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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) and Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) led 18 Members of Congress in a bipartisan letter calling for Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to reconsider proposed changes to United States Postal Service (USPS) service standards that would exacerbate delays in mail delivery for residents in rural and underserved communities. “We are writing to express our extreme concern with the United States Postal Service's (USPS) August 22, 2024, announcement that you will be adjusting mail delivery times, resulting in additional delays for our constituents who live in rural areas and areas that are more than 50 miles from a USPS processing center,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter to Postmaster General DeJoy. “While we understand the need for modernization and financial changes across the Postal Service, these changes cannot come at the expense of rural residents who rely on the USPS. Americans, particularly those living in

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COLLINSVILLE — The Collinsville Community Appearance Board has announced the winner of its September 2024 "Yard of the Month" contest. The honor goes to the residents of 104 Shadow Crossing in Collinsville, who have demonstrated exceptional yard maintenance and beautification. The "Yard of the Month" contest, sponsored by the Collinsville Community Appearance Board, runs from May through September each year. The initiative aims to encourage residents to maintain and improve their properties, recognizing those who go above and beyond standard expectations. Winners of the first-place award receive a gift certificate to Creekside Gardens in Collinsville, Ill., and are recognized by the Mayor at a City Council meeting. Additionally, they gain automatic entry into the "Yard of the Year" contest, which takes place in October. "The contest is a wonderful way to foster community pride and highlight the hard work of our residents," said a spokesperson for the Collinsville Community

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ALTON - SSP Wellness Center is excited to introduce our new Personalized Workout Plans! This service is perfect for those looking for affordable alternatives to personal training or for individuals who enjoy working out independently. Our Personalized Workout Plans offer a flexible and cost-effective way to stay on track with your fitness goals. Each plan is customized to suit your personal needs, ensuring you get the most out of your workouts. Service Details: To participate, you must complete an initial consultation with a personal trainer. During this session, the trainer will perform your assessments and begin programming your personalized workouts. Following the consultation, you will have a 30-minute session with a trainer to review your workout plan and ensure you feel confident performing the exercises. Plan Options: Choose from one of our four-week programs with tailored workouts designed to meet your specific goals (price includes the $30 assessment): 1 Workout

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CARLINVILLE - Carlinville Area Hospital & Clinics will host a Community Blood Drive with ImpactLife, the provider of blood components for local hospitals. The blood drive will be from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024 at 20733 North Broad St. in Carlinville, inside the Donor Bus. What: Carlinville Area Hospital & Clinics Community Blood Drive When: Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Where: Donor Bus, 20733 North Broad, Carlinville, IL Appointments: To donate, please contact Vicki Walker at (217) 854-3141 or visit www.bloodcenter.org and use code 60352 to locate the drive. Appointments are requested. You may also call ImpactLife to schedule at 800-747-5401. 2801 South 10th Street, Springfield, Illinois, (217) 753-1530. Donor Eligibility Criteria: Potential donors must be at least 17 years of age (16 with parental permission form available through www.bloodcenter.org ) and weigh more than 110 pounds. A photo I.D. is required to donate. Fo

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SPRINGFIELD - Land of Lincoln Honor Flight ends our 2024 flying season with Mission #72 on October 15, 2024. Mission #72 will serve 92 Veterans including two Korean Era veterans and 90 Vietnam era veterans from 53 Illinois hometowns of Auburn, Aviston, Bartelso, Blue Mound, Breese, Camargo, Cantrall, Carlinville, Carlyle, Carterville, Centralia, Chapin, Charleston, Collinsville, Decatur, East Peoria, Effingham, Farine, Forrest Franklin, Gibson City, Gillespie, Girard, Godfrey, Greenup, Highland, Hillsboro, Homer, Jacksonville, Kappa, LeRoy, Litchfield, Mascoutah, Mason City, Mattoon, Moweaqua, Mt Pulaski, Mt Zion, New Baden, Newman, Paris, Pontiac, Riverton, Springfield, Teutopolis, Texico, Thomasboro, Trenton, Troy, Tuscola, Vandalia, Watson and Xenia. Our October 15th veterans represent all branches of the military. These Veterans and their Guardians will report October 15, 2024 to the Abraham Lincoln Capitol Airport at 4 a.m. to travel to Washington DC on a chartered Sun Country

