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JERSEYVILLE - Senior Francis Vogel is a multi-sport Jersey Community High School athlete and he is playing a pivotal role on this year's Panthers' boys basketball team under head Coach Matt Murphy. Francis is a three-year Jersey player moving from Brussels his freshman year. He was a wide receiver/cornerback on the Panthers' varsity football team in 2023. Francis is a Sparklight Internet Male Athlete of the Month for the Panthers. Coach Murphy had this to say about his senior player: "Francis has a motor that not many players have nor can match. He is an all-around very good athlete with a lot of passion for the game. Francis has natural instincts that cannot be taught on the defensive end. "He plays a lot bigger than his 6-foot-2 size and is relentless on the glass and attacking the rim. He is a two-year starter and brings experience to the team as well." Again, congrats to Francis Vogel for his honor as a Sparklight Internet Male Athlete of Month for Jersey Community High School.

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As we approach the end of the year, I’m reflecting on my New Year’s resolutions. I had big dreams 12 months ago. Did I hit every goal? Do you know me? Obviously, no, I failed. But I did manage to hit one of the most important goals on my list. Work out more. (No.) Delete social media. (Ha.) Get a hobby. (YES.) Good news, everyone, I did manage to start a new hobby or two. I needed to find a way to fill the time after work that didn’t involve staring at the TV or scrolling on my phone. So I set out to Michael’s and decided I’d get super involved in a new artsy pastime. Rembrandt, eat your heart out. I decided to start small, to ease into it. I bought a paint-by-numbers kit. This was ideal because it satisfied my creative urges without requiring any creativity. All I had to do was follow the numbers and paint in between the lines. I poured a glass of wine, turned on a podcast and set to work. Not only was this so fun, but it also required

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - December 1, 2023, was the second anniversary of Detective Antonio A. Valentine’s line of duty death. In honor of Detective Valentine’s sacrifice, the Telegraph Road bridge over the Meramec River will be named the “Detective Antonio Valentine Memorial Bridge”. A dedication ceremony will be held at the White Flag Church located at 7531 Telegraph Road in St. Louis, Missouri 63129, at 9 a.m. on Thursday, December 7, 2023. On December 1, 2021, St. Louis County Police Detective Antonio Valentine was fatally injured in a motor vehicle crash that occurred in North St. Louis County. Detective Valentine was assigned to the Bureau of Drug Enforcement. Detective Valentine is survived by his four children, who ranged in age from 10 to 22 at the time of his death. He was 42 years of age. Detective Valentine joined the Department in June of 2007 and served in the Central County Precinct, the Bureau of Transit Police, the North County Precinct, the Special

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JERSEY COUNTY - The Jersey County Drug Court program was named one of the best rural justice projects in the nation and selected to serve as an example for other rural communities to follow Jerseyville. The Rural Justice Collaborative (RJC) Advisory Council has selected Jersey County Drug Court Program in Jerseyville – Jersey County as one of six new Rural Justice Innovation Sites. These are the country’s most innovative rural justice programs which will serve as models for other communities. The RJC initiative will provide resources to enable other communities to replicate these Innovation Sites’ successes. “Rural community leaders often don’t have the resources to develop programs from scratch but we know that many rural justice leaders, like those from Jersey County Drug Court have found innovative solutions to their complex problems. Before this, there has been no nationally concerted effort for justice leaders and their collaborators in other sectors

