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CHICAGO — Today Governor JB Pritzker signed into law HB3144, the local government tax omnibus bill that eliminates the state tax on grocery items. The 1% state tax is repealed across all of Illinois, although local governments have the option of imposing the tax on a local basis by ordinance. “Even with inflation cooling off every dollar counts, so I’m proud we’re doing what we can to make trips to the grocery store a little easier,” said Governor Pritzker. “It’s one more important part of lifting the burden on Illinois families. Establishing a child tax credit, eliminating medical debt, lowering the cost of healthcare, making college more affordable, bringing quality childcare closer to home so moms and dads can go to work — these are not esoteric policy proposals but actually do lift burdens everyday Illinoisans face.” Governor Pritzker has made tax relief for working families a major priority for his administration. I

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PONTOON BEACH — The Pontoon Beach community was struck by tragedy on August 3, 2024, as two separate fatal accidents on Highway 111 resulted in the deaths of three individuals. The first accident occurred at approximately 8:49 p.m. Barry McGrew, 69, of Granite City, Illinois, was pushing a bicycle westbound across the southbound lanes of Highway 111, just north of Engineer Road, when he was struck by a GMC van traveling southbound. McGrew was transported to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. Just over two hours later, at approximately 10:50 p.m., a second fatal accident took place. A Harley Davidson motorcycle, occupied by Cole Whitford, 29, and Morgan Whitford, 29, also of Granite City, Illinois, was traveling south on Highway 111. The motorcycle collided with the front driver's side of a Chrysler Pacifica van that was turning left from Timberlake Drive to go north onto Highway 111. Both occupants of the motorcycle were ejected and transported to a local

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EDWARDSVILLE - The manager of Kyoto Steakhouse Edwardsville Inc. was indicted by a Madison County grand jury on several charges including sales tax evasion, theft of government funds, and more. He allegedly used false sales figures for more than three years to avoid paying over $100,000 in taxes to the state. Lin Hua, 41, of Edwardsville, was charged with one count of Theft of Government Funds (a Class X felony), one count of Sales Tax Evasion (a Class 1 felony), and three counts of Filing a Fraudulent Sales & Use Tax Return (each Class 3 felonies). The indictment, filed on Aug. 1, 2024, concerns a series of crimes Hua reportedly committed from Oct. 20, 2018 to March 21, 2022. During that time, he “utilized false sales figures to prepare and file monthly sales and use tax returns on behalf of Kyoto,” exceeding $100,000 in taxes owed, according to the indictment. The three Class 3 felonies filed against Hua stem from fraudulent sales and use tax returns filed on Jan.

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EFFINGHAM/ST. LOUIS - No matter what industry you’re in, Turnkey Computer Systems offers IT support that’s tailored to fit your needs. Based out of Effingham, Illinois, Turnkey Computer Systems has over 100 clients in different industries across Missouri, Illinois and Indiana. They specialize in dentistry but can offer outsourced IT support to nonprofits, school districts and countless other organizations and industries. Aaron Geisen, one of the newest members of the 10-person team, explained the importance of Turnkey’s work. “We’re providing a Turnkey service of being the boots on the ground, the first point of contact for all these systems that we don’t own, we don’t manage, but we do support,” Geisen said. “Being able to have the independence so we’re able to do the troubleshooting we need to do to take care of our customers while also being able to partner with those vendors is amazing.” Turnkey started

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ST. LOUIS - We’re knot joking, City Museum shoe-ts and scores its second GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title of 2024. The Shoelace Factory, inside City Museum, has created the World’s Longest Shoelace at 831.9 meters, or over one-half mile long. Breaking a shoe-related record was a natural fit, as City Museum resides in the former Annex of the International Shoe Company building (1931) that was once part of St. Louis' vibrant shoe manufacturing scene. In fact, there were so many shoes being made on Washington Avenue that it was known as “Shoe Street U.S.A.” Additionally, Robert Wadlow, the Giant of Alton, Illinois, once walked the halls of the International Shoe Company as their spokesperson for promotional tours in exchange for free, custom-made shoes. Today, The Shoelace Factory sits inside the second floor of City Museum using antique machinery to weave custom shoelaces for the hundreds of thousands of guests that travel the museum each year. “We

