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CHICAGO, January 30, 2023 – The Powerball jackpot has jumped to $613 million for tonight’s drawing. The Powerball jackpot crossed the $600 million mark after no one struck the top prize over the weekend. If someone wins tonight’s jackpot, it will rank as the ninth largest in the Powerball game’s history. The largest prize ever won in lottery history happened just three months ago when a lucky player in California won the record-breaking $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot. You could be next! With over 7,000 Illinois Lottery retailers across the State, lottery players can conveniently pick up a ticket at their local store - or they can login to the Illinois Lottery website or app and purchase a ticket online. Every lottery ticket purchased is a win for the State. Thanks to Illinois Lottery players, the Lottery has contributed over $24 billion in funding to the Common School Fund to support K-12 education and other good causes throughout the state. Powerball tickets

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced his office obtained a four-year prison sentence in a case involving a Perry County man who sexually assaulted an individual with an intellectual disability. Larry Vancil, 74, of Du Quoin, Illinois, was sentenced by Perry County Circuit Court Judge James W. Campanella on Wednesday after pleading guilty to aggravated criminal sexual abuse, a Class 2 felony. “Instead of ensuring a safe environment for some of our most vulnerable residents, the defendant chose to instead violate the rights of an individual that did not have the capacity to speak up and protect themselves,” Raoul said. “I am committed to holding individuals accountable for taking advantage of people they are responsible for protecting.” According to Raoul, Vancil was employed as a bus driver for the South Central Illinois Mass Transit District (SCT). In that role, Vancil was responsible for transporting individuals who reside or receive

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EDWARDSVILLE – Metro-East Lutheran High School will host an Open House at its campus on Center Grove Road from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 5. The event, which is open to the public, will allow attendees to take a tour of the school’s campus, meet with faculty and administration and find out more about the school’s academic, athletic and extracurricular offerings as well as get answers to questions about tuition, financial assistance and scholarship opportunities. Metro-East Lutheran High School (MELHS) has been providing academic excellence in a Christ-centered environment for more than 40 years. For more information about Metro-East Lutheran High School, email admissions@melhs.org or go to www.melhs.org .

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URBANA, Ill. – Every spring, early blooming ephemeral flowers are a welcome sign from nature that winter is almost over. But Virginia bluebells, mayapples, spring beauties, and other native plants are fighting invasive species for a place in Illinois forests. Forest owners, land managers, and natural area visitors can help. Now is the time to scout for and remove garlic mustard. “Garlic mustard is a high-priority invasive species for Illinois,” says Christopher Evans, Research and Forest Specialist with the University of Illinois Extension. “Large infestations limit the growth and productivity of native plants and threaten the long-term health of forests.” Garlic mustard’s early spring growth can quickly take over the forest understory becoming a monoculture in a few years. Infestations take away light, water, and nutrients from native plants, which threatens the insects and wildlife that rely on them. Large populations reduce our ability to enjoy

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EDWARDSVILLE - Senior forward Olivia Durbin is one of the keys to the Civic Memorial girls' basketball team that hasn't had the best o seasons, going to 13-14 with a loss at Edwardsville 42-34 on Jan. 28. Durbin has been one of the leaders of a team that in 2021-22 finished fourth in the IHSA Class 3A state finals at Champaign-Urbana. This season, Durbin had been the leader for CM's girls in scoring, averaging 14.6 points-per-game, along with averaging 1.7 rebounds per game to go along with 30 assists and 11 steals, and continues to work hard on the court to help the Eagles. Durbin recently topped the 1,000-point mark for her career. For her efforts both on and off the court, Durbin a Tom Lane State Farm Female Athlete of the Month for CM. Durbin, who plays for head coach Mike Arbuthnot, said it wasn't a good feeling to lose to Edwardsville on Saturday. "I mean, it kind of stinks, because we played well, and then we lost, but it's not the best feeling at all," she explained. C

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ST. LOUIS - Nineteen doctors from Urology of St. Louis (USL) were recently recognized on a list of Top Doctors in St. Louis. The list was created by Castle Connolly, an independent healthcare research and information company that compiles information to help people find the best and most qualified medical practitioners in their area. The list is compiled based on nominations from other doctors, research, review and screenings. The nineteen doctors from USL that received this prestigious designation are Jacob Ark, MD, Gregory Auffenberg, MD, Steven Bigg, MD, Andrew Blackburne, MD, David Bryan, MD, Travis Bullock, MD, Etai Goldenberg, MD, Christopher Jaeger, MD, Demetrios Katsikas, MD, John McCarthy, MD, Jeffrey Parres, MD, James Rybak, MD, Steven Schneider, MD, Courtney Shands, MD, Matthew Spellman, MD, Seth Strope, MD, Christopher Vulin, MD, Brad White, MD and Elizabeth Williams, MD. William Critchlow, MD also made the Rising Stars list, which indicates an emerging leader in the medica

