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SWANSEA - TWM, Inc., one of the top engineering and geospatial firms in the greater St. Louis area, is proud to announce that Derek Twente, PLS, EI, has been awarded the Albert H. “Pat” Patterson Surveyor of the Year Award by IPLSA. This recognition highlights Derek’s dedication, expertise, and contributions to the surveying profession. As COO and Director of Geospatial Services, Derek has over 20 years of experience in surveying and has played a vital role in shaping successful projects at TWM. Through his leadership, he has built one of the largest and most innovative surveying teams in the Midwest. Derek has been an active member in IPLSA for 17 years serving in numerous roles, including as Secretary and President of the Southwest Chapter. He has also been part of the Membership Committee and a delegate on the state board before moving to the Executive Committee where he worked through the ranks as Secretary, Treasurer, President Elect, and President. Additionally,

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BELLEVILLE — A Georgia man has been sentenced to 49 years in prison following his conviction for an armed robbery that occurred at the Casino Queen in 2017. Daryl S. Muhammad, 48, of Marietta, Georgia, was found guilty of armed robbery and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon by a jury in November 2024. On March 21, 2025, a St. Clair County judge sentenced Muhammad to 44 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the armed robbery charge, requiring him to serve 85% of that sentence. He received an additional five-year sentence for unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon. The robbery took place on September 17, 2017, at approximately 2:55 a.m., when three men armed with rifles entered the Casino Queen. During the incident, an unarmed security guard was shot, and more than $47,000 was stolen. Following a thorough investigation, the Illinois State Police identified Muhammad in Cobb County, Georgia, leading to his arrest in January 2019. St. Clair County State’s

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and U.S. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC)—led fellow U.S. Senators and Veterans Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), the Ranking Member of SVAC, Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) in demanding that President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth immediately restore dozens of webpages that the Administration recently purged from U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) websites—including the National Arlington Cemetery website—that detail the remarkable histories of great American military heroes. In the letter, Duckworth and her fellow Senate Democratic Veterans requested answers to several questions regarding the Trump Administration’s plan to restore these webpages and how much it cost American taxpayers to purge this digital content. The group is asking the Administration to promptly respond by April

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CHICAGO - Get Covered Illinois joined 18 other state-based health insurance marketplaces to issue a joint letter to congressional leaders emphasizing the value to Americans of the enhanced premium tax credits set to expire at the end of this year. The letter, coordinated by the National Academy of State Health Policy (NAHSP), urges Congress to take action to extend the credits, citing their critical role in helping Americans afford health coverage. A record 24 million Americans, nearly 466,000 of whom are Illinoisans, enrolled in healthcare plans through the marketplaces for Plan Year 2025. “These tax credits are critical to ensuring health insurance doesn’t become unaffordable for Illinoisans,” said Get Covered Illinois’ Director Morgan Winters. “On average, Illinois residents saved $540 a month on health insurance costs last year thanks to these enhanced subsidies offered on the marketplace. Allowing these tax credits to expire will have real economic

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SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) along with U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law, and Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and over two dozen of their Senate colleagues called on President Trump to reverse the illegal firing of Commissioners Rebecca Kelly Slaughter and Alvaro Bedoya from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). “This action contradicts long standing Supreme Court precedent, undermines Congress’s constitutional authority to create bipartisan, independent commissions, and upends more than 110 years of work at the FTC to protect consumers from deceptive practices and monopoly power,” wrote the Senators. “We urge you to rescind these dismissals so the FTC can get back to the people’s

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ALTON – The City of Alton might get a new fitness court with a $100,000 contribution from Alton Township, pending approval of an agreement next week. The Alton Committee of the Whole is set to consider an intergovernmental agreement with Alton Township at their next meeting on Monday, March 24, 2025. Under the agreement, Alton Township would give the City of Alton $100,000 to build a fitness court. The agreement does not mention an exact location for the fitness court, other than within Alton city limits. According to the resolution on Monday’s agenda, both parties agree it is “in the best interests of the public health, safety, and welfare of the Township and its residents, and the City and its residents,” to enter the agreement for the fitness court. More details will likely come to light once the item is brought to the floor for consideration and a vote. The Committee of the Whole meets next on Monday, March 24 at 6 p.m. Follow the discussion on this

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ALTON – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that intermittent lane closures on Illinois 140 at the intersection of Fosterburg Road in Madison County will begin, weather permitting, Wednesday, March 26, for intersection improvements. The $1.95 million project, which involves modifying the existing intersection to allow for an additional dedicated left turn lane on southbound Illinois 140 and installing new modernized traffic signals, is anticipated to be completed by November. Throughout construction at least one lane in both directions will be maintained on Illinois 140 and on Fosterburg Road. 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

