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O'FALLON — Stephanie Watkins, a custodian at Carriel Junior High, has been honored with the Illinois State Board of Education Award of Special Recognition, as announced by the O'Fallon Community Consolidated School District #90. The award, part of the 225 Those Who Excel program, recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to education in Illinois. O'Fallon Community School District officials expressed their pride in Watkins's achievement, highlighting her dedication to the school community. "Congratulations, Stephanie! We are glad you call D90 home," the district said in a statement. The recognition underscores the vital role that support staff play in creating a positive educational environment for students. The custodians at each school play such an important role day-in and day-out in keeping the school clean and sanitary for students.

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BETHALTO – A woman from Cottage Hills faces criminal charges after stealing from an elderly resident of the assisted living facility where she worked. Kristine L. Muir, 51, of Cottage Hills, was charged with one count of financial exploitation of an elderly person, a Class 4 felony. She was also charged with a Class A misdemeanor count of theft. On Nov. 22, 2024, Muir allegedly stole four Amazon gift cards with a total value of $100 from an 86-year-old victim by means of deception. Court documents state Muir was “in a position of trust or confidence” with the victim, as she was an employee at the assisted living facility where the victim lived. The Bethalto Police Department presented the case against Muir, who was granted pretrial release from custody. All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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GLEN CARBON - McGivney Catholic High School is set to host a Taylor Swift Tribute Concert and Party from 7 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, March 15, 2025, in the school gymnasium. The event aims to bring together fans of all ages for an evening of music, fashion, and activities inspired by the pop star. Attendees are encouraged to dress in their favorite Taylor Swift outfits and participate in a pre-show Swiftie Fashion Show. The evening will also feature activities such as bracelet-making, face gems, Taylor Trivia, and an Eras Photo Booth, providing a variety of entertainment for guests. The cost to attend is $25 per person, while accompanying adults can join at no charge. Organizers note that children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information and to buy tickets, interested parties can visit the provided link: https://tinyurl.com/y97zxzkm

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Hunger Caucus and member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) today introduced the bipartisan Reduce Food Loss and Waste Act, legislation that would prevent and reduce food waste across the country. Each year, the U.S. produces and imports 237 million tons of food annually, but 31 percent of this food is never sold or eaten, while millions of Americans experience food insecurity. Specifically, the Reduce Food Loss and Waste Act would establish a “Food Loss and Waste Reduction Certification,” and direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to create: Criteria, which businesses and organizations would have to meet to receive the certification; A verification process, to confirm that businesses and organizations have achieved the criteria; and A label, which certified businesses and organizations would be authorized to use on

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MAPLEWOOD, MO. — Renowned Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser and cellist Natalie Haas will lead a workshop for students and teachers on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at the St. Louis String Collective space in Maplewood, followed by a concert on March 7, 2025, at the Blue Strawberry in the Central West End in St. Louis. The event presents a unique opportunity for Edwardsville High School orchestra students, teachers, and other area students/teachers, who will participate in the workshop organized by their orchestra director, Victoria Voumard, along with colleagues Alyssa Avery and Ranya Iqbal from the St. Louis String Collective. “This is a world-class duo and my students will have this rare opportunity to participate in a workshop with them,” Voumard said. Fraser and Haas have been collaborating for over 20 years, earning acclaim for their performances that blend traditional Scottish music with innovative string techniques. Fraser, often referred to as “the Michael

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WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, slammed President Trump and Vice President Vance’s tense and embarrassing meeting in the Oval Office on Friday with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. Durbin began his remarks by reflecting on Casimir Pulaski Day—a local holiday observed in Illinois on the first Monday of March in memory of Casimir Pulaski, a Revolutionary War cavalry officer born in Poland. This morning in Chicago, Durbin attended an event honoring Pulaski Day with the President of Poland, Andrzej Duda. He also attended a large rally in support of Ukraine yesterday. During his speech, Durbin also highlighted the critical relationship between Poland and the United States and how strengthening the NATO alliance is more important now than ever in light of Russian President Putin and Trump’s actions. “As I said today, it was a Pulaski moment. The United States and

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EDWARDSVILLE - Amanda Couch is rallying community support for David and Marge, an Edwardsville couple who suffered a devastating house fire on the evening of Feb. 20, 2025. The fire resulted in the complete loss of their home and vehicles, leaving the couple to navigate the aftermath of the tragedy. David and Marge were able to escape the flames, sustaining some injuries but overall remaining safe. Unfortunately, they were unable to save their pets during the incident. The couple had initially declined offers for financial assistance, but after discussions with family, they have agreed to accept help as they work through insurance claims and address immediate needs, including clothing, food, medical expenses, and eventually a replacement vehicle. Couch emphasized the importance of community support in times of crisis. "Thank you for helping them see they have an entire community here to support them and love them through this tragedy," she said. A GoFundMe campaign has been established

