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O'FALLON, Ill. - Gear Girls for the win! The Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois Robotics Team from O’Fallon, Gear Girls, recently took home the prestigious 1 st Champions Award from the Liberty Science Center Invitational in Jersey City, New Jersey. This award celebrates a team that fully embodies the FIRST LEGO League Challenge experience with high achievement in Robot Performance, Robot Design, and the Innovation Project along with FIRST’s Core Values. Congrats, Girl Scouts!

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced a total of $21.2 million in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grants to support Head Start services for children under the age of five in receiving wrap-around support in early learning and development. The funding, awarded by the HHS Administration for Children and Families, will go to five organizations across Illinois. “Head Start programs, even through the COVID-19 pandemic, have offered critical support to our youngest Illinoisans,” Durbin said. “Today’s significant investment will help build the foundation for lifelong success for these children by supporting their early learning, health, and family well-being.” “Head Start and Early Head Start programs are critical for kids throughout Illinois to have the tools they need to succeed both inside and outside of the classroom,” Duckworth said.“Investments

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COLLINSVILLE, IL – The City of Collinsville is looking for your feedback about your neighborhood and what can be done to improve it. The Neighborhood Planning and Improvement Initiative’s goal is to solicit feedback on several criteria like where you live and satisfaction with living in the city, level of satisfaction with city services, and gauging interest in establishing neighborhood associations to name a few. “What we’re looking to do is really empower people to take initiative, identify the problem, communicate that to the appropriate staff so that we can be more proactive in our service efforts, code enforcement and our other outreach efforts,” Yancey said. The goal of the project is to have departments work more closely together, increase the ability to identify and respond to neighborhood issues and capital improvement needs, improve customer service, responsiveness, community outreach, and education efforts and encourage neighborhood-based,

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WOOD RIVER - The Wood River Police released a notice today that it is attempting to identify the woman shown above. Wood River Police said this is in regard to an active investigation and no further details can be released at this time. "If you have information that can assist in identifying her, please call the Wood River Police at 618-251-3114. "As always, we appreciate the assistance and support of our community," the police department said.

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EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County officials want to warn those visiting the Administration Building or Courthouse in downtown Edwardsville about changing road closures in downtown Edwardsville. Work is continuing and closures on St. Louis Street will be alternating from day-to-day from one end of the street to the other. Second Street remains closed. Sidewalks and crosswalks will remain open for pedestrians from the large parking lot (Off Second Street) behind the county administration building. Access to the large parking lot from W. Vandalia Street would be closed this week and the public is asked to use Clay Street to reach the parking lot. The county is asking the public not to cross or park in areas that are blocked off by barricades or caution tape. In mid-April, construction started along Second Street at St. Louis Street and goes to High Street. Due to the construction and the installation of a new water line, the pedestrian crosswalk from the parking lot to the back of

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ALTON - Many times, split-second decisions by police officers save lives. On Wednesday, Alton Police officers were presented with life-saving awards from OSF Saint Anthony's Health Center after they were sent to an area for an unresponsive person. The officers involved were John Hoefert, Jeffrey Thornton, and Dan Jensen. Upon arrival, the person involved showed no signs of life, and they administered CPR and took other life-saving measures to revive the individual. Alton Police Chief Marcos Pulido said he was "absolutely proud" of these officers for their heroic actions. "As those officers arrived and found the person not showing any signs of life, without hesitation, they all worked together to revive the person," the chief said. "After several minutes of CPR, as well as other lifesaving methods, they were able to bring that person back to life. I am so proud of them."

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CARROLLTON - The 168th annual Greene County Agricultural Fair kicked off Tuesday and continues into this weekend with a lineup of exciting events, carnival rides and more. Last night , the Miss Greene County Fair 2022 Queens were crowned as Miss Kennedy Ruyle, Junior Miss Kenna Brannan and Little Miss Paisley Osterman. The horse racing event originally scheduled for tonight at 6 p.m. has been rescheduled to tomorrow, Thursday, June 2 at 1 p.m. Mark Walker, secretary with the Greene County Agricultural Fair, said all other carnival rides and food/drink vendors, including the “Beverage Garden,” will still be available as scheduled tonight - tomorrow will just be an extra-busy day at the fair. Admission to the fair itself for children under 12 is free; single-admission tickets are $4 for adults until Thursday and $5 on Friday and Saturday. Ticket prices for each grandstand event vary by event and can be viewed on the Greene County Agricultural Fair website

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EDWARDSVILLE - Alton junior track sprinter Khaliyah Goree got off to a great start this past track and field season as part of the Redbirds' 800-meter sprint medley relay team at the Southern Illinois Relays meet that won the prestigious Edwardsville High's Winston Brown Track Center, with a time of 2:00.18. She was extremely valuable in 4 x 100, 4 x 200 and 4 x 400 relays for the Redbirds throughout the outdoor season. The 4 x 100 relay had a 51.61 time in the Southwestern Conference Championships and a 51.69 in the Madison County Meet. For Goree and her Redbirds' teammates, it was great to be back out after the last two years resulted in the cancellation of many meets because of the COVID-19 Pandemic. "I feel like I did lose a lot to COVID," Goree said, "but I'm just glad that I can get a full season back in and just run." Goree will be a senior this coming fall at AHS. Goree's goals for next season will be to get the 4 x 100 relay to state and continue to improve in the 400 meters,

