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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt championed a newly signed law to ensure taking time off work to donate an organ doesn’t put workers’ livelihoods at risk. “This is deeply personal to me,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “I received a lifesaving kidney transplant, so I know firsthand that donations save lives. This law removes barriers for people who are willing to step forward and give that gift.” The law allows eligible part-time workers to take up to 10 days of leave in a 12-month period to serve as organ donors. For part-time employees receiving compensation for their donation, employers must pay them based on their average daily pay over the previous two months of employment. Currently, part-time workers often do not receive the same workplace protections as full-time employees. Belt’s law ensures that all eligible workers, no matter how many hours a week they work, can take time to donate an organ without risking their job o

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Did you know that the average household spends nearly 30% more on energy bills during the colder months? Preparing your home thoughtfully for the change in season can significantly reduce these costs and enhance your comfort. Beyond just adjusting the thermostat, there are strategic steps that make your living space more efficient, cozy, and ready for the months ahead. Assessing Your Home’s Energy Efficiency One of the most impactful ways to prepare for fall is by examining your home’s energy efficiency. Heat loss through poorly insulated windows, doors, and attic spaces can drive up heating costs and create uncomfortable drafts. Key Actions: Inspect seals and weatherstripping: Check around windows and doors for gaps or cracks. Replacing old weatherstripping or applying caulking can prevent warm air from escaping and cold air from entering. Evaluate insulation levels: Attics and basements often need additional insulation. According to the U.S. Department of Energy

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August 19 marks a pivotal day in global history, featuring moments of political transformation, cultural milestones, and scientific breakthroughs that have shaped the world as we know it. Moving back in time, August 19 holds significance in the realm of exploration and adventure. In 1934, the first solo nonstop transpacific flight was completed by Clyde Pangborn and Hugh Herndon, who successfully flew from Japan to the United States. This daring feat pushed the boundaries of aviation and inspired future generations of pilots and explorers to venture further and achieve the seemingly impossible. In 1692, the last group of accused witches were released from jail in Salem, Massachusetts, ending one of the darkest chapters in early American history marked by hysteria and injustice. The Salem witch trials have since become a cautionary tale about the dangers of mass hysteria and the importance of due process. Sports enthusiasts will appreciate that on August 19, 1939, the Baseball Hall

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STAUNTON — Brandon S. Hornback, 43, of Moro was arrested on July 8 for felony retail theft after allegedly stealing more than $300 worth of merchandise from Duda Ace Hardware in Staunton. According to the complaint, Hornback took a pin nailer and batteries with a total value exceeding $300. The charges were formally filed on August 11. He has been released from custody awaiting trail. Hornback has a criminal history that includes a 2008 sentence of four years in the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) for felony forgery and an eight-year sentence in 2018 for aggravated robbery, both from Whiteside County. He also faces several open felony cases in Madison County. All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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WOOD RIVER – Wood River City Council members on Monday unanimously approved an agreement to transform a Wood River Avenue building into a mixed-use development. Matt Pfund, president of Jack Matthews Development (JMD), has presented a concept plan to renovate the former NAPA Auto Parts building at 87 E. Ferguson Ave into a two-story development for both residential and commercial use. In a letter to City Manager Steve Palen about the potential redevelopment project, Pfund notes the building currently suffers from a falling roof structure and water infiltration, which he states has caused “major structural damage.” Under the JMD concept plan, the building’s roof would be removed entirely and a new, two-story structure would be built within the footprint of its four exterior walls. The building’s first floor would house one large commercial storefront facing Ferguson Ave. and five smaller commercial units along N. 1st St.; the second story would feature

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CHICAGO — It was a weekend to remember for two Illinois Lottery players, each walking away with life-changing prizes. One lucky online player scored a record-breaking $1,551,431 jackpot playing Illinois Super Jackpot – the largest prize ever won in the game’s history. Illinois Super Jackpot is a $20 progressive Fast Play game. The jackpot starts at $50,000 and grows with each ticket sold statewide, both in-store and online, until the jackpot is won. So far in 2025, nearly 303,000 winning tickets have been sold for the Illinois Super Jackpot, awarding over $15.7 million in total prizes to Illinois Lottery players. There are currently more than 25 FastPlay games offered at various price points and play styles. Players can download the Illinois Lottery app to see the most up-to-date jackpots. The second big winner of the weekend came from Sunday’s Lucky Day Lotto midday drawing on August 17 . One player matched all five numbers — 3-8-15-16-39

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Municipal Band will present its final concert of the summer season on Thursday, August 21 at 7:30 p.m. at the Cleaon Etzkorn Bandstand in City Park. The program, titled Echoes of an Era, celebrates the sounds of rock, pop, and film music that helped define a generation. The first half of the concert will feature music from artists such as Elton John, Elvis Presley, and Henry Mancini, along with a lively salute to the early days of rock and roll. For the second half, the band will welcome a special guest group, the Abbey Road Warriors, a local Beatles tribute band. Together, the two groups will present an exciting collaboration that brings the timeless music of The Beatles to life in a unique setting. Concessions will be provided by the Edwardsville High School Band Boosters, with proceeds supporting scholarships created in memory of Oliver Knapp, a dedicated EHS percussionist whose passion for music continues to inspire young musicians. The evening