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The children and grandchildren of Paul and Jo Ann (Walton) Stilwell of Godfrey would like to invite family and friends to join them in a celebration of their 80th birthdays and 60th wedding anniversary. The party will be held on Jan. 14, 2024 from 1-4 p.m. at the Brick Hall at 220 N. Prairie Street, Bethalto, IL 62010. There will be a tribute presentation at approximately 2 p.m. No gifts necessary. Heavy appetizers and beverages will be served. The happy couple was married at St. Mary’s church on April 4th of 1964. They have three married children, Aaron & Tammy Stilwell, of Godfrey, Anessa & Jack Emmons of Brighton, and Amy & Tyler Gross of Wake Forest, North Carolina. They have seven grandchildren: Curtis (and Megan) Stilwell, Sara Stilwell, Alex (and Amy) Dodge, Abbie (and Joel) Hobart, Jackson Emmons, and Audrey Gross. The couple also has four great grandchildren: Elijah Stilwell, Azena Dodge, Joel Hobart Jr. and Jayden Hobart. Paul retired from Owens-Illinois Glass, where

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SPRINGFIELD - The OSFM stresses the importance of fire safety while decorating for the holiday season. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) more than one-third of home decoration fires are started by candles. More than two of every five home decoration fires occur due to decorations being placed too close to a heat source. The NFPA also reports U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 790 home structure fires per year that began with decorations, excluding Christmas trees. Between 2017-2021, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 150 home fires per year that started with Christmas trees. Electrical distribution or lighting equipment was involved in more than two in five home Christmas tree fires with nearly one in five Christmas tree fires being started by lamps or bulbs. Roughly two of every five home Christmas tree fires started in the living room. Candle fires peak in December followed closely by January. More than half of home

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ST. LOUIS - World Wide Technology , a global technology solutions provider, today announced plans to invest more than $500M over the next three years in technology, infrastructure and people to help power their clients’ adoption of artificial intelligence solutions at global enterprise scale. Building on WWT’s investment in the company’s proprietary Advanced Technology Center (ATC) over the past 15 years, this commitment expands the ATC’s formidable capabilities with a lab environment where organizations can try, test and validate AI applications unique to their business needs and use cases. “AI will be the most impactful and transformational technology of all time, but the complexities of today’s rapidly evolving landscape give organizations more options and risk considerations than ever before,” said Jim Kavanaugh, co-founder and chief executive officer of WWT. “For over a decade, the ATC has helped IT leaders cut technology evaluation

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WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed Irma Ramirez to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement regarding Judge Ramirez’s confirmation: “Judge Irma Ramirez is an accomplished litigator and jurist who has over 30 years of legal experience, including as a current magistrate judge for the Northern District of Texas. Her qualifications and dedication to equal justice under the law earned her the support of Senators Cornyn and Cruz, demonstrating another good-faith effort by Republican Senators and the White House to identify candidates to fill judicial vacancies. Notably, she joins the bench as the Fifth Circuit’s first Latina judge. “I congratulate Judge Ramirez on becoming the thirty-eighth Circuit Court judge confirmed under President Biden, and the latest example of the Senate Judiciary Committee advancing highly qualified

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SPRINGFIELD – Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined active duty military members, veterans, and Gold Star families at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum for the Gold Star Tree Lighting ceremony. “The State of Illinois stands with our Gold Star families today and every day,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “In both joyous and sorrowful moments, we commemorate, remember, and celebrate alongside these families. We are forever grateful for their sacrifice and proud to honor the memory of our state’s fallen heroes. It’s this legacy of giving that marks the holiday season.” The ceremony pays tribute to Illinois’ veterans, fallen heroes, and their families. Governor Pritzker joined the families in decorating and lighting a tree as a symbol of gratitude and remembrance. The Gold Star families in attendance at the ceremony were able to place a commemorative ornament on the tree in honor of their loved ones. “Today we speak

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WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today called on his Republican colleagues to work with Democrats on comprehensive immigration reform that will help secure America’s border and address our nation’s shortage of workers. During his speech, Durbin condemned Republicans’ attempt to attach punitive border policies to essential national security emergency funds for Ukraine, Israel, the Indo-Pacific, and humanitarian crises. “I'm a person who believes in immigration. My mother was an immigrant to this country, and I'm proud to be in the Senate first-generation American representing the great state of Illinois. But I understand the overwhelming numbers we are facing at the border, and President Biden is facing— really argue for us to take a hard look at the way we approach this,” Durbin said. “It's hard to explain in the United States of

