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SPRINGFIELD – Waterfowl hunters are encouraged to mark their calendars for the upcoming waterfowl hunting blind drawings that will take place at numerous public hunting areas throughout Illinois in July and August. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) will host traditional blind drawings at all sites scheduled for this hunting year. Participants are advised to follow any site-specific drawing procedures. Duck and goose hunters must register in person for waterfowl blind site drawings and must be present at the drawing held at each location designated below immediately after the registration period to claim their blind sites. Mail-in or pre-registrations are not accepted. Blind allocations for these sites are good for one year or two years, as listed below. To participate in a drawing, all applicants must present a 2022 or 2023 regular Illinois hunting license; a 2022 or 2023 Illinois Migratory Waterfowl Stamp at the time they register, unless exempted by law;

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ALTON - After a three-year hiatus due to COVID precautions, the Three Rivers Project of Sierra Club Illinois is proud to announce the revival of the Urban Farm Tour on Sunday, June 25. Community members are invited to participate in the self-guided tour between 10:00am and 1:00pm at sustainable and edible yards, gardens, and farms across the Riverbend region. To learn more and RSVP, visit bit.ly/urbanfarmtour . “The Urban Farm Tour is a great opportunity for neighbors to meet each other and see firsthand how other community members are transforming their yards into sustainable and edible yards, gardens, and farms,” said Christine Favilla, co-Coordinator of the Three Rivers Project of Sierra Club Illinois. “Urban Farm ‘tourists’ can expect to view a variety of vegetables, herbs, flowers, fruit, and even chickens! This event might inspire you to transform your own yard from an upkeep-intensive lawn to a backyard oasis that provides fresh produce, attracts

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MADISON - GCS Credit Union employees joined together to raise $1,130.00 in the month of May to benefit the Madison Senior High School Band through their Smile fore Jeans Program. The Smile for Jeans Program is funded by GCS Credit Union employees who make monthly, monetary donations out of their own pockets to a local organization. By donating $15 or more to a specific organization, GCS employees are able to wear jeans and tennis shoes on Fridays and Saturdays during that month. Nothing gets better than seeing a smile on an organization’s face when GCS Credit Union presents them with a jeans donation check. GCS Credit Union’s 2023 Smile for Jeans Program focuses on supporting our local communities that we work, play and live in. During the month of May, GCS employees proudly raised $1,130.00 for the Madison Senior High School Band. GCS Credit Union is sending smiles across the world. The Madison Senior High School band students are traveling internationally this

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ALTON - A meeting on downtown Alton public safety will be held at 2 p.m. on June 20 at Alton City Hall. Mayor David Goins and Police Chief Jarrett Ford will be in attendance. Downtown business owners and residents are encouraged to share their thoughts on the increased loitering, vandalism and fights in downtown Alton. “I’m finding how much everyone loves this town,” Betsy Allen, Alderman of the 1st Ward, said. “So I think everybody’s just working to make sure we remain safe and that Alton stays the city we love.” Allen will also be at the meeting, as much of downtown Alton falls into her ward. She noted that loitering and public drinking increase after 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and these actions are causing public safety concerns. The downtown Alton area has seven bars with liquor licenses that allow alcohol sales until 3 a.m. Some people have suggested that this contributes to the problem. Allen said most of the issues happen

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HARDIN - At approximately 2:45 p.m. on June 16, 2023, the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office executed a court-authorized search warrant at a residence in the 900 block of Herron Street, Hardin, Calhoun County. During the execution of said search warrant, law enforcement officials seized a loaded firearm, a large amount of ammunition, suspected fentanyl, methamphetamine, and drug paraphernalia; which resulted in the arrest of three individuals. Charles D. Ball, age 53, of Cottage Hills, Illinois, was arrested on the following charges: Unlawful Possession of Firearm by Felon, Unlawful Possession of Firearm Ammunition by Felon, Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine, Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance (Fentanyl) Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Tracie M. Fender, age 51, of Hardin, was arrested on the following charges: Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine, Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance (Fentanyl), Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

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MILWAUKEE, Wis. - The following individual from Glen Carbon - Troy Marchetto - has been named to the Dean's List at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for the Spring 2023 semester. UWM is the second largest university in the State of Wisconsin, with more than 24,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Marchetto is a Letters & Science Undergrad.

