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EDWARDSVILLE - At 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 5, the Madison County Historical Society (MCHS) Speaker Series will re­turn to an in-person format. The June program will be held in the lower level of Immanuel United Methodist Church at 800 N. Main St., Edwardsville, directly across the street from the MCHS Library. The presenter, Library Research Manager Mary Z. Rose, will explore the facts about the only documented Indian captive narrative of Madison County. It is the story of how, in the late 18th century, members of the James Gillham family, then living in Kentucky, were abducted by indigenous warriors who took their captives to what later became Illinois. Sometime after Gillham recovered his family, the Gillhams relocated to Illinois and eventually settled in Chouteau Township. They were some of the earliest non-indigenous settlers in Madison County. It is said that Gillham moved to Madison County after be­ing impressed by the prairie, soil, and natural resources of this ar­ea

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Illinois American Water’s work to separate the Alton combined sewer system and install new sanitary sewers continues. Below is information about this week’s road closures – May 23, 2022 Piasa Valley Area: Alby Street and 6th Street are back open to traffic, except for the intersection of Alby and 9th Street, which will open on Monday morning. 9th Street will be closed from east of Alby Street intersection east to Alton Street, with additional closures east as the sewer installation progresses. 12th Street pavement replacement will be starting soon. 10th Street is closed between Alby Street and George Street. Blair Avenue will be closed at the intersections of Henry and Langdon Streets. Brick pavement restoration is currently happening on 8th Street. Please drive carefully in this area, as there is a lot of construction equipment moving around the different work areas. Shields Valley Area: Final pavement restoration at the intersection of Greenwood

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EDWARDSVILLE – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions Director Todd Burrell was honored for his profound impact in higher education with his receipt of the Illinois Association for College Admission Counseling’s (IACAC) highest award. During the IACAC Conference held in Chicago in April, the organization’s first to be held in person since the onset of COVID-19, Burrell was presented the 2020 Patricia A. Kasowski Award, which recognizes long and meritorious service to the profession/association and the demonstration of leadership and service with distinction. “I am extremely thankful for this recognition, and must acknowledge that this honor would not be possible without the support of so many colleagues at SIUE as well as around the state and region,” said Burrell, “This award further motivates my dedication to assisting prospective students and families.” Burrell has led SIUE’s undergraduate

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CARLINVILLE - A wide selection of good-quality reading materials will be available at low prices during a sidewalk book sale at the Carlinville Public Library on Saturday, June 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Books will be on sale for $1 each at this outdoor event, which offers gently-used materials in all genres, including fiction, biography, history, how-to, cooking, travel, and holidays. In addition to the outdoor sale, visitors may enjoy the usual Book Nook selections inside in the conference room, where shoppers may fill a bag of books for a dollar throughout the day. All proceeds from the event will benefit library programs. The sidewalk sale is one of many activities in Carlinville that day, including the annual Spring Festival at the Macoupin County Historical Society. “We have a lot of great books for sale,” said library director Hannah Miller. “They’re in really good shape, and there’s a lot of variety. We think there’s something for everyone,

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EAST ST. LOUIS – A Cahokia, Illinois, man - Joseph Albert Fuchs III - was found guilty as charged last week for Enticement of a Minor, Travel with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct, and Engaging in Illicit Sexual Conduct in a Foreign Place. During this time, Fuchs was a special agent for the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPSOIG). USPSOIG provided their full cooperation in the investigation. Sentencing is set for August 24, 2022, in front of the Honorable Judge Stephen P. McGlynn. According to evidence presented during the trial, J. Fuchs, III, an American citizen, met a 14-year-old girl while visiting the Philippines. Fuchs then engaged in sexual conversations with the minor using Facebook. During those conversations, Fuchs discussed ways to evade detection of her age when he would return to the Philippines to engage in sexual acts with her at a hotel. Fuchs then returned to the Philippines in March of 2019 and engaged in sexual acts with

