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HIGHLAND — Annalyse Richter was crowned the 2024 Miss Madison County Fair Queen by retiring Queen Laini Bock during the pageant held on July 27, 2024, at the county fairgrounds in Highland. The event also saw Brooklyn Carter named Jr. Miss and Lyric Daniels of Collinsville awarded the title of Little Miss Madison County Fair. "Our 2024 queen family is complete," said a pageant spokesperson, celebrating the culmination of the competition. The pageant, a highlight of the Madison County Fair, draws contestants from across the county, providing a platform for young women to showcase their talents and community spirit. This year’s event continued the tradition, with participants vying for titles in various age categories. The newly crowned queens will represent Madison County at various events and functions throughout the year, promoting the fair and engaging with the community. The Madison County Fair, an annual event held in Highland, features a variety of attractions including

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– U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA)—Chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging—along with U.S. Senators John Fetterman (D-PA) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) this week to introduce the Section 508 Refresh Act . This new bill would require federal agencies to take a series of actions to ensure people with disabilities can use the federal government’s technology. While Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires agencies to make federal technology accessible, a 2022 Senate Aging Committee investigation found that department and agency technology, particularly within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is often out of compliance. The investigation revealed how these accessibility failures were creating barriers for people with disabilities who rely on federal technology for essential services, including health care, employment services and Social Security benefits. “ So many Americans rely on programs an

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SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Fraternal Order of Police (ILFOP) State Lodge President Chris Southwood has issued the following statement regarding a labor contract grievance that was filed by a separate organization, not the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police, on behalf of the former Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy who has been charged with murder in the death of Sonya Massey: “We are the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police, strictly a fraternal organization. The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge is not the labor organization that filed the grievance on behalf of the former deputy who is jailed on murder charges. That dubious distinction rests with the Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council, which is a completely separate organization with different leadership, a different organizational structure and a different mission. The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge had zero involvement in this grievance and yet we are bearing the brunt of the public outcry

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(Note: This is the first in a series of articles about artists who will be showcased at the Edwardsville Art Fair). Three artists will showcase their unique perspectives through exhibits showcased at the Edwardsville Art Fair on Sept. 27-29, 2024, at Edwardsville City Park. Brett Miley, Michael Plurad, and Bruce Toulmin each bring a distinct approach to digital artworks, providing visitors with an engaging and diverse experience. Miley, whose nature-based digital artworks aim to foster tranquility and educate viewers about various species, uses mandalas to present these creatures in an unprecedented light. "My goal is to help people find tranquility through my nature-based artwork and to show the beauty of these precious species and educate people about them. My mandalas show sides of these species in a way that they have not been seen before," Miley stated. Plurad draws inspiration from early 20th-century illustrators Arthur Rackham and Alphonse Mucha, blending modern techniques

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CHICAGO - On July 2, 2024, the State of Illinois received federal approval of its proposed Healthcare Transformation 1115 Demonstration waiver that will allow the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) to begin nation-leading work to expand Medicaid coverage. Assistance will soon address root causes of health disparities, such as housing and food insecurity, and help individuals transitioning from incarceration. “Here in Illinois, the 1115 waiver is the cornerstone of our broader strategy to address health-related social needs,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “We are using it to direct Medicaid resources toward initiatives that address the root causes of health inequalities such as housing, food insecurity, unemployment, violence prevention, re-entry from prison settings, substance use treatment, and more. Illinois is leading the way in this work and once again setting the nationwide standard for what equitable, effective, and people-centric

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BELLEVILLE - Joint Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) teams are set to be in action as they conduct evaluations in the aftermath of severe weather and tornadoes that struck the region earlier this month. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Winnebago County and St. Clair County. Local, county, state, and federal PDA teams will be going door-to-door in the hardest-hit areas to verify and validate the damages caused by the severe weather that occurred on July 15 and July 16. This initiative aims to assess the extent of the damage and determine the necessary aid and resources for recovery. Media personnel interested in covering the event can contact Kevin Sur, Public Information Officer for the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS), at Kevin.Sur@Illinois.Gov, or FEMA Region 5 External Affairs at FEMA-R5-news-desk@fema.dhs.gov for information on field teams and locations. The Illinois Emergency Management

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BETHALTO - In a display of athletic prowess and determination, the Civic Memorial High School boys' track team concluded an impressive season at the State Finals in Charleston. One of the most remarkable performances of the state track series was the 4x800 team of Lucas Naugle, Tulio Zampieri, Justice Eldridge and D.J. Dutton, who finished fifth in a new school record time of 7:51.34 after breaking their school record in the preliminaries on Friday. "We medaled in the 4x800 three consecutive years!" CM head coach Jake Peal said. The CM 800 relay squad are Tom Lane State Farm Insurance Male Athletes of the Month. "I am so proud of the legacy D.J., Lucas and Justice are leaving at CM," Coach Peal added. "I also can't wait to see what Max Weber and Tullio can do the next two years leaving their own mark!" Dutton finished his CM career with a school record time of 1:56.58 for the 800 meters. "This was D.J.'s fourth 800 of the weekend between two prelims and two finals," Coach Peal said.