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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville senior softball catcher Lexie Griffin has delivered many key hits for the Tigers in her career, and one was on May 24 in the IHSA Class 4A regional semifinal at the Edwardsville District 7 Sports Complex. She hit a leadoff double over the left fielder's head that nearly left the park, then saw courtesy runner Grace Blakemore score the winning run on a squeeze bunt in Edwardsville's 1-0 win over Quincy. The win allowed the Tigers to advance to the final on May 27, and for the feat, along with all her other contributions, Griffin has been named an iCAN Clinic Female Athlete Of The Month. Edwardsville's girls won 1-0 over Belleville East in the sectional semis on Tuesday and now play in the sectional championship game against Bradley-Bourbonnais at 4:30 p.m. Friday in Pekin. Griffin, who plays for head coach Lori Blade, felt very good after the occurrences when interviewed recently. "I'm feeling really good," Griffin said. "I think I was getting a little

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EDWARDSVILLE - U.S. Congressman Mike Bost has offered his endorsement to Jeff Connor as the next Madison County Sheriff and had the following to say regarding him. “Our Police have faced great oppression over the past few years. Police work has changed drastically, and we need the right leader with the right experience. That is why I am endorsing Jeff Connor to be the next Sheriff of Madison County. Connor has over 36 years of experience as a police officer, ranging from working patrol, detectives, to middle and upper management within his departments. Connor retired from Granite City as the Assistant chief to become the Chief Deputy of Madison County, where he serves today. Connor is the commander of the Major Case Squad of Greater Saint Louis, working to help solve some of the most heinous murders on both the Illinois and Missouri sides of the river. This is a critical election. We need you to get out and vote on June 28. Vote Republican. Vote Jeff Connor for Sheriff.”

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today released new guidance to ensure that the public and members of law enforcement understand Illinois' legal protections for abortions. Attorney General Raoul’s office released “Know Your Reproductive Rights,” a free online resource to ensure that the members of the public understand their rights. The guidance explains that Illinois law protects the right to have an abortion and treats abortion like other kinds of health care. The Attorney General also issued a letter to law enforcement to clarify that Illinois law does not criminalize abortion. “It is important for women to know that, regardless of whether federal protection for reproductive health care continues, Illinois law protects their rights,” Raoul said. “As a number of neighboring states enact draconian laws to restrict or eliminate reproductive freedom, Illinois is a proud reproductive health care oasis that will not infringe upon a woman’s

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WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Robin Kelly, Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth have introduced a Congressional resolution establishing June 3, 2022, as “National Gun Violence Awareness Day” and designating June as “National Gun Violence Awareness Month.” This Friday, communities across the country will participate in a Gun Violence Prevention Day of Action. Every day, 321 people are shot in the United States according to Brady United. This resolution asks citizens and community leaders to give heightened attention to gun violence during the month of June, as gun violence typically spikes at the start of the summer months, and to work together to make our communities safer long-term. Kelly and Durbin have introduced the resolution each year since 2016. This resolution, in part, also honors the life of Hadiya Pendleton. Just days after performing at President Obama’s inauguration in 2013, she was shot and killed in a park, a place where young

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GRANITE CITY, IL – Today, Joe Hackler, Republican candidate for State Representative for the 112 th district, announced he is hosting an Election Integrity Roundtable on Thursday, June 9, 2022. The event will be hosted at the Hilton Garden Inn located at 360 Regency Park, O'Fallon, IL. This free event will provide voters an opportunity to learn about Illinois House Republican initiatives to make elections more secure, receive an update on new election laws passed since 2020, and allow voters to ask questions about election law and process. “Every voter deserves to know their ballot is private and secure,” Joe Hackler said. “Elections in the Metro East have historical precedent for wrongdoing, so we must be extra vigilant in providing oversight and education to all who are engaged in the electoral process.” Hackler will be joined by resident election legislation experts within the House Republican caucus, State Representatives Tim Butler (R-Springfield)

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GREENVILLE, Il. – Greenville University recently honored four faculty members retiring this summer. GU Chief Academic Officer Brian Hartley, Professor of History Richard Huston, Professor of Spanish Brian Reinhard, and Professor of Physics and Engineering Hyung Choi will retire after a combined 88 years serving the GU community and its students. Brian Hartley retires in July as professor, dean of faculty, and chief academic officer, having served 29 years – 19 years as a faculty member and 10 years as an administrator. Ordained in the Free Methodist Church, Hartley served 10 years as a pastor before coming to Greenville. Hartley served in a variety of roles on campus including theology professor, chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religion, dean of the chapel, dean of arts and sciences, associate vice president for academic affairs, and chief academic officer. “I consider Dr. Hartley as one of the Greenville Greats,” says Suzanne Davis, GU president.

