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CHICAGO - In recognition of National Consumer Protection Week, Attorney General Kwame Raoul today shared the Top 10 consumer complaints his office received last year and highlighted his office’s work to protect consumers’ personal data online. “During National Consumer Protection Week, I encourage Illinois residents to visit my office’s website and social media channels to learn more about common consumer complaints and how to protect themselves,” Raoul said. “Identity theft was among our top three consumer complaints last year. As we increasingly shop online and use apps that collect personal data, my office is working to help consumers protect their information by educating them about best practices and holding accountable those who violate their privacy or do not reasonably protect their personal information.” The Attorney General’s office took several actions last year to safeguard digital privacy. Raoul announced a more than $391

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced today the Attorney General’s office obtained a guilty plea in a case against a Williamson County woman who unlawfully possessed fentanyl. In a case Raoul’s office prosecuted in Williamson County Circuit Court, Linnea O’Neal, 46, of Norris City, Illinois pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a controlled substance, a Class 4 felony. As a first time offender, O’Neal will serve two years of probation in which she must perform 30 hours of community service, submit to drug treatment and testing, and pay $3,500 for fines and fees. Additionally, O’Neal can no longer have employment with access to controlled substances. “The opioid epidemic has tragically affected too many people in Illinois, and we must take a comprehensive approach to addressing it,” Raoul said. “I am committed to holding accountable individuals who distribute fentanyl in our communities. Health care professionals who have

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SPRINGFIELD - The Purple Heart awarded to Army Specialist Kenneth R. Wiest was returned to his family as part of Operation Purple Heart, an unprecedented mission to return 11 Purple Heart medals to their rightful owners, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced today. Wiest earned the medal while serving in Vietnam. He also served in Desert Storm, sometimes called the Gulf War. Mr. Wiest died in O’Fallon, Illinois, on Sept. 4, 1998, at age 48. Like many combat veterans, Mr. Wiest rarely spoke about his service and the injuries he suffered taking fire while inside a helicopter. “Army Specialist Wiest served his country, and it is our duty to honor this soldier no matter how many years have passed,” Frerichs said during a somber ceremony in Springfield with Mr. Wiest’s children. “Dad was a good soldier, a loyal friend and dedicated father,” said Andrea Wiest Schone, the youngest of four siblings who initiated the process that led to

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ALTON - The Three Rivers Project of Sierra Club Illinois held its first Seed Swap event of the year at the Milton Schoolhouse in Alton last week to help local gardeners prepare for the growing season this spring. They also hosted a second Seed Swap at the Alton YWCA on Saturday, March 4. “It’s something that has been done for generations,” Three Rivers Project Co-Coordinator Christine Favilla said at the first event. “People just literally collect their own seed, dry them, and bring it to share - but also, we have plenty of extra seeds.” Favilla said despite the current cold weather, it’s already time to start planning for what you’ll be planting this season. “While it may be really cold outside … it is time to start planning for your garden. So whether you start the seeds in your house or in a greenhouse, or maybe out in the yard underneath some old windows and then make your own little cold frame, now’s the time

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EDWARDSVILLE – All too often, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations turn deadly because of impaired driving. However you celebrate, make sure you and your friends stay safe this St. Patrick’s Day by remembering one important piece of advice: If you’ll be drinking alcohol, using cannabis or any other impairing substance, remember “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Drive High. Get a DUI.” “This year, St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Friday, and that means more parties throughout the weekend,” said Lt. Brandn Whittaker. “If you’ve been drinking, using cannabis or any other impairing drug, make the smart choice and plan for a sober driver to get you and your friends home safely. Before you put your keys in the ignition, remind yourself: “Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.” “We want everyone to enjoy St. Patrick’s Day, but safe driving is everyone’s responsibility,” Lt. Whitaker continued.

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GODFREY – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that intermittent daytime lane closures will take place in both directions of Godfrey Road, from Airport Road to Homer Adams Parkway, beginning, weather permitting, Wednesday, March 8. The closures are necessary to complete sidewalk repairs for this portion of the project. The project is part of a larger improvement that will require additional closures throughout the summer. This project is expected to be completed by the end of August. 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. 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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ALTON - Melissa Skinner, center, of the Family Care Pharmacy, who is Alton Memorial Hospital's March Employee of the Month. Melissa received the honor March 6 from pharmacy manager Andrew Kramer, left, and AMH President Dave Braasch. Melissa has worked at Family Care Pharmacy for 15 years. The nomination from co-worker Amanda William says that Melissa “is an amazing role model and co-worker. All of the clients love her and it’s easy to see why. Melissa is always positive and caring. She will stop whatever she is doing to help anyone she can. I am a fairly new member of the pharmacy team, and she didn’t hesitate to show me the ropes and immediately help me to feel at home. Melissa is always smiling and cheerful. She has so much knowledge and will willingly share it. She is also a very selfless person. Melissa is not only an asset to this pharmacy but to this entire hospital. We are all very lucky to have her.”

