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EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced today that the Illinois Supreme Court has rejected his request that they review the subcircuit law that was passed last January. Nonetheless, he said he was “honored” by the chance to challenge this law, and that the County “fought the good fight” in the lawsuit. Haine also congratulated the four other plaintiffs against this law – Judge Chris Threlkeld, Judge Amy Sholar, Sen. Dan McConchie, and Chrissy Dutton Wiley – for their strong stand on principle over a period of many months. “This subcircuit law chopped Madison County’s judiciary into subcircuits,” said Haine. “It outraged people from across the political spectrum. It resulted in a recent judicial election where two-thirds of the County voters had no vote for the first time in our history. The County Board called on us to fight this law, and we were honored to do so. The County Board can be proud

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ALTON - St. Mary's Catholic Church issued a reminder that its Forty Hours Devotion begins at 1 a.m. Wednesday with Holy Mass. From 6 p.m. to approximately 6 a.m. they will use only one entrance - the Fourth Street Side Entrance (with the automatic door). The emergency number for the adoration periods is: 617-851-5636. Call this number if there is any difficulty or missing scheduled adorer...

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UVALDE, TEXAS/ALTON, IL. - The community of Uvalde, Texas has been reeling since a tragic shooting on May 24, 2022, when an 18-year-old gunman - Salvador Ramos - wielding an AR-15-style rifle, killed 19 children and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in the community, a small city west of San Antonio. Melissa Federspill of the Uvalde Leader-News said recently that this year with the school shooting, "there was not too much going on to try to push for Wreaths Across America." That was before the Alton Wreaths Across America Committee valiantly stepped in recently to offer a gesture that is being talked about across the country. Uvalde, Texas, has only been registered as an official Wreaths Across America location for one year. In what was described as a gesture in the true American spirit, the Alton Wreaths Across America Committee had raised more than enough wreaths to honor all of their local veterans. Margaret Hopkins, leader of the group, connected with volunteers for Hillcrest

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SPRINGFIELD – Governor JB Pritzker released the following statement after the conclusion of the 2022 legislative session. “As we conclude the 2022 veto session, I want to congratulate the lawmakers and advocates who came together on behalf of the people of Illinois and made this session a success. Government is at its best when we come together across party lines to make Illinois the best it can be. “For almost six months, working groups of legislators have been hard at work with victims’ advocates, state’s attorneys, public defenders, law enforcement partners and others to clarify language in the SAFE-T Act, which goes into effect January 1 st . I’m pleased that the General Assembly has upheld the principles we fought to protect, including bringing an end to a system where those charged with violent offenses can buy their way out of jail, while others who are poor and charged with nonviolent offenses wait in jail for trial. “I want to particularly

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JERSEYVILLE - A wide range of charges including child pornography, domestic battery, drug possession/delivery, and more were filed in Jersey County over the past week, according to the latest felony booking report from the Jersey County Circuit Clerk. Jerry A. Newby, 24, of Brighton, was arrested on five counts of reproducing child pornography in which the victim was under 13 years of age. He was arrested on Dec. 1 and his hearing is set for Jan. 9, 2023 at 9 a.m. Jon G. Deneef, 36, of Jerseyville, was charged with possession of less than five grams of meth, possession of a controlled substance, possession of hypodermic syringes/needles, possession of drug paraphernalia, and resisting a peace officer. Deneef was arrested Dec. 2 and his hearing is set for Dec. 12 at 9 a.m. Stephanie N. Choat, 36, also of Jerseyville, was also arrested for possession of less than five grams of meth, possession of a controlled substance, possession of hypodermic syringes/needles, and possession

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GRANITE CITY – Over 50 Granite City High School Teachers and staff wore t-shirts on Friday to support one of their students - Chloe Affolter. Affolter, a 15-year-old sophomore, was diagnosed with papillary carcinoma thyroid cancer in 2019. After her diagnosis, they removed her thyroid. Since then she has been going in for blood work every three months to keep things in check. In August 2022, her yearly scan didn’t quite match up to her blood work numbers so she underwent further testing that determined the cancer was back. Another surgery was done to remove the cancerous lymph nodes. After an eight-day stay in the hospital, Chloe was sent home to heal. Being in remission, her battle is far from over. She will head to the endocrinologist in January for follow-up PET scans and ultrasounds.

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ALTON - The Annual Dr. King Commemoration Service will take place on Sunday, Jan 15, 2023, at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, 2621 Amelia St., Alton, Rev John Buford, Host Pastor. Michael Holliday is the new President of the Alton Branch NAACP. Michael McMillan, CEO of the St. Louis Metropolitan Urban League will be the speaker. (ULSTL) a nonprofit organization providing social services to the Metropolitan St. Louis community since 1918. The St. Louis Urban League was the first affiliate of the National Urban League movement to be awarded a Five-Star Rating which it holds to this day. The Urban League’s mission is “to assist African Americans and others throughout the region in securing economic self-reliance, social equality and civil rights.” Each year, the Urban League serves more than 125,000 residents through programming supporting economic opportunity, educational excellence, community empowerment, civil rights, and advocacy. President

