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CHICAGO - Following tornadoes and severe storms that struck throughout Illinois Friday night, Attorney General Kwame Raoul today warned Illinois residents to be on alert for scammers looking to exploit homeowners and business owners who may be in need of repairs from storm-related damage. Raoul cautioned residents that scammers often move quickly into communities to take advantage of people with damage to their homes or businesses. Raoul noted these “storm chasers” use the opportunity to pressure people into making quick and often expensive decisions about cleanup and construction work. Raoul also warned residents that scam artists may be operating as public adjusters who offer “free” inspections to submit a claim to property owners’ insurance companies. “We have too often seen scammers take advantage of the devastation caused by tornadoes or other natural disasters and use it as an opportunity to line their own pockets,” Raoul said. “As

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CARLINVILLE - March marked a triumphant return for one of Blackburn College's most beloved events, Science Day. Three hundred junior and senior school students from 13 schools across the region traveled to the Carlinville campus to showcase their science knowledge with the hope of winning individual Blackburn scholarships. Each school also competes as a group to earn recognition and cash prizes in three scientific categories. The College awarded more than $15,000 to winning participants and top schools during the March 17 event. The competition began with participants taking biology, chemistry, or physics exams. The high school students then have the opportunity to experience college-level psychology, computer science, biology, and chemistry courses as they participate in breakout demonstrations. Throughout the day, professors and Blackburn students working the event observe the aptitude and participation of each high school student. "During the event, I heard participants

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CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today led every member of the Illinois Congressional Delegation in sending a letter to President Biden urging the White House to grant Governor JB Pritzker’s request for federal assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for five counties. The letter follows tornadoes, high winds, hail, and flash floods that caused widespread damage across Boone, Crawford, DuPage, Marion, and Sangamon Counties and led to four fatalities. “We write in support of Governor JB Pritzker’s request for federal assistance for Boone, Crawford, DuPage, Marion, and Sangamon Counties in Illinois, to recover from tornadoes and severe weather that occurred this past weekend,”wrote the lawmakers. “Governor Pritzker has indicated that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that effective response and recovery is beyond the combined capability of the state

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ALTON - Congratulations to Leighanne Smith (center) of Respiratory Therapy, who is Alton Memorial Hospital’s April Employee of the Month. Leighanne received the award on April 3 from AMH President Dave Braasch and Penny Krause, manager of Respiratory Therapy. The nomination from an anonymous co-worker said, “While rounding on MCU today, Leighanne stopped to update a nurse on a COVID patient. She explained what she had done and what they could do as a team to improve the respiratory status of this patient. It struck me what a team player she is. I commented how great this was and the nurse told me how many COVID patients Leighanne had helped. She has demonstrated service excellence, leadership, strategic thinking, and personal accountability.”

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation is once again asking the public to be on the alert for crews picking up litter and to Think Before You Throw! As part of an ongoing awareness campaign, IDOT is mobilizing litter pickup operations this spring and encouraging you to be part of the solution in keeping roadsides and communities free of unnecessary trash and debris. “As one of the largest landowners in the state, the Illinois Department of Transportation takes great pride in making sure we are keeping our state as clean and free of clutter as possible, but we need your help,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “Excess garbage on highways can be easily avoided. Dispose of garbage properly. Make sure loads are properly secured and covered to keep debris and other trash from winding up on the roads. Litter has consequences: Think before you throw!” The Think Before You Throw! initiative aims to reduce roadside litter by raisin

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SPRINGFIELD - A bill that would equalize the value of major course credits at all Illinois higher education institutions reducing the time and money students spend towards earning a degree has unanimously passed out of the Illinois Senate. SB2288 strengthens the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) Act (110 ILCS 152) by requiring public colleges and universities to accept all major courses approved for transfer through IAI as equivalent major courses, as long as a specific major is offered at the receiving institution. Under current law, 4-year institutions can accept IAI major courses as either direct course equivalents or as elective credits. As a result, some students transferring to a public university must repeat courses already completed at a community college level in order to complete a degree at the university level. “Students that earn major coursework credit at a community college should not have to spend more precious time and money to re-earn the same

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JERSEYVILLE - As part of the City’s long-term Capital Improvement Plan, increased recreational opportunities for residents and visitors of all ages are a key priority. The Lion’s Club/Wittman Park complex is centrally located within Jerseyville, and has a variety of current offerings from playground equipment to picnic shelters to a walking trail. The City Council recognized the need to add new amenities to be enjoyed for many years to come. The first phase of the park’s transformation was completed last year – the NFC outdoor fitness court, three new pickleball courts, rehab of two basketball courts, parking/sidewalk/drainage upgrades, landscaping improvements, and related lighting and security improvements. Recently, the City received a huge boost to the next phase of its planned improvements at Lion’s Club/Wittman Parks, with the receipt of $600,000 in grant funding from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ FY 2023 Open Space Lands Acquisition

