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SPRINGFIELD – Jerry Kruse, MD, MSPH , dean and provost of Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and CEO of SIU Medicine, announced today that he will conclude his service at the end of his current contract, on or around August 31, 2026. Since joining SIU School of Medicine in 1984, Dr. Kruse has served in numerous leadership roles, including chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine, executive associate dean and dean and provost. His tenure has been defined by innovation in medical education, expansion of rural training opportunities, modernization of research, statewide partnerships and steadfast leadership through unprecedented challenges. “Over 10 years as dean and provost and CEO, Dr. Kruse has led the School of Medicine through a period of rapid change and growth: navigating the pandemic, workforce shortages and health care challenges while ensuring SIU’s mission stayed strong,” said Dr. Austin Lane, chancellor of Southern Illinois

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EDWARDSVILLE – Four faculty members were awarded the Southern Illinois University System’s 2025 Faculty Collaboration Award at the SIU Board of Trustees meeting on September 18, 2025 for their academic innovation and partnerships. Two of the recipients were Dr. Sinan Onal, professor and chair of the Department of Industrial Engineering at SIU Edwardsville (SIUE), and Dr. Chao Lu, associate professor in the School of Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering at SIU Carbondale (SIUC). They have collaborated on methods to observe and measure the human gait of individuals with movement disorders or physical impairments, addressing a pressing challenge in biomedical engineering and rehabilitative healthcare. In their research, they ask people to wear sensors that utilize artificial intelligence (AI), and then they apply integrated technologies with advanced algorithms to monitor their gait. Their work has the potential to inform the development of next-generation rehabilitatio

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CARLINVILLE - Macoupin County’s 1869 Jail, a historic landmark that served as the county’s detention facility for 119 years until 1988, now welcomes visitors. Located in Carlinville across the street from the courthouse, the Old Jail offers tours that provide detailed insights into its architecture and history. Designed by architect E.E. Meyers, who also designed the Macoupin County Courthouse, the jail features a medieval-inspired fortress style with iron cell blocks, iron ceilings, and 20-inch-thick stone walls and floors. The building’s interior follows the “jailer residence” style of architecture, a design used until the 20th century that allowed the jailer and his family to live on-site. While the sheriff carried out duties across the county, the jailer’s wife was responsible for cooking prisoners’ food, doing laundry, and maintaining order within the jail. Construction of the jail employed the “cannon ball” method, in which

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ALTON — Alton Parks and Recreation, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois , and National Fitness Campaign (NFC) today announced a partnership to bring an outdoor Fitness Court® Studio and digital wellness programming to the City of Alton . The Fitness Court® Studio, located at Riverfront Park , will open Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at 10:00 AM with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The Fitness Court® Studio was developed by Alton Parks and Recreation, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, and NFC to expand free access to high-quality workouts and create equitable access to exercise for communities across the region. The Fitness Court® is the world’s best outdoor gym that lets users leverage their own body weight to get a complete workout using seven exercise stations. Created for adults of all abilities aged 14+, the Fitness Court® Studio workouts are adaptable for all fitness levels, allowing participants to move at their

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PALMYRA — Jamie M. Griffiths, 53, of Palmyra, was charged Friday with four counts related to alleged assaults involving multiple victims, according to court documents. Griffiths faces one count each of aggravated battery of a handicapped person, aggravated battery in a public place, domestic battery, and domestic battery causing bodily harm. The first count alleges Griffiths committed battery against a physically disabled victim by pouring milk and Kool-Aid on her and lifting the mattress she was lying on, causing her to fall out of bed. The second count involves an incident on Emmerson Airline Road, where Griffiths allegedly struck another victim in the head with a jar and his fists. The third count accuses Griffiths of pouring milk and Kool-Aid on his wife. The final count alleges he struck his daughter in the head with his hand. No further details about the victims’ conditions or the circumstances surrounding the incidents were provided in the charging documents.

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EAST ST. LOUIS – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced the ramp from northbound IL 3 to westbound I-55/64 (Poplar Street Bridge) in East St. Louis will be closed on Tuesday, September 23 and Wednesday, September 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The ramp closure is necessary to allow IDOT District 8 Operations crews to perform bridge inspections. Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment. 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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ALTON - The Catholic Children’s Home encourages people to come by their open house and see firsthand the work they do to support local kids. From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, community members can tour the building, meet the staff, and enjoy a free pancake breakfast from 8–10 a.m. Michael, who works on the home’s administrative team, looks forward to welcoming the community. “Take some tours, and just get an overall view of what the Children’s Home does today,” he said. “We really want you to come out so you can get an understanding of what we do. We are really the hidden treasure in Alton. We provide a lot of services to the kids and families, so come out and see us.” The Catholic Children’s Home has two main departments: school and residential. The Center for Children to Heal and Achieve is a school for some of the kids who live at the home and those who live in surrounding communities. Michael explained

