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EDWARDSVILLE - “The Star-Spangled Banner,” performed Saturday, Feb. 12 at the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Cougar’s Men’s basketball game, had a special ring to it thanks to the SIUE East St. Louis Center for Performing Arts chimes choir, led by Mary Jo Pembrook, PhD, piano and chimes instructor. The chimes choir, joined by SIUE students Joshua Freund, Taylor Smith and Jerome Ukah; SIUE alumna Ana Cecelia Villegas; and SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook, performed the national anthem prior to the 3:30 p.m. game at the Vadalabene Center’s First Community Arena. “It was a great opportunity for our students to showcase their musical ability,” said Mary Jo Pembrook. “It was equally wonderful for the SIUE community to see, hear and appreciate our talented students.” “The students, along with their accompaniment, did a fantastic job,” said Homer Simmons, Performing Arts director. “This was not our first performance

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SPRINGFIELD - Secretary of State Jesse White's statement: It is an honor and a privilege to serve as Illinois Secretary of State and I thank the people of Illinois for entrusting me with the opportunity to serve them for an unprecedented six terms. I am proud of what we have accomplished during the past 23-plus years. Through our efforts, we have made Illinois roads safer, improved customer service, and cleaned up an office that had been under a cloud of controversy and corruption prior to my tenure. Since announcing I would not seek another term, I have been frequently asked who I would support as the next Secretary of State. It was important to me that such a person would be committed to good government and public service, that they would take on the job and the responsibility that goes with it, and that they would have the credentials and character that the people of Illinois richly deserve representing them in such an important office. The Democratic Party is fortunate to have

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ALTON/GODFREY - Isabelle Droste of Marquette Catholic High School and Kamren Mason-El of Alton High School were honored as Students of the Month for December at the regular meeting of the Rotary Club of Alton-Godfrey at Gentelin’s Restaurant. Isabelle Droste is a senior at Marquette Catholic High School. She is the daughter of Lucy Hendrix and Matt Droste. She has been on the high honor roll every semester since her freshman year. Isabelle has a 4.69 grade point average on a 4.0 scale, and she was selected as an Illinois State Scholar. In addition to her academic accomplishments, Isabelle has also been a captain of the Scholastic Bowl team since her freshman year. She has also been a member of the girls' golf team for all four years. Throughout her time at Marquette, Isabelle has been involved in multiple clubs and holds several different leadership positions. She is the president of the Interact Club, a Rotary-sponsored club, and she has been involved with Interact for three

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A coalition of downstate Illinois advocacy groups, solar developers, and residents is pushing for changes to help municipal and cooperative utility customers take part in the state’s recently rejuvenated solar boom. The 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act revived state solar incentives and specifically ensured the “right to self-generate” for everyone in the state, but despite that assurance, many barriers still exist for as many as 1 million customers of Illinois munis and co-ops. Advocates and residents say the problems include requirements for expensive liability policies and special meters, bans on power purchase agreements and solar leases, poor net metering policies, and concerns about grid adequacy. The barriers often stem from muni and co-op leaders’ desire to protect their members or lack of understanding about the solar economy. Changing outdated rules is often complicated by policies that make it difficult for members to have input or change the

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EDWARDSVILLE - From working as a housekeeper in a hospital to becoming a hospital executive, and from volunteering at nonprofit organizations to serving as chief executive officer of TMG Leadership, Tracey Gooch, shared her ideas for making a positive impact in leadership as a featured guest at the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School’s (CHS) virtual Black History Month Speaker Series on Monday, Feb. 14. “I became a mom as a teenager, so a lot of people thought I wasn’t going to go that far,” said Gooch, from Costa Rica where her company, TMG Leadership, has been working for the past several weeks. “When you come out of high school and college, things may not look exactly the way you thought they would. There may be some pivots that you have to make, but if you really want something, continue to go after it.” Gooch was the third guest speaker for CHS’ speaker series, “Making Your Actions Count