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ALTON – OSF Medical Group in Alton is pleased to announce the addition of a second cardiology nurse practitioner to its staff to better serve the ever-increasing demand of cardiology needs of Riverbend region residents. Margy Goetten, NP, RN, MSN, BSN, is accepting new cardiology patients to ensure continued access for patients in need of cardiology care at OSF Medical Group - Cardiology, located at OSF Saint Anthony’s Medical Office Building, Suite 305, #2 Saint Anthony’s Way, in Alton. Goetten will see patients Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Ms. Goetten, NP, offers her patients a variety of specialty cardiology services encompassing (but not limited to): Chest pain Hypertension High cholesterol Heart failure Coronary artery disease Hyperlipidemia Atrial fibrillation Goetten’s cardiology clinical experience also includes: High acuity cardiovascular surgery patient care management Assess and care management for cardiothoracic surgery

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COLLINSVILLE – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced lane restrictions will be encountered on northbound I-55/70 at the exit to Illinois 157 Collinsville/Edwardsville exit (Exit 11) beginning Tuesday, October 1, at 7 a.m., weather permitting. The left lane and the NB entrance ramp from Illinois 157 will be closed to allow IDOT District 8 Operations forces to perform emergency bridge deck patching on the bridge over Illinois 157. A detour will be marked to assist travelers to access northbound I-55/70 from Illinois 157. The NB I-55/70 Exit Ramp to Illinois 157 will remain open during construction. All lanes are expected to re-open by 3:30 p.m. on Friday, October 4, 2024. Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. To avoid the work area, when feasible, use of alternate routes should be considered. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits,

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ALTON - Jude Thomas Keller, a senior at Marquette Catholic High School, has been recognized for his outstanding achievements in soccer. Keller's accolades include being named to the first team conference, receiving the Marquette Player of the Year award, being honored as the Athlete of the Week by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, and earning the Player of the Month award. He is now recognized as a Tucker's Automotive Repair & Tire Male Athlete of Month for Marquette. Keller, who has been playing soccer since the age of 3, expressed his gratitude toward those who have supported him throughout his journey. "I want to thank my parents, Brett and Dawn Keller, my teammates, and my coaches," Keller said. His coach, Brian Hoener, has played a significant role in his development as a player. Playing soccer has been a transformative experience for Keller. "When I am on the field, I feel like all my worries disappear, and I just play," he said. The sport has also imparted valuable life lessons.

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The fall virus season is upon us, and the U.S. Food & Drug Administration just approved one of the newest tools to protect Americans from severe illness. The updated COVID-19 vaccine is expected to be available at pharmacies around the country from now to the coming weeks. The mRNA vaccine is not a booster, says Doug Kasper, MD, an infectious disease specialist with OSF HealthCare. He says it’s recommended for a much broader portion of the population. "The vaccine is now recommended for everybody 6 months and older as a one-time, once-a-year vaccine," Dr. Kasper says. “The vaccine has been updated. For people who are at really high risk, those 65 and older or with respiratory conditions, they may get a second shot. This would be in a six-month interval in the springtime.” Does the vaccine prevent me from getting COVID-19? The quick answer? No, much like you find with the annual influenza vaccine. "The vaccine seeks to protect severe outcomes associated

