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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul has announced that a Madison County man was charged with possession of child pornography. James V. Cassady, 45, of Troy, Illinois, was charged in Madison County Circuit Court with 15 counts of possession of child pornography, each a Class 2 felony punishable by three to seven years in prison. Cassady’s bond is set at $500,000. Raoul’s investigators conducted a search of a residence Thursday, July 14 in Troy, IL., on Colonial Acres Road. Cassady was arrested after authorities discovered evidence of child pornography. The case will be jointly prosecuted by Raoul’s office and Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine’s office. “The partnership between my office and the Attorney General’s office is helping us make Madison County a safer place to live and work,” Madison County State's Attorney Haine said. “I look forward to continuing our work to identify and prosecute offenders who exploit children

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Reid and Marsha Mortensen are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this month. The two married on July 7th, 1972. They were married in Mesa, Arizona and they now have six children together and 24 grandchildren.

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(BUZZ MAGAZINE) - I spent several years gardening in a typical manner by tilling, planting, and slowly losing my garden to the ferocious weeds and pests. I personally felt as though God was pushing me to grow a healthy garden. I needed to push through the trials of it, but I was struggling. I thought to myself, “If God expected us, humans, to sustain ourselves with a garden, it can't be this hard.” Nature does it, why can't I? It made no sense to me that nature has existed forever and I can't get a garden to survive one season without the help of commercial herbicides and pesticides. This can't be the only way. He would never set our success behind the paywall of commercial growing supplies (GMO seed, pesticides, herbicides). There has to be a better way! I then learned to mimic nature with my garden and allow nature into my garden. Monoculture (growing vast amounts of one crop) is not the way nature was designed. Fertilizing plants is not the way nature takes in nutrients.

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(BUZZ MAGAZINE) - I’ve never dreamed of owning a bird. I love animals and own a 13-year-old beagle, but since having my son five years ago, acquiring more creatures to care for has been low on my list. Especially a bird. Be that as it may, last week while proudly showing my mother my new hot tub in the backyard of my Edwardsville home, a lovebird came and landed on her shoulder. I’ve had some experience with birds as my cousin owned two while growing up, so I instinctively knew this friendly, bright-colored creature was someone’s pet. I scooped it up and brought it into my home. This bird was a beauty. Soft greens and blues the color of salt water taffy with a touch of peach on its face. It was so social and cuddly that my son and I naturally began referring to it as “Sweetie.” I quickly started the search for Sweetie’s owner but was excited to enjoy this surprise guest while we could. For the next few days, Sweetie snuggled under our chins

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EDWARDSVILLE - Rotary District 6460 is pleased to announce that Claire Bouse is the winner of a $3,000 scholarship. Claire is the daughter of Dennis and Laura Bouse and is from Edwardsville. The scholarship will help pay her expenses at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville. She is studying to be a forensic pathologist. The money for the scholarships is accumulated from donations from Rotary members around District 6460. This year the district gave five scholarships at $3,000 each. To win, she submitted an application found on rotary6460.org , was chosen as a finalist, and interviewed by a committee of Rotary members in Jacksonville, IL., on Saturday, July 9, 2022. The district's approximate boundaries are from Galesburg to Alton and the Mississippi River to Interstate 55. In her later career, Claire is very excited to give back to the community that has given so much to her. She wants to encourage other students by telling them that anything is possible with hard work and

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GODFREY - Lewis and Clark Community College held its second annual Summer Fest enrollment event, July 14, on the college’s Godfrey Campus. Prospective students and their families toured the campus, learned about the college’s programs and met with advisors. The three-hour event drew around 120 visitors to campus, with 54 registering for the Fall 2022 semester, which begins Aug. 22. There’s still time to enroll. Call/text (618) 468-2222, email enroll@lc.edu or visit www.lc.edu/admissions to get started. Pictured above, L&C Enrollment Assistant Daniel Nosce (left) takes a group of students on a tour of campus.

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BELLEVILLE - Southwestern Illinois Development Authority (SWIDA) and Bywater Development Group joined with other key stakeholders and guests on July 13 for a much-anticipated grand opening event to celebrate the successful completion and full-lease up of Lofts on the Square in downtown Belleville, Ill. The $14.2 million historic rehabilitation of a 90-year-old building introduced affordable apartment living for active seniors in Downtown Belleville’s Public Square and is proving to be a resounding success. “The hard work and collaboration of the entire development team and support from our city leaders and congressional delegation were integral to delivering this meaningful project,” said SWIDA Chairman David Willey. “The future of this building was uncertain for a long time, and we are proud to be bringing new vitality to Downtown Belleville through the revitalization of this historically significant space that is once again a focal point of our city.”

