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EAST ST. LOUIS - Dr. Katie Harper-Wright Elementary School kicked off its summer session with a popcorn-themed celebration aimed at fostering community and creativity among students. Summer School Principal Alecia Johnson shared details about the first week’s activities, which took place this past week at the school. Under the theme “Popping into Summer,” students engaged in a variety of popcorn-related projects and games designed to promote curiosity and teamwork. One notable event was the “Popcorn Race,” a science challenge where students used straws and popcorn kernels to explore the concept of air force while competing to move kernels across a finish line. Principal Johnson described the week as both exciting and successful, highlighting the energetic participation of staff and students. The week concluded with “Popcorn Friday,” a celebration where students received popcorn treats in recognition of their hard work and positive behavior.

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TROY, IL. - The Troy Police Department marked a night of promotions, new appointments, and farewells to longtime commissioners at a Monday night, June 16, 2025, city board meeting. Justin Christ was promoted to lieutenant, while Jessica Callahan and Austin Cripe were elevated to the rank of sergeant. The Troy Police Department also welcomed Chris Rice, who was sworn in as its newest officer. Rice brings more than 20 years of experience from a police department in Missouri and will serve as a School Resource Officer within the Troy school district. The meeting also recognized Don Clark and Tom Canivit for their years of service as Police Commissioners. Both Clark and Canivit officially stepped down from their roles, receiving commendations for their dedication to public safety and support of the department. The Troy Police Department expressed appreciation for the contributions of the departing commissioners and encouraged the community to congratulate the promoted officers

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SPRINGFIELD — As the school year approaches, the Illinois Optometric Association urges families to make comprehensive eye exams a priority on their back-to-school checklist. Vision is a key component of academic success, and undiagnosed vision problems can hinder a child’s ability to read, write, and learn effectively. According to the American Optometric Association, one in four school-aged children has an undetected vision condition. Unlike basic vision screenings at schools or pediatric offices, comprehensive eye exams with a doctor of optometry can detect a wide range of issues — including focusing problems, eye teaming, depth perception, and eye health concerns — that could otherwise go unnoticed. “Comprehensive eye exams are necessary to detect problems that a simple vision screening can miss, such as eye coordination, moderate amounts of farsightedness and astigmatism,” says Angela Oberreiter, OD, President & Chair of the Illinois Optometric

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GRANITE CITY – Today, U.S. Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) will join members of the United Steelworkers (USW) in Granite City to discuss the deal between President Donald Trump and Nippon Steel. Budzinski and the USW will raise concerns around the lack of transparency and local input as well as the deal's failure to include necessary investment in Granite City Works. They will call for a voice for workers at the negotiating table, and real commitments to protect American steel jobs in Illinois. To learn more, visit HERE . Budzinski will be joined by Craig McKey, President of the United Steelworkers Local 1899, and Jason Chism, United Steelworkers Sub-District Director for a Press Conference to Demand Seat at the Table and Local Investment. The event will be held Saturday, June 21, 2025 from 1:30 to 2 p.m. at Local Union 1899, Tri-Cities Labor Temple, 2014 State Street, Granite City, Ill., 62040.

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today joined a coalition of 22 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in support of two lawsuits brought by National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) that seek to block an executive order defunding them and threatening the continued operation of their local affiliates. “The president’s illegal attempt to cut off federal funding to public broadcasting stations would eliminate high-quality educational programs for children, lifesaving emergency alerts in times of severe weather and other public safety events, and an essential source of news and information for rural residents,” Raoul said. “I will continue to stand with fellow attorneys general against the president’s unlawful actions that threaten the separation of powers as well as the rule of law.” On May 1, President Trump signed an executive order directing the board of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and executiv

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CHICAGO - As summer officially begins, the Illinois Poison Center (IPC) is reminding families to stay safe around the pool. “Whether you're diving into a pool, relaxing in a hot tub, or splashing around at a water park, it's important to remember that germs can be lurking in the water,” says IPC Medical Director Michael Wahl, M.D. “Recreational water illnesses, or RWIs, are a real risk—diarrhea is the most common, but they can also cause other gastrointestinal, skin, ear, respiratory, eye, neurologic, and wound infections.” Even with proper pool maintenance, some microscopic parasites like Cryptosporidium (also known as “Crypto”), are able to survive up to 10 days in treated water and can cause diarrhea for weeks after symptoms stop. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, swallowing as little as 10 Crypto germs can cause an infection. IPC urges everyone to take the following precautions to keep themselves and their