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ALTON - Two Marquette Catholic High School sophomores were seriously injured in a crash around 11:30 Friday night on Fosterburg Road near the Drexelius Lane intersection and the Dollar General store. A 44-year-old man was also injured in the crash in another vehicle. The two students are ages 16 and 15 and are juveniles, so their names will not be released at this time. Marquette Catholic Principal Tim Harmon issued this statement about the two injured in the crash: "I wanted to share a brief update with everyone about the students that were involved in the car accident on Friday evening. Thanks be to God, I can share that we are seeing improvements with both students, but continued prayer for their healing is being asked for. I will continue to be in communication with the families and ask for you to give your support in prayer. "Beyond that, to try to help support this part of our Marquette Catholic family, I am also going to ask that if anyone would like to donate a gift card, pleas

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ALTON - Competitors from across the country came to Alton's riverfront and the nearby Mississippi River to compete in the Annual Twisted Cat Outdoors event. Dan Alewelt of Pleasant Plains had the largest fish catch of 67.62 pounds, while Will Ash of Alton caught a 65.95-pounder for second place biggest fish. Alex Nagy, tournament director of the Twisted Cat Outdoors event, said 68 teams from all over the country were fishing for some of the biggest catfish in the U.S. "It was really exciting," he said. "We had some different weather patterns, but overall anglers brought us some big fish. What is really cool about this event is they are taking their boat and ramp and going to a couple of different ramps and catching those fish, and bringing them back here to Liberty Bank Amphitheater area and weighing their biggest three of the day. People really enjoy fishing in this area because it holds such big catfish." Nagy said there are a lot of reasons for the big catfish in this area. "Yo

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JERSEYVILLE - A Jerseyville man was charged with criminal damage to property after damaging someone’s vehicle in a Dollar Tree parking lot, according to the latest felony filing report from the Jersey County Circuit Clerk’s Office. Brett W. Benson, 38, of Jerseyville, was charged with one count of criminal damage to property after damaging a 2002 Chevrolet Blazer located at the Dollar General at 17930 US Highway 67 in Delhi on Feb. 24. The total amount of damage was “in excess of $500,” according to the report from Assistant State’s Attorney Kevin Tellor. Benson was charged with a Class 4 felony. A warrant was issued for his arrest on Feb. 27 and his bail was set at $10,000. As a condition of his pre-trial release, he was ordered to have no contact with the owner of the vehicle he damaged. A bond of $380 was posted on March 2. Benson’s preliminary and arraignment hearings were set for March 6 at 9 a.m., but no plea has been entered as of this

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - The deceased in a pedestrian hit accident has been identified as Lavon Carthen, 45 years of age, of the 1700 block of Derhake Road in Florissant, Missouri, 63033. St. Louis County Police Crimes Against Persons detectives are investigating a pedestrian struck at the intersection of New Halls Ferry Road and Dunn Road that resulted in the death of a male. At 8:02 p.m. on March 1, 2023, St. Louis County Police officers from the North County precinct responded to a call for service at the intersection New Halls Ferry Road and Dunn Road for a person struck. Responding officers located a male who had been struck by a motor vehicle. The male was transported to an area hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries and was later pronounced deceased. Preliminary investigation has revealed the victim who was in a wheelchair was in the roadway when he was struck by a vehicle. Please contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210 to speak with investigators

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ALTON – The Alton-Godfrey Rotary Club hosted the 37th Annual Chili Chowdown, Monday afternoon and evening at Main Street United Methodist Church in Upper Alton. Lunch was served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Anyone who didn’t make it can join for dinner tonight (March 6) from 4:30-7 p.m. It is $10 for all-you-can-eat chili, a drink, and a dessert with proceeds being fundraised for the Rotary Club. Dinners may eat in or carry out. Antione Williams, President of the Alton-Godfrey Rotary Club, said that the proceeds help fund things like scholarships such as the recurring Students of the Month campaign. “It’s a very good public attended event,” he said. Williams was appointed President of the Rotary Club back in June. Some of his goals were to finish some ongoing projects such as the soccer mini-pitch located near Alton Middle School and the brand-new pickleball courts in Glazebrook Park. Funds raised by fundraisers such as the Chili Chowdown help makes thing

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EDWARDSVILLE – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Stephen Hupp, PhD, professor in the Department of Psychology, teamed up with science communicator, Cara Santa Maria, to publish a new book called Pseudoscience in Therapy: A Skeptical Field Guide. “I was excited to collaborate with Cara Santa Maria because she’s a leader in teaching critical thinking skills to the public,” said Hupp. “She cohosts the Skeptics Guide to the Universe podcast, and the show Jeopardy even recently had a whole category based on her other podcast, Talk Nerdy ." Over the last several decades, professional organizations such as the American Psychological Association (APA) have been identifying effective treatments for major psychological diagnoses such as mood disorders and anxiety disorders. Even though great strides have been made, questionable approaches continue to infiltrate therapy. “We should be engaging in honest discussions about not only

