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CHICAGO – The next Mega Millions drawing is tonight and the jackpot has grown again - and is now a whopping $830 million. There are multiple ways to play, so whether you're at home or on the go, it's never been easier for Illinois residents 18 years of age and older to get in on the fun by purchasing a Mega Millions ticket. Tickets can be purchased in-store at any one of over 7,000 retailers across the State or online via the Illinois Lottery website or mobile app. Every Mega Millions ticket is a chance to win - and a chance to dream. Earlier today, the Illinois Lottery shared suggestions for ways to spend a mind-boggling, life-changing windfall. What's your dream? The Illinois Lottery encourages all of its players to play responsibly. Play for fun, not for funds; and set a budget and stick to it. For more information on how to play lottery games responsibly, please visit IllinoisLottery.com Mega Millions is played every Tuesday and Friday night, with the next draw taking

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CARROLLTON - Several individuals have been arrested for drug and alcohol-related offenses in Greene County over the last few weeks, according to the most recent Greene County Jail Booking Report. Brandon Benbrook, age 47, of Chatham was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, illegal possession/transportation of liquor by driver, possession of a narcotic instrument, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of cannabis in a vehicle by driver, possession of a controlled substance, possession of methamphetamine, improper parking on a roadway and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Benbrook was arrested on July 9 at 4:56 a.m. by the Greene County Sheriff and remains in custody. Zachary Blumenberg, 36, of Kampsville was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a narcotic instrument and a warrant for failing to appear in Calhoun County court. He was arrested by the Calhoun County Sheriff on July 15 at 11:1

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BETHALTO - For the second time in the past month, the Bethalto Police Department and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office teamed to conduct covert narcotics investigations in the village, that resulted in the execution of search warrants and seizures of narcotics, Bethalto Police Chief Mike Dixon said Tuesday morning. Tuesday morning, officers from both departments executed a search warrant in the 100 block of Terrace Street, seizing suspected cocaine, packaging materials, and currency, Chief Dixon added. "In addition to the noted seizures, additional evidence was seized from the home that is linked to an illegally possessed firearm Bethalto Officers seized during a traffic stop earlier this month," the chief said. "One male occupant of the home and a guest were taken into custody at the scene. The guest was questioned and released with the male occupant being detained on probable cause related to the investigation. The facts will be presented to Madison County State's Attorney

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ST. LOUIS/GRANITE CITY - St. Peters, Mo., recorded the highest rain totals Tuesday morning with 12.34 inches, but Granite City recorded 8.5 inches in the morning period. There was flash flooding on both sides of the river Tuesday. One person died when a car in St. Louis was found covered in more than 8 feet (2.4 meters) of water. Several puppies drowned when a building became flooded at Stray Paws Adoptables, a stray dog rescue operation in St. Peters, Mo., a St. Louis suburb. Firefighters in boats rescued other dogs from the building. The National Weather Service in St. Louis reported these were some examples of rainfall totals spread throughout the region: St. Peters, MO. - 12.34 inches Flint Hill, MO. - 11 inches O’Fallon, MO. - 11 inches St. Anne, MO. - 10.95 inches Moscow Hills, MO. - 10.44 inches Caseyville, IL. - 8.5 inches Granite City, IL. - 8 inches Fairmont, IL. - 6.25 inches Belleville, IL. - 6.3 inches Fairview Heights, IL. - 6.16 inches

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GRAFTON - Grafton Alderman Peter Allen has been dedicated to the Village of Grafton for many years, and at the July City Council Meeting, he was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation by Mayor Morrow on behalf of the City Council for his service as a Ward One Alderman. Allen resigned his position because he and his family are moving to Alton at the end of the month. “We are grateful for Peter’s service as Alderman, and we want to recognize him for his dedication,” said Mayor Morrow. “Peter and I have something in common; we are both Gulf War Vets.” Allen served in the Navy during the Gulf War and has served as the Alderman oversight on the Grafton Veteran’s Committee. Allen said he was humbled by the presentation at Council. “I want to thank the Council for this certificate," he said. "It was my honor to serve under two administrations, Mayor Eberlin and Mayor Morrow.” Allen went on to say that he will still be active in Grafton at

