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BETHALTO/WOOD RIVER - The arrival of the Global War on Terror Wall of Remembrance presented by the River Bend Patriots of Southwest Illinois on Friday, September 23, was memorable with police, firefighter, and military personnel escorts north on Highway 111 to the St. Louis Regional Airport. The Global War on Terror Wall of Remembrance is a traveling memorial that lists the names of nearly 6,900 individuals lost in the war on terror. This wall aims to bring healing to those affected by America’s longest war and has traveled to nearly 100 cities throughout the United States. Later Friday, a private ceremony will take place to enshrine 20-year-old Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz, killed in Afghanistan on August 27, 2021, name onto the wall. Schmitz's family from Wentzville will be in attendance and the Alton VFW will provide a Color Guard for the ceremony. The Global War on Terror Wall of Remembrance will be open and available for visitation 24 hours on Saturday during its stay

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Public Health Officials Announce 17,373 New Cases of Coronavirus Disease Over the Past Week; More than 340,000 Illinoisans have Received New Bivalent Booster CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reported that more than 137,000 Illinoisans have received a dose of the new, updated COVID-19 vaccines since they were authorized for use at the beginning of September. This brings the total number of bivalent vaccines administered in Illinois to 341,000. Daily vaccination numbers are at the highest level seen since early February, during the major surge in illnesses caused by the Omicron variant. The announcement comes as 36 counties in Illinois are rated at an elevated level for COVID-19 by the CDC, down from 66 a week ago. IDPH is reporting 17,373 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 in Illinois, including 62 deaths since September 16. “Across Illinois we are seeing a large numbers of state residents taking action to protect themselves and their

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MADISON COUNTY - Madeline Bouillon of Carlinville, the retiring Madison County Fair Pageant queen, said her year as Miss Madison County will “forever mean the world to me.” “Aside from all the lovely friends and relationships I made within the year, something that sticks out to me is personal growth,” she said. “In just a short year, I was shaped and molded into the best version of myself I have ever seen. And that’s something I think people oftentimes don’t realize about pageants. They’re so empowering to women." Bouillon added that the leadership role she was put in when holding the title was the most humbling and rewarding experience she has ever encountered. "Not only are you a role model, but you are also a friend to the community as a whole which is such a beautiful thing to me," she said. "In a year, I also gained so many skills that will continue to help my future.” Bouillon started competing in pageants at age 5. She

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MONTGOMERY COUNTY - Illinois State Police District 9 has released information about a fatal two-unit traffic crash on Interstate 55, northbound at milepost 75.5, Montgomery County at 1:04 p.m. September 22, 2022. The vehicles were a 1993 Kenworth Truck Tractor/Semi-Trailer and a 2016 Kenworth Truck Tractor/Semi-Trailer. Frank Amendola, a 67-year-old male from Somonauk, IL., died in the crash. PRELIMINARY: A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: Both truck tractor semi-trailers (TTST) were approaching the construction zone traffic at Interstate 55 northbound near milepost 75.5. As Unit 2 slowed with traffic Unit 1 struck the rear of Unit 2. Amendola was transported to a local area hospital with life-threatening injuries where he was pronounced deceased. The northbound lanes of Interstate 55 were closed for approximately 5 hours for crash reconstruction and recovery. No further information will be disseminated at this time.

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ALTON - On Thursday afternoon Madison County Transit (MCT) dedicated a new plaza in honor of Bill and Anna Haine. Bill was the first Chairman of the Madison County Transit District and later on in life a State Senator. Bill died on August 16, 2021, leaving behind his wife Anna of over 50 years, their seven children, and soon-to-be 42 grandchildren. "My children and I are so blessed by Bill's constant, loving care," she said at the ceremony. "When we were starting our family, he made it a priority to keep his political work close to home so he could be with his family." Many people spoke at the event, but it was Anna's prepared speech that was really special. She spoke for about 10 minutes. She began by thanking everyone for making an effort to be at the ceremony. Many MCT members, politicians, and others were at the event. She praised Bill for always "going the extra mile" for his community. Anna talked about how Bill was able to keep such a good work-life balance and that

