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CHICAGO – With the weather feeling like -10° outside, an Illinois Lottery player skipped going to the store and purchased a Lotto ticket online instead – and won a cool $1 million. The lucky player matched all six numbers in the Monday, Feb. 17 Lotto Million 1 drawing to score the $1 million prize. The winning numbers for the Lotto Million 1 drawing were: 8-16-20-25-42-46. Already this year, more than 930,000 Lotto tickets have been sold, netting Illinois Lottery players more than $14.7 million in prizes. Lotto is an Illinois-only game that is played three times a week on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday. The current Lotto jackpot is at $2.6 million. As well as the regular drawing, Lotto offers two additional drawings: Lotto Million 1 and Lotto Million 2. These are additional opportunities for players to match six numbers to win a $1 million prize. Tickets for the game can be purchased in-store, online, or on the Illinois Lottery app. For more information

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ALTON - The Coffee with Candidates event, hosted by YWCA and NCNW, has been rescheduled to next week due to winter weather. At 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, community members are invited to the YWCA to meet with Alton’s aldermanic, city clerk, treasurer and mayoral candidates. Attendees can speak one-on-one about specific issues and learn more about each candidate’s background and platform. “We’re really excited about this concept,” said Dorothy Hummel, YWCA Executive Director. “We think having a warm, comfortable environment where people can discuss what’s important to them and get to know the candidates is great.” Madison County Clerk Linda Andreas will also be in attendance to present information on early voting, voting by mail, polling places and more. Hummel said Andreas has confirmed her attendance, and the YWCA and NCNW are now working to secure the other candidates. Hummel encourages attendees to come prepared with

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Autism Clinic at Hope, a local organization that serves kids and adults on the autism spectrum, will host their annual Glo Bingo fundraiser this week. On Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, community members are invited to the Moose Lodge in Edwardsville for an evening of Glo Bingo, games, a cash bar and over $1,000 in prizes. Doors open at 5 p.m. and bingo starts at 6 p.m. Tickets cost $25 in advance or $30 at the door, and students receive $5 off their purchase. All proceeds benefit Hope’s programs and services for individuals with autism. “Anytime we can get people together to celebrate our mission, we are all for it,” said Jodi Ogilvy, chief communications and development officer with Hope. “We do very, very important work, but we have fun while we’re doing it. Events like this are really a great way for us to showcase that and let our staff let their hair down a little bit, have some fun. It’s a really great time for everyone

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GLEN CARBON - State Representative Amy Elik’s office will be hosting mobile office hours in Glen Carbon on Monday, Feb. 24, 2025 to meet with constituents who need help with issues concerning a State of Illinois agency. Rep. Elik’s staff will be available to meet with constituents from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Monday, February 24 at the Glen Carbon Public Library, 198 S Main Street, Glen Carbon. Mobile office hours are open to the public. Appointments are encouraged but not required, however scheduled meetings will take place in the order in which they were received. To schedule a meeting, please call State Representative Amy Elik’s district office at 618-433-8046. More information about Rep. Elik can be found at RepElik.com or by calling 618-433-8046.

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul, with a coalition of 20 state attorneys general, is today standing with transgender military members targeted by the Trump administration’s executive order banning transgender Americans from serving in the military. Raoul and the coalition today filed an amicus brief to support a lawsuit aiming to block the implementation of the order. The attorneys general argue that the executive order is unconstitutional, harms national security and discriminates against transgender people honorably serving in our nation’s military, including the National Guard in every state. The brief supports a request for a preliminary injunction filed by a group of current and prospective transgender service members. “The president’s order attempting to implement a transgender military service ban is misguided and discriminatory,” Raoul said. “Transgender individuals have honorably served in all branches of our military, serving alongsid

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CHICAGO - Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced 35 awards totaling $2.3 million through the Innovation Voucher Program to promote small business growth and fuel transformative collaborations across Illinois. Additionally, the Governor announced $2.6 million available in grant funding for the second round of the Innovation Voucher Program. Grantees will be selected through a competitive application process. “Through this grant program, we’re strengthening Illinois’ global status as an innovation hub and driving small business growth statewide,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “By partnering with our higher education institutions, these small businesses will transform groundbreaking ideas into tangible products and services. As we continue to support innovative research and development projects statewide, I encourage all eligible entities to apply for the second round of funding.” T

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EDWARDSVILLE - Margie P. Hollins’ sister called her hysterical and in tears. “They’re tearing down the church,” cried Marlene D. Peters. Hollins’ account of the heartbreaking scene is described in the story of the historic community in the documentary film, “WE BEAR WITNESS: The African American Legacy of Hadley Township, Mo.” Southern Illinois University Edwardsville hosted the debut of Hollins’ “WE BEAR WITNESS” in the Lovejoy Library on Thursday, Feb. 6 at Dunham Hall Theater on the Edwardsville campus as part of SIUE’s Black Heritage Month events . The screening was followed by a discussion with guest panelists: Dr. John A. Wright Sr., notable historian/Fulbright Scholar/author of “St. Louis: Disappearing Black Communities;” Gwen Moore, historian/Curator of Urban Landscape and Community Identity of the Missouri History Museum; the Honorable Mayor Reginald Finney, first African American Mayor of