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GODFREY – The RiverBend Growth Association recently welcomed five new members to its board of directors for 2022, bringing a total of 30 to its community leadership collaborative. The organization also announced a new board chair for 2022 and shared gratitude for the visionary leadership provided by its previous chair. Alan Meyer, president, and chief executive officer of 1st MidAmerica Credit Union, recently took over the leadership reins of the RiverBend Growth Association’s board. He comes into the position after a successful year led by Country Financial’s Jeff Lauritzen. “To represent this region and serve as chair of the RiverBend Growth Association for 2022 is an honor, and an opportunity to contribute to our region’s growth. As a board member since 2013, I understand the challenges and evolving needs of our communities. I look forward to working alongside the RBGA board of directors as we support our area’s economic development,” Meyer

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ST. LOUIS - The National Weather Service in St. Louis has predicted a possible ice issue for multiple days for this week and NWS meteorologist Jared Naples confirmed late Wednesday afternoon the commute on Thursday could be “treacherous” around the region. Gusty winds will continue into the night and temperatures will begin to fall after midnight Wednesday night. By mid-day Thursday, the weather is predicted to be at the freezing point. “We are concerned about the noon hour transition and on,” he said. “A freezing rain to sleet-type of mix should start to form early to mid-afternoon between noon and 3. After the sleet, there could be snow with sleet. The main question is how fast do the temps fall. The temperatures were in the 60s today around some of the region. It will take a pretty decent snow on cooler surfaces for snow to accumulate. It will likely be a slick evening commute on Thursday.” Naples stressed ice is never something a motorist

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MARYVILLE - Got Your Six Support Dogs will be hosting their annual trivia night on Saturday, March 12 th at the Madison County Firemen’s Hall in Collinsville, IL. This is the organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year. All proceeds from the event go towards their mission to provide lifesaving service dogs to veterans and first responders with severe PTSD and/ or sexual trauma. Nicole Lanahan, Executive Director of GYSSD, is eager for the upcoming event. “Our trivia night is a yearly hit. Not only does it give the community a chance to have a fun night and learn more about our mission, but it also helps us meet our fundraising goals to provide PTSD service dogs at no cost to veterans and first-responders,” explained Lanahan. Individuals can register by going to https://gotyoursixsupportdogs.org/home/event-sign-up/ . VIP tables are $200 and come with a server for their table and preferential seating. General tables are $160. Registration ends

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After a very successful turnout for the re-opening of the Friday Night Open Play event, the Riverbender.com Community Center is ready to expand the festivities for this Friday, February 18 from 6:30-10 p.m. “I'd like to thank families for bringing their kids down and let them know this Friday is going to be even better with more activities, games, and prizes,” said John Hentrich, of the Riverbender.com Community Center. The Riverbender.com Community Center hosts a wide range of activities from video game systems like PS4 and Xbox One to table games like ping-pong, foosball, and pool. They also offer the latest in gaming PCs and a state of art virtual reality system, pro-tee golf, Guitar Hero, skeeball, and other arcade games. In addition to an indoor rock climbing wall, the center also features a dance floor and a 30-seat movie theater. Tickets are only $10, but only 75 tickets are being sold as space is limited - the center needs time to “build up their

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation is advising the public that a major storm with heavy rains, flooding, and double-digit snowfalls will create slick conditions, impacting travel across much of the state starting tonight through Thursday. The mixture of precipitation and rapidly changing weather likely will produce the potential for sudden icing on roads, with high winds leading to blowing snow and reduced visibility. “The Illinois Department of Transportation’s snow-and-ice teams will be prepared and out in force, but the public needs to be ready for conditions to change quickly and worsen if they are out on the roads,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “As always during periods of extreme weather, the safest option is to postpone any unnecessary trips and stay home. If you must travel, prepare for very slow and potentially hazardous conditions. And please slow down around our plows and other emergency vehicles, giving

