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Couples names: Gene and Ilona Breden City: Hardin Date met or started dating: September 30, 1970 Date married: February 27, 1971 What makes your relationship special? I was stationed in Germany when I met Ilona. She was a beautiful German girl. We fell in love immediately and dated until January 1970 when I received orders for Viet Nam. I decided that we should get married while home on leave. I brought her to the states in February 1971 and we were married. We have been married for 51 years and have 3 children, 4 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild. I still love her dearly and cannot imagine my life without her. Share a memory you have made together: Our grandchildren and our great-grandchild who are the joy of our life together.

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EDWARDSVILLE – Lindsey Wold, founder of Amygdala Co., client of the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, has won Justine Peterson’s 2022 Small Business of the Year Award. Amygdala Co. is a local company that specializes in helping children who have negative unwanted externalizing behaviors, along with their families, by implementing parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT). Founded by Wold, this company focuses on positive and effective communication between a parent and their child. “I saw the need to help parents and children communicate,” said Wold. “I immediately informed and congratulated our clinicians of the recognition. They are the ones doing the work and are changing families’ lives.” The Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE began working with Wold and Amygdala Co. back in 2020. With the help and support of the SBDC, Wold was first introduced to Justine

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Couples Names: Matt and Lisa City: Alton Date met/started dating: November 1, 2018 Date Married: October 10, 2020 What makes your relationship special? We both had been married previously many years ago with ugly breakups. We had both prayed for many years to find the right person to share our lives with and had many bad relationships. I (Lisa) volunteered at Hope Rescues and volunteered with Matt’s son and daughter. His son Chris introduced us and we attended a fundraiser event for Hope. We talked all night and I knew immediately he was the one I was meant to spend the rest of my life with. We shared the same Christian and family values. Share a memory you have made together: 1 year after we met at that fundraiser Matt proposed to me in front of everyone at that event including our immediate families who all attended.

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SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Christopher Belt will serve as chair of the Senate Appropriations-Public Safety and Infrastructure Committee in the 103 rd General Assembly. “In my new role I want to ensure taxpayer dollars are being used wisely during budget negotiations,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “As the southernmost Democrat, it’s important that downstate Illinois is not forgotten. I look forward to being a voice for downstate Illinois and increasing government transparency through the budgeting process.” Prior to serving in the Illinois Senate, Belt had an 18-year career as a law enforcement officer. He spent 16 years with the St. Clair County Probation and Detention Center and two years as the regional deputy administrator of aftercare for the central and southern regions of Illinois. Belt previously served as a member of the Senate Transportation Committee and will continue serving on that committee in a new role as vice chair. “We have seen remarkabl

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WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, called on the Senate to pass a policing reform bill following the killing of Tyre Nichols by five former Memphis police officers. “Many Americans are struggling with feelings of grief and disbelief after watching the videotapes of Tyre Nichols being beaten to death by a group of Memphis police officers. Mr. Nichols was a 29-year-old father of a young son. He worked the second shift at FedEx with his stepfather. He loved skateboarding and photography – and he loved his mother so much he had her name tattooed on his arm. He had no criminal record. One friend told a reporter that Mr. Nichols was even thinking of becoming a police officer, to try to make the system better from the inside. The videotapes of the deadly assault on Mr. Nichols by Memphis police officers on January 7th are horrific and sickening,” said Durbin.

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CHICAGO - In recognition of Identity Theft Awareness Week Attorney General Kwame Raoul today urged consumers to learn more about identity theft scams and consider easy changes they can make to protect their personal information. “Identity theft can happen to anyone. Whether you are a college student, a veteran or an older resident – do not assume that your identity and personal information are safe from scammers,” Raoul said. “Identity theft can impact all parts of your life. It is a stressful situation that no one wants to be in and can take time to resolve. My office provides advice and resources to help people avoid identity theft and assist those who think their information may have been compromised.” Attorney General Raoul issued recommendations to help Illinois residents safeguard their personal information: Don’t overshare on social media. A simple post about a first pet, first car, or favorite high school teacher can give scammers

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EDWARDSVILLE - Every year, the preeminent lawyer rating service Super Lawyers® recognizes the top 100 lawyers in each state. Walton Telken is pleased to announce that founding partner Troy Walton was named a Super Lawyers® Top 100 attorney in Illinois— and is one of only two lawyers outside of Chicago to be honored. Over the course of his 23-year-long legal career thus far, Mr. Walton has focused exclusively on plaintiff’s personal injury litigation, including trucking and motor vehicle accidents, product liability claims, class actions, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, and neglect cases, and complex civil litigation. “I’m honored to have been named a 2023 Super Lawyers® Top 100 attorney and to be in such great company,” said Mr. Walton. “For me and my colleagues , it’s always been about the people we serve. Fighting for justice on their behalf–that’s why I went to law school, and I’m honored an

