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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police welcomed 15 new troopers today from Cadet Class 143 at a graduation ceremony at the Illinois State Police Academy in Springfield. The new troopers will report to nine different Troops throughout the state on Sunday, August 20, 2023. Cadet Class 143 marks the 15 th cadet class graduation under Governor JB Pritzker. The total number of ISP troopers added since 2019 now stands at 483. “I couldn’t be prouder to congratulate Cadet Class 143 on their graduation from the Illinois State Police Academy today,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “We’ve added 483 ISP troopers since I first took office in 2019—and I have no doubt that this Lateral Entry Training Program class of 15 experienced women and men will continue to protect and serve with dedication and honor.” Cadet Class 143 was a Lateral Entry Training Program (LETP) class. To be eligible for LETP, applicants must be a certified police officer having

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WOOD RIVER - Following a City Council meeting on Monday, Aug. 21, Wood River’s heavily-contested cannabis dispensary will move forward. The City Council voted on an ordinance authorizing a Redevelopment Agreement with Tatich 34 Wood River LLC. This ordinance was submitted by the TIF Committee and would provide TIF Financial Assistance for Tatich 34 Wood River LLC at their property at 56 East Ferguson in Wood River. As a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district, this property would be able to use revenue from sales taxes and property taxes for development projects. The Council voted 4–1 in favor of the ordinance, with Councilman Bill Dettmers voting no. City Manager Steve Palen noted that last night’s vote was the last “roadblock” for the property owners, who can now move forward with opening the dispensary. He added that Tatich 34 Wood River LLC will have to undergo the same planning and permitting processes that all businesses complete before opening

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ROXANA - Roxana seems poised for a strong year in athletics with an enormous amount of talent going through the boys and girls ranks. The varsity football team opens its season Friday with high expectations, but over the summer, several of the boys competed on Roxana's boys basketball team under head coach Mark Briggs. Coach Briggs, who also serves as the Shells' athletic director, said his boys had a really good summer. "I saw improvements as a team throughout the summer and we developed as a team," he said, expressing excitement for the 2023-2024 season that begins after football. The Roxana boys basketball team is saluted today as Midwest Members Credit Union Athletes of the Month. "We have pretty good chemistry," Coach Briggs said. "We are senior-laden and having the summer helps give us a better feel for later in the year." Roxana played in a college showcase event at Edwardsville this summer and Coach Briggs thought the boys looked great. "Our kids truly enjoyed it," he said

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COLLINSVILLE - America's Conservative Counties TM is delighted to announce the appointment of Pamela Moody to its esteemed Executive Board. Pamela's impressive background in accounting, business administration, and community engagement, along with her commitment to conservative principles, will undoubtedly bring valuable perspectives to the organization's mission of promoting conservative values across counties nationwide. Pamela Moody, a distinguished professional with a diverse range of experiences, has joined the Executive Board of America's Conservative Counties TM . Holding a degree in Accounting and Business Administration from Duquesne University and a Master's degree in Kinesiology from SIUE, Pamela has cultivated a successful career that spans both the private and public sectors. Throughout her career, Pamela has worked in private and public accounting, excelling as a revenue accountant for Tampa Electric Company. Her skillset includes preparing tax returns for all forty-eight

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GRANITE CITY - Scott Singleton wants everyone to know that it’s never too late to change your life. Singleton is a staff sergeant with the U.S. Air Force. He joined the military in 2016 at the age of 33, not long after he started long-distance running and completed his first marathon. “A lot of discipline goes into both of them,” Singleton said. “Of course, in the military, doing what you’re told, following through to finish the mission. And running, without that discipline…you’re not going to make it to the finish line. You might, but it’s going to really hurt. You got to lace your shoes up and get out the door. You can’t make excuses. You got to push forward.” The 2001 Granite City High School (GCHS) grad recently came home for the Granite City Cross Country Alumni Challenge. He also spoke with current GCHS students about his four years on the track team, where he went to state in the 300-meter hurdles as a junior,

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GRAFTON - At the Grafton City Council meeting on August 15, 2023, Mrs. Margaret Ann Voke and Mrs. Georgia Maneke each received a Certificate of Appreciation from Mayor Mike Morrow on behalf of the City Council in gratitude for their ongoing expert cataloging of donated treasures to the Edward Amburg Historical Museum. “Georgia and Margaret Ann have done an outstanding job for the City of Grafton. Many donations are brought to the history museum for possible display and these two dedicated volunteers are inventorying and cataloging them all,” the mayor said. He was joined in the presentation by Bobbie Amburg, President of the Grafton Historical Society and a former mayor. She said, “The history museum was Ed’s idea and dream. Just before he passed, the grant was awarded, and everybody started working on it. Thank goodness for these two ladies who gave so much of their time to making that dream a reality.” Georgia is the elected archivist for the Grafton

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EDWARDSVILLE – Students who attend Liberty and Lincoln Middle Schools will have several opportunities to take part in a “Bike Bus” for their morning and afternoon school commute in the coming months. This alternative way of getting to school is being organized to demonstrate how fun and easy it can be for middle school students to travel via two wheels rather than four or more. The effort is being led by Edwardsville’s Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee, which came about as part of the City’s goal of providing safe, accessible routes and amenities for cyclists and pedestrians in Edwardsville. The Bike Bus will operate for the morning and afternoon commute on four Fridays: September 15, 22 and 29, and October 6. Routes have been created for both middle schools: Liberty, at 1 District Drive, and Lincoln, at 145 West Street. For those unfamiliar with the concept, a bike bus is a fixed route to and from school with designated "bus stops" along the way.

