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EAST ST. LOUIS, IL — On Friday, August 2nd at 12:30 p.m. CDT, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) will visit R3 Development to present the organization with a $1 million check to expand its workforce development training for youth in the Metro East. Budzinski secured the funding in a recent bipartisan government funding bill after submitting a request for the resources during the House of Representatives’ Community Project Funding process. In total, Budzinski secured $136.1 million for community projects throughout Illinois’ 13th Congressional District. R3 Development will use the funding to renovate its facilities into a new workforce training facility, known as "The LAB,” that will give underserved youth access to skills-based training, leadership development and educational opportunities – connecting them with good-paying jobs and serving as an economic boon for the larger community. “We are thrilled to continue holding out hope and

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BELLEVILLE /GRANITE CITY/MARYVILLE - In 2023, there were approximately 96 overdose deaths in Madison County and 66 in St. Clair County. More than 70 percent of those deaths involved opioids and most involved fentanyl. The national average of overdose death involving opioids is 75 percent. (cdc.org) To help decrease these number, Chestnut Health SystemsÔ has installed vending machines that provide free access to Narcan®/naloxone. Community members can access the machines during regular business hours in the following Chestnut locations: 50 Northgate Industrial Drive, Granite City, IL 2148 Vadalabene Drive, Maryville, IL 12 North 64th Street, Belleville, IL “Narcan®/naloxone is a non-prescription medication and when used appropriately can block or reverse the effects of an opioid overdose,” said Dan Hutchison, associate director of community health at Chestnut. “The naloxone available in the vending machines is easy and safe to use. It might save th

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SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Secretary of State’s office is highlighting the 60th Anniversary of the iconic 1964 Ford Mustang at its annual Vehicle Show in Springfield. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7, in the State Capitol Complex at the corner of Edwards Street and College Street. “The Vehicle Show brings together car enthusiasts and families from across the Midwest to downtown Springfield,” Giannoulias said. “A broad collection of classic vehicles featuring all makes and models will be on display this year. We look forward to hosting the event that will help draw visitors to Springfield and provide a boost to local businesses.” “The Illinois Secretary of State's Classic Vehicle Show is an exciting event that provides a unique experience to visitors and local residents alike,” said Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher. “This iconic car show has left an indelible mark on automotive history, embodying

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — In a significant development, the St. Louis County Family Court has certified East St. Louis resident Corey Brinkley, 17, as an adult in a murder case. On Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office issued charges against Brinkley for Murder First Degree and Armed Criminal Action. Brinkley resides in the 600 block of North 22nd Street in East St. Louis and is currently being held on a $1 million cash-only bond. The case stems from a suspicious death investigation initiated on Jan. 6, 2024. According to the probable cause statement, a St. Louis County patrol officer discovered the body of Jaimarcus P. McDaniel, also 17, lying face down in the snow in an open field in Jennings, Mo. The initial investigation revealed that McDaniel had suffered multiple gunshot wounds, including two to the head and several to the chest, shoulders, thigh, and forearm. St. Louis County Police said Detective #1 took the lead in the investigation,

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GODFREY – Revity Credit Union employees joined together to raise $1,340.00 in the month of July to benefit Hope Animal Rescues through their Revel for a Cause Jeans Program. The Revel for a Cause Jeans Program is an employee funded program that gives Revity Credit Union employees the opportunity to support the credit union philosophy of people helping people. By making a monthly, monetary donation to a local organization, Revity Credit Union employees can wear jeans and tennis shoes on Fridays and Saturdays during that month. At Revity Credit Union the company focuses on giving back to our community and caring for our members. Revity nominated Hope Animal Rescues in Godfrey to receive the donation as it is evident how much they value helping the community by saving abandoned pets and educating on the importance of doing so. During the month of July, Revity Credit Union employees donated $1,340.00 to Hope Animal Rescues. This donation will help make a difference for pets by providin

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WOOD RIVER - A registered sex offender from Wood River faces trial this month for several child pornography charges related to a series of offenses from April to June 2024. Timothy W. Walker, 56, of Wood River, was charged with 10 counts of child pornography, each Class X felonies. The charges against Walker center around 10 image and video files, five of which were allegedly disseminated via BitTorrent from April 26 to June 28, 2024. Each file reportedly depicted victims under the age of 13. According to a petition to deny his pretrial release, Walker is a registered sex offender who had previously been convicted in another child pornography case in Madison County from 2015, for which he was sentenced to 10 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Walker was discovered sharing child pornography during an investigation into BitTorrent conducted by Attorney General Investigator Amanda Wimmersberg. After connecting to a device whose IP address was associated with a Wood

