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EDWARDSVILLE - The Metro East Mayhem Youth Rugby Program is returning for 2023 and will meet for both contact and non-contact sessions for the fall and spring. Non-contact sessions will be held for boys and girls ages 6-10, and contact sessions will be held for ages 10-13. The program will meet on Sundays from March 26 to May 7 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. All sessions will be held on the grass fields of Plummer Family Park, located at 3501 Sports Park Drive in Edwardsville. Head Coach Nick Pierce-Cramer said kids do not need to be Edwardsville residents to participate - the program will accept kids from all over the Metro East. “Part of our goal is to really expand rugby in the Metro East, so we currently have kids from Belleville, Carlinville, and just around the area,” he said. The cost to sign up for contact rugby is $75 per player, or $40 per player for non-contact rugby. Those interested can register online at this link , under “Youth Sports,” then

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EDWARDSVILLE - While the totality of the reported labor shortage is vast and complex – only 5.7 million unemployed Americans to fill 10 million open positions – a number of factors point to in-home care professionals for older adults as both essential to the needs of the skyrocketing aging population and as a potential solution to help ease the workforce strain in other sectors. Home Instead®, the leading provider of in-home care for older adults, is appealing to America’s workforce to consider a career in caregiving. With a current workforce of 65,000 Care Pros, Home Instead franchises across 50 states and Canada hope to hire more than 25,000 care professionals in 2023. To help solve the need for care professionals locally, Home Instead is hosting hiring open houses to fill more than 50 permanent part-time and full-time in-home care professional positions in the Metro East area. Tuesday, February 14 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Edwardsville Home

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HARDIN - At 10:28 p.m. on February 2, 2023, 2023, a deputy with the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on Illinois Route 96 in Mozier, Calhoun County, Illinois. Subsequent to an investigation, the driver, Johnny L. Chapman, age 38, of Louisiana, Mo., was arrested for the following offenses: Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Driving While License Suspended, Operating Uninsured Motor Vehicle. Additionally, a passenger, Maureessa D. Addington, age 31, of St. Paul, Virginia was arrested for the following offenses: Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance. Chapman was arrested without incident and lodged at the Pike County Jail. Addington was arrested without incident and lodged at the Jersey County Jail. Retherford Is Arrested In Carrollton For Calhoun Warrant At 11:51 p.m. on February 6, 2023, Kara R. Retherford, age 43, of Carrolton, Illinois was arrested by Law Enforcement Officials fro

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ALTON - The Illinois Department of Transportation announces intermittent daytime lane closures in both directions of IL 143, (the Berm Highway) between the Clark Bridge and IL 3 beginning on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, weather permitting. A minimum of one lane in each direction will remain open throughout all work on the project. This project is needed carry out guardrail replacement. Work at this location is scheduled to be completed by the end of March 2023. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. The contractor on this project is Lovewell Fencing, Inc. of Davenport, IA. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on Twitter at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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SPRINGFIELD – This Super Bowl Sunday, the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and numerous local police and sheriff’s departments across the state are taking a timeout to spread two very important safety messages to the public – “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Click It or Ticket.” “Before your party or the game starts, designate a sober driver or make other arrangements for a safe ride so that you, your passengers and everyone on the roads can return home safely,” said Cynthia Watters, IDOT’s bureau chief of Safety Programs and Engineering. “Impaired driving is always preventable by simply choosing the right play ahead of time or calling an audible and handing off your keys.” If you’re driving this weekend, safety should be your No. 1 priority. When it’s time to leave the party, make sure your designated driver is sober. Remember that walking impaired also can be dangerous,

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BUZZ MAGAZINE - February 1 kicked off the first day of the second-annual 'Love Illinois Local' campaign to highlight the need for the continued support of local independent businesses across the state. With 200-plus businesses and causes involved, the statewide membership encourages the public to shop locally during the tough months for small businesses. “Now is the time that local independent businesses can suffer,” said Illinois Local co-founder Gemma Long. “So, last year, we launched the first Love Illinois Local campaign, which runs February 1-14 and features a member and their business every day in an effort to remind communities to support local.” This year, members featured include, Smart Owl Coffee, Bailey Family Insurance, Jewelry by Rachel Lauer Thomas, FindingFlowerChild, Little Lincoln’s Toy Store, Lillian Geneva Boutique, The Strawberry Finch, Bobby Shaw Building and Remodeling, Luminary Counseling and Solutions, Rose Aesthetic & Wellness

