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EDWARDSVILLE - The two-day Bonifest had a little something for everyone in the family and turned out to be a gigantic success on Saturday, said Ryan Hentz, who is a coordinator. Bonifest was held from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday in the St. Boniface Church and School parking lot. The event always has strong entertainment and this year, Mike Sonderegger put on an excellent show in the dinner hour, Hentz said. Sonderegger is outstanding at audience engagement and people loved his performance. Tom Bertolino and the Dirty Muggs also put on outstanding shows. The Dirty Muggs are a long-time favorite at Bonifest. The morning featured the annual Run For Bonifest and Tom Bertolino Music started the run. Some people may not remember the Dirty Muggs band name, but they always ask Ryan, he says, "Are you going to have that band." He said once again the Dirty Muggs did not disappoint and provided another memorable performance. Bonifest and the raffle are large fundraisers for the Boniface

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville High School baseball team will be playing in the Super-Sectionals today (Monday, June 6). Senior Spencer Stearns has been a huge key to their success offensively and defensively. On Saturday, the Tigers won 10-0 in their last game against Minooka in the Sectional Championship. Stearns went 3-3 with five RBIs. He had singles in the first and second inning. In the fourth, he flew out to center but it was still good for a run. He stepped back into the batter's box in the fifth inning with runners on second and third. He launched a curveball over the fence in left-center field for a three-run homer to make it 10-0 Tigers. It was his eighth home run of the season. Stearns has been a standout all season for the Tigers and is an iCAN Clinic Male Athlete of the Month for Edwardsville. "We came in here expecting a tough game, so we played every inning, every pitch and came out with the win," Stearns said after the sectional win. Stearns gets it done with hi

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EDWARDSVILLE - Pat Brandmeyer of Albers was the big winner in the Big-Bona Raffle at Bonifest this past weekend. Shown above is the draw for the winning ticket. Brandmeyer captured $50,000 for the top prize in the raffle. The second-place winner was Evan Kiel, of Wildwood, MO., of $1,250, and third-place winner was John Becker, of Alton, IL., $600. A total of 887 tickets were sold. SEE VIDEO OF WINNING TICKET DRAW:

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JERSEYVILLE - A local author, Donna Kennedy of Jerseyville, will release her new book soon. The book titled The Truth will be book one of her upcoming "So Help Me God" series. The Truth goes live on Amazon on July 1, 2022. Kennedy will be doing a book signing at 2 p.m. on August 6, 2022, held at the Jerseyville Public Library. Kennedy briefly discussed the plot and the planned series going forward. The Truth is Book One in The So Help Me God Series. It is a semi-autobiographical story with a dark center covered in a fictional candy-coated romance and mystery. Actual events loosely inspire this book, and the story would not be nearly so honest without disturbing content. The Truth follows USAF Veteran Dahlia Frost after she is medically retired from the military once it’s discovered she has repressed memories that prevent her from being considered world-wide-capable. After years of searching for answers, she writes and publishes, under a pen name, her Best Selling novel,

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EDWARDSVILLE – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville now offers a fully online general education path of coursework that is taught by the same quality faculty who teach on-campus courses. These core required college courses provide students with a broad base of knowledge while enhancing communication and critical thinking skills. Any current or visiting student could benefit, personally or professionally, from taking online courses at SIUE. This new online path to complete an undergraduate degree may be a good fit for students who are planning to enroll in an: Online degree completion program at SIUE and have not completed general education requirements On-campus program who prefer to complete general education courses online “We have been intentional in our efforts to meet the needs of the diverse population of students coming into the University with a variety of college experience and transferable credit hours,” said Stephanie Simpson, assistant director

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police Crimes Against Persons detectives and the Accident Reconstruction Unit are investigating a fatal motor crash in the area of Lewis and Clark Boulevard and St. Cyr Road which resulted in the death of an adult male. The deceased (driver of the Equinox) has been identified as Samuel Robinson, 20 years of age, of the 1700 block of Parker Road in St. Louis, Missouri 63138. At 7 p.m. on June 4, 2022, St. Louis County police officers from the City of Jennings Precinct responded to a call for service for a motor vehicle accident in the area of Lewis and Clark Boulevard and St. Cyr Road. Arriving officers located two motor vehicles involved in a motor vehicle crash. Preliminary investigation has revealed a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox was southbound on Lewis and Clark Boulevard. The Equinox entered the intersection at St. Cyr Road and struck a 2011 Volvo S40, which was westbound on St. Cyr Road turning onto southbound Lewis and Clark Boulevard. After striking