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EDWARDSVILLE – According to the 2020 United States Census, one in 44 children in the U.S. has autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulties with communication, social, verbal, and motor skills. Research shows most children who have ASD are not diagnosed until age four or older, even though ASD can be reliably diagnosed by age two. Now, with the support of a Sustaining Illinois Seed Grant from the Illinois Innovation Network, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Engineering’s (SOE) Sinan Onal, PhD, is leading research aimed at providing equitable access to early screening tools for ASD. Onal is principal investigator (PI) of the project, entitled, “A Data-Driven Application to Predict ASD Index for Children Living in Underserved, Underrepresented, and Low-income Communities.” Co-PIs include three researchers from Northern Illinois University. Their work aims to reduce the current gap in diagnosis and

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CHICAGO — After being notified of several close contacts testing positive for COVID-19, Gov. Pritzker received a positive test result during his routine COVID testing regimen. The Governor is experiencing mild symptoms and has been prescribed the anti-viral medication, Paxlovid. He will follow CDC guidelines by working from home . The Governor is fully vaccinated and double boosted. He urges all Illinoisans to continue following CDC guidance, use anti-viral treatments, and get all available boosters. "He looks forward to returning to in-person work as soon as possible," according to a statement. MORE: Governor Pritzker Continues Effort To Ramp Down COVID-19 Requirements With Updated Executive Order Governor Pritzker Appoints Health Policy Expert Dr. Sameer Vohra To Lead Illinois Department Of Public Health

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EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) Chancellor James T. Minor announced in an email to students that the university is ending its mandatory weekly COVID-19 testing requirements for students and employees who are not fully vaccinated. The new policy was issued in response to Executive Order 2022-16 from Governor J.B. Pritzker. This new order repeals part of an earlier executive order which required higher education students and staff who are not fully vaccinated to undergo mandatory weekly COVID-19 testing. Minor said the requirement will stay in place in certain campus settings. “In response to this recent development, SIUE’s mandatory on-campus testing protocol will conclude this week for most students and employees,” Minor said in the announcement last Friday. “In accordance with EO 2022-16, students and employees in health clinics, early childhood, and PK-12 educational settings will need to continue testing if not fully

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SEE VIDEO: ALTON - Ever since Flock’s grand opening in mid-May , they’ve seen nothing but success and great reception from locals. “Things have been going great down here. We’ve been having a lot of fun so far this summer,” Laura Windisch said, an operating partner with Flock. On a typical weekday or weekend, food trucks will be serving lunch and dinner to guests. The dining areas are mainly outside at many hand-made picnic tables with umbrellas to stay out of the brutal Midwest sun, and there is also some seating inside by the bar. Garage doors allow patrons to enjoy a nice airflow. Flock has live music on Friday nights and Sunday afternoons from noon to 3 p.m. Windisch says that those are good times to come out and visit Flock. Shelly Norman from T&S Smoke House lives in Godfrey. She says she likes to keep things close to home. “I get to see how friendly Alton really is. There’s always a good crowd,” Norman said. “I

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Police Department issued a reminder today that July is Vehicle Theft Prevention Month. In recent months, there have been several vehicle break-ins around the area and most occur when the cars are left unlocked and valuables are left behind. "The number one reason vehicles are stolen in Edwardsville is because keys are left in the vehicle," the police said. These are steps provided by Edwardsville Police to help protect your vehicle year-round: Park in well-lit areas. Close and lock all windows and doors when you park. Hide your valuables. Do not leave your keys in your vehicle.

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Simmons Hanly Conroy attorneys secure justice for family of New York and New Jersey construction worker who died from mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos-containing joint compound. NEW YORK (July 18, 2022) – Simmons Hanly Conroy , one of the nation’s largest mesothelioma law firms, has won a $15 million verdict against Kaiser Gypsum on behalf of the family of Munir Seen, a New York and New Jersey construction worker who died in 2019 of mesothelioma, a rare and fatal cancer caused by asbestos exposure. The jury found Kaiser Gypsum acted with reckless disregard for the safety of others and awarded $15 million in total damages to the Seen family. “After carefully considering the evidence, the jury found Kaiser Gypsum was responsible for causing Mr. Seen’s mesothelioma,” said Shareholder Daniel P. Blouin , who served as lead trial attorney. In addition to Blouin, Simmons Hanly Conroy Shareholders Don ald P. Blydenburgh, Randy S. Cohn , James

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CARLINVILLE - Blackburn College recently hosted a group of students for a unique campus experience through a partnership with Give Back. A nonprofit organization, Give Back supports students who have faced varying types of adversity with personal mentorship and scholarship support. While Give Back students toured several colleges and universities in Illinois, they were able to experience first-hand what life would be like as a college student and as part of the Blackburn community. With similar missions and commitments to making college education more attainable, the partnership between Blackburn and Give Back is an excellent fit. Give Back students are selected as early as ninth grade and benefit from their college readiness programs and campus visits. As a collegiate partner, the College works with Give Back to provide resources to give students a chance at a higher education degree. Blackburn has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top Liberal Arts Colleges

