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SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is urging the motoring public to focus on the road while driving and to avoid driving distracted. April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. “With the increased use of technological devices, distracted driving has become a serious problem on the roads throughout our state and the nation,” said White. “No driver should be texting while driving.” In an effort to further discourage distracted driving, White has instructed the Secretary of State Police to conduct targeted patrols statewide to crack down on distracted drivers. “The goal is not to write tickets, but to save lives,” said White. “We are reminding the public of the dangers of distracted driving, and police will be issuing tickets to motorists who are driving distracted.” Illinois law prohibits the hand-held use of cellphones and electronic devices in vehicles, unless reporting an emergency or while the vehicle i

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URBANA - At 94 years old, every day counts for Jim Bier. The Champaign, Illinois, resident, U.S. Army veteran, and retired map-maker is able to manage things like visiting the store and strolling his backyard gardens – a space resembling the University of Illinois Japan House gardens, which Bier designed . It all comes with less chest pain and easier breathing thanks to a minimally-invasive heart procedure offered at OSF HealthCare. “I’ve been at home, exercising, building up my legs, and I don't have the difficulties breathing like I did before all this happened back in the garden days,” Bier says. “And so I would say I'm in very good shape at this point.” Bier pauses and adds with a chuckle, “From my waist up. I still have to work on my legs.” Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2011 , transcatheter aortic valve replacement, or TAVR for short, deals with a thickened aortic valve in the heart that can’t fully

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PEORIA - The 2022 Academy Awards show will probably be best remembered not for who won or lost or who wore what, but because of “the slap.” Actor Will Smith took to the stage and slapped comedian Chris Rock as he was preparing to present an award. Rock was cracking jokes, including one about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith, and her shaved head. While his actions are in question, through them Will Smith ultimately shined a light on Alopecia areata, which is the most common form of the disease and affects one in every 500 to 1,000 people in the United States, including Pinkett-Smith. "Hair loss is normal. There's a certain amount of hair loss everybody has. Our hair grows at a similar rate, so we maintain a certain amount of hair,” explains Mark Meeker, D.O., a physician for OSF HealthCare. “As we age, there's androgenic hair loss, we lose more hair than we grow. That's male pattern baldness, for example. Even female pattern baldness that's very genetically

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ALTON - Physical activity is good for us, we all know. Yet it can be hard to fit into our daily schedules – and it’s easy to understand why. Family, school, work and other important obligations can take up a lot of our time and energy. But there is one healthy activity most of us can fit into a packed schedule – and it’s often hidden in plain sight: walking. You may not see it highlighted often by social media influencers, but for something so simple it has a huge amount going for it. “Walking has far-reaching benefits, including reduced anxiety and depression, improved mobility and cardiovascular health, increased brain function, weight loss, and it adds years to life,” said Liz Salerno, an assistant professor in the division of public health sciences at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. And you don’t need to walk a huge amount to benefit. While a popular goal is 10,000 steps per day (about five miles), studies have found

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ALTON – Centerstone, a national leader in behavioral health care, will host a free, virtual Flourish Open House webinar on April 5 from noon – 1 p.m. The webinar will help participants gain a better understanding of the services Centerstone offers families through the Flourish program, which serves families through building parenting skills and supports. “The goals of the Flourish program are to increase well-being, improve permanency and enhance the safety of the family,” said Taylor Marks, Centerstone’s Flourish supervisor. Flourish provides free services to many Illinois families. Flourish can help families improve their parenting and communication skills and strengthen relationships in the family. The webinar will address these services and many others provided by Flourish. Presenters in the webinar include: Alyssa Cline, MSW – Centerstone’s Flourish Group Leader Breauna Hurd, MSW – Centerstone’s Flourish Group Leader Karl

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ALTON - The Alton School District Board of Education voted Friday morning to ratify a proposed three-year collective bargaining agreement with the Alton Education Association (the District’s employee union). Teachers and staff previously voted and agreed to the new contract on Thursday afternoon. Now approved by both parties, the new contract will go into effect on July 1, 2022, and run through June 30, 2025. Negotiating team members for the Alton Education Association (AEA) and board of education began meeting in late January and arrived at a tentative agreement on March 23. Proposals for the new agreement, bringing changes to contract language and proposing salary increases, were exchanged during the joint sessions. Regarding language, the new contract will provide increased sick leave days, stipends for increased certifications, insurance provisions, and other additions and changes. The new contract language also strengthens or clarifies existing contract language relative

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SOUTH ROXANA - The Village Of South Roxana has filed a suit in circuit court, asking a judge for an order to tear down an unsafe house at 901 Sinclair Avenue. The suit claims the house is vacant and a nuisance. The owners, Steven L. Russell and others have not responded to notices to repair the structure. The defendants “have permitted the property to remain in constant and continuous disrepair, causing it to become a menace to public safety, comfort and public welfare; the premises is imminently dangerous, unsafe and is a public nuisance and should be immediately demolished,” the suit claims. The suit alleges that the cost of correcting the problems is greater than the value of the house. The cost of the demolition could be collected from the owners, the suit claims.

