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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), along with U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH), in leading 22 senators in a letter to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Shalanda Young, sounding their concerns about the Administration’s delay in finaliz i ng proposed rules to end the sale of menthol flavor in cigarettes and all flavors in cigars. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the proposed rules in April 2022, but has been working on this issue for more than a decade without finalizing a rule. “We are extremely concerned that the rule is now expected to be released in March 2024, which is two years after the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) April 2022 announcement of the proposed rule. Likewise, we are also awaiting a final rule to ban all flavors in cigars, a proposed

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ALTON - Soul Sanctuary will host their first Silent Book Club event for introverts and others who want company while reading. From 6–8 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024, people can come to Soul Sanctuary at Milton Schoolhouse, read and chat if they want. Stella Webb, owner of Soul Sanctuary , explained that the free event aims to provide companionship and encourage leisurely reading. “This is a whole new approach to book club,” Webb said. “It’s just more about camaraderie, more about just being around people. There’s no pressure to read the same book and have it ready by the same time.” Silent Book Clubs are gaining popularity around the world. The groups meet regularly and attendees read their own books, at their own pace, in silence for an hour. Socialization is optional after the quiet reading hour is done. As a minister and spiritual practitioner through Soul Sanctuary, Webb said she has worked with a lot of people who feel increasingly

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GRANITE CITY - Over the span of just four days, two different individuals were both charged with retail theft from the same Walmart located at 379 Pontoon Road in Granite City, according to recent Madison County felony court filings. Christine E. Weldon, 56, of Granite City, was charged with retail theft under $300. Court documents state Weldon stole clothing items with a total value not in excess of $300 on Dec. 18, 2023. Weldon had previously been convicted of Forgery on Sept. 12, 2016 in Madison County. In this most recent case, she was charged with a Class 4 felony. Court documents indicate she was released upon her signature of a Conditions of Pretrial Release Order. Four days earlier on Dec. 14, 2023, Jamiah L. Sullivan, 24, of O’Fallon, was also charged with retail theft from the same Walmart. Court documents allege Sullivan stole “toys and household goods” with a total value greater than $300. Sullivan was charged with a Class 3 felony and has since

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GRANITE CITY - A Granite City man previously convicted of a felony has been charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, according to recently filed Madison County court documents. Chistopher G. Landreth, Jr. was charged with one count of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon on Dec. 8, 2023. According to court documents, the felony Landreth has previously been convicted of was Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine, which he committed in 2019. Court documents also specify the weapon in this case as an RG .22 revolver. Landreth was charged with a Class 3 felony. Court documents indicate he was released upon his signature of a Conditions of Pretrial Release Order. 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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EDWARDSVILLE – The City is asking the organizers of an overnight warming location in Edwardsville to apply for a special use permit to operate as a means of ensuring the safety of all involved. City officials have been communicating for months with the organizers of an overnight warming location at 534 St. Louis Street to help them navigate zoning processes that would apply to many property uses in that zoning district, including an overnight warming facility. City officials have made ongoing attempts since October to provide guidance on the applicable requirements and even hosted a meeting in early December between the overnight warming center organizers and concerned residents in the hopes of furthering understanding and communication. The City is not asking anything of the overnight warming location organizers that would not be required for any property use that falls outside of Edwardsville’s zoning guidelines. It is the City’s stance that a special use permit i

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) is targeting vehicle theft, hijacking, and related violent crimes using a $10 million Illinois Vehicle Hijacking and Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance Verification Council grant from the Illinois Secretary of State. “With the use of increased patrol presence, air operations support, automated license plate readers, investigations, and forensic services, the Illinois State Police is dedicated to stopping vehicle thefts and hijacking crimes,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. From October through December 2023, ISP missions resulted in the following: Vehicles recovered – stolen and/or hijacked 251 Stolen vehicle arrests 19 Hijacked vehicle arrests 0 Firearms seized as a result of stolen/hijacked vehicle recovery 16 Missions targeting stolen/hijacked vehicle recovery and related violent crime 53 K9 used for stolen/hijacked vehicle recovery and related violence

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois State Police are advising the public about winter conditions that will create dangerous travel conditions in much of the state, with significant snow totals, severe cold and high winds continuing into the weekend. Slick and slippery conditions, reduced visibility, subzero wind chills and much longer travel times are expected. “Before heading out during any severe weather event, always ask yourself: Is this trip necessary or can it be postponed?” s aid Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman . “The team at IDOT will be out in force, but the public should be prepared for extremely difficult travel these next few days. Expect trips to take much longer than usual and please make sure you are ready should your vehicle break down.” If you must travel, please drive according to conditions, slowing down, increasing braking distances and allowing more space between you and other vehicles.