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August 1st has been a date of monumental significance across centuries and continents. From pivotal battles to groundbreaking achievements in science and culture, this day has seen it all. Let's take a journey through time and explore some of the most remarkable events that occurred on this very date. A Turning Point in World War I (1914) On August 1, 1914, the world was thrust into the devastating conflict of World War I. This day marked Germany's declaration of war on Russia, setting off a chain reaction that involved many nations. The Great War, as it was known then, reshaped the political landscape of Europe and the world, leading to immense human suffering and setting the stage for later global conflicts. Birth of the First U.S. Income Tax (1862) The United States saw a significant legislative event on August 1, 1862, with the introduction of the first income tax. Signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln, the tax aimed to fund the Civil War efforts. While it was repealed

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Metro East library districts are receiving grant funding to help ensure all residents have access to quality resources and programming, Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias announced. Libraries throughout the Metro East, serving over 385,000 people, are receiving a combined $828,662 in grants — after eligibility for new technology grant funding was announced earlier this summer. “Libraries throughout the state must have the resources and financial support they need to provide high-quality materials and programming to Illinois residents,” Giannoulias said. “Libraries serve as centers for lifelong learning and are critical to providing opportunities for children and adults to enrich their lives.” “Libraries not only offer fun and engaging programming, but they are also key to success and learning at all ages,” said State Senator Christopher Belt (57th District—Swansea). “Investing in our libraries

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CAHOKIA HEIGHTS – Earlier this summer, Illinois State Representative Kevin Schmidt requested feedback from his constituents to see what issues are important to them. After receiving feedback from hundreds of constituents, Rep. Schmidt is releasing the results of the survey. Schmidt asked his constituents which issue was the most important to them. The results are: Lowering Taxes Crime/Public Safety Illegal Immigration Schmidt also asked whether Illinois should participate in a “sales tax-free” weekend every fall, similar to the successful program in neighboring Missouri. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with 68.5% of participants supporting the idea. The result reinforces the desire among constituents for tax relief and economic initiatives that could stimulate local spending and ease financial pressures. The questionnaire also asked which services Illinois provides are most important. The results are: Safe Roads/Infrastructure Small Business

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BETHALTO – Bethalto Chief of Police Lamb announced that his department is investigating a motorcycle crash that occurred on southbound I-255 at the Airline Drive overpass on Wednesday evening, July 31, 2024. Chief Lamb said the motorcycle lost control, resulting in both riders being thrown from the bike. Despite the significant damage sustained by the motorcycle, no significant injuries appeared to be reported from the incident, Chief Lamb added. Chief Lamb said there were no other vehicles involved in the crash. As of now, no further details have been released, and the investigation is ongoing.

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ALTON - The Olympics has been held in Paris, France, three times now: 1900, 1924 and 2024. In 1924, athletes from the United States won 99 medals in all, 45 of them gold. Finland came second in the medal count, with 37 total, 14 gold. Americans picked up gold medals in boxing, rugby, shooting, swimming, diving, track and field (including a gold in the long jump by William DeHart Hubbard, the first African American to win an Olympic gold medal in an individual event), rowing and gymnastics. But they swept gold in tennis. The winner of the women’s singles match was Helen Wills of California, and Altonians were completely enamored by her. Wills had been a tennis phenomenon for years at this point, and an article in the Alton Evening Telegraph in 1922 described her playing and personality. “This is NOT a flapper story, though the heroine, Helen Wills, is just 16 years old, the approved flapper age. This young person is very un-Scott Fitzgerald. She doesn’t wear her

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Phishing is a cybercrime where attackers attempt to steal your personal information by disguising themselves as trustworthy entities. These attacks often come through emails, messages, or websites that look legitimate but are designed to trick you into providing sensitive information like passwords, credit card numbers, or other personal details. An Example of a Phishing Attack Let's look at a recent example to understand how phishing works. Suppose you receive an email from notifications@netflix-support.com with the subject "Important Update: Action Required for Your Netflix Account." The Email Content The email might read something like this: Important Account Notice Dear Subscriber, We've noticed that your latest subscription payment has not been received. To continue enjoying your service without interruption, please update your payment details promptly. If we do not receive payment by the due date, your account will be temporarily suspended. Update Payment Details

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Police Department reported today that just after 10 a.m. on Thursday, August 1, 2024, officers responded to the 200 block of North Main Street regarding reports that a female subject had attempted to grab a child. Multiple 911 calls were received in regard to the situation, Edwardsville Police said. When police arrived, the suspect had fled the scene, but was taken into custody nearby a short time later and transported to the Madison County Jail. There were no reported injuries in the incident. The Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office is reviewing the case for possible charges. There is no additional information available at this time.

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BETHALTO – Bethalto Chief of Police Lamb announced that his department, in collaboration with the Alton Police Department, is investigating a motorcycle crash that occurred on southbound I-255 and 140 on Wednesday evening, July 31, 2024. Chief Lamb said the motorcycle lost control, resulting in both riders being thrown from the bike. Despite the significant damage sustained by the motorcycle, no significant injuries appeared to be reported from the incident, Chief Lamb added. Chief Lamb said there were no other vehicles involved in the crash. As of now, no further details have been released, and the investigation is ongoing.

