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SPRINGFIELD – The tech team at Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs’ office is one of the world’s best, a recent cybersecurity competition showed. A three-person Information Technology team from the state treasurer’s office reached the semi-final round in the International Cyber League 2022 competition. The team finished 15 th out of 500 that entered. Just 200 teams escaped the qualifying round, and the Illinois treasurer contingent was the only government team to do so. The treasurer team performed better than counterparts from some Fortune 100 companies and a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. “We take cybersecurity very seriously, as the results of this competition illustrate,” Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs said. “We are very proud of our Information Technology group for its problem-solving skills and top-notch teamwork.” The treasurer’s team was led by Joe Daniels, the office’s chief information officer

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MADISON – Soup n Share, a food pantry based in Madison, estimates it distributes approximately 6,000 diapers per month as part of its "No Child Left Wet Behind" campaign to assist young mothers and families throughout Madison County. Ameren Illinois has been a corporate sponsor of the pantry for several years and presented Executive Director Sherrie Hare with a $2,000 contribution to support the organization's diaper bank. "We are so blessed to receive this contribution from Ameren Illinois. Diapers are expensive and this donation allows us to literally buy dozen of cases of diapers for our clients," Hare said. "Infants and toddlers do not have a voice when families are in need and when families do not have diapers these little ones often have to sit in wet or soiled diapers for long periods of time. Wet and soiled diapers can expose the little ones to sickness and unfortunate illnesses. "No Child Left Wet Behind" gives our area children a voice and the dry diapers they so

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HARDIN - The Calhoun County Sheriff's Office said deputies conducted a traffic stop at 11:13 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 8, on the Illinois River Road near Schleeper Lane in Brussels in Calhoun County. Subsequent to an investigation, the driver, Amanda A. Koskela, 42, of Florissant, MO., was arrested on the following charges: Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine Unlawful Possession of Hypodermic Syringes Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia Promoting Prostitution Felony Driving While Suspended Illegal Transportation of Alcohol Operating Uninsured Vehicle Improper Lane Usage Improper Lighting (Registration Light) The suspect was arrested without incident and lodged in the Jersey County Jail. The investigation is ongoing and more arrests are forthcoming. All suspect(s) are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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ALTON – COUNTRY Financial Representative V. Deanne Stegeman is pleased to support local police officers by providing a COUNTRY Financial Operation Helping Heroes donation. Stegeman presented $1,500 to Adopt A Cop BJJ at their partner gym Strategic BJJ, located at 2248 E. Broadway, on August 17 th , 2022. “There’s a troubling trend of increasing violence targeting police officers across our nation. Providing our police patrol officers with skills to protect them from physical violence is one way we can help our communities at a local level,” said Stegeman. Adopt A Cop BJJ is a nonprofit, donation-based program that allows active duty law enforcement officers around the country to train at any affiliated academy. The program also pays 100% of the officer’s membership until they reach the rank of Blue belt. Keith Steinacher of Strategic BJJ, commented, “I’ve been working with law enforcement since 2017, and I’m excited to be working with

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ALTON - Blake Schaper has been named a 2022 National Award Winner by the Classic Learning Test for their outstanding performance on the CLT10 assessment. This award recognizes Schaper for scoring in the top 1% of all CLT10 test-takers in the 2021-22 academic year. He will receive a $2,500 Scholarship should he choose to matriculate to a CLT Partner College/University. With Regional Scores in the top 5% of all CLT 10 test takers, Eliana Snyder and Jacob Schaper both received Regional Awards for the Exam. Regional Scholars landed in the top 5% of their respective region, and National Award recipients are within the top 50 high school sophomores across the United States. The CLT10 is a college preparatory exam and PSAT® alternative designed for 9th and 10th graders and offered by the Classic Learning Test. Evaluating English, math, and critical reasoning skills, it provides a comprehensive measure of achievement and aptitude and engages students with classic texts from the most

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RIVERBEND AREA - Each September, since 1989, SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) has sponsored Recovery Month to promote and support new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, the nation’s strong and proud recovery community, and the dedication of service providers and communities who make recovery in all its forms possible. The goal throughout September is to come together, celebrate individuals in recovery, and offer hope to those who are struggling. National Recovery Month reinforces the positive message that behavioral health is essential to overall health, prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can and do recover. Also, please note that National Recovery Day of Prayer is September 25. The 2022 National Recovery Month theme, “Recovery is for Everyone: Every Person, Every Family, Every Community”, reminds people in recovery and those who support them that no one is alone in the journey through recovery. Everyone's

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GODFREY – The Lewis and Clark Community College Veterans Club will host an American Red Cross Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday, September 14, at The Old Bakery Beer Company, 400 Landmarks Boulevard, in Alton. “We are proud to be joining forces once again with the American Red Cross and The Old Bakery Beer Company on this community blood drive during this stressful time,” said L&C Director of Career and Veteran Services Terry Lane. “By taking part in this opportunity to help others, you just might save a life. Please make an effort to attend, and please share this information with your family and friends.” To schedule an appointment, go to www.redcrossblood.org and enter Sponsor Code: LewisClark1 or call 800-RED CROSS. Walk-ins are always welcome, but scheduling an appointment online helps the Red Cross ensure they have the right number of people and supplies on hand for the drive. Those who wish to donate can streamline their donation