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ALTON – Country music enthusiasts are in for a memorable evening on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, when star Scotty McCreery takes the stage at the Alton Amphitheater at 8 p.m. McCreery expressed his excitement about the upcoming performance in a statement released on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. "There are a few tickets left, so grab some and meet me there," he said. "It is going to be a great night." Gates will open at 7 p.m. at the Alton Amphitheater, with ticket options catering to various preferences. VIP tickets are priced at $79, reserved tickets at $59, and general admission tickets at $39, all subject to applicable taxes and fees. Tickets can be purchased through www.Metrotix.com and MetroTix outlets. VIP ticket holders will enjoy entry to the concert, assigned seating in the VIP area, reserved parking, and access to a VIP tent with private concessions. Reserved tickets include entry to the concert with assigned seating at the amphitheater, while general admission tickets provide

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ALTON - Over 50 junior and senior Link Crew leaders are ready to welcome more than 400 freshmen to Alton High School for Freshmen Link Day on Thursday, Aug. 8 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The day gives all freshmen the opportunity to meet their Link Crew leaders, get to know others in the class of 2028 and learn more about the school before the official start date on Aug. 15. Link Crew is a yearlong freshman transition program that pairs small groups of freshmen with upperclassmen Link Crew leaders. The leaders attend a two-day, intensive training to learn how to be role models and mentors for their freshmen group. The primary goal of Link Crew is to help freshmen connect to more experienced students in the school community to ensure they have a smooth transition from middle school and succeed during their first year. “Our goal is to immediately introduce freshmen to mentor students and trusted adults within our campus that can help to create the sense of belonging we want for

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ST. CLAIR COUNTY - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13) today announced $391,375 in federal funding for the St. Louis Downtown Airport. This funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration will help replace and upgrade the existing terminal building to include a new bus stop and help make the airport more accessible to all travelers. “Illinois’s airports are critical economic engines for our state and the source of jobs for so many working families,” Duckworth said. “I’m proud to join Senator Durbin in announcing this additional investment of federal funding to help support building a modernized terminal and new accessible bus stop at the St. Louis Downtown Airport. I will continue to work alongside Senator Durbin and Congresswoman Budzinski to make traveling safer, more reliable and more accessible for all passengers

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ALTON - Navigating recycling and waste disposal can often feel like a maze of uncertainty for Madison County residents. With industries evolving and guidelines ever changing, understanding how to responsibly manage our waste is more crucial than ever. "Back to the Basics: Madison County's Approach to Waste Management" aims to tackle these issues head-on by offering practical answers and insights. Brandon Banks has been with Madison County Building & Zoning department in the Resource Management division for over half a decade where he works to improve the quality of life for Madison County residents, businesses, schools and local governments through programs that foster healthy, resilient, connected communities. Come to Old Beer Old Bakery Beer Company, 400 Landmarks Blvd., Alton, on Tuesday Aug. 13 at 6:30 p.m. Come early and bring your dinner into the venue and chat with the speaker. Contact Chris Krusa, Sierra Club Program Chair with questions at 410-490-5024.

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COLUMBIA – A bear sighting in rural Columbia, Illinois, has captured the attention of Metro East residents and authorities alike. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department shared footage of the sighting Columbia on its Facebook page on Sunday, advising the community on how to handle potential encounters with the animal. The bear was apparently headed in a northerly direction out of Columbia, authorities said. According to the Sheriff’s Department, individuals who encounter a bear should remain calm and back away slowly. If the bear approaches, people are advised to make themselves appear as large as possible. Under no circumstances should residents approach or feed the bears, and any sightings should be reported to authorities immediately. The Columbia Police Department and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office have both emphasized the importance of these guidelines. Additionally, the Illinois Conservation Police are actively involved in tracking the bears. Reports

