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PEORIA - Like many of us, Kelli Ballard, a Washington, Illinois, school administrator was hoping after a tumultuous 2020, that 2021 would be a better year. It didn’t quite turn out that way. In January of last year, just as the new school semester was beginning at her K-8 school, the then 42-year-old Ballard received a phone call that would change everything. Ballard was told she had three tumors in her breasts. Tests showed she had stage 1a invasive ductile breast cancer. “They weren’t bringing people in because of COVID and so that was really hard. I actually had a co-worker who had had breast cancer the year before and she was there with me that day when I found out and she was just my huge support system.” It was quite a blow. Ballard’s cancer journey began when after a few years of taking a CancerIQ assessment before every mammogram, she finally decided to talk to someone about her high risk score. The five-minute online tool from the Chicago-based

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ALTON - Marquette Catholic's ACES Academic Challenge Team, led by John Walters, returned home from state competition with several winners this past week. Regional medal winners from left to right back row: Peter Walsh 2nd Bio, Will Schwartz 1st Chem, Skylar Schuster 2nd Chem, Dre Davis 1st Physics, Nathan Bennett 2nd Physics. Front row: Nina Walters, 2nd Math, 2nd Chm, Elizabeth Guenther 3rd Math, Emma Bohannon 1st Biology. Of Special note; Nina Walters took second place in both chemistry and math at Sectionals while Skylar Schuster was first in chemistry.

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - On Friday, April 8, 2022, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued warrants on suspect Marcus Payne, 39 years of age, of the 200 block of Duquette Lane in Florissant, Missouri 63033, for four counts of Stealing $750 or More. A mugshot of Payne is shown. Payne is being held on a $50,000 cash only, no 10%, bond. On Thursday, April 21, 2022, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued warrants on suspect Terrence Cooper, 33 years of age, of the 8300 block of Pepperidge Drive in St. Louis, Missouri 63134, for four counts of Stealing $750 or More. A mugshot of Cooper is shown. Cooper is being held on a $50,000 cash only, no 10%, bond. The probable cause statement for Payne reads: On four separate occasions within a period of approximately six weeks, Defendant acted with others to steal from two ULTA Beauty stores (in Fenton and central St. Louis County) and the Marshall’s store in south St. Louis County. Defendant and

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BELLEVILLE - After getting input from transit riders, area residents, elected officials and stakeholders through a series of in-person and virtual opportunities, the St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD), has approved a finalized design concept for the “Transit Stop Transformation” project at the Belleville Transit Center, located at 800 Scheel Street. The project – being completed in conjunction with Citizens for Modern Transit, AARP in St. Louis and Metro Transit and through a partnership with the City of Belleville – will transform the concrete area between the bus bays and MetroLink entrance into an interactive, playful and engaging space. The finalized design – developed by St. Louis-based transportation engineering and planning firm CBB – boasts a vibrant-colored “Art Grows in Belleville” theme. It features musical, custom bike racks, shade structures, a Belleville city logo sign, benches, planters and elevated window artwork

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SPRINGFIELD – Spring is here, the weather is getting warmer and the Illinois Department of Transportation is reminding the public to be on the lookout for maintenance teams picking up litter throughout the state. As part of its ongoing Think Before You Throw! initiative, IDOT is stepping up efforts to remove litter from roadsides while encouraging you to be part of the solution. “Litter might seem like a temporary problem, but it can have long-term, far-reaching impacts,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “During the pandemic, we have observed much more littering taking place. We are committed to helping maintain a positive impression of Illinois by keeping roadsides clean, but we can’t do it alone. We’re asking you to think before you throw and properly dispose of trash.” The Think Before You Throw! campaign aims to reduce roadside litter by raising awareness of its impacts. Litter is more than just an eyesore –

