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SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released grant funding to national gas station companies to support their Illinois locations in increasing the availability of domestic biofuel. The funding, awarded from the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP), was made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act —of which not a single Congressional Republican voted for. “The Inflation Reduction Act provided $500 million to install more dispensers and storage tanks at gas stations so that more drivers can get biofuels locally,” said Durbin. “Ethanol blends reduce carbon emissions and fuel costs. It’s good for Illinois farmers, and it’s good for rural jobs.” “At a time when Big Oil has been profiting off of hardworking Americans, increasing the availability

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CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today announced $5 million in available grant funding through the Back to Business (B2B) Local Chambers program. Following state recovery programming for businesses totaling $1.5 billion, the latest American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)-funded opportunity is designed to provide additional support for local chambers of commerce that experienced negative economic impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. “Local chambers of commerce support the small business infrastructure that makes so many Illinois communities great—but like everyone in the small business space, they were hit hard by the effects of the pandemic,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “These grant awards will support entrepreneurs who took a risk to establish a business in uncertain times and deserve a fair shot at contributing to our growing economic recovery.” Local chambers of commerce play a vital

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ALTON - Community members gathered at The Lovejoy for the Alton Main Street appreciation party on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. Alton Main Street is an organization that promotes small business and growth in the Alton community. The party recognized volunteers and community partners who have contributed to the organization’s mission. “These supporters have a shared vision for our small business community and make Alton a wonderful place to live, work and visit,” said Chris Miller, a community advocate. Sara McGibany, Alton Main Street’s executive director, thanked attendees for their contributions to Alton. She introduced a few award winners that Alton Main Street chose to recognize for their service and commitment to the community. Robert Hellrung won the Extra Mile Award for the time he spends picking up litter, pulling weeds and championing Alton. Debbie Monroe was named Volunteer of the Year for her community service through Alton Main Street at the

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ALTON - As winter continues, iMerge Community Center encourages people to come out and enjoy their various classes and open play nights. Located at 200 W. 3rd Street in Alton, iMerge offers open play nights from 6:30–10 p.m. every Friday night. Kids in fifth through eighth grade can come play for $12. The center also recently introduced classes for all ages, including dance and chocolatiering classes, and they are planning to start an eSports team for kids to compete with other clubs throughout the area. “It’s a community center, and so we would really like to share it with the community,” said Brigit Holt, iMerge executive director. “ keeping in the spirit of a safe space for children, but it’s such a great space. We really think that the whole community should be able to utilize it.” Holt explained that the open play nights encourage kids to get out of the house and spend time together. The center has a rock-climbing wall, karaoke,

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CARROLLTON - Obstructing justice, illegal possession of fireworks, and several drug charges have been filed against four individuals in Greene County since the beginning of the year. Brooke R. Johnson, 33, of Beardstown, was charged with obstructing justice, illegal possession of fireworks, adult use of cannabis in a motor vehicle, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving on a license that had been suspended/revoked. She was arrested and taken into custody by the White Hall Police Department on Jan. 5, 2024 before being transferred to another facility. Christopher M. Cherry, 38, of Carrollton, was charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia on Jan. 2, 2024. He was arrested by the White Hall Police Department and has since been released under the pretrial release conditions of the Illinois Pretrial Fairness Act. Adam J. Shasteen, 40, homeless, was charged with possession of methamphetamine and arrested by the Roodhouse Police Department

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CARROLLTON - Four individuals have been charged with various forms of battery in Greene County so far in 2024, according to the latest Jail Booking Report from the Greene County Sheriff’s Office. Brandon L. Catchers, 30, from Illinois (no city listed), was charged with aggravated battery of a nurse and aggravated battery by strangulation. He was arrested by the Carrollton Police Department on Jan. 7, 2024, and court documents indicate he remains in custody. Cody E. Leonard, 26, of Carrollton, was charged with one count of domestic battery and was arrested by the Roodhouse Police Department on Jan. 7, 2024 before being given a Notice To Appear in court. Jamie R. Lake-Boyd, 44, of Brussels, was charged with one count of domestic battery and one count of aggravated domestic battery. She was arrested by the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department on Jan. 6, 2024 before being given a Notice To Appear in court. Melinda J. Calvin, 50, of White Hall, was charged with one

