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ALTON - Alton High senior bowler Ben Mitchell got his 2022-23 season off to a great start on Nov. 12 with a six-game series of 1,301, which allowed him to finish fifth in the individual standings in helping the Redbirds finish seventh in the Gold Division of the Zach LeCuyer Invitational tournament at Camelot Bowl in Collinsville. Mitchell shot a three-game total of 655 in the qualifying round, then followed up with a 646 in the second round to finish with his 1,301 series, which featured a high game of 248 in the final game en route to his fifth-place showing in the tournament. He's been one of the best bowlers on the team for his four years for the Redbirds and is a very hard worker both on and off the lanes. For his efforts in helping the Redbirds become one of the better teams in the area, Mitchell has been named an Auto Butler male Athlete of the Month. Mitchell, who bowls for head coach Dave Meyer, felt very good about his overall performance during his interview that followed

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GLEN CARBON - Father McGivney Catholic junior Kaitlyn Hatley has been remarkable in both girls' cross country and track since she was a freshman. This post-season, she stood out in area girls in the IHSA Class 1A regional, sectional, and finally the state meet. Hatley started her parade with a first place in the Trenton Wesclin Regional 17:46.5 for three miles out of 100 girls who entered. She was second in the Benton Sectional, with a 17:08.20 clocking for 2.92 miles. Hatley was seventh at state in Peoria on a three-mile course with a time of 17:49.95 and earned All-State status for the third time. She has now been all-state in cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track. Kaitlyn also has been all-state in the 1,600 and 800 meters in track and field. Kaitlyn is a Byron Carlson Petri and Kalb Female Athlete of the Month for the Griffins. Kaitlyn's coach Jim Helton said he is so proud of Hatley for her development since qualifying for state as a freshman. Kaitlyn is exceptionally

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ALTON - Sophia Helfrich had a break-out cross country season this year for the Alton girls' squad qualifying from the regional as an individual and also improving her time at the sectional. Helfrich is an Auto Butler Female Athlete of the Month for Alton High School. Another freshman Monica Klockemper also stood out for the Redbirds, so the future looks bright in girls' cross country for the Redbirds. Helfrich finished in 21:30 in the regional for three miles and lowered her time to 21:10.73 at the Normal Sectional for 104th position. The Redbirds Head Girls Cross Country Coach Tammy Talbert said Sophia had never been in a 5K race until this season and didn’t know what to expect, but kept improving as the season endured. “She has a heart for competition and has a bright future,” her coach said. “She has already set goals for the future and I think she can attain them.”

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GRANITE CITY - Granite City’s girls' cross country squad recently completed a very successful season with a sixth-place finish in the Quincy Regional to advance to the sectional. Emilee Franklin led the girls with a 20th-place finish in a time of 20:52.40 over the three-mile course. Lauryn Fenoglio finished 31st in a time of 22:04.70. Lydia Harris’ time was 24:29.1, Mercedez Daniels had a time of 26:59.8, Reina Campos-Martinez was in at 28:30.5 and Rowan Wallace had a time of 33:44.1. In the sectional, the Warriors recorded some excellent performances. These were the Granite City times: Emilee Franklin led the Warriors with a clocking of 19:45.93, with Lauryn Fenoglio in at 21:53.71, Lydia Harris came home at 22:45.39, Madison Tanksley had a time of 24:15.73, Olivia Davis was in at 26:04.86, Reina Campos-Martinez had a time of 27:02.12 and Mercedez Daniels came home at 27:20.25. The Granite City girls' cross country team is a Stillwater Senior Living Female Athletes of

