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ALTON - Kindergarten Enrollment is gearing up for Alton School District later this spring from April 17-20. Families and students will be able to enroll, meet the teachers, tour their school, get a photo taken with Redbird, and go on a bus ride from Illinois Central. Rene Hart, director of curriculum, said she looks forward to meeting the students and parents every year at the event, which is “always well-attended.” “We’re just really, really excited to welcome this new class and looking forward to some really great events at the school. It’s always a well-attended event and it’s just nice to meet the incoming families and the kiddos,” Hart said. This event is for all incoming kindergarteners, including students currently enrolled in Early Childhood and Head Start. Hart said students will take a Pre-K assessment while parents complete the enrollment process, and both can participate in other activities at the event. “That way, familie

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CARLINVILLE - The Blackburn College Choir will present its final performance of the season, a spring choir concert, on Sunday, April 16, at 2:00 pm in Bothwell Auditorium. The April 16 concert is free and open to the public. The concert will serve as a preview before the choir travels to New York City for the opportunity to sing at Carnegie Hall - a dream for many vocalists. The Spring Concert will feature selections from Robert Ray's Gospel Mass and several additional songs with a New York theme, which they will perform at the world-famous venue with the New England Symphonic Ensemble under the direction of Maria Ellis at the end of June. “I'm very excited to go to New York,” said Andy Morris, a senior Music major from West Frankfort, IL. “I've grown so much since entering the Blackburn music program and I'm glad I've gotten such a wonderful opportunity." The unforgettable education and performance experience will feature students that are a part of the College’s

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GRANITE CITY - Granite City High School senior twins Adrian and Lillian Bloomquist celebrated their 18 th birthday by signing with Evangel Women’s Soccer on Wednesday at GCHS. For their accomplishment, Adrian and Lillian are Stillwater Senior Living Athletes of the Month for Granite City. Evangel University is a private Christian university in Springfield, Mo. The Bloomquist twins and the Warriors' soccer team are off to a 4-0 start this season, a team that is senior-heavy. They are two of 11 total seniors on the team that is expecting big things. The Bloomquist twins both play key roles on this season's team. Lillian already has an assist this year while Adrian awaits to get on the scoresheet. At Evangel, they will be reunited with former teammate Anna Krueger, a 2021 GCHS graduate.

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DECATUR — Governor JB Pritzker joined state and local leaders along with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) today to announce a nearly $200 million investment in 22 projects that will improve the movement of freight throughout the state, creating jobs and economic opportunity while enhancing safety and local quality of life. Administered by IDOT using federal funds, the Illinois Competitive Freight Program is designed to implement the goals of the Illinois State Freight Plan . Successful proposals were ranked based on the plan’s goals: increasing safety, improving reliability, and boosting intermodal connections and commerce at the local level. “For the last four years, we’ve invested billions of dollars in communities across Illinois to restore and renew all modes of transportation throughout our state: roads, bridges, airports, and transit, as well as pedestrian and bike routes. And today, I’m proud to announce yet another leap forward

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ST. LOUIS - Today, rock n roll legends KISS announced the addition of four new dates on their final tour, THE END OF THE ROAD TOUR. Produced by Live Nation, these final runs of shows will kick off this October and now include stops in Detroit, Nashville, St. Louis and Ft. Worth before wrapping up with a massive show in the city where it all began for KISS. New York City has been a part of the band’s ethos and storyline for more than four decades, so they felt it fitting to culminate an iconic Rock & Roll Hall of Fame-worthy career on stage at New York’s famed MADISON SQUARE GARDEN. Tickets will be available starting Monday, April 3, with a KISS Army presale at 10 a.m. local time. Additional presales will be available throughout the week before the general on-sale starting on Friday, April 7 at 10 a.m. local time at livenation.com . 2023 NORTH AMERICA TOUR ITINERARY ** go to KISSOnline.com to see the full tour itinerary of shows Date City Venue October 20

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with leaders from Ameren Corporation, a utility company that services more than two million customers in Illinois. During their meeting, Durbin heard about Ameren’s plans to build out clean energy infrastructure, including a $10.2 million community solar project and learning center in East St. Louis, Illinois. “Illinoisans rely on Ameren’s services to keep the lights on,” said Durbin. “It’s heartening to hear of new, innovative ways that Ameren is seeking to provide service to Illinoisans while turning toward sources of renewable energy like solar projects to ensure that our local grid systems are reliable.”

