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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) led Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Assistant Minority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and nine other Democratic colleagues across U.S. Senate Armed Services, Appropriations and Intelligence Committees in demanding that the Department of Defense be transparent with them about the substantial national security and operational risks posed by President Trump’s plan to accept a $400 million aircraft “gift” from the Qatari royal family. In a letter sent to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink last night, the Senators called for answers from the Department of Defense about how it would prevent these national security risks if Donald Trump accepts this gift, and how much taxpayers will have to pay for the extensive upgrades that would need to be made on this unvetted aircraft in order to protect the President, servicemembers and sensitive information from nefarious espionage,

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GRAFTON - Kick back for a weekend of soul stirring blues music during the 15th Annual Grafton Winery Blues Festival Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18, 2025 at Grafton Winery The Vineyards, 21028 Eckert Orchard Rd., Grafton. This free event features the music of regional blues bands at the scenic winery nestled in the hills of Grafton. The Vineyards will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 17 and May 18 serving award-winning Grafton Winery wines, beer and drinks along with a special Blues Festival Menu. No outside food or drinks will be allowed as per state law. The Blues Fest weekend will preview Friday, May 16 with a special event at the Grafton Winery & Brewhaus, 300 W. Main St., Grafton. The Mojo Express Blues Band will perform from 6 to 9 p.m. at the downtown Grafton location. Kicking off the weekend of music on Saturday, May 17 at The Vineyards will be a classic blues band lineup including: Ivas John Band from 1 to 4 p.m. Soulard Blue Band from 5 to 8 p.m. Entertainment

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ROXANA – State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) has released the below statement following the recent complaint from the Illinois Attorney General’s Office and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency against the operators of the Roxana Landfill: “As a result of countless conversations with community leaders and residents, I introduced and passed legislation last year that directly addresses many of the issues now highlighted in the Attorney General’s recent complaint against the Roxana Landfill,” said Senator Erica Harriss. “These newly enacted laws were driven by my commitment to constituent services and by the tireless advocacy of local leaders and community stakeholders who have long pushed for cleaner neighborhoods and safer, healthier communities. I’m grateful to the Attorney General’s Office for taking action and treating these complaints with the seriousness they deserve. This is a big step forward, and I will continue

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ST. LOUIS - Kick off the summer party season with the the iconic Westport Plaza event series - Parties On The Plaza - which is back for summer 2025 and better than ever. The parties will rock Westport Plaza's outdoor event venue on the third Thursday of each month from May through September from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Tonight's party includes music from Dr. Zhivegas, the popular St. Louis-based band rocking the region since 1995. The band is billing 2025 as its final season. The 10,000-square-foot outdoor party venue is located in the middle of the village at Westport Plaza. Equipped with concert staging and sound systems, the venue offers a stellar festival experience. Bar service will be active within the space and Westport's popular restaurants will serve food and beverages on their patios surrounding the space. Guests can play beer pong, bags and other lawn games during the event. Admission to Parties On The Plaza is free. This is a 21+ event. Upcoming Parties On The Plaza include

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Former Blackhawk helicopter pilot and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) and Ranking Member of the Aviation Subcommittee—today pressed top FAA officials on what the agency is doing right now to prevent further failures like the ongoing situation at Newark Airport from happening at other airports across the country, in addition to addressing the urgent need to update our air traffic control systems over the long term. The Senator’s opening statement and questioning can be found on her YouTube . “The deadly DCA crash, spike in near misses and recent air traffic control equipment outages impacting Newark have been terrifying, but they are not surprising,” said Duckworth. “I’ve been sounding the alarm about close calls and aging equipment for years—because the urgent need to overhaul our air traffic control systems, which will

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and 79 Senators welcomed the Senate’s unanimous passage of their resolution designating May 12-17, 2025 as “National Police Week” and reiterating the Senate’s unwavering support for law enforcement officers across the United States. “Every day, our country’s law enforcement officers put their lives at risk to keep us safe. Officers and their families make great sacrifices in the name of service, including the tragic cases of those who have lost their lives in the line of duty. We’re grateful for their heroism, and we must make sure that officers serving with dignity and integrity have the support and resources they need to do their jobs,” Durbin said. “Law enforcement officers in Iowa and across the nation work tirelessly to protect and

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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS - Fairview Heights Police detained a murder suspect during a traffic stop for expired vehicle registration on May 14, 2025. At approximately 3:30 p.m., on Wednesday, May 14, Fairview Heights Police Officer Jacob Marino was on patrol when he observed a silver 2012 Chevrolet Traverse with expired registration. The vehicle was stopped, and the driver, who initially did not have identification, provided a name and date of birth. A records check confirmed the driver held a valid driver’s license under that name. Officer Marino requested a photograph from MECOMM associated with the provided name, which did not match the driver. Upon further inspection, an unsealed bag of cannabis was found in the vehicle, which is illegal in Illinois. The driver was detained and subsequently gave a different name: Joshua W. Jones, age 21. Further investigation revealed that Jones had an outstanding felony warrant for murder (case #23CF1801) from 2023, issued by the City of Madison,

