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EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine is set to argue against the new subcircuit law in the 4th Appellate District on June 22, 2022, on behalf of Madison County. Joining the County as Plaintiffs against the new law are Judges Chris Threlkeld and Amy Sholar (Represented by Attorney James Craney), Senate Minority Leader Dan McConchie (Represented by Phillip A. Luetkehans), and pro-se Plaintiff Chrissy Wiley. Supporting the law are Defendants Governor Pritzker, the Illinois State Board of Elections, Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, and Speaker of the Illinois House Chris Welch. In the new subcircuit law, the General Assembly suddenly created three new gerrymandered judicial subcircuits in Madison County without any public hearings or input. In response, a bi-partisan and overwhelming majority of the Madison County Board passed a resolution condemning this new gerrymandered judiciary scheme and calling for legal action to oppose it. After initially granting

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GLEN CARBON - Father McGivney Catholic High School recently graduated a senior class of 47 that posted some unbelievable accomplishments in both academics, scholarships, ACT scores, and athletics in the 2021-2022 school year. Lorraine Hentz and Jude Henke earned the Father Michael J. McGivney Legacy Award, McGivney's highest honor. "The recipients of this award have been nominated by the FMCHS administration and faculty," Principal Joe Lombardi said. "The recipients exemplify the spirit of our Catholic High School and patron Father Michael J. McGivney. Both recipients have exhibited the foundational pillars of Unity, Charity, Fraternity, and Patriotism. "They possess an excellent attitude and a proficiency in academics - demonstrated a Christ-centered and active faith - devoted to serving the culture of life, and joyfully living out their faith through prayer and celebration of the sacraments while courageously sharing the Good News of the Gospel."

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COLLINSVILLE – Multiple streets will be receiving much needed attention as the Collinsville City Council unanimously approved a mill and overlay program at the May 24 meeting. The ordinance is to award a mill and overlay contact to Rooters Asphalt in the amount of $304,411.20. This bid came in under the $350,096.72 engineer’s estimate and under the $400,000 budgeted. According to Associate Engineer Kevin Madden, the project includes the mill and overlay of Northview Drive, Windridge Drive, West Clay Street and a portion of the Gateway Convention Center parking lot. Madden said the roads have significant cracking, including deformation to Northview Drive and by doing the mill and overlay the life of the road can be extended by as much as 20 years. Included in this project is restriping the roads as well as curb repairs where needed. This work is scheduled to begin on June 13 and be completed by September 1. In other business, the council unanimously approved a contract

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ALTON - Ten-year celebrations for businesses are always special, but the one this past Friday at Olive Oils Marketplace was what one could describe as "extra-special." The Friday ribbon cut to mark 10 years in business at the 108 W. 3rd St. in Alton location was a time to remember both the good and tough times, but it was a celebration the owners will not forget. Julie and Tim Meeks are the owners of Olive Oil Marketplace. Tim describes the business perfectly as a store for "foodies." Julie said she considers the marketplace a “gourmet kitchen store” which specializes in olive oils and balsamic vinegars, but also offers much more. At the ribbon-cutting on Friday, several product samples from vendors and in-store sales were offered to customers. Julie Meeks was emotional when she reflected on the 10 years at the 108 W. 3rd St. location and she and Tim both thanked their customers and family for their ardent support. Julie said during the COVID-19 Pandemic, it was

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WOOD RIVER - The City of Wood River Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Group has a meeting set from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at 550 E. Madison Avenue, Wood River. The City of Wood River Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan is forming a Community Advisory Group of diverse residents, business owners, and other interested parties representing a range of backgrounds and neighborhoods within the city. "We are seeking more representatives and local student bicycle commuters from Lewis and Clark Community College to join the group in the review and discussion of existing conditions and community goals impacting the plan," the city said in a statement. "Please note attendance at the meeting does not guarantee placement on the Community Advisory Group."