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SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Supreme Court has appointed Sangamon County State’s Attorney Dan Wright to the Committee on Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases. Wright’s term expires December 31, 2025. The Supreme Court’s Committee on Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases studies and recommends new pattern jury instructions for criminal cases or modifications to existing instructions. The Committee is responsible for “drafting clear and concise instructions for use by judges and practitioners, ensuring that each instruction complies with all due process requirements, accurately states current statutory and case law...” and “provide jurors with easy to understand definitions and issues instructions to help guide their deliberations in reaching an accurate verdict.” https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/courts/circuit-court/illinois-pattern-jury-instructions-criminal/ (Illinois Court’s Website; Illinois Pattern Jury Instructions – Criminal;

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GREELEY, CO. - The following local students were among those who received degrees from the University of Northern Colorado at the end of the fall 2022 semester. The students, degrees, areas of study, honors, and hometowns are: Wood River, IL Erica Frost, Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Education For more information about the class of fall 2022, visit https://www.unco.edu/news/articles/graduation-stories-fall-22.aspx .

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that Illinois will benefit from significant transit investments, thanks in part to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Illinois will receive over $850 million through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for transportation improvements that will allow our state’s transit agencies to modernize and expand services, all while creating economic opportunity throughout for working Illinoisans. “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is keeping our nation on a path to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure and improve our transit systems while also helping working Americans across the country save travel time and find good-paying jobs,” Duckworth said.“I’m proud that Illinoisans continue to experience the benefits of this deal Senator Durbin and I supported, which will help working families all across our state have better,

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GREENVILLE, IL. - Greenville University announces a financial aid package that covers the cost of tuition for all qualified in-state students. GU’s Illinois Allegiance highlights the institution’s commitment to providing the opportunity for a private Christian liberal arts education to students in Illinois with the greatest need. “This is amazing for students who want to attend GU as it fills a financial aid gap to give them the opportunity to attend,” says David Kessinger, GU’s director of financial aid. “It gives resources to students who need it the most, allowing them to experience a transforming education at GU.” GU covers a qualifying freshman or transfer student’s full cost of tuition not covered by other federal, state, institutional, and private awards. To qualify for Illinois Allegiance, an incoming freshman or transfer student must be a U.S. citizen, an Illinois resident, apply and receive acceptance from GU, complete

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EDWARDSVILLE - After 35 years of serving home and business owners across the St. Louis region, Jeff Lantz, Sr. has stepped away from his role as president of Lantz Homes, Inc., handing over the family business to son and third-generation home builder, Jeff Lantz, II. The company, rebranded as Lantz Homes & Remodels, will carry on Jeff, Sr.’s dedication to homebuilding excellence while expanding into custom remodeling and renovation services to meet the changing needs of the market. During his tenure at the company, Jeff, Sr., son of founder Al Lantz, managed the construction of hundreds of custom homes, multi-family units, and commercial buildings in the Metro East. The Lantz name became synonymous with luxury home projects that combined five-star craftmanship with a meticulous attention to detail. In addition to his work at Lantz Homes, Jeff, Sr. remained devoted to the community, helping to lead projects for the Edwardsville YMCA, Edwardsville Township Park, and the Edwardsville

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GLEN CARBON - Senior Claire Stanhaus has emerged as a leader of the Father McGivney Griffins girls' basketball team this season at her point guard position. Stanhaus is a Byron, Carlson, Petri, and Kalp LLC Female Athlete of the Month for McGivney. Claire had breakout games against Maryville Christian with 12 points on Dec. 15, 2022, 10 points against Metro East Lutheran on Jan. 12, and nine points on Dec. 27, 2022, against Elkville Elverado. She had nine assists in the MELHS game, seven against Staunton on Dec. 30, 2022, and six against Greenville on Nov. 15, 2022. She had four steals against Christ Our Rock on Dec. 1, 2022. The senior is also a soccer standout. "Claire is a leader of our team as a point guard," said McGivney had girls coach Jeff Oller. "She is leading the team in assists with 53 on the season and also has 31 steals," the coach added. "She does a lot of things that may go unnoticed that help the team be successful."

