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CHICAGO — Attorney General Kwame Raoul co-led a coalition of 20 attorneys generals in commending the U.S. Department of Education for its far-reaching proposed regulatory reforms and in urging the department to adopt additional improvements to achieve equitable and transparent relief for student borrowers. The coalition submitted public comments to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, supporting the department’s proposed changes to its Borrower Defense, Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and Closed School Discharge regulations, while recommending additional changes to further benefit borrowers. “I commend the U.S. Department of Education for making important reforms to protect student borrowers and taxpayers from predatory schools,” said Raoul. “Today, we are calling on the department to strengthen and clarify some of these changes to ensure equitable relief for students in Illinois and across the country.” The Borrower Defense Rule was intended

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BELLEVILLE — Governor Pritzker joined local legislators and stakeholders today to announce a new law enforcement-focused campus in Belleville in partnership with the city of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC), the Illinois State Police (ISP), and Southern Illinois University (SIU). The campus, located on the former site of Lindenwood University’s undergraduate program, was repurchased by the City of Belleville through a grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). “Thanks to a grant from Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Southwestern Illinois Justice & Workforce Development Campus will mold our passionate students into law enforcement professionals — from police officers to lawyers to forensic scientists,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This is a shining example of good government doing good work — collaborating with community partners and investing the time and resources necessary

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GLEN CARBON – Have you ever wanted to ask a question to a real astronaut? Let’s get an answer together! Come join Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois for a presentation from a local astronaut along with other fun activities on Saturday, September 10! Girl Scout alum and recent United States Astronaut Hall of Fame inductee Dr. Sandra Magnus will lead a presentation for girls on September 10 in Belleville. Dr. Magnus, who also grew up in Belleville, had an illustrious career at NASA and continues to advocate for STEM education. At this event, girls will also experience space activities from program partners from SIUE STEM Outreach Program and Riverbend Astronomy Club. “Dr. Magnus continues to be an inspiration for girls, particularly those interested in STEM,” said Mary Buchanan, Senior Director of Program Engagement. “She is a true champion of girl ambition, and we’re thrilled she is partnering with us to provide this amazing experience for girls

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - On Monday, August 15, 2022, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued warrants on suspect Alex Callier IV, 29 years of age, of the 7000 block of Greenhaven Drive in St. Louis, Missouri 63136, for Murder Second Degree, Armed Criminal Action, and Tampering with Physical Evidence in a Felony Prosecution. A mugshot of Callier is attached. Callier is being held on $150,000 cash only, no 10% bond. Please note, charges are merely an accusation and Defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law. The probable cause statement reads: Victim and Defendant are cousins and had been at Victim’s house. Victim and Defendant went to a nearby store and began to argue over a debt. Video also shows what appears to be an argument between the two. Victim walks away and then returns to Defendant. There is nothing in Victim’s hands and he did not reach for anything at his waist. Cartridge casings were located at the scene.

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WASHINGTON – Home Run Inn Frozen Foods, a Woodridge, Ill., establishment, announced today it is recalling approximately 13,099 pounds of frozen meat pizza product that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically metal, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The frozen meat pizzas were produced on June 6, 2022. The following product is subject to recall : 33.5-oz cartons containing “Home Run Inn CHICAGO'S PREMIUM PIZZERIA DELUXE SAUSAGE CLASSIC PIZZA” with “best by” date “12/03/22”. The products are subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 18498-A” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to a distributor in Illinois and then further distributed to retailers. The problem was discovered when the firm notified FSIS that it had received consumer complaints reporting metal was found in the pizza. There have been no confirmed

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ALTON - Alton Police responded to an area on Belle Street in Downtown Alton Monday afternoon for what Police Chief Marcos Pulido described as "a suspicious actions complaint." "Officers contacted the driver, and it was determined that he had several outstanding warrants for his arrest," the chief said. A man was taken into custody by police at the scene.

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ALTON - A spirited Bans Off Our Bodies Rally was held in Downtown Alton on Saturday. The event was organized by Virginia Woulfe-Beile and Missy Ruth Johnson and was held at the intersection of Landmarks Boulevard and Piasa Street in Alton. Planned Parenthood also assisted in the organization of the event. The rally was described as a pushback against the recent SCOTUS decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade, which the organizers say put women’s lives at risk and restricted women’s access to healthcare. A large group attended the Saturday rally. In a historic and far-reaching decision, the U.S. Supreme Court officially reversed Roe v. Wade in June, declaring that the constitutional right to abortion, upheld for nearly half a century, no longer exists. Beile delivered opening remarks and said she and others in the group do not want to go back to the way things were before Roe vs. Wade. Several U.S. states immediately banned abortion after the Supreme Court Ruling. The high