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ALTON – Alton Memorial Hospital is making health equity scholarships of up to $5,000 available to high school seniors or recent high school graduates in Madison County. The deadline to apply is March 31. Please submit your application via email to April Becker at April.Becker@bjc.org . Materials can also be sent via U.S. mail to April at Alton Memorial Hospital, One Memorial Drive, Alton, IL 62002. “We are excited to announce the health equity scholarship encouraging our local young adults to consider one of the many careers in health care,” said Brad Goacher, chief operating officer at Alton Memorial. Scholarships could be renewable for up to three years beyond the initial term (up to four years total) and could include employment while in school. Candidates for the scholarship include: Permanent residents of Madison County High school seniors or graduates within the last two years (also includes those obtaining a GED) Students of historically marginalized

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JERSEYVILLE - The 2nd annual Lucky Local Love Treasure Hunt is coming up on March 5th. This is a day filled with fun and shopping with lots of deals and/or giveaways at every location. This event is one of four shop local events hosted annually by the #shopthe618 small business group. These events are not only about local businesses supporting each other and creating a fun day of shopping for our customers, but they’re also about our community and reaching people outside of Jerseyville to show them the amazing shopping available here. The Lucky Local Love Treasure Hunt will work just like the past events: pick up a punch card from any of the ShopThe618 locations. As you shop at each store, have them punch your card. Turn that card into the last store you visit by 3 pm. If you are able to get punches from every location, you will be entered to win the Pot of Gold with treasures from each store. If you didn’t get all the punches, you can still enter to win the participation

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ALTON - Senior Chloe White has been a dominant figure on the court all season in 2021-2022 for Marquette Catholic's top-notch girls' basketball team. Chloe said she Coach Lee Green has helped her reach her true potential in basketball and she is so thankful for his influence. "When I transferred to Marquette Catholic High School, Coach Green gave me confidence, something I did not have before," she said. "I would like to thank my Mom for being my motivator and pushing me to be my greatest, my grandparents for always being by my side, and my amazing coach Lee Green. "Basketball has always been a part of me. I try to practice whenever I can and push myself to be better I can say that is a major accomplishment for me. I have been playing the sport for about eight years. What I love most about basketball is the connection you can have with your teammates, I love that it is a team sport. But I also love defense, of course, a team needs a good offense, but good defending players is what

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ALTON - Junior Hayden Sherman recently completed a highly successful boys bowling season. The Marquette Catholic boys’ varsity team had a really great season, with a 13-4 overall record. "I bowled anchor for the varsity team, which is an honor," Sherman said. "My average this season was 204 - a personal best. At regionals I bowled a 1356 series, averaging 226, and placed second individually. This personal best performance, along with awesome games from our whole team, led to our second-place finish at regionals, advancing us to sectionals. We qualified for sectionals for the first time in Marquette’s bowling history." Hayden is the Tucker's Automotive Male Athlete of the Month for Marquette Catholic. Hayden extended thanks to several who have helped shape his bowling career: "I’d like to thank my brother, Logan, for introducing me to the sport; my mom, dad, and grandparents for supporting me; Coach Dave Meyers who coached my 8th-grade year at Alton Middle; and Coach

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that new federal investments are expected to help several rural businesses and communities across Illinois create 170 jobs and save 328 additional jobs. Today’s investments come through multiple United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Programs. “I’m proud to see this federal support helping create and save good-paying jobs in rural communities and glad that the Biden Administration is committed to helping uplift local businesses in Illinois,” said Duckworth. “Federal support like this helps create economic opportunities that can empower working families, and I’ll continue working with Senator Durbin and others to make sure hardworking Illinoisans throughout our state receive the resources they deserve.” “These USDA grants and loans will help create jobs, support small businesses, and spur economic development