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BETHALTO - Seasoned flight instructors with a combined 105 years of flight experience - Don Hill and John Harding - announced today they are in the process of forming a Flying Club or Aero Club at St. Louis Regional Airport in Bethalto. Hill has been a pilot for 60 years and Harding for 45 years. Hill and Harding invited all interested parties who have always wanted to fly, get back into flying, or just want to learn to fly, to attend a meeting from 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 9, 2023. The meeting will be held at the Airport Managers Building, which is just south of the St. Louis Regional Airport Control Tower and Fire Station. Hill said the Flying Club will be formed under the guidance and recommendations of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) “In general, owning an aircraft can be an expensive hobby, as are many others, however, by joining a Flying Club, those expenses can be minimized and members can still

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - On Sunday, March 5, 2023, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued charges on suspect Timothy White, 34 years of age, of the 4200 block of Obannon Road in St. Louis, Missouri 63129, and Adam Andrews, 29 years of age, of the 1300 block of White Hawk Drive in O’Fallon, Missouri 63366, for Harassment First Degree, False Impersonation of a Law Enforcement Officer, and Making False Report. Booking photos of White and Andrews are attached. White and Andrews are each being held on $50,000 cash only, no 10%, bond. A summary of the probable cause statement reads: On March 4, 2023, Defendant White and Defendant Andrews, acting together, called Victim and Andrews identified himself as a St. Louis County Police Detective named Detective Collins and provided a false badge number. As Detective Collins Defendant Andrews acting with White informed Victim that the father of her child had been murdered. As Detective Collins, Defendant Andrews acting

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GLEN CARBON - The Village of Glen Carbon has partnered with the Edwardsville Arts Center as a satellite exhibit space to display the art of local artisans in the community. At 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 14, Glen Carbon Village Hall at 151 N. Main Street will be hosting a reception to showcase the paintings of Michael Kathriner prior to its Board of Trustees Meeting at 7 p.m. The event is open to the public. Kathriner is an art teacher at Roxana High School. His artwork reflects the use of bright colors, patterns, and design elements. Many of his recent paintings have circular shapes and vibrant colors and are being displayed in the Village Hall council chambers and lobby through May of 2023. The Edwardsville Arts Center’s opening reception at Village Hall will include light snacks, refreshments, and live music from Edwardsville High School’s Tri-M Music Honor Society. The artist, Michael Kathriner, will also be at the reception to visit with guests and answer questions

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ST. LOUIS - Two Alton High School students - Rebekah Blackmon and Elizabeth Blackmon - placed in the top 10 recently in the first in-person St. Louis Area Brain Bee since the COVID-19 Pandemic. Washington University in St. Louis welcomed 54 students from the St. Louis region on Feb. 25 for the event. Participants answered questions about the nervous system, brain structure, cognitive disorders, and other topics in neuroscience. Sanjay Adireddi of Ladue Horton Watkins High School won this year’s competition and will compete in the U.S. National Brain Bee on April 21-23. He also has been awarded a summer research fellowship with Brain Bee organizer Erik Herzog, the Viktor Hamburger Distinguished Professor in Arts & Sciences. “My true passion for science was ignited in the Science Olympiad event and I wanted to continue to learn more about neuroscience,” said Adireddi, who is considering a career in neuroscience research. “Preparing for a competition-style event

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HARDIN - A Hamburg driver - 56-year-old Victor H. Verdeyen - has been charged with the following offenses after a Calhoun County Sheriff's Office traffic stop at 4:49 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, on Illinois Route 100 near Poor Farm Hollow, in Hardin. The charges are: Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Unlawful Use of Headset While Driving. Verdeyen was arrested without incident and is lodged in the Greene County Jail. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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GILLESPIE - The Highball Chapter of Ducks Unlimited is gearing up for its annual dinner auction. The banquet will be on March 11 th at the Gillespie Civic Center in Gillespie, Illinois. Numerous local businesses and individuals have donated and underwritten many auction items and prizes. Our chapter takes pride in ensuring that entire families can enjoy a night out in support of such a worthy cause. All money collected will go to the preservation of our precious wetlands, many of those projects currently being completed in this area. The Highball Chapter has volunteers, members, and donors from all over. Woodworker, Walter Hemberger from Brighton, graciously donated a Jack Daniels barrel table. Scot Storm boasts the sponsor print this year and signed prints and gear for the banquet. Victory Lane sponsored many items in support of Ducks Unlimited for silent and live auctions. Businesses from Mt. Olive, Staunton, Benld, Troy, Hamel, Prairietown, Alton, Carlinville, Litchfield, and many

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued the following statement regarding the availability of the medication abortion drug mifepristone at Walgreens stores throughout the United States. “My office has advocated historically to ensure that Walgreens and other pharmacies dispense proven-safe medications for abortions. I understand that the legal landscape around abortion is uncertain and shifting every day. In fact, some states have laws on the books, have proposed legislation or pending litigation that create challenges for expanding medication abortion access. Today I had the opportunity to speak directly with the global chief legal officer at Walgreens, as a company headquartered in Illinois, and I was assured that where Walgreens can legally and operationally dispense mifepristone, its pharmacies will continue to do so. Their commitment included the state of Illinois, where more than half of abortions are medication abortions. I encourage the other major pharmacies and

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