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BELLEVILLE — Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) has announced that Lisa Quandt, a special education teacher from Belleville, will be her guest at President Trump’s Joint Address on March 4, 2025. This invitation comes at a time of heightened scrutiny and criticism of the U.S. public education system, particularly in light of proposed budget cuts by the Trump administration. Lisa Quandt, who has dedicated 32 years to education and is a member of the Illinois Federation of Teachers Chapter 434, began her career as a full-time substitute teacher at Belleville West High School. She later transitioned to a full-time role in the special education department, where she focuses on supporting students with emotional and behavioral disabilities. Quandt also coaches the varsity cheer team and sponsors several extracurricular programs, including the National Honor Society and Student Council. Rep. Budzinski's announcement aligns with the American Federation of Teachers' "Protect

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ST. CHARLES COUNTY, MO. - A two-vehicle crash on U.S. 67 south of Red School Road in St. Charles County resulted in a fatality at 2:20 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. The incident involved a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado and a 2005 Mack tractor, both traveling northbound at the time of the collision. According to the crash report, the driver of the Chevrolet Silverado, a 61-year-old male from Berkeley, Mo., was attempting to make a left turn when he applied the brakes. The driver of the Mack tractor, a 71-year-old male from Pacific, Mo., reportedly struck the rear of the Silverado. The impact resulted in the Silverado being towed away due to total damage. Emergency responders arrived on the scene, and the driver of the Silverado was pronounced dead at 2:48 p.m. on Feb. 26, 2025, by Dr. Melissa Kroll from Washington University Hospital. He was transported by the St. Louis County Medical Examiner to the St. Louis County Morgue. The driver of the Mack tractor was unharmed and was able to

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ALTON - Lori Bregenzer loves food. That’s why she decided to open Comfort Cuisine at 4 East Broadway in Alton, a kitchen that sells takeaway homecooked meals that people can heat and eat. Bregenzer has a lot of projects in the oven, and she is excited to serve up Mardi Gras specials and a new podcast in the coming weeks. “I’m always, always thinking about food,” Bregenzer said. “I wake up thinking about what I’m going to eat for dinner tonight. So it’s kind of a natural thing for me.” Comfort Cuisine opened last year to provide homecooked meals to the Riverbend region. Community members can stop by and pick up that week’s entree to take home, reheat and enjoy. Bregenzer also offers lunchbox options, a weekly sandwich special that is perfect for the busy worker or on-the-go family. Lunchboxes come with either potato chips or salad and “a taste of dessert.” She recently started serving reheatable breakfast

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CAHOKIA HEIGHTS - The Major Case Squad was activated on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, to assist the Cahokia Heights Police Department in the investigation of the shooting death of 15-year-old Charles E. Jones. Over a five-day period, 14 investigators pursued more than 80 leads related to the case. The shooting incidents occurred between 6:15 p.m. and 7 p.m. in a neighborhood behind Rally’s, located in the 1600 block of Camp Jackson Road in Cahokia Heights. According to investigators, the initial altercation took place at the intersection of Kenneth Avenue and Armand Drive. Two males, an 18-year-old and 21-year-old Dontae Jackson, were walking along the roadway when a white Nissan Maxima approached. The vehicle slowed down, leading to an exchange of gunfire between the occupants of the Nissan and one of the pedestrians. After the Nissan fled the scene, the two pedestrians returned to a residence in the 100 block of Lazarcheff. During the incident, Jones, a rear-seat passenger in the

