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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville’s Alicia Diaz is following a family line with her major in the prestigious University of Arizona College of Engineering. Alicia finished on the Dean’s List for the Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 semesters. Her father, Jon, is a retired engineer. Roberto Diaz, her grandfather, and Octavio Diaz, her great-grandfather, were also engineers. Roberto and Octavio were both from Chile and moved to the United States in 1955. Alicia is the daughter of Sue and Jon Diaz of Edwardsville. She just recently completed her freshman year at the University of Arizona. Alicia is home for the summer and is also an active motorcyclist. This summer she is involved at SIUE as an instructor for motorcycles. Sue Diaz said her husband received his degree from Washington State University. Sue said she believes Alicia and the other students from Edwardsville School District 7 receive a strong education. "Alicia was prepared for college because of her high school education,”

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Five years ago this week, my Republican colleagues and I were on a baseball field in Virginia practicing for the Congressional Baseball Game for Charity when a deranged, left-wing gunman opened fire at us. I was at the batter’s box when he began shooting. He was screaming “health care” at us while he was firing his rifle. He was trying to kill us because he disagreed with us politically. At the time, President Trump and Republicans were working to repeal and replace Obamacare and fix our broken health care system. By the grace of God, the only life that was lost that day was that of the shooter. There were two Capitol Police officers with us at the baseball field that day - Crystal Griner and David Bailey. They ran towards gunfire and shot back so my colleagues and I could run away from gunfire. I will never forget the thoughts that raced through my mind as we took cover to avoid the gunfire. I thought about my wife, my daughter and twin boys, my

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PESOTUM – Illinois State Police (ISP) K9 Odin will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from the non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Odin’s vest is sponsored by Don and Misty Fike of Galesburg, IL. and will be embroidered with the sentiment “Born to Love-Trained to Serve-Loyal Always.” Delivery is expected within eight to ten weeks. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S.-made, custom-fitted, and National Institute of Justice (NIJ) certified. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided more than 4,682 vests to K9s in all 50 states at a value of $6.9 million, made possible by both private and corporate donations. The

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BELLEVILLE - SIHF Healthcare and the St. Clair County Health Department are partnering to provide free HIV testing in observance of National HIV Testing Day. Testing will be available from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday, June 27, at Walgreens, located at 5890 North Belt West, Belleville, Illinois. This year’s testing is part of the Greater Than AIDS and Walgreens National HIV Community Partnership. “We provide HIV/AIDS services, including testing, provider referrals, counseling, and any additional services that a patient may qualify for,” said Larry Mayhew, Ryan White Program Manager at SIHF Healthcare. “The June 27 testing day is just another way for us to reach out to help people know their HIV status and to get healthcare and other assistance if they are positive.” To learn more about HIV services or to get more information on rapid HIV testing, call SIHF Healthcare’s Community Programs department at 618-482-7175.

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ALTON - Centerstone, a national leader in behavioral health care, will host a free Savvy Caregiver training to be held on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. – noon from August 3-31 at Centerstone, 2615 Edwards Street, Alton. The training will share valuable information and tools for people caring for individuals 60 years old or older, including those experiencing dementia or memory loss. The Savvy Caregiver provides instruction in caregiver self-care, decision making, and navigating family issues that may come up while being a caregiver. The training also addresses the need to keep the care receiver involved in daily tasks and activities to keep them active and content throughout the day. “Savvy Caregiver affords many the opportunity to hear from other caregivers and know that they are not alone in this journey of caregiving,” said Laura Kunz, Centerstone Senior Services Clinician. The training was created using a curriculum developed by the University of Minnesota and is

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JERSEYVILLE - The Jersey County Arts Council is encouraging Jersey County residents to support the upcoming Jersey County fair by producing art to be entered for judging at Exhibitors Hall. Sherry Droste, vice president of the Arts Council, said, “The fair’s Exhibitors Hall celebrates artwork in every form, from growing flowers and fruits and vegetables to textile art to paintings and photography to antiques. It’s so much fun to wander through the building and see the level of creativity and talent.” Over the next two weeks, the council will offer classes during which participants can create artwork to be entered for judging at the fair. The council will explain the process for entering and will provide the entry form. Here’s this week’s lineup of classes: Thursday, June 23, 6 -8 p.m. - Matisse self-portrait collage. Darla Cavins will lead the class, which is open to all ages and will be held in the basement of the First Presbyterian Church i

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CHICAGO – The Illinois State Police (ISP) is warning the public not to engage in aggressive driving behaviors as the number of reported road rage incidents resulting in expressway shootings is increasing. Motorists are not only at risk of being involved in a traffic crash due to road rage but there is now the danger of being involved in an expressway shooting. “Over the past year, we’ve seen an increase in reported road rage incidents escalating into violence,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “As we head into summer, high temperatures can lead to hot tempers and people losing their cool, even the dangerous or deadly use of firearms. Getting ahead or getting even with another drive is not worth the risk of a deadly crash or violence. Keep calm and stay alive.” From January through mid-June, approximately 35% of expressway shootings ISP responded to in the Chicago area were classified as road rage incidents, according to self-admissions fro

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ROXANA - Firefighters responded quickly to a fire in the 300 block of Rohm Place in Roxana around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, then extinguished the fire and pulled a dog to safety. Roxana Fire Chief Daryl Trask said he appreciated the quick response of all concerned. “The fire appeared to start in the back porch area,” he said. “With our mutual aid of Wood River and South Roxana, we were all there in a couple of minutes. We had a great response.” There was no one home at the time of the fire, but firefighters pulled out a dog in its crate and the dog was not injured. Ameren Illinois shut the power down because the meter was close to where the fire occurred, Chief Trask said. The chief added that the inside of the home appears to have minimal damage. He thanked the other fire departments for their constant assistance and said the mutual aid agreements are "priceless" to each community.