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URBANA - May 27, 2020, was a heart-wrenching day Bryanna Dobbs will never forget. But it was also a day that set the home daycare operator on a journey of empowerment and planted the seed of a bond with an OSF HealthCare Mission Partners who cared for her. Dobbs and her husband Austin were at the Blessed Beginnings Birthing Center at OSF HealthCare Heart of Mary Medical Center in Urbana, Illinois. The Villa Grove, Illinois, couple was preparing to welcome their daughter, Ivy Faye. Instead, Dobbs suffered a stillbirth. “We don’t have a whole lot of answers as to what happened,” Dobbs says. “We think it was an cord accident, and I kind of dealt with some low fluid problems.” Pregnancy loss is more common than people think, says Emily Ontis, a registered nurse at OSF Heart of Mary who was Dobbs’ nurse in 2020. Statistics show around one to two in 10 women will suffer a miscarriage , which is pregnancy loss in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. Some

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GRAFTON - Back by popular demand, the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau will celebrate local foods with an epic foodie experience throughout the month of June. Businesses and restaurants that serve up great burgers, wings, ice cream, and pizza will be highlighted throughout the month of June during Epic Food Month. Each week a different local favorite food will be celebrated. The epic weeks include: Epic Pizza Week, Epic Wing Week, Epic Burger Week, and Epic Ice-Cream Week. “We started highlighting our epic foods last year and it was an amazing success,” said Cory Jobe, President/CEO of the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau. “We had 100 different restaurants participate serving up thousands of burgers, pizzas, and ice cream treats to residents and visitors alike. Now we want to take our epic foods to the next level” Epic Food Month will kick off with Epic Pizza Week June 6 – 10; Epic Wing Week June 13 – 17; Epic Burger Week June 20 - 24, followed

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This year marks the 75th anniversary of the most famous flying saucer event of all, the Roswell incident of 1947. But a half-century before, alien spacecraft were reported across Illinois, particularly in this area. One hundred and twenty-five years ago this spring, central Illinois was riveted by a string of spaceship sightings, many of which remain unexplained. The incidents were part of a nationwide phenomenon, as flying craft were reported from the Midwest to the West Coast. Among the most noteworthy sightings in Illinois was an incident involving three men on a farm one mile north of Nilwood at 2:30 p.m. on April 13, 1897. There, the Macoupin County Enquirer reported the landing of a “cigar or boat-shaped” object with “oars” running from the bottom and a “picnic canopy on top.” This odd-looking craft sat down in a field for 15-20 minutes, then flew off in a northerly direction. The ship was also spotted around 6 p.m. in nearby Green Ridge, tw

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EDWARDSVILLE – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville lit up red with Cougar pride Thursday, April 21 in celebration of its inaugural One Day, One SIUE Day of Giving, which raised more than $572,000 and set a new standard for alumni engagement and community partnership as the University defines its future. “On behalf of the entire University, I want to thank you for your generosity and for your continued partnership," said Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD. “Each of our donors and partners plays an important role as we develop a bold vision for this university. My ambition is that SIUE be first and best at providing high-quality, affordable degree opportunities for all students. There is unrealized potential here that must be unlocked as we go forward. The time is now to more powerfully advance our mission. This is just the beginning of what we will achieve as we chart the path forward, together.” Monies raised through One Day, One SIUE will support scholarships

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CHICAGO – Powerball is capping off its 30th anniversary week with a jackpot worth $400 million. The millionaire-making game held its first drawing back in April 22, 1992, with a jackpot estimated at $6 million. The jackpot for tomorrow night’s drawing is a whopping $400 million. The last time Powerball had a jackpot of $400 million was for the Christmas Day drawing last year. Illinois Lottery players have already struck it big this year. In the past two months, two Powerball players became newly minted millionaires. On April 16, a winning Powerball ticket worth $1 million was purchased at Circle K in Marseilles, and on February 12, a $2 million winning ticket was sold at Country Market in Girard. Powerball drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday with the next prize draw taking place on Saturday, April 23 at 9:59 p.m. CT. Powerball tickets are $2 each, and players have the option to add the Powerplay for an additional $1 for the chance to multiply