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EAST ALTON - An Alton man faces a variety of charges after the East Alton Police Department investigated a hit-and-run accident that occurred at 7:12 p.m. on Jan. 2, 2024, in the 600 block of Powder Mill Road that resulted in the death of an East Alton pedestrian John Gleason. Jonathon V. Knox, 32, of Alton, faces these charges below, East Alton Police Chief Scott Golike said today. Count I: Failure To Report Accident Resulting In Death (Class 1 Felony) Count II: Leaving The Scene Of An Accident Involving Death (Class 4 Felony) Count III: Operating An Uninsured Motor Vehicle Causing Bodily Harm (Class A Misdemeanor) Count IV: Driving While License Revoked (Class A Misdemeanor) Knox was booked and released on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024. On Jan. 11, 2024, the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office met with the East Alton Police investigators and charged Knox.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Joe Cunningham, the National Director of centrist political organization No Labels and a former U.S Congressman, recently announced the movement continues to gain traction as they have now secured a spot on the ballot in 13 states and counting for the 2024 presidential election. No Labels, an organization dedicated to offering voters a third option this election, is currently forming a “ Unity Ticket ” for 2024. The organization is prepared to possibly offer their ballot line to a presidential ticket “under the proper environmental conditions,” according to their website . Cunningham recently appeared on Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com after returning from Maine, the 13th state in which No Labels is on the ballot. “I think it's further along at this point in the election than any other third party or third line item has ever been,” Cunningham said of the movement. “We're hitting the new year running, we’ve

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EDWARDSVILLE — With temperatures expected to drop into the single digits in the upcoming days Madison County officials want to let the public know where they can go to stay warm. “We know there are individuals out there who are unhoused and we want them to know there are places for them to go get warm,” Homeless Coordinator David Kerr said. Each winter the county’s homeless program puts provisions in play to assist the unhoused. Kerr said Madison County Continuum of Care (CoC), which is a consortium of non-profits and citizens that determine how to carry out the homeless program, are working with organizations to sponsor warming centers in Alton and Edwardsville. “We have modified our referral line to instruct people in distress to either go to a warming center, contact a shelter or contact their local police department,” Kerr said. Kerr said that not only are the unhoused affected, but also those who may lose heat or power. He said the CoC works

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ALTON - The Alton Fire Department responded rapidly to a raging fire in the 2700 block of Grandview on Thursday afternoon, but unfortunately, a victim was within and by the time the fire was under control, the individual could not be saved. Alton Deputy Fire Chief Matt Fischer said his firefighters made a “quick hit” on the fire, but unfortunately when they arrived there was what he described as “heavy, heavy fire” coming out of the front side of the building. “When the firefighters were able to enter in the rear, they found a victim inside,” Fischer said. “It was a very unfortunate incident. Our firefighters did the best they could in the situation.” The person who called the fire in said there was possibly someone inside the house at the time of the fire and once firefighters were able to enter they could not rescue the victim. Alton Deputy Fire Chief Fischer said the Alton Police Department and Illinois State Fire Marshal’s

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EDWARDSVILLE/GLEN CARBON - As the Edwardsville/Glen Carbon chapter of Habitat for Humanity gears up for their “Blooming Where We Are Planted” fundraising event , chapter president Marc Gibbs is breaking down how the organization helps the community. Gibbs explained that Habitat for Humanity connects volunteers with a family, and the volunteers donate their labor to build a new house for the family. Donations and fundraisers like the “Blooming Where We Are Planted” event, which is sponsored by In Crowd , pay for materials and other necessities to build the homes. “I like to think of us maybe more as a catalyst,” Gibbs said. “We kind of fill that space where we find a family that needs suitable housing and we kind of find them and then marry them with sponsors who are willing to donate financially toward the building towards building a home. And then also bringing together volunteers who are willing to build. So we’re kind of tha

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ALTON - Alton Little Theater is getting ready for a busy month of entertainment as their Actor’s Studio Series officially kicks off tonight at 7:30 p.m. with a showing of “Two Rooms.” More performances of the play are also scheduled for the same time on Friday and Saturday, with plenty more entertainment in store for the rest of the Actor’s Studio Series and beyond. Lee Cox, Executive Director and Show Director for Alton Little Theater, said while “Two Rooms” is set for evening showings only, the next two plays in the series, “Red Jasper” and “The Elephant’s Graveyard” will both have 2 p.m. matinees with “Red Jasper” set for Jan. 18-21, 2024 and “Elephant’s Graveyard” set for Jan. 26-29, 2024. Tickets are still available for each show in the series for $10 each or $25 for all three shows. Tickets can be purchased online from the Alton Little Theater website . As Cox pointed

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EAST ST. LOUIS – A Venice man admitted guilt in federal court on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, for his involvement in a scheme to commit arson on residential properties and collect fraudulent insurance benefits. Rufis A. Jefferson, 47, pleaded guilty to 14 federal felony charges: one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, two counts of mail fraud, 10 counts of wire fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit arson. U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe said the following: “Under federal law, intentionally igniting residential buildings to file insurance claims for the damages and collect benefits is committing fraud, and law enforcement is working to prosecute offenders of these hazardous crimes." According to court documents, Jefferson admitted to being paid off by a family member to burn her St. Louis apartment on December 31, 2022, so that she could collect insurance money. In addition to the New Year's Eve fire at Spanish Lake Apartments, Jefferson admitted to conspiring