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COLLINSVILLE – Recently filed court documents reveal disturbing new details of a child pornography case out of Collinsville. Layne A. Willhite was charged on March 19, 2025 with six counts of child pornography, each Class X felonies. From July 1 to August 31, 2024, he allegedly asked underage children to send him sexually explicit videos, which he received via social media platforms. Victims ranged from 14 to 16 years of age. A petition to deny Willhite’s pretrial release adds further context into the investigation that lead to his arrest, which began after the Collinsville Police Department was forwarded a National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) CyberTip from the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. “Subsequently, search warrants were issued to ‘X’ (formerly known as Twitter), Spectrum, AT&T, and Google,” the petition states. Those warrants yielded information linking Willhite with the emails and IP addresses mentioned i

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ROMEOVILLE- Today, Governor JB Pritzker and Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton joined Congresswoman Lauren Underwood, Illinois Department on Aging Director Mary Killough, and local advocacy leaders in the second stop of the Governor’s Standing Up for Illinois Tour. The event brought together state and local leaders to call attention to the Trump Administration’s attacks on the federal Social Security Administration (SSA), which will limit access to Social Security benefits for the two million Illinoisans who rely on this support. The event was hosted by The Ovation Center—a recently-opened facility that provides resources, services, and activities to seniors in Will County. “Through economic recessions, global conflict, and political upheaval, Social Security has remained the bedrock of our economy, our social safety net, and our democracy,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s dangerous plan to gut the Social Security Administration

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SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ office is now accepting applications for its third annual summer job program. Approximately 150 positions are available for college, trade school, graduate school students or graduating high school students who are enrolled in college or trade school in the fall. Job offerings include working in one of the 25 departments in the Secretary of State’s office or at a DMV. “Our summer job program allows young people to explore career opportunities, earn money and build valuable skillsets,” Giannoulias said. “This type of hands-on work also builds toward future academic and professional success and can translate into long-term benefits for our communities.” Along with building job and people skills for students, the program bolsters the office’s customer service efforts during the busy summer months. Available positions include working in Secretary of State offices in Chicago,

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CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced 88 awards totaling $57 million through the Community Solar Energy Sovereignty Grant Program ($7.7 million), Equitable Energy Future Grant Program ($10.3 million), and Energy Transition Community/Zion Grant Program ($39 million) – initiatives under the landmark Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). These programs will catalyze energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that will help clean energy businesses grow and utilize Illinois’ clean energy workforce. “A true clean energy future is one that leaves no community behind,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Through the transformative Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, we’re ensuring historically disadvantaged communities are at the forefront as we grow our clean energy economy. These grant programs are driving clean energy projects where they’re needed most, creating opportunities

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BETHALTO - Samantha Pritchett has thrived in Bethalto. Pritchett, one of nine candidates running for a seat on the Bethalto Community Unit School District #8 Board of Education, shared more about who she is and what she stands for. Her family moved to Bethalto in 2018 to join the school district, and she loves the community. She wants to run for school board to continue to build it up. “I just want to help the community, help the school district, make sure that the kids have the right tools, make sure that the teachers have support, and make sure that we’re highlighting the positive things that are going on in the district versus the negative things that are going on,” Pritchett said. “I feel like I bring a professional and a common sense approach to how I do my job, how I parent, how I talk to people in the community. You just have to be willing to sit down and compromise with people, to collaborate with them, listen to ideas, be open to change.”

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BELLEVILLE – Unemployment stats for Collinsville, Belleville, O’Fallon and Granite City remained low for January 2025 compared to 2024 in stats released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (DES). O’Fallon had a rate of 3.7 percent in January 2025 compared to 4.2 percent a year ago, a -0.5 drop. Collinsville also dropped the same amount to 4.1 percent from 4.6 percent a year ago. Belleville had a 4.6 percent rate compared to 5.4 percent a year ago and Granite City also showed a decrease from 5.2 percent to 4.6 percent. St. Clair County had a drop to 4.6 percent from 5.3 percent a year ago. Andy Manar, the Deputy Governor, said Illinois remains laser-focused on investing in our incomparable workforce and creating a positive business environment to bolster economic opportunity in every corner of the state.” East St. Louis’ unemployment rate also decreased from 8.9 percent to 7.8 percent from Januar

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EDWARDSVILLE/ALTON – Madison County recorded an unemployment rate of 4.0 percent in January 2025 from 4.7 percent a year ago in stats released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (DES). Jersey also dropped from 4.8 percent to 4.1 percent, Macoupin County stood at 5.0 percent from 5.5 percent a year ago. Greene County had a 4.5 percent rate compared to January 2024 of 5.0 percent a year ago and Calhoun County had a 5.0 percent rate compared to 5.7 percent in 2024. Alton’s unemployment rate dropped significantly from 5.7 percent to 4.5 percent and Edwardsville recorded the best rate in the region from 3.6 percent in January 2024 to 3.0 percent in 2025. Statewide, the rate stood solid at 5.0 percent in January 2025 from 5.2 percent in January 2024. Over the year, the unemployment rate decreased in eleven metro areas and increased in one for the year ending January 2025, according to data released by the U.S. Bureau