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FAIRMONT CITY - Two people died in a fiery crash Friday night, Sept. 19, 2025, on Illinois Route 162 near Pontoon Beach in Madison County, authorities said. The collision occurred on Sept. 19, 2025, between Interstate 255 and Route 157. Witnesses reported that both victims were trapped inside the vehicle as flames quickly engulfed the wreckage. Firefighters from Mitchell and Long Lake responded and worked alongside other emergency personnel. Despite their efforts, both victims were pronounced dead at the scene. The Illinois State Police was called to assist police with traffic at the scene. A crash reconstruction team was brought in to assist. The Madison County coroner’s office will release the names of the victims once their families have been notified. Officials have not released details on the cause of the crash. The investigation remains ongoing.

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SPRINGFIELD — As drought conditions continue across the Midwest, the Illinois Department of Agriculture and the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshall urge farmers and agricultural workers to prioritize safety during this year’s harvest. Because dry fields create increased fire risks, the 2025 harvest season brings challenges that demand heightened awareness and preparation. “During drought conditions, a single spark can quickly ignite a field,” said Jerry Costello II, Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture . “We want to remind farmers to treat every dry field as a potential fire hazard and to take the necessary precautions to prioritize their own safety – as well as their neighbors and first responders – during this busy season.” “Dry vegetation in fields and wildland areas creates high fuel loads that can ignite quickly and spread rapidly, putting farmers, nearby homes, and surrounding property at risk,”

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul won an important victory in the case to protect the privacy of millions of people throughout the country who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for food assistance. In a lawsuit brought by Raoul and a coalition of 20 other attorneys general and the state of Kentucky, the District Court for the Northern District of California ordered a temporary restraining order preventing the Trump administration from enforcing its demands that states turn over the personal information of all SNAP applicants and recipients. “I join others in our coalition in applauding the court in this decision, which ensures SNAP recipients can receive the benefits they rely on without the concern of their private personal information being involuntarily shared outside the program,” Raoul said. “SNAP provides access to food for millions of Illinois families while also supporting thousands of local grocers, farmers’

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GODFREY - Hannah Elise Wittman and Samuel Kenneth Loy announced their engagement on November 30, 2024, following a proposal in Cabo San Lucas. Wittman is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Damone Wittman of Godfrey, Illinois, while Loy is the son of Mr. Kenneth Loy and Mrs. Julie Loy of Medora, Illinois. Miss Wittman holds a Master’s Degree from Maryville University and works as a speech-language pathologist with the Southwestern School District in Piasa, Illinois. Mr. Loy earned his Master’s Degree in accounting from Southern Illinois University and is a partner at Loy, Miller, Talley in Alton, Illinois. The couple plans to marry on June 13, 2026, in Brighton, Illinois. For more information, contact Michelle Wittman.

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– Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services (SASC) and Foreign Relations (SFRC) Committees—had a productive meeting with Insub Jung, President of Hanwha Ocean, and other top representatives of the South Korean company to discuss some of ways we can strengthen our nations’ auxiliary shipbuilding partnership. The Senator’s meeting comes after her recent trip to South Korea and Japan—two global leaders in the shipbuilding industry—where she met with government, military and business leaders to talk about how we can work together to surge production of auxiliary vessels, strengthen our fleet readiness and support our sealift capacity and workforce. Photos of this meeting can be found on the Senator’s website . “Our sealift and auxiliary fleet is essential to our national security and the safety of our troops—and yet our fleet is both aging and insufficient in number

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EAST ST. LOUIS - East St. Louis School District 189 recognized its security team at Wyvetter Younge School of Excellence and celebrated a milestone at Dunbar Elementary School with the induction of its first fourth-grade National Beta Club members this past week. The district, located in East St. Louis, acknowledged the Wyvetter Younge security staff for their dedication and professionalism in maintaining a safe environment for students, staff, and families. The administrators and staff praised the team’s consistent presence, noting their roles in greeting students, monitoring the building, handling emergencies, and fostering positive relationships within the school community. In a separate event, Dunbar Elementary School inducted 17 fourth-grade students into the National Beta Club, marking the first time the elementary school and surrounding community have had a Beta Club for that grade level. The ceremony was attended by more than 75 guests, including family members,

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ALTON – According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each year in the United States, an estimated 240,000 women get breast cancer and 42,000 women die from the disease. Mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early, when it is easier to treat and before it is big enough to feel or cause symptoms. Information, education, and mammography screenings will all be available for attendees at this year’s annual “Girls Night Out” event at OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center on Thursday, October 16, 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. A limited number of mammography screenings are available during the event and appointments are necessary. Individuals wanting to schedule a mammography screening during the “Girls Night Out” event need to call (618) 474-6791. All event mammography patients will receive a small gift. Insurance information and proper ID will also be needed for those conducting mammography screenings during the event. Light

