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CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, yesterday met with recent migrant arrivals in Chicago—many of whom fled the Maduro regime in Venezuela. After visiting with migrants to hear their stories and ask questions about their experience, Durbin met with City of Chicago leadership, including Project Manager for the Department of Family and Support Services Natalia Santillan; Deputy Mayor of Immigrant, Migrant and Refugee Rights Beatriz Ponce de Leon; and Chicago Park District Commissioner Rosa Escareño. Approximately 14,000 asylum seekers have arrived in Chicago since August 2022, when the Texas Governor first began busing asylum seekers to the city. Durbin also discussed the recent decision by the Biden Administration to redesignate Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), as he had requested. The Administration’s original designation covered Venezuelans who had arrived in the United States b

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SPRINGFIELD - Building on a strong team of diverse experts in their fields, Governor JB Pritzker announced the following appointments in his administration. Eastern Illinois University Board of Trustees Bernie Ranchero will serve as a Trustee on the Eastern Illinois University Board of Trustees.* Dr. Ranchero is a passionate community healthcare activist and advocate for public higher education. He is committed to identifying and addressing healthcare disparities and inequalities through innovation and the promotion of greater access to healthcare for all. Dr. Ranchero currently serves as the public health department medical director in Coles County and is a medical advisor to numerous community organizations. His commitment to higher education is evidenced by his academic-faculty appointments and affiliations including tenure as a Clinical Assistant Professor at Carle Illinois College of Medicine, Southern Illinois School of Medicine, Indiana State University, and Eastern Illinois

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ALTON - The Alton Police Department received a report of a Missing Person identified as Vernon C. Randle, a black male, 26 years old. Vernon C. Randle was last seen around 11 a.m. on September 14, 2023, leaving his residence in the 1000 block of Wallace Street in Alton. Alton Police said Vernon is approximately 6-foot-tall, weighs 130 pounds, and has black and blonde dreadlock-style hair. Vernon was last seen wearing a black hoodie and black jogging pants. Vernon often rides a black electric bicycle around town. Anyone with information about Vernon is encouraged to call the Alton Police Department, Criminal Investigation Division at 618-463-3505.

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FLORISSANT - Just across the river, the Jamestown Mall holds fond memories for many Riverbend residents despite its closure in 2014. On Tuesday, Sept. 26, the mall will be demolished. Jamestown Mall was a staple in Florissant since its opening in 1973. At its peak, it was home to over one hundred stores and services, including a movie theater and four anchor stores. The mall became increasingly vacant throughout the early 2000s until it ultimately closed on July 1, 2014. In April 2022, the St. Louis County Council voted to demolish the mall using funds from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. They approved $6 million for the mall’s demolition, which will be completed by Target Contractors, LLC. On the official St. Louis County Facebook page , people shared their memories of Jamestown Mall. St. Louis County acknowledged that the demolition will be a step forward for the community, but bittersweet for those who enjoyed the mall in its prime. “This is exciting news fo

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GODFREY – Learn to be someone’s “rock” or “roll” with life’s ups and downs by knowing what resources are available to community residents right here in the Riverbend. This year’s Rock n’ Roll-themed Resource and Wellness Fair is set to take place from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 4, in The Commons at Lewis and Clark Community College. It is free and open to the public. “This year’s fair is an expansion of the college’s annual Wellness Fair,” said L&C Counselor Terri Austin, who is helping to spearhead the event. “Two of the key directions of the college’s strategic plan focus on building a transparent and inclusive campus culture and building on community collaborations. We saw this event as an opportunity to work toward both, while promoting physical and mental wellness.” Flu shots will be available at the event, in partnership with CVS Pharmacy. They can be billed to most