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EDWARDSVILLE - Metro Community Church in Edwardsville has released information about incidents shared with local police departments of several reported instances of persons associated with the church receiving texts from someone impersonating Lead Pastor Seth Conerly. "The texts ask that a gift card be purchased and sent to Seth for the purposes of giving to people in need — to be reimbursed at a later date — and then pictures of the gift card information be shared," the church said in a release. "The texts end with the signature “Seth Conerly.” Local police departments are investigating the scam. Metro Community Church Director of Operations John Helmcamp said the church has turned it over to the police and noted that this type of situation has occurred with another church in Granite City over the last week. “We are aware this has happened with two different churches, and there could be more,” he said. “We wanted to make sure people were

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BELLEVILLE — Illinois American Water is accepting applications for its 2022 Firefighter Grant Program. Through this program, the company provides financial assistance to fire and emergency organizations in its service areas. Eligible fire departments can apply online by visiting www.illinoisamwater.com - News & Community - Firefighter Grant Program. According to Justin Ladner, president of Illinois American Water, the Firefighter Grant Program provides another opportunity to support public safety. He said, “Our team of professionals treat the water and test every fire hydrant annually to support local fire protection. The Firefighter Grant program is one more way we can strengthen our partnerships with local heroes and support the communities we serve.” Since 2010, Illinois American Water has awarded over $760,000 for over 770 grants to Illinois fire departments. Fire departments-districts are eligible for one grant per year. Uniformed professional and volunteer

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CHICAGO — Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced a lawsuit against The Kroger Co. (Kroger) and SSI Services LLC in relation to the alleged improper handling and removal of materials containing asbestos from a grocery store in Taylorville, Illinois. The lawsuit alleges that Kroger and SSI Services conducted unsafe renovations by leaving chipped floor tiles that contained asbestos in areas accessible to the public while the store was open, creating a substantial danger to public health. There is no known safe exposure level to asbestos. Inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause serious and fatal illnesses including malignant lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis. “Kroger and SSI Services have jeopardized the public’s health by exposing shoppers and employees to dangerous materials containing asbestos,” Raoul said. “The asbestos must be remediated before members of the public are allowed back into this store. I am committed to ensuring that Kroger an

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BETHALTO - SIHF Healthcare is pleased to welcome Dr. Dorothy Charles to the Bethalto, health center. Dr. Charles will be seeing patients for primary care, women’s health, obstetrics, and pediatrics. Dr. Charles received her Doctor of Medicine (MD) from the University of Pennsylvania and completed her residency in family medicine at the University of Illinois. She is board certified by the American Academy of Family Physicians. “I am pleased to be able to partner with you in your journey to health, at all stages of life,” Dr. Charles noted. She can see patients of all ages and is particularly interested in maternal-child health. Appointments may be scheduled by calling (618) 258-8460. SIHF Healthcare is a community health center that accepts most insurance, including Aetna Better Health, BCBS IL Community Plan, Meridian Health Plan, Molina Healthcare, Medicaid, Medicare, most Medicare Advantage plans, and commercial insurance plans. SIHF Healthcare can also see patients

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JERSEYVILLE - A rby’s largest franchisee, Flynn Restaurant Group, has launched an $11.5-million dollar brand revitalization of 32 Arby’s locations across the St. Louis area, including the Jerseyville location at 1302 State Street. Arby's renovations will continue to be completed throughout the remainder of 2022, leaving each restaurant with a fresh, new, and improved look and feel. The $11.5 million dollar brand revitalization will reinforce Flynn Restaurant Group’s commitment to western Illinois and eastern Missouri areas – injecting over 500 jobs into these respective local economies. The remaining Arby’s locations in Illinois (Jerseyville, Shiloh, and Fairview Heights) and Missouri (St. Louis, Dellwood, Union, St. Peters, and O’Fallon) will undergo enhancements without disrupting the amazing service and incredible food quality guests have come to love, Arby's said. Construction of each remodel is expected to be completed in just a few weeks,

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GURNEE, Ill. (AP) — Three people were injured in a shooting outside a Chicago-area amusement park's entrance that sent visitors scrambling for safety and prompted the park to close early, authorities said. Officers responded about 7:50 p.m. Sunday after 911 calls reporting shots fired at Six Flags Great America, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) north of Chicago, the Gurnee Police Department said. “The shooting ... was not a random act, and appeared to be a targeted incident that occurred outside the park,” police said in a statement posted to Facebook. According to an initial investigation, police said a white sedan entered the parking lot and drove toward the park's front entrance. People got out of the car and shot at another person in the parking lot before driving away, police said. Additional details about the suspects, including the number of people who fired shots, wasn't immediately released. Police were investigating. A 17-year-old boy from Aurora, Illinois,

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PONTOON BEACH - Two Madison County Trail vandals have been apprehended thanks to a video provided by a Glen Carbon resident. Madison County Transit officials, the Edwardsville Police, and Madison County State's Attorney Thomas Haine saluted a Glen Carbon resident - Loren Strahm - this past week for the efforts to capture two who have been vandalizing the trails. In a brief presentation, Madison County Transit (MCT) Managing Director SJ Morrison presented Strahm with a reward check for $1,000 for providing information that enabled the Edwardsville Police Department to identify the two individuals. Also on hand for the presentation, which took place on the MCT Nickel Plate Trail, were Edwardsville Police Lieutenant Charlie Kohlberg and Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine. In recent months, vandalism and graffiti on the MCT Trails have increased significantly. In June, MCT issued a public reminder about its commitment to investigate incidents of vandalism along the trails.