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WOOD RIVER - For 40 years, Operation Blessing, People That Care, Inc., has served low-income households from Wood River, Chouteau, and Fort Russell Townships in Madison County at 18 E. Lorena in Wood River. The organization marks its 40th anniversary this year. The group provides food, clothing, shoes, books, toys, and small household items and are open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays. Karen Wilson is the executive director of Operation Blessing. When many neighbors were in dire need due to unemployment with the closing of Owens-Illinois Glass and other industries, Virginia Kirkpatrick started collecting food and clothing from her friends in the early 1980s. It began with plywood on sawhorses to distribute what she collected. Her husband, Ned, gave her $500 to start what became Operation Blessing, a 501 (c)(3) organization, in March 1982. Outgrowing the sawhorses and plywood and two other locations, Operation Blessing purchased the present building on East Lorena

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EDWARDSVILLE - Collins Farms at 219 Hillsboro Ave. in Edwardsville had its ribbon cutting with the Edwardsville-Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce on Thursday afternoon. Sophie Gianaris, an owner of Collins Farms, said her business has been open since June. "My mom and sister own this business with me," she said. "We had this dream of owning our own business. I lived in Charleston, South Carolina for college and they have places like this everywhere. Edwardsville had nothing like this. I also spent some time in New York City and they had trendy healthy eating options, and I felt Edwardsville needed this type of business. "We were looking to fill a void in the city and that is what we have tried to do. My grandfather and family have Collins Farms in Yale, IL. When considering names, my mom suggested Collins Farms and we decided Collins Farms is special to us with us selling greens and salads. We have a new fall menu dropping next week with several pumpkin and fall types flavors. All

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Rotary Club has chosen to honor Edwardsville High School student Hailey Yeager with the Student of the Month Award for the month of September. Hailey Yeager was nominated by Medical Occupations teacher Jennifer Weller of Edwardsville High School. Hailey is the daughter of Heather and Ryan Yeager. She has a high fascination in the medical field and has been chosen to be a Medical Explorer. In this role, she has shadowed medical professionals such as nurses and chiropractors, witnessed an emergency evacuation, and learned several surgical procedures. Hailey is also involved in many other extra-curricular activities including Medical Club and the Thirst Project, which is a nonprofit organization focused on providing wells in Africa. In the future, Hailey hopes to pursue a career in the medical field and plans to attend the SIUE School of Nursing to obtain an associate’s degree in Nursing. From there, Hailey will study part time for her bachelor’s

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ALTON - Motorcycles, Jeeps, a hot rod and even a dune buggy turned out for the eighth annual Ride for Wishes Saturday, Sept. 18, raising $7,000 to make wishes come true for children facing serious illnesses. “I can’t say enough good things about our wonderful participants and our generous sponsors,” said Jeanne Wuellner, ride co-director and a member of the Make-A-Wish Southern Illinois Volunteers. “We especially want to thank Granite City Savings Credit Union, our signature sponsor, for its participation and continued support, said Trena Wells, the other ride co-director. Wells cited Ted’s Motorcycle World and Big Z Media for their contributions this year. “We’re grateful that all of our sponsors appreciate the tough times children go through when they are facing truly serious health problems.” The ride began in 2014 through the efforts of Norma Glazebrook and, like last year’s ride, this one was dedicated to her memory. Glazebrook

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today met with Dr. Colleen Shogan, nominee to be Archivist of the United States to administrate over the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Dr. Shogan’s nomination has gained national attention after the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) searched former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence for classified documents following NARA’s discovery of classified materials in several boxes of government records that Trump improperly removed from the White House. NARA’s role in identifying presidential and classified records at Mar-a-Lago, and in identifying records responsive to congressional investigations into the January 6 attack, underscores the importance of its work. Notably, the Senate Judiciary Committee has relied on NARA in its continuing efforts to investigate the events detailed in the Committee’s Subverting Justice

