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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) Co-Chair of the Senate Baltic Freedom Caucus, met with Speakers of the Baltic countries and their ambassadors to discuss continued efforts to strengthen U.S. security cooperation with the Baltics, support Ukraine, and defend against increasing Russian and Chinese belligerence. Durbin was joined by U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ). The Senators met with Lauri Hussar, President of the Riigikogu of Estonia; Daiga Mierina, Speaker of Saeima of Latvia; Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen, Speaker of Seimas of Lithuania; Kristjan Prikk, Ambassador of Estonia to the U.S.; Maris Selga, Ambassador of Latvia to the U.S.; and Audra Plepyte, Ambassador of Lithuania to the U.S. “Not only do I have strong personal ties to the region, but the Baltic countries are essential NATO partners in upholding democratic values and transatlantic security,” said Durbin. “The Baltics are among Ukraine’s

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COLLINSVILLE - Senior forward Olivia Kolnsberg returned in earnest to the lineup for the Edwardsville girls basketball team on Jan. 30, making a good contribution to the Tigers' 60-26 win over Collinsville at Vergil Fletcher Gym. Kolnsberg had been out due to an upper-body injury she suffered in practice back in December, returning against the Kahoks, and although she didn't score, helped with the defensive play, which has been very good in recent games, also being a point of emphasis with head coach Bryan Young. It all came together against Collinsville, as the Tigers held the Kahoks to one of their lowest point totals of the season, and dominated in the second and third quarters to take the win. Kohlsberg is a Johnston Law Firm Female Athlete of the Month for the Tigers. In her post-game interview, Kolnsberg felt happy to be back on the floor and helping her teammates in the win. "I just think tonight was a really good win, and we needed it, definitely, with the postseason coming

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EAST ST. LOUIS – In 2023, the Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 6 Public Safety Enforcement Group (PSEG) increased the clearance rate for homicide cases in East St. Louis by 29% over 2022. ISP made arrests, had charges filed, and turned cases over to the courts in 67% of its homicide cases in East St. Louis last year, compared to 44% in both 2022 and 2021. PSEG also worked with the Division of Patrol Troop 8 and the South Special Operations Group (SOG) to seize almost 500 guns and almost 200 pounds of illegal drugs from Metro East streets. “The work our PSEG agents are doing in East St. Louis increased the homicide clearance rate in 2023 to a level never seen before,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly . “In the Metro East area alone, ISP agents and officers made hundreds of arrests resulting in thousands of criminal charges in 2023. ISP remains committed to making Metro East communities safer.” In 2023, ISP established

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EAST ALTON - Wieland released some additional information and comments from Wieland CEO Dr. Erwin Mayr, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Greg Keown, President of Wieland Rolled Products North America Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, about its upcoming landmark expansion. On January 17, 2024, Wieland, a leading global supplier of high-quality copper and copper alloy solutions, announced its plans to make a landmark $500 million capital investment to re-equip, expand, and modernize its facility located in East Alton, Illinois. The investment is subject to the approval of state and local incentives. The comprehensive expansion project intended in East Alton, signifies Wieland’s commitment to technological advancement, long-term sustainability, and its extensive and valued customer base in North America. The project includes the installation of an additional state-of-the-art hot rolling mill that will allow Wieland to increase and improve its production of critical copper and copper alloy component

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ALTON - The City of Alton announced on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, that it is planning improvements to Fosterburg Road from Culp Lane north to the south end of the center concrete median 825 feet south of Illinois Route 255. This project will include widening and resurfacing to add a center two-way left turn lane and paved shoulders like the pavement south of Culp Lane. This project is being funded by a grant through the federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) program which targets projects that can reduce congestion and improve air quality. The amount of the grant is $1,985,000. The main feature that qualified this project for funding is the proposed left turn lanes at the intersection of Fosterburg Road with Harris Lane and Prince Road. “Our city road improvements aren’t just about asphalt and concrete," Alton Mayor David Goins said. "These improvements are about building better connections regionally, enhancing safety, and fostering economic growth within

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ST. LOUIS - Two men from St. Louis have been charged in separate cases with aggravated unlawful use of weapons in Venice after illegally carrying firearms on Christmas Eve 2023, according to Madison County court documents. Christopher M. Ussery, 37, of St. Louis, was charged with aggravated unlawful use of weapons and aggravated attempting to elude a peace officer on Dec. 24, 2023. Ussery allegedly carried a Glock 19 9mm handgun that was “uncased, loaded, and immediately accessible at the time of the offense,” according to court documents. He also did not have a valid Concealed Carry license or Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) Card at the time of the offense. Ussery’s case was presented by the Venice Police Department, and he faces two Class 2 felonies for aggravated unlawful use of weapons and aggravated attempting to elude a peace officer. Court documents indicate he was released upon his signature of a Conditions of Pretrial Release Order. Ch