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SPRINGFIELD - Land of Lincoln Honor Flight continues the 2024 flying season with Mission #71 on Aug. 27, 2024. Mission #71 will serve more than 96 Veterans including 13 Korean Era veterans and 83 Vietnam era veterans from 62 Central Illinois home towns of Altamont, Argenta, Bartelso, Beecher City, Breese, Camargo, Cerro Gordo, Charleston, Collinsville, Columbia, Darian, Decatur, Dieterich, Effingham, Elkhart, Fairbury, Findlay, Forrest, Gillespie, Glasford, Glenarm, Granite City, Greenup, Jacksonville, Jerseyville, Keyesport, Lincoln, Litchfield, Macomb, Mahomet, Martinsville, Mason, Mattoon, Monticello, Morrisonville, Morton, Mt Olice, Neoga, New Baden, Newman, Normal, Ottawa, Petersburg, Pleasant Plains, Rushville, Salem, Savoy, Shelbyville, Sorento, Springfield, Stewardson, Strawn, Teutopolis, Toledo, Trenton, Westfield, Wood River and Xenia as well as St Louis, Mo. Our Aug. 27 veterans represent all branches of the military. These Veterans and their Guardians will report Aug.

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ALTON/EDWARDSVILLE — The Metro East region is set to experience a heatwave with temperatures soaring to 95 degrees on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, and escalating to 100 degrees on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, according to the National Weather Service. However, relief is on the horizon as milder temperatures are forecasted for the remainder of the week, with highs of 83 degrees on Wednesday, 85 degrees on Thursday, and 85 degrees on Friday. A Heat Advisory has been issued from noon to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, the National Weather Service in St. Louis said on Monday. Jason Harrison, an Alton resident and active participant in the Overnight Warming Centers initiative, has been pivotal in expanding the community's efforts to include sufficient cooling centers. Harrison emphasized the importance of these centers, especially during extreme weather conditions. "The Overnight Warming Centers group is about preserving lives and that entails quite a bit," Harrison said. "I am thankful Alton has so many differen

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ALTON - The stage is set for an unforgettable night of music and philanthropy with “Taylor-Made: A Tribute to Taylor Swift,” a spectacular event dedicated to celebrating the music of pop sensation Taylor Swift. This special performance will take place on September 13, 2024 at Lewis & Clark College’s Hathaway Hall, with all proceeds benefiting the Alton Youth Symphony and Alton Symphony Orchestras. Join us for an evening where Taylor Swift’s greatest hits come to life in a tribute concert that promises to captivate fans of all ages. From “Love Story” to “Blank Space,” experience the magic of Swift’s chart-topping anthems performed by a talented ensemble, with arrangements that showcase the orchestral prowess of our local musicians. Event Details: Date: September 13, 2024 Time: Doors @ 6:30pm and Show @ 7:30pm Location: Hatheway Cultural Center Lewis and Clark College, 5800 Godfrey Rd, Godfrey, IL 62035 Tickets: Available

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ALTON - The Alton Youth Symphony recently hosted their summer camp for young musicians. Third- through eighth-grade students could participate in the summer camp, which ran from July 22–26, 2024. Jamie Pullen, president of AYS, explained that the camp encouraged kids to learn more about music and performance. “It was a great week,” Jamie said. “Really, I was very encouraged by what happened. I think all musical groups took a hit with COVID, so we’ve been in a rebuilding phase. Just to see the number of kids who are ready to come back and start making music together and families who are ready to come out and support that, it was just very encouraging.” The camp welcomed approximately 65 kids to the Ringhausen Building at Lewis and Clark Community College. Participants were divided into smaller ensembles, where they focused on music theory and rhythm activities. The camp concluded with a concert for families and friends. Jamie said she was

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MARION - Centerstone will sponsor their annual Life;Story 5K to raise money and awareness for suicide prevention. As an organization, Centerstone provides mental health and substance use treatment to communities across Illinois. On Sept. 7, 2024, their Life;Story 5K in Marion, Illinois invites community members to run or walk in person or virtually as a way to prevent suicide. “This is what we are about,” explained Erin Camfield, Centerstone’s Director of Advancement. “This event represents Centerstone as a whole. It’s so much more than just a 5K.” While the event is in Marion, participants can join virtually from anywhere in the country. In Marion, the 5K will include speakers and a free Health and Wellness Expo. Organizations can set up their tables for free at the expo. Camfield explained that the goal is to involve as many organizations and attendees as possible to share information about mental health and suicide prevention. When

