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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) is taking action to address one of the most pressing concerns for Illinois families. Standing alongside her colleagues at the Capitol, Senator Harriss emphasized the urgent need for property tax relief and introduced legislation aimed at easing the financial burden on homeowners and seniors. “If you ask my constituents what’s on their minds, the answer is almost always the same—property taxes,” said Senator Harriss. “Families across Illinois are feeling the weight of rising costs, and it’s important that we provide meaningful solutions to help keep people in their homes.” As an advocate for lower taxes, Senator Harriss has filed legislation to bring tax relief to Illinois families. Senate Bill 2086 : this bill raises the income eligibility for the Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption to $75,000 and ties future increases to inflation. Senate Bill

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ALTON – OSF HealthCare Rehabilitation Services in Alton will be holding its monthly Lymphedema education meeting on Thursday, March 6. Riverbend region residents are invited to join the OSF Lymphedema Therapy Team for this free educational session about Lymphedema and meet other people with Lymphedema. The March Lymphedema education meeting will be held: Thursday, March 6, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. OSF HealthCare Rehabilitation Services 228 Alton Square Mall, Alton, IL Enter the Rehab office from the upper mall parking lot, facing Alby Street, under the "OSF HEALTHCARE" sign Interested individuals should direct questions or requests for additional information to OSF Rehabilitation Services at (618) 463-5171. Lymphedema refers to tissue swelling caused by an accumulation of fluid that is usually drained by the body's lymphatic system. Some Lymphedema facts include: It most commonly affects the arms or legs, but it can also occur in the face, neck, or trunk.

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SPRINGFIELD - State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) is taking action to strengthen the skilled trade workforce in Illinois. House Bill 3807 creates the Illinois Trades Retention and Development Encouragement (ITRADE) Grant Program. The purpose of the bill is to promote a rewarding career in Illinois by specializing in a skilled trade. Rep. Schmidt says there is high demand for trade workers in Illinois and the state needs to invest more into growing our economy by supporting this legislation. “Many students decide to attend a technical school after graduating high school and this bill promotes the skilled trade industry and helps eligible students receive scholarships funds to pursue a degree or certificate from a qualified technical school in Illinois,” said Rep. Schmidt. “It’s important every student has the opportunity to excel in a career after graduating high school, and this bill is aimed to do just that.” The Illinois Student Assistance

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ALTON - Megan Tyler has always been dedicated to helping the Alton community feel better. Tyler, one of the YWCA’s ten 2025 Women of Distinction, will be honored at the Y’s annual gala for her commitment to the community. She is the founder of Sacred Spaces of CARE , a nonprofit that combats mental health and substance use disorders by working with unhoused populations, the Alton Police Department, and folks in crisis. “It’s just a moment to be grateful for the fact that I’m allowed to be in this space because of those that came before us,” Tyler said. “Based on my background experience and also individuals that are close to me, family, friends, loved ones who have either had different mental health challenges or struggled with active addiction, suicide, things related to trauma — I decided to launch Sacred and just felt like it was something that was needed in the community.” Before devoting her time to Sacred Spaces

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HARDIN - The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office would like to announce to the community that they have implemented a Body-Worn Camera Program, and all officers are now equipped and utilizing body cameras. Beginning on January 1, 2025, all Law Enforcement Officers in the State of Illinois are mandated to wear body cameras, while on duty and in uniform; which was one of the provisions of House Bill 3656, also known as the SAFE-T Act. The Calhoun Sheriff's Office began preparing for this mandate when the bill became law in 2021, and secured money through a US Department of Justice grant to pay for the program. The sherif's office received our equipment and began training and utilizing them by the end of 2024. The department is utilizing the Axon 4 Body-Worn Camera; which is the latest and most up-to-date camera available. Axon is the nationwide leader in body-worn cameras and tasers. Body cameras are a valuable asset intended to assist officers in the prosecution of offenders by