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ALTON – Alton City Hall saw some new and returning elected officials sworn into office at the City Council meeting on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. As the meeting of the old City Council drew to a close, outgoing members expressed their appreciation for fellow city officials – starting with outgoing Third Ward Alderman Raymond Strebel. “I’d like to thank the citizens of Alton,” Strebel said. “I was honored to serve as an alderman and I truly wish only the best for the future of the City of Alton.” Alderman John Meehan and Alderwoman Rosie Brown wished all the best to the outgoing council members, thanking them for their dedication to the city. Mayor David Goins presented a plaque to longtime City Clerk Cheryl Ingle, commemorating her 29 years of service to the City of Alton. “I’m sorry to be going, but I loved working here my whole 29 years, and enjoyed all the departments I worked in and all the people I’ve worked with,”

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ALTON - Brittany Best, BSN RN and Stroke Navigator at OSF Healthcare in Alton, discussed the significance of Stroke Awareness Month on C.J. Nasello's Our Daily Show! and the critical need for recognizing stroke symptoms and seeking immediate care. Best, who recently transitioned to her current role after 12 years working in the emergency room area, emphasized that strokes can occur at any age and remain the fifth leading cause of death and a major cause of long-term disability. “It has been a good change, it has been a good transition,” she said of her new position. She highlighted the importance of the “BE FAST” acronym for identifying stroke symptoms: sudden loss of balance, facial drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulties or slurred speech, and the urgency to call 911 if any of these signs develop. Best noted that symptoms can be one or multiple and stressed, “If you see one, seek attention.” Women face unique risks, with one in five experiencing

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Cedric Gerald, a 48-year-old former principal at Westview Middle School in St. Louis County, faces nine criminal charges related to sexual misconduct involving minors, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday, May 14, 2025. Gerald, who has served as principal since 2023, was arrested and is being held on a $1 million cash-only bond without the option of a 10% payment. Gerald has been charged by the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office with second-degree sexual trafficking of a child under 18 years of age, sexual exploitation of a minor, possession of child pornography, attempted statutory sodomy – person less than 14 years of age, sexual misconduct involving a child under 15, first-degree harassment, sexual contact with a student, and two counts of second-degree statutory sodomy. The St. Louis County Prosecuting Office said there may be additional victims due to the extent of Gerald’s interaction

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ST. LOUIS - The City Of St. Louis Emergency Management Agency will conduct additional siren testing as studies continue toward installing new outdoor warning sirens within the city. The audible siren testing will occur on Thursday, May 15, 2025, beginning at 12:00 p.m. (noon). Sirens will sound once every 30 minutes, and testing could occur for up to four hours. Residents will be notified of the testing through CEMA’s NotifySTL alerts and social media accounts. “This testing will assist with the research necessary to ensure new sirens have the best reach possible to everyone in the City of St. Louis, residents and visitors alike,” said Sarah Russell, Commissioner of the City’s Emergency Management Agency. “The City installed the current Outdoor Warning Siren system 25 years ago, and over that time, the City’s landscape has changed substantially in some areas. The City of St. Louis has allocated $3.9 million toward a replacement system. Upgrading

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ST. LOUIS, MO. – On Thursday, May 15, 2025, Mayor Cara Spencer announced that she is appointing Colonel Benjamin Jonsson as chief operating officer for the City of St. Louis, bringing internationally recognized leadership to the position directly overseeing the city’s operations. “Colonel Ben Jonsson has spent a long career serving our nation in a host of demanding leadership roles in the Middle East and at home,” said Mayor Spencer. “Having a leader of this caliber run City operations is a windfall for St. Louisans. I am immensely grateful to Colonel Jonsson for his service to our nation, and now, our city.” Jonsson has served in the U.S. Air Force for more than 25 years, including at the highest levels of the national security community and international operations. In his final assignment, he served as chief of staff at the Air Mobility Command at Scott Air Force Base since 2023, driving strategic alignment and execution for a 1,300-person globa

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Thursday, May 15, 2025,, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) announced that she worked to secure millions in much needed disaster aid for the City of Springfield and St. Clair County. Specifically, the city was awarded $1,387,003.38 to help address debris removal from severe flooding in the summer of 2023. The grant is awarded through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Budzinski has been a consistent advocate for additional FEMA funding for the federal government to appropriately respond to disasters impacting families across the nation. Additionally, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) announced that Illinois counties impacted by July 2024 storms and flooding, including St. Clair County, are now eligible to apply for FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. IEMA estimates that there will be around $20 million in funding available for all applicants