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JERSEYVILLE - The City of Jerseyville received $1,000,000 in grant funding from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for improvements to Hollow Avenue, as part of FHWA’s Accelerated Innovation Deployment (AID) funding initiative, and one of only ten projects awarded in the United States for that grant cycle. As part of the City’s long-term Capital Improvement Plan, the safe and efficient movement of residential and commercial traffic are key priorities. The Hollow Avenue improvement project involves reconstructing an old, deteriorated asphalt roadway with a modern compacted concrete pavement including curb-and-gutter and related subgrade improvements, widening, storm sewer/drainage improvements, and the addition of an ADA-compliant sidewalk extension. These improvements will enhance safety for both vehicular and pedestrian traffic. The compacted concrete pavement allows for lower cost of installation and a faster construction delivery schedule, while providing a high-strength

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GLEN CARBON – For its second year, the Village of Glen Carbon will be having a tree giveaway event at its Public Works building on Saturday, April 15. This initiative coincides with the Village’s “Glen Carbon Grassroots” Campaign that supports a wide variety of environmental, green space, habitat and/or energy projects in the Village. The Village was also recently awarded the St. Louis Green Business Award for its environmental accomplishments and innovations. The tree giveaway is happening from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 15, at the Village’s Public Works Department located at 153 N. Main Street, Glen Carbon. Approximately 500 native, conservative grade, bare-root trees will be available to Glen Carbon residents for planting on their home’s private property. Height of the bare-root trees are under 3’ tall so they can be easily picked up and transported in any vehicle. The trees being distributed include Bald Cypress, Northern Pecan,

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ALTON - The new Alton Piasa Park Redevelopment Project has created an abundance of energy toward the City of Alton itself, the National Scenic Byway, and tourism in the region. The Alton Piasa Park Redevelopment Project was explained at an unveiling event at the Alton City Hall Council Chambers last week, hosted by CEO/President Cory Jobe and the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau. The much-anticipated project calls for the redesign and redevelopment of Piasa Park – home to the painting of the Piasa Bird on the limestone bluff walls - and a new state-of-the-art Byway Discovery Center. The $10 million project is funded by a Capital Bill Grant received by the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau to create and enhance product development along the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway in Alton and Hartford. The Bureau also manages the 33-mile scenic byway which runs from Hartford to Pere Marquette State Park. The new park redevelopment project will include a bywa

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EDWARDSVILLE - Representatives from the Madison County Child Advocacy Center and other local organizations and offices joined together in the Madison County Administration Building to kick off Child Abuse Prevention Month on March 31. Maureen Schuette, an associate judge in the Family Division for Madison County, said April has been observed as Child Abuse Prevention Month every year since 1983. “Since that time, billions of Americans have participated in this national campaign,” Schuette said. “Individuals, organizations, and committees across the United States plant pinwheels, they also tie ribbons, organize trainings, and host fundraisers and other activities to celebrate healthy, happy childhoods.” She added that they raise awareness that “all children deserve to grow up in nurturing and safe homes,” and recognized some of the people at the event, including: Chief Circuit Judge Stephen Stobbs Circuit Judge Amy Sholar, who also runs the Madison

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced criminal charges against a St. Clair County man over the alleged possession, purchase and sale of purported stolen retail merchandise including tools, electronics and lawn equipment in the estimated amount of $243,000. The charges are the latest resulting from a multi-jurisdictional investigation facilitated by Raoul’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force. Raoul’s office charged Christopher D. Odem, 50, of Belleville, Illinois, with Class 2 felony organized retail crime, punishable by up to seven years in prison; two counts of Class 1 felony theft, each punishable by up to 15 years in prison; three counts of Class 2 felony theft, each punishable by up to seven years in prison; Class 3 felony theft, punishable by up to five years in prison; and Class 1 felony money laundering, punishable by up to 15 years in prison. “The effects of organized retail crime are not limited to any one region of Illinois. Buying and

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ALTON - The Great Rivers Choral Society (GRCS), is an adult choir of mixed voices (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass or SATB) serving the Riverbend area of Southern Illinois. They will perform a selection of music entitled, CINEMAGIC, on April 29 and 30, Saturday and Sunday, both at 3 pm, at Godfrey First United Methodist Church, 1100 Airport Rd, Godfrey, IL 62035. CINEMAGIC is an exciting escape into the music of the movies from early talkies to the 21st Century. Music will feature Irving Berlin’s Cheek to Cheek, to Sigmand and Lai’s Where do I Begin, through to Bob Seger’s rocking Shakedown, will be just a few of the numbers performed as solos, ensembles and choral. We will also feature a great number of songs from Disney. GRCS offers its shows free to the public, but we do take a free-will donation during the show. We are a 501c3 organization and a member of ASCAP. You can follow us on Facebook at Great Rivers Choral Society and at our website, www.grcssing.org . Fo