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PONTOON BEACH - Agency for Community Transit (ACT) Board of Directors, Mark Achenbach (President), Ron Jedda (Vice President), Chrissy Wiley, Patrick McRae, and Lisa Ciampoli presented the Village of South Roxana with a check from the ACT Community Action Grants Program in the amount of $36,350.00 for the Village’s Inclusion Project. This project included the acquisition of a Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) modified to meet ADA accessibility requirements. This check was presented by the ACT Board of Directors and staff to the Village of South Roxana’s Mayor Barbara Overton, South Roxana Police Chief Bob Coles and Lieutenant Brian Doyle on July 14, 2022. The newly acquired UTV will be used to transport members of the public to community events that may be otherwise inaccessible for them. For example, events held at parks, fields and stadiums are often difficult or impossible for individuals in wheelchairs or with mobility disabilities to attend. The UTV will allow the Village

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police Crimes Against Persons detectives and the Accident Reconstruction Unit are investigating a fatal motor crash in the area of Telegraph Road which resulted in the death of two adult females. On July 25, 2022, at 8:40 AM, St. Louis County police officers from the South County Precinct responded to a call for service for a motor vehicle accident in the 5900 block of Telegraph Road. Arriving officers located two motor vehicles involved in a motor vehicle crash. Preliminary investigation has revealed a Chevrolet Colorado was traveling southbound on Telegraph Road when the electric light in front of Oakville Middle School turned to red. According to a witness, the driver of the Colorado accelerated through the red light. At the same time, a Nissan Rogue was turning northbound on Telegraph from the Bethesda Southgate Nursing home when it was struck on the driver's side by the Chevrolet Colorado. The driver of the Rogue, a 58-year-old female, was

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ALTON – OSF HealthCare is pleased to add a new primary care provider to its staff to better serve the community of Godfrey and surrounding areas. The addition of Lucas Edwards, PA, on July 24 will ensure increased access for patients in need of primary care at the OSF Medical Group – Primary Care office at 6702 Godfrey Road. Edwards joins the care team of Priya Kumaraguru, MD, and offers a number of services, including preventive care and chronic disease management. He received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Missouri and Master of Physician Assistant Studies from Southern Illinois University. He is a board-certified physician assistant by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. New or existing patient appointments for primary care with Edwards or a member of his care team can be made by calling (618) 467-1520.

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ALTON - Each year, Lucy Jane Haskell’s birthday is always special in Alton. Lucy’s 142nd birthday will be celebrated from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Friday, July 29, at the Haskell Playhouse at the corner of 12th and Henry. Lucy Haskell received her own playhouse in 1885 for her fifth birthday but died at age 9 in 1890. Lucy died of diphtheria. Margaret Hopkins, the organizer of the event, said the party will mimic Lucy’s fifth birthday party when the playhouse was gifted to her. Margaret said a previous newspaper article, says there were Victorian games, cake, lemonade, and pony rides to celebrate. Margaret said there will also be games that are active for children. “Everything we offer will be free to the public,” she said. “There will be a merchandise table where people can purchase notecards, t-shirts, etc., and all the proceeds to the playhouse and future events. A young lady has also been chosen to sing happy birthday to her.” Margaret said

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ST. LOUIS - The deceased in a homicide in the 6300 block of Lillian Avenue has been identified as Cameron Young, 22 years of age, of the 6200 block of Cana Drive in St. Louis, Missouri 63121. The St. Louis County Police Crimes Against Persons detectives are investigating the homicide. St. Louis County Police Jennings Precinct officers responded to a call for service for shots fired near the intersection of Goodfellow and Lillian Avenue at 5:22 p.m. on Monday, July 25, 2022. Responding officers located an adult male suffering from an apparent gunshot injury. The victim was transported to an area hospital with a life-threatening injury where he later succumbed to his injury and was pronounced deceased. 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 receive a reward, please contact CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477).

