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HIGHLAND - In a recent episode of “Our Daily Show!” with CJ Nasello , GRID Solar breaks down a net metering policy change that will affect Ameren Illinois customers. Ryan Wagner, co-owner of GRID Solar, explained that the new policy is “less than advantageous” to customers because it will affect how solar customers “trade” energy with Ameren. Solar systems overproduce electricity in the summer and underproduce in the winter. In the past, Ameren would calculate how much energy was overproduced in the summer and provide this energy back to the customer during the winter. Now, Ameren Illinois will make these calculations every month, meaning winter power bills will likely rise. To prevent this, GRID Solar will begin installing systems with a battery included. The surplus energy produced during the day will now go to the battery, so the battery can power the home during nighttime when no energy is being produced. “If you

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EAST ALTON – The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC?) is encouraging community members to attend an Illinois RiverWatch Mentoring Event this fall and help collect stream-quality data from sites across Illinois. The Illinois RiverWatch Network is hosting a number of these events across the state in September and October, including two in Lewis and Clark Community College’s district. These events are intended to help new RiverWatch volunteers get involved without first attending a training workshop and to help current volunteers get more comfortable with the monitoring methods. “Our mentoring events are a great way for volunteers to participate in stream monitoring for the first time,” said RiverWatch Volunteer Coordinator Hannah Griffis. "Volunteers can learn about stream health and RiverWatch monitoring or spend the day looking for bugs in a creek." Volunteers who participate in the Mentoring Events will collect macroinvertebrates

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HARDIN - A Hardin man is facing multiple charges after being arrested two consecutive days in Calhoun County by the Calhoun Sheriff's Office. The summary of his report is as follows: The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office responded to a burglary complaint on May 22, 2024, in the 100 block of Cass Lane, initiating an investigation that would lead to multiple arrests and charges. Authorities executed a search warrant on a residence in the 400 block of West Main Street in Hardin, resulting in the arrest of Charles “Joey” Mielke, 42, of Hardin. Mielke was taken into custody for unlawful possession of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. The investigation continued, and on August 6, 2024, the Calhoun County State’s Attorney’s Office issued a felony warrant for Mielke for residential burglary. The following day, Mielke was arrested again, this time for a felony no bon

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CAHOKIA HEIGHTS – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that pavement repairs on southbound Interstate 255 between Illinois 15 and Illinois 157 in St. Clair County will require lane closures over several weekends. Throughout construction, at least one lane will remain open at all times. Starting at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13, weather permitting, the two left lanes of southbound I-255 between Illinois 15 and Illinois 157 will be closed. One of the southbound lanes will reopen by 6 a.m. Monday, Sept. 16. Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. 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. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on the social media platform X at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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EAST ST. LOUIS – A district judge in southern Illinois sentenced DeAyre M. Jones, a 32-year-old man from Land O’ Lakes, Fla., to 87 months in prison for making a bomb threat to Scott Air Force Base and cyberstalking an active duty Air Force member. Jones pleaded guilty to one count of interstate communication with threat to injure, one count of cyberstalking, and one count of threatening and conveying false information concerning the use of fire or an explosive. “The defendant intentionally disrupted operations at Scott Air Force Base to make a bomb threat and send harassing messages to base officials,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “Luckily, this incident was a false alarm, but our national security and the Air Force community depend on uninterrupted service at the base. I’m grateful to the investigators for their efforts to hold this offender accountable.” Court documents revealed that Jones used multiple fake Facebook profiles

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BELLEVILLE — Dr. Marshaun Warren, Assistant Superintendent of Belleville Township High School District 201, was honored with the 2024 Champion for Diversity and Inclusion Award on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. The annual program administered by the St. Louis Business Journal aims to highlight those who are actively working to make St. Louis a more inclusive place to live and work. Honorees are selected from among the region's largest private and public companies, as well as several for-profit and non-profit organizations. "We are extremely proud of Dr. Warren's accomplishment," a spokesperson for Belleville Township High School District 201 said. "This recognition underscores his dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion within our community." Dr. Warren's recognition places him among a distinguished group of leaders committed to championing the cause of inclusivity in the region.

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EDWARDSVILLE - Classes were canceled on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, at Jackson High School in Missouri, and because of that, the scheduled home game against Edwardsville was moved to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Edwardsville. Jackson R-2 School District announced the game cancellation on its Facebook page with the following: "All home sporting contests that were scheduled for today, Friday, September 13, 2024, will be canceled or postponed due to an investigation of a possible threat against the school. No practices will be held on campus at this time. "All home sporting contests scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, September 14, 2024, will also be canceled." The Jackson R-2 School District also said the closure on Friday will give law enforcement plenty of time to investigate the threat.