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL) reintroduced legislation today that would provide U.S. Department of Transportation funding on a competitive basis for the construction of new parking spaces for large commercial trucks. Bost was joined in introducing the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Action by U.S. Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN) and U.S. Sens. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY). “I grew up in a family trucking business,” said Bost. “I understand how difficult, and oftentimes dangerous, it can be when America’s truckers are forced to push that extra mile in search of a safe place to park. By expanding access to parking options for truckers, we are making our roads safer for all commuters and ensuring that goods and supplies are shipped to market in the most efficient way possible. This is a matter of public safety; and I’m committed to do all I can to drive this legislation over the finish line.” "The lack of safe an

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CHESTERFIELD, Mo. - The Staenberg Group , a full-spectrum real estate and development firm, is announcing The Hub , a state-of-the-art event space, will open in early summer 2023. The Hub will become the heartbeat of The District , a dynamic entertainment district located in Chesterfield at 17057 North Outer 40 Road. This park-like outdoor space will include a large LED screen, cutting-edge sound system, and a stage for performances that measures 70 ft across and 21 ft deep. The viewing area with a capacity for 400 people and the elevated stage will exist alongside local sit-down restaurants with patios and a brewery, social hall, beer garden, and pavilion. 4 Hands Brewing Company, with its partner Hi-Pointe, is one of these restaurants. “The Hub is going to be the heartbeat of The District and where the experience begins,” says The Staenberg Group President Michael Staenberg. “It will be the place to be for everyone in the St. Louis community to feel welcome

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GRANITE CITY - Juniors Luke Stepanek and Hailee Wyatt of Granite City High School were selected as Granite City Rotary Club Students of the Month for March. Students were nominated by teachers, and were chosen on the basis of academics, as well as scholastic, extracurricular and civic honors and awards, and organization membership and leadership. Each honoree will receive a framed certificate and a gift card, and will be recognized at the Granite City Rotary Club Meeting on May 16, 2023. LUKE STEPANEK Three-year varsity Warrior Hockey Club member ... Two-year varsity boys golf and boys volleyball letterwinner ... Three-year Honor Roll and Secondary Honors ... Member of Saturday Scholars and Student Council ... Volunteer for Student Council Thanksgiving and Christmas Basket delivery and Freshman Orientation ... Warrior Hockey Club Sportsmanship Award ... Warrior Hockey Club Alternate Captain ... Son of Paul and Sarah Stepanek. HAILEE WYATT Three-year member of girls basketball

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WOOD RIVER - The ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) workshop was hosted by LivingWorks in collaboration with Compass Health, Missouri Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and Osage County Anti-Drug Community Action Team. The two-day workshop featured lectures, audiovisuals, discussions, and simulations. The workshop had the objective to provide individuals with skills on how to prevent suicide by recognizing signs, providing a skilled intervention, and developing a safety plan to keep someone safe. Three staff from Riverbend Family Ministries' (RFM) SOAR program were in attendance - Program Coordinators, Nathaniel Carlson and Marissa Green, and Program Director, Kenlea Herndon. The SOAR program staff work directly with at-risk adolescence in a group setting discussing sensitive topics around mental health. Staff were sent to this workshop with the intent for them to become more equip to have conversations regarding suicide and to respond appropriately

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, sent letters to publishers of several of the most popular online games—that have reported extremist content issues—requesting information regarding their actions to identify and remove content that broadcasts or promotes terrorism, violent extremism, or hate crimes, as well as any efforts they have made to address the use of their platforms by those who perpetrate such acts or who seek to recruit or radicalize like-minded individuals. Last May, after a gunman killed ten and injured three at a Tops Friendly Markets in Buffalo, New York, Durbin sent letters to the two social media platforms, Twitch and Discord, that the gunman used to plan and then livestream his premediated attack. Through that work and subsequent reports issued by social media watchdogs, it has become clear that extremists and other malicious actors are using features of online video games, and no

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Dear Residents of the Roxana School District, I hope this letter finds you well. As you may know, Bob Coles is running for the Roxana School Board, and I am writing to share with you why he is a great candidate for the job. Bob Coles is a dedicated member of our community and understands the complexities of being responsible to our homeowners, school budgets, and supporting the staff and students. He knows the importance of ensuring our staff has the ability and resources to perform their job to the best of their ability. His commitment to our community extends to his support for our students during and after graduation. Bob has been a member of our community for over 25 years, now serving as the Chief of Police and working to ensure the safety of our families and students. He has also been actively involved in school programs and has counseled students through a mentoring program at the high school, always putting the well-being of our students and families first. Bob's experience

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TROY, MO. - Authorities have cracked a Missouri cold case that dates back to 1984 after human remains were found. DNA testing and analysis by both Southeast Missouri State University students and a private laboratory have identified the remains discovered 38 years ago as Jack Langeneckert of Florissant, MO. Authorities said remains were found in a pump house on Highway F farm in June 1984. He was reported missing in 1982. His car was discovered at a St. Louis airport a week after he disappeared and the remains were never identified. Investigators said the person identified had been dead for six months at the time his remains were first discovered in 1984. Langeneckert was a real estate agent at the time he disappeared from the public. Anyone with any information, in this case, is asked to contact the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office at (636) 528-8546.