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ALTON – OSF HealthCare is pleased to add a new primary care provider to its staff to better serve the community of Godfrey and surrounding areas. The addition of Sherry Simmons, MD, on July 24 will ensure increased access for patients in need of primary care at the OSF Medical Group – Primary Care office at 6702 Godfrey Road. Dr. Simmons joins the care team of Priya Kumaraguru, MD, and offers a number of services, including mental health care and chronic disease management. She received a Bachelor of Science from Southern Illinois University and medical degree from St. George’s School of Medicine. She is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. New or existing patient appointments for primary care with Dr. Simmons or a member of her care team can be made by calling (618) 467-1520.

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CARLINVILLE - A surprising number of letters and diaries from Civil War soldiers exist today, particularly from Illinois troops. An example is Duncan Ingraham, who lived in Carlinville before the war. Ingraham, who served in the 33rd Illinois, penned a number of letters to relatives that are cited by some Civil War scholars today. The letters are part of the Ingraham family papers, which are held by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield. Born on April 10, 1838 in Orange, N.J., Ingraham was listed from Carlinville when he entered Illinois State University on April 14, 1858. The university was in its infancy, as it was established as the state’s first public institution of higher learning just a year before. One source called him “a studious and painstaking young fellow.” Ingraham apparently planned to pursue a career in education, as teacher training was the original mission of ISU. He was not in Carlinville for long, as he joined the

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CHICAGO– Governor JB Pritzker announced the launch of “I Got Love / ¡Siento Amor!”, the statewide enrollment campaign for childcare and early education services, featuring Illinois artists, musicians, and production partners. Since March 2020, the state has provided $978 million in early childhood stability and recovery. While this investment allowed providers to keep their doors open (97% of licensed provider recipients remained open at the end of 2021), enrollment has decreased as an ongoing result of the pandemic. To help increase early childhood and care enrollment statewide, the campaign is investing $12.7 million in amplifying information about Illinois’ one-stop-shop for all things early childhood, the Illinois Cares for Kids website, which has a search engine for local programs, information on child care subsidy programs, and many other resources on the importance of early learning. Illinois Cares for Kids is a place parents, grandparents, caretakers,

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ST. LOUIS - Barnes-Jewish Hospital and its physician partners at Washington University School of Medicine have been named one of America’s “Best Hospitals” by U.S. News & World Report . Barnes-Jewish ranked No. 11 in the nation, moving up six spots from its previous position on the publication’s elite honor roll of the country’s top 20 hospitals. The report also ranked Barnes-Jewish as No. 1 in Missouri and No. 1 in the metro St. Louis area. BJC’s Missouri Baptist Medical Center and Christian Hospital also achieved high marks in the state and the local region. Missouri Baptist was ranked No. 2 in metro St. Louis and No. 3 in Missouri, while Christian Hospital was rated No. 5 in metro St. Louis and No. 11 in the state. In the pediatric rankings announced in June, BJC’s St. Louis Children’s Hospital was among the Best Children’s Hospitals in the country in all 10 ranked pediatric specialties. “We are pleased to see so many

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Alliance today announced details of the Illinois Wine Experience at this year’s annual State Fair. The Illinois Wine Experience will be located in the fairground’s Artisan building, with additional operations also near the grandstand and in the Village of Cultures, providing fairgoers the chance to taste a variety of homegrown wines that will show the breadth and depth of how the industry has improved and grown over the years. “Illinois wineries are exploding with talent and tasty wines,” said Lisa Ellis, director of the IGGVA. “We are thrilled to be featured in the State Fair’s Artisan building, where fairgoers can sample award-winning wines for all taste preferences – white, red, rosé, dry, sweet, semi-sweet wines from all over Illinois. Our additional locations near the giant slide and the grandstand will bring Illinois Wine to even more fairgoers, and we couldn’t