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ST. LOUIS— The American Red Cross, is once again partnering up with the family and friends of Ken Huxel and Immaculate Conception Church in Union to host an annual blood drive in his memory next Monday, June 13 from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Knights of Columbus, 700 Clearview Drive, in Union. In Feb. 2015, Ken was diagnosed with Dermatofibrosarcoma {Protuberans (DFSP), a rare tumor that affects about one in a million. He was a fun guy, a wonderful husband and father, and a good friend. Ken enjoyed the outdoors especially hiking and camping with family and friends, and he liked classic cars and going to car shows. He fought a hard battle, but he never gave up, despite becoming very anemic. Ken received many blood transfusions throughout his two-year battle, made possible by the kindness and generosity of blood donors. It is for that reason that is friends have hosted this blood drive each year. Please join us in honoring Ken by donating blood to help others in need. In honor

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ALTON - Work continues on redoing the sewer system. Piasa Valley Area: 12th Street is open to traffic. 9th Street will be closed from east of Alby Street intersection east to Alton Street, with additional closures east as the sewer installation progresses. 10th Street is closed between Alby Street and George Street with pavement restoration happening. Blair Avenue will be closed intermittently to one lane of traffic this week. Brick pavement restoration is currently happening on 8th Street and some rework of the brick placement on 7th Street. Please drive carefully in this area, as there is a lot of construction equipment moving around the different work areas. Another location that sewer separation work will be starting this week is near the intersection of State Street and Grand Avenue. The work will begin this week with the contractor mobilizing equipment to this area, followed by pavement saw-cutting. The new sewer installation and pavement restoration will follow. Th

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Anderson Hospital 25 th Annual Foundation Golf Tournament was held on May 9 th at the Sunset Hills Country Club in Edwardsville. The event featured 18 holes of golf. Contests included: Men’s and Women’s Longest Drive and Men’s and Women’s Closet to the Pin, Buy a Drive and a Putting Contest. “We have a dedicated group of hospital employees who volunteer at this event who help to run these contests.” “We were also lucky to have a beautiful day and we had a great group of 127 golfers!”, said Lori St. John, Director of Development. The winners of the tournament were Charles Lane, M.D., Tim Childers, Dave Chung, M.D. and Clayton Richie. They were 11 under par with a total score of 61. The event was a great success, raising a total of $21,849.00. The Foundation allocates funds for capital projects and programs for Anderson Hospital and the Community.

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HAMEL/MARINE/ST. JACOB – The Illinois Department of Transportation announces intermittent lane closures of IL 4 between Blue Spruce Ln and I-55 beginning on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, weather permitting. Two-way traffic will be maintained by the use of flaggers. This work is needed to perform pavement patching and it should be completed by the end of June. 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 Kilian Corporation of Mascoutah, Illinois. 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 – The Illinois Department of Transportation announces that nightly intermittent lane restrictions will begin on IL 3 between Alby St. and IL 140 on Sunday, June 5, 2022, weather permitting. The restrictions for this stage of work will take place Sunday through Thursday between 6:00 pm and 6:00 am and one lane will remain open in each direction at all times. This work is needed to complete the new asphalt pavement and is expected to be completed by mid-July. This stage of construction is one of the last stages of the Homer Adams Parkway resurfacing project. The entire project is expected to be complete by the end of July. 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 the C. E. Mahoney Co. of Swansea, Illinois. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on Twitter at @IDOTDistrict8 or view

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EAST ALTON –Mississippi River Network (MRN) Policy Director Maisah Khan will be the featured presenter at the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center’s upcoming hybrid Neighbor Nights event, June 21. “The Mississippi River provides us with so many gifts: drinking water, healthy habitats, cultural connections and more,” Khan said. “As a community member, you may already take small actions each day to protect the river. Learn how federal policy actions are taking place to support the river at a national level.” Khan will discuss new policies and initiatives that are already underway to increase investments in clean water, healthy habitats and nature-based solutions to flooding. She will also share more information about the Mississippi River Network and the 1 Mississippi River Citizen program. June’s Neighbor Night event will be held over Zoom as well as in person. The Field Station, located at 1 Confluence Way in East Alton