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ALTON – An Alton woman accused of breaking into someone’s home and battering them with their own metal crutch faces a series of criminal charges. Sheena M. Lucas, 40, of Alton, was charged on June 16, 2025 with a Class X felony count of home invasion, a Class 3 felony count of aggravated battery, and two Class A misdemeanors for domestic battery and driving on a suspended license. On June 13, 2025, Lucas allegedly entered an Alton residence without authority and intentionally injured one of the home’s occupants by striking them about the body with a metal crutch and pulling their hair. The victim in this case was reportedly a family or household member of Lucas. According to the state’s petition to deny Lucas’s pretrial release from custody, Lucas obtained the crutch used in the attack from inside the victim’s home after Lucas forced her way in. “Witness reported that defendant came to the door and after being denied entry, forced her way

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — The Critical Incident Brief for an incident on May 10, 2025, in the 9800 block of Green Valley Drive has been released by the St. Louis County Police Department. The brief can be viewed at https://youtu.be/s-_SSm3pH7I . A 37-year-old man suspect was charged on May 11, 2025, after an officer-involved shooting Sunday night, May 10, 2025, in the 9800 block of Green Valley Drive, where he allegedly pointed a firearm at police. Stephen Snofke, of St. Louis, faces charges of first-degree assault or attempt to cause serious physical injury to a special victim, armed criminal action, and resisting or interfering with arrest for a felony. He is being held on a $250,000 cash-only bond, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office said. The incident began May 10 at 9:05 p.m. when officers from the St. Louis County Police North County Precinct responded to a ShotSpotter activation reporting shots fired in the area. Upon arrival, an officer saw Snofke

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GREENE COUNTY — Greene County, a rural community of about 11,500 residents in Illinois, is making strides to combat substance use disorder and reduce recidivism through a targeted recovery support program launched in 2023. The Greene County Health Department (GCHD) received a grant from the Illinois Department of Human Services to implement the Recovery Corps program, which pairs individuals with peer Recovery Navigators to help them overcome addiction and avoid the justice system. The program emerged after years of rising substance use challenges and limited local resources. In 2019, Greene County reported one of the state’s highest nonfatal overdose rates, and behavioral health providers struggled to meet demand. In response, stakeholders, including law enforcement, public health officials, and community members, formed the Greene County Mental Health Coalition in 2022 to improve access to recovery services. “Individuals with persistent substance use-related

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SAINT LOUIS - A local doctor and her research team are using artificial intelligence to change the outcomes for children diagnosed with cancer. Dr. Kim Johnson, PhD, and PhD student Cindy Kang work at Washington University in St. Louis. They recently received a Summer Fellows Grant from the St. Baldrick’s Foundation to advance their research into pediatric cancer, the ways this cancer spreads, and how social factors affect survival rates. “We definitely know that social factors do influence survival outcomes,” Johnson said. “Hopefully it can lead someday to less children getting diagnosed at a later-stage disease if we can start addressing these social factors, which impact the ability for a family to receive optimal cancer care.” Johnson and Kang are interested in metastasis, the process by which cancer spreads. Metastasis is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in kids. In their research, they have found that children from certain

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SPRINGFIELD – For just a few hours a month, you can build joy that lasts a lifetime for children in your community fighting critical illnesses. Make-A-Wish Illinois looking to recruit more than 200 new WishMakers to serve as wish celebration volunteers, working directly with families to transform lives through wishes. Working in pairs, wish celebration volunteers partner to establish a meaningful connection with the wish child and family, building hope and anticipation leading up to the child’s wish. Working with staff and generous local donors and businesses, these volunteers plan and carry out meetings, boosts, and send-offs or parties for their assigned wish kids. Join on your own or double the impact by registering with a friend to share this life-changing experience together. Make-A-Wish provides training and ongoing guidance as well as the opportunity to network with other volunteers. For just a few hours a month, you can craft joy that lasts a lifetime. To become

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EAST ALTON — Firefighters responded early Saturday to a mobile home fire on Melody Lane that resulted in the total loss of the trailer but no injuries. The Rosewood Heights Fire Department arrived at around 3 a.m. to find heavy smoke and flames coming from the mobile home. A box alarm was requested, prompting additional crews from Cottage Hills, Bethalto, East Alton, and Wood River to assist. Alton Memorial Ambulance was also on scene for fire standby. Firefighters were able to contain the blaze to the single trailer, preventing it from spreading to a nearby trailer. The mobile home was vacant at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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MADISON – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced lane restrictions will be encountered on eastbound Interstate I-55/70 between Exchange Avenue and Illinois 203. There will be lane closures starting at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, June 24 to perform bridge repairs, weather permitting. One lane will remain open. All lanes are expected to re-open by 7 p.m., Tuesday, June 24. Motorists should expect long delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this closure. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on the social media platform X at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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GLEN CARBON - On Friday, June 20, 2025, SJ Morrison, managing director of MCT, toured the MCT Ronald J. Foster Heritage Trail in Glen Carbon alongside Joan Foster, widow of the trail’s namesake and former Glen Carbon Mayor Ronald J. Foster. The visit included Glen Carbon Historical Society volunteers Carol Dappert and Christine McMahon, as well as staff from the Agency for Community Transit (ACT). The group explored the trail, which was built on the former right-of-way of the Illinois Central Railroad — a route that historically served local coal mines and brick yards integral to Glen Carbon’s development. In a special exception to the trail’s usual “no vehicles” rule, the group traveled by MCT golf cart to visit the full-color historic interpretive panels that Foster helped write and compile. Joan Foster provided detailed context, stories, and personal recollections at each panel, offering insight into the history commemorated along the