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police Crimes Against Persons detectives are currently investigating a serious motor vehicle crash in the area of West Florissant Avenue and Hudson Road which resulted in life-threatening injuries to an adult female and a two-year-old male. On April 22, 2022, at approximately 8:46 AM, St. Louis County police officers from the North County Precinct observed a red Dodge 2-door sedan in the area of northbound Riverview Boulevard and Interstate 270. The Dodge Charger had been reported as taken in a carjacking overnight in the City of St. Louis. The police officer, in a marked police unit, attempted to conduct a traffic stop with the Dodge. The Dodge failed to stop and a pursuit was initiated. Stop sticks were deployed, however, they were unsuccessful in stopping the Dodge. Eventually, the Dodge was traveling southbound on West Florissant Avenue and struck a black Hyundai 4-door sedan that was turning westbound onto Hudson Road from northbound West

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Rotary Club honored Edwardsville High School student Damon LaMar with the Student of the Month Award for the month of April. Damon was nominated by his Orchestra teacher, Ms. Victoria Voumard. Damon has participated in symphonic band sophomore, junior, and senior years at Edwardsville High School. Additionally, he received “Outstanding Sophomore” in 10 th grade and gained eligibility to be inducted into the “International Thespian Society”. As a senior, he was selected to be drum major and made it into the Illinois Music Education Association. Additionally, he was accepted into Chamber Singers and the Illinois State University’s “School of Music”. Damon participates in marching and symphonic band, Acafellaz – a male acoustic group, chamber singers, and as an actor for the EHS Drama Club. In Damon’s spare time, he enjoys singing, acting, performing, making music, spending time with friends, and laughing.

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ST. LOUIS - There was considerable interest in "Hamilton" at the Fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis, but on Thursday night, there was an outage that canceled that night's show. Ameren crews restored energy around 8:55 p.m. Thursday, but it was too late for those in attendance for Hamilton. The show began on time at 7:30 p.m. but was cut short only moments later when the power when out. "Those who attended night's Hamilton show will be able to get free tickets to a different night, which runs to May 15," the Fabulous Fox Theatre officials said. "Hamilton" is an American Musical and is sung and rapped through music by Lin-Manuel Miranda. It tells the story of one of America's Founding Fathers Alexander Hamilton. Miranda said he was inspired to write the musical after reading the 2004 biography Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow. "The Fabulous Fox Theatre lost power one minute into 'Hamilton' tonight," said Jerseyville's Brandy McCoy, who was in attendance with her family. "They sai

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ROCKFORD - It’s no secret that leading a sedentary lifestyle can be detrimental to a person’s health in a number of ways – it increases the risk of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, depression, and more. A lack of regular activity is equally harmful for cancer survivors as well. Cancer survivors who sit more than eight hours of the day are five times more likely to die over the following years than cancer survivors who sit less, according to a study done at Alberta Health Services in Calgary, Canada and published in JAMA Oncology . The study highlighted 1,500 cancer survivors with more than half of the participants (57%) being inactive and reporting no physical activity in the past week. The study found that more than one-third of cancer survivors reported sitting for six to eight hours each day, and one-quarter admitted to sitting for more than eight hours per day. During a nine-year period, 293 of the cancer survivors died -- 114 from cancer, 41 from heart diseases,

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GODFREY - A Godfrey man tragically lost his life Thursday, April 21, 2022, in a motorcycle crash in the 6800 block of Humbert Road in Godfrey. The man was identified as Bruce C. Edwards, 34. Madison County Coroner Steve Nonn reported Friday afternoon that 9-1-1 was notified at approximately 8:44 p.m. "The victim was the operator and sole occupant of a Kawasaki Ninja traveling westbound on Seiler Road when he lost control and proceeded through the intersection of Humbert Road, coming to rest on the property of Lewis and Clark Elementary School," the coroner said. "Edwards was pronounced deceased at the scene by Madison County Coroner’s Office Investigator Kyle Burgess at 9:45 p.m., April 21, 2022. The preliminary investigation shows blunt chest trauma as the cause of death. The victim was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. A final cause of death will not be issued until the results of toxicological testing are complete. "Preliminary evidence observed at the scene suggests