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HARDIN - Two have been arrested after a traffic stop at 10:28 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, on Illinois Route 100 near Godar Diamond, Calhoun County. Subsequent to an investigation, the driver, Carissa L Cawthon, age 39, of Kampsville, Illinois was arrested for the following offenses: Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Operating Uninsured Motor Vehicle. Cawthon was arrested without incident and lodged in the Jersey County Jail. On February 2nd, 2023, the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office followed-up with the criminal investigation and executed a court-authorized search warrant at an apartment in the 700 block of Illinois Route 96 in Kampsville, Illinois. Subsequent to the execution of said search warrant, law enforcement officials discovered methamphetamine, controlled substances (Fentanyl) and drug paraphernalia. A second subject, Ricky D. Barnett, age 43, of Kampsville, Illinois, was arrested for the following offenses:

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EDWARDSVILLE – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s School of Nursing (SON) has been awarded a $1,050,000 grant through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The project focuses on recruitment of students and faculty with emphasis on diversifying the nursing workforce and retention of pre-nursing and nursing students. In addition, revision of the SON curriculum will ensure to prepare nursing students to practice in underserved areas. “Our team is enthusiastic about the opportunities this grant allows for our students and our profession,” said Angela Andrews, PhD, RN-BC, CNE, assistant professor and program director (PD). “We are excited about the collaboration that will be enhanced between departments at SIUE as well as with external school and clinical partners. This collaboration will strengthen student recruitment, retention, and improvements to the curriculum in areas of social determinants of health to better serve our

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Couples names: Marcus & Michelle City: Alton Date met or started dating: November 22, 2019 Date married: October 22, 2022 What makes your relationship special? We fell in love as young teenagers, but life took us In two different directions for over 28yrs. We both had two beautiful children each & learned a lot about life and it's lessons. Our love feels like we were never apart. We have blended our growing families & we are enjoying life together. Our bond is stronger than ever! Share a memory you have made together: We make new memories everyday. Our lives are blessed.

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EDWARDSVILLE - After a 42-year career with Prairie Farms Dairy, industry executive Ed Mullins retired on December 31, 2022. This followed his decision in late 2021 to step down as Chief Executive Officer/Executive Vice President to assume a new role as Senior Executive Officer in 2022. A celebration of his career was held last week in Edwardsville, Illinois, where hundreds of people, including Prairie Farms’ board members, present and past co-workers, industry professionals, and friends, gathered over a 2-day span to honor Mr. Mullins and share well-wishes for his retirement. "It was a privilege to serve Prairie Farms over the last 42 years. My decision to retire was bittersweet because the Prairie Farms’ family means the world to me. From board members to our dairy farmers and employees, I will always be humbled by their trust in me to lead our fine company,” said Mr. Mullins. “At the same time, I’m looking forward to settling into retirement

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ALTON - Last year’s hit new winter festival will be returning to Alton later this month. Ice Jam at the Dam , held at the National Great Rivers Museum on February 18 th , will highlight winter experiences that can be had along the river, along with winter-themed movies, live music, animal shows, and more. From 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, the public is invited to visit the National Great Rivers Museum for a wide array of wintery activities. Behind the museum at the foot of the Melvin Price Locks and Dam, local organizations will have educational booths where visitors can learn about winter wildlife, view bald eagles, and hear about the Lewis and Clark over-wintering at Camp Dubois alongside a replica of the White Pirogue boat used on their expedition. Expert Rangers will offer campfire programs while families roast s’mores at fire pits and enjoy hot chocolate and live music. Melvin Price Locks and Dam will also be open for guests to tour as they please, with tour guides an

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ST. LOUIS - As Spectrum makes steady progress on network expansion initiatives – often in newly served rural areas – the connectivity provider looks to expand its team by hiring more field technicians in several parts of Missouri. Strong business growth and aggressive statewide advanced fiber optic network buildout projects have Spectrum hiring more than 100 Field Technicians for its Missouri service area including St. Louis. Field Technicians install and support Spectrum services in customers’ homes and businesses to maintain vital connectivity. Field Technician roles offer competitive hourly wages starting at $20 an hour, along with comprehensive health and retirement benefits. Spectrum also provides Field Technicians extensive ongoing training and a robust career progression program that includes U.S. Department of Labor-certified Broadband Field Technician Apprenticeship. Many Spectrum technicians have advanced their careers into roles such as network maintenance,