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EDWARDSVILLE — R.P. Lumber Co. in Edwardsville, Ill., was honored as a Beacon Award winner during the Beacon Awards banquet held Friday, August 18. The Beacon Awards are a premier national industry awards program developed by The Hardware Connection magazine and The Hardware Conference to recognize the “best of the best” independent hardware/home improvement retailers in the United States. The Beacon Awards are sponsored by Epicor Software Corp., Ettore Products Company, and Fluidmaster, with wholesaler sponsorship support from Orgill and other wholesalers. “R.P. Lumber is very worthy of its inclusion in the 2023 class of Beacon honorees,” stated Chris Jensen, editor/founder/principal of The Hardware Connection , the hardware industry’s leading digital publication. “The Plummer family has a long tradition of giving back to the communities they serve.” “We are truly honored to be the 2023 Retail Beacon nominee by Orgill,”

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GODFREY - A year and a half after he started, restaurateur Eko Adikaputra says Toko Sushi and Boba will open in September. The restaurant, located in Suite D at 5775 Godfrey Road, created a buzz when the sign was unveiled last year. Contracting delays pushed back their opening date, but the restaurant is almost ready and will bring Japanese cuisine, boba tea and rolled ice cream to Godfrey. “I get all the recipes from Japan itself. I learned from there,” Adikaputra said. “Our food is made by the order and with high quality. I’m trying to make it the best I know, in my knowledge. Quality is everything.” Adikaputra explained that issues with the contractor caused most of the delays, but they’re in the final stretch now. He plans to install the range hood himself later this week, and then the staff will clean and undergo a final inspection so they can open by mid-September. Toko Sushi and Boba will specialize in Japanese cuisine. Sushi, sashimi,

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EAU CLAIRE, Wis.- The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire awarded 42 degrees in May. A local student who graduated was Godfrey's Lauren Heinz: Education and Human Sciences, Bachelor of Science, Mathematics.

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EAST ST. LOUIS — State Senator Christopher Belt helped secure a $2.4 million grant for the Metro East Auto Task Force — a move that will prevent carjackings, vehicle theft and break-ins throughout the community. “The uptick in carjackings is a disturbing trend,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Innocent people are being targeted by this senseless crime across Illinois — and particularly in the Metro East.” With carjackings on the rise, Belt stood alongside Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias to announce a $2.4 million grant for the Metro East Auto Task Force. The group is a collaborative effort between law enforcement agencies to investigate and prevent auto thefts, carjacking and other related crimes. “It’s vital law enforcement and community organizations have the resources they need to address the increase in crime head on,” said Belt. “Funding for the Metro East Auto Task Force allows us to hone in on our effort to recover

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The Peoria-based healthcare Ministry named one of the top healthcare providers to work for by Forbes OSF HealthCare has again been recognized on the Forbes list of Best Employers by State for 2023. It’s the fifth year in a row OSF has been included in this prestigious recognition presented by Forbes and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. The 100 top companies in Illinois were ranked with OSF HealthCare coming in at 58, including ranking eighth for healthcare and social organizations. The Peoria, Illinois-based integrated health system is owned and operated by The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis. OSF employs more than 23,000 Mission Partners in 150 locations, including 15 hospitals throughout Illinois and Michigan. "We can only deliver on our Mission to serve persons with the greatest care and love if we attract and retain the best, most committed Mission Partners to meet the needs of our patients. To accomplish this,

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ALTON - A proposal spearheaded by Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau CEO Cory Jobe and Alton Alderman Ray Strebel to enhance Alton’s iconic Clark Bridge with LED lighting technology will be presented to the City Council at its regular meeting Wednesday, Aug. 23. The nearly $1 million project will create an artistic night skyline that residents and visitors will enjoy 365 days a year. The project will also enhance safety and security to the bridge by providing enhanced lighting. The project is slated to be funded from an Ameren Illinois incentive, dedicated tourism funds, city ARPA resources and through a partnership with the Alton Township. “This is truly an inspiring project for Alton. This project will bring a unique addition to our night skyline,” Mr. Jobe noted. “It will have a significant impact on the number of visitors we have as well as potentially extending length of stays and creating an economic boost to business owners, investors and to the community

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Note: This is one of a series of features about artists who will showcase their work at the Edwardsville Art Fair on Sept. 22-24. Avalon Eales of the Edwardsville Arts Center staff provided the information. Artist #1 Name: John Locus Location: Collinsville, IL Medium: Photography Artist's Statement: "I have always been a collector of cool, old things. As a photographer, I use some of the objects I have collected in my still-life images. I can't possibly collect and own all of the old buildings, cars, trucks, bridges, and barns that I love so much, so I photograph them in their best light and preserve their images for history. Too many times, as I return to a location or a particular building to photograph it in a different season or at a different time of day, I find that it is gone. It makes me sad to see an old acquaintance disappear, but I take comfort in knowing that, at the very least, I did my part in preserving the memory of its existence." Artist #2 Name:

