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ALTON - Mac’s on Third Street in Alton has come a long way since it opened in 1983 with only the front bar. The legendary Alton business is going strong in 2023 as it marks its 40th anniversary. The business opened its doors at 3:15 p.m. on Dec. 6, 1983, at the 315 Belle Street location with 2,500 square feet. It is a rarity for a bar to survive that long and Mac and Rob Lenhardt, the owners, are proud of how far they have come. Mac Lenhardt said when the business opened, he often worried about making the $250 a month payment on the loan to start, but with extreme fortitude, the business continued to grow and prosper. Mac and Rob have done much of the construction work on Mac’s and Mac also thanked his long-time construction associate - Joe Haufe - a master mechanic and carpenter. Joe and Mac joined forces in 1987 and have been together ever since. As buildings became available downtown, the Lenhardts purchased them, all to make Alton a better place for others to do

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SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Department of Natural Resources fisheries biologists, with support from contracted commercial fishers and biologists from the Illinois River Biological Station, wrapped up a 10-day intensive harvest operation in the Starved Rock pool of the Illinois River, resulting in the removal of an astonishing 750,000 pounds of silver carp between Nov. 27 and Dec. 6. This is the largest single removal effort IDNR has undertaken and is believed to be a record for freshwater harvest within the United States. “Clearly, this removal technique is highly effective, but it is also highly dependent on water levels and water temperature,” said Brian Schoenung, aquatic nuisance species program manager for IDNR. “This past week provided near perfect conditions, which facilitated the record-breaking haul of fish.” IDNR uses funding support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to contract with commercia

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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS – Utah-based Dolor Technologies, LLC (“Dolor) has entered into a settlement agreement with the United States to resolve Dolor’s civil liability relating to a device it sold and marketed to treat migraines, the Department of Justice announced today. This resolution requires Dolor to make monetary payments to the U.S. based upon its ability to pay. The government alleges that, between July 2013 through July 2017, Dolor violated the False Claims Act (FCA) by causing medical providers to submit false claims to the Medicare Program for procedures using a device called the SphenoCath. The SphenoCath was intended to treat migraine headaches by administering nerve blocks to the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG), a collection of nerves located deep in the midface of the skull. The government alleged the SphenoCath was not approved or authorized by the FDA for use in SPG nerve blocks for the treatment of headaches. The government also alleged Dolor instructed, coached

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ALTON/GODFREY - On Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, The Mirage Salon + Barbershop will host two fundraisers to raise money for a double mastectomy for one of their estheticians. From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., people can stop by The Mirage at 222 Herbert Street in Alton for “Haircuts for Samantha,” where every haircut costs $20 and all proceeds go to Samantha Schaibly. The day will end with a music trivia night at 6 p.m. at the KC Hall in Godfrey, and attendees can enjoy a cash bar and silent auction with all the money benefiting Schaibly and her family. “It takes a village. I have a great village,” Schaibly said. “I’m very grateful for it.” Schaibly, 31, has been with The Mirage for a year, during which she has gone to school full-time, passed her board exams to become a fully certified esthetician, and won a “Best of the Best” award. She added that her coworkers and clients have been “very supportive” through her recent struggles

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GODFREY - A man from Godfrey has been charged with aggravated battery of a pregnant woman and more, according to recent Jersey County court filings. Adam J. Webster, 34, of Godfrey, was charged with aggravated battery, unlawful restraint, and domestic battery in the form of physical contact. According to court documents, on or about Dec. 4, 2023, Webster, “knowing to be pregnant, committed a battery … in that he shoved her down the hallway and stated, ‘I could just strangle the life out of you.’” In total, Webster was charged with a Class 3 felony for the aggravated battery charge, in addition to a Class 4 felony for unlawful restraint and a Class A Misdemeanor for domestic battery in the form of physical contact. Webster was initially taken into the custody of the Jersey County Jail, but has since been granted pretrial release under certain conditions including a no-contact order and electronic GPS monitoring. His arraignment hearing is no

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ALTON - The Hayner Public Library District hosted their second annual Local Author Book Fair on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023. Executive Director Mary Cordes explained that the book fair invited approximately 25 local writers to sell their books and mingle with readers at the library’s Alton Square Mall location. From 12–3 p.m., shoppers explored new titles and chatted with authors about their writing, books and publishing process. “It’s going really, really well,” Cordes said during the event. “We even had shoppers while the authors were still setting up. They were like, ‘What are you selling?’ So it’s been really well-attended.” This is Hayner’s second year sponsoring an author fair. Last year, they hosted the inaugural event at their downtown Alton location in October. They decided this year they would try holding the fair at the mall during the holiday season instead. Cordes said this change successfully brought