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SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Freedom Caucus held a press conference on Wednesday to address the rising cost of energy for Illinois consumers. At the press conference, State Representative Chris Miller (R-Oakland) pointed to a copy of an electric bill that was more than twice the amount of the bill from the previous year. “I hear all of the time from people in my district who are experiencing the same thing,” Miller said. “Families are already struggling to pay their bills. They can’t afford to pay double the cost to heat and cool their homes. It is time for the Legislature to finally put the need of average citizens first.” The higher energy prices are also hurting small businesses. The Kincaid Food Market in Kinkaid, IL is closing its doors for good. In a Facebook post on Jan. 26, the store owners wrote: “It is with broken hearts that we have to announce, February 5th will be our last OPEN business day. For we are closing our doors due to the rising

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Following the news that Big Oil companies made record-breaking profits last year while working families struggled to afford sky-high gas prices, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Patty Murray (D-WA) will reintroduce legislation that would crack down on this sort of corporate greed by preventing the oil industry from engaging in gasoline price gouging. Specifically, the Gas Price Gouging Prevention Act would make it unlawful to sell gasoline at a price that is unconscionably excessive during a crisis affecting the oil markets. “It is outrageous that Big Oil raked in billions of dollars in record-breaking profit by choosing to jack up gas prices at the expense of working families—rather than boost production to meet the needs of everyday consumers,” Duckworth said. “No megacorporation should be using Putin’s war of choice against Ukraine or any other crisis as an excuse to excessively increase

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Couples names: Michael & Peggy Weber City: Alton Date married: August 4, 1972 What makes your relationship special? Lots of neat things. Share a memory you have made together: Our son. And our 50th anniversary

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Couples names: Jorden & Emma City: Alton Date met or started dating: August 9, 2021 What makes your relationship special? I believe what makes our relationship so special is that no matter what we go through we still love each other as if nothing were happening and at the end of every day we still love and hold each other like no other. Share a memory you have made together: My favorite memory is there was one time I was trying to think of a name of someone, and I got two people very confused and came up with “bart baker”. he cracked up so hard, and months later he still talks and teases me about it!

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Couples names: Paul & Casey City: Jerseyville Date met or started dating: January 1, 2010 Date married: June 22, 2013 What makes your relationship special? We rarely go anywhere without each other because we’d rather share experiences with each other. Share a memory you have made together: We took a short weekend anniversary trip to Gatlinburg. We went moonshine tasting and sightseeing.

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Couples names: Alfredo & Tracie Figueroa City: Alton Date met or started dating: November 20, 1994 Date married: April 10, 1996 What makes your relationship special? We actually like each other. We know that sounds funny but we are each others favorite person to be with. We always have each others backs. We help each other. We are truly in love. Share a memory you have made together: We lived in Orlando, FL at the time. We were newly married, had very little money but needed a car. We bought a Nissan pickup. That night we put 500 miles on it. We drove to the beach and hung out talking and laughing. This was a huge purchase for two kids just starting out. It was a great night.

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Couples names: Jake & Katie Pruitt City: Greenfield Date met or started dating: November 13, 2010 Date married: September 28, 2019 What makes your relationship special? We have been through so much from sickness to health. What makes it very special is when I was going through a lot Jake stuck right by me. Our bond together gets stronger every day. We are able to be ourselves around each other which is a huge thing. Share a memory you have made together: We have made countless memories together, we have done so many firsts and able to mark a lot off of our bucket list together. Making memories by going to blues games and doing things we have always wanted to do growing up.

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Couples names: Thomas & Nyki City: Wood River Date met or started dating: June 21, 2019 What makes your relationship special? We met at a cardinals game our friends were brother and sister and they chose us as their plus 1s. We both were in a toxic relationship and had a spark the very first time just seeing eachother. Share a memory you have made together: A good memory we have is at that cardinals game I (Thomas) liked her so much I was wiggling my but and dancing in my seat and trying to get her to dance too.

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