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JERSEYVILLE - Junior Morgan Allen of Jersey Community Unit School captured the IHSA Sectional Championship in high jump at the Williamsville Sectional Meet last week, securing her place at the upcoming IHSA State Meet. Allen won the sectional high jump by clearing 5 feet, 0.5 inches. Allen is a Sparklight Female Athlete of Month for Jersey. The event took place recently at Williamsville, where Allen’s performance stood out among competitors. Peyton Zeidler of Rochester finished second with the same clearance of 5 feet, 0.5 inches, while Laetitia Kanda of Beardstown took third with the same height. Jaylin Roach of Roxana placed fourth by clearing 4 feet, 10.5 inches. Allen’s high jump season best is 5 feet, 2.25 inches. In addition to her high jump achievements, she has recorded a time of 1:07.84 in the 400 meters, a long jump best of 15 feet, 11.25 inches, and a 200-meter dash time of 28.34 seconds. Allen's victory at the sectional meet marks a significant milestone

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ALTON – An Alton man’s second case of domestic battery has resulted in two felonies after allegedly attacking the victim and damaging her vehicle. Jesse L. Johnson, 46, of Alton, was charged on May 14, 2025 with criminal damage to property and his second or subsequent offense of domestic battery (both Class 4 felonies). Between May 12-13, 2025, Johnson allegedly struck a household or family member “several times in the face with a closed fist, grabbed her arm, sprayed Febreze in her face, and slapped her with an open hand,” according to court documents. He was additionally accused of causing between $500 to $10,000 worth of damage to the “radio system, dashboard, and gear shift” of the victim’s vehicle. Johnson had previously been convicted of domestic battery in a 2017 criminal case also filed in Madison County. His latest case was presented by the Alton Police Department. While remanded to jail for his initial court appearance, Johnson

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ALTON - Riverbend Rescue will host their Keys for Kids event to raise money for local families in need. From 7–11 p.m. on Saturday, July 26, 2025, up to 100 community members can enjoy a gourmet meal, drink tickets, raffles, networking opportunities and dueling pianos on the Simmons Hanly Conroy Building rooftop in Alton. Tickets cost $50 and all proceeds go back to Riverbend Rescue’s mission to provide gifts for kids during the holidays. “What I love about Alton is we do serve our community,” said Riverbend Rescue founder Adam Marburger. “We want to make sure we help kids at Christmas.” This year marks the second Keys for Kids event, now with a “Christmas in July” theme. Last year, they raised $20,000 at the event, and all of this money went to local families. Marburger explained that he works with the schools and Al Womack at the Alton Boys and Girls Club to identify families who could use assistance during the holidays.

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GLEN CARBON - Senior goalkeeper Rachel Brown was a stalwart and linchpin for the girls soccer team at Metro-East Lutheran High School during the 2025 season and Brown stood tall in goal, making 265 saves this season, which was the 11th most in the nation, according to MaxPreps, a national high school sports website. The Knights lost their IHSA Class 1A regional semifinal match 9-0 to highly touted host Father McGivney Catholic on May 16, 2025, at McGivney High School to conclude their season. However, Brown made two great saves to prevent the Griffins from scoring. It was typical of her performance in goal all season. Brown is a BJ's Printables Female Athlete of the Month for MELHS. Brown logged the most time in goal for the Knights, at 1,101 minutes, and had a goals-against average of 8.21. and a save percentage of .701. But the Knights showed resiliency all season, never backed down, and kept striving and playing hard, no matter what. In her post-match interview, Brown felt

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EDWARDSVILLE – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced a temporary road closure will be encountered on IL 143/157 in Edwardsville that began today, May 19, 2025. IL 143/157 (Vandalia St.) will be closed to through traffic between IL 159 (Main St.) and Buchanan St. for sanitary sewer repairs on IL 143/157. A detour will be marked utilizing IL 159 (Main St.), Schwarz St., and Buchanan St. to assist travelers around the closure. (See attached map.) All lanes will reopen as soon as possible. Pfund Construction will be making the needed repairs. Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on the social media platform X at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s

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SPRINGFIELD – Today, Illinois Central Management Services (CMS) announced that the State of Illinois has achieved historic outcomes in building up its workforce, increasing the total employee count from 50,544 in 2019 to 55,340 in 2025 – the highest number of state employees since 2008, which was 55,237 employees. These gains are driven by hiring at agencies that have historically faced challenges filling positions and that directly provide support to vulnerable Illinoisans. This includes a 44% increase in staffing at the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) and a 15% increase in direct care worker roles at the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). Formerly a manual, paper-driven process plagued by outdated grading systems, the State’s hiring has undergone a transformative modernization since 2019, resulting in a more efficient and streamlined process today. "These milestones are a testament to the dedication and commitment of CMS, which has embraced

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) helped U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and U.S. Representative Grace Meng (D-NY-06) introduce a bicameral and bipartisan resolution to mark May 2025 as Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. The resolution recognizes the significant contributions that Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities have made to this country. “No matter what anyone says, AANHPI stories are the American story—from our struggles to our triumphs, our diversity has always made our nation stronger,” said Duckworth. “Every Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is an opportunity to honor the trailblazers who came before us, uplift diverse stories and celebrate our community as we continue to forge that path toward a better tomorrow where the American Dream remains within reach for