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FREEBURG – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that Illinois Rt 15 from East of Illinois Rt 159 to Rogers Drive in Freeburg will be intermittently restricted to one lane in each direction beginning Wednesday, June 8, 2022, weather permitting. This work will take place daily between the hours of 7:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Traffic in each direction will be maintained using flaggers and arrow boards. This work is necessary to complete pavement repairs. This work is expected to be completed by the end of Summer 2022. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment. The contractor on this project is The Killian Corporation of Mascoutah, Illinois. 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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ST. LOUIS — To protect the health of those who work and visit Gateway Arch National Park, the park has implemented a mask requirement for employees, visitors, partners, and contractors as of 9:00 a.m. on Monday, June 6, 2022. The mask requirement will remain in effect until the high COVID-19 transmission and positivity rate in St. Louis City and County return to medium or low levels. Face coverings will now be required in all park buildings and facilities, including the Visitors Center, in the trams, and at the top of the Arch. The public can find information about the requirement on the park’s website at www.nps.gov/jeff and where tram reservations are made at www.gatewayarch.com . “The unfortunate reality is that COVID-19 continues to be present in our area,” says Jeremy Sweat, Superintendent, Gateway Arch National Park. “We want to stay open and continue to provide a high-quality experience for our visitors while keeping in mind the health and safety

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JERSEYVILLE – The Illinois Department of Transportation announces the closures of IL 109 between Lodi Rd and Hagen Rd beginning on Monday, June 13, 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 This closure is part of a larger project that will require another complete road closure of IL 109 in the near future. Another press release will be sent out to identify the time and location of the next closure. Drivers are urged to b

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ST. LOUIS - City Museum is celebrating all dads with grilling, craft making and free admission for the most important man in your life with a paid admission on Father's Day, June 19, 2022. Celebrate Father's Day with a cookout and fun with Dad this Father's Day. Enjoy sliding and climbing throughout the building plus hot and ready foods and satisfying drinks at the Patio Grill in the shade of the MonstroCity outdoor play area. The Cabin Inn also will be open with brews and soft drinks. City Museum artists will help kids create Medals of Honor and Father's Day cards on the second floor. For more information and advance tickets, visit www.citymuseum.org . City Museum is located at 750 N 16th St., St. Louis, MO 63103. On social media: @citymuseum. City Museum is open from 10 a.m.until 6 p.m.on Father's Day.

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WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released the following statement in response to the Biden Administration’s announcement that it will publish the ethanol blending mandates for 2020, 2021 and 2022 at levels that more closely resemble American consumption levels and help farmers and biofuel producers prepare for the future: “At a time when Big Oil refiners are profiting off the backs of hardworking Americans, I am pleased that the Biden Administration is taking action to diversify fuel options at the pump and get our Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) back on the right track,” said Duckworth. “By making this announcement, Biden’s EPA exemplifies its commitment to help restore integrity, growth and stability to the RFS and the U.S. biofuel sector while ensuring these programs continue to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, drive down gas prices, strengthen our energy security and drive rural economic opportunity in Illinois

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SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $245,000, through the BEACH Act grant program, to Illinois. The grant funding will support the state in developing and implementing a beach monitoring and notification program that will protect the public by monitoring beaches for bacteria, identifying local pollution sources, and reporting these results to EPA. “The Great Lakes boast of family-friendly beaches in Northern Illinois. Today’s announcement affirms that this precious natural resource is well worth protecting,” Durbin said. “As summer begins, EPA’s funding will help ensure that these beaches remain a safe vacation spot for all residents and visitors.” “The Great Lakes are the source of drinking water for tens of millions of Americans, support millions of jobs and bring joy to countless tourists

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WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that Illinois will receive federal support from the American Rescue Plan and the FY22 AmeriCorps State and National Grants Competition. The investment will be distributed to ten Illinois-based organizations to help more than 450 AmeriCorps members serve local communities through youth outreach, public health advocacy, sports mentorship, trauma-informed violence prevention and more. “AmeriCorps national service programs bring together people from all walks of life to address pressing challenges in local communities and strengthen our nation,” Duckworth said. “Just as enlisting in the military to defend our country is ‘American Service,’ so is volunteering to help lift up communities. I will continue to advocate for greater investments in national service opportunities so that every Illinoisan who wants to serve has the opportunity to do so.&rdquo

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SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) led a Congressional delegation to Taiwan and South Korea this week as part of her continuing efforts to help strengthen economic ties between our people, specifically highlighting how Illinois is uniquely positioned for greater investment and increased exports with international partners as a hub of agriculture, manufacturing and technology. Duckworth, a member of the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee and U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, met with multiple business, government and trade leaders including Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen, Premier Su Tseng-chang and Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu as well as South Korea’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin and Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Ahn Duk-geun. Photos from the visit are available here . “I was pleased to visit Taiwan and South Korea, two partners that are vitally important to Illinois’s economy,

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