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Alton has been awarded $400,000 to address rundown and burned-out homes. DRUM ROLL PLEASE! Alton has over 200 vacant lots that they cannot maintain! While we are tearing down houses and creating more vacant lots, what is Greg Caffey, director of community development/building and zoning, and the HIGHEST paid city employee, doing to help people seeking home ownership? Safe and decent housing is a basic human need, yet many of our citizens have no place to call home or simply cannot afford safe and decent housing! Alton public workers cannot keep up with the 200+ lots that need to be maintained, so let's add 40 more empty lots to the list. Solutions include establishing community development corporations, funding sources for housing, financing programs for new homeowners, and considering a tax credit program to help middle-class citizens afford housing. No business as usual in the political process, will be the rallying cry of Alton 2025 mayor election. I will focus on mobilizing the

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EDWARDSVILLE - A full day of family-friendly activities is planned for this year’s Unity Fest to bring together different communities and identities in the Metro East area. On Saturday, Sept. 30, community members are invited to Leclaire Park in Edwardsville from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for live music, dance performances, speakers, food and informational booths. This is the second annual Unity Fest sponsored by Edwardsville Unity, an organization that encourages community-building, diversity and acceptance. “We are inviting fellow well-wishers of humanity to attend this free festival, showcasing inspiring speakers and culturally diverse performers with this year’s theme, ‘Unity Begins With U,’” Edwardsville Unity said in a press release. All of the food, entertainment and activities are free to attendees. In addition to several performances and art pieces, informational booths will be set up around the park so local organizations can connect with

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ALTON - A ban on camping in public places in Alton has been put on hold after aldermen voted to lay the item over at the Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday. After much discussion about the proposed ordinance’s impact on Alton’s unhoused population, the committee is expected to consider the item again at their next meeting on Oct. 9. Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said nobody will be arrested for camping in public, but they will be given a warning, alternative options, or - in the case of repeated noncompliance - a summons to appear in court. “What we would do at that point, it’s not an arrest situation,” Ford said, adding they would instead receive a summons. “In that court system, it’s not designed to punish. It’s designed also to be a level where there’s options available to assist and any resources at that point in time that can be given certainly would. I’m confident in our courts as well as our Police Department

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GODFREY - The Lewis and Clark volleyball team took service to a whole new level over the weekend. The Trailblazers swept a pair of Region 24 matches with 3-0 wins over Southeastern Illinois College (25-23, 25-15, 25-18) and Shawnee Community College (25-12, 25-15, 25-8), Saturday, Sept. 23. And they did it on the strength of their serving. “I’ve seen individual servers get hot and help carry a team before,” Head Coach Jim Hunstein said. “But I’ve not seen anything like what we did on Saturday.” The remarkable achievement against SIC came when two players had double-digit serving runs. The two teams played a tight first set with LC taking set point on a kill from freshman middle hitter Maddy Mancuso (Barnhart, MO) for a 25-23 win. In the second set, Mancuso took the team to a 13-2 lead with an 11-point service run. Then in the third set, freshman outside hitter Haris Legendre (Staunton, IL) took the team from a 5-point deficit to an 8-point lead

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JERSEYVILLE - Chris and Brenda Lorton are celebrating their last day as operators of George’s Local Brew in Jerseyville with a “George’s Palooza” sendoff party at the bar and restaurant this Saturday, Sept. 30 from noon to midnight, with doors opening at 11:30 a.m. The event will see a full lineup of live music, chances to win prizes, and many memories shared before George’s welcomes its new owners on Oct. 1. Chris said he wanted to “go out swinging” with a big party for the community members that have supported them over the years - and especially over the last few weeks, he said. “On our last day, we just wanted to have a really big party, just to kind of celebrate - if I’m going to go out, I’m going to go out swinging,” Lorton said. “We’ve had a roaring last six weeks, it’s been really busy, it’s been a lot of fun.” The event on Saturday will feature live music, karaoke, great food,

