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COLLINSVILLE – An Illinois State Police (ISP) District 11 Trooper arrested Juan Martin Mercado, a 30-year old male from Peoria, who was wanted for questioning for Predatory Criminal Sexual Abuse involving a 14-year-old female and was also a suspect in a parental abduction of a five-year-old female. On February 12, 2022, ISP District 11 communications received a call from the Peoria Police Department about trying to locate a GMC Yukon that was driven by Mercado. At approximately 3:02 a.m., a District 11 Trooper observed a vehicle matching the description of the vehicle in question and conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 70 near Packers Avenue in St. Clair County. The driver, Juan Martin Mercado was taken into custody without incident and the five-year-old female was taken into protective custody. Mercado was transported to District 11 headquarters and custody was turned over to the Peoria Police Department. The juvenile is in the process of being reunited with her loved ones.

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GREENVILLE - Illinois State Police provided more details late Friday about a Thursday night area homicide and an ongoing investigation. At 7:24 p.m. on Thursday, February 10, 2022, Illinois State Police (ISP) District 11 and ISP Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Zone 8 agents were responding to the 600 block of East South Street in Greenville, IL where a 37-year-old female from Greenville was found deceased after a reported shooting. ISP said it was later learned that moments before the homicide, a red Dodge Challenger, was believed to be involved in a separate shooting and fled the scene. A 33-year-old male that was in the area when the fatal shooting occurred went to the residence of an acquaintance in the 500 block of East Main Street in Greenville, IL. At approximately 9:06 p.m. Thursday, a vehicle matching the description of the red Dodge Challenger was seen in Wood River. The vehicle failed to stop for the Wood River Police Department and a pursuit involving multiple agencie

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Our Love Story: The Couple: Codie & Brittany from Godfrey Date Met/Started Dating: March 13, 2009 Briefly Describe First Date: Dinner and a movie Date Married: August 29, 2020 Name Something You Enjoy Doing Together: Getting on the Motorcycle and taking long rides around the Riverbend and Piasa area, trips to Florida. Share Advice For A Happy Relationship: Be open with each other, communicate and love one another unconditionally.

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KEWANEE - Pregnancy can be a magical experience for moms and dads-to-be. It can also be a scary time as you prepare to bring a new life into the world. Taking care of yourself during a pregnancy plays a crucial role in the overall health and well-being of your newborn. The first question many women might have when they find out they are pregnant is: Where do I start? “I generally like to start with trying to make sure they are eating a healthy, well-balanced diet – so trying to aim to get five servings of fresh fruits and vegetables every day. While all of us should be doing that at baseline, it’s extremely important in a pregnancy as well to help supply the baby with the nutrients that are needed as well as mom. And try to make sure that we are hydrated – so drinking plenty of water every day. Most women are going to end up needing increased intake of water during the pregnancy because it is much easier for them to get dehydrated,” says Dr. Haley Ralph,

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PEORIA - As we continue to weather this winter season, and as outdoor activities are few and far between, health care professionals want to remind you to keep moving, despite the season. According to a large-scale s tudy published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), inactivity can be worse for you than smoking, diabetes or having heart disease. Researchers studied more than 122,000 patients who underwent treadmill training over a 23 year span. The data showed that those who lived sedentary lifestyles had an exponentially higher risk of death than their more active peers. Dr. Darrel Gumm is an interventional cardiologist for OSF HealthCare Cardiovascular Institute. “I think it’s a real wakeup call,” said Dr. Gumm of the study. He continued, “We shouldn’t be so shocked that exercise is good, because we’ve been saying that for a long time. But now when we compare it to doing nothing. Those people who don’t do anything

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Our Love Story: The Couple: Michael Holmes Sr and D’ana Taylor from Godfrey Date Met/Started Dating: October 19, 2018 Briefly Describe First Date: He asked to take me out to church, and I said yes but church didn’t happen. Instead we ended up at the old Riverbend and Alton football game. Name Something You Enjoy Doing Together: We both love cooking shows and cooking, listening to R&B music and watching our favorite tv shows together. Share Advice For A Happy Relationship: Teamwork play a major part in our relationship know matter what we always have each other back.

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Our Love Story: The Couple: Tom and Joann Jennings from Grafton Date Met/Started Dating: June 7, 2014 Briefly Describe First Date: We went to Regal beagle as friends. Ended up talking for 4 hours and started dating the next week. Date Married: March 14, 2015 Name Something You Enjoy Doing Together: We love eating out, massages, going to movies, and being home with our fur babies. Share Advice For A Happy Relationship: Be honest always, forgive when needed, have fun and communicate well.

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Our Love Story: The Couple: Ryan and Amie (We call each other babe.) from Alton Date Met/Started Dating: September 7, 2011 Briefly Describe First Date: We had dinner, a casual hang out getting to know each other. Date Married: May 31, 2014 Name Something You Enjoy Doing Together: We like to go out on occasion for a nice dinner but staying home is best, helping each other cook dinner, and settling down for a good tv show or movie we both like. Share Advice For A Happy Relationship: Always keep dating each other, even after marriage. Dating never stops, make time for each other.