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JERSEYVILLE - St. Francis/Holy Ghost sixth-graders were “all hands on deck” as they recently raced their cardboard boats in a regatta at the JCH Wellness Center. Students raced across the pool in cardboard boats they designed and built based on their recent lessons on buoyancy and Newton’s Laws of Motion. The boats can be made only from cardboard and duct tape but can be any design or dimension. Crew members of one cardboard boat, Allison Militello and Sophie Winters, shared their experience: “We started off with not much experience with cardboard. Our design was good, but the cardboard didn’t agree, so we had to rebuild three times and get some help from our classmates, but we worked together, learned, and didn’t give up.” This project forms part of a larger student effort to learn about local recycling. Students obtained their cardboard in a fun and educational field trip to the cardboard processing center in Jerseyville, operated by the

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March 29 will mark the one year anniversary of the first shipment of an ambulance from the United States full of medical supplies being shipped to Ukraine. This effort, which was conceived and led by an OSF HealthCare executive, has resulted in 28 ambulances and 1 fire engine being delivered to Ukraine during the past 12 months. All vehicles are filled with supplies and ready to go into service upon arrival into Ukraine. Most of the vehicles donated are serving on the front lines as Ukraine defends itself against Russian forces. To mark this milestone, U.S. Ambulances for Ukraine will accept its 5th donated fire engine at its warehouse in Schiller Park, Illinois on Wednesday March 29. The fire engine, from Muscatine, Iowa, will join four additional fire engines and 10 ambulances that will be included in the group’s 8th shipment to Ukraine which will leave in mid-April. This will bring the total of donated ambulances to 38 and the total number of donated fire engines t

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OSF HealthCare has been recognized by Fortune as one of America's Most Innovative Companies for 2023. It is the only healthcare system headquartered in Illinois to earn the distinction. The 300 U.S. companies with the highest score were awarded by Fortune as America’s Most Innovative Companies 2023. OSF was rated at 194 in product rank, which helped it place 254 overall. Fortune and Statista, the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider, selected the inaugural group of America’s Most Innovative Companies 2023 based on product innovation, process innovation and innovation culture, which includes the introduction of a corporate culture that promotes creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. The evaluations were based on a compilation of online surveys and input from experts in various fields, from recruiters to management consultants and patent attorneys. "It's incredibly humbling and exciting at the same time. I think a lot of health care systems are

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EDWARDSVILLE - Simon McClaine, a star hurdler for the Alton High boys track team, is off to a great start in the new outdoor season, winning both the 110-meter and 300-meter hurdles races in helping the Redbirds finish a solid fourth in the Southwest Illinois Relays, the season's first big outdoor meet, Tuesday afternoon at the Winston Brown Track and Field Complex in Edwardsville. McClaine won the 110 meters at 15.91 seconds, then took first in the 300 meters at 41.73 seconds, a strong start to the outdoor season after enjoying a successful indoor season. He was also a part of the 4x400 meter relay team that came in third at 3:38.91, climaxing a good opening day. In an interview conducted before the 4x400 meter relay, McClaine expressed his feelings about his day. "I'm feeling pretty good so far," McClaine said. "I've won both of my open events and I'm about to hit the (4x400) in a second." McClaine had a successful 2022 campaign and for his senior year, he's hoping to do the same

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EDWARDSVILLE - At Garwood’s Heating & Cooling in Edwardsville, quality customer service has been a family tradition for the business, which has been serving the Edwardsville/Glen Carbon area for over 40 years between two generations of the Garwood family - and possibly a third generation someday. “It’s a small family business that my father and mother started in the early ‘80s, and things have been going very well,” Service Manager Shane Garwood said, adding that he’s been with the business since 1993. Shane said they mainly specialize in residential service and retrofit replacement, as well as some minor commercial work. He added it’s been “quite an honor” for the company to be in business for the last four decades. “We’ve been so fortunate and blessed in this community,” he said. “We’ve grown with it and the business opportunities that it’s presented for us have been phenomenal.”

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EDWARDSVILLE - Prairie Farms Dairy announced today the promotion of Chris Hackman as its Chief Operating Officer. Hackman currently serves as Senior Vice President of Operations, and on April 1, he will succeed Gary Aggus, who has served as COO since 2006. In February, Aggus announced that he would step down from the position. “I am grateful for Gary’s dedicated service as Chief Operating Officer and wish him the very best as he transitions into the next phase of his career. At the same time, I am thrilled to have Chris assume this critical leadership role and look forward to our work together for many more years,” said Matt McClelland, Prairie Farms’ Chief Executive Officer/Executive Vice President. “Chris’ extensive knowledge, experience, and dedication to “Do Right” for our farmer-owners, associates, and customers makes him the ideal person for the COO position.” “When I began my career with Prairie Farms 16 years ago,

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ALTON - The wait for a new Starbucks in Alton is almost over. The first walls were positioned in place Tuesday at the new Starbucks location at 1725 Homer Adams Parkway in Alton. The new coffee house will be located where the old Shop 'n Save gas station once occupied that space. The walls appear pre-assembled, so the process should go quickly and soon there will be a new Starbucks on Homer Adams Parkway. The new location was approved about a year ago by the city, but there was site work required because it once was a gas station.

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