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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today announced it is shifting its COVID-19 contact tracing efforts and individual case investigation telephone calls to focus on a more strategic approach of automated case notifications. Starting June 1, 2022, IDPH will no longer make individual case investigation calls to persons positive with COVID-19, and instead those individuals will receive an automated message. IDPH notifications to COVID-19 cases had previously included a call-back option from contact tracers and individual case investigations of persons 65 years of age and older. The new notification will be deployed via short message service (SMS) to all reported positive COVID-19 cases and a message will direct callers to resources through automated voice prompts in English, Polish, and Spanish. This new contact tracing process will not impact investigations of cases in congregate facilities, which remain a top priority for local health departments and

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ST. LOUIS - FreightWeekSTL 2022 kicked off May 23 with Innovation Day, featuring emerging technologies that have the potential to dramatically change the future movement of freight. The opening session highlighted the advancements being made by St. Louis start-up Intramotev Autonomous Rail. Those in attendance learned about an autonomous, zero-emissions railcar that would be able to operate without the use of a locomotive. That new technology could enable better use of the U.S. freight rail network and help mitigate the type of supply chain challenges occurring around the globe, while reducing pollution in the rail industry. Timothy Luchini, Ph.D., CEO and co-founder of Intramotev, commented on the trends related to the movement of freight by rail and truck, with year-over-year increases in trucking volumes and flat or slightly decreasing volumes in rail. He said these are trends his company hopes to reverse with its new autonomous vehicles as they build the technology they believe

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ALTON – Simmons Hanly Conroy , one of the nation’s largest asbestos and mass tort law firms, is pleased to announce the promotion of Laurence V. Nassif to managing shareholder of the firm. Michael J. Angelides , who served as managing shareholder for the past 15 years, will remain with the firm. Based in the firm’s New York office, Nassif is a seasoned plaintiff’s lawyer who has devoted over two decades to representing clients throughout the country in asbestos and mass torts matters. Since starting at the firm in 2015, his work has contributed to more than $1 billion in settlements and verdicts for the firm’s clients. “It’s a privilege to be part of a mission-driven firm and work with such talented professionals,” Nassif said. “Mike Angelides helped transform this firm into a nationwide practice, and John Simmons has truly established a unique, entrepreneurial culture that always puts clients first. I plan to honor that legacy,

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CARLINVILLE - A 19-year-old Carlinville man - Jeffrey Nejmanowski - will be held in the Macoupin County Jail pending formal charges in relation to an incident where another man was struck by a vehicle in Carlinville and later died. Nejmanowski has turned himself in to authorities with his attorney present. Carlinville Police responded a 7:11 a.m. on Saturday, May 21, 2022, to a report of a male who had been struck and hit and was in a puddle in the roadway in the 1100 block of Sumner Street in Carlinville. Officers found a male identified as Monteaz Walton, 40, in a fetal-like position on his right side. Officers began life-saving measures until Carlinville Fire Protection District and Gillespie Benld Area Ambulance Service arrived on the scene, to no avail. Macoupin County Coroner was called to the scene and pronounced Walton deceased. An autopsy was performed Saturday afternoon which determined that Walton was struck by a vehicle and succumbed to his injuries. The investigation

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EDWARDSVILLE – The Madison County Sheriff’s Office announced today it made (57) -traffic arrests during the Distracted Driving enforcement campaign. These offenses included citations and arrests for Speeding, Distracted Driving, Driving While License Suspended/Revoked, Operating an Uninsured Motor Vehicle and (7)-Criminal Felony & Misdemeanor Offenses. “Distracted Driving Awareness Month allowed the Madison County Sheriff’s Office to bring a heightened awareness to stop motorists from engaging in this deadly behavior,” said Major Jeff Connor, Chief Deputy of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. The Madison County Sheriff’s Office joined forces with state and local law enforcement and highway safety partners for this enforcement effort. "Using your phone in anything other than the hands-free mode in Illinois is not only dangerous but also illegal," Connor said. "Break the cycle. Drop it and drive." The Illinois distracted driving campaign