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EDWARDSVILLE - R.P. Lumber Co., Inc. has acquired Kieffer Lumber in Mount Carmel, IL, making this the family-owned hardware and building materials retailer’s 59 th Illinois location and its 85 th location overall. “For 50 years, Kieffer Lumber has served the citizens of Wabash County and the greater Illinois/Indiana bi-state area, and we are thrilled to have their team join the R.P. Lumber family,” said Robert Plummer, President & CEO of R.P. Lumber. “Recently, we have added locations in other states, but our roots are in Illinois, and we are excited to grow our footprint in the Land of Lincoln,” Plummer continued. “My family has been in the hardware, lumber, and construction businesses for many years,“ said Duane Kieffer, who presently manages Kieffer Lumber, which was opened by his parents, Marge and Al Kieffer, in 1972. “We’ve been blessed with a good business and good customers, and now we’ve decided to hand the reigns

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ALTON - Jacoby Arts Center is DYING to have you join them for not 1 but 2 Spooky Saturdays in October on the 8th & 15th from 7-10 pm! Bring your special Boo for date night or your group of Gross Goblin Friends to watch a double feature cult classic horror film and enjoy BOOzy beverages from JAC's Bar. Clay Ghoul Heads (on the 8th) and Haunted Hex Dolls (on the 15th) crafts will be facilitated by Nick Williams. While you're here lay your PEEPERS on the artwork in Phantasmagoria V: A celebration of all things dark, spooky, creepy, grotesque, and Halloween. Phantasmagoria embodies the spirit of the strange and curious and will be on display in the Simmons Hanly Conroy Main Gallery from Oct. 5 through Nov. 13. Jump on your broomstick and fly on over to Jacoby Arts Center located at 627 E Broadway Alton, IL 62002. Halloween costumes and howling at the moon are welcome. To get your $5 tickets for Spooky Saturdays visit: www.jacobyartscenter.org Jacoby Arts Center is a nonprofit 501c

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WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with a group of Highland Park doctors who are both her constituents and members of March Fourth, a gun safety advocacy non-profit, to discuss the need to end the sale of weapons of war at the federal level. Some of these doctors were also survivors of the Highland Park Fourth of July Parade Massacre. Duckworth is both a cosponsor and advocate of the Assault Weapons Ban of 2021. Photos from today’s meeting are available here . “Today, I met with both doctors and survivors of the Highland Park Massacre and, once again, I heard the same call—the same plea—I’ve heard from so many other constituents and survivors of mass shootings across our nation: we need to get weapons of war off our streets,” said Duckworth. “For Highland Park, for Uvalde, for Buffalo, for Chicago and for every other community terrorized by senseless gun violence, we need to suspend the filibuster an

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WEST ALTON - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rivers Project Office, is partnering with local organizations to host a variety of stewardship activities that will give members of the community a chance to enjoy their federal lands and take an active role in their conservation in celebration of National Public Lands Day on September 24, 2022. One of these activities is the Great Rivers Clean-up, hosted in partnership with the Piasa Palisades Sierra Club. “To date, the Great River Clean-up has netted over 45 tons of trash and has recycled 10 tons of materials, all with the help of fantastic volunteers,” said Christine Favilla, Co-Coordinator of the Three Rivers Project of Sierra Club Illinois. “This 16th annual river clean-up is hosted in honor of National Public Lands Day and provides an exciting opportunity for our community to work together to protect and conserve the river that sustains us.” Participants of the Great Rivers Clean-Up will meet at Lincoln Shield

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EAST ALTON – Join Illinois RiverWatch, part of the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC sm ) for their virtual Fall Speaker Series, starting October 4 and running through early November. “We hope these speakers will give people an opportunity to learn more about water through a series of online events,” said Danelle Haake, RiverWatch director and stream ecologist. “These presentations are very interactive and participants really enjoy speaking with experts in their field of work.” Following is a list of dates, times, speakers and topics. All the events will take place on Zoom. The Ecological Consequences of Salty Fresh Water: 7 p.m., Oct. 4 Speakers: Bill Hintz and Bayley Wilmoth Can Zebra Mussels Be Controlled in Inland Waterways?; 7 p.m., Oct. 11 Speaker: Jim Bland Bees from Wetlands to Cities: 7 p.m., Oct. 19 Speaker: Jenny Mullikin, NGRREC Assistant Scientist – Wetland Ecology Youth Water Education: Root