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O’FALLON, IL — HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, announces the addition of three new members to the hospital’s Board of Directors. This brings the number of board members for St. Elizabeth’s to eleven. Board members serve voluntarily and provide counsel and oversight on decisions that affect the organization’s sustainable future and advance the mission. St. Elizabeth’s is pleased to welcome Barbara Cempura, Brian Lemon and Kevin Meder to the Board of Directors. “As successful community leaders, I appreciate the experience, engagement and governance support that Barbara, Brian, and Kevin will bring to complement our already effective team of board members,” said President and CEO Chris Klay. Barbara Cempura was the founder and served as the President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwestern Illinois from 1980 to 2015 and served as interim CEO in 2018 to 2019. Brian Lemon has served his entire career in

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O’FALLON, IL – HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital presented the quarterly Being Extraordinary Everyday (BEE) Award to Market Coffee baristas Kim Forman and Tyler Rodriguez. They were nominated by a St. Elizabeth’s volunteer who witnessed their proactive actions in assisting an outpatient entering the facility. Forman and Rodriguez noticed the patient through a window as he was making his way to the hospital’s front entrance from his vehicle. He was using a walker and it was an especially hot summer day. The baristas quickly got some cold water and went out to meet the gentleman before he even got in the door. They assisted him to a seat in the lobby, gave him the water and ensured the patient was cooled off. The patient was very grateful for the gesture of kindness the two colleagues gave him. In addition to Forman and Rodriguez, eight other St. Elizabeth’s colleagues received nominations this quarter. The BEE Award was established to recognize

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul and District of Columbia Attorney General Karl A. Racine, both Haitian-Americans, today urged the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to redesignate Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and protect U.S. residents from being forced to return to dangerous, potentially life-threatening conditions. “As the proud son of Haitian immigrants, one of whom was a community doctor, I can attest to the importance of the contributions Haitian immigrants make to our communities,” said Raoul. “Conditions in Haiti have deteriorated due to governmental instability, public health concerns and violence. I am proud to join my friend and colleague Karl Racine to urge the Department of Homeland Security to redesignate Haiti for Temporary Protected Status. Haitian immigrants have risked their lives to escape those dangers, and I will continue to advocate on their behalf so they are not forced to return to life-threatening conditions.” Feder

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GRANITE CITY - Juniors Julian Hartin and Emily Sykes of Granite City High School were selected as Granite City Rotary Club Students of the Month for November. 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 a future Granite City Rotary Club Meeting. JULIAN HARTIN Member of Boys Volleyball Team .. Secondary Honors ... Teachers Choice Award ... Most Valuable Builder and Rookie Award (Robotics) ... Science Office worker and MW Volunteer ... Conducted Marching Warriors at Illinois Band Championships ... Member of Robotics Club and Varsity Club ... Son of Matthew Hartin. EMILY SYKES Five-sport student-athlete: Volleyball, Basketball, Swimming, Softball and Track ... Placed third in shot put at 2022 IHSA Class 3A Indoor Meet and seventh in Class 3

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WOOD RIVER - Midwest Members Credit Union is proud to sponsor the “Shell of the Month” program at Roxana High School. Two students from each grade level are selected each month by members of RHS faculty. Each student is awarded a certificate and a Subway gift card. The Seniors selected each month will have the opportunity to compete for a “Shell of the Year” scholarship at the end of the school year. September Shell of the Month winners are: Senior- Gabrielle Woodruff Juniors- Joe Whetzel & Tanner Hansberger Sophomores- Andruw Ellis Freshman- Anthony Hardin October Shell of the Month winners are: Senior- Daymon Clay Juniors- Grace Ray Sophomores- Alexis Chamberlain Freshman- Alexa Zeller November Shell of the Month winners are: Senior- Riley Doyle Juniors- Donavan Herrin Sophomores- Jordan Harrop Freshman- Ethan Weigler Congratulations to all the recipients. Midwest Members Credit Union has been serving your community for over

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JERSEYVILLE - Two Jersey Community High School seniors and twin brothers - Jack and Bernie Dohrn - finished creating a new “Maker Space” in the JCHS library in October. The space already includes lots of equipment for arts and crafts, and there’s more on the way for students and teachers to use in the future. Digital Coach Melanie Fessler, who helped coordinate this project, said it’s a space for students to “be creative” and use equipment from classes in the school’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program that they might not otherwise be able to use. “It’s a place where students can go and be creative or maybe de-stress and do things when they have a little bit of extra time,” Fessler said. “We have some amazing things going on in our CTE here at the High School - like we have 3D printing and we have Auto, but not all kids can take all of those classes, so it’s a place where maybe you could do some of

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - The St. Louis County Police Department is requesting assistance in identifying the suspect in the photos shown here. St. Louis County Police said at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Monday, December 5, 2022, the suspect in the attached photos is believed to have carjacked an individual with a white Toyota Prius at the Circle K located at 5253 Mattis Road. The suspect was armed, police said. Contact St. Louis County Police Criminal Investigations - 314-615-5400 or the Anonymous Tips Line - 1-866-371-TIPS(8477) with any information.

