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JERSEYVILLE - Do you wow others with your watercolors or drawing skills, blow them away with your basket- or rug-weaving skills, or amaze your friends with your culinary masterpieces? The Jersey County Arts Council invites local artists to join them Sunday, Dec. 11 any time between 1 and 4 p.m. to learn about teaching opportunities. The event will be held in the basement of the First Presbyterian Church, located at 400 S. State St. in Jerseyville. The council is developing a 2023 schedule of classes that cover a range of artistic mediums for both adults and children. Jersey County Arts Council Director Sherry Droste said, “The sky’s the limit in terms of the types of talent we’re looking for. While professional artists are welcome, we’re also interested in enthusiastic amateur artists willing to share their creative passion and skill with others.” If you are interested in learning more about teaching opportunities with the Arts Council, drop by Dec.

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ALTON - Alton firefighters battled a structure fire in the 600 block of Oak Street Sunday night. The home was on the city’s “Do Not Enter List,” Battalion Chief Derrick Richardson said. Richardson said Alton firefighters were on the scene of the fire for about two hours and it was from a defensive perspective because of the “Do Not Enter” situation. The fire call came to the Alton Fire Department at 9:30 p.m. Sunday. “Someone was living in there that shouldn’t be with his dog and was using the fireplace,” Richardson said. “The dog ran out when we got there and was safe and the man who was in the home had left before we got there. A problem with the fireplace could have possibly been the cause of the fire.” East Alton Fire Department was also called to the scene to assist, Richardson said. The Alton Fire Department continues to investigate the situation.

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HIGHLAND - The Highland Arts Council hosted the sixth annual Arts in Action: Youth Arts Expo 2022 at the Highland Masonic Lodge on Saturday, November 19. It featured over twenty regional visual and performing artists, grades 5-12, showcasing their talent for the public. Featured were visual artists Reagan Adolph, Maccenna Fischer, and MariEva Mallrich of Highland High School; Jameson Mallrich of Highland Middle School; Hazel Bast of Highland Elementary; Olivia Clark, Cora Eversgerd, Hayli Rinne, Hailey Rolfingsmeyer and Emma C. Toeben of Central Community High School in Breese; Wade Diekemper, Isabelle Gilomen, Maggie Maxwell, and Maddie Quaid of Carlyle High School; Clara Ledbetter who is homeschooled, and Lipika Singh of Liberty Middle School in Edwardsville. Performing artists were Elias Allen, Maddalena Altmeyer, and Lukas Raynor of Highland High School and Emma Jaco of Highland Middle School. The Highland Arts Council actively promotes the arts in and around the community of

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police Department Crimes Against Persons detectives are currently investigating a homicide in the 6600 block of Larry Lane in the City of Berkeley which resulted in the death of an adult male. At approximately 2 a.m. Sunday, Police Officers from the City of Berkeley received a call for “Shooting” in the 6600 block of Larry Lane. Berkeley Police Officers contacted a male, suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg. The male told them that he was involved in a gun fight with another male who was inside of the residence. Paramedics responded and pronounced the male inside the residence deceased on scene. The male who was initially contacted by Berkeley police was conveyed to an area hospital for treatment of a non-life threatening gunshot wound. The St. Louis County Police Department Crimes Against Persons was requested by the City of Berkeley Police and are now leading the investigation. The deceased has been positively identified as

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ALTON - Alton Municipal Band Board Chairman Aaron Rodgers and the cast are excited to present its annual Holiday Concert once more. This year, the concert will be held at 7 p.m. on Sunday, December 4, at the First Presbyterian Church of Alton (located at the corner of 4th and Alby Streets.) Rodgers said the concert will offer "joyful fun." Rodgers added that conductor Jen Shenberger will lead the ensemble in performances of timeless Christmas classics, as well as some new twists on old holiday favorites. Famed soloist Erin Bode will travel all the way from Nashville to present her vocal stylings, with jazzy tunes and toe-tappers that are sure to delight. "This concert will be a family-friendly evening of live music," Rodgers said. Admission is free.

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Over the past few years, the popularity of charcuterie boards has expanded from restaurant appetizers to holiday get-togethers and everything in between. The infinitely customizable assortment of meats, cheeses, fruits, breads and spreads can add a pop of color and flavor to your table and provide many options for your family and guests. Do not be intimidated by this sometimes, difficult to pronounce word; there is no set recipe, which makes for a creative project each time! What is Charcuterie? Charcuterie is a French term for the art of preparing and assembling cured meat and meat products. Charcuterie-style meat and cheese boards have become very popular outside of France, and this concept has evolved to include many foods besides meat, along with a variety of presentation variations and ingredient themes. Charcuterie cones, skewers, jarcuterie (layered in a small mason jar) and dessert boards (although not technically charcuterie) are a few examples of this expanding trend.

