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CHICAGO — Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today announced that all recipients of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) will receive $200 to support Illinoisans most in need due to rising costs. During this program year (September 2021 – May 2022) the Pritzker Administration has made an unprecedented $386 million investment to support families with bill assistance for heat, gas, and electricity bills to serve more than 250,000 households. The deadline for families to apply for utility assistance is May 31, 2022. Applications must be completed in person at local administering agencies, which can be located on DCEO’s community services website . Families can also contact 1-833-711-0374 for support. “Access to energy is a basic necessity and my administration is working tirelessly to ensure families can afford rising costs,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Hardworking Illinoisans

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ALTON - Tim and Julie Meeks have always given their customer’s experience the “utmost importance” at their Alton and Belleville locations. On June 3-4, Olive Oil Marketplace is marking its 10th anniversary on Third Street in Alton with a celebration. The celebration kicks off at 11 a.m. on Friday and continues on Saturday with free food featuring Get-R-Smoked Pulled Pork and many other OOM recipe dishes, local vendors with samples and educational discussions, and many in-store specials, raffles, and giveaways. On Friday night at 4:30, a Celebration Ceremony will take place with cake and ice cream for customers. Overall, the June 3-4 celebration should be special for the popular couple at their Alton store. This is a link to the two-day celebration for Olive Oil Marketplace: https://www.facebook.com/events/371851048297332 “We hope when you come into our store, you feel welcomed and comfortable,” Tim and Julie said in a statement about the stores

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EDWARDSVILLE – The Edwardsville Tigers baseball team defeated the Alton Redbirds 16-4 after five innings in the regional semifinals Wednesday night. Having himself a night was freshman Joseph Chiarodo. He went two-for-three against Alton including a three-run walk-off home run. The Tigers led 13-4 when Joe stepped up to the plate. After he put the ball over the fence in left-center his teammates stormed the field to celebrate the walk-off win via the mercy rule. Joe is one of the iCAN Clinic Male Athletes of the Month for the Tigers. Joe didn’t even expect the ball to reach the fence. “I thought it was going to hit the wall and be a double, so I was hustling out of the box, but then I saw the umpire move his hand around, so I was happy,” Chiarodo said postgame. “Joe put a good swing on it,” Edwardsville head coach Tim Funkhouser said. “He’s been a guy ready to break out. It’s good to see him get a couple of hits today.”

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MARYVILLE - Anderson Hospital received a $15,000.00 donation to update the in-patient Rehab Gym from Edwardsville residents, Carol and Harry Windland. Carol who went through hip surgery in August of 2021 had such a great experience at the Anderson Rehab Institute, that she wanted to give back to Anderson Hospital in some way. When she heard the in-patient Rehab Gym needed an update, she wanted to help. “This is our way of saying thank you to the staff for their dedication, care and compassion on a daily basis”, said Carol Windland. The space included updates such as wallpaper removal, painting of walls, new cabinetry, new countertops and chairs for the staff workspace, artwork, and more. Anderson Hospital uses the Rehab Gym for neurologic patients, post-stroke patients, Parkinson’s patients, and post-op orthopedic patients after various surgeries. Tammy Becherer, Interim Rehab Director said: “The staff and patients will enjoy this uplifting and bright

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EAST ALTON - A 78-year-old man close to his residence in the 900 block of Airline Drive in East Alton was struck by a vehicle and killed on Wednesday afternoon. Robert W. Stevens died in the accident. The call to authorities came in at 3:18 p.m. on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office responded to a pedestrian struck by a vehicle on East Airline Drive, near Hill Drive in East Alton. Rosewood Heights Fire Department and Alton Memorial Ambulance also responded to the scene. Upon arrival, emergency crews determined that the pedestrian had succumbed to his injuries due to being struck by the vehicle. The Madison County Sheriff's Office says the initial investigation indicates the decedent was attempting to cross Airline Drive in the area of his residence when he was struck by a vehicle traveling eastbound on a curved section of Airline Drive. The Madison County Coroner’s Office reports that the preliminary cause of death is blunt head and chest trauma

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BUNKER HILL - The Bunker Hill, IL Food Pantry located at 501 East Warren St., began operation in 1987 after founder Margaret Gerdt successfully opened it. Lester Lawton, who took over managing the Pantry later said of her, “It was hard work for her. She had to go begging for money and for people to help, but she got the job done and we wouldn’t be here today without the work she did back then.” The Pantry offers a variety of food items from milk, meat, can goods, cereals, and cake mixes. They are open Wednesdays from 8 to 11 am. Volunteers provided the guidelines they use in determining eligibility. Based on a per year chart, 1 person $16,744, 2 ppl $22,646, 3 ppl $28,548, 4ppl $34,450, 5ppl $40,352, 6ppl $46,254, 7ppl $$52,156, and 8ppl $58,058. If you earn more in your category than what is in the chart, they said you would be ineligible. She also said that two forms are needed, one such as a power bill demonstrating residency and one proving your identity. The