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GRANITE CITY — On Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) announced U.S. Steel will continue sending slabs to Granite City Works and will keep the plant operational following pressure from Budzinski, the United Steelworkers (USW), and the Granite City community. In May, President Trump announced that Nippon Steel would acquire U.S. Steel; however, the deal failed to include any assurances or investment for the Granite City facility. Budzinski joined local USW leaders to demand greater transparency, commitments to the future of Granite City, and a seat at the table for steelworkers as Trump negotiated the acquisition. Following the acquisition, it was announced that Granite City Works would no longer be receiving slabs, significantly impacting operations at the site. However, USW and Rep. Budzinski pushed back, and U.S. Steel declared the decision would be reversed . “After the Nippon deal lacked the commitment of future investments to

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COLLINSVILLE – The owner of Studio 420 in Collinsville has been charged with possession of nitrous oxide after a series of purchases were made by undercover Illinois State Police agents, resulting in a search of the property and the seizure of several items. Zachariah F. Yinger, 37, of Alton, was charged on Sept. 19, 2025 with a Class 3 felony count of unlawful possession of nitrous oxide with the intent to deliver. According to a Complaint For Search Warrant filed on Aug. 19, 2025, Illinois State Police Special Agent Corey Martin requested the issuance of a search warrant for the Studio 420 location at 106 W. Main St. in Collinsville. There, he aimed to search for, seize, and return items including: nitrous oxide; U.S. currency; firearms and firearm ammunition; as wellas safes, lock-boxes, storage containers, secured storage containers, secured safes, and the contents therein. Authorities also sought to seize “paraphernalia and equipment used for ingesting nitrous

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EDWARDSVILLE — The Midwest Open beach volleyball tournament brought 25 professional men’s and women’s teams to Plummer Family Park on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, offering the community a chance to experience high-level competition at the city’s new beach volleyball courts. The event was part of the AVP Next series and featured players competing for championship titles and prize money. On the women’s side, Aree Keller and Tiffany Svenssohn took first place, followed by Erica Brok and Lexi McKeown in second. The men’s championship was won by Luke De Greeff and Tynan Gannett, with Cody Caldwell and Wyatt Harrison finishing second. “This was a fantastic event, and such a great opportunity for the community to check out this fun, high-action professional sport at our new beach volleyball courts at Plummer Family Park,” Edwardsville Mayor Art Risavy said. “The event wouldn’t have happened without so many businesses and organizations

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ROXANA – A 30-year-old Roxana man faces four felony charges after allegedly sexually abusing a 9-year-old victim. Cody E. Gleason, 30, of the 100 block of East 4th Street in Roxana, was charged on Sept. 18, 2025 with four counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, including two Class 1 felony counts and two Class 2 felony counts. On June 9, 2025, Gleason allegedly committed multiple acts of sexual conduct upon a victim who was 9 years old at the time of the offense. According to the state’s petition to deny Gleason’s pretrial release from custody, the victim reported that Gleason inappropriately touched her while the two were “lying in bed in the middle of the night watching a Netflix show” while other children were present, including the victim’s sister. The victim immediately reported the incident to her grandmother, and the petition states she gave consistent statements about the event to multiple family members and an interviewer with the

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Did you know that farmers’ markets in the United States generate over $9 billion annually for local economies? Beyond the impressive economic impact, these markets serve as vibrant hubs where communities come together, local agriculture thrives, and seasonal flavors burst forth in abundance. For those who appreciate fresh, sustainably grown food and the stories behind it, fall is an especially compelling time to explore farmers’ markets. The bounty of the harvest season offers a unique opportunity to connect with the land and the people who cultivate it. Why Fall Farmers’ Markets Are Uniquely Worth Visiting Fall farmers’ markets stand apart from their spring and summer counterparts by showcasing a rich palette of produce and artisanal goods that reflect the culmination of the growing season. Crisp apples, hearty squashes, root vegetables, and fresh nuts dominate the stalls. But it’s not just about the variety of food; many markets host special events

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Did you know that families who regularly engage in shared traditions report higher levels of happiness and cohesion? Celebrating the first day of fall can be more than just marking a date on the calendar—it can become an opportunity to strengthen familial bonds and create lasting memories. But how can families turn this moment into a meaningful ritual that everyone looks forward to year after year? The Power of Family Traditions Family traditions are more than routines; they are the threads that weave individual family members into a collective story. Psychologists suggest that traditions provide a sense of identity and stability, which can be especially comforting during times of change. Starting a fall tradition on the very first day of the season offers a natural anchor point—a shared experience that signals the beginning of new rhythms and activities. Crafting Meaningful Fall Traditions Creating traditions around the first day of fall need not involve elaborate plan

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