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EDWARDSVILLE - Community members are invited to enjoy a vendor fair while supporting cancer patients. Stridin’ and Survivin’, a nonprofit based out of Hamel, funds research, services and gas cards for local patients. The organization will host their Spring Vendor and Craft Sip & Shop event from 1–5 p.m. on March 2, 2025, at The Hall in Edwardsville, and you’re invited to come out and shop. “Obviously we haven’t found the cure, but we’re striving to get there,” said Alice Bartels, founder of Stridin’ and Survivin’. “Being able to at least help these families in some way is great.” There will be 32 vendors at the vendor fair, and Bartels promises everything from makeup, spices and kettlecorn to stained glass, wood crafts and kaleidoscopes. There are frequent drawings throughout the day for attendance prizes. Stridin’ and Survivin’ is still working to determine their featured drinks, but Bartels

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Did you know that practicing gratitude can physically change your brain? Research from the University of California, Davis, found that individuals who engage in regular gratitude exercises show increased activity in the hypothalamus, which regulates stress, sleep, and immune function. This fascinating discovery underscores the profound impact that a simple shift in mindset can have on our mental and physical well-being. But how can we seamlessly integrate gratitude into our busy lives? Understanding Gratitude: More Than Just a Feeling At its core, gratitude is more than just an emotion; it’s a practice, a way of engaging with the world that fosters positivity. Psychologist Robert Emmons defines gratitude as "a two-step process: (1) recognizing that you have received a positive outcome, and (2) acknowledging that there is an external source for this positive outcome." This understanding helps us appreciate not only what we have but also the connections we share with others. W

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February 18th has been a significant date throughout history, marking a variety of events that have shaped the world. In a historical context, February 18, 1930, marked the discovery of Pluto by American astronomer Clyde Tombaugh. This groundbreaking moment in astronomy expanded our understanding of the solar system and led to significant discussions about the classification of celestial bodies. Initially considered the ninth planet, Pluto's status was later redefined, sparking debates that continue to this day. The discovery was celebrated globally, paving the way for future exploration and research into the outer reaches of our solar system. Turning the clock back, on February 18, 1943, the White Rose resistance group was active in Nazi Germany. This group, consisting of students and a professor from the University of Munich, distributed anti-Nazi leaflets calling for passive resistance against the regime. Their courageous actions and eventual martyrdom became symbols of civil

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Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, Closings School Closings Althoff Catholic High School Alton School District 11, E-Learning Belleville District 118 Belleville THSD 201, E-Learning Bethalto District Schools, E-Learning Brussels School District Calhoun School District, Virtual Learning Carlinville School District, Virtual Learning Cahokia District, E-Learning Carrollton School District Collinsville District 10, E-Learning Dupo District 196 Schools East Alton Wood River District 14 East Alton District 13 Schools, E-Learning East St. Louis School District 189 Edwardsville District 7 Schools First Baptist Academy, O'Fallon Freeburg High School District 77 Good Shepherd Lutheran, Collinsville Granite City School District 9, E-Learning Greenfield School District Illinois Center For Autism, Belleville, Fairview Heights Jersey School District Lebanon District 9, E-Learning Lewis and Clark Community College, Virtual Learning Madison Community District 12 Marquette Catholic,

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GRANITE CITY - For the Warriors, the loss to Alton in Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, girls regional at Granite City marks the end of a vastly improved season, in which the Warriors won 12 games, marking the first time they've gotten to double figures in wins since a 10-17 mark in 2021-22. For first-year coach Ron Twitchell, who graduated from Alton in 1982, and was an honorable All-State basketball mention in his senior season, the Warriors played as hard as they could. "The girls played hard," Twitchell said. "Sometimes, you go against teams that have better talent than you do, but I thought the effort was good, Our effort was good all year, so I'm proud of the girls." The 12 wins were a big stepping stone for Granite, who have a young team with only one senior on its roster, and many freshmen and sophomores. "Oh, yeah, we got 12 wins this year," an enthusiastic Twitchell said, "which was a very, very nice improvement. That's 10 more wins than they got last year; we're still a young

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GODFREY - LC Alert: Due to expected inclement weather, Lewis and Clark Community College will move to remote operations on Tuesday, 2-18-25. Students should log in to their Blackboard accounts for instructions. For more information, visit bit.ly/remote-day

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TROY - Mikayla Cavaness grew up around dogs. Now, she’s caring for them in her own way, where the dog’s happiness and fulfillment are the priorities. Cavaness owns Fetching Pet Company, a dog-grooming and daycare business in Troy that specializes in dog behavior and enrichment. The daycare is structured so dogs have designated play and rest times with enrichment experiences, while the grooming takes place one-on-one in a private suite meant to decrease stress. Cavaness explained the importance of not just loving dogs, but understanding them. “At Fetching Pet Company, we’re just basically rooted in understanding dogs’ natural needs, behavioral needs and their emotions,” she said. “It's not just about getting them in, doing assembly-line grooming or letting them play. We really care about fulfilling them as a whole, which I think is really important.” Cavaness started working in her mother’s dog-grooming business as a teen.