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WOOD RIVER - Wood River City Council members recognized two firefighters for their 30 years of service and a third firefighter for his academic achievements at their meeting on Monday. The city will also seek bids for an extension to the city’s fire station to give the department more room for storage, engine bays, and more. Mayor Tom Stalcup presented Plaques of Appreciation to Captain Leonard Revelle and Captain Brian Crawford for their 30 years of service to the Wood River Fire Department. The mayor presented both with their plaques before taking photos and commending them for their service. “I cannot imagine that these two guys within 30 years of service to the city of Wood River have not touched everybody's life in this room,” Stalcup said. “With congratulations from me and from the City of Wood River, thank you for everything you’ve done, and I hope the next phases of your life are as rewarding as what you’ve done for us in the pas

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O’FALLON, MO. - A man died Sunday afternoon in what law enforcement has described as "an officer-involved shooting" in O'Fallon, Mo., at O'Fallon City Hall at 100 N. Main St. The shooting occurred off Royal Oaks Drive in O’Fallon, Mo. O’Fallon police said officers were responding to a call for someone firing shots at the clock tower at O’Fallon City Hall on Main Street. O’Fallon officers responded to the area and successfully located the suspect vehicle. A traffic stop was attempted at the intersection of N. Main Street and Highway P, but the suspect vehicle fled. A pursuit ensued, leading officers into the Royal Oaks Subdivision. The suspect's vehicle eventually came to a stop on Spring Court in O'Fallon, MO. Police said upon exiting the vehicle, the suspect, identified as 34-year-old Douglas Alan Phipps, was armed with a shotgun, and pointed it at officers. In response to the immediate threat, officers fired at the suspect, and an exchange of gunfire

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BUNKER HILL - The faculty and staff of two Macoupin County school districts recently challenged each other to a friendly game of volleyball for charity resulting in a massive dose of goodwill, just in time for the holiday season. Bunker Hill Community Unit School District 8 faculty and staff challenged their Macoupin County neighboring school district Southwestern CUSD #9 to a friendly game of red vs green volleyball (Bunker Hill’s school colors are red and Southwestern’s are green) game to support local charities. Admission to the game was simply to bring one item of non-perishable food. Challenges were made to the school that brought the most food donations. The result was nearly 1,000 items donated to local Macoupin County food banks. The event was a huge success and was organized by Bunker Hill’s Misty Perez, a teacher at Wolf Ridge Elementary. When asked about the amount of work that went in behind the scenes to arrange the event, her reply

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EDWARDSVILLE - Junior guard Blakely Hockett is off to a good start for the Edwardsville High girls basketball team in the new season, scoring well and playing good defense for the Tigers. Blakely is a Johnston Law Firm Female Athlete of Month for Edwardsville. "I think our team is getting better and better each game," Hockett said during a recent postgame interview. "It's just they outsized us, but I think we matched their energy really well. We came back and fought." Hockett has brought much positive energy and good defensive play for the team to get started, and also credited her defensive partner for her success on the year so far. "I'm bringing energy, playing defense, that's kind of what I do," Hockett said. "I love having Sophie Shapiro up there with me playing defense. I think we work well together." She continued and said: "I can't wait for our season to start in conference games," Hockett said. "I think we're going to do well this year, we're getting better and better,

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ALTON - Nicole Blackketter of the Emergency Department is the Alton Memorial Hospital Employee of the Month for December. Nicole received the honor on Dec. 4 from ED manager Jeremy Brown, left, above, and AMH president Dave Braasch. The nomination from assistant ED manager Chantelle Smith says that “Nicole is the epitome of what it means to be caring and compassionate. She is always a joy with whom to work and receives numerous compliments from patients. Nicole is understanding and respectful to all patients with whom she comes into contact. Nicole is what BJC strives to represent for their communities - kind, compassionate and respectful. She encourages all staff she works with to go the extra mile with our patients.”