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HARDIN - The Calhoun County Sheriff's Office deputies conducted a traffic stop at 11:13 p.m. on Thursday, September 8, near Schleeper Lane in Brussels. During the traffic stop, a passenger in the vehicle - Melinda D. Powers (Couch), 31, of Florissant, MO. - was arrested for the following offenses: Felony No Bond Parole Warrant - MO. Dept. Of Corrections Unlawful Possession With Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine Unlawful Possession With Intent to Deliver Controlled Substance (Fentanyl) Obstructing Identification (Two Counts) Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia Prostitution (Two Counts) Seatbelt violation The suspect was arrested without incident and lodged in the Jersey County Jail. The investigation is ongoing and more arrests are forthcoming. All suspect(s) are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum recently finished a major oral history project about the Covid pandemic called “Tumultuous 2020.” The team conducted some 80 interviews with people around the state to record their memories of this traumatic time. These are the observations of the project’s manager. Observations from an oral historian for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum By Amanda Riggenbach When COVID-19 turned life upside down in 2020, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum set out to capture memories of the pandemic through an oral history project called “Tumultuous 2020.” As head of the project, I spent the last year talking to Illinoisans about their myriad experiences as they weathered one of the most difficult years in recent history. It was an honor to speak to them directly or listen to their interviews with my colleagues. The stories we collected highlight the strength within people to continu

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CHICAGO - Income and property tax rebates will begin being sent to an estimated six million qualified taxpayers beginning today, September 12. The rebates are the result of Gov. Pritzker’s Illinois Family Relief Plan , which also provided grocery, gas, and school supply tax savings in addition to the direct payments. The rebate payments, which will take at least eight weeks to be issued in total, will be sent automatically to Illinois residents who filed 2021 state income taxes and claimed a property tax credit. Those who have not filed can still access the rebates after completing additional filing. “This $1.8 billion in tax relief is possible because Democrats balanced the budget, eliminated the bill backlog, funded schools, fixed roads – and through responsible financial decision-making – still found ourselves with a one-time surplus,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “There are those who might have sent those funds straight back into the pockets of

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ALTON - The Alton Community Service League held its kick-off meeting of the year on Monday, September 12th. Recognized at the meeting as volunteer of the month was Bernie Wickenhauser who volunteered 32 hours at Alton Memorial Hospital, and 3 hours at Asbury Library. Gail Drillinger, a member of Vintage Voices, presented the program portraying Alice Georgia. Alice was a resident of the Alton Woman’s Home located in Alton. The Alton Women’s Home Association is still in existence and has been for 125 years. ACSL provides guides for the Vintage Voices Walking Tour which will be held on Oct. 1, at 12:00 PM, and Sunday, Oct. 2 at 2:30 PM at the Alton National Cemetery at 600 Pearl St., Alton, Il. Plans for the ACSL year include a kick-off raffle of a Horn of Plenty donated by Jeffrey’s Flowers by Design. Tickets, sold by any ACSL member, are $5 each or 3 for $10. Pictured with the Horn of Plenty donated by Jeffrey’s Flowers by Design, is Barbara Panfile and ACSL

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ALTON – Students from Lewis and Clark Community College’s YouthBuild AmeriCorps program volunteered for the Alton Citywide Litter Cleanup, coordinated by Alton Main Street and Pride, Inc. In the front row, from left to right are Isaiah Slater, Kyan O’Bannon, Kaden Conreux, Keyshawn Stapleton and Jaiden London. In the back row are Adult Education Pathway Advocate Kavon Lacey, Zion Haynes, Jacob Phipps, Dakota Hennemann, Jada Johnson, Carmela Singer and Seth Taylor. To learn more about YouthBuild Americorps or other programs offered at Lewis and Clark Community College’s Scott Bibb Center, contact Sabrina Davis at (618) 468-4150 or sdavis@lc.edu , or visit www.lc.edu/youthbuild .

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ALTON - At 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 12, 2022, the Alton Police Department received 911 reports of gunshots fired and a male gunshot wound victim at the intersection of Ridge Street and Quincy Street in Alton. Alton Police officers immediately responded and located a 27-year-old male who had been injured by gunfire. He was taken to a local hospital by the Alton Fire Department and then transferred to a St. Louis area hospital for further treatment. The Alton Police said preliminary information suggests that this is not a random act of violence. The investigation is ongoing at this time. The investigation is being conducted by the Alton Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division. Any further pertinent information will be released when available. Anyone with information is asked to call 618-463-3505, extension 634.