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ALTON – Mayor David Goins, alongside elected officials including State Representative Amy Elik, Senator Erica Harriss, and other local leaders, are actively collaborating with key stakeholders to ensure the safety and well-being of the City of Alton and its residents. In ongoing discussions with the Illinois Municipal League (IML) and the City's insurer, the Risk Management Association (RMA), the primary focus remains the protection of public spaces and residents. Safety First: Mayor Goins and the City Council are committed to prioritizing the safety of Alton’s citizens. The City continues to work diligently with experts, including civil engineers and geotechnical specialists, to ensure public areas are thoroughly evaluated before reopening. Recent efforts have been coordinated with the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and other relevant agencies to assess the situation and determine next steps. Positive Partnerships: The City of Alton has received significant

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EDWARDSVILLE - Near noontime on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, a massive fire engulfed a Devon Court Apartment Complex in Edwardsville leading to a partial roof collapse and the deployment of multiple firefighting units. Heavy flames were visible shooting through the roof of the building in the 100 block of Devon Court, which houses an estimated six apartments. The entire roof eventually collapsed, prompting firefighters to temporarily evacuate the interior of the building for their safety. A fire was reported at an apartment complex on Devon Court just after 11:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 13. The fire appeared to have started on the second floor and spread to the attic, Edwardsville Fire Chief James Whiteford said. The City of Edwardsville reported there were some occupants inside the building when the fire broke out, many of whom helped to ensure the building was empty. The Edwardsville Fire and Police Departments also helped to ensure the building was empty, the city said. "Several occupants

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O’FALLON — HSHS Medical Group is pleased to welcome Macee Smith, APRN, to their medical team. Smith specializes in pain management and sees patients at HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Interventional Pain Management Center, located at Three St. Elizabeth’s Blvd., Suite 3800 in O’Fallon, Illinois. Smith is a skilled family nurse practitioner offering patient-first care alongside pain management specialist Dr. Kristina Naseer. Smith earned her Master of Science in nursing from Maryville University, in St. Louis, Missouri, and her Bachelor of Science in nursing from Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois. To schedule an appointment with Smith, ask your primary care physician about a referral to HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Interventional Pain Management Center. For more information about HSHS Medical Group, visit hshsmedicalgroup.org .

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ALTON – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that all lanes of East Broadway from Allen Street to Illinois 3 in Madison County will require intermittent daytime lane closures beginning, weather permitting, on Monday, Sept. 16. The lane closures are necessary for the evaluation of pavement conditions. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all signage and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on the social media platform X at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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ALTON - A few local organizations will come together to host a Recovery Month Celebration and Vigil. From 6–7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, community members are invited to the Centerstone office at 2615 Edwards Street in Alton to participate in the celebration and vigil. The event is hosted by Centerstone , the Metro-East Recovery Council , Amare and Foster’s Light in the Dark . There will be testimonials, resource tables and more. “We’re doing this because September is Recovery Month, and we knew we had to use the occasion to honor those in recovery and raise awareness about substance use resources available in our community,” explained Jennifer Schulz, outreach liaison with Centerstone. “We just wanted everyone in recovery to know that they aren’t alone. Not only is Centerstone here to help along the way, but there are so many other community resources as well.” Centerstone, the Metro-East Recovery Council, Amar

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EDWARDSVILLE - The ninth annual SIUE Cougars Unleashed 5K/10K Run and Pancake Breakfast, a hallmark of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Homecoming & Family Weekend, is set to take place at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. Organized by the SIUE Alumni Association, the event invites runners of all ages and skill levels to lace up their shoes and enjoy a morning of fitness, community spirit and fun. Last year, the run attracted nearly 400 participants and organizers project to break that record this year. Participants will traverse a scenic route starting at the University’s iconic Cougar Statue, winding through SIUE’s campus and bike trails and passing through the lush SIUE Gardens. The race also features a Fun Run, offering a more relaxed option for those looking to join in without the pressure of competition. Christina Carlson, ’11, ’12, Associate Director of Alumni and Donor Relations, emphasized the event’s importance in connecting

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GLEN CARBON - Mia Lieberman, a standout 6-foot middle hitter for Father McGivney Catholic, has been named a Byron, Carlson, Petri & Kalb Female Athlete of the Month. Lieberman has played a crucial role in the Griffins' 6-4 overall record this season. She is a standout athlete and has participated in basketball and softball at McGivney. "She is a very knowledgeable middle hitter who understands the game," said Coach Jake Williams. "Mia Lieberman is one of our top contributors. Her versatility and power make her a strong hitter and a very good blocker." Lieberman’s contributions are not limited to her offensive skills; she is also known for her strategic placements and effective blocks. Initially starting as an outside hitter, Lieberman was moved to the middle due to her skills, height and understanding of multiple positions. This flexibility has proven invaluable to the Griffins. In addition to her athletic prowess, Lieberman is committed to academic excellence and personal development

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SOUTH ROXANA - The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that both lanes of Hawthorne Street from Lewis and Clark Boulevard (Illinois 3) to east of Wanda Road in Madison County will require intermittent daytime lane closures beginning, weather permitting, on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. The lane closures are necessary for the evaluation of pavement conditions. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all signage and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on the social media platform X at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com .