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WOOD RIVER - Mia Plumb is not only strong on the basketball court, but she is the No. 1-ranked student in her class at East Alton-Wood River High School and at present is the top candidate for the valedictorian role of her school's seniors. She thanked her best friend, Paul Nichols, for always being a person she could count on in her life. "He has always been there for me whether it be a good laugh, a deep conversation, or just hanging out," she said. "It’s amazing to have someone support you 100 percent no matter what." Lyndsey Perez is Mia's head girls basketball coach with the Oilers. Mia has been a member of the EA-WR varsity basketball girls for four years. Mia is a Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month for the Oilers. She said she has tried to demonstrate leadership in her school both athletically and academically, going the extra mile to aid others, being involved in other extracurricular activities, and being involved in the community. The Oilers'

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JERSEYVILLE - Several individuals were charged with crimes ranging from domestic battery to theft and more in Jersey County over the past week, according to recent court filings. Joseph L. Miller, 27, of Godfrey, was charged with aggravated domestic battery and unlawful restraint. Court documents allege Miller strangled the victim on or about Nov. 29, 2023. Miller was also charged on the same date with unlawful restraint after he “knowingly and without legal authority detained” the same victim as the domestic battery charge. Miller was charged with two total felonies, including a Class 2 felony for aggravated domestic battery and a Class 4 felony for unlawful restraint. A warrant was issued for his arrest and court documents indicate he is being held in custody until his initial appearance in court. Austin J. Sprong, 23, of Carrollton, was charged with theft on or about Nov. 24, 2023. Court documents allege Sprong stole $500 worth of U.S. currency from O’Reilly’s

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JERSEYVILLE - A man from Greenville has been charged with four felonies including armed violence, unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, and more, according to recently filed Jersey County court documents. Matthew S. Hancock, 32, of Greenville, was charged with armed violence - category II, unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, unlawful possession with intent to deliver cannabis, and unlawful possession of a controlled substance. Court documents state that on or about Nov. 29, 2023, Hancock allegedly “committed the offense of armed violence, in that the defendant, while committing a felony as defined under Illinois Law, was armed with a dangerous weapon, being a Category II knife/dagger in excess of 3 inches in length.” As a felon in possession of this weapon, he was also charged with unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon. Hancock also reportedly possessed, with the intent to deliver, between 30-500 grams of “a substance containing cannabis.”

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DOW - Kelly Vandersand, executive director of the Treehouse Wildlife Center, knows the value of a dollar. After all, that’s what it takes to provide one meal to any of the 36 birds or 13 mammals who are permanent residents at the sanctuary. “You might not enjoy the experience, but I will still sing and dance for $10,” she joked. “About a dollar will feed any animal there, sometimes two animals. So we value a dollar donation. We’re looking for that million dollar donation, I’d love to have one of those someday, but a dollar donation we appreciate just as much because that will feed one animal.” The Treehouse Wildlife Center is known for rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing animals throughout the Riverbend area. They also have a few permanent residents at their sanctuary, and they emphasize the power of education to help more people connect with nature and wildlife. The center is currently looking for a new education manager. Vandersand

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State Representative Amy Elik (R-Alton) will be hosting a Holiday Food Drive at her district office in Alton beginning December 5th-20th. “With higher food costs and the Holiday season underway, this time of year is very difficult for families trying to make ends meet,” said Rep. Amy Elik. “If you are able, please join me in helping us put food on the table for struggling families this Holiday season.” The Holiday Food Drive will begin on Tuesday, December 5th, and will conclude on Wednesday, December 20th at State Representative Amy Elik’s district office, located at 192 Alton Square Mall Dr., Suite C in Alton. Non-perishable food items can be dropped off between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. All non-perishable food items collected will be donated to the Crisis Food Center in Alton. When you stop by to donate, brochures on state programs will also be available. If you have any questions, please contact Rep. Elik’s offic

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