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ALTON/EDWARDSVILLE - The Overnight Warming Locations in Alton and Edwardsville are gearing up for several days of activation to keep unhoused community members alive through the cold temperatures. With predictions of snow and temperatures in the single digits , the Overnight Warming Locations (OWL) will activate every night when the temperature is forecasted to drop below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. From 5 p.m. to 8:30 a.m., unhoused community members can come to Deliverance Temple in Alton or First Baptist Church in Edwardsville to have dinner, shower, spend the night and eat breakfast with volunteers. “I think most people agree that everybody deserves a warm place to stay,” said OWL operations director Tyler Dreith. “Sometimes we argue on proximity and where that location should be, but over the last four-plus years now we’ve identified a good place in our community and we’ve had some good partnerships with neighbors and organizations to come alongsid

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EAST ST. LOUIS – U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe announced on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, that a former elementary school teacher appeared in federal court today to plead guilty to soliciting child sexual abuse material (CSAM) from minors. Jonathan C. Villmer, Jr., 25, of New Baden, Illinois, was charged via criminal complaint in August 2023. Prior to his charge, Villmer was a teacher at New Baden Elementary School and coached girls’ sports teams for Wesclin Community Unit School District 3. “We know child predators lurk in our communities, but it’s especially disturbing when a former first-grade teacher and coach admits to asking minors for inappropriate images,” said Crowe. “I highly commend the several law enforcement departments who contributed to this investigation and identified an extremely dangerous individual working directly with minors.” The case was initiated by an otherwise unrelated investigation by the Carmi Police Department

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EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville alumni, families and friends will fill the Cassidy Cool Zone and stands along the first baseline as the St. Louis Cardinals take on the Miami Marlins during opening weekend of Major League Baseball Spring Training. The Cardinals play their Opening Day game at Roger Dean Stadium on Saturday, February 24 at 1:05 p.m. EST in Jupiter, FL. SIUE is proud to be the premier sponsor. “We are thrilled to continue the annual tradition of gathering with our alumni and friends for a Cardinals Spring Training game,” said Cathy Taylor, Senior Director of Alumni and Donor Relations. “Beyond the excitement of the game, this weekend presents an opportunity for our alumni to reconnect, reminisce about their time at SIUE, and establish new connections.” For years SIUE fans have traveled many miles to attend the St. Louis Cardinals spring training. In 2023 Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD, threw out the first pitch. He is

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ALTON - Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford provided a follow-up story about a criminal investigation into the Jan. 1, 2024, shooting death of a 17-year-old, Jaiden L. Dahl. Terrance R. Johnson, 18, of Alton, was charged with several charges. Johnson has been charged with the following: Count I: Involuntary Manslaughter Count II: Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon Count III: Obstructing Justice As a result of the follow-up investigation, the facts of the case were presented to the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office today. Johnson is currently in custody at the Alton Police Department. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law

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EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced Thursday that a woman has been charged with felony child endangerment in connection with the fentanyl overdose of her child. Hanna N. Forgy, 25, of Alton has been charged with endangering the life or health of a child, which is a class 3 felony. The charge alleges that on July 12, 2023, Forgy knowingly caused or permitted the life or health of her 16-month-old child to be placed in danger, in that she allowed the child access to a substance containing fentanyl, resulting in the death of the child due to fentanyl intoxication. Rescue personnel in Wood River responded on July 12 to Forgy’s former residence in the 500 block of North Wood River Avenue for a report of an unresponsive child. The child was transported to Alton Memorial Hospital, where she was pronounced deceased. The Wood River Police Department initiated an investigation, in conjunction with the Madison County Coroner’s Office and

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GODFREY - Jeff Carver with Carver’s BBQ in Godfrey recently discussed the restaurant as part of a North Alton-Godfrey Business Council Spotlight as Carver’s marks its 25th year in business. Carver’s is located at 2716 Grovelin St. in Godfrey. While he described the location as a little “tucked away,” Carver said he’s always liked the restaurant’s location and that their prominent flame-covered signage helped increase visibility from the road. “Being tucked away in the shopping center, there was a time I was going to buy a couple locations, but I think being between Steak N Shake, Quick Trip, Schnucks, at 5 o’ clock on the beltline is chaos - so the traffic flow was there, visibility maybe not so much, and that’s why we several years ago put money in that signage,” Carver said. “We’re kind of tucked away, which, I kind of like that. I always tell people it’s the best-kept secret.”

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ALTON - Centerstone, a nonprofit health system specializing in mental health and substance use disorder treatments, will host a free, virtual Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) training on January 31 from 10 – 11:30 a.m. CT. CEUs are available. This training will discuss ACEs, provide practical information on how these experiences can impact individuals’ wellness throughout the lifespan and review risk factors associated with ACEs and the role of protective factors. “The ACEs study is groundbreaking and gives us a better understanding of how common ACEs are and how they impact lifelong physical and mental development. Join us for the webinar to learn how ACEs do not determine your destiny,” said Hannah Chapman, Centerstone Trauma, Treatment and Training grant coordinator. Objectives of the training include: Discuss the groundbreaking ACEs study Gain a deeper understanding of how common ACEs are Learn how ACEs impact brain development Discuss how building

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