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Summer means outdoor activities and a reminder to watch for suspicious moles, a possible sign of skin cancer. But doctors say skin lesions come in many forms, and you should know when to get an expert opinion. What is and isn’t a skin lesion? Raman Kumar, MD , a colorectal and general surgeon at OSF HealthCare, has your checklist: YES: moles, blisters, bumps, acne, boils, peeling skin from a sunburn, rashes, poison ivy or similar skin reactions, warts, skin tags and bug bites YES, BUT: Dr. Kumar says freckles and birthmarks are lesions, but they are not harmful. In other words: “A skin lesion is any type of abnormal growth. It can happen anywhere on the body. If it doesn’t look like normal skin, it’s considered a growth,” Dr. Kumar says. Causes for each of these lesions vary. We know acne is due to bacteria, and warts are from a virus, for example. Medications, lifestyle choices (like eating certain food that doesn’t agree with you) and medical

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CHICAGO - In mid-May, the Trump Administration, through U.S. Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), terminated the Digital Equity Capacity Program. In Illinois, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s (DCEO) was in the process of implementing a Digital Equity Capacity Grant under this Program. This grant would have provided more than $23.7 million to Illinois organizations across the state to equip households and residents with the skills, resources, and tools needed to use high-speed internet and fully participate in Illinois’ economy. “The internet is a key to our economy. In Illinois, we need to make sure our many rural areas have the tools they need to access the internet and the doorways it opens for jobs, education, and telemedicine,” said Governor JB Pritzker . “Instead of enabling more people to participate in our economy, Donald Trump is turning his back on rural

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SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Earning a spot on Drury University's Dean's List is a significant accomplishment. The recognition means a student earned a grade point average of 3.6 or greater (on a 4-point scale) while carrying a full-time course load of 12 or more semester hours at Drury, a top Midwestern university, according to US News & World Report and The Princeton Review. In the spring semester, the following student(s) made the day school Dean's list: Established in 1873, Drury University stands as the first higher education institution in Springfield, MO. A private, church related institution, Drury exemplifies a strong spirit of community, passionate about student success. HOMETOWN, STATE; NAME, HIGH SCHOOL East Alton, IL Hannah Ritter, Metro East Lutheran HS Edwardsville, IL Connor Bain, Triad High School Max Conrey, Edwardsville Senior HS Tyler Frolik, Edwardsville Senior HS Godfrey, IL Wes Laaker, Alton High School Jerseyville, IL Jeremy Vanost, Jersey

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CARLINVILLE - The first-ever chess tournament at the Carlinville Public Library was a big success, as twenty-three players matched wits in friendly competition on Monday evening, May 12. Tournament coordinator Luke Aikin, a sixth-grade student at Carlinville Middle School, was pleased with the response. “I was very excited on how many people showed up to the event,” said Aikin. “I think everyone had a good time, which I was very grateful for. My main goal was for everyone to enjoy themselves, and to want to keep playing chess.” Winners from the tournament were Howie Wu, Parker Ashby, Mallory Bendorf, and H.P. Summer. Prizes were sponsored by Aikin and his family. The success of the first tournament may lead to more tournaments in the future. “We had participants ask when the next tournament will be,” said Hannah Miller, the director of the Carlinville library. “I think everyone had a great time. Kudos goes to Luke, who did an excellent

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ST. LOUIS, MO. — The American Red Cross has opened shelters for individuals and families affected by the severe storms and tornadoes that hit St. Louis and Sikeston today (Friday). The shelter locations are: St. Louis: · Grace United Methodist Church, 6199 Waterman Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63112 · Friendly Temple Outreach Center, 6356 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, St. Louis, MO 63133 Sikeston: · City of Miner Convention Center, 2610 E Malone Avenue, Sikeston, MO 63801 Identification and/or proof of residency is NOT required to be admitted to a Red Cross shelter. American Red Cross services are free and available to all regardless of race, religious beliefs, nationality, or citizenship status. The role of the Red Cross in any disaster is to focus on addressing the immediate needs of those affected. The Red Cross is coordinating with community, government, and emergency management officials to determine assistance needed. How to help:

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EDWARDSVILLE - Messages of girl power, positive self-esteem, healthy body image, community activism and more were packaged in sparkly, eye-catching motion and decorative costuming during the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts’ (ESLCPA) 2025 Spring Dance Recital. Students took to the stage at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 15 in the Multipurpose Room of Building D of the Wyvetter H. Younge Higher Education Center. Social justice was the theme of the dance recital. “Social justice is very important and was part of Miss Katherine Dunham’s philosophy,” said Ta’Shayla Montgomery , ESLCPA Dunham and ballet dance instructor. “At the end of last year, the students were very discouraged, and we talked about what they could do. They decided they wanted to do a dance project about social justice.” Led by ESCLPA alumni and the choreography dynamic, sister-duo of Montgomery and lyrical jazz dance instructor

