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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville firefighter/paramedic Mark Vann recently completed his first year with the department and he is being featured as a Difference Maker in that community. Vann was appointed to the Edwardsville Fire Department in 2023. “He brought a great deal of fire service and emergency medical service experience to the job,” Edwardsville Fire Chief James Whiteford said. Vann previously had volunteered with the Rosewood Heights and Bethalto fire departments. Along with that, he had been employed by Alton Memorial EMS. He also had been a member of the Edwardsville Fire Department Explorer Post. Vann said he enjoys training alongside and the knowledge he gains from the other Edwardsville firefighters. "I really enjoy working in a busy and fast-paced department,” he said. Vann added that in his off time, he enjoys fishing and playing guitar. Mark is married; his wife is Megan.

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JERSEY - Sophomore Meredith Gray is a key component of this year's Jersey Community High School basketball team. She towers above many of her foes at 6-foot-1 and is the tallest girl on the Panthers' squad. Gray is one of the team's leading scorers, averaging 12.7 points a game and 8.8 rebounds. She also has recorded 1.6 steals per game, 2.5 assists and 1.1 blocks per contest. Gray is a Sparklight Internet Female Athlete of the Month for the Panthers. She is also a varsity middle hitter in volleyball. "Meredith is a sophomore forward and she returns to her starting role this season and has built on what she did last season," Jersey head girls basketball coach Caleb Williams said. "She can play inside if we need her, but she shoots well from the outside." Williams said Meredith also drives the ball well to the basket and is a force for other teams to contend with every game. Again congrats to Meredith Gray on her recognition as a Sparklight Internet Female Athlete of the Month

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EDWARDSVILLE - In Crowd will host a “Blooming Where We Are Planted” brunch fundraiser on behalf of Habitat for Humanity. From 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Jan. 14, 2024, people can enjoy brunch from several local restaurants, live and silent auctions, and a dueling pianos performance with Mike Sonderegger. All proceeds go to the Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Chapter of Habitat for Humanity, which provides housing and financial literacy classes for families in need. Lindsay Gilreath, executive board member with In Crowd, explained that the networking group is eager to host a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity. “ was really born on the idea that professionals need a time and place to form relationships and growth with one another on both a professional and a personal level,” Gilreath said. “One of those core pillars is an intentional community, which for us has two meanings. One is building the networking community inside In Crowd, having those that you can

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JERSEYVILLE - The American Red Cross and the NFL are teaming up to reward two lucky blood donors a trip to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. Donations will be accepted the entire month of January 2024 - donors can either sign up at this link or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter “DelhiBaptist” to schedule an appointment. A blood drive is also scheduled from 2 to 6 p.m. on Jan. 29, 2024 at Delhi Baptist Church, located at 18151 Church Lane in Jerseyville. All donors throughout January will be automatically entered into a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, which also includes access to day-of in-stadium pre-game activities, tickets to the official Super Bowl Experience, round-trip airfare to Las Vegas, three-night hotel accommodations (Feb. 9-12, 2024), and a $1,000 gift card for expenses. The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years.

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EDWARDSVILLE − Trinity Lutheran Ministries in Edwardsville hosts an annual Ugly Christmas Sweater 5K for charity and other holiday fundraising events, and this year's effort collected more than $8,000 for area charities and 2,500 items were donated to the Glen-Ed Food Bank. This year's seventh annual Ugly Christmas Sweater 5K was held on December 9, 2023, with more than 240 participants. The sweaters and competitors came in all ages and sweater styles. Trinity's school held its annual Holiday Shop earlier this month, where students were allowed to purchase presents for friends and family members at school, with all of the proceeds going to the Ed-Glen Food Pantry. This year's Holiday Shop raised more than $3,000 for the food pantry. The school also held a canned food drive for the Glen-Ed Food Pantry, and 2,549 items were collected and donated to the organization. This was an increase from the 1,800 items donated in 2022 and equaled more than 2,200 pounds of food. Prizes were

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ST. LOUIS - The week in the St. Louis/Metro region is setting up for an interesting weather ride. Jon Carney, a National Weather Service meteorologist, said another round of snow will occur Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, coming from the west around the rush hour. “Strong winds could produce some low visibilities for drivers,” he said. “The temperatures will be falling below freezing at this time and we probably will see some icy spots and snow accumulation. People need to be aware of this as they travel late afternoon into the evening in the area.” Another round of rain/snow weather is in the forecast for Friday. Right now, Carney said it was too early to talk about how much snow could accumulate this weekend. “We will have rain that will likely turn to snow on Friday morning, then it will get pretty cold,” Carney said. “Saturday morning, low temps in the mid-teens are predicted and it shouldn’t get over freezing on Saturday in the area. On