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GODFREY - Blake Sonka with Blake Sonka State Farm in Godfrey recently discussed his office’s new location on Godfrey Road and more as part of a North Alton-Godfrey Business Council Spotlight . Sonka said a new building was recently built for his State Farm office located at 3052 Godfrey Road, Unit A, directly across the street from their former location. The building, featuring white siding and a red roof, stands just south of The Plant Stand. He added that work in the parking lot is being finalized as the business officially moves into its new home. Sonka has been with State Farm since 2016, working with a different agent in Edwardsville before becoming an agent himself and opening his Godfrey office in 2019. But he said some of his team have been with the company for over 25 years and have been there for several of their customer’s major life milestones. “I have two amazing team members, Glenda and Sherry, that were there for 25 and 28 years, and

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ALTON/EDWARDSVILLE - The Alton area region is going to see a huge drop in temperatures as the day and evening progresses on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. Weather forecasters also predicted wind gusts Friday evening to progress from 35 to 45 mph and 40-45 mph at periods on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, with wind chills below zero. Temps will move from a high near 50 degrees during the day Friday to down to 16 degrees as a low in the evening. On Saturday, the high temperature will reach only 21 degrees with a low of 2 degrees. On Sunday, the high is projected at 10 degrees with a slight chance of snow in the evening with a low of 3 degrees. The snow accumulation shouldn’t be great over the weekend, St. Louis National Weather Service meteorologist Ben Kyger said, but the low temps are concerning for everyone. On Monday, temps will rise to only 12 degrees and the low will be only 2 above zero Monday night. On Tuesday of next week, a high of 14 is predicted and on Wednesday of next week,

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GODFREY – When filmmaker Kevin Edwards began his education at Lewis and Clark Community College, his sights were set on a career in law enforcement. Little did he know, his passion for film would alter his trajectory. Although his degree in Criminal Justice wasn’t an obvious first step into the entertainment industry, his studies fueled an interest in human nature. Edwards, who is from Grafton, believes the Sociology classes he took with L&C Associate Professor Jen Cline, along with his Criminal Justice courses, had a major impact on him by helping him develop an interest in other people’s experiences. “These classes opened my mind up to the rest of the world and taught me about the different perspectives of different people,” he said. “Jen did an amazing job by opening me up to social issues and presenting them in a way that made me want to learn more.” Cline, who has become a staunch supporter of Edwards’ efforts to bring

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ALTON - Sadie Lupercio has established herself as a friendly face at Alton Middle School. The seventh grade math teacher is a Difference Maker in the classroom and the community with her commitment to her students, most recently as the organizer of a GoFundMe for the Alton Community Boxing Club . Several of her students are members of the club, which prompted Lupercio to get involved. But this is just one instance of how Lupercio aims to help kids. She works every day to make sure her students are okay and goes above and beyond to check in with each of them and show them that she cares. “My big thing of becoming a teacher was these kids might not have somebody at home,” Lupercio said. “They might not have someone to go home to and talk to or just somebody that even cares. Maybe they have somebody at home but they don’t care. I’m not saying that’s the case, but I’m just saying I want to be that person for every kid that walks in my

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GRANITE CITY - A 19-year-old from Granite City was recently charged with his second subsequent offense of domestic battery, according to Madison County court documents. Tanner A. Moxey, 19, of Granite City, was charged with one count of domestic battery - his second subsequent offense - on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. Moxey was previously convicted of aggravated domestic battery in Madison County in 2022. In this most recent case, Moxey allegedly “caused bodily harm to … a family or household member, in that said defendant struck the victim about the head and face, causing injury,” according to court documents. Moxey was charged with a Class 4 felony. Court documents indicate he was remanded to be held in jail until his initial court appearance. 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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EDWARDSVILLE - Several individuals have been charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, three of whom have also been charged with intent to deliver, according to recently filed Madison County court documents. Edward D. Flaugher, 62, of Granite City, was charged with unlawful possession with the intent to deliver methamphetamine on Jan. 3, 2024. Flaugher allegedly possessed 15 or more grams, but less than 100 grams, of a substance containing methamphetamine with the intent to deliver it, according to court documents. Flaugher was charged with a Class X felony and was released upon his signature of a Conditions of Pretrial Release Order. Christopher L. Price, 43, of Madison, was charged with unlawful possession with the intent to deliver methamphetamine on Jan. 10, 2024. Court documents state Price “knowingly possessed with the intent to deliver five or more grams but less than 15 grams of methamphetamine.” Price was charged with a Class 1 felony and was released

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EDWARDSVILLE - Charges have recently been filed against two individuals for separate cases of possession of cocaine and fentanyl last November, according to recently filed Madison County court documents. Jaron S. Mullis, 34, of Granite City, was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance on Nov. 24, 2023. Court documents state Mullis knowingly and unlawfully possessed a substance containing cocaine. Mullis was charged with a Class 4 felony and was released upon his signature of a Conditions of Pretrial Release Order. David W. Cheek, 58, of Belleville, was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance. Cheek allegedly possessed an undisclosed amount of a substance containing fentanyl on Nov. 24, 2023, according to court documents. Cheek was charged with Class 4 felony and was released upon his signature of a Conditions of Pretrial Release Order. The issuance of charges is based solely upon probable cause and is not an indication of guilt. All

