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JERSEYVILLE - Axe & Ale, Jerseyville’s newest venue for axe-throwing entertainment, recently announced a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony set for 5 p.m. this Friday, Jan. 5, 2024. The festivities will commence at the venue at 806 Tri Point Lane in Jerseyville, just across Illinois Route 16 from Farm & Home Supply. After acquiring the location from Riverbend Axe Throwing last fall and hosting a soft opening last November, Axe & Ale co-owners Chris and Christina Herren said in a press release that they’ve “diligently devoted the past two months to refurbishing and upgrading the location while actively engaging with the community to understand and cater to their desires.” "We're thrilled to introduce Axe & Ale to the Jerseyville community," Chris said. "Our aim is to provide a welcoming space where locals can unwind, connect, and experience the excitement of axe throwing. We've worked diligently to create a venue that fosters camaraderie and fun

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JERSEYVILLE - Jersey senior basketball player Aiden Taylor has been a part of the Panthers' program for four years and became a starter this season. Jersey head boys coach Matt Murphy said Aiden is a great example of being determined and working to get to the end goal of contributing as a senior. Aiden is a Sparklight Internet Male Athlete Of The Month. "Aiden is very physical and has a very quick first jump," Murphy said. "His personality is a joy to be around and is always looking to get better. He is one of the more coachable players I have had." The coach added that Aiden's hard work is starting to pay off. "I am looking forward to a really solid second half of the season from him," the coach said. Taylor has also been an outstanding Panther varsity running back and outside linebacker each fall. Again congrats to Aiden Taylor for his recognition as a Sparklight Internet Male Athlete of the Month.

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ALTON - A special GoFundMe has been organized for a mother who wants to have her teenage son’s body returned from Alton to California, where she resides, for a proper funeral. A family friend, Tanya, established the GoFundMe for the family. The teen is Jaiden Dahl, 17, who had his life cut short on New Year’s Day when he was tragically shot and killed in Alton. This is what Tanya, wrote in the GoFundMe for the 17-year-old and his family: “Hello my name is Tanya, friend but more like sister to Bri. As most of you know her oldest son Jaiden - 17 years of age - was tragically shot and killed on New Year's Day. Jaiden was at home when his life was cut short. Jaiden was a respectful young man and loved his mother, sister and baby brother. His smile could light up any room, to know Jaiden was to love him. “With permission from his mother, I started this GoFundMe page to help his mother get Jaiden’s body to California for a proper burial. His mother plans to

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SPRINGFIELD – Motorcyclists no longer have to complete a duplicate driver’s test and will be more visible under two new laws sponsored by State Senator Doris Turner. “We are easing the process for motorcyclists to get their license without taking repetitive, unnecessary tests,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Removing this redundancy will simplify the process for motorcyclists, allowing them to enjoy Illinois’ roads.” House Bill 2582 removes the requirement for a motorcyclist under the age of 18 to complete a motorcycle driver's examination with the Secretary of State. Previously, 16- to 17-year-old motorcyclists were required to complete a Cycle Driver Testing Course provided by the Illinois Department of Transportation and an additional examination by the Secretary of State. Turner also led Senate Bill 896 which allows a motorcycle to be equipped with two forward-facing electric turn signals that emit a white or amber light. Two driving

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EDWARDSVILLE – The Scott Credit Union Community Foundation recently awarded $100,000 With You education grants to support various educational initiatives in 34 schools. Since 2020, the Foundation has allocated over $205,000 to a variety of school projects. The With You grant program has become a cornerstone of the Foundation's commitment to fostering innovation and growth in local educational environments. The Scott Credit Union Community Foundation raises money to support these efforts through their annual golf scramble and by donating a percentage of annual purchases made by members with their SCU debit cards. Frank Padak, President and CEO of Scott Credit Union, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, "At Scott Credit Union, we believe in the power of education to transform lives. The With You program reflects our commitment to supporting schools and nurturing the potential of students. We are proud to invest in these innovative educational projects that will

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EDWARDSVILLE - The City is actively recruiting to fill probationary firefighter/EMT positions with the Edwardsville Fire Department. Candidates who meet the requirements to apply can now register to take the written test – an opportunity that typically arises just once every two years in Edwardsville. Earning a spot on the City’s firefighter/EMT eligibility list is a multi-step process that begins with the written test. The entire process, which also includes physical tests, a background check and an interview, is mandated by state statute and overseen by the City’s Board of Fire & Police Commissioners. Edwardsville’s written test is set for Saturday, February 17, between 8 a.m. and noon in the Public Safety Building, 333 S. Main Street. Candidates must pre-register for the test by 3 p.m. Friday, February 2. An online registration form can be found at: www.cityofedwardsville.com/hr . The previous test was offered in December 2021. The eligibility list