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COLLINSVILLE – A man from East St. Louis faces a felony after burglarizing a White Castle restaurant in Collinsville. Ernest F. Jones, 57, of East St. Louis, was charged on Feb. 20, 2025 with a Class 2 felony count of burglary. Jones allegedly entered the White Castle in Collinsville unlawfully and without authority on June 6, 2024, “with the intent to commit therein a theft,” according to court documents. The case against Jones was presented by the Collinsville Police Department, and he was granted pretrial release from custody. All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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ALTON – A woman from Alton was charged with escape after failing to turn herself in as legally required. Anita S. Ward, 46, of Alton, was charged with a Class 3 felony count of escape on Feb. 20, 2024. Ward allegedly failed to return from furlough and report for periodic imprisonment by Feb. 20, as ordered on Feb. 5. Ward had been sentenced to a five-year term in the Illinois Department of Corrections for two previous criminal cases from 2023, according to a petition to deny her pretrial release. Ward was charged in one case with identity theft and in another case with possession of a fraudulent driver’s license “The Defendant was ordered to turn herself in to the Madison County Jail on Feb. 20, 2025 by 9:30 a.m.,” the petition states. “The Defendant failed to do so by the time and date issued by an Order of the Court.” The Madison County Sheriff’s Office presented the latest case against, Ward, who was remanded to jail for her initial

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CHICAGO - As tickets for spring and summer tours, festivals and sporting events begin to go on sale, Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued guidance to help residents avoid common ticket scams. Raoul cautioned that buying tickets from a third-party vendor or private party increases the risk of fraud and often the total cost. Raoul also warned residents to avoid paying for tickets with anything other than a credit card, if possible, which offers additional protections should a sale be fraudulent. “The proliferation of smart phones and online marketplaces have fundamentally changed the way many tickets are purchased for concerts, sports and other entertainment events,” Raoul said. “While the emergence of smart technology has simplified our lives, bad actors use that same technology to take advantage of consumers. I encourage all Illinoisans to be vigilant when purchasing tickets to avoid falling victim to scammers.” Raoul encouraged individuals to consider the

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SPRINGFIELD - On Wednesday, the Illinois Auditor General released the results of an audit of the Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors and Adults program, which showed that the State of Illinois has already spent over $1.6 billion in taxpayer funds on health benefits for illegal immigrants. Assistant Republican Leader C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Murrayville) called the audit findings shocking and again demanded that the State immediately end the massively expensive program. “As the chief sponsor of House Bill 1456 to end taxpayer-funded health benefits for illegal immigrants, I already knew that this program was running way over the initial cost estimates,” Rep. Davidsmeyer said. “But even I was shocked by audit findings that showed cost overruns of up to 286 percent higher than the Pritzker administration’s initial estimates. At a time when our State is facing a multi-billion-dollar budget deficit, we simply cannot afford to spend over $1.6 billion on this giveaway

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During respiratory illness season there a more graphic, yet shorter-lasting virus making the rounds especially among kids: Norovirus. What is Norovirus? "Norovirus is a viral infection, most people refer to it as the stomach flu. But it's a distinctly different virus than influenza," says Doug Kasper, MD, an infectious disease specialist with OSF HealthCare. "It's acquired by contact, meaning you touch it. Then it gets from outside your body, usually in through your mouth, and then into your GI (gastrointestinal) system." Norovirus symptoms and concerns "Symptoms usually come on very quickly. Roughly a day or two after exposure, the person will notice gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, abdominal pain, bloating pain, gas and diarrhea," Dr. Kasper says. "Most people that don't have an immuno-compromised history, the symptoms will pass in 2-3 days. It can be a much bigger problem in people who are chronically ill. It leads to dehydration and low food intake. So, if someone

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BETHALTO - Civic Memorial High School will join the Cahokia Athletic Conference. During their regular meeting on Feb. 27, 2025, the Bethalto Community Unit School District #8 Board of Education unanimously approved the decision to join the conference, effective for the 2026–2027 school year. Derek Jarman, CM’s incoming athletic director, expressed his excitement about the decision. “I think it’s great for our kids, great for our programs,” he said. “All of our kids and coaches are pretty excited about it.” Jarman gave a presentation explaining the benefits of joining the conference during the Feb. 27 Board of Education meeting. He noted that CM will be in the Mississippi division, alongside Jersey, Waterloo, Freeburg, Breese-Central and Columbia. Civic Memorial will also compete against East Alton-Wood River High School and Roxana High School during the football season. These schools are all comparable in size and academics. Jarman