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GRAFTON - Louise (Lou) Lenkman received a Certificate of Appreciation from Mayor Morrow on behalf of the City Council for her outstanding service and leadership as Project Manager for the Edward Amburg Historical Museum. Appointed by the last administration, Mrs. Lenkman was instrumental in bringing the architect’s plans to life. She oversaw the countless details of the construction phase as well as managing the grant monies and purchasing the needed accouterments for the new museum. “Lou did an outstanding job as the Project Manager for the City of Grafton,” said Mayor Morrow. “We are very grateful for her dedication, expertise, and hard work in accomplishing this momentous task on time and within budget.” Alderman Andy Jackson read a statement of gratitude prepared by former Mayor Rick Eberlin, who was unable to attend last night’s meeting in person. Mayor Eberlin expressed his thanks and appreciation for Lou’s commitment and professional

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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville-based custom home builder and construction company Spencer Homes, LLC, announced today the acquisition of Fulford Home Remodeling, a leader in residential remodeling for over 35 years, and Fulford Home HandyMan. Both companies are based in Swansea, Ill. “Remodeling projects often seem overwhelming, but with the right team of professionals and technology it can be very exciting and rewarding,” said Mike Rathgeb, founder of Spencer Homes. “For several years, I have considered Mark Fulford a mentor as both a business professional and leader in the building industry for decades. The opportunity to continue his legacy and team up with this exceptional group is truly an honor.” The addition of Fulford Home Remodeling will expand Spencer Homes’ staff to over 20 experienced design and construction professionals. The Fulford Home Remodeling office will remain open to customers at 3318 N. Illinois in Swansea, Ill. In early 2023, Spencer

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EDWARDSVILLE - As the holidays approach, Madison County Transit (MCT) would like to remind bus passengers of a few altered service schedules coming up around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Thursday, Nov. 24 (Thanksgiving): No MCT Bus Service Friday, Nov. 25: Normal MCT Bus Service Saturday, Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve): Normal Saturday Service Sunday, Dec. 25 (Christmas): No MCT Bus Service Monday, Dec. 26: Operating on Sunday Schedule Tuesday, Dec. 27: Normal MCT Bus Service Saturday, Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve): Regular Saturday Service Sunday, Jan. 1 (New Year’s Day): No MCT Bus Service Monday, Jan. 2: Operating on Sunday Schedule Tuesday, Jan. 3: Normal MCT Bus Service For more information about MCT bus service this holiday season call 618-797-INFO (4636) or e-mail info@mct.org.

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CHICAGO – On November 15, 2022, at approximately 10:20 p.m., Illinois State Police (ISP) officials investigated a two-vehicle traffic crash involving an ISP Trooper’s squad car on Interstate 290 eastbound near Pulaski Road in Cook County. On the above date and time, an ISP Trooper was stationary in the left lane with emergency lights activated investigating a traffic crash. A silver 2000 Chevrolet Silverado, traveling eastbound, failed to yield to the stationary emergency vehicle and struck the right side of the ISP squad car. The Trooper was inside of the car at the time of the crash and there were no injuries reported as a result. The driver of the Chevrolet, 19-year-old Luis A. Reyna Gomez of Chicago, IL, was issued a citation for a violation of Scott’s Law – Failure To Yield To Stationary Emergency Vehicle and Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident. There have been 23 ISP Move Over Law-related crashes this year and eight Troopers have sustained

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COLLINSVILLE – The Collinsville Police Department today released a sketch of a man who is wanted in an investigation into a recent abduction of a female and sexual assault. Collinsville Police have also released surveillance photos of the vehicle of interest in the case - a dark-colored Chevy Cruze. The crime occurred around 7:05 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 11, in the Collinsville Crossing Shopping Center, Collinsville Police Major Brett Boerm, a police spokesperson, said. He also said the victim informed police she was abducted at knifepoint while waiting for an online order at Starbucks. The victim said the man was wearing a black hoodie, grey sweatpants, and black high-top tennis shoes. She said he displayed a large knife and ordered her to drive to the Troy area, where she said he sexually assaulted her. The victim explained the man then drove her back to Collinsville Crossing, parked his car, and fled. She then immediately contact the Collinsville Police, who have been investigating