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ST. LOUIS - City Museum is celebrating service members with free admission for members of the military accompanied by a paid admission on Memorial Day weekend, May 27 - 30, 2022. Memorial Day weekend, City Museum is open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Friday; 10 a.m.until 9 p.m.on Saturday; 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday; and 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. on Monday. At 2 p.m. on Friday, May 27 the Midwest Winds will entertain guests with songs inspired by the experiences and exhibits found on City Museum's four floors. The Midwest Winds woodwind quintet is an ambassador of the Air Force Band of Mid-America, providing a highly professional product to communicate esprit de corps and render honor to the Air Force and country. The group offers a wide range of musical literature from classical and contemporary music to marches and patriotic crowd pleasers to light popular music. This performance is free with General Admission. For more information, visit www.city museum.org . City Museum

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CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation that streamlines property tax relief for seniors, veterans, and persons with disabilities while also encouraging local taxing districts to lower their levy rate, opening the door for hundreds of dollars in individual property tax savings per year. “Over the past twenty years, property taxes have skyrocketed at a rate far surpassing the increase in home values. For veterans, disabled Illinoisans, and our seniors, that can mean having to choose between basic needs—like healthcare­­—and losing their homes. That’s unacceptable—and needs to change,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This bill expands homestead exemptions for veterans and their spouses, reduces interest rates, and allows for automatic renewal for our disabled homeowners. When I got elected, I promised to address rising property taxes for our residents. I am proud to sign this bill into law—taking another step

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced today that it supports yesterday’s recommendation by the CDC of the Pfizer-BioNTechCOVID-19 booster dose for children aged 5 to 11 years old. IDPH issued an advisory to vaccine providers throughout the state endorsing the booster for children 5 through 11 years of age at least five months after completion of a primary series with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, following the emergency use authorization this week by the FDA and the recommendation of the CDC. “We encourage every parent or guardian of children five and older to consider a booster vaccination for their eligible child,” said IDPH Director Amaal Tokars. “And if your children have not yet received their primary dose, it’s not too late to start now. Especially with cases rising throughout the state, everyone who is eligible for vaccination should be taking advantage of the opportunity to get vaccinated and boosted. Vaccination

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Parks and Recreation Department is finalizing details for the Route 66 Festival, set to take place Saturday, June 11 at City Park in downtown Edwardsville. The annual Route 66 Festival will begin at 8 a.m. with the yearly 10k, sponsored by the Metro Milers. After the festival officially opens at 10 a.m., eventgoers can expect new and returning vendors selling boutique or artisan products, as well as a non-profit area showcasing local organizations that serve the community. Throughout the day, there will be an open mic event from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., the classic car show at 3 p.m., and car cruise at 6 p.m. Festivities will also include a family zone with inflatables, face painting, and a petting zoo. Local organizations including the Children’s Museum, Edwardsville Art Center, and the YMCA will have interactive booths. Patrons can expect to boogie all day and into the evening with live music from 2-11 p.m. The Matt Taul Group, a local band

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EDWARDSVILLE - Opera Edwardsville (OE) celebrates a milestone year by presenting a 5th Anniversary Season that includes a free opera for kids, a free outdoor concert at Edwardsville City Park, its signature ticketed December concert (Presented by the SIUE Arts & Issues Series), and its popular series "The 12 Days of Opera Edwardsville" shared online throughout December free of charge. Details below. Community Impact in the past 4 years: Alongside world-class performances, OE has developed a portfolio of education and outreach programs that have reached 5,000+ grade-schoolers through an annual opera for kids, 300+ high school and college students through masterclasses, a triumphant concert for the community at Edwardsville City Park in 2021, and 80,000+ viewers through free performances shared online. In celebration of continued growth, OE is excited to announce the appointment of pianist Joseph Welch as the company's first Artist-in-Residence. recognizes the immense talent of Welch