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O'FALLON - A new pilot program utilizing the state’s public libraries to improve court access will offer guidance for Illinoisans struggling to navigate the legal system on their own. O'Fallon Public Library, which is in the 20th Judicial Court in St. Clair County, is part of the new statewide program and it was selected for this pilot program. The goal of the pilot program is to help people without lawyers — who may have limited technology capabilities or transportation challenges — more easily access legal information and assistance at their local public library. O'Fallon Library Director Ryan Johnson said there is training involved before O'Fallon Library will officially begin the assistance for individuals on court-related issues. He will have staff well-versed in various forms in the filing process and also there will be a Zoom court for people to respond to some court-related issues, among other new services. "We are excited to be selected to be part of this

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SWANSEA — With strong support from State Senator Christopher Belt, three organizations in the 57th Senate District are set to receive more than $212,000 in funding through library and literacy grant programs. “This funding has allowed libraries and literacy programs all over the state provide the best services possible,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Libraries are full of opportunity for all ages, so it’s essential we continue to support them in whatever ways we can.” The programs are administered through the Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias, who has awarded nearly $22 million for library services and $6 million for literacy programs throughout the state. The following organizations in the 57th District will receive funding: Mascoutah Public Library - $34,840 Southwestern Illinois College - $84,384 MindsEye Radio - $93,626 The goal of the grants is to enhance online catalogues, support day-to-day operations, expand

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BELLEVILLE – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today expressed their support for Scott Air Force Base’s 126th Air Refueling Wing’s bid to become a KC-46A’s main operating base (MOB) after the Air Force announced Scott was selected as a finalist for the role. The KC-46A aircraft is the first phase in modernizing the U.S. Air Force's aging tanker fleet and selecting Scott would protect the 347 ANG positions currently overseeing the KC-135 aircrafts while adding 94 new ANG positions to support the incoming KC-46A’s— overall expanding the Metro East’s local economy as well as helping to ensure the continued success of the Base. “Scott Air Force Base (AFB) is an important driver of our state’s economy, a key piece to our country’s national security and a critical support network for the individuals who serve, along with their families,” Duckworth

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TROY - The Gateway CEO program offers entrepreneurial opportunities to high schoolers in the Collinsville, Triad, Maryville and Highland communities. At a recent festival celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Troy/Maryville/St. Jacob/Marine Chamber of Commerce, Lisa Colon spoke about the benefits of the CEO program and how it prepares students to succeed in high school and beyond. Colon, the facilitator of Gateway CEO, noted her excitement to see the program thriving. “We’re a CEO family,” she said. “It’s an amazing program to watch grow. We made it through COVID and stabilized and we’ve just continued to grow, and it’s really exciting.” Colon explained that there are two tracks in the CEO program. On the “doing business” track, students brainstorm and collaborate to create their own businesses. They also organize a major fundraising event, which will be announced soon, Colon teased. On the learning side of

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JERSEYVILLE - A convicted felon faces new criminal charges in Jersey County after allegedly stealing telephone line and having a weapon in his possession. Timothy R. Woodrome, 44, of Olive Branch, Ill., was charged with one count of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon and one count of theft/unauthorized control between $500-$10,000. On Sept. 21, 2024, Woodrome allegedly possessed a set of brass knuckles after previously being convicted of a felony in Illinois. Jersey County court records show he was previously convicted of theft of over $500 in a 2011 criminal case. In his latest case, Woodrome was charged once again with theft for stealing an undisclosed amount of “600 pair telephone truck line.” The telephone line was valued at over $500 and was property of AT&T. Woodrome faces a Super Class 3 felony for the weapon charge and a Class 3 felony for the theft charge. Jersey County court records indicate he has since been granted pretrial release from custody.