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ALTON - Mike Clark, the owner of Rise and Shine Repair Shoes in St. Louis, makes an every-other-week Monday visit to Cafe 111 in Alton. In many ways, his visits are a reminder of days of yesteryear when shoe shine specialists were plentiful. Every other Monday, Mike offers his services just outside Cafe 111. He works from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and will be available at Cafe 111 on Monday, June 27, then back on alternate weeks. Cafe 111 is located at 111 E. 4th Street in Alton. Mike said he has been shining shoes for 47 years and that he still loves what he does for a living, the conversations he has with people, and the relationships he has developed over the years. “I love what I do and meeting all the different types of people I get to meet,” he added. The shoe shine specialist has worked all over the St. Louis area from conventions to events throughout the region. Jason Harrison is co-owner of Cafe 111 in Alton with his wife, Kayla. He said Mike provides a shoe-shine

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Letter To The Editor: Please accept this letter on behalf of my good friend and colleague, Major Jeff Connor, a candidate for sheriff of Madison County, Illinois. I have personally known and worked with Jeff for over twenty years, having first met him working as a detective on the Greater St. Louis Major Case Squad. I know of no one better qualified to hold this position. During his career, Jeff has distinguished himself as an outstanding law enforcement officer, a highly respected detective, and one of the St. Louis region’s top law enforcement leaders. Since 1986, Jeff has proudly served at every level and rank in the Granite City Police Department – from patrol officer, detective, supervisor, and executive/deputy chief of police. In 2014, because of his reputation and abilities, Jeff was selected by Sheriff John Lakin to serve as the chief deputy sheriff of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, where he presently oversees law enforcement operations for the

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - On Monday, June 20, 2022, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued warrants on suspect Zina Neal, 40 years of age, of the 2400 block of Stoney End Court in St. Louis, Missouri 63031, for Murder Second Degree and Armed Criminal Action. Neal is being held on $150,000 cash only, no 10% bond. Please note, charges are merely an accusation and Defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law. The probable cause statement reads: On or about June 20, 2022, Defendant shot Delawrence Foggy with a firearm causing his death. The deceased has been identified as Delawrence Foggy Jr., 34 years of age, of the 2400 block of Stoney End Court in St. Louis, Missouri 63031. Detectives from the St. Louis County Police Department’s Bureau of Crimes Against Persons are leading the investigation.

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COLLINSVILLE – As director of services at the Collinsville Food Pantry, Angel O’Malley-Lipham has spent years helping to care for those who need a helping hand. Now she needs some help herself, and the community is stepping up with a benefit concert at the historic Miner’s Theatre. The concert is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday, July 9 at the theatre, located at 204 W. Main St. in Collinsville, and features three local acoustic acts: Strange Buffalo, 10-String Dream, and Dale Papp. The event is sponsored by Old Herald Brewery & Distillery. The event also will include a 50-50 and a raffle for a Blackstone grill donated by Collinsville BBQ Supply. Craft beverages from Old Herald will be available for purchase, along with soft drinks. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Advance tickets are available now through the Miner’s Theatre Facebook page. O’Malley-Lipham was diagnosed in spring of 2021 with stage four esophageal cancer that had sprea

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JERSEYVILLE – The Illinois Department of Transportation announces the closure of IL 109 between Dow Road and Bethel Lane beginning on Monday, June 27, 2022, weather permitting. This will be a complete closure of the road, therefore, no traffic will be able to get through the closure area. This closure is needed to construct a new box culvert and it should be completed in approximately two weeks. The signed detour for this closure is as follows: Southbound IL 109 NB to W. County Rd in Jerseyville W. County Rd EB to US 67 US 67 SB to Godfrey Rd in Godfrey Godfrey Rd SB to IL 3 NB in Godfrey Northbound IL 109 SB to IL 3 IL 3 SB to Godfrey Rd in Godfrey Godfrey Rd NB to US 67 US 67 NB to Jerseyville W. County Rd WB to IL 109 SB At the completion of this closure, no other full road closures are planned. However, there will be intermittent day-time single-lane closures needed for 1-2 months to complete the resurfacing of IL 109. More information will be forthcoming to identify