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O’FALLON - The O’Fallon Police Department responded to Bella Milano at 455 Regency Park in O’Fallon to a shooting in the parking lot at 10:03 p.m. Sunday. Upon arrival, officers located 20-year-old Ivan J. Marshall, who had been shot during the incident. Marshall was transported to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. It is believed the suspect left the area in an earlier model-4-door, light gold tan-colored sedan which is missing the rear passenger side hub cup. The O’Fallon Police Department requested the assistance of the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis to lead the investigation. Investigators are beginning to follow up on leads and are asking for the public’s help with the investigation. Anyone with any information about the incident is encouraged to contact the Major Case Squad Command Post at (618) 624-9399, or the O’Fallon Police Department at (618) 624-4545, extension 0.

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COLLINSVILLE – Collinsville is turning 150 years old, and rather than celebrate for one day we are going to keep the party going throughout the year. The party will start on Sunday, May 29, during the Memorial Day Fireworks Celebration and will continue with events planned throughout the year. The Memorial Day festivities start at 2 p.m. and will feature live music, food, fun, children’s activities, and more for the family. During the day’s activities, Collinsville Mayor John Miller will be reading a proclamation recognizing the City’s Sesquicentennial. No birthday party is complete without birthday cake, and this will be no different with Kruta Bakery providing cupcakes. There will also be a giant birthday card for all to sign that will be displayed at future events. Kids will have the opportunity to help decorate life-size commemorative birthday candles during the event. Candles have already been placed around town at various local landmarks, parks, and other

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CHICAGO - Governor JB Pritzker signed HB2775 and SB180 into law today, expanding protections for Illinoisans with disabilities in state government and housing. HB2775 amends the Illinois Human Rights Act to ban discrimination in housing selection based on source of income, including non-employment income such as Section 8 vouchers or disability payments. SB180 seeks to expand accommodations for people with disabilities seeking to attend legislative meetings, hearings, and other government events at the Illinois Capitol Complex through formation of an Accessibility Task Force. “Our disabled residents must have access to safe and affordable housing and it is past time that the law reflects our state’s values of accessibility and inclusion,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “That’s why we are banning source of income discrimination in housing selection and assembling the Accessibility Task Force. Our disabled communities deserve a seat at the table—and this

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Across the United States, parents of formula-fed infants are being met with empty store shelves, as a nation-wide shortage of baby formula continues. In February there was a massive baby formula recall from a major supplier in the U.S., Abbott Nutrition, after reports of infant hospitalizations and two deaths were linked to a bacterial infection stemming from formula. The Michigan-based plant has been shut down since – adding fuel to an already volatile situation, as formula availability was previously strained by supply chain issues. Dr. Terry Ho is an OSF HealthCare pediatrician. He says he and his peers are getting questions daily from parents wondering what to do if their formula supply dries up completely. “Definitely it has been an issue, and we're getting a lot of phone calls and contacts from families about what's the next step and what to do. And that's really what we recommend families to do, is contact us. Contact your pediatrician and we can hopefully hel

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MARION - Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Zone 7 officials announce the arrest of Christopher L. Sollers, a 41-year-old male of Marion, Illinois, for two counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse (Class 1 Felony) and one count of Unlawful Restraint (Class 4 Felony). In March of 2022, ISP DCI Zone 7 Agents investigated an incident of alleged sexual abuse. Through the course of the investigation, Zone 7 agents were able to locate evidence that supported the allegation and the investigation was turned over to the Jackson County State’s Attorney’s Office. On May 20, 2022, at approximately 3:30 p.m., ISP DCI Zone 7 Agents arrested Sollers in Marion, IL following the issuance of a Jackson County arrest warrant. Sollers was transported to the Williamson County Jail with a bond amount set by the court of $5,000/10% to apply. There is no further information available. DCI Zone 7 Agents were assisted by the Marion Police Department in the investigation