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GRAFTON - Congresswoman Mary Miller visited Grafton on Saturday, January 28 and toured the city from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Mayor Mike Morrow escorted the Congresswoman and her husband, State Representative Chris Miller, meeting with various business owners in town. “I had a wonderful day touring Grafton with Mayor Morrow!” said Congresswoman Miller “We visited eight small businesses, and I had the opportunity to discuss infrastructure, economic development, and the need to defend affordable energy.” Her visit began at Grafton Harbor with Joe and Jan DeSherlia giving a tour of the facilities and discussing how important the Grafton Ferry is to our overall tourism economy. She was briefed by the mayor on the IDOT study grant in partnership with the Port District to examine current ferry operations and what Grafton hopes to achieve with increased ferry activity. She toured Mosby Woodworks, owned by Richard Mosby as well as Knotty by Nature owned by Dan and

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EDWARDSVILLE - In commemoration of Darwin Day, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Arts & Issues in collaboration with The Department of Biology’s Ralph W. Axtell Lecture Series will present the lecture, “From Seeds of Inspiration to a Harvest of Discovery and Impact” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14 in the Meridian Ballroom at the Morris University Center on the Edwardsville campus. Beronda L. Montgomery, PhD, writer, researcher and scholar, will be the keynote speaker and talk about how individuals perceive, respond to and are impacted by the environments in which they exist. “Dr. Montgomery presents a remarkable view of plants,” said Grant Andree, director of Arts and Issues . “Through her research, she believes plants have lessons for us. We are excited to have such a dynamic speaker to celebrate Darwin Day." Named for Ralph W. Axtell, PhD, who taught for more than 50 years at SIUE, the Lecture Series in Biological Sciences brings

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ROXANA - In 2022, Phillips 66 Wood River Refinery supported over 100 local organizations through monetary donations, company sponsored service projects, and employee volunteer efforts. Through the local charitable giving budget, the Refinery donated over $350,000 to support educational, environmental, health & safety and civic enrichment organizations and projects. Major gift recipients included: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville; Audubon Center at Riverlands; Lewis & Clark Community College Foundation; Community Hope Center; Friends of Pere Marquette State Park; and Riverbend Family Ministries. The total donation amount included over $55,000 to communities bordering the Refinery property – Wood River, Hartford, Roxana, and South Roxana. The donations supported community events and programming, summer reading programs, to help fire departments purchase replacement firefighting foam, and to create a new quality of life program for residents. “Investing in our loca

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SPRINGFIELD – The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum will celebrate Lincoln’s birthday and Black History Month with activities that include a read-a-thon, two days of free admission and a play about a daring escape from slavery. “February was first chosen for Black History Month in part because it included Lincoln’s birthday,” said Christina Shutt, executive director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. “You can’t fully honor Lincoln without acknowledging his impact on African Americans and, in turn, their essential role in building this nation.” Black History Month opens Feb. 1 with the first of 10 performances of “Small Beginnings,” a short play about the amazing Robert Smalls. Enslaved from birth, Smalls commandeered a Confederate ship in Charleston Harbor and used it to take family and friends to freedom in 1862. He then piloted that ship for the U.S. Navy and was elected to Congress after

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The Overnight Warming Center in Alton will be activated Monday night, January 30, 2023. The center will open at 5 p.m.

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EDWARDSVILLE – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has been recognized as one of the best schools for online learning at the master’s level by OnlineMastersDegrees.org. SIUE’s online master’s of educational technology and criminal justice programs earned top honors for overall quality, affordability and commitment to student success. “We are very proud to receive this recognition for our graduate online programs”, said Jerry Weinberg, associate provost for research and dean of the graduate school. “Six years ago, SIUE made a strategic investment in online graduate education for which the recognition and enrollment numbers are clear indication of SIUE’s success in the online graduate education market. More importantly, the success of our graduates in obtaining positions that require advanced degrees shows the high quality of our online programs that are meeting job market needs. “ The ranking was based off of primary data points

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WASHINGTON D.C. After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued draft guidance to reduce levels of lead in baby food earlier this week, today U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), U.S. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08) and U.S. Representative Tony Cárdenas (D-CA-29) are once again urging FDA to take quick and significant action to reduce high levels of toxic heavy metals—including lead, arsenic, mercury and cadmium—in baby food and help ensure that the baby food we provide our nation’s infants and young children is safe and healthy. While this draft guidance is welcome progress, it was announced much later than expected according to FDA’s own “Closer to Zero” initiative, the FDA’s plan to reduce high levels of toxic heavy metals in baby food, which stated that this draft guidance would be issued in April of last year. The lawmakers’ letter follows up on their June 2022 letter to FDA

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EAST ST. LOUIS – Construction and building trades will be expanded in the Metro East thanks to a nearly $700,000 investment secured by State Senator Christopher Belt. “Expanding the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship programs will bring more opportunities and jobs to Metro East residents looking for a new career,” said Belt (D- Swansea). “By providing people with support and training, we’re opening the door for Illinoisans to secure stable, good-paying careers in a high-demand industry.” The Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship was created to promote diversity, inclusion and use of apprentices in state-funded capital projects.?Comprehensive pre-apprenticeship programs help participants gain admission to apprenticeship programs, which provide a greater opportunity to obtain employment in the construction trades and secure long-term employment. A total of $13 million for the program’s second year will expand access to the program across the state

