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ST. LOUIS - St. Louis Union Station is celebrating the start of summer with Memorial Day weekend activities. Military and first responders and a guest will receive a discount at all of the Union Station attractions, including the St. Louis Wheel, mini-golf, and carousel and the St. Louis Aquarium, ropes course, and mirror maze. This discount is available from Friday, May 27 through Monday, May 30 in person at the attractions' ticket windows. Saturday and Sunday, the popular Animals 'R Us petting zoo returns to the Purina Performance Plaza at Union Station with their adorable furry friends. The animals will be on-site from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. on both days. The St. Louis Wheel will be open from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. every day, and the St. Louis Aquarium will add extended holiday hours from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. to its schedule Friday through Sunday. Union Station's restaurants, including Soda Fountain -- famous for its Freak Shake milkshakes -- and Train Shed will be open for lunch

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ST. LOUIS - Following the City of St. Louis’ investment in more mechanics for trucks, as well as the development of a data-driven plan to use Refuse Division resources most efficiently, the Streets Department today announced that alleyway recycling will resume on Tuesday, May 31. The City, in partnership with Saint Louis Recycles , is urging residents to prepare for a resumption of alleyway recycling collection by getting up to date on best recycling practices while being aware of how much waste their household produces. “The Refuse Division services 80,000 households across the city, and we’ve been working tirelessly to resume alleyway recycling collection for St. Louisans,” said Streets Director Betherny Williams. “Our data-driven plan will help us increase our transparency and efficiency around waste collection and recycling, and the Refuse Division will consistently monitor our routes and make adjustments where necessary. St. Louisans can all do

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CHAMPAIGN, IL – First Busey Corporation (NASDAQ: BUSE) has announced the election of Cassandra Sanford as an independent director of the board of directors effective May 25, 2022. Her election brings the board to 10 members. As a director of Busey Bank since January 2021, Mrs. Sanford has experience serving as a director of financial institutions. Mrs. Sanford’s election follows the retirement of long-time Director Thomas G. Sloan on May 25, 2022. Mr. Sloan served as a director of Busey Bank from 2007 until his election to the First Busey board in 2010. For almost three decades, he provided invaluable service to Busey and its predecessor organizations—including both First National Bank of Decatur and Main Street Trust, Inc. Mrs. Sanford is Co-Founder and CEO of KellyMitchell Group, a premier technology workforce solutions company helping organizations achieve their IT goals by providing a hi-tech, flexible workforce. Founded in 1998, the company is headquartered

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COLLINSVILLE – Six outstanding Collinsville High School seniors received the Stan Schaeffer Memorial Scholarship tonight at the Collinsville City Council meeting. The students: Lydia Fluss, Dayton Horras, Megan Houberg, Grace Lanier, Jacob McChristian and Jada Russell received $1,000 each. The scholarship is named for former Collinsville Mayor and retired educator Stan Schaeffer. After Schaeffer’s sudden death in 2008, City leaders made the scholarship a reality. When the scholarship was established in 2010, it was administered by the Collinsville Education Scholarship Foundation, which changed its name to the Collinsville Area Community Foundation in 2021. Now administered by the Collinsville Area Community Foundation, this merit-based scholarship is awarded to Collinsville High School seniors who live within the Collinsville city limits. Since the inception of the scholarship, $46,000 has been awarded to outstanding Collinsville High School seniors. In total, the

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GRANITE CITY – Granite City High School has announced its plans for the Class of 2022 Graduation, which is set for Friday, May 27 at 7:30 p.m. on Kevin Greene Field. Graduation Practice – MANDATORY Thursday, May 26, 2022 10:30 a.m. Kevin Greene Field If rain, report to Memorial Gymnasium Graduation - Plan A Friday, May 27 - 7:30 p.m. - Kevin Greene Field Decision will be made at 5 p.m. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. No tickets required Wagner will be onsite to take individual photos of each graduate Graduation - Plan B (Weather Plan) Friday, May 27 - 7:30 p.m. - Memorial Gymnasium Students allowed 4 guest tickets Wagner will be onsite to take individual photos of each graduate BROADCAST The Class of 2022 Graduation will be live-streamed on the Granite City Community Unit School District #9 Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/GCSD9.net . A decision whether to move the ceremony indoors will be made no later than 5 p.m.