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EDWARDSVILLE - Three individuals are facing various weapon-related charges filed in Madison County since December 2023, according to Madison County court documents released last week. Lamontra Conner Jr., 29, of St. Louis, was charged with two counts of unlawful possession of weapons by a felon on Dec. 31, 2023. Court documents allege Conner unlawfully possessed two handguns after having been convicted of Robbery, 1st Degree. The specific firearms in this case were a Taurus G3C 9mm pistol and a Davis Industries D38 .38 caliber revolver. Conner’s case was presented by the Collinsville Police Department, and he faces a Class 2 felony for each of the two counts. Court documents indicate he was released upon his signature of a Conditions of Pretrial Release Order. Willie J. Williams-Eubanks II, 24, of Belleville, was charged with aggravated unlawful use of weapons. On Dec. 26, 2023, Williams-Eubanks allegedly carried a SCCY CPX-2 9mm handgun in his vehicle while in an unauthorized

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GRAFTON - A new proposed mountain bike trail at Pere Marquette State Park will become a reality in the spring of 2024. Pere Marquette State Park Natural Resources Coordinator Lev Smolianski is an experienced mountain biker and he said he knows there is sincere interest in the trail expansion at Pere Marquette State Park. "We are excited about it," he said. "We will bring more people to Pere Marquette State Park and it will be a wonderful shared space. The mountain trails will be about 3 to 3.5 miles long. One of the sections still has to be cut. We are in essence following the existing trail path, but cutting some additional space." Smolianski said in his time in the region he has discovered a strong interest in mountain biking with many enthusiasts. Smolianski said the new planned trails are not open to mountain bikes at this time but an opening date will be announced. He also said as shown in this map in blue (above) the trail will be a mountain bike-only trail. "The trail

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Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Look no further! From book sales to live music, there's an event for everyone to enjoy. Whether you are into crafting, gaming, or learning, our community has a variety of events that promise to brighten your weekend. For a full event listing, be sure to visit riverbender.com/events . If you're feeling crafty, the Community Sewing Project invites teens to team up with X’s and Sews for a heartwarming sewing project. Whether you're skilled with a needle or just want to lend a helping hand, your efforts will provide comfort to those in need through handmade blankets, hats, gloves, and scarves. Ready for some toe-tapping music? The Harvest Drive Band LIVE @ Post 1308 is set to deliver an exhilarating performance full of Country Blues and Southern Rock vibes. Grab your friends and head to Alton VFW Post 1308 for a night of live music and dancing! Feeling lucky? Don't miss the Alton Area Mouse Races! Organized by the Alton Area

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ALTON - New Frontiers Home & Garden Furnishings Company will celebrate its 46th anniversary with a major sale starting Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, and running through the month. Located at 101 W. 3rd Street in Alton, New Frontiers is a full-line furniture store that has had quite a history over the past 46 years. Owner Ed Benz said it feels good to celebrate this milestone, and he is proud of how the business has grown over the decades. “A lot of customers can’t believe that this is the same store, the same owners. It’s pretty rewarding when you talk to people and they bought stuff years and years ago,” Benz said. “We’ve got a loyal customer base. The anniversary sale is just our way of thanking everybody in the community because we could have never done it without them.” When New Frontiers started in 1978, it was an unfinished wood furniture store. They eventually broadened their offerings to finished pieces and soft goods like sofas. The

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COLLINSVILLE – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that all lanes of Illinois 157 from 0.2 miles north of Horseshoe Lake Road to the St. Clair County line will require intermittent daytime lane closures beginning, weather permitting, on Thursday, Feb. 1. The lane closures are necessary for the evaluation of pavement conditions. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on Twitter at @IDOT District 8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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EDWARDSVILLE – The Edwardsville Fire Department and Glen Carbon Fire Protection District will once again offer free CPR classes throughout the month of February to encourage as many people as possible to learn this life-saving technique. “Start With the Heart” will provide a series of weeknight and weekend opportunities to learn and practice basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques and other skills. Participants will attend one free two-hour session. The first classes will get underway on Saturday, February 3, and be offered again on Tuesdays and Saturdays through the end of February. The free series of classes debuted in February 2023, on the heels of a CPR success story in Edwardsville that led to commendations for members of the public and first responders. In 2022, both departments implemented an enhanced form of CPR intended to boost the speed and efficiency of their response to cardiac incidents. Edwardsville Fire Chief James Whiteford said the enhanced

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GRANITE CITY – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that repairs on eastbound Interstate 270 between Illinois 3 and Riverview Drive in Missouri will require lane closures starting, weather permitting, at 9 p.m., Friday, Feb. 2. One lane will always remain open. All lanes will reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, Feb. 5. 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 Twitter at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today, with 23 attorneys general, filed a brief in the U.S. Supreme Court to protect access to medication abortion nationwide. Raoul and the coalition filed the amicus brief supporting efforts undertaken by the U.S. Food and Drug and Administration (FDA) and Danco Laboratories LLC to reverse a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit that reinstated certain restrictions on the medication known as mifepristone, after the FDA had determined those restrictions were medically unnecessary. Raoul and the coalition argue that the 5th Circuit’s ruling reinstating medically-unnecessary restrictions on the medication has dangerous consequences for reproductive health care outcomes, particularly for low-income and underserved communities. “For nearly 25 years, mifepristone has been safely utilized by millions of American patients, and restricting mifepristone only serves to block access to the most commonly used methods of abortion,&rdquo