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul charged a Goreville, Illinois man for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor, as well as producing and disseminating child sexual abuse material. The case is part of Raoul’s ongoing work, in collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies and local law enforcement officials throughout Illinois, to apprehend offenders who download and trade child sexual abuse material online. The Attorney General’s office charged Anthony Mallet, 37, in Johnson County Circuit Court with two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a minor, two counts of production of child pornography and five counts of dissemination of child pornography, which are all Class X felonies punishable by up to 30 years in prison, Sentences are ultimately determined by the court. Mallett is currently detained at the Johnson County Jail, and his next court date is scheduled for April 9. “The trauma experienced by survivors of child exploitation and

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EAST ST. LOUIS – Linda J. Johnson, a 58-year-old woman from Waterloo, was sentenced to 15 months on charges of embezzling over $135,000 from Dupo Community Unit School District #196. The sentencing, which took place in federal court, includes three months in the Federal Bureau of Prisons followed by 12 months in community confinement. Johnson pleaded guilty to one count of theft from a federally funded program, which stemmed from her role as an administrative support employee in the superintendent's office from 2016 to 2022. During this time, she was tasked with managing deposits for the district’s activities account, which supported various student programs, including athletics and clubs. Court documents reveal that Johnson embezzled funds by stealing cash donations and money raised for activities such as yearbook production, cheerleading, and science clubs. To hide her actions, she prepared fraudulent deposit slips that misrepresented the actual amounts deposited, ensuring

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Letter To The Editor: ALTON - I am appalled and shocked by the senseless shootings that have recently occurred in the 1200 block of Central Street, incidents that have put the lives of innocent people in jeopardy. While I am grateful that no one has been hurt or killed during these shootings, we must recognize that this kind of violence cannot be tolerated in our community, and it must stop. These incidents are not random acts of violence; rather, they indicate a troubling trend that undermines the safety and security we cherish in Alton. This kind of senseless behavior is not a way to resolve conflicts or disputes, and it is imperative that we come together as a community to stand against it. I want to assure our residents that the Alton Police Department will use every resource at their disposal to bring these offenders to justice. We are committed to the safety of all residents and visitors who come to Alton. We will not rest until those responsible for these crimes are apprehended

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BETHALTO – Residents of Brighton and Granite City were charged in a Madison County burglary case in which tools were stolen from a residence and listed for sale on Facebook Marketplace. On Feb. 18, 2025, Michael D. Skiff, 45, of Brighton and Aaron D. Rowe, 39, of Granite City, were both charged with Class 2 felony counts of burglary in separate but related cases. Both are accused of unlawfully entering a building in the 700 block of Dugger Street in Bethalto with the intent to commit a felony. Petitions were filed to deny both Skiff and Rowe’s pretrial release. According to both petitions, the Bethalto Police Department arrived at the residence in response to a theft. The homeowner, who was working on the house but not living there, told officers that tools and other items worth about $1,810 were stolen from the residence. “A neighbor of the residence saw a maroon Ford F-150 drive by the residence and drive around the block several times,” the petition states.

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ALTON – Two Wood River residents face felony charges for stealing extension cords and allegedly intending to break into an Alton building, while another faces theft and burglary charges in a separate case. Cody L. Harper, 42, and Heather L. Brown, 34, both of Wood River, were each charged on Feb. 21, 2025 with Class 3 felony counts of theft and Class 4 felony counts of possession of burglary tools. The two reportedly stole “several 100-foot extension cords” worth over $500 which were property of BSI Constructors on Nov. 24, 2024. They were also charged with possessing a set of 18-inch bolt cutters, with the intent to break into a property in the 600 Block of East Broadway in Alton. The Alton Police Department presented both cases against Harper and Brown, who were each granted pretrial release from custody. In a similar but unrelated case, Cody L. Harper, 42, also of Wood River, was charged with theft and burglary, both Class 3 felonies. On Jan. 21, 2025, Harper

