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BENTON – A former vice president and loan officer for Community First Bank of the Heartland in Mount Vernon who committed bank fraud and multiple arsons was sentenced in federal court in Benton on Thursday to 12 years in prison. Richard Pigg, 53, previously pleaded guilty in April to six counts of bank fraud and three counts of arson. The defendant currently resides in Texas, but he lived in Mount Vernon, Illinois, at the time of the charged conduct from May 2011 to December 2016. During his hearing, the sentencing judge described Pigg as a “Jekyll and Hyde” who destroyed people’s lives with his horrific fraud. Pigg had relied on letters of support citing his good works, but the judge told Pigg that this was like a man who robs a bank, gives some of money to a homeless shelter, then burns the homeless shelter down and wants credit for donating to the homeless shelter. "For more than half a decade, Richard Pigg abused his position of trust to defraud his bank,

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EDWARDSVILLE – In its continuing mission to make high-end custom home builds and renovations more accessible to Metro East residents, Lantz Homes & Remodels is excited to announce the expansion of the Berkshire Cabinet Company , its in-house cabinetry division. With the addition of new lead designer Ashley Parnell, Lantz becomes the latest homebuilder in Edwardsville offering both cabinet design and installation, eliminating the need for homeowners to play middleman between different contractors. Parnell brings more than 17 years of kitchen & bath design experience to the Lantz team and takes a hands-on approach to every step in the custom cabinetry design process, from consultation to installation. By fusing in-home measurements with design recommendations through state-of-the-art software, Parnell is able to develop 3-D renderings and virtual walkthroughs that provide clients with a 360-degree view of their project options, helping them select cabinets that align with

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EAST ALTON/GODFREY - No matter how much recognition Tommy Karlas receives for his music, to him, it’s always about the song. The Nashville songwriter has impressive credits, with songs on the albums of artists like Blake Shelton, Randy Travis and Old Dominion. But behind the man who wrote the No. 1 country hit “Roll With Me” by Montgomery Gentry and who now has a reputation as an artist in his own right, Karlas is an East Alton native who chose to celebrate his second album’s release with a concert at Lewis and Clark Community College (LCCC), headlining a show on the same stage where he competed in a school talent show at age 13. “I think it was always being a songwriter first in my heart. It’s always been about the song,” Karlas said of his work. “It’s cool because some people want to be an artist and that fits them. They thrive to be out there on stage and stuff like that. I love doing it and it’s fun, but it’s

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EDWARDSVILLE – Three Edwardsville Fire Department members moved up the ladder this week as the department expanded its ranks to include an assistant fire chief. The three veteran firefighter/paramedics took the oath of office for their new rank at the Tuesday, October 17, City Council meeting. Capt. Bob Morgan, who has been with the Edwardsville Fire Department for 27 and a half years, was promoted to the assistant fire chief position, which was created in September to officially provide the department with a fire marshal. Chief James Whiteford said Morgan has already been functioning as a fire marshal, handling many fire prevention and construction inspections. In the position, Morgan also will assist with training and education, overall management and be available for emergency response. Lt. Ed Burnley was promoted to the rank of captain, filling the role that Morgan previously held. Burnley, who has been with the department for 11 years, oversees technical rescue training

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CARROLLTON - Property-related criminal charges ranging from theft to criminal property damage and more have been filed against several individuals over the past few weeks, according to the latest jail booking report from the Greene County Sheriff’s Office. Brandon L. Capps, 36, of Jacksonville, was charged with one count each of arson and criminal damage to property by means of fire. Capps was arrested on Oct. 6, 2023 by the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department and remains in custody. Erin L. Settles, 39, of Kane, was charged with residential burglary and theft of an amount between $300 to $10,000. She was arrested by the Greene County Sheriff’s Department on Sept. 15, 2023 and was given a Notice To Appear in court. John J. Scheferkort, 31, of Roodhouse, was charged with criminal damage to property and violation of bail bond. He was arrested by the Greene County Sheriff’s Department on Oct. 2, 2023 and remains in custody. Herschel G. Giberson, 45, of

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EAST ST. LOUIS – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced current lane restrictions will be extended, weather permitting, on westbound Interstates 55/70 between IL Route 203 and the MLK Bridge ramp, in St. Clair County, continuing at 9 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 23 through 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 27. The westbound outside right lane will be closed continuously during this time. Between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day, an additional westbound lane will also be closed. All entrance and exit ramps will remain open. These restrictions are needed to complete pavement repair work. IDOT District 8 Operations will make the needed improvements. Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. To avoid the work area, when feasible, use of alternate routes should be considered. 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

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ALTON - Marquette Catholic High School students participated in the recent Youth Leadership Conference held at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville coordinated by Sen. Eric Harriss. The students were Jacob Rose, Marissa Statos, and Alicia McCulley along with AP Government Teacher Beth DeCourcey. The students are shown here with Sen. Harriss. Marquette Principal Tim Harmon said: "Through this experience, our students were able to discuss and propose policy ideas important to their generation. "The conference provided insight into how state government works, tools to achieve career success, and opportunities to work in small groups to develop potential legislation for consideration by the Illinois General Assembly."

