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GODFREY — The highly anticipated Midwest Best of Black Awards Gala returns for its third year on Saturday, July 19, 2025 , at the elegant Lewis & Clark Trimpe Bldg . Known as one of the Midwest’s premier Black excellence celebrations, this black-tie gala will spotlight exceptional entrepreneurs, leaders, and community builders who are making an undeniable impact across the region hosted by K Miller Foundation. This year’s theme: "Legacy in Motion" speaks to the power of honoring the past while building the future through collaboration, innovation, and visibility. The 2025 Gala Highlights Include: · Dynamic Panel Discussion During Dinner Featuring an inspiring lineup of speakers: o LaTonya AnNoor – Executive Business Marketing Strategist & Founder of “Level Up with LaTonya” o Deletra Hudson – The Financial Guru, CEO of Deletra Hudson LLC & Founder of Lipstick and Legacies o Porscha Anderson – Business

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ALTON – Two Alton residents accused of recklessly discharging firearms face felony charges in separate cases. Jashawn B. McLemore, 19, of Alton, was charged on July 1, 2025 with reckless discharge of a firearm and aggravated unlawful possession of weapons (both Class 4 felonies). McLemore allegedly fired a weapon in a reckless manner near the 3300 block of Belle Street in Alton, endangering the bodily safety of nearby residents. His possession of the weapon was unlawful as he had no valid Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card or Concealed Carry License (CCL) at the time of the offense. The state’s petition to deny McLemore’s pretrial release from custody states officers were dispatched to a report of shots fired on Belle Street, where “26 shell casings were collected from the area.” Two nearby witnesses then gave authorities their accounts after seeing McLemore firing a weapon outdoors. “Officers spoke with a witness who advised she

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Municipal Concert Band will perform another free summer concert on Thursday, July 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Cleaon Etzkorn Bandstand in City Park. This week’s rescheduled program, titled “American Folk Tapestry,” explores a series of works that showcase the sounds of river ballads, pioneer songs, spirituals, Shaker hymns, and more. Each piece is based on traditional songs and shows the work of composers connected to the Midwest, making the program feel both nationwide and close to home. Concessions during the Thursday concert will benefit the SIUE Suzuki Tour Group. Grab a seat, settle in with friends and family, and enjoy a summer evening filled with music from your local community band. Follow the Edwardsville Municipal Band on Facebook and Instagram for more information and updates.

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CHICAGO — Following the signing of Trump and Congressional Republicans’ budget bill, Illinois is raising awareness about the devastating impact on working families’ access to healthcare. With the stroke of a pen, Trump has signed into law the largest cut to Medicaid in American history that will strip coverage from an estimated 330,000 Illinoisans, burden working families with increased premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket healthcare costs, and threaten hospitals and nursing homes across the state, especially in rural areas. Vulnerable populations, including children, seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income families, will lose coverage under administratively burdensome eligibility policies. Among the hardest hit will be the 64 percent of nondisabled adults who are working and must now also navigate new work requirements to retain their coverage. “Donald Trump sold out the American people, stripping away their healthcare and raising costs for

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BETHALTO —1st MidAmerica Credit Union recently awarded five, $1,000 scholarships to local area high school graduates Jayden Henschen, Isabella Lozano, Alexis Harrop, Meredith Pitchford, and Ellie Laird. Jayden Henschen is a graduate of Edwardsville High School. She plans to attend the University of Tennessee Knoxville to pursue a degree in Nursing. Isabella Lozano, a graduate of MacArthur High School, plans to attend the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and earn a degree in Animal Science. Alexis Harrop is a graduate of Southwestern High School. She plans to earn a degree in Radiologic Technology from Lewis and Clark Community College. Meredith Pitchford, a Roxana Senior High School graduate, plans to attend SIUE to earn a degree in Business. Ellie Laird is a graduate of Jersey Community High School. She plans to attend Lewis and Clark Community College to study Nursing. 1st MidAmerica Credit Union has a mission of exceeding member expectations. Additional information

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MADISON COUNTY – Chestnut Health Systems™ invites the community to attend an Open House at its Maryville location, 2148 Vadalabene Dr., Maryville, IL 62062, on Wednesday, July 9 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. This event celebrates the grand opening of the Genoa Healthcare pharmacy, giving guests the opportunity to tour the building, meet the dedicated staff, and learn more about the services Chestnut offers to support whole-person care. “We’re excited to expand our partnership with Genoa Healthcare as they help us deliver the full scope of care we provide our community,” said Amy Gibbar, vice president of Integrated Care at Chestnut. “With the addition of this pharmacy, Chestnut’s Maryville location joins the other Chestnut locations as a true one-stop shop for our clients.” Chestnut’s Maryville location provides comprehensive care designed to meet the unique needs of individuals and families in the community. Services include: Substance

