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EDWARDSVILLE - At their regular meeting on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, the Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 (ECUSD7) Board of Education voted unanimously to approve the 2023 tax levy. “Madison County has forecasted a 9.6 increase for the Edwardsville School District, and the estimated tax rate will be $4.67,” explained Board Vice President Terri Dalla Riva during the finance committee report. Later in the evening, the Board voted unanimously to approve the levy. Members Kristen Pfund and Lynne Sanderson were absent. The vote followed numerous discussions over the past few months. Before voting, Board member Bob Paty clarified that the tax levy had not changed from the last time the Board discussed it during their regular meeting in November. Dave Courtney, the district’s chief financial officer/chief operations officer, responded that it had changed “just slightly” from the previous estimate. During the Nov. 27 meeting, Courtney explained

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EDWARDSVILLE - Every year one of the more special events of the holiday season in Edwardsville is the Edwardsville Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 244, "Christmas With A Cop" Day. This was the 14th year for the very special occasion and it took place Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, at both Chick-fil-A on Troy Road, followed by a police escort to Target, complete with flashing lights and sirens. One of the Christmas With A Cop coordinators Jarrod Sprinkle said: "This is the thing that gets you right in the mood and the Christmas spirit. Some of the families have gone through some hard times and it is great for us to be able to help them out. "You can't beat it. More officers showed up Saturday than expected and more kids than planned and we made it work. There is a real need in the community and these guys stepped up and hit it out of the ballpark." Through the program this past Saturday, Edwardsville Police Department officers enjoyed breakfast and holiday shopping with 30 area children

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SPRINGFIELD – The minimum wage in Illinois is increasing on January 1st, 2024. Workers will see an increase of $1 per hour from $13 to $14. The minimum wage for tipped workers will rise to $8.40 per hour and youth workers (under 18) working fewer than 650 hours per calendar year will see their hourly wage increase to $12 per hour. “Since day one as Governor, I’ve made it my mission to put Springfield back on the side of working families,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “With this new minimum wage increase, we are once again making Illinois a more affordable and equitable place to live for all of our residents.” “We're continuing to not only strengthen our workforce but sustain it by increasing the minimum wage. Leadership matters and we're proud to see our administration's sixth increase go into effect on January 1,” said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. “As we continue our work to make Illinois the best state to live, work

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GLEN CARBON - The Glen Carbon Senior and Community Center was recognized by the Illinois Department of Aging for their work in serving older community members. On Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, Department of Aging Director Paula Basta presented the center with the 2023 Governor’s Engaging Aging Award. The center, located at 157 N. Main Street in Glen Carbon, is one of up to 13 organizations to be recognized this year. “This award is presented annually to a handful of community organizations throughout the state where you have gone above and beyond making a positive impact on the lives of older adults, and you can see that right here in this room,” Basta said. “You have a vibrant hub of programming. You have events, activities, social engagement. I heard there was belly dancing — I don’t know when, but I’m going to get out of here before that.” Basta noted the various programs and activities offered at the center, including yoga, art classes

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BETHALTO - A GoFundMe titled "Stand With Dan" has been established for well-known area photographer Dan Cruz of Bethalto. Dan had major surgery after a sudden spinal medical discovery last week and is in recovery. These are the comments from Kelsey Hawkins, who set up this GoFundMe to assist with Dan Cruz's huge medical expenses: "Dan is a son, a brother, a father, a grandfather, a talented photographer and a friend to many. If you don’t see Dan at courtside or the sidelines of a field somewhere capturing high school sports, you can find him cheering on his grandsons, Kaden and Jackson at their sporting events and or spending time with his granddaughters Rainah, Vada, and Rylah. "He always gave himself to be there for others. That being photographing those special sporting game moments, sharing his camera talents with aspiring local photographers, or lending a hand to a friend. You can always count on Dan! "On Wednesday, December 13, 2023, while capturing a basketball

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GRANITE CITY – Granite City High School had 13 students named 2024-25 State Scholars for their outstanding academic achievement, as announced by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC). The students will be recognized at the Granite City Community Unit School District #9 School Board Meeting on January 23, 2024. The Illinois Student Assistance Commission , the state’s college access and financial aid agency, presents this important recognition of academic achievement to exceptional Illinois high school students annually. This year, nearly 16,700 honorees join the other outstanding students who have been honored since the designation was first introduced in 1958. The 2024-25 designation applies to the year students will begin their postsecondary education. The Illinois State Scholar program is awarded to high school seniors based on ACT or SAT test scores, the sixth semester class size, unweighted class rank and grade point average. 2024-25 GCHS Illinoi