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ALTON - Below is an Illinois American Water update on Monday, Aug. 15, 2022, about road closures in Alton because of sanitary sewer line work. Karen Cotton, a spokesperson for Illinois American Water, said as was expected there have been some challenges the contractor has run into once they started excavating on 3rd Street, one of the busiest areas in Alton. Work includes over six miles of sanitary sewer main is being installed in the Turner Tract, Shields Valley, and Piasa Valley areas of Alton. This project includes almost five miles of sanitary sewer main. "There are numerous old, abandoned utility lines, and even an old brick cistern was uncovered last week," Cotton said. "For the safety of our team and residents, we are working very diligently as we encounter these. To support safety, progress has been slowed some, resulting in a bit of a delay in the anticipated month time frame that was expected for the sanitary sewer installation work on 3rd Street and Belle Streets in the

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CARLINVILLE - Everyone in the community is invited to sign up for the Carlinville Public Library newsletter, which is another way to keep in touch with activities at the library. The monthly newsletter will be distributed by email, and provide a wide variety of information about the library. “It’s a new way for us to keep people connected,” said Director Hannah Miller, the creator of the newsletter. “It will cover anything that’s going on at the library.” All library events, including speakers, demonstrations, and youth programs, will be covered in the newsletter, as well as any new displays and artwork. New books for the month, with highlights on selected titles, will be featured, as well as new apps like the SHARE Mobile Library and the CloudLibrary. Books and programs for children, teenagers, and adults will all be covered in the newsletter. To sign up for the newsletter, use the form at the bottom of the library’s website, or email

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WASHINGTON PARK – Illinois State Police (ISP) was requested by Washington Park Police Department to assist with a death investigation. On August 12, 2022, a 43-year-old female was located deceased in the 1500 block of Westmoreland Avenue, in Washington Park. When ISP arrived on scene, Washington Park Police Department had a person of interest in custody. The investigation is being led by the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) with assistance from the Washington Park Police department. The investigation is still open and ongoing. No further information will be disseminated at this time. Anyone with information referencing this homicide is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 314-725-8477 (TIPS).

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - The St. Louis County Police Department's Crimes Against Persons detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred in the city of Flordell Hills which resulted in the death of an adult male. On August 14, 2022, at 4:37 PM, police in Velda City requested the assistance of the St. Louis County Police Department's Crimes Against Persons Bureau to investigate a homicide at the intersection of Glenboro Dr. and Gaylord Dr. in the city of Flordell Hills. The investigation revealed two males were engaged in an altercation when one male shot the other. The victim who was struck by gunfire died at the scene. The suspect was taken into custody a short distance away. The investigation is very active at this time. Additional information will be disseminated as it becomes available. Please contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210 to speak with investigators if you have any information regarding this incident. To remain anonymous or potentially

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WASHINGTON PARK – Illinois State Police (ISP) announced that it was requested by Washington Park Police Department to assist with a death investigation on August 12, 2022, when a 43-year-old female was located deceased in the 1500 block of Westmoreland Avenue, in Washington Park. When ISP arrived on scene, Washington Park Police Department had a person of interest in custody. The investigation is being led by the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) with assistance from the Washington Park Police department. The investigation is still open and ongoing. No further information will be disseminated at this time. Anyone with information in reference to this homicide is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 314-725-8477 (TIPS).

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EDWARDSVILLE – The Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (SDM) fall semester is underway, and to set the tone for a productive and collegial year, students gathered for a welcome event on Tuesday, Aug. 9. The SIUE Division of Student Affairs coordinated the event which included a taco lunch, wellness bags with health essentials, and Dairy Queen blizzards handed out by SIUE Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD and Alton Mayor David Goins. Students also enjoyed participating in various games and creative activities. “I’m excited to start year three at the SIU School of Dental Medicine,” said Julissa Quinonez, of Rochelle. “I’m really jumping into clinics. I’m seeing a lot more patients now than I did in the summers and am eager to try new procedures.” “This is basically home,” said first-year dental student Alyssa January, of St. Louis. “Everyone is incredibly friendly and helpful on campus. The whole transformation

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