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JERSEYVILLE - An Elsah man has been charged with criminal damage to property in connection to an attempted catalytic converter theft, while a Carrollton man has been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol on State St. in Jerseyville. Kerry J. Dooley, 32, of Elsah, attempted to steal the catalytic converter from a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado which was located at the Piasa Harbor Boat Ramp on State Highway 100 in Jersey County on Jan. 25. He caused over $500 in damages to the vehicle’s exhaust system and was charged with a Class 4 felony. A warrant was filed for Dooley’s arrest on Jan. 26 and his bail was set at $15,000. More information and updates about this case can be found on the Jersey County Circuit Clerk website . Tomas Granado III, 38, of Carrollton, was charged with an aggravated DUI for driving his gray 2012 Jeep under the influence of alcohol on State Street near Fairgrounds Avenue in Jerseyville. He was charged with a Class 2 felony, and his

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ALTON - A vehicle overturned after a single-vehicle accident around 6:45 p.m. on Sunday in the 4500 block of Alby Street in Alton. Two electric poles were broken in the crash. Crews worked into the night and power was disrupted to only one customer until approximately 2 a.m. Monday. "The vehicle was headed northbound on Alby and because of the ice was involved in a rollover accident that ended on its side," Alton Fire Department Deputy Fire Chief Matt Fischer said. "The person had a sunroof and was able to extricate himself. He was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries."

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ALTON - The Riverbend CEO program, which teaches local high school students how to start their own businesses, has been off to a successful seventh year so far in 2023. Program Facilitator Katie Sabolo appeared on a recent episode of Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com to discuss the program, and some of the students talked about their experiences and businesses. “We’re having a really great year,” Sabolo said. “We’re getting into a lot of different businesses, meeting with a lot of different business owners, and the kids are really making great progress both on their class business and on their individual businesses.” The year-long, two-credit high school course doesn’t meet in a traditional classroom - instead, it meets at local businesses for 90 minutes each day for a school year. Students start their own real, viable businesses, and the program is funded by business partners and investors . This year, there are 11 high school

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JERSEY COUNTY - Jersey County Sheriff Nick Manns has announced the Jersey County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) wants the residents it serves to know that during the course of this year, it will be testing a new community zone patrol concept. Splitting the county into four separate patrol zones, two Deputies (one day shift and one night shift) will be assigned to each zone. "Those Deputies will be going door to door in their assigned zone to introduce themselves, meet those residents who are willing, and listen to any of their concerns, wants, and/or needs," Sheriff Manns said. He explained that the JCSO has several hopes for this concept to include the following: To familiarize each Deputy with the residents and every corner of their assigned zone to enhance the JCSO ability to deal with any future crime, incidents, or emergencies in those zones. To give the residents a familiar face and personal contact should they need to discuss any non-emergency needs, concerns, or fears. To

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EAST ST. LOUIS – A U.S. District Court judge sentenced Kristin P. Prince, 41, of Mesa, Arizona, to 168 months in prison for the distribution of methamphetamine. He was fined $300 and $200 in special assessments. Following his release from federal prison, Prince must complete five years of supervised release. According to court documents, the offenses occurred in January and February 2021, just months after Prince was released from state prison for convictions of identity theft and felony Aggravated DUI. “This sentence demonstrates the severity of consequences for out-of-state individuals who infect our communities with methamphetamines,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “I applaud the efforts by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service to disrupt the illegal chain of drug distribution into southern Illinois.” Prince was still being supervised by the State of Arizona when he was caught distributing large quantities

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police Department Crimes Against Persons detectives are currently investigating a homicide in the 900 block of Raford Court, in the City of Bellefontaine Neighbors which resulted in the death of an adult male. On January 30, 2023, at 11:56 a.m. police officers from the City of Bellefontaine Neighbors responded to the scene of a shooting in the 900 block of Raford Court. Officers located an adult male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene. City of Bellefontaine Neighbors Police Officers requested St. Louis County Police Crimes Against Persons Detectives lead the investigation. The investigation is very active at this time. Additional information will be disseminated as it becomes available. Please contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210 to speak to investigators if you have any information regarding the incident. To remain anonymous or potentially receive a

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police reported that on Saturday, January 28, 2023, suspect Julian Jones turned himself in at the St. Louis County Justice and was taken into custody without incident. On Friday, January 20, 2023, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued “At Large” charges on suspect Julian Jones Sr., 48 years of age, of the 2400 block of Princess Drive in St. Louis, Missouri 63136, for Statutory Rape Second Degree. A photo of Jones is attached. The probable cause statement reads: The defendant is forty-eight years old. The victim was under the age of seventeen when she and the defendant engaged in relations. The victim got pregnant as a result and had a child. Police obtained a search warrant for DNA from the victim and Defendant. Paternity testing indicates that Defendant is the father of the child. St. Louis County Police Crimes Against Persons detectives are leading this investigation. Please note, charges are merely an accusation

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