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BELLEVILLE – A man from Belleville faces multiple felonies after stealing over $372,000 from a Hartford business by deception for nearly two years. Matthew D. Howard, 29, of Belleville, was charged on June 17, 2025 with two Class 1 felony counts of theft and one count of use of a credit or debit card with intent to defraud, a Class 3 felony. From June 1, 2023 to March 19, 2025, Howard allegedly stole more than $372,000 from a Hartford-based transportation business by means of deception. He is accused of falsely representing himself to a bank as the cardholder of four different debit cards which were issued to the business. The case against Howard was presented by the Hartford Police Department, and he was granted pretrial release from custody. All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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BETHALTO - Slugger Bella Thien finished at the top of the Civic Memorial High School charts for RBIs this past softball season, and a remarkable 468 batting average with eight home runs. Raigen Linton, the CM girls' softball coach, described Bella as a "great hitter for CM" and noted her value to the team. "She was a power hitter on the season," Linton said. "She was a very valuable player." Bella, a shortstop, is a Tom Lane State Farm Insurance Female Athlete of the Month. She is a multi-sport athlete, participating in softball, volleyball, and basketball. Bella earned several honors in volleyball and was named an all-conference player as shortstop in softball. Outside of athletics, Bella was a member of the National Honor Society and the CM student council. She has signed to play collegiate softball and plans to study nursing in college.

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EDWARDSVILLE — Alexa Stock, a junior at Metro East Lutheran High School, has been recognized as BJ’s Printables Female Athlete of the Month for her contributions to the school’s girls' soccer team this spring. Stock, a multi-sport athlete, also competes in volleyball and basketball. Rob Stock, head coach of the girls' soccer team, highlighted Alexa’s versatility and leadership on the field. “She played all over the soccer field in the spring as a defender and midfielder,” he said. “At one point, when the two captains were gone, she helped lead the team. She is a very hard worker.” In addition to soccer, Alexa participates in basketball during the winter season and plans to play volleyball in the upcoming fall. Her involvement in multiple sports demonstrates her athletic commitment and ability to contribute across various teams at Metro East Lutheran High School.

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ALTON - In May 2025, 95-year-old Bob Becker experienced a memorable turkey hunt on his family’s property in Calhoun County. Despite some early distractions from hens attacking decoys and several jakes passing by without a clear shot, Becker ultimately succeeded in harvesting a turkey after spotting it near the edge of the woods. Becker, who will turn 96 in September 2025, has maintained an active hunting lifestyle throughout his life, focusing primarily on waterfowl, deer, and turkey. His family’s land in Calhoun County has been in their possession for over a century. Becker’s extensive involvement in outdoor activities includes a career at Winchester and leadership roles as president of the Migratory Waterfowl Federation and the Illinois Federation for Outdoor Resources. Cheryl Roberts, his daughter, reflecting on Becker’s recent hunt, noted that he always says this "could be his last hunt." "You never know at 95," she said. Despite his age, Becker has continue

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EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville brought science and justice to life during the inaugural Forensic Murder Mystery Camp, held June 9–13 at the Southwestern Illinois Justice & Workforce Development Campus in Belleville. The immersive summer program welcomed high school students to explore the real-world intersection of forensic science and law through lab work, courtroom simulations, and mentorship from leading professionals. The camp marked a successful multi-institutional collaboration among SIUE’s Department of Forensic Sciences, SIU Carbondale’s Simmons Law School, the Southwestern Illinois Police Academy, Saint Louis University, and the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA). It was designed to activate the Belleville site with high-impact learning experiences that introduce students to the critical thinking, communication, and investigative techniques central to careers in forensic science and legal studies. Participants include

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ALTON - During their regular meeting on June 17, 2025, the Alton Community Unit School District #11 Board of Education unanimously approved the resignation of Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Dr. Tron Young. Young took on the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services position in 2024 and served in this role for the 2024–2025 school year. He is leaving the district to take on the principal position at Fulton Junior High School in O’Fallon. “We wish him the best as the new principal at Fulton Junior High School,” said Elaine Kane, superintendent of the Alton School District. Prior to his work at Alton, Young was a principal at Central School District 104 in O’Fallon, where he was named 2020 Middle School Principal of the Year in Illinois. He has served as a principal in several schools over the years. Young accepted the position in the Alton School District last summer. His resignation takes effect on June 30, 2025. Alton

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