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SWANSEA — A routine traffic stop on July 25, 2024, led to the discovery of a cache of drugs and a firearm, resulting in multiple charges for three individuals. An officer with the Swansea Police Department pulled over a vehicle in the 2700 block of North Illinois Street and conducted a search based on probable cause. During the search, officers found a Cobra .380 caliber handgun, a large bag of ecstasy tablets, 12 bags of methamphetamine, several other pills, and several hundred dollars in cash. All three occupants of the vehicle were taken into custody. The case was subsequently submitted to the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office for review. After careful examination, the State’s Attorney’s Office charged the driver, Brandon Foster, with multiple offenses, including Armed Habitual Criminal, Armed Violence, Felon in Possession/Use of Weapon/Firearm, Meth Delivery (100-400 grams), Manufacture/Delivery of Fentanyl (15-100 grams), Manufacture of

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On August 5, 2024, we reflect on a multitude of significant historical events that have shaped our world. Nelson Mandela's First Public Speech After Release (1990) On August 5, 1990, Nelson Mandela delivered his first public speech after being released from prison earlier that year. His speech, given in Soweto, South Africa, was a powerful call for unity and the end of apartheid. Mandela's words resonated deeply with millions around the world, symbolizing hope and the possibility of a new era of equality and justice in South Africa. This moment is remembered as a pivotal point in the fight against apartheid and the broader struggle for human rights. The Opening of the Liberty Bell Center (2003) On this day in 2003, the Liberty Bell Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, officially opened its doors to the public. The Liberty Bell, an enduring symbol of American independence and freedom, found a new home in this state-of-the-art facility designed to enhance visitors'

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HIGHLAND - Grid Solar LLC Co-Owners Jason Mitchell and Ryan Wagner recently shared some insight into the process of going solar from start to finish, including everything from consultation to design, installation, and more. Mitchell and Wagner appeared on Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com to raise awareness of how making the switch to solar really works. Wagner, who typically handles the first part of every project, said the process begins with an initial consultation, for which Grid Solar takes an “educational approach.” “We sit down and design a system for you - basically, we take an educational approach,” Wagner said. “We’re there to teach you everything you need to know about solar so that you can make a decision you’re confident in.” After the consultation and some paperwork, Wagner said projects then go into the Project Management phase, and the site of the solar installation is photographed for engineers to review.

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ALTON - Two individuals have been charged with forgery after attempting to pass bad checks on two different occasions at Schwegel's Market in Alton, leading to felonies filed in two separate cases. Duane A. Reams, 37, of Bethalto, and Marquitta M. Davis, 43, of Edwardsville, were both charged on July 29, 2024 with one count each of forgery, both Class 3 felonies. According to Madison County court documents, Reams allegedly passed a bad check in the amount of $2,204.63 to Schwegel’s Market in Alton on Feb 11, 2024. Three months earlier on Nov. 9, 2023, Davis reportedly passed a bad check in the amount of $1,514.54 at the same location. Reams and Davis were both granted pretrial release, and both of their cases were presented by the Alton Police Department. The issuance of charges is based solely upon probable cause and is not an indication of guilt. All subjects charged with criminal offenses are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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History is a tapestry woven with countless events, each contributing to the world as we know it today. On August 3, 2024, we celebrate a significant milestone in space exploration history: NASA's Mars Rover marks its 10th anniversary on the Red Planet. A decade ago, on this very day, the rover touched down on Mars, embarking on a mission that has since provided invaluable insights into the Martian environment, geological history, and the potential for past life. The rover, equipped with state-of-the-art instruments, has traversed the Martian surface, sending back high-resolution images and data that have deepened our understanding of our neighboring planet. This anniversary not only highlights the achievements of the rover but also underscores humanity's relentless pursuit of knowledge and the spirit of exploration. Shifting our focus from the wonders of space to the chronicles of Earth, August 3 has witnessed several other noteworthy events across the ages. Let’s embark

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