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ALTON — The Alton Youth Symphony presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to retiring board member Dick Propes during a luncheon at Santino’s in Alton. Dick served on the board of directors for over forty years and will be greatly missed. Alton Youth Symphony was started in 1969, by Larry Crabbs and Ken Conrady, music educators in the Alton school district, who had a vision for a full symphonic orchestra open to all qualified area students in grades 5-8 with participation free of charge to students. After 53 years, AYS is still touching young lives, benefiting up to 100 student musicians each year. Today it is based at Lewis and Clark Community College, and through the generous support from individuals and businesses in the area, and corporate grantors such as Boeing Employees Community Fund. Alton Youth Symphony is the only youth orchestra in the region that does not charge a membership fee for students and offers scholarships for private lessons and music camps to deserving

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EAST ALTON – The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC sm ) is currently in its second year of a treefrog research project taking place in southern Illinois’ bald cypress swamps. Currently, bird-voiced treefrogs are listed as threatened in Illinois and the habitat they rely on, bottomland forest swamps, are rapidly declining and listed as wetlands of international importance. The goal of this project is to provide a more accurate assessment of population, abundance, growth and survival of bird-voiced treefrogs in southern Illinois. “Overall, this species is very understudied, with a majority of the research taking place in the 1990s,” said Jessica Mohlman, assistant scientist and research coordinator. “The previous studies also focused on only observational findings including diet and mating. We are now tracking individuals and gathering additional information including weight and length to better understand the species and it

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GODFREY – If having a wide variety of interests is an indicator of a well-rounded student, then Lewis and Clark Community College’s most recent student trustee certainly fits the definition. Civic Memorial graduate Joel Barker, the son of Jill Barker, of Bethalto, and Brian Barker, of Hillsboro, will represent the students to the Board of Trustees for the 2022-2023 academic year. It’s a role he’s keen to take on. “I hope to gain experience in working within organizations,” he said. “I want to provide a better experience and a voice for the student body, who might not always know how to have their voice heard.” It’s obvious Barker plans to lead by example. “It’s important to me to help students become more comfortable with advocating for themselves,” he said. “Students should be able to organize themselves and speak for what they believe will provide them with the best experience.” He credits his grandfather

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ELSAH/CHAUTAUQUA - The Illinois Department of Transportation announces a lane closure on IL 100 at Elsah Creek beginning on Monday, June 27, 2022, weather permitting. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in the eastbound direction. This closure is needed to perform bridge painting and it should be completed by mid-July. Immediately following the completion of that work, another lane closure will begin on the same road at Chautauqua Creek. Traffic will again be reduced to one lane in the eastbound direction. This closure is also needed for bridge painting and should be completed in by mid-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. The contractor on this project is Civil Coatings and Construction Inc., of Valparaiso, Indiana. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on Twitter at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction

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Photos in article, (and gallery), may be purchased for personal use at: https://www.randymanning.com/Juneteenth-Alton-Monday ALTON - A Juneteenth Celebration presented by Mr. Everything and hosted by Jesse Taylor captured spirited attendance in Alton from noon to 6 p.m. on Monday at James Killion Park at Salu. The day featured comedy, poetry, and a talent hour and was free and open to the public. Rosie Brown, Alton Alderwoman of Fourth Ward, said this was a wonderful day and people enjoyed great people, great food, and good company. "This was also a day to showcase talent and comedy in the community," she said. "This was the first official day that allowed people to be off work to mark Juneteenth. I am so glad we pulled this together for people to get the feeling of being free. We know today we are celebrating slaves being completely freed and we are ancestors of those slaves, so we love being together." She continued: "I want to thank Mr. Everything an entrepreneur in this

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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville Township will host a discussion at noon this Friday, June 24, 2022, on homelessness in our community and how we can come together to combat it at Main Street Community Center, 1003 N. Main Street, Edwardsville Illinois. The event will feature 3 speakers who will present information for attendees in a short TED Talk type format and then be available for questions. The featured speakers include Dave Kerr, Homeless Services for Madison County Government, Jill Schardt, Edwardsville Public Library Director, and a representative from the Salvation Army's Booth House. “Homeless is an issue far too often overlooked in our community, and even more so the past two years during COVID,” said Edwardsville Township Supervisor Kevin Hall. “As we were looking for topics for our first Lunch and Learn since the pandemic began, it was a logical one to start with. We look forward to hearing ways the community is already and can continue to come together o

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ALTON - 2022 DAR American History Award Recipients Ninian Edwards, NSDAR in Alton is pleased to announce the following eighth-grade students who have won the DAR American History Award for outstanding performance in American History throughout the year: Alton Middle School – Mia Sanchez Cuellar and Jeremiah Harrison - Grace Massey and Haelee Moyer. Evangelical School – Marcus Hoffmann and Jessica Eales. Lewis & Clark Jr. High – Morgan Eberlin and Connor Strebler. Mississippi Valley Christian School – Remi Sapp and Emma Steinhauer. Our Lady Queen of Peace – Kaydie Everett and Allison Maher. Roxana Jr. High School – Lilliana Ray and Logan Prater. St. Ambrose School – Samantha Carter and Elisabeth Preston. St. Mary’s Middle School – John Hornsey and Stephen Stobbs. Wilbur Trimpe Middle School – Marlee Durbin and Jude Breyer. Zion Lutheran School – Lucas Lorenz and Laila Earney.

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