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DELHI, Ill. – The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) announces lane closures to the portion of US 67 known as the Delhi Bypass. It will be reduced to one-lane in each direction starting Tuesday, May 31, 2022, weather permitting. The closures will start at 6:00 am and will remain closed until the work is completed. This work is needed to place permanent pavement marking and is expected to be completed by the end of June. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. The contractor on this project is Baxmeyer Construction of Waterloo, IL. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on Twitter at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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ST. LOUIS - St. Louis Union Station is celebrating the start of summer with Memorial Day weekend activities. Military and first responders and a guest will receive a discount at all of the Union Station attractions, including the St. Louis Wheel, mini-golf, and carousel and the St. Louis Aquarium, ropes course, and mirror maze. This discount is available from Friday, May 27 through Monday, May 30 in person at the attractions' ticket windows. Saturday and Sunday, the popular Animals 'R Us petting zoo returns to the Purina Performance Plaza at Union Station with their adorable furry friends. The animals will be on-site from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. on both days. The St. Louis Wheel will be open from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. every day, and the St. Louis Aquarium will add extended holiday hours from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. to its schedule Friday through Sunday. Union Station's restaurants, including Soda Fountain -- famous for its Freak Shake milkshakes -- and Train Shed will be open for lunch

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ST. LOUIS - Following the City of St. Louis’ investment in more mechanics for trucks, as well as the development of a data-driven plan to use Refuse Division resources most efficiently, the Streets Department today announced that alleyway recycling will resume on Tuesday, May 31. The City, in partnership with Saint Louis Recycles , is urging residents to prepare for a resumption of alleyway recycling collection by getting up to date on best recycling practices while being aware of how much waste their household produces. “The Refuse Division services 80,000 households across the city, and we’ve been working tirelessly to resume alleyway recycling collection for St. Louisans,” said Streets Director Betherny Williams. “Our data-driven plan will help us increase our transparency and efficiency around waste collection and recycling, and the Refuse Division will consistently monitor our routes and make adjustments where necessary. St. Louisans can all do

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CHAMPAIGN, IL – First Busey Corporation (NASDAQ: BUSE) has announced the election of Cassandra Sanford as an independent director of the board of directors effective May 25, 2022. Her election brings the board to 10 members. As a director of Busey Bank since January 2021, Mrs. Sanford has experience serving as a director of financial institutions. Mrs. Sanford’s election follows the retirement of long-time Director Thomas G. Sloan on May 25, 2022. Mr. Sloan served as a director of Busey Bank from 2007 until his election to the First Busey board in 2010. For almost three decades, he provided invaluable service to Busey and its predecessor organizations—including both First National Bank of Decatur and Main Street Trust, Inc. Mrs. Sanford is Co-Founder and CEO of KellyMitchell Group, a premier technology workforce solutions company helping organizations achieve their IT goals by providing a hi-tech, flexible workforce. Founded in 1998, the company is headquartered

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COLLINSVILLE – Six outstanding Collinsville High School seniors received the Stan Schaeffer Memorial Scholarship tonight at the Collinsville City Council meeting. The students: Lydia Fluss, Dayton Horras, Megan Houberg, Grace Lanier, Jacob McChristian and Jada Russell received $1,000 each. The scholarship is named for former Collinsville Mayor and retired educator Stan Schaeffer. After Schaeffer’s sudden death in 2008, City leaders made the scholarship a reality. When the scholarship was established in 2010, it was administered by the Collinsville Education Scholarship Foundation, which changed its name to the Collinsville Area Community Foundation in 2021. Now administered by the Collinsville Area Community Foundation, this merit-based scholarship is awarded to Collinsville High School seniors who live within the Collinsville city limits. Since the inception of the scholarship, $46,000 has been awarded to outstanding Collinsville High School seniors. In total, the

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GRANITE CITY – Granite City High School has announced its plans for the Class of 2022 Graduation, which is set for Friday, May 27 at 7:30 p.m. on Kevin Greene Field. Graduation Practice – MANDATORY Thursday, May 26, 2022 10:30 a.m. Kevin Greene Field If rain, report to Memorial Gymnasium Graduation - Plan A Friday, May 27 - 7:30 p.m. - Kevin Greene Field Decision will be made at 5 p.m. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. No tickets required Wagner will be onsite to take individual photos of each graduate Graduation - Plan B (Weather Plan) Friday, May 27 - 7:30 p.m. - Memorial Gymnasium Students allowed 4 guest tickets Wagner will be onsite to take individual photos of each graduate BROADCAST The Class of 2022 Graduation will be live-streamed on the Granite City Community Unit School District #9 Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/GCSD9.net . A decision whether to move the ceremony indoors will be made no later than 5 p.m.