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JERSEYVILLE — Jersey/Calhoun Employment and Training are hosting an open house and ribbon cutting next month in celebration of their office’s new location. The new location at 120 West Pearl Street in Jerseyville will serve job seekers and businesses in Jersey and Calhoun counties “We are excited about our new office and look forward to working with people on the tools and skills they need to prepare or move up in the world of work,” Jersey County Career Services Coordinator Carolyn Taviner said. To celebrate the new location the open house will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 3. “The community is invited to come tour our new office and get more information on the services we offer,” Taviner said. Staff assists the public on job search activities, resume writing and exploring education and training options. Businesses can receive assistance with employee recruitment, training, upskilling and retention. State, county and municipal and

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EAST ST. LOUIS - Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officials request the public assistance in a missing persons investigation involving Daryl “Lil Daryl” Smith of East St. Louis, Illinois. On Monday, December 6, 2021, the Public Safety Enforcement Group (PSEG) was asked to conduct an investigation into the disappearance Daryl Smith Jr. His last known location was with his sister, Latisha Coleman, in East St. Louis, Illinois during the morning hours of November 18, 2021. Family and friends of Daryl Smith Jr. have not had any contact with Daryl since November 18, 2021. Smith Jr. was reported missing to the East St. Louis Police Department on November 26, 2021. He was last seen wearing black jeans, a black t-shirt, and red Nike slides. The East St. Louis Police Department and ISP are again asking anyone who has additional information to contact the Public Safety Enforcement Group at (618) 389-3990 or (618) 346-3555.

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ALTON – National Education Association (NEA) President Becky Pringle visited Collinsville High School on Thursday and will visit East Elementary School in Alton on Friday as part of four locations in Illinois as part of her Joy, Justice and Excellence tour, talking to members about their concerns, challenges and successes during this school year and throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic. From 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Friday, April 22, 2022, Pringle will make a stop at East Elementary School (1035 Washington Ave., Alton). She will meet with members and see a showcase garden where the students learn to plan, plant and maintain both kitchen and landscaped gardens. Pringle visited Collinsville High School (2201 South Morrison Avenue, Collinsville) on Thursday. The National Education Association (NEA) President Pringle today visited staff and students at Collinsville High School as part of her national Joy, Justice and Excellence tour to meet with NEA members across the country and hear

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They're creepy and they're kooky Mysterious and spooky They're all together ooky The Addams family ALTON - The Addams Family - the Alton High School Spring Musical - runs at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 28, Friday, April 29, and Saturday, April 30, at the Alton High School Theatre. The show is directed by long-time director Anne Davis. Davis made these statements about the production: "Oh, The Addams Family! They are so upside-down that to be sad is to be happy, to feel pain is to feel joy, and death and suffering are the stuff of their dreams. The family is really turned upside down when their daughter, Wednesday, falls in love with Lucas Beineke, a smart mid-Western boy from a normal, respectable Ohio family. Wednesday has invited the Beineke family to dinner to meet the Addams family In one fateful, hilarious night, secrets are disclosed, relationships are tested, and the Addams family must face up to the one horrible thing they’ve managed to avoid for generations:

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GRANITE CITY – As we continue to celebrate Music in our Schools Month, Granite City High School and Coolidge Junior High School had 10 Band students recognized by the Illinois Music Educators Association (ILMEA) with All-District and All-State honors. The following students were selected to the Illinois Music Educators Association District VI Jazz Festival on November 6 at Belleville East High School where they rehearsed with the finest high school musicians from Southern Illinois. These rehearsals culminated with the All-District Concert, held in the Belleville East High School Performing Arts Center. Granite City High School Jonas Etchison - Tenor Sax Anna Forbes - Vibes Lexi Kunz - Vibes Coolidge Junior High School Sully Ashby - Drum Set Alex Escobar - Baritone Saxophone Ricardo Garay - Bass Guitar Hector Villa - Trombone The following students were selected to the Illinois Music Educators Association District VI Festival held on November 20

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