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) joined Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth in sending a letter urging the Department of Health and Human Services’ Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to conduct a public health assessment on the impact of decades of flooding in Cahokia Heights, Illinois. “We write to request that the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) conduct a public health assessment on the impact of decades of flooding in Cahokia Heights, Illinois,” wrote the lawmakers. “For years, residents in Cahokia Heights have struggled with flash flooding, raw sewage in yards and homes, and potentially dangerous drinking water—the result of large-scale infrastructure problems that have failed to protect residents’ homes. As you are aware, prolonged exposure to floodwater and sewage can pose a significant public health threat from exposure to mold and other bacteria linked

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ALTON/GODFREY - Kolton Corby is a few days shy of turning 12, and instead of birthday presents, he wants to help animals in need. Corby and his family invited community members to help them fill a bus with donations on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at Farm and Home in Alton. All donations went to Hope Animal Rescues , a no-kill dog shelter in Godfrey that pulls dogs from animal control facilities before they are euthanized. Corby explained that dogs are his favorite animal, which is why he chose to donate to Hope Animal Rescues. “There’s just a lot of dogs in need, and they pick up a lot of dogs too,” he added. This is Corby’s fourth year of collecting donations instead of birthday presents. He started on his 8th birthday because he was concerned about “just being nice to animals and people.” Corby himself has five dogs, two goats, two cats “and a whole bunch of chickens,” so he knows firsthand how important it is to be kind and take

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), co-founder of the Senate Environmental Justice Caucus, and U.S. Representative Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13) today sent a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services’ Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) urging the agency to conduct a public health assessment on the impact of decades of flooding in Cahokia Heights, Illinois. “We write to request that the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) conduct a public health assessment on the impact of decades of flooding in Cahokia Heights, Illinois,” the lawmakers began their letter. “For years, residents in Cahokia Heights have struggled with flash flooding, raw sewage in yards and homes, and potentially dangerous drinking water—the result of large-scale infrastructure problems that have failed to protect residents’ homes. As you are aware, prolonged exposure

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ALTON - Centerstone, a national leader in behavioral health care, will co-host, along with Illinois First Judicial Circuit, Heritage Behavioral Health and Kane County System of Care, the no-cost “The Belonging Need” training series in early 2024 featuring advocate, speaker and former NFL player Gaelin Elmore. CEUs will be available. “The Belonging Need” series stresses that belonging is a vital component of human flourishing. However, those who have experienced traumatic and adverse situations often lack a sense of belonging, which can hinder their relationships, development, and their future. The series includes: “The Belonging Need: Part 1” – January 24 from 9-11 a.m. CT via Zoom “The Belonging Need: Part 2” – February 21 from 9-11 a.m. CT via Zoom In-person “A Trauma-Informed Courts and Community Symposium: Creating a Culture of Belonging” – March 21 from 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at the Marion Cultural

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BETHALTO - The Bethalto Floor Store hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony last Friday to commemorate its grand re-opening under new owner Kaylee Weber, who now owns the business in the same community where she's raising her family with a husband and two children. The Bethalto Chamber of Commerce organized the ribbon cutting to signify the new ownership. Weber is a Bethalto area native who was not only born and raised there, but whose family has another well-established local business, RCS Construction. “I am the new owner as of August, and I’m excited to stay here in town with a local business,” Weber said of the Bethalto Floor Store. She said the Bethalto Floor Store sells “any kind of flooring,” including carpet, tile, vinyl plank, laminate, hardwood and more, adding: “any surface you can walk on, we’ll have it and we’ll install it as well.” “I think it’s a fantastic town, it’s a great place to raise a family

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ALTON - Volunteers from United Way, Salvation Army, the Alton Police Department and more joined forces to sort donations for Community Christmas. On Monday, Dec. 11, 2023, volunteers gathered at the Alton Salvation Army to unpack 116 boxes that have been collecting donations throughout the Riverbend region. These donations will be given to families in the Greater St. Louis area as part of the United Way Community Christmas initiative. “It’s just been amazing to be a part of because it’s just one of those experiences that gets you right here,” said Karen Lintz, Director of the Illinois Region for the United Way of Greater St. Louis. “You think about everybody that is going to receive these donations this Christmas and the smiles it’s going to make with all the kids and the families.” The sorting day is one of the biggest days for the Community Christmas program, but fundraising and donating started early in the year with events like Christma

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ALTON - Confluence Wealth Management welcomed 200 clients and friends to their second annual Christmas party to mingle, celebrate and express appreciation. On Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, clients gathered at Old Bakery Beer Company in Alton and enjoyed a meal with each other and Confluence Wealth Management owners Robert Diaz and Jack Hoelscher. Attendees could also donate to the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign. Hoelscher explained that the party was a fun way to give back to the company’s clients and the community. “It’s really just our way to thank our clients for their business and just get everybody together at a fun time of the year,” he said. “Our intention and our hope is that, whether it’s through this event or other efforts, that this is going to grow in scale as our business grows. We’ll be able to increase the impact of those relationships and of our charitable giving in relation to that. We really hope to do more and more