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ST. LOUIS – Katie’s Pizza & Pasta Osteria’s next Giveback Tuesday event will take place on Tuesday, February 22nd in Town and Country, Missouri. Funds raised from the day will be donated to Girls on the Run St. Louis (GOTR-STL), a nonprofit organization that inspires girls to lead joyful, healthy, and confident lives through an experience-based curriculum that creatively integrates running. Every month, Katie’s Pizza & Pasta Osteria features a local nonprofit organization and donates 100% of profits from the entire day to the charity. So far, Katie’s Pizza & Pasta Osteria has donated $297,725 to local nonprofit organizations. Girls on the Run St. Louis will use the funds raised from Giveback Tuesday to fund their scholarships, since the program is open to all girls who want to participate, regardless of their financial status. Families unable to pay the registration fees can request financial assistance, and in the past year, GOTR-STL provided more than

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ALTON - The Alton Salvation Army red kettle bell-ringing campaign is officially complete and the goal has been exceeded. The final report is $113,207.17 was raised and that exceeds the goal of $106,000. Taylor and Lily Freer were the co-chairs of this year's event. Taylor and Lily said it was because of the public's support the organization was able to meet the goal. Taylor said: “We are very thankful for our community and their generosity.” Lily was also extremely excited and said: "The fact this campaign helps so many people." Both girls also added: "To the multitude that rang bells, promoted and gave “YOU ROCK” Thank you from the bottom of our hearts." Captain Sean Grey said, “I am beyond grateful for this wonderful community. Thank you so much for making it possible for us to continue to provide help to our neighbors who are struggling. Thank you for loving beyond and helping us give a hand up to Hope! "We served more than 340 families with Thanksgivin

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ALTON - Saturday, February 19 is a full moon and SVOUND™ is hosting a Celestial Moon + Tarot Soundbath at Jacoby Arts Center. "Energies are high and it's a beautiful time to look inward to see what we are ready to release and create new space for the things we want in our lives," said SVOUND™ creator Lisa Grezlak. "The moon plays such a beautiful role in our planet and our lives. Using the moon cycle is a powerful way to help us gauge things in our lives as change constantly swirls around us." Grezlak says, the tarot cards messages will provide intuitive ways that one can explore broader perspectives and understandings in their life. Sound vibration is used to promote a state of relaxation, ease, and openness. "Often we may find that thoughts, ideas, and insights that come to us during the soundbath are divine messages related to the card we receive. Join us this powerful evening to discover intuitive messages, release the old, set intentions for new things, and manifest

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GRANITE CITY – GCS Credit Union kicks off their 2022 Jeans Program, Don’t Stop Donatin’, by raising $1,520 for the Madison County Child Advocacy Center. GCS Don’t Stop Donatin’ Jeans Program focuses on supporting our local counties. Each month, GCS employees will donate to an organization within the 18 counties that GCS serves. The Don’t Stop Donatin’ Jeans Program is funded by GCS employees who make monthly, monetary donations out of their own pockets to a local organization. By donating $15 or more to a specific organization, GCS employees are able to wear jeans and tennis shoes on Fridays and Saturdays during that month. The Madison County Child Advocacy Center (CAC) is a resource for the brave children who are involved in abuse allegations. Through a confidential forensic interview, children are able to share their stories in a safe and supportive environment. CAC is dedicated to helping children and their families find hope and healing

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EDWARDSVILLE – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Engineering’s Cougar Baja team achieved 7th place at this year’s Blizzard Baja hosted Saturday, Feb. 5 at Michigan Technology University. The president of the SIUE Baja team, senior Samuel Churchill, of Ottawa, together with teammates Matthew Buchholz (treasurer), Curtis Lake, and Nathan Buss (secretary) competed against athletes from across the country. This year’s edition had a total of 22 cars competing in dual events of hill climb and a four-hour endurance race where all the cars raced wheel to wheel. “We did well considering our resources,” Churchill shared. “We were up against stiff competition with Michigan schools known for having car manufacturers’ support. The most challenging aspect was the low temperature of around 10-15 degrees and wind. After about a half-hour we had to swap drivers because it was so cold.” “The team worked together well and

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