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July 29th is a date with a rich tapestry of historical events that have shaped the world as we know it. 1981: A Royal Wedding Captivates the World In what was dubbed the 'wedding of the century,' Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer on July 29, 1981. The ceremony at St. Paul's Cathedral in London was watched by an estimated 750 million people worldwide, making it one of the most-watched television broadcasts in history. The union of the Prince of Wales and Diana captivated hearts and minds, and their story, though later marked by tragedy, remains a significant chapter in modern royal history. 2005: Discovery's Return to Flight After the tragic loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia in 2003, NASA's Space Shuttle Discovery launched on its Return to Flight mission, STS-114, on July 26, 2005. By July 29th, the crew had successfully completed a series of critical tests and repairs in space, marking a significant step in the resumption of shuttle missions. The mission

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PIASA – Rocky Darr, a standout infielder and pitcher for Southwestern High School, led the Piasa Birds with a .353 batting average this past season. Darr, who excelled as a three-sport athlete, was recognized as an All-Conference selection in baseball, basketball, and football. Darr is an Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Male Athlete of the Month for the Piasa Birds. Darr, a three-year varsity starter in baseball, showcased his versatility and skill both at the plate and on the mound. He finished the season with a 3-1 pitching record, contributing significantly to the team's success. "He won a big game in Greenville for us," said Ryan Hanslow, Southwestern's athletic director and head baseball coach. Hanslow praised Darr's work ethic and leadership. "He is a hard worker and a hard-nosed kid," Hanslow said. "He was a coach on the field and our lead hitter, so he got things started for us. He was also very sound defensively." In addition to his achievements on the baseball

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representatives Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13), Jack Bergman (R-MI-01), Lois Frankel (D-FL-22), Jen Kaggins (R-VA-02) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12) introduced bipartisan legislation to help older veterans avoid injuries from costly, dangerous falls. The SAFE STEPS for Veterans Act would establish an Office of Falls Prevention within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and create a falls prevention coordinator role. The legislation would also create a pilot program for incorporating falls prevention programs into VA home modification programs and establish an assessment for veterans to identify those most at risk of falling. Since veterans, on average, have more chronic conditions than their non-veteran counterparts, additional programs could help to prevent unnecessary injuries or hospitalizations — and the massive expenses associated with falls. “Preventative health care measures give our nation’s veterans a healthier,

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DOW - A man from Kane has been charged after allegedly punching someone in the face and aggressively approaching a 10-year-old child at the Do Drop Inn in Dow. David A. Depper, 38, of Kane, was charged with one count each of aggravated battery in a public place and aggravated assault on public property. On June 22, 2024, Depper allegedly struck an individual “in the face with his fist” while at the Do Drop Inn. He then approached a 10-year-old child “with his arms flexed in a defensive posture and asked minor child if she ‘wanted to go.’” Jersey County court records indicate Depper was granted pretrial release. His preliminary hearing is set for Aug. 20, 2024. The issuance of charges is based solely upon probable cause and is not an indication of guilt. All subjects charged with criminal offenses are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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ALTON - Three local authors will host a book signing for their new book, “Still Perfectly I’Mperfect.” The signing will run from 12–2 p.m. on Aug. 10, 2024, at It’s Raining Zen in Alton. The book, a sequel to the bestselling “Perfectly I’Mperfect” edition that was published last year, tells the stories of 42 women who overcame personal hardships. Kim Skief, Eliza Poe and Tammy Egelhoff, three of the 42 authors featured in the book, will be present at the signing to share their stories. “The book has the potential to serve a wide range of people depending on what resonates for you,” Skief said. “The range of stories includes overcoming discrimination, serious health issues, tragic losses, abusive relationships, job loss. It just pretty much runs the gamut as far as challenges that can come up in life, and the goal being that despite how challenging these obstacles were for these women, they chose not to give into

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY – Detectives from the St. Louis County Police Department Bureau of Crimes Against Persons are investigating a double homicide that occurred early Monday morning, July 29, 2024, in the 9400 block of Olive Boulevard, resulting in the deaths of two teenage males. At 12:51 a.m., officers from the City of Olivette Police Department responded to a call reporting a shooting in the area. While canvassing the vicinity, officers heard a gunshot and believed they were being targeted, prompting them to request additional officers for assistance. Shortly thereafter, officers discovered one teenage male in a nearby field and another inside an apartment building. Both individuals had sustained apparent gunshot wounds and were pronounced dead at the scene. The City of Olivette Police Department subsequently requested that the St. Louis County Police Department Bureau of Crimes Against Persons take over the investigation. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have