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EDWARDSVILLE - Kaleb Turney is a junior forward for the Metro-East Lutheran boys basketball team, and he's made very valuable contributions to the Knights this season. Currently, Metro-East stands at 19-11. as the Knights have won their first two IHSA Class 1A playoff games, over Mt. Olive 65-18, and Raymond Lincolnwood 57-34, going into the Lincolnwood regional final on Feb. 28 against Hardin Calhoun. In the first two games, Turney had scored eight and five points, respectively, and for the season, averages 5.2 points and 2.8 rebounds-per-game, going along with 16 assists and 16 steals. He's valuable coming off the bench to help his team with a spark when they need it most. He is a BJ's Printables Male Athlete of the Month for MELHS. After the win over Mt. Olive on Feb. 24, felt very strong about his efforts, and how the team performed, going out to a big lead and not looking back. "I'm feeling good," Turney said. "We came into this game thinking we were going to win, and that's

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EAST ST. LOUIS – A 31-year-old man has been sentenced in U.S. District Court to 20 years in prison for an armed robbery that occurred at a convenience store in East St. Louis. Vernelle E. Hines, who was arrested in Houston, Texas, pleaded guilty to charges of interference with commerce by robbery and carrying and using a firearm during a crime of violence. The incident took place on Oct. 31, 2023, when Hines brandished a firearm at a clerk at the Mega Supermarket. According to court documents, he demanded two bottles of tequila and, upon the clerk's refusal, assaulted the clerk, discharged his firearm into the ceiling, and forcibly took the tequila along with several hundred dollars. Hines was wearing a mask to conceal his identity during the robbery, which resulted in serious and permanent injuries to the store clerk. “This 20-year sentence of a convicted felon who committed a brutal robbery is evidence of the Illinois State Police’s commitment to making communities

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PERE MARQUETTE - The Prairie State Conservation Coalition (PSCC) is set to hold its annual conference at Pere Marquette State Park from March 5 to March 7, 2025, marking the first time the event will take place at this location. The PSCC, an Illinois nonprofit organization comprising various land conservation groups, focuses on protecting and restoring the state's diverse landscapes, which range from lakefronts and river bluffs to prairies and forests. Alley Ringhausen, Executive Director of Great Rivers Land Trust, has been a long-time attendee of the PSCC conference and advocated for the venue change. "I suggested the group come to Southern Illinois and see all the amazing sights and venues we have to offer," Ringhausen said. The event is expected to attract around 150 participants from conservation organizations across the state. In addition to its significance for the conservation community, the conference is anticipated to have positive economic impacts on the local business

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BELLEVILLE - Belleville Township High School District 201 has announced the selection of Dr. Marshaun Warren as its next superintendent, effective July 1, 2025. Dr. Warren, who has over 20 years of experience in education and administration, is currently serving as the district's Assistant Superintendent. In this role, she has been instrumental in recruiting high-quality educators and promoting educational excellence within the district. In a statement, Dr. Warren expressed her commitment to preparing students for success in various paths, including the workforce, college, or military service. She emphasized the importance of strong community engagement and responsible financial management as part of her vision for the district. Dr. Warren and her family reside in Belleville, where she said she looks forward to continuing her work in building a strong, innovative, and inclusive educational environment.

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COLLINSVILLE – Illinois State Police (ISP) Troop 8 Commander, Captain Casey Faro, announces the ISP will conduct Alcohol Countermeasure Enforcement (ACE) patrols in Madison and St. Clair counties during March. ACE patrols allow the ISP to focus on preventing, detecting, and taking enforcement action in response to violations associated with impaired driving and illegal transportation or consumption of alcohol or drugs. The ISP has zero tolerance for impaired driving in Illinois. Officers working the detail will be watchful for motorists who show signs of impaired driving, operating vehicles in an unsafe manner, driving with a suspended or revoked driver’s license, and transporting open alcoholic beverages, as well as improper seatbelt and child restraint usage, distracted driving, and other Illinois Vehicle Code violations. Alcohol and drug impairment are estimated to be a factor in more than 47% of all fatal motor vehicle crashes in Illinois. There is one alcohol-related