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ST. LOUIS - Bryon Dawayne Pierson Jr., an Alton native, has organized a Black Tech STL Meetup planned to start at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, at Tech Artista Downtown at 401 Pine St. in St. Louis. Pierson said the purpose of the event is to bring visibility to professionals who are actively working or who have worked to grow black technology in the St. Louis area. "A group of black entrepreneurs that owns tech startups in St. Louis right now wanted to create an event that brings together the brightest minds in black entrepreneurship and tech in STL to talk about growing black tech," he said. "This event will have free food and networking from 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Then a panel discussion about being black and growing tech in STL from 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. After the event, patrons are welcome to meet at Trust inside of Tech Artista Downtown to further the conversation." The event moderator will be Jonathan Allen. Entrepreneur Quarterly Panelists will be Tara Nesbitt- Harmonee

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ST. LOUIS - Neurosurgery of St. Louis (NSL) is proud to announce the addition of a highly-skilled, board-certified neurosurgeon with ties to the St. Louis area, who has joined its practice. Neill M. Wright, MD, who has received national and international recognition as a cervical spine surgeon, comes to NSL with more than 20 years of experience and has performed more than 2,500 cervical spine surgeries thus far in his career. His goal in joining NSL is to improve how cervical spine disorders are evaluated and treated in the St. Louis region. “When I started my practice, I was determined to change the way cervical spine patients receive care and the approach we take to these disorders,” said Dr. Wright. “It became my goal to have the expertise and specialization to accurately diagnose and treat any type of cervical spine conditions. After so many years of specialized practice, I’m fortunate to say there’s hardly any cervical spine condition that I haven’

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JEFFERSON COUNTY, MO. – Join North Dispensaries on May 28, 2022, at their locations in Hillsboro and Pevely, Missouri, for the one-year celebration of its Pevely location. From 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., patients and non-patients alike are welcome to enjoy food, music, giveaways, and more. North’s number one goal is to promote cannabis awareness and how it helps their patients live full lives. “We believe in cannabis,” says North Vice President Neil Volner. “We believe in the relief, the therapeutic benefits, and the freedom of mind it offers to our patients.” Those attending that are interested in getting certified for a medical cannabis card may set up an appointment with Dr. Judd of Greencert MD that day, who will discuss your medical diagnosis. Once Dr. Judd has certified you for your card, you must fill out the state certification form and submit it to the state’s online portal. Then you’ll receive your medical cannabis card i

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BUNKER HILL - Community District 8, Physics instructor Jeremiah Goltz is known for innovation in the classroom. Recently in class, Goltz had a discussion with a student about the concept of Super Conductivity in which the students levitated items while creating a frictionless environment. The discussion then led to seven students researching superconductors and they decided what materials to purchase, ran the experiments, recorded video, and wrote a release. The exceptional students in Goltz's class were Drake Scroggins, Nathaniel Winchester, Kimberly Moore, Austyn Eddinger, Daniel Manar, Grant Burch, and Isaac Steward. "I am proud of their work as this is not an experiment you will find run in many schools in our area," Goltz said. In addition, the students wrote a paper detailing the project's scientific aspects using terms such as Eddy Current, Meisner Effect, state of matter, transition temperatures, critical temperature, magnetic field, and quantum blocking with source material

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GRANITE CITY – Senior Ellisya Perri of Granite City High School was named the Granite City Elks Lodge 1063 Student of the Month for May. The Elks Student of the Month Program is designed to recognize outstanding young men and women for achievements in school and community life-fine arts, hobbies, athletics, church, school, club and community service, industry, and farming. Nominees are judged on multiple achievements including leadership skills, good moral character, community involvement, extracurricular activities, honors and award, and scholastic ability. Perri receives a $100 U.S. savings bond and an Elks certificate of achievement. She is a member of the Foreign Language Club, Math Team, National Honor Society, Robotics Club, and was a four-year member of the Secondary Honors Program. Perri also was Science Club President (2021-22) and Vice President (2020-21) and earned Rotary Student of the Month honors as a junior. She is the daughter of Stephanie Gaines. For more