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ALTON - Madison County Transit (MCT) held a ribbon cutting at Alton's Transfer Station located at 6 th and Piasa Street in Alton Thursday afternoon. The ceremony was for a new plaza dedicated to former Senator Bill Haine and his wife of over 50 years Anna for their lifetimes of work with MCT. Bill served as the first Chairman of the Madison County Transit District, as a Madison County Board Member, as Madison County State’s Attorney, and as State Senator representing the 56th District of Illinois, all while promoting and supporting MCT. Bill died on August 16, 2021, but his work was not forgotten. Alton Mayor David Goins and Bill's wife Anna both spoke at the event with many members of the Haine family in attendance. Goins remembered the times when he first met Bill. It was back when Goins began his career as an Alton police officer for several years. "I'm just honored today to be here to dedicate this plaza to him and to the recognition of his wife," Goins said. "He was

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TROY - Troy Fire Protection District as well as Troy Police are investigating a devastating fire and a pair of incidents on Wood Thrush Street in Troy on Thursday afternoon. A home was destroyed in the fire and smoke was still coming from the roof around 4 p.m. Thursday, but firefighters had the blaze under control. Crime scene tape covered both ends of the street and multiple people were apparently transported to a hospital from the fire. In addition to Troy Police, Troy Fire, Glen Carbon Fire Protection District, Edwardsville, and Collinsville Fire Department assisted Troy Fire Protection District members. Law enforcement considered the area a crime scene. The Troy Police Department confirmed they responded with the fire department to what they described as a pair of domestic incidents on Wood Thrush Street in Troy at 2:23 p.m. on Thursday. Firefighters discovered another fire on the street was on fire and then contacted other fire departments to assist. Police said an investigation

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EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County officials approved more than $23 million in American Rescue Plan Act spending for sewer, drinking water, stormwater projects and more. The County Board passed 25 resolutions Wednesday night, including 11 stormwater projects totaling more than $8 million. Chairman Kurt Prenzler said the majority of the funding would go toward projects that will leave the biggest impact — stormwater and sanitary sewers. “Often times when government gets money it goes towards streets and roads — the thing that people see,” Prenzler said. “What the board did was what ARPA intended. Now, the county and its local partners can make long-term investments on the ‘invisible’ infrastructure projects.’” County Board member Chris Guy of Maryville and chair of the Finance Committee said that board members worked hard and came together for the needs of the county and communities, which isn’t always an easy thing to

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JERSEY COUNTY - Jersey County State's Attorney Ben Goetten has filed a lawsuit against the State of Illinois in regard to the controversial Safe-T Act. The Safe-T Act was supported and signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker on Jan. 22, 2021, the Illinois Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today (SAFE-T) Act (the Act) implements sweeping reform impacting many aspects of the criminal justice system, including pre-arrest diversion, policing, pretrial, sentencing, and corrections. "While I’m still hopeful the legislature will do the right thing and make the necessary amendments to this Act, I felt filing suit sends a strong message from Jersey County that we are not in favor of installing a revolving door at our jailhouse," Goetten said. "The men and women in law enforcement deserve better, the people of this State deserve better, and I’m certain that the citizens of Jersey County deserve better." Goetten continued and said: "This Act does nothing more than strip vital

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EDWARDSVILLE – Through funding provided by BioMADE, the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center (NCERC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Valerian Materials, the University of Minnesota, and Scientific Bioprocessing Inc. (SBI) have partnered to perform research and development on novel sustainable materials solutions. Launched in 2021, BioMADE is the most-recently established Manufacturing Innovation Institute. By supporting the development of biomanufacturing technologies, BioMADE and its network of 150+ members are strengthening American competitiveness, creating a more resilient supply chain, and helping the U.S. becoming more self-sufficient. This project is one of several being funded by BioMADE as part of its mission to secure America’s future through bioindustrial manufacturing innovation, education, and collaboration. “Projects like this are a perfect example of the research we do in the bioproducts space,” said John Caupert, NCERC executive

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