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ST. LOUIS - St. Louis County Police Department Crimes Against Persons Detectives are currently investigating an officer-involved shooting in the City of Northwoods. On March 30, 2022, at approximately 10:29 PM, two City of Northwoods Police Officers in full uniform and marked patrol units responded to a call for service for a check the welfare in the 3700 block of Colonial Avenue in the City of Northwoods. Upon arrival, officers observed an adult male near the residence. As the officers approached the residence, they were fired upon by that same adult male suspect. An exchange of gunfire ensued between the suspect and officer (s). The suspect then fled the area on foot. The officers were not struck by gunfire, however one officer was transported to an area hospital for treatment of a medical issue. An extensive search of the area was conducted by several police agencies and K-9 units but was unsuccessful in locating the suspect at that time. The City of Northwoods Police

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GREENFIELD - Greene County Coroner Danny J. Powell released more information Friday afternoon about the tragic fire that claimed the lives of two Greenfield females on Thursday. The coroner said the deceased are identified as Nancy L. Hillis, 77, and Danika C. Alderfer, 11 months old, of Greenfield. The coroner said that at approximately 12:23 p.m. on Thursday, March 31, 2022, West Central Dispatch received a call of a kitchen fire at 1003 Green Street in Greenfield. A Greenfield Police officer and Greene County Sheriff’s deputy were first to arrive at the residence and attempted to make entry into the home. "They were advised two occupants were still inside the residence," Powell said. "Greenfield Fire Department arrived a short time later. Both officers and one of the other occupants of the residence were transported to a local hospital for smoke inhalation. "At approximately 1:15 p.m. my office received a call asking for me to respond to the scene. I was advised that two occupant

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COLUMBIA – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that I-255 between IL 157 to IL 3 in Monroe and St Clair Counties will be intermittently restricted to two lanes beginning Wednesday, April 6, 2022, weather permitting. This work is necessary to complete pavement repairs. This work is expected to be completed by April 10, 2022. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment. The contractor on this project is Kelley and Sons of East St Louis.

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BENTON – The U.S. State's Attorney's Office announced today that Eugene Falls, 42, of East St. Louis, was sentenced on March 31, 2022, to 405 months’ imprisonment for Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Heroin, and Cocaine; Attempted Possession with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine; Distribution of Heroin; and Money Laundering. Falls was convicted of all charges by a jury on December 2, 2021. The jury also found that Falls had a prior drug conviction that subjected him to an enhanced sentence. Evidence established during the trial and sentencing hearing demonstrated that from between December 2018 through March 2019, Falls was responsible for receiving or distributing over 19 pounds of methamphetamine and 4 kilograms of heroin in the Southern District of Illinois, and he laundered drug proceeds to conceal his drug distribution operation. He was arrested in March 2019 during a deal in which he was attempting to receive

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today reported 8,426 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including an increase of 87 deaths since March 25, 2022. Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 3,069,650 cases, including 33,394 deaths, in 102 counties in Illinois since the beginning of the pandemic. The age of cases ranges from younger than one to older than 100 years. Since March 25, 2022, laboratories have reported 501,236 specimens for a total of 57,392,864 since the start of the pandemic. As of last night, 500 individuals in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 73 patients were in the ICU and 26 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators. The preliminary seven-day statewide case rate is 65.3 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 Illinoisans. The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases as a percent of total tests from March 25-31, 2022 is 1.7%. The preliminary seven-day

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EDWARDSVILLE - Mark Massey, a broker with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices in Edwardsville, received two awards honoring his work to advance the real estate industry and his involvement in local politics at a series of Illinois REALTORS events earlier this week. Massey won the “REALTOR of the Year” award for the Greater Gateway Association of REALTORS at the 2022 REALTOR of the Year Banquet in Springfield. He also won the 2022 Political Involvement Award during the Illinois REALTORS Capitol Conference, also held in Springfield. “The award recognizes members who have done exceptional work to advance their association and the real estate industry,” according to the Illinois REALTORS website . In addition to being a broker, Massey is vice-chair of the Illinois REALTORS Political Involvement Working Group and a member of the state association’s REALTORS Political Action Committee (RPAC) Trustees, Strategic Planning, Professional Standards, Finance

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WOOD RIVER - Riverbend residents can expect a new authentic pizza and fine beverage restaurant to open its doors this fall at 1929 Pizza and Wine in the heart of Downtown Wood River. Opening on 7 North Wood River Avenue in Wood River, 1929 Pizza and Wine will open to the community serving up exceptional cuisine for both locals and tourists alike. Launching with the mission to deliver not only an incredible standard of flavorful food and drink but also a warm and welcoming service - 1929 Pizza and Wine is set to become one of the region’s premier dining spots, with authentic pizza served in a beautifully-refurbished space. What also distinguishes 1929 Pizza and Wine from other dining spots is the restaurant’s ownership. Working with Tom DeClue III, married duo Matt and Amy Herren have already built up a cult-status through a string of previous hospitality ventures within the area, including Chef and Baker Co., Goshen Coffee, Fond, 222 Bakery, and Township Grocer. Now