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today highlighted that the bipartisan “Slow Down, Move Over” resolution she led with U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Mike Braun (R-IN) passed the Senate late last year. The resolution raises awareness of Slow Down, Move Over state laws to reduce struck-by-vehicle injuries and fatalities and to recognize the important role fire and rescue personnel, emergency medical services personnel, law enforcement officers, tow truck operators and transportation workers play in road safety. “Too often, our brave first responders and roadside assistance workers are injured or killed in dangerous collisions on our highways,” said Duckworth. “I’m relieved the Senate unanimously passed the bipartisan Slow Down, Move Over resolution to help protect the lives of these workers. In 2021, the Senate passed Duckworth’s Protecting Roadside First Responders Act as part of the bipartisan

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CHICAGO - Governor JB Pritzker announced today that, following a national search, he is appointing youth justice and child welfare expert Heidi Mueller as the next Director of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) pending Senate approval. Mueller currently serves as Director of the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), where she has been recognized for her nation-leading reform work and advocacy on behalf of young people. Robert Vickery, currently Deputy Director of Programs at DJJ, will serve as interim director of the agency while a search is conducted for Mueller’s permanent replacement. “The work Director Mueller has done at the Department of Juvenile Justice over the last several years has been transformative for the juvenile justice system in Illinois, and I am thrilled that she will bring her unique experience and talents to DCFS,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Heidi’s care and compassion for the most at-risk young

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today urged Illinois residents to be aware of phone scammers potentially using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to mimic the voice of a loved one. Scammers have long used the ploy of claiming a loved one is in trouble to convince targets to send a payment or share personal information. In a new and unnerving twist on this scam, criminals are using AI technology to mimic the voice of a target’s family member, so it sounds like the person is calling seeking help. The technology allows scammers to use snippets of audio, which are often readily available through videos posted to social media accounts, to clone voices for scam calls. “These criminals are very good and convincing at what they do. Their goal is to catch you off guard, scare you into sending payment and disappear before you realize what happened,” Raoul said. “Getting a call from what sounds like a family member in distress is upsetting, but you may not be able to

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ALTON - Alton High alum Charles Musgrave has made an impressive life for himself that will be documented in a new film titled “Jewel of the Desert.” Musgrave, who attended Alton High in the 1940s, never forgot his roots even as he planted new ones in Sun City, Arizona, as the director of the Desert Brass Band, a band of 30 senior citizens ages 58–91. Director and producer Mary Apick was so moved by the band’s story that she decided to create a documentary about the Desert Brass Band, set to premiere on Jan 19, 2024, in Sun City. The documentary follows Musgrave and a few of his instrumentalists as they share how they became musicians, their lives as performers, and their experience in the Desert Brass Band. The band started in 1998, and Musgrave took over as the conductor and music director in 2000. After graduating from Alton High in 1950, Musgrave received a bachelor’s degree in music education from the Conservatory of Music at Shurtleff College,

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) and Congressional Labor Caucus Co-Chairs Representatives Mark Pocan, Donald Norcross, Debbie Dingell, Steven Horsford, Marcy Kaptur, Chris Deluzio and Emilia Sykes led 45 of their colleagues in a bipartisan letter urging the Biden Administration to ensure a comprehensive regulatory review of Nippon Steel’s acquisition of U.S. Steel. “Domestic steel production is crucial to the U.S. economy, including by supporting tens of thousands of well-paying, middle-class jobs across the country, as well as being key to the U.S. industrial base and our global competitiveness. To preserve U.S. domestic steel production capacity and to ensure that steel production jobs remain good jobs going forward, it is critical that any company that acquires U.S. Steel commits to respecting and working collaboratively with the company’s workforce,” the Members wrote in a letter to President Biden. “However,

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EDWARDSVILLE — The Edwardsville Police partnered with the Illinois Department of Transportation and law enforcement across the state for the holiday “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” drunk-driving enforcement campaign. From Dec. 15 through Jan. 2, the Edwardsville Police showed zero tolerance for impaired driving, arresting 6 offenders for the deadly crime. 1 child safety seat citation, 1 distracted driving citation, 8 speeding citations, 3 illegal transportation of alcohol citations, 7 misdemeanor charges, and 24 other traffic citations were issued during the campaign. "We need to drive this message home: Impaired driving is seriously risky business. It's illegal, and it endangers the driver, their passengers and everyone else on the road," said Lt. Brandn Whittaker. "The ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ campaign helps our law enforcement deal with this problem head-on. If you're under the influence, don't get behind the wheel." The Edwardsville Police

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ALTON - The Hayner Public Library District Hosts “St. Louis: The Best Sports Town in America: An Evening with Ed Wheatley” on Tuesday, January 16, at 6:30 p.m. at Hayner Library at Alton Square Mall Upper Level Performance Room Sports Historian, Author, and Documentarian to Present Lecture About St. Louis’ Rich Sports History St. Louis has long been known as a city with a rich sports history. Four of the most prestigious trophies in sports are named after St. Louisans — one in chess, one in golf, one in soccer, and one in tennis. Can you name them? What about the four national football teams that started as St. Louis franchises? Did you know that in 2014, the United States Congress designated St. Louis as the Chess Capital of the United States? Can you name the two St. Louisans who teamed up to form Wimbledon’s first-ever interracial mixed doubles team? What “Hollywood legend” could regularly be seen racing his Datsun at a race track in Wentzville?