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EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County Treasurer, Chris Slusser, said property owners should be receiving tax bills soon, with the first installment coming due July 7. The Treasurer’s Office will continue rolling out paperless delivery of tax bills, or “e-notice”, this year. Included on the front page of this year’s tax bill will be a website, enoticesonline.com, and an authorization code that will allow taxpayers to begin receiving their tax bills electronically the next year. Those who escrow taxes are strongly encouraged to sign-up for paperless billing to save printing and paper costs. “Although the Treasurer’s office serves as the county’s tax collector, it’s important to remember that the Treasurer’s office doesn’t determine the amount that is billed”, Slusser said. Property tax bills are determined by four factors — the assessment, the equalization factor or ‘multiplier,’ the tax rate and any exemptions.”

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ALTON - The Alton Municipal Band is gearing up to begin its 132nd season of Concerts in the Parks. Directed by David Drillinger and Jennifer Shenberger, the band will perform a nine-week concert season at Riverview and Haskell parks in Alton. Each week the band will present music that fits a different theme: from the famous children’s concert to the always-popular patriotic concert, there is sure to be music for everyone’s taste. This year, there are also a few surprises throughout the season that audiences will not want to miss! Thursday concerts will be held at the gazebo in Riverview Park, at 7:30 p.m. Sunday concerts are at Haskell Park, in front of Lucy Haskell’s historic playhouse, at 7 p.m. The season will begin with concerts on June 9th and 12th. Guest vocalist Jared Hennings will wow the audience with his powerful baritone voice at both concerts, and Mayor David Goins will make a special appearance at Sunday’s concert. Alton Municipal Band concerts

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GRAFTON - The City of Grafton unveiled a replica of the Dinky rail bus to a large, enthusiastic crowd at the Grafton Visitor’s Center and Museum on Saturday, June 4, 2022. Mayor Mike Morrow, who presided over the ceremony, called upon Alton’s Honorable Mayor Reverend David Goins for the Invocation. Mayor Morrow led the group in singing the National Anthem. He then gave a brief history of how the Dinky replica came to rest in Grafton. From 1939 until 1953, the Dinky traveled its rails beside the Mississippi between Alton and Grafton, connecting all stops along the way in less than half an hour. Reversed by a man-powered turntable near the Loading Dock, it would head back to Alton. “We are happy to see such a great turnout today,” Alderman Jim Spencer, a member of the Dinky Restoration Committee, said. “Many people have moved this project forward over the last ten years to its dedication today.” “Isn’t it true that all good stories

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ROXANA - The top male performance of the spring for a Roxana Shells boys athlete has to be Ashton Noble’s second-place finish at the IHSA Class 2A Boys State Track and Field Meet in Charleston in late May. Noble tossed the discus 51.01 meters, just behind the champion David Russell of Chillicothe (Illinois Valley Central), who threw the discus 52.35 meters. JehChys Brown of Centralia was third with a toss of 50.14 meters. Ashton is a Midwest Members Credit Union Male Athlete of the Month for the Shells. Roxana Boys Track and Field Coach Julie Akal said Ashton is just an “amazingly strong athlete.” “Ashton is very explosive and a big, quick guy, but very fast,” she said. “He also had a good throws coach this season in Lia Tulua.” Ashton is also a key member of the Shells football team. His coach said the Shells' athlete could play either football or throw the discus in track and field for a college. She hopes it's possible he can do both

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JERSEY COUNTY - The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced starting Monday, June 13, 2022, State Highway 109 will be closed between Lodi Road and Hagen Road in Jersey County. IDOT said this is a complete road closure and no traffic will be able to move through the area. IDOT added that a box culvert is being replaced. "The closure will be for approximately two weeks," IDOT explained. "Alternate routes should be taken during this time. Marked detours will be posted." 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

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EDWARDSVILLE – At approximately 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 5, the Edwardsville Fire Department was dispatched to a working structure fire at a single-family residence near 5th Avenue and Bryant Avenue. Upon arrival, heavy fire was observed in the garage. The family was home at the time but was safely evacuated by first responders. Edwardsville Fire Department Incident Commander Brenden McKee moved the fire to a Second Alarm, which brought additional fire suppression and EMS units to the scene. The fire lasted for roughly one hour before it was declared under control just after 6 p.m. Sunday. Mutual aid was provided by the following agencies: Bethalto, Collinsville, Wood River Fire, Glen Carbon, and Maryville fire departments, along with Highland and Hamel EMS. The home was heavily damaged and is currently uninhabitable, and the American Red Cross is assisting the family. Additionally, three vehicles located in and around the home’s garage were destroyed. A firefighter