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CARLINVILLE - At 7:11 a.m. on Saturday, May 21, 2022, the Carlinville Police Department responded to a report of a male down in a puddle in the roadway in the 1100 block of Sumner Street. Upon arrival, officers found a male identified as Monteaz Walton, 40, in a fetal-like position on his right side. Officers began life-saving measures until Carlinville Fire Protection District and Gillespie Benld Area Ambulance Service arrived on scene, to no avail. Macoupin County Coroner was called to the scene and pronounced Mr. Walton deceased. An autopsy was performed Saturday afternoon which determined that Mr. Walton was struck by a vehicle and succumbed to his injuries. The investigation is continuing with the assistance of the Macoupin County Coroner’s Office and the Illinois State Police Crime Scene Investigations. Anyone with any information is encouraged to contact the Carlinville Police Department, at 217-854-3221 or info@carlinvillepolice.com or Macoupin & Montgomery Counties

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ALTON — The First Annual James Killion Day is scheduled to honor all local veterans from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 28, 2022, at James Killion Park (formerly Salu Park). James Killion Day will celebrate the birthday, life, and contributions of Mr. Killion, as well as, pay tribute to local veterans’ past, present and future. In attendance will be the City of Alton Mayor, David Goins, who will present a proclamation to the members of the Killion Family. Local veterans will share their service stories, along with music will be provided by DJ Love. Doves will be released in reverence of veterans who have passed. Also, event attendees will enjoy food, and drinks and take home a commemorative frisbee, as well as, have the opportunity to win tickets to a St. Louis Cardinals baseball game. James Killion Day is being made possible by donations from Duke’s Bakery, Just Desserts, Schwegel’s Market, Williams Family White Dove Release, Alderwoman Rosetta Brown, Signed wit

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THE CENTER SQUARE – Illinois property taxes have far outpaced household incomes and home values since 1990, a Wirepoints analysis shows. Tax bills per household have grown 268% since 1990, while average home values have grown 114%. According to the nonprofit Wirepoints, the average household now owes nearly $4,400 in residential taxes each year, up from $1,200 in 1990. In 2020, property taxes ate up 5.9% of median household incomes in Illinois. Thirty years ago, property tax bills consumed just 3.6% of incomes. Wirepoints president Ted Dabrowski said Gov. J.B. Pritzker promised to address property taxes when he was elected, but it hasn’t happened. “We only see new bills and new laws come out of Springfield, and they always raise spending and they always raise property taxes and they always raise pension costs, so there is nothing good there for taxpayers,” Dabrowski said. As for their impact on home prices, Dabrowski said property taxes have contributed

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The Metro Illinois region had a big scare at about 5 p.m. Thursday when tornado warning messages blew apart people’s phones and outside sirens sounded. Some stores in the region had customers leave their premises when the sirens and warnings were issued. In the Metro East region, Belleville may have been hit the hardest by the heavy winds. Faith Baptist Church in Belleville had its roof ripped off and a pantry associated with it also had roof damage. An EF1 tornado rocked North Clinton and Bond Counties and there was a tornado touchdown on Jamestown Road a few miles outside Breese. There were reports of trees that were blown down and farm outbuildings were reported damaged near Breese. An EF0 tornado touched down just south of I-64 near Okawville and damaged farm outbuildings. Peak winds were 85 mph in that touch down. Another EF0 tornado touched down near Creve Coeur, Mo., just north of Olive Boulevard, and power poles were snapped. In Kirkwood, Mo., an EFO tornado with

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Illinois State Police released a preliminary report Friday afternoon about a fatal accident early in the morning at North University Drive and Illinois Route 143. This was the ISP preliminary report: WHAT: Single Vehicle Fatal Traffic Crash WHERE: North University Drive at Illinois Route 143, Madison County WHEN: At approximately 5:50 a.m., May 20, 2022 VEHICLE: Unit 1 – 2004 White Nissan Truck DRIVER: Unit 1 – Paul A. Wisdom, a 78-year-old male from Park Hills, MO – Deceased PRELIMINARY: Preliminary investigative details indicate the following occurred: Unit 1 was traveling on the ramp from North University Drive to Illinois Route 143 eastbound, Madison County. For unknown reasons, Unit 1 left the roadway to the left, struck an embankment and overturned. The driver of Unit 1 was ejected and fatally injured. The driver of Unit 1 was pronounced deceased on scene by the Madison County Coroner. This is an open and ongoing investigation