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PIERRON – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that lane closures on Illinois 143 near Pierron in Bond County will begin today, Aug. 18. Flaggers will maintain two-way traffic. These closures are needed to allow for pavement rehabilitation work, which is expected to be completed by early September, weather permitting. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this closure. 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 map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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ST. LOUIS – Today, Mayor Cara Spencer shared with the public the full external report into the immediate response to the May 16 tornado, completed independently by the law firm Carmody MacDonald. Mayor Spencer called for an external investigation to ensure clarity and transparency on what caused the failure to activate the City’s outdoor warning sirens before the tornado, as well as any other shortcomings in the City’s immediate response. After a search for an outside entity to take on this work, Carmody MacDonald, a law firm that houses significant investigatory experience, including several former prosecutors, was chosen and began its investigation in early July, at which point the City turned over all files it had gathered during the initial internal investigation. Carmody MacDonald reviewed those files but conducted its own interviews, document reviews and site visits. The report was completed on Aug. 15 and is now being shared with the public in full. “When

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JERSEY - Jovee Hileman, graduating 2025 senior from Jersey Community High School, concluded her school year in May by earning the highest band awards for a senior. The John Phillip Sousa Award recognizes the top student in the band program and the Louis Armstrong Award honors the top student in the Jazz program. Jovee began playing the trumpet in 5th grade at Jersey Community Middle School and switched to the French horn in the 6th grade when JCMS Band Director Waylon Schroeder encouraged her and some of Jovee's classmates to audition for the Alton Youth Symphony. “My participation in the Alton Youth Symphony was extremely beneficial to my success in high school. The experience made me more familiar with different styles of conducting and I was able to read and play more advanced music.” says Jovee. In high school, the music program gave Jovee a tight network of friends and her dedication and hard work paid off. Jovee will be attending Maryville University this fall to

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TROY – The final First Fridays event of the season is set for Friday, September 5, from 5:00–8:00 p.m. in Downtown Troy. Guests can enjoy an evening filled with live music, local eats, refreshing drinks, and community shopping as Market & Main transforms into a lively destination for all ages. This month’s featured entertainment is The Dude Abides Duo, bringing a fun mix of music that will keep the crowd entertained throughout the evening. Attendees will find plenty of delicious dining options with Spud Shack Food Truck, Takozz, Slabs on the Curb, Franko’s Hot Dogs & Bratz, Polar Paradise, Zanny Popz Frozen Treats, and Washington Kettle Corn all serving up crowd favorites. The fun doesn’t stop there—local establishments will also be on hand with drink specials, including The Wine Diva Pop Up Bar, The Balanced Bee, Time Out Bar & Grill, The Happy Elephant, Kokomo Joe’s, and VFW Post 976. Guests are encouraged to explore the Market

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SUMMERFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced a long-term detour on Highway 50 in St. Clair and Clinton counties for bridge repairs. The closure affects Highway 50 in both directions from approximately 2.4 miles east of Lebanon, near Summerfield in St. Clair County, to Illinois 160 in Clinton County. The detour is needed to complete necessary bridge repairs over Summerfield Road and is expected to remain in place through fall 2026. Detour routes: Eastbound Highway 50 traffic will be detoured onto Old Highway 50 at the split with Highway 50. Traffic will continue east along Old Highway 50 to Illinois 160, then north on Illinois 160 to rejoin Highway 50. Westbound Highway 50 traffic will be detoured at Illinois 160, heading south to the intersection with Old Highway 50, then west on Old Highway 50 to return to Highway 50. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this closure. Drivers are urged

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County police are investigating a homicide that occurred Sunday afternoon in the 200 block of Carrington Lane. Officers from the South County Precinct responded at 4:28 p.m. Aug. 17, 2025, to a report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, they found an adult male suffering from life-threatening stab wounds. The victim was transported to a nearby hospital but later died from his injuries. The deceased has been identified as 39-year-old Derrick Merit, a resident of the 200 block of Carrington Lane in St. Louis. A 15-year-old suspect was taken into custody and is being held by St. Louis County Family Court on charges of second-degree murder and armed criminal action. The St. Louis County Police Department Bureau of Crimes Against Persons is leading the ongoing investigation.