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ST. LOUIS - St. Louis Cardinals broadcaster Dan McLaughlin is in the news today with his third DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) offense. He was arrested Sunday night at a traffic stop after calls about a suspicious vehicle to the Creve Coeur Police Department. McLaughlin will face a felony charge for a "persistent offender" DWI offense, police said. The vehicle McLaughlin was driving was located by authorities traveling eastbound on Ladue Road at Interstate 270. Police followed McLaughlin’s vehicle northbound on I-270 and determined there were clues he was driving impaired. He was arrested and taken into St. Louis County Justice Center on a $25,000, cash-only bond, authorities said. Authorities also said there were no reports of injuries or property damage linked to the police investigation. McLaughlin is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 7, 2023.

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EDWARDSVILLE - This year’s highly anticipated Junior Service Club of Edwardsville and Glen Carbon (JSC) Holiday House Tour presented by Country Financial is full of holiday cheer. This popular and exciting event will showcase seven (7) beautifully decorated homes in the District 7 community for the live tour and an exclusive look at additional homes for the virtual portion of the tour. Only one ticket is needed for admission to both the live and virtual tours! The live tour will begin Sunday, Dec. 11th from 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Ticket holders will be able to access the virtual tour from the comfort of their own homes beginning Sunday evening, Dec. 11, through Sunday, Dec. 18. The virtual tour can be viewed multiple times and at the convenience of the ticket holder’s schedule during the event dates. Ticket information can be found at http://www.edglenjuniorservice.org/holiday-house-tour.html . Check-in and receive your wristband for the live tour at our welcome receptio

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EDWARDSVILLE – The City of Edwardsville will observe a moment of silence at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, December 6, 2022, to reflect and remember the victims of the December 10, 2021, tornado tragedy. Mayor Art Risavy will lead the City Council and audience in the moment of silence as the toll of the storm continues to reverberate in the hearts and minds of all in the City of Edwardsville. “The loss and pain suffered as a result of the tornado have been profound,” Mayor Art Risavy said. “We will continue to honor, remember and pray for all those affected.” One year ago this week, a powerful tornado struck the City of Edwardsville. Six lives were lost after a tornado directly hit a warehouse operated by Amazon in the Gateway Commerce Center. The tornado was part of a storm system that tore a path of destruction in and around the City and region. Those who died in the tragedy in Edwardsville were: Clayton Cope, of Alton; Kevin Dickey, of Carlyle;

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ST. LOUIS - Today, the City of St. Louis announced a list of finalists for St. Louis’ next police chief. Residents will have the opportunity to hear from the finalists at tomorrow’s Police Chief Town Hall. The City has expanded this town hall to include four candidates to offer the public a more robust opportunity to hear from top voices. “By bringing St. Louisans into the selection process, we are putting the public back in public safety,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. “I look forward to hearing more from each of the finalists about their vision to keep St. Louis safe for our families and visitors.” Biographies and headshots are attached and posted on the city’s website . Finalists include: Interim Police Commissioner Michael Sack, St. Louis, MO Chief Larry Boone, Norfolk, VA Chief Robert Tracy, Wilmington, DE Deputy Chief Melron Kelly, Columbia, SC Tomorrow, December 6, the City of St. Louis will host a public town hall with four

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ST. LOUIS – For the 111th years, the St. Louis Christmas Carols Association (StLCCA) has given the gift of cheer and goodwill to our neighbors, and this year they have a very special gift in store… In addition to their annual caroling efforts by volunteer carolers all around the city, The St. Louis Christmas Carols Association, in partnership with the Missouri History Museum, will present a free holiday concert, Christmas In St. Louis , featuring renowned singer Erin Bode, radio personality Mark Klose, the Lesters, and many more. There will be music and comedy, and the audience will be invited to sing along with some of their favorite Christmas songs. Admission is free, and guests are encouraged to come early as seating is first-come, first-served. The show will take place on Thursday, December 8, 2022 at 6:30 pm in the Museum's Lee Auditorium. The show was inspired by the StLCCA’s 1977 vinyl album of the same title, which featured local dignitaries and performers

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CHICAGO, December 5, 2022 – Christmas has come early for three lucky Illinois Lottery players. That’s because they’re each holding a Powerball ticket worth $200,000. The winning tickets matched four numbers and the Powerball, plus they added the game’s ‘Power Play’ feature to win $200,000 each for the Saturday, December 3 drawing. The winning numbers were: 6-13-33-36-37 and the Powerball 7. The lucky players purchased their winning Powerball tickets from Tony’s Fresh Market in Chicago, Speedway in Hickory Hills and on the Illinois Lottery’s website. For selling the winning tickets, the retailers will receive a bonus of $2,000 each, one percent of the prize amount. In total, nearly 17,000 winning tickets were sold, and nearly $740,000 in prizes were won in Saturday evening’s Powerball drawing. Winners have one year from the date of the winning draw in which to claim their prize. The Illinois Lottery encourages all lucky

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