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is now available to eligible individuals in Cook, Fulton, Henry, St. Clair, Washington, Will, and Winnebago Counties who were impacted by severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding in July as a result of a major disaster declaration issued by President Biden on September 20, 2024. DUA benefits are federally funded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). St. Clair County, seriously impacted in the July funding around the Belleville area, residents are eligible to apply for these benefits. “IDES is grateful that federal disaster relief, including the availability of DUA benefits, has been authorized for individuals impacted by the severe storms and flooding during the summer,” said IDES Director Ray Marchiori. “The Department is ready to provide assistance to those affected and bring relief to the area’s

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September 30th has been a day of remarkable occurrences and significant milestones throughout history. 1969: The Birth of the Internet On September 30, 1969, the first message was sent over ARPANET, the precursor to the modern Internet. UCLA's Leonard Kleinrock and his team managed to log into a computer at the Stanford Research Institute, marking the first successful transmission of data over a network. This breakthrough laid the foundation for the interconnected world we live in today, revolutionizing communication, commerce, and daily life. 1992: The Space Shuttle Endeavour Launch This day in 1992 witnessed the launch of the Space Shuttle Endeavour on its second mission, STS-47. The mission was notable for being the first with a Japanese astronaut, Mamoru Mohri, and for its focus on life and material sciences in microgravity. The successful mission contributed significantly to our understanding of space and the effects of prolonged spaceflight on the human body. 1888:

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ALTON - A man was injured by what police described at this time as "an unknown object" while walking near Main Street and Edwards Street in Alton, prompting a response from the Alton Police Department and Alton Fire Department on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said the incident occurred when the man was crossing the street around a vehicle stopped at the intersection. According to the chief, as the man maneuvered around the vehicle, he was struck in the head by "an unidentified object." The vehicle then left the scene immediately. The chief said the man continued walking to retrieve his phone and contacted the police. Emergency medical services from the Alton Fire Department transported him to a local hospital, where he was treated for a non-life-threatening injury. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with authorities pursuing leads. The Alton Police Department has urged anyone with information to come forward and contact them at 618-463-3505.

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ALTON - Vintage Voices will continue their tradition of sharing Alton’s history. As part of Vintage Voices, actors portray real people who are buried in the Alton Cemetery. They tell stories about each person’s life and how they impacted the community. This year, the Vintage Voices tours are scheduled for Oct. 5, 6, 12 and 13, 2024. Jody Basola, chair of the Vintage Voices committee, promises another great year for attendees. “We’re coming down to the wire here. We’re ready. We’re hoping for good weather and big crowds,” Basola said. “History is very important to our legacy, who we are. We can learn from our history. It’s so important to know who you are, where you came from, how we got there and where we’re going.” The walking tours start at 12 p.m. and run every 15 minutes until 2:30 p.m. at Alton Cemetery. This year’s walk is about a half-mile and will include walking through grass. There will also be

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CARLINVILLE - Macoupin County Safe Families is kicking off Domestic Violence Awareness Month this October with their second annual Domestic Violence Awareness Walk, set for Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Carlinville Square. Domestic Violence Advocate Juliet Wooldridge said the event’s purpose is for the community to “rally together as survivors and allies in sharing stories, victories, and comradery together.” Registration & check-in begins at 9 a.m., and the event is free to attend and participate in. “Each year, we try to participate in National Domestic Violence Awareness month to show our community that we're still here and we're still helping,” Wooldridge said. “We want to bring people together for a day to walk a mile in their shoes - literally!” The event will feature State’s Attorney Jordan J. Garrison, who will speak at 9 a.m. before the walk begins. To spotlight the personal experience of domestic violence

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CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) released a new report on infant mortality that shows the statewide rate decreased to 5.6 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2021, the most recent full year of data, compared to 6.5 per 1,000 in 2018. However, the report released during Infant Mortality Awareness Month also documents the historic racial disparities that have persisted nationally in the area of infant health. Governor JB Pritzker has made it a priority to address these disparities and included more than $23 million in the current state budget to improve birth outcomes. The Illinois infant mortality rate of 5.6 is slightly above the national rate of 5.4. The state has signed on to the national Healthy People 2030 framework established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services which sets a goal for all states to reach a rate of 5.0 or lower by the year 2030. “The health of a newborn baby during their first year of life is a critical

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