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WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, criticized the conservative Supreme Court’s majority opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization , which overturned Roe v. Wade. In the speech, Durbin continued to call on his colleagues to support enshrining into law a statutory right to an abortion. Durbin also highlighted various instances where an abortion is necessary, including a 10-year-old rape victim who was denied an abortion in Ohio and had to travel across state lines. “Because she was six weeks and three days pregnant, she couldn't qualify for a procedure to terminate her pregnancy,”said Durbin. “And there were those who disputed that it ever happened and denied such a thing could occur and it turned out they were wrong. It did happen. I was saddened to read that one of the members in the right to life movement said that she should

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ST. LOUIS - Despite ample evidence that air quality is tied to a myriad of poor public health outcomes, Illinois and Missouri continue to lag on implementing adequate air quality protections on both sides of the Mississippi River. For the second year in a row, a coalition of organizations called attention to this environmental injustice and urged policymakers to swiftly improve air permitting processes. “Residents in Illinois and Missouri share more than just the Mississippi River. As neighbors, we share air as well,” said DeAndress Green, member of Metropolitan Congregations United and Treasurer of New Cahokia Commons Urban Farm. “I grew up in North St. Louis and was repeatedly exposed to poor air quality. Just last month, I was admitted to the hospital with respiratory health issues, but doctors couldn’t deduce a diagnosis. It hit me that my respiratory health issues are the result of having been exposed to pollutants for years.” A national study

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ST. LOUIS - St. Louis-based law firm Lewis Rice has named Harry Bell III, a first-year law student at University of Missouri School of Law, and Diamond Harris, a first-year law student at Saint Louis University School of Law, as the first recipients of the Larry L. Deskins Scholarship. The scholarship, which honors Lewis Rice’s late partner Larry L. Deskins, awards $7,500 scholarships to two first-year law students at Washington University, Saint Louis University or University of Missouri law schools who are members of economically disadvantaged or underrepresented groups in the legal profession. Scholarship funds will be awarded to Bell and Harris this fall and can be used for tuition and expenses during their second year of law school. Bell has a master’s degree in public administration with an emphasis in local government from Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, Illinois. He is involved in the Black Law Student Association and Health Law Association at the University

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ALTON - Alton Main Street’s quarterly information exchange, called “What’s Up Downtown,” will be held on Tuesday, July 26th at 5:30 p.m. at the Riverbender building, located at 200 W. 3 rd Street in Alton, IL. The public is invited to learn the latest news regarding developments in Alton’s historic downtown, including updates from new & existing businesses, news on real estate transactions, and details of upcoming events and projects. The evening’s featured speakers will be: John Muller from Diversified Real Estate Group, sharing about his company’s acquisition of the Riverbender building, and recent renovations that are designed to attract small businesses seeking a professional office setting. Rob Lenhardt, sharing details of upcoming development plans at Mac’s Time Out at 315 Belle Street. Tabitha Craig, sharing the breakfast and lunch menu for her new restaurant called Tab’s Cafe opening soon at 400 State Street. Kyndra

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EAST ALTON - Kelsey Jones has posted a GoFundMe page to assist with the costs of her father's funeral and vet expenses for his dog. The dog, Iris, was attacked in a situation that developed at 10:37 a.m. on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Old Oak Ridge Trailer Park, 100 Wesley Drive in East Alton. Kelsey's father, Dale, died of an apparent heart attack during the struggle between dogs. Dale was walking his dog when his dog and two others started to fight in the neighborhood. A female was walking two dogs when the dog fight occurred. She suffered multiple bites and other associated injuries and was transported by EMS from the scene for hospital care. This is what Kelsey posted on the GoFundMe: "My name is Kelsey Jones. On July 23rd, my father, Dale Jones was walking his dog, Isis, around the neighborhood as he did every day. As he was walking her, two dogs out of the neighborhood came up and started attacking her. The dogs did not attack my dad, but as a result of him struggling to get

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