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JERSEYVILLE - The Jerseyville City Council denied an application to rezone 935 South State Street at their meeting last Tuesday. This is Unit 140 of the Jerseyville Mall, the former location of Security Finance between Dollar General and Big Boy’s Donuts. The applicant, Cindy Brown Kolb, sought to re-zone the location from B-3 to B-3 with Special Use for Alcohol, with the intended use as a café and lunch restaurant with alcohol and video gaming machines. The Planning & Zoning Board did not recommend the application’s approval to the City Council because the establishment had not met city ordinances regarding the percentage of sales-to-food ratio and amount of space available at the location. Essentially, the concern from the city was that the business would appear more like a gaming business with a café attached, rather than the other way around, which led to a response from Brown Kolb herself. “It’s not the intent to just be gaming. We do intend

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MARYVILLE - The Anderson Hospital Foundation recently donated $1,000,000 and Busey Bank donated $100,000 toward the Anderson Cafe’ Refresh Project. Early in the year, the hospital moved the cafeteria to the additional seating area and created a small canteen during the renovation. The Food Service team and employees did a great job adapting to the change of space and workflow during the renovation. The refreshed space now includes updates such as: An increased footprint, a double-sided salad bar, an action station, grill orders to go, increased merchandising space to increase the diversity of snacks and beautiful furnishings for seating. The Anderson Café is used by employees, community members, and visitors. The café provides a place for respite for family members and employees during difficult times. Emily Simms, Food Service Director said “Everyone who comes into our café will enjoy a bit of peace in this new uplifting and bright space for years

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ALTON — Tractor Supply Company will spread Christmas cheer this year with their Photos with Santa event. Held Dec. 10, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., Tractor Supply customers are invited to bring their children and pets to the store for photos with Santa and other Christmas activities. A local photographer will be on-site during the event taking Christmas photos of Santa's Little Helpers and their owners. The first 25 customers to take their photo with Santa will also receive a free magnetic picture frame. Participating event partners will include: Pet Photos with Santa On-site from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pet Vet On-site from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. "At Tractor Supply, we welcome families with open arms," said Michael Webb, manager of the Alton Tractor Supply store. "This is one of many children and pet-friendly events held throughout the year to show our appreciation for our loyal customers and their loved ones." This event is open to the public and will take place a

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SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois AMBER Alert Task Force commemorates the 20 th Anniversary of the first America’s Missing Broadcast Emergency Response (AMBER) Alert broadcast in Illinois. The first AMBER Alert broadcast took place at 5:35 p.m. on November 26, 2002 in LaSalle, Illinois. The AMBER Alert System is named after 9-year-old Amber Hagerman who was abducted and later found murdered in 1996 after playing near her home in Arlington, Texas. In response to community concern, the Texas Association of Radio Managers and law enforcement created the first AMBER Plan. Today, all 50 states have similar plans. The goal of the AMBER Alert is to instantly galvanize the entire community to assist in the search for and safe return of missing children. The Illinois AMBER Alert Task Force is a voluntary partnership between law enforcement agencies, broadcasters, the Illinois Press Association, the Illinois Tollway, the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Illinois Lottery,

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) expanded access to its Multiple Interactive Learning Objective (MILO) Range Theater Simulators this year allowing local law enforcement departments to take advantage of this training. MILO simulation broadens the law enforcement training experience by providing real-world, interactive use-of-force scenarios that increase safety and awareness for officers in the field. The training increases decision making efficiencies in high stress situations and environments, resulting in more highly trained officers. “It is important for all officers to have access to the most advanced training available to resolve situations peacefully when possible and protect the public’s safety,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “This simulation training exposes officers to high stress situations so they are better able to react to real-world incidents they encounter every day.” Along with Rapid Deployment training,

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EDWARDSVILLE – The Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI) in the Office of Online Services and Educational Outreach at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has further expanded its reach to area seniors through a pilot program with Meridian Village of Glen Carbon. The LLI hosts a speaker series during the fall and spring semesters, which are usually facilitated by SIUE faculty members and community experts on a range of topics related to current events as well as everything from art to zoology. The LLI, which has existed in various forms since the 1970s, has provided area seniors with an opportunity to engage with SIUE faculty and community experts in a friendly, welcoming environment. Community members may join the Institute for a minimal fee to have access to these talks, as well as other benefits. As the LLI evolved during the pandemic to include a hybrid option, it also presented the Institute with an opportunity to reach a broader audience through business memberships.

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CARLINVILLE - Blackburn College will celebrate the holiday season with its annual Christmas at Blackburn event at 7 p.m. on Sunday, December 5, 2022, in Clegg Chapel. The performance will be free and open to the public. A Lessons and Carols service, the celebration will include the Blackburn College Choir, student instrumental performances, and scripture readings presented by students, faculty, and community members. Blackburn’s Music faculty, Dr. Joseph Welch and Dr. See Tsai Chan, will direct the production and provide accompaniment, respectively. “We are honored to continue the tradition of celebrating Christmas at Blackburn. The carols and candlelight make for a magical evening ushering in the Christmas season,” Raven Brooks, a music and theater faculty assistant, explained. There will be no reservations required for the event. Clegg Chapel is located in Hudson Hall - the main academic building on campus. For more information, please contact music@blackburn.edu