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ALTON - Angela and Amoriah Gray of "Amoriah's Blessings" hosted a "Come On Barbie, Let's Go Paint Party" for the YWCA Southwestern Illinois Girls Circle Christmas Party on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023. Angela and Amoriah provided all paint materials, a Barbie canvas to take home, Barbie T-shirts for a staff member and two student volunteers, self-esteem and boundaries enrichment lessons, swag bags, and a Barbie box photo and selfie station. “My daughter and I facilitated a Barbie Paint party for the YWCA Southwestern organization,” Angela said. “The girls were engaged and involved.” She added that booking information for Barbie parties or other workshop ideas can be found at amoriahlove.com . The Girls Circle Program is a free structured support group for girls and youth who identify with female development from 10-16 years of age. Girls Circle integrates relational theory, resiliency practices, and skills training in a specific format designed to increase

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a bipartisan group of 52 attorneys general, today announced a $700 million agreement with Google to settle allegations of anticompetitive conduct related to the Google Play Store. According to the settlement, Google will pay $630 million in restitution, minus costs and fees, to consumers who made purchases on the Google Play Store between August 2016 and September 2023 and were harmed by Google’s anticompetitive practices. Google will also pay the states an additional $70 million in penalties. “This settlement holds Google accountable for its anticompetitive market behavior making sure consumers in Illinois and across the nation receive the restitution they deserve,” Raoul said. “Consumers are left with limited choices and higher prices when companies act to stifle competition, and I am pleased that this settlement will help impacted consumers receive restitution while requiring Google to take steps to prevent

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ALTON - Two local businesses are teaming up to host a “New Year's Eve celebration for the grown and classy" in Alton for ages 30 and up, featuring live performances from a recording artist, a comedian, and more. DMW Trucking and Dynamic Image Publications are hosting a “Ring In 2024” New Years’ Eve Celebration from 9 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2023 to 1 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2024 at Vera Lee's Meeting & Event Venue, located at 1854 E. Broadway in Alton. The event will feature a live performance by recording artist Alysha, a Comedy Hour with The Gwynn Factor, as well as appearances by D Lo and DJ Lady Jock. The event calls for semi-formal attire and has an age restriction of at least 30 years old. Christian Cashelle, CEO of Dynamic Image Publications, said the event is the perfect way to ring in the new year with “style, sophistication,” and more. “Join us as we bid farewell to the past and welcome the future with style, sophistication, and a night t

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SPRINGFIELD – Beginning Jan. 1, a new law from State Senator Christopher Belt will put an end to traffic stops from law enforcement that solely involve minor windshield obstructions. “This measure is not about hindering officers but about creating an understanding between law enforcement and drivers about what a legitimate reason is to be pulled over,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “With this new law, we are sending a powerful message that the state does not tolerate racial profiling or other forms of discrimination.” Starting Jan. 1, law enforcement officers cannot stop or search a vehicle because of a small item between the driver and the windshield such as decorations, disability placards, GPS systems and air fresheners. With concerns that traffic enforcement practices such as this disproportionately affect certain communities, this new law will prevent officers from using a minor windshield obstruction as a pretext to pulling drivers over but adds that th

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is extending the controlled pheasant hunting program for the 2023-2024 season. Some sites will be extended by one to two weeks in different areas of the state. Hunters should check the permit calendar on the controlled pheasant hunting website for permit availability. Sites with extended opportunities include: Des Plaines State Fish and Wildlife Area, Will County Silver Springs State Park, Kendall County Iroquois County State Fish and Wildlife Area Kankakee River State Park, Kankakee County Moraine View State Park, McLean County Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area, Cass County Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park (Rend Lake), Franklin County Eldon Hazlet State Park (Carlyle Lake), Clinton County Pheasant hunters will need to acquire a Reserved Controlled Pheasant Hunting Permit to hunt on controlled pheasant hunting sites. Permits can be acquired through the online reservation system . To make

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COLUMBIA - Traube Tents & Structures has been in business for 85 years, but they’re just getting started. The family-owned business out of Columbia, IL has grown in the past few years, and now their products are everywhere in the U.S., from weddings and commercial events to emergency relief sites and PGA Tours. Steve Traube reflects on the business’s history and future in a recent Our Daily Show! interview . “For us, we really tout ourselves as specialists. All we do is structures, so we’re really good at it,” he said. “Obviously, to pull off some of the huge events that we are able to pull off, we’ve got a great team and a bunch of people that really just do a fantastic job.” Traube Tents & Structures started in 1938 as a venetian blinds manufacturer and quickly expanded to awnings. They started doing tents in the 1950s and then eventually split into Traube Awnings and Traube Tents & Structures. Earlier this year, Steve

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GLEN CARBON - State Senator Erica Harriss (56 th -Glen Carbon) has released the below statement following the announcement and potential sale of US Steel to Nippon Steel Corporation: "For me, the question of whether this potential sale is good news or not, will come down to whether it will allow Granite City steelworkers to keep their jobs. Unfortunately, our community has had hope of stability taken away before. I will continue to stand firmly with our workers as we monitor the situation. As your Senator, I remain committed to advocating for policies to grow and keep jobs in Illinois."