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GRANITE CITY - A man from Granite City was recently charged with domestic and aggravated battery of a pregnant woman, according to recent Madison County court filings. Dustin M. Hale, 32, of Granite City, was charged with one count of aggravated battery and one count of domestic battery, both committed against the same victim on Jan. 9, 2024. Hale committed these offenses while “knowing to be pregnant, in that said defendant punched and kicked about the body causing pain,” according to court documents. Hale was charged with a Class 3 felony for aggravated battery and a Class A misdemeanor for domestic battery. Court documents indicate he was remanded to be held in jail until his initial court appearance. 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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ALTON - Alton Community Service League (ACSL) and the Loyal Order of the Moose have a coveted Valentine's Day Wine-Tasting event planned from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, at the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge #1349, 730 Wesley Drive in Wood River. Tickets are $20 and can be obtained by contacting the Moose or Cathy Droste at (618) 971-9191 or Cora Miller at (618) 444-7011. It is important to note that tickets for the wine-tasting will not be sold at the door. Wine selections will be top-notch and handled by Republic National Distribution Company of Illinois. There will be a raffle of a Valentine's Day gift basket and a 50-50 drawing included in the night's activities. Proceeds from the event will benefit Alton/Godfrey area charities through the ACSL grant program. ACSL donates 40 percent of funds raised to beautification and landscaping projects in the area and 60 percent to projects that benefit the community in many ways, including food banks and warming centers. ACSL

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GODFREY - Jim Lewis, the Village of Godfrey’s Director of Maintenance, has a few tips on how to navigate snow plows and salt trucks during this weekend’s winter storm. As a cold snap approaches, Lewis and the rest of the department will be out on Friday afternoon, Jan. 12, 2024, to put down salt to prevent freezing on the roads. He doesn’t anticipate a lot of snow, but he warns that cars should be aware of ice as the temperature drops. He asks drivers to give the trucks plenty of room on the roadways. “What we do is we try to be preemptive as far as getting salt down on the roads in front of it,” Lewis explained. “Example, today, this rain is supposed to pretty well cut off by noon and right after that we’ll start putting salt down on the whole town because we’re worried about a flash freeze later, and hopefully that will combat it. When you get down to zero, that salt’s not going to do any good for you. But right now, it’

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ALTON - Madison County Coroner Stephen P. Nonn on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, identified an Alton area woman who lost her life following a residential structure fire occurring on Grandview Avenue in the City of Alton on January 11, 2024. Tragically, the investigation, spearheaded by the Alton Police Department, has shown that the victim in this case called 9-1-1 to report that her house was on fire and she was succumbing to the smoke. 9-1-1 was called at 1:38 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, and officers with the police department and firefighters from the Alton Fire Department were immediately dispatched to the scene. Upon their arrival, heavy fire was present from the front of the residence. "Firefighters later located the victim inside the home and subsequent notification was made to the Office of Coroner and Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office," Coroner Nonn said. "The victim was identified as one: Tina Marie Price, 56, of Alton. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene

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Dear Editor: Every day, I drive to work between Wood River and Edwardsville on Highway 143, and as I pass 255, I begin to see all of the trash along the roadway. This continues on, all the way until Bender Hill Road, which leads back to the landfill. The trash along 255 between I-270 and Route 143 is also a major eye-sore in our community. Sadly, our County Board Chairman has decided to place his own political interests ahead of actually solving this problem. The public deserves to know the full story, which, as has become all too common, involves a politician (Kurt Prenzler) with conflicts of interests accepting donations from interested parties and then doing nothing. Enough is enough. There have been citizen complaints (including complaints from me) for a few years now. There is a small, but vocal group, led by citizens Rusty Wheat and Mike Wever, who have attended County Board Meetings, and have complained to surrounding municipalities, elected officials, state legislators, IDOT

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GRANITE CITY - The Granite City teachers union, formally The Granite City Federation of Teachers, has officially changed their name. In an effort to recognize all of the hard working professionals in Granite City Community Unit School District #9, Local 743 has voted to change their official name to The Granite City Federation of Educational Professionals. The 100-year old local represents social workers, guidance counselors, nurses, school psychologists, speech pathologists, in addition to teachers. "Our 400+ membership realizes that there are a multitude of professionals that are here to service all of the students in the Granite City School District. It is important to us that our organization is a reflection of all of our members, including our local's official name," said Chuck Noud, Local 743 President. “As the needs of students grow, the role of all professionals in education must expand to make sure that all necessary supports are in place to ensure student success.

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