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Did you know that women hold only about 28% of the computing jobs in the United States, despite accounting for nearly half of the overall workforce? This stark statistic not only highlights a significant gender disparity but also underscores the critical need for greater female representation in a field that shapes virtually every aspect of modern life. As we move further into an era dominated by technology, understanding the vital role women play—and can play—in the tech industry becomes essential. Breaking Barriers: A Historical Perspective The journey of women in technology is woven into the very fabric of the industry’s history. Pioneers like Ada Lovelace, often regarded as the first computer programmer, and Grace Hopper, who developed the first compiler, set the stage for future generations. Despite these early contributions, the tech world has largely been male-dominated, especially during the explosive growth of the industry in the late 20th century. However,

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Welcome to This Day in History! Today, we dive into the remarkable events that have taken place on February 28th throughout the years. **The Most Impactful Global Event: The Signing of the Treaty of Paris (1763)** On this day in 1763, the Treaty of Paris was signed, marking the end of the Seven Years' War, a conflict that involved most of the great powers of the time. The treaty was a monumental moment in history, reshaping the geopolitical landscape of North America and Europe. Great Britain emerged as a dominant colonial power, acquiring Canada from France and Florida from Spain, while France ceded control of Louisiana to Spain. This event not only changed the territorial boundaries but also set the stage for future conflicts and the eventual American Revolution. **A Step Forward in Science: The Discovery of the Structure of DNA (1953)** On February 28, 1953, James Watson and Francis Crick announced their discovery of the double helix structure of DNA, a breakthrough that

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ALTON – Members of the public gathered at Alton City Hall on Thursday night for an open house event on potentially building a permanent flood wall in downtown Alton. Early on, attendees seemed to express confusion as it became apparent there would be no formal presentation – nor any opportunity to vocally express comments or concerns. Instead, poster boards showing various diagrams of the proposed flood wall were put on display in the City Council chambers. Rather than allowing public comments as in a typical city meeting, paper “Public Comment Sheets” were provided for the public to submit written responses. “This is such a waste of time!” one attendee shouted before nearly storming out, then returning to submit a written comment. Despite there being no formal presentation, the Alton Riverfront Advisory Commission prepared a slideshow presentation outlining the scope of the flooding problem and proposed solutions. Their presentation, and many

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On Feb. 18, 1925, Raymond Silkwood received an invitation to visit the home of his (supposed) friend William Clark to get a haircut. Silkwood’s hair was getting a little too long and ragged, so he accepted. Silkwood, a junk wagon driver, lived in a shanty boat on the Hartford riverbank, and Clark lived in a tent next door. Silkwood sat down in a chair in the tent expecting a standard scissor haircut when the “volunteer barber” suddenly reached for a hand axe. He struck Silkwood on the back of the head, rendering him unconscious, and stole 60 cents out of his pockets. Clark’s mother and stepfather were away from home at the time of the haircut but found the injured Silkwood there later. The Wood River police were notified and asked the Alton police to be on the lookout for Clark. The police found Clark in a shanty boat along the willows on the Alton riverfront, arrested him, and took him to the Alton jail. They later transferred him to Wood River police

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) is taking action to address one of the most pressing concerns for Illinois families. Standing alongside her colleagues at the Capitol, Senator Harriss emphasized the urgent need for property tax relief and introduced legislation aimed at easing the financial burden on homeowners and seniors. “If you ask my constituents what’s on their minds, the answer is almost always the same—property taxes,” said Senator Harriss. “Families across Illinois are feeling the weight of rising costs, and it’s important that we provide meaningful solutions to help keep people in their homes.” As an advocate for lower taxes, Senator Harriss has filed legislation to bring tax relief to Illinois families. Senate Bill 2086 : this bill raises the income eligibility for the Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption to $75,000 and ties future increases to inflation. Senate Bill