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GLEN CARBON – Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois is pleased to celebrate the outstanding volunteers who earned awards at our annual Recognition of Excellence ceremony. These volunteers exemplify our mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. President’s Award The President’s Award recognizes the efforts of a service unit team whose exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience surpassed team goals and resulted in significant, measurable impact toward reaching the council’s overall goals. Service Unit 109 – serving the Troy/St. Jacob area Appreciation Pin Award The Appreciation Pin recognizes an individual’s exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. This service, which has had measurable impact on at least one service unit, contributes to expanding the council’s reach and surpassing its mission-delivery

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WOOD RIVER - A fight broke out in the parking lot near East Alton-Wood River High School after graduation on Wednesday night, May 14, 2025, Wood River Police Chief Brad Wells said late in the evening. "A fight broke out between two females in the parking lot after graduation," Chief Wells said. "They knew each other and have had ongoing problems with each other. "One was holding a child. Other acquaintances got involved to give the appearance of a large fight happening. EMS was called to check on the child. No one was transported with any injuries. Everyone was dispersed." No other information was available about the dispute at this time.

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Discover a wide range of exciting events happening across the Riverbend area, from lively music performances and vibrant farmers' markets to engaging workshops and family-friendly festivals, there's something to captivate everyone. For a complete listing of upcoming events, visit https://www.riverbender.com/events/ . Featured City of Troy - 2025 Spring City/Village Wide Garage Sales is happening on May 16 & 17 from 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM. This event offers a fantastic opportunity to explore a variety of items ranging from furniture and collectibles to everyday essentials across the city of Troy. It's a perfect chance for bargain hunters and treasure seekers alike to find great deals throughout the city. For those interested in participating, registration for addresses and an interactive map are available. More information can be found by visiting www.troymaryvillecoc.com, emailing info@troymaryvillecoc.com, or calling 618-667-8769. Village of Marine - 2025 Spring City/Village Wide

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EDWARDSVILLE/ALTON — Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced Wednesday that a jury found a defendant guilty of aggravated discharge of a firearm for firing shots at two homes in Alton, nearly striking a child. The jury deliberated about two hours Wednesday before finding Rondell L. Sanders, 32, of Alton guilty of two counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm and one count of obstructing justice. The trial began Monday. Evidence and testimony showed that Sanders had been involved in a feud with an individual who was residing at a home on Belle Street. That home and a neighboring home were struck by gunfire on May 22, 2024. The shots were fired from a vehicle. No one was injured, but some of the bullets nearly struck a 3- 3-year-old child who was inside one of the homes. While Alton Police were at the scene gathering evidence from the roadway, a suspect vehicle drove around the police barricades and through the crime scene. Police pursued the vehicle and apprehended

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ALTON – The Alton City Council gave final approval Wednesday night for an agreement to lay the groundwork for the next home of Germania Brew Haus in Alton. Under the agreement between the City of Alton and G1 Germania Brew Haus LLC, the city has agreed to reimburse Germania for up to $75,000 worth of redevelopment costs for the site at 700 E. Broadway. This amount would be paid using Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds. The full scope of the project includes site excavation, grading, paving, and utility installation. Under the terms of the agreement, Germania agrees to have this work completed within one year, now that the agreement has been officially approved and executed. Germania Owner Carolyn Brynildsen announced in March that the beloved local coffee shop would be moving from its original location at 617 E. Broadway, which remains open until the new location is built. The next Brew Haus will feature a dedicated drive-thru, rooftop seating, and all-season patio seating

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WOOD RIVER — The Wood River Police Department held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday afternoon, May 14, 2025, to open a new walking trail around the police department property and to dedicate a new police memorial, coinciding with National Police Week. Wood River Police Chief Brad Wells said the timing was intentional, noting that “this week would be the perfect week” to unveil the trail and memorial. The walking trail, approximately half a mile long, was funded by a grant from the Agency for Community Transit and offers residents a safe place to walk. The new police memorial, located outside the Wood River Police Department, honors five officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. Among those commemorated is Police Chief Samuel Thompson, who was shot and killed on Dec. 6, 1912, while attempting to arrest a man threatening his employer near Ferguson Avenue and Second Street. Despite being mortally wounded, Thompson returned fire and killed the suspect. H

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EDWARDSVILLE – Residents from around the Riverbend and beyond have been charged in separate cases with unlawful possession of weapons. Nicholas A. Simpson, 21, of Granite City, was charged on May 9, 2025 with unlawful possession of a stolen firearm (a Class 2 felony) and aggravated unlawful possession of weapons (a Class 4 felony). On May 9, 2025, Simpson allegedly possessed a Glock 17 9mm pistol which he reportedly knew was stolen. His possession of the weapon was unlawful as the gun was “uncased, loaded, and immediately accessible at the time of the offense,” court documents state; Simpson also had no valid Firearm Owners’ Identification (FOID) card. Simpson’s case was presented by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, and he was granted pretrial release from custody. Jacob Silva, 18, of Edwardsville, was charged in a separate case filed on May 6, 2025 with a Class 4 felony count of possession of a firearm within five years of admission in a

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