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ALTON - Rosetta Brown announced her candidacy for Illinois State Representative in District 111, signaling her intention to represent the district at the state level. The announcement was made recently on her newly created Facebook page, "Rosetta 'Rosie' Brown candidate for Illinois State Representative." Brown is presently an Alton Alderwoman for Ward 4. Brown said her mission is to bring a unified approach to the district, which includes cities such as Alton, East Alton, Godfrey, Bethalto, and Wood River, and more. “My experience that I have gained from being an alderwoman has given me the passion to continue to listen to the people, their needs, and respond to their needs,” Brown said. She emphasized her goal to ensure fairness across the cities in District 111, noting that while some cities are flourishing, others are not. “I want to make it fair across the board, fighting for all," she said. Her campaign platform will focus on economic revitalization

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GODFREY - As the school year starts, a local pediatric nurse practitioner shares her tips on how to make the back-to-school season seamless for you and your kiddo. Lori Balchik, APRN, works in Godfrey at OSF Medical Group. In a recent interview on “Our Daily Show!” with CJ Nasello , she spoke about how to handle bullying, allergies and other concerns as kids return to school, and she reminded parents that providers like her are in your corner. “You’re not parenting alone. Everybody is doing this as a community, and we’re all together,” Balchik said. “Take it in stride. All of us providers are there for you.” Balchik encouraged caregivers to schedule their kids’ well exams and sports physicals several weeks in advance. She suggested talking to your kids about appropriate touch and inappropriate touch and describing what will happen at a physical in order to minimize anxiety. She also noted that several immunizations

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EDWARDSVILLE - Here are the next round of featured artists for the upcoming Edwardsville Arts Fair at Edwardsville City Park on Sept. 26-28, 2025. Today, the featured artists are Greg Kluempers, Yuliya and Ari Wolf and Brian Viamontes. Artist #1: Greg Kluempers Medium: Photography Artist Statement: "My work explores the relationship of light, textures, and forms captured during my journeys of discovery. I have no qualms with adding or deleting features to complete the story of the photograph." - Kluempers said. Website Artist #2: Yuliya & Ari Wolf – Wolf Leathers Medium: Textiles Artist Statement: "My work stems from a passion for leather and color. Oil-tanned leather gets tanned in batches called 'mills.' In a mill, a handful of hides will get rejected for not meeting required specifications from the buyer. My process starts with these rejected hides. Thousands of hides gather, from which colorful hides from different mills are pulled specifically

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JERSEYVILLE – When the Illinois Treasurer’s Office announced the winners of the 2025 statewide “Cream of the Crop” photo contest , JCHS Sophomore Hope Lybarger didn’t expect to see her name on the list. After securing third place in the 11-14 age bracket and a $250 scholarship, she’s encouraging others to take a chance like she did. “I was incredibly surprised,” Lybarger said. “I didn't think my picture would win at all, so when I learned that I placed third, I was very shocked.” Lybarger’s winning entry, titled “Evening Snack,” depicts her grandparents’ 14-year-old Belgian Draft horse named Charlotte snacking on some hay. Lybarger said she was simply looking for something on the farm that would capture people’s attention – and Charlotte clearly got the attention of the contest judges. Photography is a growing area of interest for Lybarger, who has been practicing her craft since last

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GRANITE CITY – Legislation sponsored by State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) and State Representative Amy Elik (111th-Alton) to modernize and improve the operations of the America’s Central Port District has been signed into law. House Bill 2139 , introduced at the request of the Port District, delivers greater flexibility, accountability, and efficiency to one of Illinois’ most critical economic hubs. The bill updates decades-old provisions in the America’s Central Port District Act, aligning the law with modern financial and operational practices. “This legislation is a win for both taxpayers and the region’s economic future,” said Sen. Harriss. “It strengthens fiscal safeguards, improves efficiency, and allows the Port to better meet today’s infrastructure and commerce needs.” “This is about keeping our Port District competitive while ensuring transparency and responsibility,” said Rep. Elik. “These

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SPRINGFIELD – Governor JB Pritzker, on Friday, August 15, signed legislation that the state’s clean water advocates are hailing as a significant step forward in tackling the growing threat of toxic water pollution. Sponsored by Senator Julie Morrison and Representative Abdelnasser Rashid, HB2516 phases out the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), aka "forever chemicals," in the manufacturing of children's products, cosmetics, intimate apparel such as sleepwear or underwear, menstrual products, and dental floss by 2032. PFAS have emerged as a serious environmental and public health threat due to their persistence and widespread contamination. These manufactured chemicals, widely utilized in consumer and industrial products since World War II, are now linked to alarming levels of contamination in drinking water supplies and health risks ranging from cancers to liver toxicity to reduced fertility. Used in a range of everyday products like water-repellant apparel,

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WASHINGTON — American lawmakers are using a trip to South Korea and Japan to explore how the United States can tap those allies’ shipbuilding expertise and capacity to help boost its own capabilities , which are dwarfed by those of China. Sens. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., and Andy Kim, D-N.J., who are scheduled to land in Seoul on Sunday before traveling to Japan, plan to meet top shipbuilders from the world’s second- and third-largest shipbuilding countries. The senators want to examine the possibilities of forming joint ventures to construct and repair noncombatant vessels for the U.S. Navy in the Indo-Pacific and bring investments to American shipyards. “We already have fewer capacity now than we did during Operation Iraqi Freedom” in 2003, Duckworth told The Associated Press. “We have to rebuild the capacity. At the same time, what capacity we have is aging and breaking down and taking longer and more expensive to fix.” Their trip comes

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