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RIVERBEND - Sexual assault/abuse is all too common. While the ER is a good place to go immediately after an assault to treat physical wounds, sexual assault and domestic violence survivors usually have emotional or mental wounds that need attention, too. In the weeks, months and years following an assault, it can be difficult to process what happened or move forward without proper support. Therapists, support groups and loved ones can help you through this. There are also advocates who are specially trained to support survivors in the immediate aftermath of an assault. What advocacy groups are near me? Sometimes you aren’t sure what help you need; you just know you can’t do it by yourself. This is when an advocate can step in to help you through the process of going to the ER, reporting an assault to the police or finding resources to support long-term recovery. Many of these groups also offer counseling or support group services. Ultimately, you don’t

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BETHALTO - The children and grandchildren of Paul and Jo Ann (Walton) Stilwell have planned a 60th-wedding anniversary celebration for them and family and friends from 1 to 4 p.m. Jan. 14, 2024, at the Brick Hall, 220 N. Prairie St., Bethalto. The party will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Brick Hall. There will be a tribute presentation at approximately 2 p.m. No gifts are necessary for the celebration. Heavy appetizers and beverages will be served. Amy Gross, one of their children, said she and the rest of her family are so proud of the legacy her parents have built and the loving people they are today. The couple was married at St. Mary’s church in April 1964. They have three married children, Aaron and Tammy Stilwell, of Godfrey, Anessa and Jack Emmons of Brighton, and Amy and Tyler Gross of Wake Forest, N.C. Paul and Jo Ann have seven grandchildren: Curtis (and Megan) Stilwell, Sara Stilwell, Alex (and Amy) Dodge, Abbie (and Joel) Hobart, Jackson Emmons, and Audrey Gross.

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) is launching an educational, public awareness campaign focused on reducing incidents involving road rage. The new campaign, Road Rage. Don’t Engage . is designed to raise awareness about an increase in road rage incidents leading to violence, as well as educate the public on the signs of road rage and tips on how to prevent and handle these situations. “Although road rage is nothing new, we’re seeing people react more aggressively and dangerously,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “The message is simple – if you see or become part of a road rage situation, don’t engage. That extra car length you gain by cutting someone off, or arriving 10 seconds earlier by tailgating another person, is not worth your life.” ISP developed a campaign to raise public awareness about road rage and the disturbing trend. The campaign consists of social media, including a social media toolkit

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RIVERBEND - An American is sexually assaulted every 68 seconds, according to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) . While this number is staggering, that also means you aren’t alone. If you’ve been sexually assaulted, there are resources that can help you in the immediate aftermath and during your long-term recovery. What happens if I go to the emergency room? The last thing most people want to do after an assault is go to the emergency room, but that’s exactly what is recommended. If you go to the ER up to seven days after an assault, they can provide medical assistance and complete a Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kit (commonly called a rape kit) that can be used to report the assault to the police. “We’re not here to judge, we’re here to help,” said Traci Bromaghim, the director of emergency services and the sexual assault coordinator at OSF. “I know that there can be a lot of shame and pain that goes

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - The deceased in a recent St. Louis County homicide has been identified as Jaimarcus McDaniel, 17 years of age, of the 1800 block of North 44th Street in East St. Louis. St. Louis County Police Department Crimes Against Persons detectives are investigating a homicide in the area of Apricot Avenue and Emma Avenue in the City of Jennings Precinct that resulted in the death of a male. A St. Louis County police officer from the City of Jennings Precinct observed a person down in a field in the area of Apricot Avenue and Emma Avenue. The officer observed the person, described as a young male in his late teens, to be deceased. Preliminary investigation has revealed the male suffered apparent gunshot injuries. The investigation is ongoing. Additional information will be disseminated as it becomes available. Please contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210 to speak with investigators if you have any information regarding this incident. To remain anonymous

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GRANITE CITY - The Rotary Club of Granite City recognized eight juniors from Granite City High School as Students of the Month for September, October, November and December. Students were nominated by teachers, and were chosen on the basis of academics, as well as scholastic, extracurricular and civic honors and awards, and organization membership and leadership. Each honoree will receive a framed certificate and a gift card, and will be recognized at the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast on March 12, 2024. A'MIYA JAMES - September Member of Secondary Honors ... Honors chemistry and English ... Volunteer at Church ... Daughter of Loreal and Rekeida White. AUDREY WHITEHEAD - September Three-year member of volleyball team ... Member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Student Council, Spirit Club and Varsity Club ... Volunteer at Coolidge and GCHS Volleyball Camp ... Coolidge Volunteer Assistant Volleyball Coach ... Daughter of Scott and Jane Whitehead. LYDIA HARRIS - October

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DECATUR - The U.S. Supreme Court has denied a request to review the Illinois Supreme Court’s decision on Illinois’ weapons ban law on due process, equal protection, and Second Amendment grounds, according to State Representative Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur), who filed the request. “Our case, along with about 200 cases, were denied a U.S. Supreme Court review,” Caulkins said. “The Supreme Court’s refusal to hear our case does not change the fact two of the Illinois Supreme Court justices, who accepted millions of dollars in donations from gun control advocates, should have recused themselves from voting. The denial of a hearing does not mean SCOTUS approves the conduct of the Justices. It is not just that they received donations from gun control advocates, but it also is the exorbitant amount of money they received in donations. There is no question, they should have recused themselves.” At issue is the denial of due process under the 14 th Amendmen