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ALTON - Our police and first responders deserve to have the full force of the law protecting their profession. I am a proud supporter of H.R. 72, the Thin Blue Line Act. This legislation sends a strong message to criminals out there - if you target, harm, or kill a law enforcement officer or first responder, be prepared to face the federal death penalty, regardless of what your state laws are. As we closed out National Police Week, I joined Republican colleagues in the House in urging Speaker Pelosi to bring legislation to the floor that protects and promotes respect for law enforcement officers and first responders. H.R. 72, Thin Blue Line Act: Expands the list of statutory aggravating factors in federal death penalty determinations to also include killing or targeting a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or other first responders. Ensures that criminals face the strongest possible repercussions in federal cases when they kill or attempt to kill local law enforcement officers.

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ATCHISON, Kan. - Benedictine College has recognized those students who have distinguished themselves academically during the last semester, which ended May 10, 2022. Any full-time student carrying a minimum of 12 hours and a perfect 4.0 grade point average through the spring term is named to the President's list. Full-time students with 12 hours and a grade point average of 3.5 to 3.95 are named to the Dean's List. Of the 2,059 students on campus for the 2019-2020 academic year, 151 made the President's List and 667 made the Dean's List. Those area residents who have earned these honors are Alton's: Anna O'Connor, Dean's List Thao-Vy Tran, Dean's List About Benedictine College Founded in 1858, Benedictine College is a Catholic, Benedictine, residential, liberal arts college located on the bluffs above the Missouri River in Atchison, Kansas. The school is proud to have been named one of America's Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report as well as one of the top Catholic college

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EDWARDSVILLE - At 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 5, the Madison County Historical Society (MCHS) Speaker Series will re­turn to an in-person format. The June program will be held in the lower level of Immanuel United Methodist Church at 800 N. Main St., Edwardsville, directly across the street from the MCHS Library. The presenter, Library Research Manager Mary Z. Rose, will explore the facts about the only documented Indian captive narrative of Madison County. It is the story of how, in the late 18th century, members of the James Gillham family, then living in Kentucky, were abducted by indigenous warriors who took their captives to what later became Illinois. Sometime after Gillham recovered his family, the Gillhams relocated to Illinois and eventually settled in Chouteau Township. They were some of the earliest non-indigenous settlers in Madison County. It is said that Gillham moved to Madison County after be­ing impressed by the prairie, soil, and natural resources of this ar­ea

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Illinois American Water’s work to separate the Alton combined sewer system and install new sanitary sewers continues. Below is information about this week’s road closures – May 23, 2022 Piasa Valley Area: Alby Street and 6th Street are back open to traffic, except for the intersection of Alby and 9th Street, which will open on Monday morning. 9th Street will be closed from east of Alby Street intersection east to Alton Street, with additional closures east as the sewer installation progresses. 12th Street pavement replacement will be starting soon. 10th Street is closed between Alby Street and George Street. Blair Avenue will be closed at the intersections of Henry and Langdon Streets. Brick pavement restoration is currently happening on 8th Street. Please drive carefully in this area, as there is a lot of construction equipment moving around the different work areas. Shields Valley Area: Final pavement restoration at the intersection of Greenwood

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EDWARDSVILLE – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions Director Todd Burrell was honored for his profound impact in higher education with his receipt of the Illinois Association for College Admission Counseling’s (IACAC) highest award. During the IACAC Conference held in Chicago in April, the organization’s first to be held in person since the onset of COVID-19, Burrell was presented the 2020 Patricia A. Kasowski Award, which recognizes long and meritorious service to the profession/association and the demonstration of leadership and service with distinction. “I am extremely thankful for this recognition, and must acknowledge that this honor would not be possible without the support of so many colleagues at SIUE as well as around the state and region,” said Burrell, “This award further motivates my dedication to assisting prospective students and families.” Burrell has led SIUE’s undergraduate

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