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ST. LOUIS - United Way of Greater St. Louis recently awarded nine one-time community enhancement grants totaling $100,000 to local nonprofits for traditional and virtual summer programs supporting youth ages 5 – 16 through summer learning and nutrition.?In total, the funding will enable organizations to support an additional 4,000 young people throughout the St. Louis region this summer. “Programs that gives children the resources to stay engaged during the summer by learning about a variety of important things including healthy eating and nutrition is invaluable to their long-term development,” said Michelle Tucker, president and CEO of United Way of Greater St. Louis. “These programs are important because healthy eating helps children become better learners and that will benefit them once the school year begins.” The following organizations were selected to provide access to healthy food to youth by supporting summer food and nutrition programs

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CHICAGO - The Mega Millions jackpot is now over the half billion dollar mark, with an estimated top prize of $530 million up for grabs in the next drawing tonight Tuesday, July 19. If won, this would be the eighth largest Mega Millions jackpot ever won in the U.S. in the history of the game! An Illinois Lottery player is in the top 10 charts for Mega Millions jackpots struck. In March 2012, three tickets bought in Illinois, Kansas, and Maryland all matched the five winning numbers and the Mega Ball to scoop the top prize. The total jackpot on offer of $646 million was split between the three tickets and an Illinois resident walked away with just over $215 million. Mega Millions is played every Tuesday and Friday night, with the next draw taking place on Tuesday, July 19 at 10 p.m. (CT). Mega Millions tickets are $2 each, and players can add the Megaplier for an additional $1 for the chance to multiply non-jackpot prizes. Illinois residents who are 18 and older can play Mega Millions

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GLEN CARBON – Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois is happy to announce that Abi Zajac from Glen Carbon has been selected by Girl Scouts of the USA as a recipient of a Gold Award Scholarship. The Girl Scouts of the USA Gold Award Scholarship recognizes one outstanding Gold Award Girl Scout per council whose project exemplifies the core components of the Gold Award. Abi earned her Gold Award by self-publishing a children’s book on the topic of anxiety. Her book, Bobby Conquers Anxiety , was created in an effort to educate and reduce the stigma around mental health. Abi’s efforts were applauded by Girl Scouts of the USA for her project’s measurable and sustainable impact, and the national organization recognized her impact by naming her as one of the scholarship recipients. “All of us at Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois are extremely proud of Abi for earning this scholarship,” said Loretta Graham, CEO of Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois. “Abi i

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, detailed the unfolding health care crisis across the United States in the wake of the conservative Supreme Court’s majority opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization . In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin also continued to call on his colleagues to support enshrining into law a statutory right to an abortion. “In the weeks since the Alito-Thomas Supreme Court majority erased the constitutional right to abortion, the right-wing disinformation machine has kicked into high gear. Again and again, we hear the same empty words of reassurance from the Republican side—they claim that overturning Roe simply handed the question of abortion back to the people’s representatives, back to the States. Just that simple. This is false and they know it. The reality is overturning Roe has unleashed a health care crisis in this country. It’s

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GODFREY – The Illinois Adult Continuing Educators Association has named Lewis and Clark Community College Adult Education student Heather Conn as the winner of the 2022 Paul Simon Adult Learner of the Year Award. William Ellington, one of her instructors, said that Conn helped create a culture of learning in his classes and worked with an unwavering dedication in the face of any challenging obstacle. “Heather is the kind of learner who makes the learning environment around her better,” Ellington said. “She is intellectually honest. When she does not understand a concept in class, she asks for help. In this way, Heather helps her classmates learn too. She demonstrates an awareness that learning is not simply an individual exercise, but one that is best done with camaraderie.” The Paul Simon Adult Learner of the Year Award is given to a student who demonstrates an improved life situation as a result of their learning experiences, shows leadership, maintains

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representatives Sean Casten (D-IL-6), Mike Quigley (D-IL-5), and Marie Newman (D-IL-3) today sent a letter to U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy urging him to take action to protect letter carriers after crimes against U.S. Postal Service (USPS) employees tripled since 2018. In their letter, the lawmakers call on Postmaster General DeJoy to implement an alerting policy to ensure that all USPS employees are made aware of any potential threats. “We write with growing concern at the increasing levels of violence and crime experienced by letter carriers around the country. According to the Postal Inspection Service, nationwide reports of mail carrier robberies have more than tripled in recent years, from 80 robberies in 2018 to more than 260 in 2021. We encourage the United States Postal Service (USPS) to take additional steps to ensure the safety of letter carriers a

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