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ALTON - Local Alton filmmaker, Elle Mercurio-Cherrier has been recognized for producing provocative public service announcements (PSAs) targeting opiate addiction/ sobriety and films. She recently shot a closed set feature film in Alton set to be released in June. Mercurio-Cherrier's "God Help Us" has received nominations for Women in Horror awards. The documentary "God Help Us" will also premiere on April 2 at Jamestown Mall Parking Lot. Guests are welcome to bring lawn chairs. Moreover, Mothers Against Drunk Driving plans to utilize Mercurio-Cherrier's last year's dramatization of action consequences, "Look to the Flowers," in the campaign. Horror over Heroin, a movement that addresses the epidemic that aims to remove the horror that heroin has over communities one city at a time recently released "Stuck," a film about opiate addiction in the Midwest, and will tell the story of local addicts while having an honest discussion about the heroin epidemic experience

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SEE VIDEO: WOOD RIVER - East Alton-Wood River High School had a big celebratory day for a memorable student-athlete Aaron Niemeyer when he signed an athletic scholarship to wrestle at Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa. Niemeyer is also a scholar-athlete. “He has done very well in the classroom over the years that is what we want we are trying to raise expectations on the fields and in the classroom. He is a good example of what we want to see,” East Alton-Wood River High School Athletic Director Mike Beatty said. “This was a big deal for us here because he is such an outstanding wrestler and student. This is our first big signing like this in a while because of COVID where we could be normal. It is really neat to celebrate these achievements of our athletes we hope to have more of these.” Aaron Niemeyer Jr. is a Midwest Members Credit Union Male Athlete of the Month for East Alton-Wood River High School. Aaron’s parents are Aaron Niemeyer Sr.

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PRINCETON - This week, the family of actor Bruce Willis announced that he has been diagnosed with aphasia. A social media post by Willis’ family says the aphasia is “impacting his cognitive abilities.” This stunning announcement has many people wondering: what exactly is aphasia, and how serious is it? “Aphasia is basically being unable to communicate, to talk. There is a center in our brain that thinks and there is another center in our brain that speaks out the words. Your mouth and your muscles are controlled by these brain centers. That is what aphasia is – being unable to communicate what you are thinking,” says Dr. Shitaldas Pamnani, an internal medicine physician with OSF HealthCare. Dr. Pamnani says that most of the time, people are able to recognize that their loved one is struggling with their words which prompts them to make an appointment with their doctor for evaluation. “You will see a patient or a family member and you will

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LITCHFIELD – Illinois State Police (ISP) District 18 Commander, Mark Gillock, announces the ISP will conduct Roadside Safety Checks (RSC) in Greene County during the month of April. The RSC combines a strong sense of public awareness and enforcement in order to save lives of the motoring public. These patrols are conducted between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. The ISP has zero tolerance for impaired driving in Illinois. Alcohol and drug impairment are a factor in more than 30 percent of all fatal motor vehicle crashes in Illinois, and throughout the U.S., nearly 10,000 people die each year due to alcohol-impaired driving. RSCs are designed to keep our roads safe by taking dangerous DUI offenders off the road. The project is funded through the Illinois Department of Transportation. Officers working the detail will be watchful for drivers who are operating vehicles in an unsafe manner, driving with a suspended or revoked driver’s license, transporting open alcoholic beverages,

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ALTON - The City of Alton, CJD, and Republic Services are partnering on a bulk/large item drop-off day in Alton. This event allows residents to dispose of large items & electronics at no charge. The drop-off drive will be Saturday, April 2, 2022, from 8:00 A.M. until 12:00 P.M. This event will take place at 1 Henry Street. We will be using the entrance off of Ridge St across from the Marian Heights (the former Old Great Central Lumber Company). Items that will be accepted include mattresses, furniture, bulky items that don’t fit in your trash cart, and carpet (cut into 4-ft lengths). There will also be an E-Waste recycling drive, provided on-site. Residents may bring electronics such as old CRT, projection, console televisions, and CRT computer monitors for recycling. Items that will NOT be accepted include, but are not limited to, appliances (refrigerators, washers/dryers, etc.) concrete, shingles, construction debris, loose trash, trash in bags and cardboard boxes, tires, an

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GRANITE CITY – Seniors Sophia Dutko and Trevor Nichols Jr. of Granite City High School were selected as Granite City Elks Lodge 1063 Students of the Month for March. The Elks Student of the Month Program is designed to recognize outstanding young men and women for achievements in school and community life-fine arts, hobbies, athletics, church, school, club and community service, industry, and farming. Nominees are judged on multiple achievements including leadership skills, good moral character, community involvement, extracurricular activities, honors and award, and scholastic ability. Each student receives a $100 U.S. savings bond and an Elks certificate of achievement. SOPHIA DUTKO Member of girls basketball and girls soccer team ... Three-year High Honor Roll ... Two-year girls soccer captain ... Member of National Honor Society, Renaissance Club, Secondary Honors, and Varsity Club ... 2021 Homecoming Queen ... Daughter of Terry and Jennifer Dutko. TREVOR NICHOLS JR. Member

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