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It’s like “Mean Girls,” but everyone is 80. So reads a 2018 Associated Press headline about a problem you may be surprised exists: bullying among older people living in assisted living facilities. Shunning people from cafeteria tables, gossip, vandalism, physical scuffles and residents checking their mail at night to avoid running into an unkind cohabitant are just some examples. While the issue may not be widespread, experts are telling the 65+ population, their loved ones and their caregivers why the problem exists and how to confront it. Causes Ari Lakritz, PsyD , is a clinical psychologist at OSF HealthCare who has taken a keen interest in mental health care for older folks. He points to a few reasons why senior home bullying might happen. One, the seniors arrive with untreated (or sometimes even unknown to their caregivers) mental health issues. Dr. Lakritz sums up the second reason: old habits are hard to break. “The same types of personality

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JERSEYVILLE - One individual has been charged with aggravated domestic battery, while three others were charged on meth-related offenses, including one charged with driving under the influence of drugs in Jersey County, according to recent court filings. Joseph L. Miller, 26, of Grafton, was charged with one count of aggravated domestic battery for an offense committed on Aug. 14. Court filings state Miller struck the victim “in the face with his hand, causing a closed fracture of her nasal bone.” Miller was charged with a Class 2 felony. His bail was set at $50,000. Nicholas J. Steis, 35, of Union, Mo., was charged with one felony count of unlawful possession of five to 15 grams of methamphetamine on Aug. 14. He was also charged with three misdemeanors, which included driving under the influence of drugs, changing lanes without a signal, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Steis was charged with one Class 2 felony for the meth possession charge. His bail

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ST. LOUIS - Believe it or not, despite the temps being about as hot as they can be around the St. Louis region, these are not going to hit historical highs. St. Louis meteorologist Matt Beitscher said some of the humidity in the region may hit historical highs, but the temps are dangerous either way, and those working outside are encouraged to show great caution. At 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Beitscher checked the weather gauge and it read in the mid-90s. He said it is going to get quite a bit hotter in the middle part of the week with highs in the upper 90s near 100 and low 100s in part of the region. The forecaster said a dangerous heat wave will continue through at least Thursday into part of Friday. "Heat index values of 105-115 degrees are expected with locally higher amounts possible," the National Weather Service said. "This prolonged heat, coupled with little relief due to warm nightly temperatures, will pose health risks to vulnerable groups and those susceptible to heat-related

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As the State’s Librarian, I strongly condemn these threats of violence and intimidation that are unfortunately becoming all too common at libraries in Illinois and across our nation. The bomb threats received by Illinois libraries during the past several days represent a troublesome and disturbing trend that has escalated from banning books, to harassing and criminalizing librarians and now to endangering the lives of innocent people. I wholeheartedly support our libraries, which are committed to serving our communities as safe, welcoming havens to learn and access ideas and especially our librarians who are dedicated public servants devoted to treating people with dignity and respect. Libraries and librarians protect our First Amendment right to free speech and our constitutional right to read. We must join together to stand up to fringe elements that resort to threats of violence and seek to destroy the fundamental freedoms that our nation was founded upon.

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ALTON - After years of being told she would never get pregnant, a local mom is still amazed by her 2-month-old triplet daughters. Alexus Loyd-Lockhart said that Ari, Armani and Alyson are healthy and each has their own personalities already. The family has enjoyed getting to know their three newest, littlest members. “It’s weird,” Loyd-Lockhart confessed. “It’s hit me, but then again, I look at them every day and I’m like, ‘Wow.’” Loyd-Lockhart and her husband Todd also have a 7-year-old and an 8-year-old. Both kids dote on their little sisters, though Loyd-Lockhart jokes that her son has his limits when the babies are crying. “They help a lot,” Loyd-Lockhart said. “Sometimes my son is like, ‘I’ll try this binky one time. If it doesn’t work, I’m going to the next room.’ But my daughter, she’s on board. She’s been a really big help.” Loyd-Lockhart never expected

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HARDIN - The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office has made arrests after a long investigation into a residential burglary. On January 21, 2023, the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office received the report of a residential burglary, which had occurred at a residence in Mozier, Calhoun County. The Calhoun County Sheriff's Office began an investigation, which resulted in the discovery that all items taken were of a personal nature, which included; hand-made quilts, wedding jewelry, and several firearms. Calhoun County Sheriff's Office Sergeant Zach Hardin conducted an extensive and thorough investigation; which included the execution of no less than twelve court-authorized search warrants for cell phone and GPS data. As a result of the investigation, the following subjects were arrested for the following offenses: Ashley L. Hendy, age 32, of Pleasant Hill, Illinois, was arrested for the following offenses: • Residential Burglary, • Conspiracy to Commit Residential Burglary,

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