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ST. LOUIS - Susan G. Komen ® , the world’s leading breast cancer organization, today announced that it will hold a MORE THAN PINK Walk in St. Louis on Saturday, June 11, 2022, at Tower Grove Park. “We are excited to welcome Walk participants in person this year and grateful for the opportunity to provide a community for anyone who has been impacted by breast cancer. Whether you are in treatment, celebrating survivorship, or a family member, friend or loved one, we hope you will join us in June and be part of our collective efforts to end breast cancer forever,” said Dawna Currigan, Director of Development of Missouri, and Kansas at Susan G. Komen. All members of our breast cancer community honoring friends, family and anyone who has been impacted by the disease are welcome. The MORE THAN PINK Walk is a day where the Greater St. Louis area comes together to find a cure for breast cancer by raising funds through registrations and sponsorships - giving more

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ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE) has opened applications for its Summer Youth Employment Program. Funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the program offers St. Louis youth ages 14-24 years old the opportunity for an 8-week paid work experience throughout various departments with the City of St. Louis. Young adults will also participate in workshops that will prove to be beneficial to their academic, personal, and professional development and success while earning up to $15/hour. “SLATE is ready to do our part to help keep our youth safe and productive this summer,” said SLATE Executive Director Fredrecka McGlown, “Many St. Louis residents have entered the workforce with support from SLATE, and we are eager to continue the tradition while educating residents on the various phenomenal programs our agency offers.” Applicants must be 14-24 years old, be a resident of the City of St. Louis, as well as reside in

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CHICAGO — Governor JB Pritzker today joined legislators, students, and teachers at the Morton Arboretum to designate Dolostone as the official rock of the State of Illinois. House Bill 4261 began as an initiative led by a group of elementary school students from Pleasantdale Middle School in Burr Ridge and Maplebrook Elementary School in Naperville. After the students discovered that Illinois did not have a state rock, they created a ballot and had students across the state vote for a winner. The chosen rock was Dolostone. Dolostone, a form of limestone, forms the majority of Illinois’s bedrock, establishing a foundation for the state’s other natural terrain. Its name comes from its original discovery in the Dolomite Alps Illinois recognizes several other official symbols of the state, including; state bird- the Northern Red Cardinal, state flower- the violet, state tree- the white oak, and state fish- the bluegill. More officially designated state flora and fauna

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GLEN CARBON - With all the ups and downs of today’s world, one local metro-east author wants to make sure that we are all focusing on what truly matters. Kristen L. Schindler, who resides in Glen Carbon, has recently had her first children’s book, Finding Happy published by PenIt Publications. The book is about a little girl named Lilly Anna Grace. She is a lively little girl who loves adventure and as her seventh birthday gets closer, she dreams about the perfect gift which just so happens to be a puppy. She has it all figured out however, her parents have a couple of other ideas. Before becoming a published author, Kristen L. Schindler, worked as an educator for 22 years in District #7 and at Metro East Montessori School. Five years ago she decided to depart that career and homeschool her three children. “I really wanted to take the time after pouring so many years into the lives of other people’s children; I wanted to be there for my own children. I wanted

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ST. LOUIS – June 6, 2022 – Blues for Kids, the charitable trust of the St. Louis Blues, is now accepting grant applications for the upcoming season. Following the trusts’ mission to positively impact programs and services that improve health and wellness of youth in the St. Louis area, Blues for Kids grants are given to organizations and projects dedicated to one of the following four categories: Cancer Care & Awareness; Education; Health & Wellness; and Youth & Amateur Hockey Development. Multiple grant awardees will be chosen, with the average grant ranging from $1,000 - $5,000. In addition to traditional grants, for the first time ever, Blues for Kids will offer four Captain’s Grants and one Legacy Grant to programs that create a larger and sustainable impact on youth in St. Louis. Captain’s Grants, one for each of the four categories of giving, will be awarded $25,000 - $50,000. One Legacy Grant of $50,000 - $250,000 will be awarded to build or create

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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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