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ALTON - Alton firefighters’ quick response stopped a fire in the 3200 block of Alby Street in Alton on Wednesday night that appeared to be a gas leak from the back of a stove. Deputy Fire Chief Matt Fischer said the fire was contained to the kitchen and was knocked down in what he described as "a pretty quick fashion" by Alton firefighters. Fischer said the call for the fire came in after 9 p.m. Wednesday. He said there was some water damage and smoke within the structure, but expects that home occupants will be able to return to the home after some work. Those in the home were not able to return Wednesday night after the fire, Fischer said. The homeowner said they had hired someone to put a new floor in the kitchen today and during the construction, the stove was moved out, which caused a break or connection issue with the gas line. The mom said when she returned home to cook dinner, she turned the stove on and it ignited the fire that spread in the kitchen. There were individuals

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BETHALTO - The Bethalto Police Department issued a reminder today to area businesses to diligently examine all currency for counterfeit bills during purchases. Bethalto Police announced that on Monday a report was filed about the subject in the below image attempting to pass a counterfeit $50 bill. Bethalto Police Chief Mike Dixon said: "A diligent and attentive attendant examined the bill and recognized it to be counterfeit. The matter is under investigation, and we ask any other police agencies with this subject as a suspect in a similar activity to please contact us." He added: "Anyone who knows the subject in the images, who was driving a newer model white Mercury Cougar, out of Wilsonville, Illinois, is asked to contact us on Facebook or call 618-377-5266 extension 1. "Employees of area bars, convenience, and grocery stores should be diligent in examining the bills they receive recognizing that $20 and $50 bills are the most often counterfeited. "Many of the counterfeit

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BETHALTO - The Bethalto Police Department announced that a Felony Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine Charge has been filed in Madison County Circuit Court against Brian J. Schappe, 37, of the 8000 block of Natural Bridge Road in St. Louis from an incident in Bethalto. The charge stems from an incident that was investigated by a Bethalto Police officer at 1:53 a.m. on Saturday, May 21, 2022, in the trailer park at 100 Wesley Drive. The officer approached a suspicious vehicle in the park, which has recently experienced an increase in criminal activity and attempted to talk to the driver. The driver recklessly fled the area at a high rate of speed, with his headlights out, southbound onto Wesley Drive as the officer was attempting to make contact. Officers proceeded southbound in the direction of the fleeing vehicle, which was found stuck in the field across from the Wood River Moose Lodge. The vehicle had run off the roadway at a curve, while traveling at a high rate of speed with

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MADISON COUNTY - A pedestrian was struck in the 900 block of East Airline Drive on Wednesday afternoon. Madison County Sheriff's Office was the lead agency at the scene. Madison County Capt. Will Dimitroff reported the accident did result in a fatality. He said the sheriff's office was called to the scene at 3:13 p.m. There are no other details yet available about the accident. A Madison County Sheriff's vehicle and Bethalto Police controlled traffic in the area. Residents are urged to avoid the area until the investigation has been completed.

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WALNUT CREEK, OHIO - The recall saga involving peanut products continues today. Coblentz Chocolate Company of Walnut Creek, Ohio, has announced it is recalling certain Peanut Butter Products because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella , an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis. This recall is a direct result of the J.M. Smucker Co. Jif® Peanut Butter recall. Coblentz Chocolate Company has ceased using Jif® Peanut Butter in production at this time. No illnesses have been reported to date.