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ST. LOUIS - In a ceremony surrounded by advocates and members of the LGBTQIA+ community, Mayor Tishaura O. Jones commemorated Pride month by signing her first Executive Order of the year to establish the City’s first LGBTQIA+ Advisory Board . “I believe that those closest to the problems are also those closest to the solutions,” said Mayor Jones. “The members of this advisory board will be tasked with collaborating, bringing together its resources, and helping my administration stay laser-focused on the issues directly affecting the LGBTQIA+ community, and to pursue meaningful policy changes.” The nine-person advisory board will be appointed by the Mayor and is tasked with developing a report within its first year to highlight disparities still affecting the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as action steps the City can take to ensure further protections. Of the nine members, at least one must represent the transgender advocacy community; at least one must

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CHICAGO – To address the increase in car part thefts, State Senator Christopher Belt supported a proposal requiring people to keep record of the sale of catalytic converters that was signed into law Friday. “Catalytic converter thefts have skyrocketed, leaving far too many working people without a reliable vehicle,” said Belt (D-Swansea). House Bill 107 adds catalytic converters to the definition of recyclable metal, requiring record keeping on the purchase of catalytic converters. The license plate number of the vehicle, photographs or video of the seller, a verified name and address of the seller, and a signed declaration by the seller stating that the catalytic converter was not stolen will be required. In addition, the new law prohibits a recyclable metal dealer from purchasing a catalytic converter with a value over $100 with cash. According to a recent State Farm study , Illinois ranks in the top five states in the nation for catalytic converter thefts.

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MACOUPIN COUNTY - The Illinois State Police has released information about a two-vehicle fatal crash Tuesday afternoon on Illinois Route 16 at County Line Road in Macoupin County. Grace L. Keeton, a 23-year-old female from Litchfield died in the accident. The crash occurred at 4:23 p.m. on May 31, 2022. The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 18: VEHICLE: Unit 1- 2013 Maroon Ford Fusion Unit 2- 2018 Red Ram RTS Coach Bus DRIVERS : Unit 1- Grace L. Keeton, 23-year-old female from Litchfield, IL – Deceased Unit 2- Steven A. See, 33-year-old male from Litchfield, IL – Uninjured PASSENGERS: Unit 2- Jason M. Hoos, 49-year-old male from Litchfield, IL – Uninjured Unit 2- Michael C. Phipps, 30-year-old male from Litchfield, IL – Uninjured Unit 2- Kaleb L. Anderson, 30-year-old male from Fillmore, IL – Uninjured PRELIMINARY: A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred:

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CHICAGO – U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $500,000 in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding awarded to Metra by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) through the Route Planning Restoration Program to help the transit agency continue to respond to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. “Illinoisans in the Chicago area have relied on Metra’s services to get to work and visit the city. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, public transit agencies were hit especially hard which is why we worked to include this funding in the American Rescue Plan last year,” Durbin said. “Today’s announced federal support will ensure that Metra can continue to provide reliable, affordable service for people that live and work in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.” “Thanks to the efforts of Democrats, Metra will have more resources to improve services, protect jobs for working Illinoisans and get folks to where

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PIASA - Piasa Southwestern High School has announced the Honor Roll list for the 2nd semester. It is separated by grade. HIGH HONOR ROLL Senior Class of 2022 High Honor Roll List for Semester 2 Olivia Ahlemeyer, Tanner Albrecht, Thomas Albrecht, AmyDee Bachman, Jelsumina Biciocchi, Laini Bock, Dale Brandon, Joshua Eddington, Joshua Goff, Alexandria Goss, Grace Greenwell, Mackenzie Hampsey, Whitney Keith, Kayla LeMarr, Haileigh Lenger, Emily Lowis, Hannah Nixon, Quinn Owens, Kayla Rudolph, Ashton Seniker, Callie Stormer, Riley Tucker, Levi Unverzagt, Abby Van Doren, Megan Webb, Laina Wilderman Junior Class of 2023 High Honor Roll List for Semester 2 Brandon Adams, Timothy Alexander-Roberts, Jillian Beilsmith, Miraina Biciocchi, Hank Bouillon, Madison Bryant, Cassie Christian, Olivia Cody, Rylee Crane, Macaylin Day, Mason Day, Kennedy Dempsey, Casey Dugan, Melanie Goff, Audrey Gordon, Vance Hake, Madyson Henderson, Tyson Kahl, Samuel Marshall, Ryan Raymond, Taylor Richey,

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GRANITE CITY - Granite City Community Unit School District #9 broke ground Wednesday on a multi-purpose turf field at Granite City High School's Kevin Greene Field. Superintendent Stephanie M. Cann, GCHS Principal Daren DePew, GCHS Athletic Director John Moad and GCSD9 Board Members were present for the ground-breaking ceremony. ATG Sports, located in Festus, Mo., will oversee the project that is expected to last all summer. Kevin Greene Field and the track will be closed during construction. For more information about Granite City School District #9, visit www.gcsd9.net .

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