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ALTON - Sergeant Michael “Mike” Morelli of the Alton Police Department has been recognized with the 2024 TNT Outstanding Achievement Award for his extensive contributions to law enforcement and the community. The announcement was made this week by Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford, who highlighted Morelli's nearly two decades of service, including 12 years as a police officer and his leadership role as K-9 Program Supervisor. Morelli began his career in law enforcement as a correctional officer before transitioning to the police department, where he has dedicated significant time to strengthening the bond between law enforcement and the community. As K-9 Program Supervisor, he has trained handlers statewide and led K-9 operations, notably partnering with K-9 Jax for 10 years. Together, they became one of the region's top K-9 teams, assisting in numerous operations and community engagements. The award comes at a time of reflection following the tragic loss of K9 Odin in Augus

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FAIRMONT CITY – The Fairmont City Police Department recently welcomed Officer Jonathon Smelser to its team. Smelser, a graduate of the SWIC Police Academy, previously served with the Venice Police Department and has a background in public service as a volunteer firefighter with the Brooklyn Fire Department. The board meeting provided a platform for city officials to introduce Smelser to the community. Chief of Police Gerald Brown Jr. expressed optimism about Smelser's addition to the department, highlighting his commitment to public service and willingness to assist others. "With his background in public service, he will be a great addition to the department and community," the chief said. Officer Smelser's experience and dedication to helping others are expected to enhance the department's efforts to maintain safety and foster community relations in Fairmont City.

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SOUTH ROXANA – South Roxana Mayor T.J. Callahan appeared on Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com to outline his achievements and vision for the village’s future as part of our State of the Race 2025 coverage of the April 1 elections. “I always say that South Roxana has been a hard-working community, and we’ve made real progress despite challenges,” Callahan said. “Unfortunately, some candidates are more focused on political games than real solutions. “I want to continue on growth, I want to continue on the opportunity to make things better. We’ve got park grants that are out there, I’m in the process of trying to get Dollar General upgraded … I’m in the process of trying to get another gas station in there,” he said, adding that further development for new businesses is also underway in the community. Callahan was appointed mayor in 2023 after former mayor Barbara Overton resigned. While Callahan’s

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EDWARDSVILLE - Cross-River Crime Task Force Commander Marcos Pulido announced today that a significant amount of suspected methamphetamine was seized during a recent deployment of the unit. The countywide deployment of the unit, led by Pulido and its Deputy Commanders – Alton Police Capt. Kurtis McCray and Granite City Police Capt. Adam Connor – was conducted on March 12, 2025, with 30 law enforcement officers who are assigned to the Task Force. The Task Force apprehended multiple individuals who were in possession of suspected cocaine and fentanyl, as well as roughly a half-pound of suspected methamphetamine. Charges are pending against those individuals. Multiple fugitives, including one from Missouri, were apprehended. Ten people were arrested on outstanding warrants, which included charges for Weapons Offenses, Drug Offenses, Aggravated Fleeing/Attempting to Elude a Police Officer and Felony Theft. “The ongoing collaboration between our skilled and dedicated law

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EDWARDSVILLE – A new dispensary is hosting its Grand Opening celebration in Edwardsville this weekend. Ivy Hall Dispensary , described as “Illinois’ first Social Equity dispensary brand,” will open the doors to its newest location this Saturday, March 22, 2025, starting at 9 a.m. Located at 6197 Old Alton Edwardsville Road, their business hours will be Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Grand Opening celebration will feature free refreshments from Goshen Coffee, free donuts from Dippidy Donuts, food trucks, and special giveaways. A 25% discount for new customers is just one of the store’s special promotions for the event; free merchandise, discounts on featured products, and bundle deals across certain categories will join other surprise in-store offerings. Conveniently situated near the city and campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, the new

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ALTON - Austin Jones, a freshman at Alton High School, showcased his wrestling skills at the 29th Annual Freshmen and Sophomores Championship Series held in Springfield, Illinois, this past weekend. Competing in the 101-pound weight class, Jones secured an eighth-place finish out of a highly competitive bracket of 32 wrestlers. Jones is an Auto Butler Male Athlete of the Month for the Redbirds. Jones' journey to the state level was marked by notable performances earlier in the season. He achieved a first-place finish at the regional competition and placed third at the sectional for the IWCOA (Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association) State series. His overall record for the freshman year on the Alton Redbirds varsity team was 26-17. "We were very impressed with his finish and proud of all of his accomplishments," Jones' parents said. Jones' achievements highlight his potential as he continues to develop in the sport of wrestling.

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