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EDWARDSVILLE – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Graduate School is proud to announce recipients of the Outstanding Teaching Assistant (TA) Award at both the master’s and doctoral levels. The Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award is designed to recognize and reward graduate students for outstanding performance in teaching and instruction. Recipients were recognized at the Graduate School Awards Reception in October and received a $500 cash prize. Rodaina Mousa earned Outstanding TA at the master’s level. Goksu Avdan received the top TA honor at the doctoral level. Mousa is pursuing a master’s in English literature and has served as a TA for several sections of English 101. Her dedication to providing quality education has received the highest of praise from faculty. “Rodaina’s teaching is nothing less than inspiring,” said Matthew Johnson, PhD, director of first-year writing. “At a time when English 101 was being taught

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WOOD RIVER - Wood River Police said today it is currently investigating an incident at Jack Schmitt Chevrolet in Wood River. "We are attempting to identify the person in this photo," Wood River Police Chief Brad Wells said. "If you can help please contact WRPD at 618-251-3114." Chief Wells said no other information could be released about the situation at this time.

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SWANSEA - While dozens of multi-family and industrial projects are happening across the region right now, several local K-12 schools are also getting a face-lift or a completely new facility. Holland Construction Services is currently managing four K-12 construction projects in the Metro East, with several others that wrapped within the last two years. Over the last 36 years, the company has managed 50 K-12 projects in the region, totaling more than $400 million in total renovation and construction costs. The construction company is currently handling a new construction project for Caseyville Elementary, as well as renovation projects for Sparta, Collinsville, and Redbud school districts, in addition to a project for Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville. Several of the projects include features such as multi-purpose rooms, storm shelters, therapy rooms, upgraded building security and increased ADA accessibility. Holland Project Executive Ryan Savage said of the 50 school projects

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ALTON - The City of Alton recently signed an energy aggregation agreement with a new energy supplier, Constellation NewEnergy, Inc. - but what does that mean for Alton residents and their energy prices? Energy prices in general are set to go up nationwide for the winter months, but after December - but how much they go up in Alton depends on which electric supplier residents choose. Section 1-92 of the Illinois Power Agency Act allows local governments to participate in a municipal electricity aggregation program to negotiate the price of electricity for residents and local businesses. Since this became law in 2007, Ward 7 Alderman Nate Keener said Alton residents have been able to choose where they get their energy from. “In the case of Alton, our local government negotiated on the electric market for a supplier of that electricity,” he continued. “Now that we’ve passed that, Alton residents will get to choose whether they want Ameren to deliver th

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced he has reached a settlement with Walmart to resolve allegations that the company contributed to the opioid addiction crisis by failing to appropriately oversee the dispensing of opioids at its stores. The settlement provides more than $3 billion nationally and requires significant improvements to how Walmart’s pharmacies handle opioids. Seventeen state attorneys general on the executive committee, attorneys representing local governments and Walmart have agreed to this settlement, which has been sent to other states for review and approval. The settlement is effective upon approval by 43 states and a population representing 85% of local government units. “Too many families have lost loved ones to the opioid epidemic, and too many people have lost years of their lives to addiction,” Raoul said. “The companies that created and fueled this crisis must be held accountable for providing treatment and recover

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ELSAH - Green Tree Inn announced it has been recognized by Tripadvisor as a 2022 Travelers’ Choice award winner for bed and breakfast inns. The award celebrates businesses that have received great traveler reviews from travelers around the globe on Tripadvisor over the last 12 months. As challenging as the past year was, Green Tree Inn stood out by consistently delivering positive experiences to travelers. “This is the third year in a row we have received this award and we consider it a great honor,” owners Connie and Gary Davis said. “Congratulations to the 2022 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Winners,” said Kanika Soni, Chief Commercial Officer at Tripadvisor. “The Travelers’ Choice Awards recognize the best in tourism and hospitality, according to those who matter most: your guests. Ranking among the Travelers’ Choice winners is always tough — but never more so than this year as we emerge from the pandemic. Whether it's