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ALTON - The Hayner Public Library District has several programs lined up for community members to enjoy. “We just keep offering more programs, and people keep signing up and participating in them,” said Executive Director Mary Cordes. “In addition to all the books that we check out and the movies that we check out and the items that we stream and download and all that, there’s also that component of programming and being a community center and service group that we have found people really want and we’re happy to adapt and give to people. We’re always trying something new.” From 6–7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, hopeful readers can stop by the Alton Square Mall library for “Library Speed Dating: Find the Book of Your Dreams.” This event, rescheduled from February, encourages people to check out different genres of books and find new authors to enjoy. Cordes noted that it’s also a great social opportunity

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ALTON - The Three Rivers Project of Sierra Club Illinois will host its final Seed Swap of the spring season at the Hayner Library to provide community members with a sociable space to swap and share quality seeds, cuttings, and bulbs. Join fellow farmers and gardeners in celebration of the start of the spring gardening season at this community event, which is free and open to all. The second of Sierra Club’s two winter seed swaps will be held at the downtown location of the Hayner Public Library District in Alton on Saturday, March 8 from 12:00 to 2:00pm. To register for the Seed Swap at the Hayner Library, visit https://sc.org/seedswap-library . If you are sharing self-collected seeds, please label the homegrown seeds with the common or species name, year, and your name. If you are sharing commercial seed packets, there is no need to label the packets. Due to an anonymous donation, the Sierra Club will offer gardeners their choice of four different seed starter kits,

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today spoke on the Senate floor against the so-called Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act— a Republican bill that would revoke federal funding from schools with athletic programs that allow trans girls to participate on sports teams for women or girls. The bill—which lacks a clear enforcement mechanism—could subject women and girls to physical inspection by an adult if someone from an opposing team accused them of being transgender. It infringes on the privacy of girls and women and is a dangerous use of the powers of government to target student athletes of all ages. Durbin said, “Put yourself in the shoes of these families for just a moment. magine being the parent of a trans kid and telling your child they are not allowed to play on the same sports team as their friends at school because a politician said they couldn’t.”

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EAST ST. LOUIS — Students from the East St. Louis School District 189 showcased their musical talents during the district's Black History Program, held recently at a local venue. The event featured a live performance by the orchestra students, who played "Favorite Song" under the guidance of their instructor, Rosalind Rogers. The performance was part of the district's efforts to celebrate Black History Month, providing students an opportunity to engage with cultural themes through music. The program is aimed to highlight the importance of Black history and its impact on the community. "These talented strings students did an amazing job," the East St. Louis School District said in a statement. "The performance was well-received, with attendees expressing appreciation for the students' hard work and dedication." The event underscores the district's commitment to fostering artistic expression and cultural awareness among its students.

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GODFREY - This year, a special celebration between friends turned into a fundraiser for the Village of Godfrey Parks and Recreation Department. Susie Eckert and her friends have hosted an Oscars party for the past 20 years, complete with a red carpet, ballgowns and over 60 attendees. As the party grew, they moved it to Tony’s Ranch House in Godfrey and turned it into a fundraiser for local nonprofits. This year’s celebration was the final Oscars party, and they raised nearly $2,000 for the Godfrey Parks and Recreation Department. “It’s a blast,” said Mary Mathews, owner of Tony’s Ranch House. “It is a goal to have fun, and everybody gets to come out and have a good night out. But it’s also about helping the community as much as possible. going towards Godfrey Parks and Rec this year, which is just excellent. I’m very proud of the parks.” During the party, attendees walk the red carpet and vote on awards for Best Dressed,

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SPRINGFIELD – University of Illinois Springfield students earned awards and were elected to offices at the Model Illinois Government (MIG) simulation, held Feb. 28-March 2 at the Illinois State Capitol. Abbie Hasty of Alton was one of the UIS delegation award winners. The UIS delegation won five individual awards: Melody Colonel of Chester won the Outstanding Member of the Senate award. Maria Rodriguez Spengler of Santa Cruz, Bolivia, won the Outstanding Whip in the Senate award. Samuel Moore of Moweaqua won the Outstanding Committee Person in the Senate award. Abbie Hasty of Alton won the Outstanding Committee Chair in the House award. Timothy Malit of Springfield won the Outstanding Lobbyist award. UIS students competed against peers from 15 colleges and universities across Illinois. The simulation allows participants to serve as legislators, staffers, lobbyists, journalists and executive branch officials. Throughout the weekend, UIS students debated legislation,

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– Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC)—and Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced bipartisan legislation that would strengthen National Guard units in Illinois and across America by helping to ensure our servicemembers have access to the funds needed for maintenance and readiness activities that keep us all safe. Specifically, the bipartisan Guarding Readiness Resources Act would provide a critical exemption from the Miscellaneous Receipts Act for State Active Duty (SAD) reimbursement payments, ensuring that these funds are directed back to the National Guard units that incurred the expenses and ultimately bolster readiness and operational efficiency. “The men and women of the National Guard are committed to the motto of ‘always ready, always there’—which is why it’s important our Guardsmen have the resources they need to stay mission-ready,” said Senator