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PEORIA - The OSF HealthCare Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Fellowship program is adding emergency medicine to the list of tracks for fellows. The OSF HealthCare APP Fellowship is accredited with distinction as an Advanced Practice Provider Fellowship Program by the American Nursing Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation in Practice Transition Programs. The 12-month program has more than a 97% graduation rate and offers 100% of graduates a permanent position within OSF HealthCare. The robust, cutting-edge APP Fellowship program at OSF is among the most mature of all health systems in the country. The APP fellowship program focuses on professional growth by offering mentorship, regular feedback and skills assessment that build on the knowledge fellows learned in graduate school. At the end, they are more prepared to transition into full-time practice. OSF HealthCare is also leveraging federal grant money to extend primary care support to high-need communities with

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September 13th has witnessed some of the most significant events in human history, spanning continents and centuries. 1989: The Fall of the Berlin Wall On September 13, 1989, the world watched in awe as the Berlin Wall, which had divided East and West Berlin since 1961, began to crumble. Although the official fall is often celebrated on November 9th, it was in mid-September that significant cracks began to appear. Demonstrations had been escalating, and the East German government was under intense pressure. The fall of the Berlin Wall symbolized the end of the Cold War and the beginning of a new era of freedom and unity in Europe. People from both sides of the wall celebrated together, marking the event as a powerful moment of reconciliation and hope. 2001: The Tragic Attack on the Pentagon On a more somber note, September 13, 2001, was a day of mourning and reflection as the world grappled with the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. In particular, the attack on the Pentago

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BUZZ MAGAZINE - It was April 9, 2004. The United States Army 724th Transportation Unit of Bartonville, Ill. was in Iraq. Their mission: to escort fuel convoys to Baghdad and the Anbar province in Western Iraq. During their tour they experienced many fire fights, IEDs, land mines and more. But nothing compared to the attack on their convoy on April 9. After a failed email, the unit drove their support convoy directly into an ongoing offensive between the 3rd Cavalry Armored Division of the U.S. Army and Shiite militiamen of the Mahdi Army. Enemy fighters were estimated to be in the numbers of three to four hundred. The 724th convoy consisted of eighteen American civilian driven fuel trucks with only eight armed support vehicles. Dustin Row from Columbia, Ill. was driving one of those military support vehicles. “We were completely picked apart and destroyed,” Row said. “My 50-caliber gun truck was one out of six trucks to even make it through the three mile

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GRANITE CITY - A Granite City man who fled from police after a domestic battery incident was found with multiple substances and a scale, resulting in felony charges. Tommy D. Welch, 40, of Granite City, was charged on Sept. 3, 2024, with unlawful delivery or possession with the intent to deliver methamphetamine, a Class 1 felony. He was also charged with aggravated domestic battery, a Class 2 felony. Descriptions of the charges against Welch allege he caused “great bodily harm” to a household or family member after grabbing their arm and hitting them “in the mouth four times with a closed fist, dislodging three teeth from the bottom of ’s mouth.” After the domestic battery incident, Welch left the residence. He was later located by officers at Loman Park, where he fled on foot, but was eventually apprehended. Welch was then found in possession of 14.3 grams of methamphetamine contained in three separate plastic baggies, as well as 18 capsules o

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ALTON - A new episode of “History’s Greatest Escapes with Morgan Freeman” on The History Channel features Alton City Jail. The episode, titled “Alton City Escape,” aired on Sept. 2, 2024. It tells the story of Quawntay Adams, who successfully broke out of a maximum-security cell in Alton in 2006. Alton City Jail is the only facility in Illinois that holds both federal and state prisoners. In 2006, Adams was an inmate following a marijuana offense. He decided to break out of the jail after he found out his girlfriend was pregnant. Adams used postage stamps to communicate with his cousin. His cousin sent him a small hacksaw blade hidden in the binding of a book, which he then used to carve an opening in the ceiling. Adams successfully broke out of a maximum security federal wing in Alton’s jail, and the 43-minute episode details how he escaped. Morgan Freeman narrates the episode. Former Alton Police Chief Chris Sullivan also explains how

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