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ST. LOUIS, MO. — Registration for the 15th Annual St. Louis Teen Talent Competition opens August 1 at STLTeenTalent.org . The Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation’s annual program provides high school students the opportunity to celebrate their passion and love of the performing arts while competing for scholarships, cash prizes, and a chance to perform on stage at the Fabulous Fox! Teen Talent is FREE to participate for high school students in the Greater St. Louis Metropolitan area. To participate, students must be enrolled in grades 9, 10, 11, or 12 during the 2024-2025 academic year and live within 75 miles of the Arch. Each year Teen Talent awards over $50,000+ in college scholarships, cash prizes, and additional specialty awards that provide artistic development and performance opportunities. Thanks to the support of its generous donors, 100% of every dollar raised for Teen Talent is awarded directly to the scholarship and award recipients – aiding

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SAUGET - Michael Allen, Executive Director of the National Building Arts Center (NBAC) in Sauget, Illinois, has accepted the position of Visiting Assistant Professor of History at West Virginia University effective July 31. NBAC Board President Mike Jackson will assume the title of Interim Director pending a full search for Allen’s replacement. “Michael Allen has been absolutely key to the NBAC’s success since he was named Director in 2021,” Jackson said. “Under his leadership the center expanded and diversified its board, established museum-standard bylaws and collections policies, and saw a steady increase in the numbers of people who are benefiting from access to its priceless architectural collections.” Allen curated the exhibition “ Urban Archaeology: Lost Buildings of St. Louis ,” featuring NBAC collections, at St. Louis’s Pulitzer Arts Foundation in 2023. He also secured “ Little Liberty ,” a 30-foot-high

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EDWARDSVILLE - Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois will host the 6th annual United We Lead Gala on Friday, September 6, 2024 at The Leclaire Room in Edwardsville. The United We Lead Gala, themed “Envision Greatness” in 2024, is the premier fundraising event for Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois that brings together a wide range of people who share the same desire – to be a difference in girls’ lives. “We are beyond excited for our upcoming United We Lead Gala on September 6,” said Heidi Koehl Weaver, Director of Development for Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois. “It’s so important that we come together to ensure all girls – regardless of any socioeconomic barriers – have the opportunity to discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges. This is how they become leaders. This is why they need Girl Scouts.” The impact that Girl Scouts has on girls in Southern Illinois can best be demonstrated by those who have experienced

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ALTON - Lisa Schepers, DNP, MBA, RN, NE-BC, has been named interim president at OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center. Schepers’ new position is effective immediately and she will report to AJ Querciagrossa, chief executive officer, Western Region, OSF HealthCare. “As interim president, Lisa, in conjunction with Dennis Sands, MD, chief medical officer, and Sister M. Beata, F.S.G.M., vice president, Support Services, will lead OSF Saint Anthony’s in aligning with the overall strategy of OSF HealthCare,” Querciagrossa says. “Lisa and the OSF Saint Anthony’s leadership team will continue to be responsible for directing all internal operations and helping us evolve when necessary to ensure that high-quality and cost-effective health care continues to be delivered to the patients we are blessed to serve. Lisa will carry forward the culture of collaboration and integration that provides a safe Mission Partner and patient care environment.”

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EDWARDSVILLE - Even after a change in ownership, the Edwardsville community continues to support Eberhart Sign & Lighting as the company evolves with the area it serves. Michael Romshek, president of Eberhart Sign & Lighting, said they offer a wide range of services as commercial signage needs in rapidly-developing Edwardsville show no signs of slowing down. “With all the development going on here in Edwardsville right now, one of our largest projects as of late has been the Raising Cane’s project, some of the new developments as of late, as well as the Olive Garden,” Romshek said. “It’s a large portfolio of things we do, but we like to hit every piece that we can.” Eberhart not only handles commercial signage needs, but also billboards, golf and yard signs. Romshek added they’re also authorized retailers and installers for “electronic message center” signs and shot clock installations for boys and girls basketball.

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MATTOON - First Mid Bancshares, Inc. (First Mid) is proud to announce it has been named a Top Workplaces Industry Award recipient for the second consecutive year. This honor, awarded by Energage, underscores the company's commitment to fostering a positive, dynamic, and inclusive workplace culture. Energage’s confidential, research-backed employee engagement survey determines the Top Workplaces awards. Participating companies are measured against the industry’s most comprehensive benchmarks, built upon 18 years of culture research spanning millions of employees and thousands of organizations nationwide. Top Workplaces awards are based on anonymous employee feedback gathered through the survey, which measures several aspects of workplace culture, including alignment, execution, and connection, to name a few. This consecutive win is a testament to First Mid’s dedication to its employees' well-being, development, and satisfaction. “Receiving this honor for the second

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