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ALTON - If you love the spooky, the weird and the completely genuine, stop by Milton Schoolhouse this month to check out Artist of the Month Chelsea Masiero’s work. “I’m obsessed with the Piasa Bird,” Masiero said as we studied one of her favorite pieces: the Piasa Bird, with a septum piercing and barbed wire wrapped around its antlers. “Biggest inspiration, for sure.” This is the borderline Masiero walks as an artist. She’s completely sincere, and she also knows it’s funny. Her art hums with this self-awareness, even down to the brand she’s created. “Sh*tty Art By Sh*tty People,” or SABSP, is the name she uses for her t-shirt sales, and she especially likes the SABSP abbreviation because she was once “a big Pabst drinker.” Masiero was an easy pick for the October Milton Artist of the Month, as many of her drawings veer toward the macabre. She said skeletons are easiest for her to draw, and she always

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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville’s first and only boutique hotel recently opened in a historic downtown building at 201 N. 2nd St. The new Urban Collective Boutique Hotel celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, offering different decor in each room for a unique experience during every stay. Kristen Pfund, co-owner of the Urban Collective, said she and fellow Co-Owner Hannah Fink have been working on the facility for the past nine months. Just like each of the rooms available, Pfund said the hotel itself is unique for many reasons. “We are unique in the fact that we are the only hotel in downtown Edwardsville, but what makes us even more unique is the fact that it is a boutique,” Pfund said. “The decor is different, you’re going to have a unique experience in each and every one of the rooms, and we encourage everyone to stay in each one of them.” Rooms include “The Modern Chic Suite,” “Wild Blossom,”

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EDWARDSVILLE - Hanna Matarelli, a senior libero for the Edwardsville High girls' volleyball team, was one of the team's top players during the just-completed 2023 campaign that saw the Tigers go 23-11 on the season and the number one seed in their half-of the IHSA Class 4A Pekin sectional complex, where Edwardsville will play against Quincy in the first semifinal of the Alton regional on Oct 24. Matarelli and her six fellow seniors were honored on Oct. 19 in the annual Senior Night match, where the Tigers defeated Belleville West 25-19, 25-20 to complete a perfect Southwestern Conference season at 12-0 as the Tigers played exceptionally well in defeating the Maroons to finish the regular season. Matarelli is a Johnston Law Firm Female Athlete Of The Month for the Tigers. In her post-match interview, Matarelli was very grateful for her teammates and all of their contributions to the successful regular season. "I'm feeling great," Matarelli said. "I'm just glad that we all played

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GRAFTON - Things are about to get spooky at Raging Rivers. The water park, which used to be a dynamite factory before several accidents and deaths forced it to shut down, is transforming into a haunted graveyard each Saturday in October for the Raging Rivers “Haunted Trail.” Jeremy Hayes with Raging Rivers said the waterpark is embracing its haunted past on an episode of Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com . “We took advantage of some of the haunted woods we have on our property - what we seem to think is haunted,” Hayes said. “Back in the ‘40s, there was a nitroglycerin plant that was on the property and they had multiple accidents, and after the final accident, they finally shut it down.” The “Haunted Trail” consists of an approximately 30-35 minute walk through the woods on a smoothed dirt path, Hayes said. According to the Raging Rivers website , “The trail will be kid friendly in the early evening but as

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CHICAGO — Judith Raanan and her teenage daughter, Natalie, were reportedly released from a hostage situation today. The two Americans from Evanston, Ill., had been taken hostage by Hamas and sources say they were released on Friday. The two had been abducted on Oct. 7, 2023. After their release, Governor J.B. Pritzker issued the following statement: "I am incredibly relieved that Natalie and Judith Raanan of Evanston have been released from captivity in Gaza. In what was supposed to be a visit to their loving family in Israel, they were violently abducted by a terrorist organization. After being held against their will for nearly two weeks, they are now safe and receiving necessary medical treatment. "I cannot wait to welcome them back home after demonstrating immense strength and bravery in the face of unthinkable terror. We must continue to advocate and pray for the safe return of those still held by Hamas. We will not let those who use terror as their weapon win." Judith

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CARROLLTON - Four individuals have been charged with driving under the influence and more while another has been arrested on a drug paraphernalia charge in Greene County over the past few weeks, according to a recent report from the Greene County Sheriff’s Department. Christina J. Newton, 26, of Eldred, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, illegal possession/transportation of liquor by a driver, improper lane usage, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. She was arrested by the White Hall Police Department on Sept. 18, 2023 and was given a Notice To Appear in court. Shane M. Ingram, 46, of White Hall, was charged with driving under the influence, driving on a revoked license, and a headlight violation. He was arrested by the White Hall Police Department on Sept. 10, 2023 and was given a Notice To Appear in court. Gaybrielle L. Gilbert, 48, of Jerseyville, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia on Oct. 4, 2023 by the Greene County Sheriff’s