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HILLSBORO — Bank of Hillsboro is proud to announce it will be rebranding to Constitution Bank, effective September 2, 2025. The new name reflects the bank’s deep-rooted values and its continued investment in serving customers with strength, independence, and personalized service, which are hallmarks of its 156-year history. “Constitution Bank is more than a name change, it’s a renewed commitment to who we’ve always been,” said Misty Borrowman, President and CEO of Bank of Hillsboro. “We remain locally owned and community focused, with the same trusted people and the same commitment to the customers and communities we serve.” Customers can expect a seamless transition. Account numbers, online access, and daily banking operations will remain unchanged. The teams customers know and trust will continue to provide the same service at all existing branches. This is a brand evolution, not a change in ownership. The bank remains independently

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ALTON, Ill. (July 3, 2025) – Simmons Hanly Conroy , a national leader in the legal representation of mesothelioma patients and their families, is pleased to announce that firm partner Melissa Crowe Schopfer was selected as the winner of the 2025 Women of Plaintiffs Asbestos Litigation Seminar (PALS) Award. Her selection was announced at this year’s seminar, which took place May 13-15 in Las Vegas. The Women of PALS Award is bestowed annually to an individual who supports, initiates, and/or sustains the advancement and progress of women in the field. It celebrates meaningful leadership on issues related to gender-equity and recognizes those who have materially contributed to altering structural barriers to the success of women in the field. Award recipients are those who effectively and consistently speak truth to power. “Melissa embodies every characteristic and pioneering stride that this award was created to observe,” said Simmons Hanly Conroy named

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CHICAGO — If you played Lucky Day Lotto online yesterday, you may want to check your numbers – that’s because you could be $650,000 richer! A lucky Illinois iLottery player scored the $650,000 jackpot in the Monday, July 7 midday drawing, matching all five winning numbers: 13-30-33-36-43. In total, nearly 15,000 winning tickets were sold, and almost $690,000 in prizes were won in the Monday midday Lucky Day Lotto drawing. Lucky Day Lotto is an Illinois-only game with twice-daily drawings at 12:40 p.m. and 9:22 p.m. Tickets for the game can be purchased in-store, online, or on the Illinois Lottery app. For more information or to buy tickets online, please visit IllinoisLottery.com . Lucky Day Lotto b-roll available for use by the media; download here . Be Smart, Play Smart®. Must be 18 or older to play. Game odds available at IllinoisLottery.com .

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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville is invited to turn up the summer heat with an After Hours event at EXO Lounge. At 10 p.m. on Friday, July 11, 2025, EXO will transform from a nail bar , med spa and lounge into a nightclub. With a new summer cocktail menu on tap and DJ Andrew Byron straight from California, EXO promises a fun, unique night out. “We are going to bring Malibu to Edwardsville, Illinois,” said owner Gina Gamblin. “We’re going to set the vibe, we’re going to have drink specials, and we’re going to have a blast.” The event is geared for adults ages 21 and older. Until 10 p.m., you can come by EXO to get your nails done or pamper yourself with a facial, Botox session, or another med spa service. After 10 p.m., the space transforms into a nightclub setting with music, drinks and fun. Gamblin added that EXO’s Michelin-star chef launched a new menu and introduced new summer cocktails earlier this week, which have

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ST. CLAIR COUNTY - Illinois State Police provided an update on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, about a body found at Frank Holten State Park in East St. Louis the morning of Friday, July 4, 2025. Illinois State Police Troop 8 responded to the scene in East St. Louis at approximately 8:31 a.m. July 4, following a report from kayakers who discovered the body in the water. Along with ISP Crime Scene and the Public Safety Enforcement Group, Illinois Conservation Police, Midway Fire Department, and the St. Clair County Coroner’s Office also arrived to assist with the investigation and recovery. The St. Clair County Coroner's Office said Demontray M. Collins, 25, was identified as the person discovered in the lake. Collins was pronounced dead at the scene by the coroner's office at 9:41 a.m. on July 4. His last address was in East St. Louis. ISP has said the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.

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EDWARDSVILLE - An Edwardsville High School student died early July 5, 2025, in a utility terrain vehicle accident in Madison County, according to the Illinois State Police. ISP said the crash occurred at 4:22 a.m. on July 5 at Illinois State Route 157 and Maple Road in unincorporated Madison County. This was the ISP report synopsis of what occurred: " A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: ISP Troop 8 responded to the location above for the report of a single-vehicle UTV crash. Brandon Brewer, 14, an upcoming sophomore at Edwardsville High School, has been identified as the victim in the fatal accident. "Unit 1 (Polaris Razor UTV) was traveling westbound on Maple Road at the intersection of IL-157. Unit 1 lost control and overturned, ejecting all three occupants. One 14-year-old victim from Edwardsville was pronounced deceased at the scene. The two other passengers were transported to the hospital with injuries." Edwardsville High School Principal Alex Fo

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MEDORA — One person was killed and another injured in a two-vehicle crash near Medora Monday morning, July 7, 2025, Illinois State Police reported. The collision between a box truck and a passenger car occurred just before 9 a.m. on Monday on Highway 111 at 11-hundred North in Macoupin County. One individual died at the scene, while the other was transported to a local hospital with injuries. ISP said a preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: ISP Troop 8 units responded to a two-unit fatal traffic crash at the above location and time involving a box truck and a passenger car. ISP did a thorough investigation of the crash scene. ISP added that at approximately 9 a.m. on Monday, the above intersection was shut down for the traffic crash investigation and was reopened at approximately 1:41 p.m. The names of those involved have not been released. There is no further information available at this time.