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JERSEY COUNTY — A one-car crash on McCluskey Road on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, resulted in injuries to two occupants, according to Jersey County Sheriff Nick Manns. Manns reported that the vehicle was carrying a 30-year-old male and a 34-year-old female at the time of the accident. Both individuals were transported to Jersey Community Hospital for treatment, Sheriff Manns said. "The male was subsequently flown to a hospital in St. Louis for further medical care," he added. No additional details about the circumstances of the crash have been released at this time. Authorities continue to investigate the incident.

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ALTON — The Alton Police Department responded to a report of a dog fight involving stray dogs at a residence on Liberty Street on Feb. 17, 2025. Officers also were called to the scene after a resident was bitten by one of the stray dogs. Upon arrival, officers encountered an active altercation between two dogs. In an effort to stop the aggression and prevent further injuries, one officer discharged his firearm, resulting in the death of one of the dogs. Animal Control Officers later arrived and attempted to restrain the remaining stray dog. However, the dog displayed aggressive behavior towards the officers, leading to it being shot as well, Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said. The investigation revealed that the resident sustained a minor injury from the dog bite but declined any further medical treatment. Alton Police Chief Jason Ford addressed the incident and said: “No officer goes to work wanting to use their firearm, regardless of whether it’s against a human

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VIRDEN — A 10-year-old boy has died following a residential structure fire in Virden on Saturday morning. Feb. 15, 2025. Jacob James was pronounced dead at the scene of the fire at 10:06 a.m., according to Macoupin County Coroner Anthony Kravanya. An autopsy performed on Monday, Feb.17, 2025, indicated that Jacob died from smoke inhalation, the Macoupin County Coroner Anthony Kravanya said. "The circumstances surrounding the fire and the child's death are currently under investigation by the Macoupin County Coroner’s Office and the Office of the State Fire Marshal," added Kravanya. Further details regarding the cause of the fire have not yet been released, and authorities are continuing their inquiries into the tragic event.

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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS - Educators gathered in Fairview Heights to talk about the potential effects they would face if the Department of Education is eliminated. On Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, the Illinois Federation of Teachers and Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski hosted a roundtable for teachers to share their stories, ask questions, and talk about concerns following President Donald Trump’s calls to dismantle the Department of Education and his nomination of Linda McMahon as Secretary of Education. “Why we wanted to host this event today is I think it’s important for constituents to understand what the Department of Education does, what it means when a big agency like that is dismantled,” Budzinski said. “It means…much larger class sizes, fewer teachers, fewer resources for special needs students and elimination of summer programs. So people need to understand the impact is real and it’s local. It’s not this abstract Washington, D.C. jargon.

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EAST ALTON — Authorities are investigating the death of a man found early Monday morning, Feb. 17, 2025, in a residence on Bonds Avenue. The East Alton Police Department responded to a call regarding a possible deceased subject at approximately 3:45 a.m. Monday. Upon arrival, officers discovered a deceased white male in the basement of the home. The identity of the individual has not yet been released, and the cause and manner of death remain under investigation. Evidence of a recent fire, including burnt debris, was found in the same room as the deceased. The East Alton Fire Department briefly attended the scene and confirmed that it was secure. In light of the findings, the Illinois State Crime Scene Investigators and the Illinois State Fire Marshals were notified and have joined the investigation, which is ongoing. Investigators from the East Alton Police Department, along with assistance from the East Alton Patrol Division and the Madison County Coroner’s Office,

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ALTON - Cookie Factory has officially relocated, and owner Sarah Kinder couldn’t be more excited. “It was a great change,” she said. “Our business has doubled. Most of my customers have been people I’ve never even seen before, which is great. Lots more foot traffic, car traffic, which has been great. I have a ton more room. I have items in my display cases. The vibes are up. We have the windows. We have the sunlight. Everything is great here.” Previously located in Alton Square Mall, the bakery and cafe has a new spot at 192 Alton Square Mall Drive in Alton, right across the street from the mall. On Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, the community came together for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the new location. Kinder said it was a “crazy day,” but exciting to welcome so many people to the shop. A sense of community — and lots of samples — left attendees feeling fulfilled. Kinder noted that this year’s Valentine’s

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