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EAST ALTON - Mayor Darren Carlton of East Alton has spent years in public service from his days in law enforcement to now as leader of the village. East Alton Public Works Director Mike Moore said one of Darren's missions as mayor is to connect with youth and families and at 10 a.m. on Saturday in East Alton they have a great break-out event with warm weather here. A Kids To Park Day is set in East Alton on Saturday and will be free because of some fundraising, and Abundant Life Church will provide a Bounce House for kids, Moore said. "There will be free food and games at the event, which should be fun for all," Moore added. The event is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Keasler Complex. In the case of rain will be inside at the Keasler Center. The complex is located at 615 Third Street in East Alton. "This is the first time we have done this, but it is really a chance to do this and do something for the village," Moore said.

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Twelve years! That’s how long the Riverbender Community Center (RBCC) has been a proud pillar of this community. After twelve extremely successful years, the current Riverbender Community Center founder and executive board will be stepping down and the CommunityCenter will close its doors this Friday, May 20, 2022, following the completion of the last Friday Night Open Play. “It has been an amazing run and I’ve enjoyed every minute of my time spent with the Riverbender Community Center. From collaborating with local business owners, non-profit organizations, and individual donors in the development of the Center over a decade ago, to working with our volunteers and the kids on Friday nights - every moment has been a gift. Seeing the smiles and hearing the laughs, and watching them participate in what we have created has been as rewarding as just about anything in my life. I am blessed and proud to have had this opportunity to serve my community in this special

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ALTON - Marquette Catholic officials announced Friday that the Explorers Club Gala and Auction, held March 26, 2022, set a record with a profit of $126,890. The annual event started in the early 1990s. “The auction dinner is a very important event for us," Marquette Catholic Principal Tim Harmon said. "On behalf of our students, I want to express our appreciation for the great support we received from our parents, alumni, and the Marquette community. I want to thank all the parents in the Explorers Club who helped make the auction such a success. I’m already looking forward to next year’s event.” Explorers Club President and Auction Co-Chair Monica Ellerbracht said: "We want to thank all of our sponsors, volunteers, and those who attended the event. The annual event raises funds to help offset school expenses. “The actual cost of attendance is nearly $2,000 more than what we charge in tuition and fees. Those dollars have to come from somewhere. Auction

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EDWARDSVILLE - A 78-year-old Park Hills, Mo. man tragically lost his life in an accident reported at 5:49 a.m. on Friday in the Eastbound Illinois Route 143 area at SIUE Northern Access Road. Madison County Coroner Stephen P. Nonn identified the man who died in the single-vehicle car crash as Paul W. Wisdom. Nonn said the crash was not witnessed but later discovered by a passer-by. "Evidence at the scene suggests the decedent was the operator and sole occupant of a 2004 Nissan pick-up truck that left the roadway and rolled over causing him to be ejected from the vehicle," Nonn said. "The location of the crash is Eastbound Illinois Route 143 at SIU Northern Access Road. The decedent was pronounced deceased at the scene at 6:17 a.m. Friday by Madison County Coroner’s Office Senior Investigator Diondra Horner. Edwardsville Police and Fire Departments as well as the Illinois State Police responded to the incident. The crash remains under investigation by the Illinois State Police

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CARBONDALE - Twenty-two southern Illinois residents are among the 68 physicians and six graduate students at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine who received their diplomas Saturday, May 21, at the school’s 48 th annual commencement. The ceremony was held at the Performing Arts Center at the University of Illinois Springfield. SIU School of Medicine Dean and Provost Jerry Kruse, MD, MSPH, awarded diplomas to the medical students, and Sheila Caldwell, EdD, vice-president for antiracism, diversity, equity and inclusion, and Chief Diversity Officer at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, conferred the degrees. Alumni, faculty members, and a graduating student received awards during the ceremony. Mikaela Thurber, an instructor in anatomy in Carbondale, received the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. Jody Lack, MD, an associate professor in pediatrics, and Class of 2022 graduate Braidy Megeff, MD, received the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Awards, presente

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