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ALTON - While national projections indicate a 4%-6% decline in inpatient admission volumes for hospitals during the next 10 years, OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center experienced the opposite in 2023 by realizing an increase in inpatient admissions. In fact, going back to 2021, OSF Saint Anthony’s has seen its market share increase by 15% overall with year-to-year increases from 2021-2022 and 2022-2023. “Our diligent and hyper-focused work is to make OSF Saint Anthony’s a full-service community hospital with all of the necessary primary and specialty care services needed to provide a comprehensive platform for patients here in the Riverbend region,” says Jerry Rumph, president, OSF Saint Anthony’s. “Our overall goal is to keep care close to home while minimizing the need to send patients to St. Louis for care.” And it’s not only in the inpatient acute care area that OSF Saint Anthony’s witnessed increased patient volumes.

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GLEN CARBON - The Village of Glen Carbon has partnered with CivicPlus ® , their website provider, to implement its mass notification software solution. The mass notification system, called CivicReady, will be able to issue urgent notifications, emergency instructions, warnings, and routine communications to subscribed residents via email, text message, and voicemail to keep people safe and informed. In an emergency, community members subscribed to the system will benefit from immediate, actionable information and instructions sent via their preferred notification channel. “After researching many of the local government mass communication options, CivicReady offered the most user-friendly, comprehensive way to connect with residents in the Village,” said Nicole Dicks, Communications Manager. “From urgent notifications to routine communications, subscribed citizens can select how they would like to be informed and what information they would like to receive,”

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ALTON - The SIU School of Dental Medicine (SDM) has temporarily closed its Main Dental Clinic building because of flooding. “Over the Christmas holiday weekend a water heater failed in the lower level of the main clinic building 263 at the SIU School of Dental Medicine…and a one-inch waterline flooded the basement,” the school said in a statement. Two buildings lost power as a result of the flooding. An SIU spokesperson said that maintenance crews have worked “around the clock” to restore operations. Building 280 is once again fully operational, but the Main Dental Clinic in building 263 remains closed, though portions of it will be “ready for occupancy soon.” For SIU SDM students, the temporary closure of the Main Dental Clinic will not disrupt their education. “The educational needs of doctoral and postdoctoral student patient training are being fulfilled during the ongoing restoration of full functionality in the clinic,”

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ALTON - Alton High School announced its fall semester Honor Roll lists. They can be viewed by clicking the links below: Honor Roll - 378 students High Honor Roll - 495 students

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WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after President Biden renominated Julie Su to be Secretary of Labor—which builds on her strong support for Su—urging Republicans to join Democrats in finally confirming her to support working families: “Since day one of the Biden Administration, Julie Su has been helping lead the Department of Labor and delivering for working families. Now, after nearly a year as Acting Secretary, she’s proven her expertise and ability to serve as the Department’s highest-ranking official. Whether working to strengthen apprenticeship programs or helping to negotiate agreements in industries from rails to ports to auto companies, Julie Su is advancing workers’ rights and getting the job done. “I’m proud President Biden is renominating Su to serve as our next Secretary of Labor because she is the best candidate for the job. Any Senator who voted to confirm former

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), co-founder of the Senate’s Environmental Justice Caucus, and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced more than $42 million to Illinois school districts through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s first Clean School Bus Program Grants Competition. The awards, which are made possible through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, will help selectees purchase clean school buses in school districts across the state. By accelerating the transition to low- and zero-emission vehicles, these awards will improve air quality for children and their families and advance environmental justice, all while boosting the economy and creating good-paying jobs. “Transitioning to electric school buses puts Illinois on the path to healthier environments and it opens up new avenues for economic growth and job creation in our state,” said Duckworth. “With this federal support, we’ll be better

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ROXANA – Phillips 66 has opened two scholarships for application – the Phillips 66 Community Advisory Panel Scholarship and the Phillips 66 Community Scholarship. Both scholarship programs are open to high school seniors in the Riverbend region. Applications are due March 1. The Phillips 66 Community Scholarship is renewable for up to $5,500 a year for a four-year institution or $1,500 per year for a community college/technical school. Recipients are also guaranteed an internship interview (four-year institution) or a full-time position (craft/trade school) if they meet the minimum GPA requirements and are interested in a relevant field. The Community Scholarship program awards 66 scholarships to high school seniors who are members of Boys & Girls Club programs in Phillips 66 communities. “We are excited to work with the Boys & Girls Club of Alton and the Boys & Girls Club of Bethalto on this program,” says Melissa Erker, Director of Government & Community

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