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ALTON – OSF HealthCare Rehabilitation Services in Alton will be holding its monthly Lymphedema education meeting on Thursday, March 6. Riverbend region residents are invited to join the OSF Lymphedema Therapy Team for this free educational session about Lymphedema and meet other people with Lymphedema. The March Lymphedema education meeting will be held: Thursday, March 6, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. OSF HealthCare Rehabilitation Services 228 Alton Square Mall, Alton, IL Enter the Rehab office from the upper mall parking lot, facing Alby Street, under the "OSF HEALTHCARE" sign Interested individuals should direct questions or requests for additional information to OSF Rehabilitation Services at (618) 463-5171. Lymphedema refers to tissue swelling caused by an accumulation of fluid that is usually drained by the body's lymphatic system. Some Lymphedema facts include: It most commonly affects the arms or legs, but it can also occur in the face, neck, or trunk.

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SPRINGFIELD - State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) is taking action to strengthen the skilled trade workforce in Illinois. House Bill 3807 creates the Illinois Trades Retention and Development Encouragement (ITRADE) Grant Program. The purpose of the bill is to promote a rewarding career in Illinois by specializing in a skilled trade. Rep. Schmidt says there is high demand for trade workers in Illinois and the state needs to invest more into growing our economy by supporting this legislation. “Many students decide to attend a technical school after graduating high school and this bill promotes the skilled trade industry and helps eligible students receive scholarships funds to pursue a degree or certificate from a qualified technical school in Illinois,” said Rep. Schmidt. “It’s important every student has the opportunity to excel in a career after graduating high school, and this bill is aimed to do just that.” The Illinois Student Assistance

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ALTON - Megan Tyler has always been dedicated to helping the Alton community feel better. Tyler, one of the YWCA’s ten 2025 Women of Distinction, will be honored at the Y’s annual gala for her commitment to the community. She is the founder of Sacred Spaces of CARE , a nonprofit that combats mental health and substance use disorders by working with unhoused populations, the Alton Police Department, and folks in crisis. “It’s just a moment to be grateful for the fact that I’m allowed to be in this space because of those that came before us,” Tyler said. “Based on my background experience and also individuals that are close to me, family, friends, loved ones who have either had different mental health challenges or struggled with active addiction, suicide, things related to trauma — I decided to launch Sacred and just felt like it was something that was needed in the community.” Before devoting her time to Sacred Spaces

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HARDIN - The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office would like to announce to the community that they have implemented a Body-Worn Camera Program, and all officers are now equipped and utilizing body cameras. Beginning on January 1, 2025, all Law Enforcement Officers in the State of Illinois are mandated to wear body cameras, while on duty and in uniform; which was one of the provisions of House Bill 3656, also known as the SAFE-T Act. The Calhoun Sheriff's Office began preparing for this mandate when the bill became law in 2021, and secured money through a US Department of Justice grant to pay for the program. The sherif's office received our equipment and began training and utilizing them by the end of 2024. The department is utilizing the Axon 4 Body-Worn Camera; which is the latest and most up-to-date camera available. Axon is the nationwide leader in body-worn cameras and tasers. Body cameras are a valuable asset intended to assist officers in the prosecution of offenders by

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul charged a Goreville, Illinois man for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor, as well as producing and disseminating child sexual abuse material. The case is part of Raoul’s ongoing work, in collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies and local law enforcement officials throughout Illinois, to apprehend offenders who download and trade child sexual abuse material online. The Attorney General’s office charged Anthony Mallet, 37, in Johnson County Circuit Court with two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a minor, two counts of production of child pornography and five counts of dissemination of child pornography, which are all Class X felonies punishable by up to 30 years in prison, Sentences are ultimately determined by the court. Mallett is currently detained at the Johnson County Jail, and his next court date is scheduled for April 9. “The trauma experienced by survivors of child exploitation and

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