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ALTON - The summer just got better with the great news that Alton Little Theater will produce the delightful musical Spamalot. The theater group was granted permission rights under the wire of the show beginning its 17th national (professional) tour, and Riverbend residents are in for a treat with a show that is zany, witty, super-silly, energetic, and just good old-fashioned fun. The show is scheduled to run on the evenings of July 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, and 29, and matinees on July 23 and July 30. Twenty-two actors from across the region will don 122 costumes and dance and sing their way into our funny bones in a 2-hour and 10-minute jaunt through the Middle Ages (and eight Broadway shows - spoofs thrown in for good measure). If you are a Monty Python fan, then, of course, you'll like the show; if you aren't familiar with the Python genre or mistakenly aren't sure you adore it, well, trust us, you will marvel at the brilliance of Eric Idle's script and score that took Broadway by storm

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WOOD RIVER - Those wanting a new convenience in Downtown Wood River are about to receive their wish. Rob Lenhardt of Mac's acknowledged Monday morning that a new Mac's Convenience Store will open at 82 East Ferguson in Wood River by a projected mid-to-late August 2023. "It used to be Rachel's Cafe," he said of the building where the new convenience store will be built. "It will be just like the Mac's Convenience Store in Downtown Alton. It will have the convenience store and gaming like the Mac's in Downtown Alton." Rob said that about six months ago, Wood River city officials announced they were trying to fill vacancies in some of the empty downtown buildings and he caught wind of it. "We sat down with city officials and we have also learned of several other things getting ready to open in Downtown Wood River," he added. "I think you could see five or six more businesses opening up in Downtown Wood River by the end of the year. We are excited about it." Wood River Mayor Tom Stalcup

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KAMPSVILLE - A Louisiana, Mo., man faces multiple charges after a stop by a deputy sheriff on Illinois Route 100 in Kampsville at 2:04 p.m. on Thursday, June 8. The Calhoun Sheriff's Office said subsequent to an investigation, the driver, Johnny L Chapman, age 38, of Louisiana, Mo., was arrested for the following offenses: Unlawful Possession of a Dangerous Weapon by Felon, Driving While License Suspended, Operating Uninsured. Chapman was arrested without incident and transported to the Greene County Jail. All suspect(s) are innocent until proven guilty.

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ALTON - Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford recently recognized Officer Bill Reed for connecting in a special way with children, announcing Reed had been "caught in the act" of doing something positive. "The Alton Police Department believes in full transparency, especially when we catch one of our own in the act," Ford said on the department's Facebook page . "As an agency, we believe in holding each other accountable. Going to your supervisor to report a fellow officer can be difficult but absolutely necessary. "That exact scenario recently unfolded as one of our officers caught a fellow officer in the act. The officer did exactly as he’s supposed to do and immediately reported his fellow officer’s behavior to a supervisor. At this time, I believe it is important to bring this incident to light although the officer would never want his behavior spotlighted in the public eye. "This past weekend, Officer Bill Reed and fellow officer, Evan Zeller, were requested to ensure

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ST. LOUIS - The City of St. Louis officials have issued reactions after a fatal shooting of a 17-year-old at an overnight party this past weekend in Downtown St. Louis at Washington and North 14th Street. St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones has promised multiple changes ahead in the city to try to prevent this type of violence from occurring. St. Louis Police Chief Robert Tracy identified the victim killed at the party as 17-year-old Makao Moore. Nine others were hurt in the shooting in Downtown St. Louis at a party on the fifth floor of a building in the 1400 block of Washington Avenue. St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones had this powerful statement Sunday: "Wrap your arms around your children today as we mourn." St. Louis Mayor Jones, joined by SLMPD Chief Robert Tracy, Congresswoman Cori Bush, Ald. Rasheen Aldridge (14), and Saint Louis Mental Health Board Deputy Director Serena Muhammad, delivered the following update on the tragic shooting at Washington and North 14th Street and announced

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ST. LOUIS - A St. Louis family is grieving the loss of U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Eric Rucker in a hit-and-run accident near Fort Cavazos, where Rucker was stationed in Texas. A local organization is asking for volunteers so that they don’t have to grieve alone. The Flagman’s Mission Continues is a nonprofit that travels throughout the Midwest, putting up American flags for fallen soldiers and first responders. The organization will be lining the funeral route for Rucker with flags this weekend. They’re asking anyone who wants to volunteer to join them on June 24 and 26 to put up and take down the flags. “We basically organize a community and give a community a way to pay honor to a fallen hero they may or may not have known that’s coming home to their hometown…by lining all or part of the funeral route with these big 3 by 5-foot flags on 10-foot poles,” Jeff Hastings, the head of The Flagman’s Mission Continues, said. “And that’s

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ALTON - The Illinois Boots & Saddle Club hosted a series of horse racing events that were free for the public to attend last Saturday, June 17 at 10 a.m. Ariel Weinman, secretary for the Boots & Saddle Club and director of the Barrel Races show, said they plan to host more races and other events later this summer. Saturday’s series consisted of two timed events - Barrel Racing and Pole Bending. Weinman described these as “traditional rodeo events” in which the fastest horse wins. Taylor Peterson, one of the barrel racers competing in the event, said she’s had years of experience and appreciates the way this event is organized. “I love to barrel race because it’s what I’ve been doing since I was really small and it’s like a huge adrenaline rush,” she said. “It’s really rewarding to know all the hard work I put in pays off when I’m here running. “I love coming to this arena because the ground is really

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ALTON - The Alton Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred Sunday in the 1300 block of Highland Avenue in Alton. Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford provided the following summary of what happened late Monday morning: "At 12:53 a.m. on Sunday, June 18, 2023, the Alton Police Department received a report of a large group of subjects creating a disturbance in the 1300 block of Highland Avenue in Alton. Approximately one minute later, we received notification from Alton Memorial Hospital that a subject with gunshot injuries had just arrived at the hospital." Chief Ford said the preliminary investigation revealed that the subject was shot while in the 1300 block of Highland Avenue. "His injuries are non-life threatening," Chief Ford said. "The investigation is ongoing at this time." Anyone with information is asked to call the Alton Police Department at 618-463-3505.