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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville junior girls track sprinter Paige Sanders has enjoyed success with the rest of her 4x200 meter relay team in the early days of the season, placing second in their heat in the Illinois Top Times indoor meet in Bloomington on Mar. 25. then winning the 4x100 meters and the sprint medley relay at the Southwest Illinois Relays at the Winston Brown Track and Field Center on Mar. 28. Sanders is an iCAN Clinic Female Athlete of the Month for Edwardsville High School. The team, which also consists of Blakely Hockett, Karli Barton and Gabby Thompson, was second in their heat at the Top Times meet, breaking the school record with a time of 1:48.24, then won the 4x100 meters with a time of 50.75 seconds and then won the 800-meter sprint medley relay at 2:00.42 second with a team of Sanders, Hockett, Brooklyn Carr and Kaitlyn Morningstar. During an interview that followed her races, Sanders felt that the entire team, who eventually finished second to O'Fallon, all performed

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ALTON - Midwest Members Credit Union and the Crisis Food Center are each described as "phenomenal partners" in giving back to those in need in the region. Midwest Members Credit Union has boundless amounts of community service projects each year. Crisis Food Center has helped many in need make it through difficult times for people when otherwise they might not have food supplies. On Saturday, April 1, 2023, the two teamed together again for a giveaway of free hams and side items to provide residents with an Easter meal. There was a large attendance in the drive-thru for those who received a ham and the sides. CFC and MMCU volunteers were touched by the success and all provided bright smiles as they assisted their neighbors in the community. "Both organizations are committed to giving back to the community," Derrick D. Richardson, a volunteer, said. "We wanted everyone to have an opportunity to have a good Easter meal. It was another successful and fun Easter giveaway." Richardson

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GLEN CARBON - Axes Physical Therapy celebrated its Grand Opening in Glen Carbon with a ribbon-cutting ceremony last weekend. Clinic Director Bradley Webb described it as “an outpatient physical therapy clinic” and said it’s the “first one in Illinois.” “Changing people’s lives, helping them achieve their goals, getting them back to doing the things they love to do - that’s our primary goal,” Webb said. “We go all-out working with physicians patients, and providing them opportunities to achieve the goals that they are looking for.” Webb said the new clinic has a wide array of equipment and activities to help patients get back in motion. “We have a full complement of equipment: weights, biometrics, cardiovascular equipment,” Webb said. “We provide manual therapy treatment, exercise activities, functional activities, work conditioning, work hardening - we have a pretty full gambit of opportunities

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PIASA - Senior Ali Wilson was the team's leading scorer with 25 goals last season. In her sophomore year, she scored 38. She looks to keep up that pace in her final season. Southwestern girl's soccer head coach Tyler Hamilton once again expects big things from her as well. "She’s a phenomenal athlete," he said. "Ali is the kind of player that can take the team to the next level with her ability to score goals. Her sophomore and junior years showed how capable she is in front of net and we expect the same this year." So far this season, through five games, she's got five goals. For her efforts, she is an Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Athlete of the Month for Southwestern.

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EDWARDSVILLE – Mary Weishaar, PhD, executive director of international affairs at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, recently returned from a Fulbright International Education Administrators (IEA) seminar in Taiwan. The seminar goals were to encourage U.S. international education professionals to learn more about Taiwan’s higher education system, society and culture, and to establish linkages with institutions in Taiwan. “I knew very little about Taiwan before participating in this seminar,” said Weishaar. “I came back enthusiastically supportive of SIUE’s engagement with higher education institutions in Taiwan. I believe that Taiwanese universities provide excellent programs that are a good fit for SIUE students wishing to study abroad in almost any content area. I was particularly impressed by the large number of programs taught in English, along with opportunities for internships.” Weishaar and a group of twenty-six international

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ALTON - Last week, soon-to-be Marquette Catholic High School graduates Hayden Sherman and Aiden O'Keefe both signed to continue their academic and athletic careers in college. They both signed up to go to McKendree University, Sherman for baseball, and O'Keefe for golf. McKendree is a Division II private university in Lebanon, Illinois, a short 45-minute drive from Alton. For their achievement, both are Tucker's Automotive Repair and Tire Athletes of the Month for the Explorers. Hayden Sherman This will be Sherman's third time as a Riverbender.com AOTM, and he's earned all three by being a three-sport athlete. One year he played four different sports. He's played both baseball and bowling all four years, hockey three years, and cross-country one. Baseball is what he chose to stick with and it's where he had his favorite memory. He recalled hitting his first homer his junior season against Breese, saying "it was a great feeling." Sherman is also a great student earning

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SPRINGFIELD — Today, Governor JB Pritzker issued a disaster proclamation to unlock immediate assistance and provide public safety support for communities across Illinois impacted by last night’s tornadoes and severe weather. The disaster proclamation includes Boone, Crawford, DuPage, Marion and Sangamon Counties. The Governor is also directing the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) to coordinate a robust, statewide response and recovery effort, which includes multiple state agencies, public safety entities, and non-governmental organizations. “The devastating storms that swept through our state last night have upended communities and resulted in heartbreaking injury and loss of life,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “In response, I am issuing an emergency disaster proclamation to immediately provide all necessary aid to our communities. I am in close contact with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and local partners around the state to ensure

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