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COTTAGE HILLS – Court is now in session at Kutter Park. Wood River Township held a ribbon cutting on Saturday in honor of its new “Court of Heroes.” The pickleball courts are named in honor of two individuals who gave the ultimate sacrifice – Firefighter Capt. Jake Ringering and Pontoon Beach Police Officer Tyler Timmons. “Both of these young men died in the line of duty and grew up in Wood River Township,” Township Supervisor Mike Babcock said. Ringering, 37, died in a house fire on March 5, 2019. He grew up in East Alton where he served as a firefighter before going to Godfrey. Timmons, 36, died on Oct. 26, 2021, after being shot as he approached a suspect in a stolen vehicle in Pontoon Beach. Timmons joined the Pontoon Beach Police Department in 2020 after previously serving in Roxana, Worden, and Hartford. Both men are graduates of East Alton Wood River High School. Their widows, Allison Ringering and Linsey Timmons, along with the families

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WOOD RIVER - Senior cheerleader Taylor Harding has been involved in 14 years of training in tumbling that transferred into her role as a cheerleader. She is in her fourth year as an Oiler cheerleader and says what she enjoys the most is "bringing the school spirit to the games and competing with my cheerleading team in the winter." Taylor thanked her mom and dad for always pushing her to be her best and that they helped get her the training she needed to improve in her sport. "My 14 years of training in tumbling have helped me a lot with the accomplishments I have made as a cheerleader," she said. "Being put in a competitive sport at such a young age really helped me with taking criticism well to be able to improve myself." Outside of cheer, Taylor said she likes to make art and jewelry and sell her work at local farmers' markets. She added that being involved in sports throughout high school has allowed her to become more of a leader in all aspects of her life. "After high school,

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Letter to the Editor: I have taught in Wood River-Hartford School District #15 for 35 years with the majority of my time spent at Lewis and Clark Junior High. Kris Tharp was one of my students during my early teaching career. I remember Kris as a very good student who had the ability to motivate others. He always was willing to help and knew that hard work and cooperation were the keys to success. Even then, Kris understood the importance of doing whatever was necessary to make any situation better. Kris has continued helping others throughout his stellar career in law enforcement, whether it be at the local level in the Madison County Sheriff’s Office or as a Deputy Commander in the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis. He has protected lives and property and had a positive impact on many citizens. Kris has dedicated his life to serving his community and ensuring the safety of all individuals. Kris understands the importance of a quality education and realizes that all students

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EDWARDSVILLE - Marquette Catholic senior striker Myles Paniagua scored the only goal in brilliant fashion off a flick-on header in the Explorers' 2-1 loss at Edwardsville Saturday mid-day at Tiger Stadium. For Paniagua, it was his 12th goal of the season, among the leaders in the St. Louis area, and he's scored in every match thus far as the Explorers went to 5-2-0 on the season going into a home match Sept. 12 against Granite City at Gordon Moore Park. After the Edwardsville match, Paniagua felt the Explorers played well against a very good Tigers team. Paniagua is a Tucker's Automotive Repair & Tire Male Athlete of the Month for the Explorers. "Edwardsville's a tough team," Paniagua said. "We knew we had to come out here and work hard, keep their midfield in check. I mean, they're pretty good in midfield, pretty good on the lines. Up and down the field, they're just a good team. We were there, we were there the whole game, but put away a couple of those chances, we're right there."

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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville High School football quarterback Jake Curry had another big game for the Tigers on Sept. 2, going 11-for-14 passing for 153 yards and a touchdown, and also ran for 96 yards and the key touchdown as Edwardsville defeated Highland 31-28 in the home opener at Tiger Stadium. In Saturday's 56-0 win over Soldan on the road, he continued to play a pivotal role in directing the Tigers' offense. Curry is an iCAN Clinic Male Athlete of the Month for the Tigers. Curry felt very happy after the Highland game, but also knows that his team can do much better also. "I feel pretty good," Curry said in his postgame interview, "but I feel like we could also do a lot better than what we've done the past two games. I feel like we've came out slow in the first half and then, we kick it in in the second half and I feel like that's now how we should play, We should play hard all four quarters." Although the Tigers did indeed get off to a slow start, all cylinders kicked in

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ALTON - The Riverbend East Rotary Club Foundation board members present a $2,700 check to William BeDell arc school principal Jessica Walton (3rd from right). The donation represents the proceeds from the club-sponsored Color Run in June and will be used to upgrade the school's sensory room. Board members pictured are Mark Speciale, Lindsey Herron, Robin Karpan, Mark Vaughn and Brad Pulaski.

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ALTON - Congratulations to Jody Crowe (center) of Alton Pain Management, who is Alton Memorial Hospital’s September Employee of the Month. Jody received the honor on Sept. 12 from Pain Management manager Sue Walker and AMH President Dave Braasch. The nomination said that “Jody consistently exemplifies BJC values. She consistently works in the best interests of our team and ultimately our patients. Jody is a fantastic nurse, respected for her clinical knowledge and pleasant disposition. She is also working on her BSN from McKendree University, with her graduation scheduled for May 2023.”

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