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JERSEYVILLE - A new Scooter’s Coffee location is coming to Jerseyville at 602 S. State St., the site of the former Pizza Hut building. A spokesperson with Scooter’s Coffee said its expected completion date is sometime this July. Approximately 15 job opportunities will be available once this Scooter’s location opens. Those interested can apply at scooterscoffee.com/careers by searching for the Jerseyville location once those job positions are posted. Each Scooter’s location stands at 630 square feet and operates as drive-thru-only; the company’s business model is built on providing the fastest possible drive-thru service. The Scooter’s Coffee Brand Promise is, “Amazing People, Amazing Drinks … Amazingly Fast!” The Scooter’s Coffee menu features a wide array of coffee, espresso and cold brew beverages - including the brand’s signature “Caramelicious” drink - as well as fruit smoothies, Red Bull

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A total of nine potential cases have been reported to IDPH Dating to January; Illinois Healthcare Providers Advised to be on the Lookout and Report Potential Cases to Public Health Authorities SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced today that it has received reports of a total of nine patients under investigation for severe hepatitis in children under ten years of age, up from three that were reported in April. The cases date back to January, and the most recent had the onset of symptoms in May. Two-thirds of the children tested positive for adenovirus , a common virus that typically causes cold- or flu-like illness. Five patients were reported in northern Illinois, two were in the western part of the state and one each was reported in the central and southern parts of the state. All of the children were hospitalized, and one needed a liver transplant. No deaths were reported. The IDPH update follows a recent briefing by the CDC about

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EDWARDSVILLE – Edwardsville Community Unit Schools District #7 has named Dr. Rusti Blount as principal of Lincoln Middle School. Blount’s hire was approved on May 23 by the District #7 Board of Education. She will take the school’s helm beginning with the 2022-23 school year. "Dr. Blount is a proven educator who has the knowledge, dedication and commitment that will be valuable in leading Lincoln Middle School,” said District #7 Superintendent Dr. Patrick Shelton. “We look forward to seeing our staff and students at Lincoln thrive under her leadership.” Blount has served as a special education teacher at the elementary, middle, and high school level, while her previous leadership roles include serving as an elementary school principal and a program specialist for special education. “I am excited to join Lincoln Middle School and look forward to working with the staff and families to empower each student to meet their success.” As a

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SPRINGFIELD – These are statements from a variety of individuals from education representatives, to politicians about the Uvalde, Texas, school shooting where a reported at least 21 are dead. The following is attributable to Illinois Education Association (IEA) President Kathi Griffin, IEA Vice President Al Llorens, and IEA Secretary/Treasurer Tom Tully regarding the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas: “We face another tragedy – an almost unbearable and oft-repeated incident of kids getting on a bus, going to school, and hanging up their backpacks on a hook in a classroom to never walk out. “The anguish of the families of these innocent children who were murdered, the two brave and nurturing teachers who tried to protect them, and of the Uvalde, Tex. community as a whole is almost too hard to watch. “It should raise red flags for us as a country that in the cases of Robb Elementary School, of the Tops grocery store in Buffalo, N.Y.,

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O’FALLON, Ill. — When a stroke occurs, doctors often say “time is brain.” That’s because every minute the brain is without oxygen due to a stroke, two million brain cells die. This can often lead to brain damage, disability or death. “Treatment for stroke can begin in the ambulance, so it’s really important to get someone who may be having a stroke medical assistance as soon as possible,” says Dr. Pavan Gupta, cardiologist with Prairie Cardiovascular. “Always call 9-1-1 if a stroke is suspected as immediate treatment and early intervention may minimize the long-term effects of stroke.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), someone in the United States has a stroke every 40 seconds and someone dies of stroke every four minutes. HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital encourages everyone to know the signs of a stroke by remembering the phrase/acronym BE FAST : B – Balance difficulty: Sudden