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GRAFTON - The director of the Veterans History Project has come to Grafton to contribute to the National Memorial of Military Ascent. Dr. James Smither, a professor at Grand Valley State University in Michigan, recently stopped by Grafton to film oral histories of local veterans. These videos will then be archived with the Library of Congress and eventually shared in the National Memorial of Military Ascent (NMMA) museum. “I’m basically here as kind of an in-house historian and somebody who could help do oral histories,” Smither explained. “The idea there is, if you’ve got a museum set up, museums need programming. It’s got to be things that engage the community, and an oral history program, especially in this area, which has so many veterans, that’s just kind of the natural thing. And for me, it gives me access to a group of veterans I wouldn’t meet otherwise.” Over the course of his career, Smither has interviewed over

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SAUGET - Authorities have identified the man who was killed when the pickup truck he was driving slammed into a train early Saturday morning. Jamarin Ballard, 39, of Cahokia Heights, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident on Mississippi Avenue (Illinois Route 3) at 4:30 a.m., according to St. Clair County Coroner Calvin Dye Sr. Ballard was driving a truck traveling south in the 3000 block of Mississippi Avenue when it crossed the railroad tracks and collided with a moving Union Pacific train. The railroad crossing gates were down and flashing lights were activated when the collision happened, police said. When officers arrived, they found the truck and a train engine engulfed by flames. The incident is under investigation, and authorities have not yet determined the cause of the crash.

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JERSEYVILLE – Amelia Strebel, a standout shot put and discus thrower for Jersey Community High School, has been named Sparklight Female Athlete of the Month. The recognition comes as no surprise to those familiar with her dedication both on and off the field. Amelia, who is also an exemplary student and a team leader for the Panthers, had an impressive end to her season. She secured first place in the shot put at the Mississippi Valley Conference meet with a toss of 31 feet, 5.5 inches. Her performance at the sectional meet earned her a ninth-place finish with a throw of 30-4.5. In discus, Amelia achieved a season-best throw of 90-0.75. Her head girls track coach and father, Kevin Strebel, expressed his pride in Amelia's achievements. "I thought she culminated the season with an excellent capper winning the conference in the shot put," he said. "I am very proud of her efforts on the team. She is one of several athletes on the team that had some instances where their hard work

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GRANITE CITY - The Granite City Fire Department responded to a structure fire on the 4200 block of Old Alton Road at approximately 10 a.m. on Monday, July 29, 2024. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered smoke and flames coming from the back of the house. They swiftly managed to bring the fire under control, preventing it from spreading further. The rear portion of the house sustained damage, though the extent of the damage has not been fully assessed. The cause of the fire remains unknown at this time. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The fire department is continuing its investigation to determine the origin of the blaze.

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JERSEYVILLE — Adam Kribs, a recent graduate of Jersey Community High School, has been recognized for his exceptional versatility as an athlete during the 2023-2024 academic year. Kribs, who competed in track and field, soccer, and bowling, has been named a Sparklight Internet Male Athlete of the Month for the Panthers. Kribs showcased his athletic prowess in track and field, recording personal bests of 6 feet, 0.75 inches in the high jump, 16.73 seconds in the 110-meter high hurdles, 45.43 seconds in the 300-meter low hurdles, and 38 feet, 5.5 inches in the triple jump. During the season, Kribs achieved notable successes, including first-place finishes in the 110-meter high hurdles at the Freeburg Trials Meet and a multi-school meet involving Jersey, Civic Memorial, Greenfield-Northwestern, and Bunker Hill. He also secured a fifth-place finish in the high hurdles at the Mississippi Valley Conference (MVC) Meet and a ninth-place finish in the 300-meter low hurdles. Additionally,

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CASEYVILLE –The Illinois Department of Transportation on Monday, July 29, 2024, announced that lane restrictions will be encountered on southbound I-255, at the I-64 interchange, beginning Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at 7 a.m., weather permitting. The two right lanes will be closed to allow IDOT District 8 Operations forces to complete bridge deck patching and expansion joint repairs. All lanes are expected to re-open by Friday, August 2, 2024, at 3 p.m. Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to flaggers and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits and be on the alert for workers and equipment. Public transportation and traveling during non-peak hours are recommended if possible. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced $18 million in funding for the fourth round of the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program. The Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program provides training opportunities, expands the talent pipeline, and boosts diversity in the construction industry and building trades. Grantees will be selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process. “Since 2021, the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program has broken down barriers in the construction industry by training and recruiting underrepresented Illinoisans for high-paying jobs,” said Governor JB Pritzker . “With $18 million in available funding, I highly encourage all eligible organizations to apply to this competitive grant.” “The Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program isn't just about building infrastructure, it's about building brighter futures,”

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