 9am Breakfast with Santa [https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1242786114541509&set=a.234318642054933] in Shiloh Dec 13 4-8pm Home for the Holidays [https://www.facebook.com/events/1323839426180929/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A%5B%7B%22surface%22%3A%22home%22%7D%2C%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22search_results%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22search%22%7D%5D%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D] Vine Street Market Dec 19th The Tye Dyed Iguana's Parents' Night Out  [https://thetyedyediguana.com/its-a-wrap/?fbclid=IwY2xjawOfsyxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE3MXVIMUZqRThZVlB6bmdLc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHl8kld7l5iyhnRdY3PBN6cCBSXXxcT2Ok6ZWc17R8iDDdCz0muhz95GAbIcI_aem_eXhrS2_t4iHhEhZ9D2i2Jg]

OFallons Economic Lifecycle

In this episode, we talk about the economic lifecycle in O'Fallon- how various sources of revenue impact property taxes and services offered within the city. All of this leading up to the kick off of the budget season in Q1 2026 (for a May 1, 2026 fiscal start). On the calendar: Tues, Nov 11 @ 11am Veterans' Day ceremony @ First Baptist Church Tues, Nov 11 @ 2pm VFW's Veterans' Day Parade Thurs Nov 27 11am-1:30pm OFallon Community Thanksgiving Meal [https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10239301990344012&set=a.10206784382464138] (Free and welcome to ALL!) Sat Nov 29 @ 6pm Illuminated Holiday Parade Fri - Sunday Dec 5-7 OTHS Madrigal Feast [https://othsmadrigals.ludus.com/index.php] Tues, Dec 9th @ 5-7pm Chamber's Annual Holiday Party [https://ofallonchamber.com/2025holidayparty/] Sat, Dec 13 @ 8am O'Fallon Police Dept's Breakfast with Santa Sat, Dec 13 4-8pm Home for the Holidays Vine Street Market [https://www.facebook.com/events/1323839426180929]

Who is the CEO of OFallon?

In this episode, we share about the CEO program [https://www.silvercreekareaceo.com] that's already having a huge impact on OTHS students. Seventy percent of CEO graduates say they can see themselves remaining in their communities and making a difference. We talk about what the day in the life of a CEO student looks like! Plus, it's FALL! And the community calendar is PACKED and we couldn't love it anymore!  On the calendar: Sat, Oct 4 8am Vine Street Market at OFallon Station Sat Oct 4 12-7pm June's Fall Festival @ June's Breakfast & Patio in Shiloh Sat Oct 4 5-9pm District Frights in the Downtown District Tues, Wed, Thursday October 7-9 6:30-8:30pm O'Fallon Fire Department's annual open house  Oct 10 YMCA's Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat Oct 14 O'Fallon Police Dept's Night to Unite Oct 18 8am-noon final Vine Street Market of the season Oct 18 Chalk it up to Art Oct 18 9am-3pm Shiloh's Treasures in the park Oct 18 4pm Parks and Rec's Fall Festival at Rock Springs Rotary Park Oct 25 1-4pm Serra Honda's Trunk or Treat Nov 1-2 OTHS Band Booster's Annual Craft Fair Nov 22 Vine Street Market's Thanksgiving Market Enjoy Fire Pit Friday's at August the Mansion each Friday in October starting October 10th!

10,000 people in one day

In this episode, we share why there are 10,000 people coming into OFallon on Sept 13th- and it's not for sports! We also share about the Chamber's upcoming Learn Local class [https://ofallonchamber.com/learn-local/] that's accepting applications.  On the calendar: Friday, 9/5- Sat 9/6 Shiloh's Annual Homecoming Friday, 9/5 @ 6pm Movie in the Park [https://www.facebook.com/events/2109141539597692] Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Friday, 9/5 4-8pm Donation drop off for the OTHS Band Boosters Yard Sale Sat 9/6 8am-2pm OTHS Band Boosters Yard Sale Sat 9/6 8am-noon Vine Street Market @ OFallon Station Sat 9/6 10am-noon Touch-A-Truck in the OFallon Community Park 9/13 10am Baconfest in the Downtown District

They're building WHAT? Where?

In today's episode, we review some of the developments going up around town. Part of that is driven by Scott AFB- here's a recent study [https://leadershipcouncilswil.com/safbeis/] about the Economic Impact of SAFB (commissioned by The Leadership Council of Southwestern IL).  On the calendar: Sat, Aug 2 8am-noon Vine Street Market at OFallon Station Sat, Aug 9th 8am-noon Watermelon Festival at Vine Street Market Wed, August 13th- 6pm Music in the Park (Community Amphitheater)  Aug 22-23 CityFest [https://ofalloncityfest.com]