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MT. OLIVE - Mt. Olive High School was built in 1924 and torn down on March 13, 1993. During that time, the vice president of the New York Stock Exchange, a starting running back in the Rose Bowl, many authors, Hall of Fame members, etc all passed through those hallowed halls. Old high schools in the area all looked alike - a rectangular building made of red brick. All had a very small gym. The teams sat on the stage because there was no room on the floor for team benches. When entering a game from the bench, you either jumped off of the stage or swung out with one hand on the supports for the basket. All of these brick-and-mortar buildings held numerous memories of mostly good times. We all had to go to high school until at least age 16, or in the modern times, until you got your driver’s license. The less interested students would quit at that point. High school wasn’t for everyone. You can all remember your own stories of what happened during those very important four

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Illinois Agriculture Boomed During World War I: Record-Setting Crops in Both 1917 and 1918 By Tom Emery During mobilization for World War I, a popular slogan was “food will win the war.” Illinois farmers took it to heart. In both years of American participation in the war, Illinois agriculture broke records for yield and crop value. The success was part of a comprehensive organization of statewide resources, and farming was near the top of the list. The U.S. declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917, and five months later, a statewide plan for Illinois food production and conservation was implemented. The plan was under the State Council of Defense, a fifteen-member collection of state leaders that served as a “clearinghouse” for public and private agencies. The SCD was appointed by Gov. Frank Lowden and chaired by Samuel Insull, the energetic president of Commonwealth Edison in northern Illinois. Each county in Illinois had its own committee for food production

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EDWARDSVILLE - A valuable new tool for genealogists has just been completed by volunteers and staff at the Madison County Archival Library. It is expected that the new "Guardianship Index" will help genealogists solve roadblocks in their family tree and allow them to learn more about their ancestors. MCHS has put the index on its website so it can be accessed by anyone, although a visit to the library will be necessary to see the actual file. The index can be found at https://madcohistory.org/archival-library/archival-library-resources/probate-court-files/ . It can also be located by going to www.madcohistory.org and looking at Library Resources on the Archival Library page. The guardianship files are part of an estimated 34,000 pre-1960 probate court records donated to the Madison county Historical Society (MCHS) by the Madison County government in 2013. Estates involving a minor heir, unlike regular probate files, can be listed under the minor child, the parent, a court-appointed

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URBANA – Throughout the growing season, gardeners and arborists talk about the benefits of pruning woody ornamentals while they are dormant, and that time is almost here. “Pruning can seem like a daunting task, but it is an important cultural practice for the health and vigor of many trees and shrubs,” says University of Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator Sarah Vogel . Pruning is done to reduce the size and shape of the plant, increase flower or fruit production, and promote sound structure. The correct time to prune deciduous shrubs and trees is determined by the plant’s growth habit, bloom time, and health or condition. Timing will depend on the species, but any time is a good time to remove dead, dying, or broken branches. Be sure to sanitize tools between plants with a 10% bleach solution or undiluted 70% isopropyl alcohol. Sanitize between each cut if a disease is suspected. Spring flowering shrubs, such as lilac or forsythia, will bloom on the

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EDWARDSVILLE - The estate of a former patient at St. Anthony’s Health Center has filed suit against the hospital and an emergency room doctor, claiming the doctor failed to diagnose a rupture in the man’s aorta. Patricia Jones, the administrator of the estate of Jeremy Jones, claims that Jeremy Jones was taken to the emergency room on June 11, 2020, with chest pain and vomiting. The suit claims that Dr. Rodger Hanko diagnosed pleurodynia, a viral infection of the respiratory system, and sent the patient home the same day he arrived. Jeremy Jones died July 6, 2020, of a rupture to his aorta, the artery that carries blood away from the heart. The suit claims the defendants are guilty of failure to diagnose and treat the problem and failed to admit him to the hospital. The suit states Jones’ heirs, son, Michael Jones Jr., and daughter Jamiyah Monae Jones, have suffered financial damages as a result of their father’s death. The hospital administration had no

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Unless you were around to see it, you probably wouldn’t recognize the first Super Bowl in history. Under a different name, with teams from two rival football leagues, the game’s prices and attendance were nothing like what we know today. The average ticket price was a whopping $12 (equivalent to about $100 today). Compare that to an average ticket price of $8,772 for the upcoming Super Bowl LVI , and you start to realize just how much of a steal those first attendees really got. Not only were the tickets cheap, they didn’t even sell out - roughly a third of them went unsold . In 1960, the American Football League (AFL) was founded to compete with the National Football League (NFL) before the two merged in 1970. The first “Super Bowl” was actually called the AFL-NFL World Championship. On January 15, 1967, the AFL’s Kansas City Chiefs played against the NFL’s Green Bay Packers. Despite a somewhat close first half, the Packers