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SWANSEA - While Belleville Area Humane Society’s board president, Shelly Korves, was preparing for the annual Glo Bingo she received an urgent call from Swansea Police Officer, Erin Huff. Officer Huff and Shelly had previously worked together to try and save an injured kitten. Officer Huff had started feeding a cat in Clinton Hills Park about 3 weeks prior when she closed down the park bathrooms as part of her nightly police duties. Huff believed the feline was pregnant and contacted Shelly for immediate help. Unfortunately, when arriving at Clinton Hills Park the momma cat was nowhere to be found. About 3 days later, on a windy Wednesday, Officer Huff called to say that Fletcher’s Kitchen and Tap successfully trapped the momma cat that Officer Huff saw days prior. When Shelly arrived at the scene she was concerned that the mama had already given birth. Officer Huff and Shelly Korves went through the park and looked all over for her babies, and even crawled around under

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EDWARDSVILLE - Linda Andreas said she is excited about the opportunity to serve as Madison County's new County Clerk. Andreas defeated the incumbent County Clerk Debbie Mendoza in the election on Nov. 8. In her first year, Andreas said she wants to improve the voter rolls and engage more people to participate in the election processes in the county. Judges and volunteers are always needed at the voting locations and for the office, she said. She said she believes her diverse background was something that helped her get elected. "I was a nurse at one point and I also worked in direct sales among other things," she said. "It is cool to see all these pieces of my life come together. I think it will make me ideal to lead the clerk's office." Andreas, a Republican, said Madison County is changing in regard to government officials and the Republican party has become much more successful in elections. Linda also said it is great "we live in a country that enables voters to make decisions

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SPRINGFIELD – An original, handwritten edition of the Gettysburg Address is going on display at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, which will offer free admission Nov. 19, the anniversary of Lincoln’s historic speech. The presidential library’s copy of the Gettysburg Address will be exhibited Nov. 18 through Nov. 28. After that, it returns to a climate-controlled vault for safekeeping. To give more people the opportunity to appreciate this powerful document, admission to the museum will be free on Nov. 19, the 159 th anniversary of Lincoln delivering the speech at a military cemetery in Gettysburg, Pa. The Gettysburg Address is not just Abraham Lincoln’s most famous speech, it’s one of the most famous speeches ever given. Its stirring prose and historic impact have been studied by everyone from schoolchildren to scholars. “In 272 powerful words, Abraham Lincoln captured the pain of the Civil War and the truth of what was at

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GODFREY - Godfrey Mayor Mike McCormick announced today that the Village of Godfrey has been made aware that there are teams of solicitors going door-to-door attempting to enroll residents in programs with alternative electrical suppliers. "While these solicitors are not in violation of any laws and have secured the required solicitation permits, I would like to encourage residents to do your diligence before electing to sign up for this program," the mayor said. "If you would like to participate in the electrical aggregation program, it is not necessary for you to do anything. The new energy supplier with the aggregation program, Constellation Energy, will be sending an introductory letter to Village residents in the coming weeks and their new rates will begin in January. Their rate is 12.1%, or .121 cents, per kilowatt. This rate is locked in for two years and will not be subject to the anticipated fluctuation of Ameren." McCormick continued and said: “As with any door-to-door

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul led a bipartisan coalition of 23 attorneys general filing an amicus brief in support of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) efforts to combat alleged illegal debt collection practices in the student loan industry. The CFPB filed a lawsuit alleging that 15 trusts purchased student loan debt and then engaged in illegal debt collection practices in an attempt to collect on that debt. The CFPB’s complaint describes how collections agencies hired by the trusts submitted false and misleading affidavits and testimony in support of nearly 100,000 debt collection actions brought by the trusts. Additionally, the trusts are alleged to have filed hundreds of lawsuits against consumers for debt that was time-barred or missing critical supporting documentation. Raoul and the coalition argue that the trusts should be held liable for these misdeeds under the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010. “Unlawful conduct that

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