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EDWARDSVILLE - Associate Judge Maureen Schuette was reappointed to the Illinois Supreme Court Judicial Performance Evaluation Committee Associate Judge Maureen Schuette of the Third Judicial Circuit, Madison County was reappointed as a member of the Illinois Supreme Court Judicial Performance Evaluation Committee for a term commencing on January 1, 2023, and expiring on December 31, 2025. “I am honored to be reappointed and look forward to continuing to serve as an active member of the committee,” Judge Schuette said. Judge Schuette is currently an Associate Judge in the Family Division in Madison County, and the Juvenile and Family Divisions in Bond County.

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CARLINVILLE, IL - Blackburn College in Carlinville, Illinois, will host prospective students and their families for an Open House on Monday, February 20, 2023, beginning at 9:00 AM. The winter event is designed to be an engaging opportunity for prospective first-year and transfer students to gather important information about the college application process. For students who bring their official transcripts, it may be possible to get an instant admission decision and find out immediately if they can attend Blackburn in the fall. Throughout the day, students and families will tour the beautiful 80-acre campus, make personal connections with current students and professors, and get to know what life is like as a Blackburn student. In addition to a complimentary lunch, they will see first-hand Blackburn’s unique approach to education as the only student-managed Work Program in the nation and discover how graduates build full resumes that will give them a four-year head start launching

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GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College welcomes three new faculty members for the start of the Spring 2023 semester. The new team members include a director of nursing education, an associate business professor and an assistant professor of art. “We’re pleased to welcome these professionals to Lewis and Clark,” said Vice President of Academic Affairs Sue Czerwinski. “The knowledge and experience they bring to these positions will certainly benefit our students.” Nicholas Hand, Associate Professor, Business Hand is a Godfrey native. He earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Lindenwood University. He went on to graduate magna cum laude from Saint Louis University School of Law. He has experience working in the business offices of both junior and professional hockey, including a marketing role with the St. Louis Blues. His higher education experience includes work as an adjunct and full-time professor in the Plaster

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Several area schools were closed on Monday after a wintry mix hit the area, leaving behind snow, sleet, and ice-covered roads. Residents who were out on the roads and highways were advised by the Illinois State Police and Illinois Department of Transportation to "Take it slow!" Today, the forecast was for a high of 22 degrees and a low of 10 degrees Monday night. Tuesday, a high of 25 and a low of 15 degrees with no precipitation was predicted. Wednesday a high of 36 degrees is forecast and warmer temps to 48 degrees are predicted on Thursday. The forecast was for a high of 22 degrees with a low of 10 degrees Monday night. Tuesday, a high of 25 and a low of 15 degrees with no precipitation was predicted. Wednesday a high of 36 degrees is forecast and warmer temps to 48 degrees are predicted on Thursday. Click here for a list of school closings: https://www.riverbender.com/closings/

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EDWARDSVILLE/GLEN CARBON - The Edwardsville Fire Department and the Glen Carbon Fire Protection District will host a series of free CPR classes throughout the month of February as part of their “Savings Hearts for Valentines” program. The free classes will be held February 1 and 15 at the R.P. Lumber Center, located at 6289 Tiger Drive in Edwardsville, and February 11 and 25 at Glen Carbon Fire Station No. 1, located at 199 S. Main Street in Glen Carbon. Participants will attend one two-hour class. There will be a maximum of 20 people, ages 14 and older, per session. “The more people we have who are trained in CPR out in the world, the better chance that we’ll have someone close by in emergency situations who could make that life-or-death difference,” Edwardsville Fire Chief James Whiteford said. The classes will cover CPR basics, including a compressions-only version that does not require mouth-to-mouth breathing for those who are not comfortable

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GODFREY - St. Ambrose Catholic School 2022-2023 has released its second quarter honor roll. This is the honor roll list: 4th GRADE High Honor Roll Danica Dornes Rylan Estes Finn Kane Emma Kory Lydia Lara Caroline Morrissey Honor Roll Collin Cruse Charlotte Hendrickson Joey King Benjamin Osborn Jackson Osborn Neal Pichee Asa Reinersman Liam Rose Finn Stephan Isla Stevenson Ryan Terry 5th GRADE High Honor Roll Piper Adams Bennett Anderson Erin Crawford Kayli Jacobs Elizabeth King Lydia Kribs Christian Monroe Grant Pruitt Laken Wong Honor Roll Bennett Beiser Karina Chew Noah Delehanty Natalie Droste Leon Kerkemeyer Averie Kochan Charlotte Kohl Adelyn Labrenz Genevieve Merkle Grayson Sidwell Parker Williams 6th GRADE High Honor Roll Isabelle Bassett Hadley Bohn Mallory Cronin Adelyn Estes Camille Hampton Cooper Kane Nora Murray Maggie Pruetzel Caty Pulaski Noah Rose Honor Roll Carson Klasner Shane Morrissey 7th

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