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ALTON - Alton Main Street hosted its quarterly “What’s Up Downtown” meeting on Feb. 26, 2025, to share information about businesses and happenings in downtown Alton. Stakeholders spoke about plans for their businesses and organizations. Alderwoman Betsy Allen invited the community to a flood mitigation meeting to take place at Alton City Hall on Feb. 27, 2025. Chantel Morrigan shared an update on Jacoby Arts Center’s new location at 208 State Street. Megan Tyler spoke about her organization Sacred Spaces of CARE and their work in the community. Julie Harper introduced her new artist collective, Bluff City Bazaar. Father Garron Daniels shared more about the happenings at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Joan Meier from Wisdom Qigong Meditation introduced her practice at Radiance Yoga. Betsy Allen said that the flood mitigation meeting will inform community members about proposed flooding solutions in the City of Alton, including a floodwall. She said

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EDWARDSVILLE — A group of talented students from Edwardsville High School has earned recognition by being selected for the Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) All-State ensembles. The festival will take place from January 30 to February 1, culminating in a performance at the Peoria Civic Center. The selected students include Liv Warner (Soprano I), Henry Winslow (Tenor I), Owen Zuercher (Bass I), and several others who excelled in their respective categories. The full list of students includes: David Maloney (Bb Clarinet) August Meiser (Double Bass) Daniel Tossey (Bb Clarinet) Mark Hill (Bass I) Savannah Kohlmiller (Alto II) Lucy Schapman (Soprano I) Alan Chen (Violin) Karis Chen (Violin) Adam Cundiff (Cello) Lyla Hahn (Cello) Gwen Harkey (Violin) Ian Kim (Viola) Luci Klingensmith (Oboe) Addie Lingafelter (Violin) Lily Reynolds (Cello) Miko Shimizu (Viola) Maya Taylor (Viola) Ben Waymire (Double Bass) Amelia Zhang (Viola) Students who score at the

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PEORIA — Alton High School announced the recognition of several students in the 2025 Illinois Music Educators Association (ILMEA) All-State Festival held recently in Peoria. The Alton High School Students honored were as follows: Wesley LeBrun, percussion, All-State Honors Band Nadja Kapetanovich, All-State Honors Choir Norah Hardin, 1st violin, All-State Orchestra Makayla Burns, 2nd violin, All-State Orchestra Erick Humphrey, cello, All-State Orchestra Maya Miller, cello, All-State Orchestra Joseph Hicks, bass, All-State Honors Orchestra Austin Koller, bass, All-State Honors Orchestra Madalyn Schrumpf, Future Music Educators Seminar The selection process began in October when over 12,000 students from more than 500 high schools across Illinois auditioned for placement in their regional district band, orchestra, or chorus festival held in November 2024. From this competitive pool, the top 1,000 students were selected for the All-State Music Festival. Laura Plummer

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SPRINGFIELD – When anglers purchase an Illinois fishing license, they’re paying for more than fishing privileges for the year. They’re investing in conservation, education, and economic activity all over the state. Illinois fishing licenses – among the most affordable in the nation – go on sale March 1 for the 2025 season. Fishing license purchases help enhance the outdoor experience for everyone and ensure future generations can enjoy Illinois’ vast aquatic resources. “The successful management of quality fishing opportunities relies on the commitment and support of anglers, and that starts with buying a fishing license,” said IDNR chief of fisheries Mike McClelland . “By purchasing a fishing license, anglers are ensuring sport fishing, hatchery production, and habitat enhancements are here for current and future generations to enjoy in communities throughout Illinois.” The Illinois Department of Natural Resources division

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Letter To The Editor: ALTON - The safety of Alton’s children and families must be our highest priority. Last night’s shooting near a school bus is yet another unacceptable act of violence that puts our entire community at risk. While we are grateful that no one was injured, the fact remains that gunfire erupted as students were simply trying to get home. My heart is with the students, families, and every individual who had to witness this senseless act, and who now have to grapple with the trauma of this terrible act of violence. I would also like to commend the bus driver, whose attentiveness kept the children safe, and our police department for their quick response. Incidents of gun violence have become far too common in our community in recent years, and we must take proactive measures to ensure the safety of our neighborhoods. During my administration, we focused on community policing to combat crime at its roots. We worked to build trust between law enforcement

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