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ST. LOUIS - National Children’s Dental Health Month brings together dental health professionals, caregivers, parents, and teachers to give children the best start on oral health. That start involves everything from brushing and flossing to healthy snacks and routine dental visits. For St. Louis District Dairy Council, this month is an opportune time to share yet another reason dairy is such an important part of a healthy diet. The need for dairy starts early in life. Not only are milk and dairy foods delicious, but they offer many nutrients critical to overall health, including calcium. This unique mineral supports vital metabolic processes. Ninety-nine percent of the body’s calcium is stored in bones and teeth; so getting enough of it throughout life is essential. “The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults consume 3 servings of dairy every day to ensure they are meeting their calcium needs.” States Kelsey Bentlage, Nutrition Educator. Many

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SEE VIDEO: WEST ALTON - The Raptor Saturdays has another weekend outing planned from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at 301 Riverlands Way at the Audubon Center in West Alton. Raptors include hawks, eagles, owls, and falcons. Sherri Stillwell, a facility coordinator for the Treehouse Wildlife Center, helps coordinate some of the presentations. She said they bring raptors from the treehouse and said they are always glad to present their lifestyles and information about their habitat. She said they are thankful the Audubon Center is here and the role they provide for the community. Emily Connor, education manager of the Audubon Center, said one thing she loves is that birds are everywhere whether a person is in the country or city. She said she thrives on the fact that the Audubon Center is able to connect with the community with the weekend presentations. “It is great to focus on the adaptations of the raptors and the different species available here,” she said. “This

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EDWARDSVILLE - A K-5th Grade Cheer Clinic is scheduled once again at Edwardsville High School. The EHS Varsity and JV Cheerleaders now extend the invitation to attend the annual cheer clinic. The clinic will be conducted by the EHS coaching staff and cheerleaders. Grades K-5/girls/boys will be split into age-appropriate groups. CHEER CLINIC: Saturday, March 19, 2022 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. at EDWARDSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Check-in starts at 12:30 – There will be a 3:30 performance for parents Package Price: $35, Additional Family Members: $25. Includes: Clinic, Cheer Clinic T-Shirt, Snack and Drink There will be a photo prop to snap a picture of your mini cheerleader with her favorite high school cheerleader if you choose QUESTIONS? Call or Text Stephanie McOlgan 314-220-4663 The form to send back is below:

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SPRINGFIELD - Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved retailers Sam’s Club and Meijer Grocery for SNAP online purchasing. With these additions, Illinois LINK card users can now purchase groceries online through eleven retail chains across the state. Illinois has about 1.8 million SNAP recipients. The Pritzker Administration made it possible at the beginning of the pandemic for these customers to buy groceries online. Since March 2020, the pool of participating retailers has grown substantially. Illinois SNAP customers who want to shop at Meijer must reside in an area where Instacart is an option. Additionally, Meijer grocery locations are accepting Online EBT through Instacart. "Every resident in Illinois deserves equitable access to healthy food options,” said Governor JB Pritzker. "This latest round of expansion for online SNAP retailers is helping make that a

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ALTON - An Alton man is facing a fourth charge of domestic battery after he allegedly hit a woman in the head with a vodka bottle. Corey L. Gorsich, 50, was charged after being convicted three times of domestic battery and once of aggravated domestic battery. Bail was set at $75,000. The alleged offense was on Feb. 5; he was charged on Feb. 7. ALTON - Victor L. Smith, 32, of the 1300 block of Monroe Street, Alton, was charged with aggravated driving under the influence while license suspended, a felony, and misdemeanor leaving the scene of an accident. The alleged offenses were on Feb. 6 the charges were filed on Feb. 7. Bail was set at $50,000. LIVINGSTON - Mary A. Parish, 39, of the 500 block of Rodenberg Street, Livingston, was charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine. She allegedly possessed less than five grams of the drug on Feb. 5; the charge was filed on Feb. 7. Bail was set at $15,000. ALTON - Saundra A. Granden, 55. Of the 1300 block of Willard Street,

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Wood River – Midwest Members Credit Union is proud to sponsor the “Oiler of the Month” program at EAWR High School. A Senior student is selected each month by members of EAWR faculty. Each student is awarded a certificate and a Subway gift card. The Seniors selected each month will have the opportunity to compete for a $1,000.00 “Oiler of the Year” scholarship at the end of the school year. January’s winner is Reaghan Williams. Reaghan is a Senior at EAWR and is involved with Volleyball, Scholar Bowl, Peer Leadership, Big Sisters and Student Council. Reaghan has received honors for High Honor Roll, Renaissance, Illinois State Scholar, and a member of the National Honors Society. After graduation Reaghan plans to attend Illinois State University and look to obtain a degree in Biology. Congratulations Reaghan and we all wish you good luck in your future! Midwest Members Credit Union has been serving your community for over 86 years. To find out

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