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CHICAGO — Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined a coalition of`18 attorneys general in filing a brief in support of a substitute teacher at a North Carolina Catholic high school whose employment was terminated after announcing plans to marry his same-sex partner. The coalition argues that the First Amendment does not give an employer the right to illegally discriminate against an employee because of their sex. The brief , filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit in Billard v. Charlotte Catholic High School et al., supports a ruling by the North Carolina federal district court in favor of the teacher’s arguments that the school violated Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act by discriminating on the basis of sex. “No employer has the right to fire an employee based on who they love or who they are,” Raoul said. “I am committed to standing with my fellow attorneys general to fight workplace discrimination by ensuring that all employers

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CHICAGO - A Macoupin County man - 22-year-old Allyn Matthew Burtle - prosecuted was sentenced to six years in prison for solicitation of child pornography followed by two years of probation for possession of child pornography, Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced today. Burtle was prosecuted by Raoul's office. Burtle was sentenced on Thursday by Macoupin County Circuit Court Judge Joshua Meyer after pleading guilty to one Class X felony count of child pornography solicitation and one Class 2 felony count of possession of child pornography with a victim under the age of 13. “Every day, members of my Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force work tirelessly to identify and track down individuals who assault and exploit children,” Raoul said. “This sentencing highlights the vital work of this task force. I will continue to partner with law enforcement and state’s attorneys throughout Illinois to ensure justice for victims of exploitation and sexual assault.&rdquo

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EDWARDSVILLE - The City Council will convene for its regular meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, December 6, 2022, at the R.P. Lumber Center, 6289 Tiger Drive. The meeting is open to the public and will be held in the first-floor community room. Ongoing repairs at City Hall, 118 Hillsboro Avenue, will prevent the City Council from gathering there for the December 6 meeting. The R.P. Lumber Center is operated by the City’s Parks and Recreation Department, and includes an ice rink, track and fitness area, study and game room for teens, and community meeting space. It opened in June near Edwardsville High School. A portion of the first and second floors of City Hall incurred water damage the day before Thanksgiving when an upstairs faucet overflowed overnight. The City Council chamber and the adjacent Governor Edwards Conference Room on the first floor sustained damage. The City is in the process of compiling cost estimates and making updates and repairs to the space. City committee and

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ALTON - Ameren Illinois spokesperson Brian Bretsch confirmed Friday after there was a 90-minute power outage earlier today in Alton. "Approximately 2,700 customers were affected at 12:30 p.m.," he said. "The cause was determined to be a piece of equipment that malfunctioned and fell into a power line. "Crews quickly found the cause and were able to have the power safely re-routed from another circuit at 2 p.m. Friday." Bretsch continued and said one customer will remain without power until approximately 4 p.m. to allow crews time to replace the piece of equipment. "The outage location was near the Alton Lock and Dam," Bretsch said.

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JERSEY - New Jersey County Sheriff Nick Manns was sworn-in in Jersey County on Thursday by Judge Allison Lorton with his wife, Robin, at his side. Manns made this statement about Thursday's special event: "I would just say that while I have been blessed to travel and work around our country, it was a very special honor to be sworn in as the Sheriff for the County that raised me by Judge Lorton in a courtroom I first visited as a child on a school field trip. "To top it all off, I was surrounded by my family, friends, and coworkers from over the years, which included those who helped me campaign and good friends from the East St. Louis community." Manns enters the new position with 28 years of federal and state law enforcement experience. He has extensive experience in drug and violent crime investigations. He was once part of a counterterrorism mission in Iraq. He has also been a Major Case Squad investigator and federal and Illinois State Police Supervisor and instructor. He also

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ALTON – Andrew Chu MD, medical director of the Alton Memorial Hospital lab, is the winner of the 2022 Alton Memorial Hospital Chairman’s Award. Dr. Chu won based on nominations submitted by employees and his fellow physicians. He received the award recently from Gary Ayres, chairman of the AMH board of directors. Dr. Chu succeeded Dr. Susan Rayne, who retired in March 2021. “I am honored to be in this position and grateful that so many people value what we are doing in the laboratory,” Dr. Chu said. “Having been at AMH for nearly seven years, I have had the privilege of working with many physicians who I feel are deserving of this recognition. I owe a special thanks to the entire lab team, and, in particular (manager) Ruth Tepen and (supervisor) Melissa Crouch. Dr. Chu has been on staff at AMH since 2016 and has served as chief of pathology and laboratory medical director since April 2021. He is also the director of flow cytometry, hematology, and molecular

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CHICAGO – With COVID-19 cases and other respiratory viruses on the increase around Illinois, the Illinois Department of Public Health is reminding the public to take steps to protect themselves and their loved ones during the holiday season. This includes being fully vaccinated and boosted for COVID-19 and the flu and getting tested for COVID-19 before attending holiday gatherings, especially if you’ll be visiting someone at high risk for severe outcome. Public health officials also urged Illinoisans who test positive to immediately contact a healthcare provider and discuss whether they should take one of the widely available and effective treatments for COVID-19. IDPH is stressing these safety reminders as the CDC reported 63 Illinois counties are at an elevated Community Level for COVID-19 as of November 18, up from 46 counties at an elevated level in the previous week, with 12 counties at a High Community Level and 51 counties at a Medium Level. IDPH is reporting

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