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ALTON - Anne Johnson works from a place of passion. Johnson, one of the YWCA’s ten 2025 Women of Distinction, will be honored at the Y’s annual gala for her commitment to the community. Johnson is a retired teacher who taught math in the Alton Community Unit School District #11 for 31 years. Now, she spends her time volunteering and helping to make the community a better place. “After retirement, I knew that there was something I needed to be doing,” she said. “I felt like helping anyone that I can, so I started volunteering.” Johnson volunteers at St. Anthony’s Hospital three days a week. She also helps at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Collinsville and serves as a foster grandparent. At her church, Tabernacle Baptist Church, she works as an usher and volunteers for several church projects. As a former teacher, Johnson understands the value of education. She offers free tutoring out of her home and at Hayner Library. Community

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On Tuesday, March 4, 2025, Governor JB Pritzker issued the following statement on the institution of President Trump’s tariff plan: “Trump’s Tax on Working Families will have a devastating impact on Illinois’ manufacturing and agriculture sectors and will hurt hardworking Illinoisans at the grocery store checkout, on their utility bills, and at the gas pump. I have spent the past few weeks talking with farmers, manufacturers, and even breweries who have been preparing to reduce production and raise prices – actions that may have ripple effects for supply chains in Illinois and across the country. “Donald Trump swore to bring down costs on Day One. Instead, he’s taxing working families while embarrassing America on the world stage. I will be staying in close contact with representatives from Canada and Mexico to emphasize Illinois’ commitment to an ongoing trade partnership, and I will not stop fighting to ensure Illinoisans get a fair

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WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke out against President Trump’s tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China. As of today, President Trump has instituted a 25 percent tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico, as well as an additional 10 percent on goods from China, bringing the total to 20 percent tariffs on China. In his remarks, Durbin underscored that the Trump tariffs would not lower prices, as he promised during his campaign, but instead spike prices for Americans. “Instead of improving the lives of or lowering prices for Americans, we are seeing policies of the Trump Administration do exactly the opposite. The President has spent his time trying to systematically dismantle the federal government, creating rifts with our closest allies, and now, imposing destructive tariffs on our biggest trading partners. The tariffs that he has unleashed… will hurt American consumers and supply chains

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ALTON - If you want to grow in your spirituality, an upcoming conversation at River Bend Yoga might be for you. “Raise Your Spiritual IQ!,” a three-part series hosted at River Bend Yoga in Alton, will cover three topics that invite people to explore their spirituality from a new perspective. At 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 6, 2025, community members can stop by River Bend Yoga for an hourlong discussion titled “Past Lives — Present Lessons,” which encourages attendees to “discover the secrets of karma and reincarnation to answer questions about your life today.” “Come with that open heart, and you’ll learn something,” said Sheila Aehle, one of the organizers. “It will take you further in your study. We’ll go through some of the techniques in the book, but the main focus is learning how to raise that spiritual IQ in whatever way you are guided. Aehle and Flora Van Koten practice Eckankar, the path of spiritual

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POCAHONTAS – Attorney General Kwame Raoul charged a Pocahontas, Illinois man for allegedly producing and disseminating child sexual abuse material. The case is part of Raoul’s ongoing work, in collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies and local law enforcement officials throughout Illinois, to apprehend offenders who download and trade child sexual abuse material online. Raoul’s investigators, along with officers from the Illinois State Police (ISP) and Bond County Sheriff’s Department, conducted a search of Blankley’s residence in the 600 block of Academy Street in Pocahontas on Feb. 27, 2025. Blankley was taken into custody after investigators discovered evidence of child sexual abuse material. The Attorney General’s office charged Aaron R. Blankley, 47, in Bond County Circuit Court with 10 counts of dissemination of child pornography, each Class X felonies punishable by up to 30 years in prison; and five counts of possession of

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WOOD RIVER – In an occasionally heated Monday night, March 3, 2025, meeting, members of the Wood River City Council shared dueling perspectives on alleged mismanagement of city TIF funds and agreements. Two meetings ago on Feb. 17, 2025, Councilman Bill Dettmers called for a forensic audit and independent investigation into the city , alleging city officials made unauthorized payments to developers, changed parts of TIF agreements without council approval, and much more. To address these and other concerns, Dettmers called for a special meeting to be held on Feb. 24, 2025. He was told two council members would need to request the meeting in writing; the next day, the city announced a special meeting would be held on Feb. 24. T he special meeting could not be held after Mayor Tom Stalcup and Councilmen Jeremy Plank and Scott Tweedy chose not to attend, ensuring there would be no quorum and no city business could be conducted. Stalcup and P

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