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today filed a federal antitrust lawsuit challenging the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) transfer eligibility rule as an illegal restraint on college athletes’ ability to market their labor and control their education. The NCAA rule requires college athletes who transfer among Division I schools to wait one year before competing in games, unless the NCAA waives the rule for a particular athlete. The NCAA began automatically exempting first-time transfers from the regulation in 2021 but has continued to enforce the rule for subsequent transfers and deny waivers for no legitimate reason. Raoul and a bipartisan coalition of six attorneys general filed their lawsuit today in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia seeking a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to keep the NCAA from enforcing the rule. “The Transfer Eligibility Rule unfairly restricts collegiate athletes

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with Illinois community members and gun violence prevention advocates and survivors to discuss their shared efforts to save American lives through comprehensive gun safety reform, including a federal assault weapons ban. The meeting included Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering, representatives from Highland Park, Moms Demand Action in Illinois, Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence, Chicago Survivors, Illinois Gun Violence Prevention Coalition, Everytown Survivor Network and Martyr for Justice Project. Photos from today’s meeting are available on the Senator’s website . “The needless and preventable gun violence Illinoisans and Americans across this country experience is heartbreaking and not reflective of the kind of future our young people deserve,” said Duckworth. “And yet, these leaders and community advocates continue to show their courage and dedication every day as they

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced today his office reached a settlement with plasma collection company CSL Plasma Inc. (CSL) and its parent company, CSL Behring LLC, which resolves a lawsuit alleging the company’s policies discriminate against people with disabilities. Attorney General Raoul filed the lawsuit in June of 2020 in response to complaints from Illinois residents who were prevented from donating plasma because of their disabilities. Raoul alleged CSL’s policies violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Illinois Human Rights Act. “Individuals with disabilities should not face discrimination from a business simply for requesting the reasonable accommodation to which they are entitled,” Raoul said. “I will continue to enforce the Human Rights Act to ensure every Illinoisan with a disability has equal access to their communities and is protected against discrimination.” Under the settlement agreement, CS

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CHICAGO - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $52,860,638 in federal funding to the Illinois Department of Transportation to help the City of Bloomington improve multimodal transportation along approximately 6 miles of the Route 9 corridor. The improvements will include surface, curb and gutter replacements, sidewalk and ADA improvements, bike lane and pedestrian path additions, traffic signal upgrades, drainage improvements and bicycle facilities upgrades. This substantial funding comes through the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)’s Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant (MPDG) program and will improve infrastructure, as well as help create local jobs for Illinoisans. “Improving our transportation infrastructure is crucial to helping reduce congestion, lower costs and improve logistics, and Route 9 serves as a key route for it throughout Central Illinois and the entire state,” said Duckworth. “I’m proud

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul, with Connecticut Attorney General William Tong and District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb, co-led a collation of 22 state attorneys general in calling for an end to Mississippi’s regime of large-scale, permanent felon voter disenfranchisement. Raoul and the attorneys general filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit. A panel of 5th Circuit judges previously ruled that Mississippi’s system constitutes cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and entered an order instructing the district court to issue an injunction stopping Mississippi from enforcing the provision. However, the 5th Circuit vacated that ruling and decided to have the full court hear the case. “The vast majority of states have come to recognize that restoring voting rights helps convicted people fully reintegrate into their communities after they have served their debt to society,”

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WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) met with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Ambassador Motaz Zahran to discuss avenues to reopen key Gaza hospitals under the supervision of a credible, neutral third party in order to help innocent civilians caught in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. They also discussed ways to govern and rebuild Gaza. Last week, Durbin spoke by phone with United Nations (UN) Secretary General Antonio Guterres to discuss his proposal to reopen Gaza hospitals. Durbin was also joined by Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). “Egypt is a critical voice in the Middle East and is to be commended for its role in getting humanitarian aid into Gaza,” Durbin said. “During today’s meeting, we discussed the enormous ongoing humanitarian, security, and post-conflict governance challenges involving Gaza, as well as the importance of a long term two state solution. We also discussed options for helping reopen secured

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EDWARDSVILLE - Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc. of Edwardsville, announced it has initiated a voluntary recall on specific batches of private label Holiday Nog purchased in United Dairy Farmers stores between Dec. 4 through Dec. 6, 2023, that may contain an undeclared egg allergen: Product Product#/ Lot# Product Size Code Date Sold Between Holiday Nog 7631005049 I 21-65 1/2 Gallon 12/19/2023 12/4- 12/6 Holiday Nog is produced and manufactured by Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc. of Edwardsville, and sold at United Dairy Farmers stores. This specific batch may have been mislabeled related to egg allergens. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to eggs may run the risk of serious allergic reactions if they consume these products. "As part of our commitment to food safety, potentially impacted products have been removed from all United Dairy Farmers store shelves," Prairie Farms said in a statement. "To date, there have been no reported cases of illness reported t

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