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BETHALTO/EDWARDSVILLE/GODFREY/JERSEYVILLE - While National Coffee Day is Sept. 29, Scooter’s Coffee has been spreading the coffee love all month long by offering FREE delicious, fresh-brewed coffee to customers every day throughout September. By the end of September, Scooter’s Coffee anticipates its stores will have served more than 1 million cups of free fresh-brewed coffee since Sept. 1. “What an exciting milestone to give away over 1 million cups of coffee during our September celebration of National Coffee Day,” said Joe Thornton, President of Scooter’s Coffee. “We have enjoyed the positive feedback from our valued loyal customers and new customers. Our Baristas have loved the joyful interactions with familiar and new faces each day in the drive-thru. It’s a reminder that a cup of coffee represents kindness, warmth and connection.” Customers have been flocking to Scooter’s Coffee drive-thru locations throughout September to

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EDWARDSVILLE - Two fun opportunities for the community to interact with the Edwardsville Police and Fire Departments are coming up in early October. First up is National Night Out, which is marking its 40th year as a nationwide event connecting police and residents. The Edwardsville Police Department will host the event from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 3, at City Park, 101 S. Buchanan Street. The Glen Carbon Police Department, Edwardsville Fire Department and Illinois State Police also will participate. The planned activities are free, including face painting, balloon animals, bounce houses, giveaways, a Child ID event and music. Police and fire vehicles will be on site for visitors to see. Free ice cream and hot dogs also will be available, thanks to the generous support of area sponsors. Then, on Saturday, Oct. 7, the annual Fire Department Open House will take place at the Public Safety Building, 333 S. Main Street. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and offer visitors

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CARLINVILLE - Blackburn College has been awarded a $4.8 million grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity. Blackburn will utilize the funding to help create and construct the College's new $6+ million indoor athletic practice facility, which broke ground in May. With over 40,000 square feet of space, the building project is part of a comprehensive effort to provide Blackburn students and the community greater access to expanded athletic and recreational facilities. Announced earlier this year, the Winning Together campaign for athletics and enrollment aims to build a critical new chapter of the College's legacy. The efforts will better meet Blackburn's needs, providing essential space for existing NCAA Division III athletic programs to increase the number of athletes recruited but also allow for an expansion of the athletic offerings. For the entire campus community, the new facility will provide a space for intramural and recreational opportunities and

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GILLESPIE - The Macoupin County Democrat Party is hosting their 14th Annual Unity Dinner on Saturday, October 21, 2023. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. at the Gillespie Municipal Building, located at 115 North Macoupin Street. The catered FEMA’s dinner starts at 6:15 p.m. while the program begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $35 per person or a table of eight for $275. Advance reservations and payment are encouraged. Please make check payable to Macoupin County Democrat Party and mail to Macoupin County Democrat Party, % Chair Pam Monetti, 7545 Brighton Bunker Hill Road, Bunker Hill, IL 62014 or pay online at www.paypal.me/unitydinner18 or www.secure.actblue.com/donate/unity2023 . Call 618-444-2891 for reservations or questions. Check out the official event page on Facebook for more information.

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ALTON - After several months of construction, the new Starbucks in Alton is open and ready to serve the brand’s signature fall drinks. Located at 1723 Homer M. Adams Parkway, the Alton Starbucks opened at 5:30 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 25. The drive-thru line was picking up already by early afternoon. Many people were also seated inside, enjoying the free WiFi while sipping their drinks. The opening comes as a surprise to many Riverbend residents following original reports that the store would open on Oct. 1. An employee said the store was “always” slated to open on Sept. 25. No community members are complaining about the unexpected earlier opening date, especially as temperatures prepare to drop and the famous Pumpkin Spice Latte celebrates its 20th year on the Starbucks fall menu. The seasonal menu is sure to be a hit for residents who previously had to travel to Edwardsville for the closest Starbucks locations. Starbucks drinks, snacks and merchandise are