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ST. LOUIS - An unprecedented disruption in the global supply chain due to the COVID-19 pandemic is still having a major impact on many U.S. industries. Freight rail has had to adapt daily over the last two years to keep goods moving, and Union Pacific Railroad is taking its lessons learned, investing in adding more capacity and committing to moving more intermodal freight. That commitment includes investing $600 million of capital in 2022 alone as the company works to add more than one million lifts to the intermodal franchise and ramps up hiring so resources match demand. The various ways that Union Pacific continues to adapt and invest to keep freight moving were the focus of one of the panel discussions during FreightWeekSTL 2022. “Throughout the supply chain crisis, Union Pacific has been working to make sure that we're agile with our resources,” said Elise Gosch, assistant vice president Marketing and Sales – Premium Intermodal at Union Pacific. “Every

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BUNKER HILL - SIHF Healthcare is pleased to announce that staff member James Nanney, PA-C, has been awarded the 2022 Excellence in Clinical Education Award from Doisy College of Health Sciences at Saint Louis University. Nanney serves as a Physician Assistant at SIHF Healthcare located at 144 N. Washington Street, Bunker Hill, Ill. The nomination letters submitted by colleagues and students recognized his many significant contributions to fostering student learning during their fieldwork experience. Nanney has been the only preceptor in the Physician Assistant program to be nominated every year for the last 12 years. His practice-specific knowledge and passion for communicating and engaging in their learning experience as an educator and role model has prepared them to be the competent and compassionate health care professionals of the future. “I’d like to personally congratulate James on receiving this well-deserved honor,” said Cathy Sabolo, Health Center Manager

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ST. LOUIS - For the fifth consecutive year, Schnuck Markets, Inc. is proud to support the Folds of Honor Foundation through a “Round Up at the Register” campaign taking place at all 112 Schnucks stores throughout the Midwest. Folds of Honor is a nonprofit organization that honors the sacrifices of fallen and disabled military veterans by providing educational scholarships to their spouses and children. Last year’s efforts raised $1 million which funded 200 scholarships. Starting today and continuing through Monday, July 4 (Independence Day), Schnucks customers will be able to contribute to Folds of Honor at checkout simply by rounding up their purchases to the nearest dollar. Those customers who use self-checkouts and wish to give may choose a $1, $3 or $5 “Scan and Give” option. Schnucks Rewards members also have the opportunity to donate their Rewards points to Folds of Honor as part of the Donate Your Rewards program. One-hundred percent of all

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EDWARDSVILLE - At the regularly-scheduled Madison County Republican Central Committee (MCRCC) meeting, precinct committeemen voted to endorse two candidates for re-election in the June 28 th primary. State Representative Amy Elik and Madison County Treasurer Chris Slusser received Republican party endorsements after being recommended by the MCRCC Executive Committee. “This election cycle, Republicans have an unprecedented opportunity to build on our success. Our county party will put its full weight behind our endorsed candidates to ensure their victory in June, and again in November,” said Ray Wesley, Chairman of the Madison County Republican Central Committee. “Representative Elik has been a strong voice for Madison County during her tenure in Springfield, fighting for lower taxes, Second Amendment rights, and protecting the unborn,” Wesley continued. “Treasurer Slusser has taken the county investment portfolio to the next level, moving Madison County

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THE CONVERSATION - When the Columbine High School massacre took place in 1999 it was seen as a watershed moment in the United States – the worst mass shooting at a school in the country’s history. Now, it ranks fourth. The three school shootings to surpass its death toll of 13 – 12 students, one teacher – have all taken place within the last decade: 2012’s Sandy Hook Elementary attack , in which a gunman killed 26 children and school staff; the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, which claimed the lives of 17 people ; and now the Robb Elementary School assault in Uvalde, Texas , where on May 24, 2022, at least 19 children and two adults were murdered. We are criminologists who study the life histories of public mass shooters in the U.S. As part of that research, we built a comprehensive database of mass public shootings using public data, with the shooters coded on over 200 different variables, including

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