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ALTON - Alton’s Middletown Historic District will once again light up the night with their Christmas Eve luminary. Now in its 22nd year, the luminary includes over 5,000 candles burning all night throughout the blocks of Middletown along Henry, East 12th and surrounding streets. The tradition is “breathtaking” to behold, according to luminary chair Shannon Sholar. “It just puts a glow and makes everybody feel festive and peaceful at a time where we have a crazy, crazy world. You can just drive through and take a deep breath in and take in the glow,” Sholar said. “We are kind of showcasing our historic neighborhood. I’m a lover of Christmas and everything Christmas, and it just really is breathtaking and beautiful and unique. I think a lot of other areas in town have started doing it.” While the luminary has grown, the tradition itself has stayed largely the same. Duke’s Bakery donates paper bags every year, and the Middletown

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ALTON - The Alton Police Department is investigating a robbery that took place at the Walgreens location at 2610 State St. at 8:47 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023. Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said his officers responded after a report of the apparent robbery and as officers were responding to Walgreens, information was given that the suspect had since fled the business on foot. "Officers as well as a police K9 searched the area for the suspect but were unable to locate him at that time," Chief Ford said. "Preliminary investigation revealed that a white male suspect entered the store and walked to the pharmacy. He then revealed to the pharmacy employee that this was a robbery and demanded a certain item from the pharmacy. After receiving the item, the suspect exited the store with the item. No Walgreens employees were physically harmed during the robbery." The investigation is ongoing and being conducted by the Alton Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division. Anyone

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SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has announced $750,000 of grant funding available for the development and completion of energy efficiency projects at public water supply (PWS) facilities, commonly referred to as drinking water treatment plants (DWTP). The grant program seeks to invest U.S. Department of Energy Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funds in publicly owned PWS in the State of Illinois. The grants will enable units of local government to make energy efficiency upgrades to water equipment identified by previous energy audits, in some cases from audits provided at no-cost by the Illinois EPA Office of Energy. The funded projects will reduce the amount of energy consumed by water treatment operations, thereby reducing energy costs. Grant applications will undergo a comprehensive, merit-based review. Scoring factors will include cost effectiveness, energy cost impact savings, energy rate, and projects located in environmental justice

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $1,835,880 in new federal funding for a total of five projects throughout Illinois to help improve traffic safety. These federal investments from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Safe Streets and Roads for All program will help support planning, infrastructure, behavioral and operational initiatives to prevent death and serious injury on roads and streets involving all roadway users. “Improving street safety and increasing multimodal transportation infrastructure makes for safer, more active and more vibrant communities,” Duckworth said. “I’m proud to announce this important funding to help communities throughout Illinois the make much-needed improvements to catalyze economic development, enhance community connectivity and improve quality of life for residents.” “Safer roads mean safer communities, and by dedicating resources t

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ALTON - The Alton Committee of the Whole gave preliminary approval of a redevelopment agreement for another TIF project in the city’s downtown on Monday. The latest project includes various improvements to the building housing Refabuloused Relics at 615 E. Broadway between Henry Street and Ridge Street. Alderman Raymond Strebel shared a few more details about the project at the meeting on Monday. “They’re right down on Broadway next to Germania, and the owners there want to build a back second-floor porch with a stairwell down,” Strebel said. “I believe they’re going to have some work done also, they want to turn it into an apartment complex on the second floor.” According to the redevelopment agreement, the full scope of the project consists of both interior and exterior renovations, including the construction of a rear deck and steps, door replacement, new flooring, HVAC installation, and the creation of a second-floor residential uni

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GRANITE CITY – State Reps. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, and Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, are insisting that local workers are heard as Nippon Steel Corporation moves to acquire U.S. Steel without engaging the United Steelworkers (USW) union. Hoffman and Stuart issued the following statements, Monday: “We need to know in no uncertain terms what this deal means for the thousands of Metro East families that have been the heart of U.S. Steel for decades. It’s troubling that the advocates for workers have so far been denied a seat at the table,” Hoffman said. “Whether this deal goes through or not, it would be prudent of U.S. Steel’s leadership to reconsider recent actions directed toward Granite City and its dedicated, highly skilled workforce. This plant and its people have brought significant value to the industry for decades, and it can continue to be a strong investment for years to come.” “We remain committed to a future for U.S.

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EDWARDSVILLE - Two are facing criminal charges after an armed robbery attempt on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023, at Best Buy at 6670 Edwardsville Crossing Drive, Edwardsville. Madison County State’s Attorney Thomas Haine has signed charges against the two women named below. Angel Deshaun Crosby and Jakiaya T. McCoy both are facing Armed Robbery charges, the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office said on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023. McCoy faces a count of Armed Robbery that reads: “In that said defendant, or one for whose conduct the defendant is accountable, knowingly took property, being Apple iPad devices and various electronics from the person or presence of another.” The charge continues and reads the Best Buy employee “faced the threat of imminent use of force, with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of said property while caring on or about their person or being other side armed with a firearm in violation of 720 ILCS 5/18-2(a)(2). This is

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