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ALTON - February is American Heart Month – a time when the nation spotlights heart disease, the No. 1 killer of Americans. February is chosen because it is a time when many people reflect on matters of the heart, including love and relationships. It’s a fitting opportunity to also emphasize the importance of heart health. Heart Month has a long history dating back to the 1960s when it was initiated by the American Heart Association (AHA) in the United States. Since then, it has grown into an international observance, with various countries and organizations participating in heart health awareness activities. February 2024 marks the 60 th anniversary of American Heart Month. President Lyndon B. Johnson, among the millions of people in the country who'd had heart attacks, issued the first proclamation in 1964. Since then, U.S. presidents have annually declared February American Heart Month. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. One in five death

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ROXANA - In 2023, Phillips 66 Wood River Refinery supported over 100 local organizations through monetary donations, company-sponsored service projects, and employee volunteer efforts. Combined with employee giving and Phillips 66 corporate grants, the company invested over $1.6 million in total support. Through the local charitable giving budget, the Refinery donated over $350,000 to support educational, environmental, safety and well-being, and social advancement organizations and projects. Major gift recipients include Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Edwardsville Children’s Museum, Lewis & Clark Community College Foundation, Friends of Pere Marquette State Park, Audubon Center at Riverlands, Safe Surroundings and Refuge, Madison County Child Advocacy Center, and South Roxana Fire Protection District. The total donation amount included over $80,000 to communities bordering the Refinery property – Wood River, Hartford, Roxana, and South Roxana. These donations

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ALTON - Alton Fire Department personnel responded quickly to a serious fire in a vacant home in the 1900 block of Central Avenue at 10:58 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024. Alton firefighters were able to get "a great hit" on the fire, Alton Fire Chief Jesse Jemison said, and had the fire under control in a quick fashion. However, the house did suffer serious damage. Chief Jemison said the Illinois State Fire Marshal's office has been called to investigate the blaze and he said he could not yet release a cause of the fire. "I was a little worried initially with the amount of dark, gray smoke coming out of it," the chief added. "The firefighters were able to push all the way upstairs to the attic space in trying to stop it. The house had been waiting for quite a while. We are waiting for Ameren because we don't know if there is power to it. The house has been vacant for a while." There were no occupants of the house from what firefighters could determine Wednesday morning, Chief

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EDWARDSVILLE - Two individuals, including one from Memphis, Tenn., are facing separate drug possession charges in addition to another individual facing a DUI charge in Madison County, according to county court documents. Janay D. Cole, 36, of Memphis, Tenn., was charged with possession of a controlled substance on Dec. 1, 2023 in a case presented by the Collinsville Police Department. Court documents allege Cole had in her possession an undisclosed amount of a substance containing cocaine. She faces a Class 4 felony and was released upon her signature of a Conditions of Pretrial Release Order. Ryan J. Grimaud, 30, of Saint Ann, Mo., was charged with aggravated driving while under the influence on Dec. 17, 2023. According to recently filed Madison County court documents, Grimaud allegedly drove a vehicle on Su Twan Drive in Worden, Ill. with a blood-alcohol concentration of .08 or above, and the vehicle he drove was reportedly not covered by any liability insurance policy. Grima

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EDWARDSVILLE - When Sherry Rosenberger was diagnosed with MALT lymphoma right as the COVID-19 pandemic began, she vowed to make something good out of the bad. A few years later, her 16-year-old daughter has decided to follow her mother’s example. Sherry is in remission and has raised $50,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) since 2020. Her daughter Whitney hopes to do the same thing in just seven short weeks through the LLS Student Visionaries of the Year program. “I feel like I’m going to cry again. I’ve literally been crying every day because I am just amazed at not only our community, but that Whitney actually came to me at the end of last fall saying that she wanted to do this,” Sherry said. “It was very difficult for us to go through my cancer journey, especially during a pandemic. And at the end of my battle, the one thing I wanted to do was turn the bad into good…To see my daughter turn it around herself, too, and be able

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GRAFTON - The Grafton Veteran’s Memorial Bronze Statutes have been officially ordered and it is described by those associated with the project as “a one-of-a-kind in the world.” The National Memorial of Military Ascent (NMMA) signed a contract with Carolina Bronze Sculpture of North Carolina for the creation and production of 12 life-size bronze statues in full World War II military gear. The statues will showcase soldiers with rifles, ladders, grappling hooks, radio backpacks, and stainless-steel ropes. The cost to secure the foundry’s production was $87,360.15. The foundry is scheduled to send its staff to Grafton for two weeks centered around the 80th Anniversary of D-Day on June 6, 2024, to develop the scans of the soldiers to make the bronze figures. The 2nd Ranger Battalion of St. Louis Reenactors will provide authentic World War II uniforms, equipment, and models for the scanning process to make the bronze figures. NMMA Project Engineer of Carlton

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