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EDWARDSVILLE - Marley Fox, a versatile softball player for Edwardsville High School, is enjoying a good season, both in the field and inside the circle, and is the kind of player who can help the Tigers go a long way in the upcoming postseason. For the season, she's hit near .400 and also been impressive on the mound. In a recent postgame interview that followed the win over Collinsville, Fox felt that she threw well and credited (Kylie) Lintker for helping to set the table for her. "I'm really excited with how things are looking," Fox said. "We've been seeing a lot of slower pitching, so seeing that Calhoun girl (Audrey Gilman) really helped us out with getting our timing back." Fox is a Spencer Homes Female Athlete of the Month for the Tigers. The goals and aspirations for the remainder of the campaign for both Fox and the Tigers are pretty much one and the same. "I think that we can really just improve as a team all together," Fox said, "with our team chemistry. We all get

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EDWARDSVILLE - Joe Chiarodo is one of the best players on the Edwardsville High baseball team, perhaps in the Southwestern Conference and the state of Illinois, and in two separate games this past week, he showed why. In the final game of the 17th Tiger Classic on May 10 against Teutopolis, Chiarodo had a hit and RBI in a 5-4 loss to the Wooden Shoes, but two days later, in a key conference game against Belleville East at home, he retired the first 16 batters he faced, finishing up with a two-hit shutout in winning over the Lancers 7-0. Joe is a Spencer Homes Male Athlete of the Month for Edwardsville. For the season, he's hitting .519 with six homers and 39 RBIs, among the team leaders in all three categories, and on the mound, Chiarodo had used a variety of pitches to forge a 4-2 record, starting eight games, and has allowed 16 runs, 13 earned, on 26 hits for an ERA of 2.79. He's also walked six and struck out 36 batters in helping the Tigers to a 19-8 record with seven game

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WOOD RIVER - Von Dell Art Gallery has displayed artwork by local kids in an art therapy program. The Arts in Residential and Therapeutic Settings with Youth (ARTSY) program provides art therapy to kids in St. Louis and the Metro East region. The program’s participants will showcase their work at Von Dell Art Gallery through May 29, 2025. “I think it really creates a unique community,” said Laura with ARTSY. “It really brings the community together, which I think is really cool. It also provides some normalization of, hey, other kids are also doing art therapy in different places.” The public is welcome to check out the art during the gallery’s open hours, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, until May 29. There are 98 artists featured in the gallery through the ARTSY program. ARTSY is sponsored by the Missouri Art Therapy Association. Laura explained that art therapy is a therapeutic technique that encourages participants

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EAST ST. LOUIS — A federal judge sentenced Cierra S. Whitley, 36, of East St. Louis, to 11 years in prison Tuesday for possessing a stolen firearm used to threaten a victim during a double homicide investigation. Whitley pleaded guilty in January to one count of felon in possession of a firearm. Following her prison term, she will serve three years of supervised release. The sentencing stems from an Illinois State Police Public Safety Enforcement Group (PSEG) investigation into a double homicide that occurred in East St. Louis between Aug. 11 and 12, 2023. Authorities seized a 9mm firearm used to kill both victims. During interviews, Whitley admitted to possessing the firearm as a convicted felon and brandishing it to threaten one of the victims. “PSEG’s double homicide investigation led to Cierra Whitley’s conviction for possessing the stolen firearm that was used to murder two people,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “Her 11-year

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O'FALLON, IL. - The O’Fallon Police Department is investigating a suspected homicide that occurred Sunday, May 18, 2025, at the Goshen Trailhead parking lot on Kyle Road. A 17-year-old female was fatally shot, and an 18-year-old male is currently in custody in connection with the incident, O'Fallon Police said Monday morning, May 19, 2025. Authorities say the victim and the suspect were known to each other, and police are not searching for any additional suspects. The O’Fallon Police Department described the incident as not random. Detectives are continuing their investigation and plan to present the case to the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s office on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, for possible charges. Out of respect for the family, the O'Fallon Police Department has not released the victim’s name. Police are asking anyone who was in the area of the Goshen Trailhead parking lot between 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Sunday to come forward with information.

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ST. LOUIS — City of St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer said every single building in the city has been checked for loss of life by the St. Louis Fire Department and the assistance of other first responders. "We are so grateful for their tireless work," Spencer added. An EF3 tornado confirmed by the National Weather Service swept through the St. Louis region, damaging more than 5,000 buildings on Friday, May 16, 2025, killing at least five people and injuring 38 others, Mayor Spencer said over the weekend. The tornado, with wind speeds estimated between 136 mph and 165 mph, prompted an extensive emergency response. Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe activated the State Emergency Management Agency and deployed fire search-and-rescue teams, with the Federal Emergency Management Agency standing by to assist. As the City of St. Louis transitions from immediate emergency response to recovery efforts, Spencer emphasized the need for community support. “The city is still building a volunteer

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O'FALLON - O’Fallon Police are investigating a homicide that occurred on Sunday, May 18, 2025, in the 300 block of Kyle Road. Authorities reported that the suspect, who is known to the victim, is currently in custody. The department emphasized that there is no danger to the public at this time. Additional details will be released as the investigation continues.

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