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RIVERBEND - Several public libraries in the Riverbend will welcome new visitors throughout October with a popular program sponsored by the region’s library system. The 5th Annual Library Crawl invites patrons to explore new libraries throughout the Illinois Heartland Library System, which composes the southern half of the state. The Crawl also demonstrates the benefits of a library card, which allows users to check out materials from the libraries they visit. Some 158 libraries across central and southern Illinois are taking part in the Crawl, which runs from Oct. 1 through Oct. 31. Participating area public libraries include all three Hayner Public Library locations, including the main branch downtown at 326 Belle Street, the Alton Square Mall branch and the Genealogy and Local History Library at 401 State Street. Other participating libraries include Wood River, Bethalto, Roxana, East Alton, Hartford, Madison, Carlinville, Staunton, Mt. Olive, Gillespie, Glen Carbon, Edwardsville,

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ALTON - The 15th annual Alton Miles for Meso 5K Race and 3K Fun Run/Walk was once again a huge success. On Saturday, Sept. 23, community members enjoyed a family-friendly morning with bounce houses, vendors, live music and food. Runners and walkers raced through downtown Alton in support of people with mesothelioma. All proceeds went to the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) . “It’s about the community and it’s about the charity,” said Todd Adamitis, Chief Operating Officer with Simmons Hanly Conroy. “We’re actually fighting for the end of the disease, which would put us out of business. That’s what we’re all about. It’s a horrible, horrible disease.” Simmons Hanly Conroy , a national law firm that specializes in mesothelioma lawsuits, sponsors the Miles for Meso event. The law firm started the race in Alton in 2009. Today, over ten states organize annual Miles for Meso races, which have collectively

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JERSEYVILLE - A Jerseyville man is facing two felony counts of witness harassment while a Fieldon woman has been charged with criminal property damage in Jersey County over the past week, according to recent court filings. Timothy L. Moxey, 42, of Jerseyville, was charged with two counts of harassment of witnesses, once on Sept. 1 and again on Sept. 3. Court documents state Moxey called “a victim” who “is expected to serve as a witness in a pending legal proceeding” several times from the Jersey County Jail to intentionally harass them and attempt to persuade them “to drop charges, in such a manner as to cause them mental anguish or emotional distress.” Moxey was charged with two Class 2 felonies for the witness harassment charges. Court documents indicate he is being held in the custody of the Jersey County Sheriff until his hearing. Moxey was also charged earlier this month on Sept. 1 with two counts of theft for allegedly obtaining

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Mr. and Mrs. Jack and Judy Holmes of Jerseyville and Mr. and Mrs. Michael and Nancy Martell of Portland, Oregon are happy to announce the marriage of their children Maggie and Kyron. Saint Francis Xaivier Church, Jerseyville, was the site of the nuptial ceremony conducted by Father Patrick Gibbons, July 1, 2023. Maid of Honor was Angeline Holmes. Bridesmaids were Julia Mlinar, Caroline Holmes, Emily Holmes, Shea Holmes, and Annie Girard. Lane Martell served as best man. Ushers were Jack Holmes IV and Charlie Holmes. Piper Martell, Cecilia Mlinar, Anna Mlinar, and Leona Danner were flower girls. Quinn Martell and Joseph Mlinar were ring bearers. Caroline Holmes was cantor, accompanied by organist Julia Mlinar and violinist Mary Kelly. A reception was held at 'Your Event Space' in Alton. After a honeymoon trip to Maui, the Martells are making their new home in Portland. Kyron is a special education teacher in the Hillsboro School District. Maggie has spent the past five years workin

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SPRINGFIELD – Nearly 129,000 Illinois workers already are saving for retirement courtesy of the Illinois Secure Choice program, and now a key deadline is approaching for small employers to help even more employees do the same. Under state law, businesses that had between 5 and 15 employees last year have until Nov. 1, 2023 to help their workers access a retirement savings option by either signing up for Illinois Secure Choice or offering a private retirement plan. “There is a growing recognition that many workers understand that Social Security alone will not be enough to make ends meet after their working days are over,” said State Treasurer Michael Frerichs, whose office administers the program. “Illinois Secure Choice helps workers retire with dignity and confidence.” The Illinois General Assembly created Secure Choice in 2015 and assigned the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office to help set up the program. Lawmakers assured employers they would

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