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CARROLLTON - Several individuals have been charged with violent criminal offenses including criminal sexual assault, domestic battery, and many more in Greene County over the past few weeks, according to recent filings from the Greene County Sheriff’s Department. Steven T. Albers, 73, of Jacksonville, was charged with four counts of predatory sexual assault of a victim under 13 years of age, one count of criminal sexual abuse of a victim between 13-17 years of age, and one count of criminal sexual assault of a family member under 18 years of age. He was arrested by the Scott County Sheriff’s Department on Sept. 21 and remains in custody. Darin M. Morrell, 37, of Carrollton, was charged with failure to register as a violent offender against youth with a prior conviction. He also had outstanding arrest and Failure To Appear warrants out of Greene County. He was arrested by the Greene County Sheriff’s Department on Sept. 30, 2023, and has since been released from custod

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ALTON - Earlier this week, high school students from across the Metro East gathered at the National Great Rivers Museum to learn about career opportunities along the Mississippi River. “Who Works the Rivers?” is a regular event sponsored by the National River Museum and Aquarium and National Rivers Hall of Fame through their program RiverWorks Discovery . This career awareness event invites students to speak with employers in the maritime industry and learn about jobs that are supported by the river. “Whether you’re looking to do a college career path, the trades or even the government agencies, there is a career for you in this industry,” explained Erinn Howard, RiverWorks Discovery executive director. “The mission of RiverWorks is commerce, culture, conservation and careers of America’s rivers, so we try to give a good perspective on all types of careers related to the river.” Over 180 students from six local high

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ALTON - Nicole Wood of the Women’s Health and Childbirth Center is the Alton Memorial Hospital Employee of the Month for October. She received the honor on Oct. 19 from her manager, Jessica Mossman, and AMH President Dave Braasch. The nomination for Nicole came in after her good work earlier this year. “An unfavorable induction was brought in for chronic hypertension. After two days of attempted induction, the patient started to lose hope of a vaginal delivery. Nicole took care of the patient several days in a row. She hung encouraging signs in the room and maintained a positive attitude. On the third day of induction, the provider became concerned with the lack of maternal progress. Nicole continued to advocate for the patient. The provider agreed to use position changes in hopes to facilitate a vaginal delivery. Finally, the patient was 10 cm and going to start pushing. It was shift change, but Nicole stayed after to help the patient with her delivery. A beautiful baby

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate increased +0.3 percentage point to 4.4 percent, while nonfarm payrolls increased +9,500 in September to a record high and surpassing the pre-pandemic number of total nonfarm payrolls, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and released by IDES. The August revised unemployment rate was 4.1 percent, unchanged from the preliminary August unemployment rate. The August monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report, from -100 to +3,800 jobs. The September unemployment rate and payroll jobs estimate reflect activity for the week including the 12th. In September, the industry sectors with the largest over-the-month job gains included: Trade, Transportation and Utilities (+3,400), Manufacturing (+2,500), and Leisure and Hospitality (+2,100). The industry sectors with monthly payroll job declines included: Professional

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SPRINGFIELD – The State Treasurer’s Office made nearly $118 million in investment earnings from the state investment portfolio in September, Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced today. Another $86.7 million in gross investment earnings was earned for cities, villages, school districts, counties and other units of government that take part in the highly rated Illinois Funds local government investment pool operated by the State Treasurer’s Office. “Every dollar we make through smart, safe investing is a dollar that does not need to be raised in taxes,” Treasurer Frerichs said. “The Treasurer’s Office is part of the solution in Illinois.” Treasurer Frerichs is the state’s Chief Investment and Banking Officer. He is responsible for the state investment portfolio and an investment pool for units of local government called Illinois Funds. Key monthly metrics and more are available in The Vault, the transparency website that

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EDWARDSVILLE/GLEN CARBON - Members of the Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce were able to connect through the October business after hours event at Dieterich Bank. The Ed/Glen Chamber of Commerce advocates for local businesses and provides a space for business owners to network and collaborate. Katie Haas, the chamber’s membership director, noted the benefits to joining the chamber and attending events like the business after hours meetings. “At the heart of all of it is just a desire to get to know people, whether they’ve been connected in this community for a long time or whether they’re brand new here,” Haas said. “We fully believe in the power of genuine relationships, and so we love to be able to encourage our member businesses to host these types of after hour events just to bring people together, to build those relationships, and to do business with those people.” The member businesses are quick to agree. Shaina

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CARLINVILLE - Blackburn College has named Sarah Koplinski Vice President for Institutional Advancement. In this senior leadership role, Koplinski will provide strategic, high-level direction for the College’s fundraising, alumni engagement, and community outreach efforts to support the institutional growth, sustainability, and capacity to deliver exceptional educational experiences to current and future students. She will manage a talented and motivated philanthropy team and serve as a member of the President’s leadership team. A Carlinville native, Koplinski steps into the role with nearly 17 years in Blackburn’s Office of Institutional Advancement. First, she spent time working in this campus area as a student in Blackburn’s unique Work Program, where she gained hands-on and impactful professional experience. After taking a position with Junior Achievement in Indianapolis immediately following graduation, Koplinski soon returned to Carlinville and spent three

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