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EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced Tuesday that a defendant has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with a crash that resulted in the deaths of an Alton couple on July 3, 2025, in Wood River. The murder charges allege that Miko D. Martin, 29, of St. Louis was driving at an excessive speed, disregarded traffic laws and was attempting to evade police when his vehicle struck another vehicle at the intersection of Illinois 143 and Illinois 3. Two occupants of the second vehicle, 66-year-old George “Randy” Julian and his wife, 68-year-old Donna M. Julian, died in the crash. The murder charges also allege that Martin knew that his actions created a strong probability of death or great bodily harm. “Our heart goes out to the friends and family of the Julians as they face this sudden and devastating loss,” Haine said. “Running from the police is a deliberate choice that can result in irreversible

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WOOD RIVER – An esports arena and multiple film studios, known as “Hollywood River Studios,” are officially coming to the Wood River Business Park. City Council members on Monday approved selling the property to Wood River Farm Investments LLC, which presented their ambitious plans last month for the site formerly known as the Envirotech Business Park. The group’s approved offer of $1,000,000 for the full 105-acre site will see the installation of six film and sound production studios designed to cater to industry professionals. Wood River Farm Investments CEO Chris Breakwell said he expects the redeveloped business park to attract several jobs to the area. “We have an exciting project, I believe, for the city of Wood River,” Breakwell said. “It’s building a TV and movie media complex in the old Envirotech site. Our goal is to build roughly six studios that are going to be able to be used for making movies and TV shows. “You

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ALTON - The Cookie Factory is settling into their new location, with plans to install a drive-thru window later this year. Located at 192 Suite B Alton Square Mall Drive in Alton, the local business moved out of their Alton Square Mall location to a building across the street in February 2025. Owner Sarah Kinder is pleased with The Cookie Factory’s growth and looks forward to adding more menu items and drive-thru options in the future. “We were truly ready to go on day one, and there has not been one issue since. It’s been great,” Kinder said. “I just knew I had to grow. I wanted to keep The Cookie Factory local and keep our community growing, so moving out of the mall had to be done.” Kinder purchased the business four years ago and immediately began looking for a new location. She shared that it was difficult to “sit down and enjoy yourself” at the mall location, but this new spot has big windows and plenty of seating for

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MADISON COUNTY – The Madison County Sheriff’s Office today announced it is partnering with the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Illinois State Police and more than 200 local law enforcement agencies to step up traffic safety efforts across the state to reduce speeding. Throughout the month of July, motorists can expect increased patrols looking for speeding, as well as other traffic violations. "Over the past few years, we have seen an increase in careless and risky driving. No matter how safe of a driver you think you may be, speeding is dangerous," said Captain T.J. Hernandez. "Speed limits aren’t a suggestion – they are the law." Speeding creates unnecessary risks for all motorists, reducing the driver’s ability to steer safely around other vehicles, hazardous objects or unexpected curves. During the speed limit enforcement campaign, officers will intensify enforcement of posted speed limits. The goal is to save lives. Drivers can expect

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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — A 48-year-old man was struck and killed by a vehicle late Monday night in Fairview Heights, according to police. Officers with the Fairview Heights Police Department responded at approximately 11:32 p.m. July 7, 2025, to the area of Frank Scott Parkway and Arbor Meadows after receiving a report of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle. Upon arrival, officers found the man lying unresponsive in the roadway. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Michael B. Touchette of Belleville was fatally struck by a vehicle, the St. Clair County Coroner's Office said. The Metro East Crash Assistance Team was called to assist with the investigation. The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene and cooperated with authorities. Preliminary findings indicate the pedestrian was in the lane of traffic at the time of the collision. There is no indication the driver was impaired or violated any traffic laws. Earlier that evening, the pedestrian had multiple interactions with law enforcement.

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BELLEVILLE — The Board of Fire and Police Commission and the City Council have announced recent promotions within the Belleville Police Department. Lieutenant Robert Thomason has been promoted to Captain, Master Sergeant Tim Crimm to Lieutenant, and Detective Angelque Shields to Sergeant. The promotions recognize the officers' achievements and service to the community. Officials encourage residents to join in congratulating the officers on their new roles within the department.

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ALTON – The Alton School Board has approved the appointment of three district administrators to new leadership roles for the 2025-2026 school year. Rene Hart will assume the role of Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, a natural progression following her five years of service as the district’s Director of Curriculum. With 17 years in public education and 10 years in educational administration, Hart brings extensive leadership experience with a steadfast commitment to student achievement and the development of educators across the district. Hart began her career in the Alton School District in 2008 as a Special Education teacher at Lovejoy Elementary. Over the past decade, she has served in multiple leadership roles including Assistant Principal at East Elementary and Supervisor of Special Education (K-6). She was promoted in 2020 to Director of Curriculum and Instruction. In each role, Hart has led school improvement initiatives, supported professional

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