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ALTON - Alton Police was called to a scene where an adult male was found in a wooded area in the 2300 block of Lincoln Avenue at 12:37 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said when officers arrived at the scene, they determined the male subject to be deceased. "The investigation into the male subject’s death is ongoing," Chief Ford said. "Investigators with the Alton Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division are conducting the investigation and are being assisted by the Illinois State Police and Madison County Coroner’s Office." Ford closed with the following statement: "Anyone with information is asked to call the Alton Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division at 618-463-3505 Ext. 634."

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CAHOKIA HEIGHTS – Cahokia Heights detectives are investigating a deadly shooting that occurred at 11 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023, at the Greystone Apartments off Old Missouri Avenue. Cahokia Heights Police have reported a woman was shot and killed in her car outside an apartment complex. The neighborhood has reported previous gunfire activity to police, so it is not unknown in that vicinity. To date, no one has been apprehended and suspects or a victim have not been identified.

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GRANITE CITY - Andrew Walker, a freshman guard on the boys basketball team at Granite City High School, has made many positive contributions to the Warriors in his first season with the team, and did have a good game against Collinsville on Dec. 12 at GCHS Memorial Gym, scoring eight points in a 67-60 loss to Collinsville. He has also been strong in several other Warriors' contests. Only a freshman, the potential for Andrew Walker at this point is limitless in his career with the Warriors. It was a game where Granite came back from being down by as many as 16 points to come within five late in the game, but the Kahoks were able to hold off the rally and preserve the win. Walker is a Stillwater Senior Living Male Athlete of the Month. Walker has averaged around 6.6 points and 2.3 rebounds per game, also having nine assists, eight steals and a blocked shot. "I feel like we've got to get back in the lab and work as a team," Walker said after the Collinsville game. "The biggest thing

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EDWARDSVILLE - Sophie Shapiro has been a starting guard for the girls' basketball team at Edwardsville High, and so far this season, she's made a positive contribution to a young team that's been gaining its footing day by day and is ready to break out in the second half of the season. Shapiro scored six points in the Tigers' 63-41 home win over East St. Louis on Jan. 2, to start the 2024 portion of the schedule, taking Edwardsville to 6-9 on the season and a three-game winning streak, going back to the Tigers' final two games of the Visitation Christmas Tournament over the Holidays. For the season, she's been averaging six points and 4.7 rebounds-per-game, adding 24 assists, 17 steals and a blocked shot to the mix. The Tigers played very solidly in the win over the Flyers, and in her postgame interview, Shapiro felt that the Tigers were building positive momentum during their current winning streak. "I'm feeling pretty good," Shapiro said. "It's good that we have a home game, I

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ALTON/WEST ALTON - This year’s annual Eagle Ice Festival invites Riverbend residents to enjoy raptor meet-and-greets, eagle-watching tours, food trucks and more on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., you can stop by FLOCK, the National Great Rivers Museum and the Audubon Center at Riverlands for many eagle-themed activities, most of which are free. The Eagle Ice Fest encourages people to engage with nature and connect to the wildlife in the area. “It’s a combination of a bunch of different organizations bringing free resources to people so that not only are they getting an education, especially about eagles, but they’re learning about all these resources that they have in the area that they can go out and hike here or they can go learn about the dam,” explained Ashley Lockwood, an educator with the Audubon Center. “I know it’s a big draw to the area, so that’s something that I think a lot of people are embracing.”

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ALTON - In December 2023, Alton High School had a bunch to celebrate recently after the Southwest Conference's 11th Annual Regional High School Art Competition. Alton High has always had a strong arts department, and this year's entries stood out among other schools. Alton, Edwardsville, Belleville East, Belleville West, Collinsville High School, East St. Louis High School, and O'Fallon High School participated in the competition. "Our talented artists not only showcased their creativity but also represented the spirit of Alton High School with their exceptional work," Alton School District 11 said. The participants are Hayner Public Library District Students of the Month. The student artists included: • Lydia Fite, 10th Grade • Ava Taulbee, 11th Grade • Eli Bowers, 11th Grade • Eve Edelman, 12th Grade • Kharma West, 12th Grade • Ali Sakar, 11th Grade "Each of these students has their unique art style, and photographs are included of them

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GODFREY - January is National Radon Action Month, and Jake Lusby with Air Sense Environmental recently kicked off the month by sharing some facts and spreading awareness about radon and his company’s ability to test for and treat it effectively. Lusby said Air Sense Environmental is one of the few, if not the only company in the area to offer both radon testing and mitigation. They use high-tech radon testers which offer a point-by-point hourly breakdown of a room’s temperature, barometric pressure, and radon levels. With a background in construction and renovation with experience fully renovating homes, Lusby has also taken an intensive course and exam to learn the scientific causes behind radon exposure and its associated diseases. He said radon exposure is definitely a “real thing” and can even be deadly. “ The EPA right now estimates that 21,000 people a year die from radon exposure. It’s the second-leading cause of lung cancer

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