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ALTON - Alton firefighters’ quick response stopped a fire in the 3200 block of Alby Street in Alton on Wednesday night that appeared to be a gas leak from the back of a stove. Deputy Fire Chief Matt Fischer said the fire was contained to the kitchen and was knocked down in what he described as "a pretty quick fashion" by Alton firefighters. Fischer said the call for the fire came in after 9 p.m. Wednesday. He said there was some water damage and smoke within the structure, but expects that home occupants will be able to return to the home after some work. Those in the home were not able to return Wednesday night after the fire, Fischer said. The homeowner said they had hired someone to put a new floor in the kitchen today and during the construction, the stove was moved out, which caused a break or connection issue with the gas line. The mom said when she returned home to cook dinner, she turned the stove on and it ignited the fire that spread in the kitchen. There were individuals

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BETHALTO - The Bethalto Police Department issued a reminder today to area businesses to diligently examine all currency for counterfeit bills during purchases. Bethalto Police announced that on Monday a report was filed about the subject in the below image attempting to pass a counterfeit $50 bill. Bethalto Police Chief Mike Dixon said: "A diligent and attentive attendant examined the bill and recognized it to be counterfeit. The matter is under investigation, and we ask any other police agencies with this subject as a suspect in a similar activity to please contact us." He added: "Anyone who knows the subject in the images, who was driving a newer model white Mercury Cougar, out of Wilsonville, Illinois, is asked to contact us on Facebook or call 618-377-5266 extension 1. "Employees of area bars, convenience, and grocery stores should be diligent in examining the bills they receive recognizing that $20 and $50 bills are the most often counterfeited. "Many of the counterfeit

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BETHALTO - The Bethalto Police Department announced that a Felony Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine Charge has been filed in Madison County Circuit Court against Brian J. Schappe, 37, of the 8000 block of Natural Bridge Road in St. Louis from an incident in Bethalto. The charge stems from an incident that was investigated by a Bethalto Police officer at 1:53 a.m. on Saturday, May 21, 2022, in the trailer park at 100 Wesley Drive. The officer approached a suspicious vehicle in the park, which has recently experienced an increase in criminal activity and attempted to talk to the driver. The driver recklessly fled the area at a high rate of speed, with his headlights out, southbound onto Wesley Drive as the officer was attempting to make contact. Officers proceeded southbound in the direction of the fleeing vehicle, which was found stuck in the field across from the Wood River Moose Lodge. The vehicle had run off the roadway at a curve, while traveling at a high rate of speed with

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MADISON COUNTY - A pedestrian was struck in the 900 block of East Airline Drive on Wednesday afternoon. Madison County Sheriff's Office was the lead agency at the scene. Madison County Capt. Will Dimitroff reported the accident did result in a fatality. He said the sheriff's office was called to the scene at 3:13 p.m. There are no other details yet available about the accident. A Madison County Sheriff's vehicle and Bethalto Police controlled traffic in the area. Residents are urged to avoid the area until the investigation has been completed.

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WALNUT CREEK, OHIO - The recall saga involving peanut products continues today. Coblentz Chocolate Company of Walnut Creek, Ohio, has announced it is recalling certain Peanut Butter Products because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella , an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis. This recall is a direct result of the J.M. Smucker Co. Jif® Peanut Butter recall. Coblentz Chocolate Company has ceased using Jif® Peanut Butter in production at this time. No illnesses have been reported to date.

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JERSEYVILLE - A new Scooter’s Coffee location is coming to Jerseyville at 602 S. State St., the site of the former Pizza Hut building. A spokesperson with Scooter’s Coffee said its expected completion date is sometime this July. Approximately 15 job opportunities will be available once this Scooter’s location opens. Those interested can apply at scooterscoffee.com/careers by searching for the Jerseyville location once those job positions are posted. Each Scooter’s location stands at 630 square feet and operates as drive-thru-only; the company’s business model is built on providing the fastest possible drive-thru service. The Scooter’s Coffee Brand Promise is, “Amazing People, Amazing Drinks … Amazingly Fast!” The Scooter’s Coffee menu features a wide array of coffee, espresso and cold brew beverages - including the brand’s signature “Caramelicious” drink - as well as fruit smoothies, Red Bull

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A total of nine potential cases have been reported to IDPH Dating to January; Illinois Healthcare Providers Advised to be on the Lookout and Report Potential Cases to Public Health Authorities SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced today that it has received reports of a total of nine patients under investigation for severe hepatitis in children under ten years of age, up from three that were reported in April. The cases date back to January, and the most recent had the onset of symptoms in May. Two-thirds of the children tested positive for adenovirus , a common virus that typically causes cold- or flu-like illness. Five patients were reported in northern Illinois, two were in the western part of the state and one each was reported in the central and southern parts of the state. All of the children were hospitalized, and one needed a liver transplant. No deaths were reported. The IDPH update follows a recent briefing by the CDC about

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EDWARDSVILLE – Edwardsville Community Unit Schools District #7 has named Dr. Rusti Blount as principal of Lincoln Middle School. Blount’s hire was approved on May 23 by the District #7 Board of Education. She will take the school’s helm beginning with the 2022-23 school year. "Dr. Blount is a proven educator who has the knowledge, dedication and commitment that will be valuable in leading Lincoln Middle School,” said District #7 Superintendent Dr. Patrick Shelton. “We look forward to seeing our staff and students at Lincoln thrive under her leadership.” Blount has served as a special education teacher at the elementary, middle, and high school level, while her previous leadership roles include serving as an elementary school principal and a program specialist for special education. “I am excited to join Lincoln Middle School and look forward to working with the staff and families to empower each student to meet their success.” As a

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