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EDWARDSVILLE – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Business alumna Rachel Clothier chose SIUE for her undergraduate and graduate studies. What sold Clothier on SIUE was not only the value of the degrees she earned, but also the value the University provided. Today she finds herself immersed in the city of Edwardsville’s business scene, continuing to call the community her home. “Ever since I graduated, I never really wanted to be anywhere except Edwardsville and this community,” said Clothier. “I have always felt connected to SIUE. Edwardsville is a smaller community, but SIUE has done a lot for our community. It is a wonderful resource to have the University in our backyard.” Clothier earned a bachelor's in business administration in 2006 and then a Master of Business Administration in 2008. She owns Goff & Dittman Florists and Gift Shop in Edwardsville, and although she is relatively new to the florist business, she

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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS - With the help of over 35 sponsors and 120 golfers, GCS Credit Union raised $29,217.80 during their 7th Annual Tee Up Fore Veterans Golf Tournament. The money raised during this event at Stonewolf Golf Club in Fairview Heights was donated to the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight and Songs4Soldiers. The Greater St. Louis Honor Flight received $25,000 of the tournament proceeds. This donation will sponsor a flight of veterans on a one day, all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials that were built in their honor. For more details about the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight please visit gslhonorflight.org. Songs4Soldiers received $4,217.80 of the tournament proceeds. Songs4Soldiers is a not-for- profit organization with a mission to enrich the lives of combat veterans and their families who have limited resources. This year is Songs4Soldiers 10th Anniversary Benefit Concert. This year’s concert will be on September 15th presenting Travis Tritt

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EDWARDSVILLE - Home Instead Senior Care in Edwardsville is hosting an event to commemorate the Longest Day, a fundraiser sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association. Home Instead’s Longest Day event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, June 21, at the Main Street Community Center in Edwardsville. Many healthcare agencies will be there to provide information on dementia care and caregiver support. They will also be encouraging donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, which is the leading organization on Alzheimer’s disease care and research. “I think the one thing that we all are hoping for is a cure,” Nikki Bishop, the owner of Edwardsville’s Home Instead branch, said. “But in the meantime, it’s being able to support each other with patience and compassion.” The Longest Day takes place every year on June 21, the summer solstice. According to the Alzheimer’s Association website , the solstice

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ALTON - There’s a new club on the block, and all the cool kids are there — literally. On June 14, the indoor playroom Leo’s Clubhouse had a busy opening day with lots of excited kids and thankful guardians. “We are a place where children and parents alike can both come in and interact with other parents or other children, and just get the socialization that they probably wouldn’t get at other places besides the park,” owner Madison Massena said. The playroom is geared toward kids from infancy to about 7 or 8 years old, but any child is welcome. They offer open play sessions at $12 for one child and $8 for any additional children. The playroom can also be rented out for parties. Massena explained that they have a variety of toys, activities and books. There is a gated infant section for children under 24 months. Older kids might enjoy the train table, Lincoln Logs table, climbing toys or the variety of kitchen and house playsets. The Clubhouse

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SPRINGFIELD – Utilizing the authority granted to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) by Senate Bill 1298, recently passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by the Governor, the Department has filed emergency and regular rules for the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults (HBIA) and Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors (HBIS) programs. These new rules establish the process the Department will use to determine if and when to alter the program, and how the Department will provide public notification of the alterations. In passing the FY24 State budget and Senate Bill 1298, the General Assembly directed the Department to ensure the HBIA and HBIS programs do not exceed the funds available and appropriated by the General Assembly for FY24. To do this, HFS will follow the process laid out in the emergency rules to temporarily pause new enrollments in the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults program , covering eligible residents between the ages of 42 t

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BRIGHTON - On Friday and Saturday, the Village of Brighton celebrated its history at the 117th Betsey Ann Picnic with carnival rides and games, food and craft vendors and Brighton’s famous Burgoo soup. The Picnic opened on Friday night at Betsey Ann Park. Little Egypt Shows & Carnival provided carnival rides and games from 5–11 p.m. Bingo was held throughout Friday evening. Players competed for the chance to win attendant prizes. Several local vendors also had booths to exhibit their products, including potted plants, woodworking projects, steel crafts, embroidered hats and more. The food opened at noon on Saturday. The Burgoo soup team cooked 650–700 gallons of soup and there were plenty of desserts and “tasty taters” are on the menu, as well as chicken and pork dinners. Other carnival food staples, like funnel cakes and snow cones, were available. The Brighton Athletic Association had he popular lemon shake-up stand, where you were able

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