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PONTOON BEACH - This winter, local girls can learn how to play flag football. The free Open Field program will run from Feb. 20 to March 27, 2025, at the Field Sports Complex in Pontoon Beach. Every Thursday from 6–7:30 p.m., girls ages 5–7 and 8–12 can participate in a flag football training program that will teach the basics of the sport, encourage friendships and build athletic ability. Coach Andre Collins noted that he has enjoyed coaching girls flag football, and he hopes more new athletes will come out and learn to love the sport. “This is the most fun I’ve ever had,” said Collins, who coaches through Champions Sports Academy. “This program will be at no cost at all, and it’s just open field. So girls will come, there will be a little bit of instruction, but then we’ll just play the game. I want them to just have fun playing flag football.” Collins started teaching flag football in spring 2024, after he learned

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EDWARDSVILLE - Mia Semith, who emerged as an important player for Edwardsville's girls basketball team last season, is proving to be a key player for the Tigers this season as well. Semith hit for 11 points in Edwardsville's big 50-46 win over O'Fallon on Jan. 28, 2025, at Lucco-Jackson Gym, and has been up among the leading scorers in recent games as well. She currently averages a team-leading 11.8 points-per-game, and also averages 6.5 rebounds-per-game, also having 20 assists, 25 steals, and 14 blocked shots. Mia is a Spencer Homes Female Athlete Of The Month for the Tigers. In her postgame interview, Semith felt she had a good game, and was happy to help the Tigers overcome O'Fallon on the night. She said: "I felt like we worked really hard this week in practice, and we performed really well tonight. Alandyn (Simmons) had a big night, with 20 (points). I really helped; I think I played solid defense, Layne (Logan) did a great job guarding Josie (Christopher), and I feel

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CHICAGO - Today, Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Insurance (IDOI), and Get Covered Illinois announced a record high 17% jump in enrollment numbers for the 2025 Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment Period. Nearly 466,000 Illinoisans enrolled in Get Covered Illinois Marketplace plans since November 1st. Nationally, the total number of people who signed up for Marketplace coverage reached more than 24 million . “For the second year in a row, we are seeing more working families accessing affordable, high-quality health insurance plans made available through the Get Covered Illinois Marketplace,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “On average, Illinois residents saved $540 a month on health insurance costs through enhanced subsidies offered on the marketplace, underscoring both my administration’s commitment to lowering the cost of health care and the incredible value the Affordable Care Act brings to our residents.” Earlier this

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COLLINSVILLE – The Illinois Department of Transportation is reminding the public that a full closure of Interstate 255 in both directions between Illinois 157 to Illinois 15 goes into effect early Saturday, weather permitting, as part of an accelerated $65.4 million rehabilitation and resurfacing. Made possible by the historic, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program, the project is the second of five phases to repair and improve I-255 in Illinois, an effort being done faster, cheaper and safer by closing the work zone to traffic when possible. “The reputation of I-255 as one of the roughest stretches of road in the state is well-known, but that’s about to change,” said Acting Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi. “By strategically closing the work zone, we are delivering these much-needed improvements quicker and at a reduced cost. We look forward to providing safer, more reliable travel throughout the region for you and your families

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SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE - Team Scott is excited for its annual Open House and STEM EXPO From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 14, 2025. This event is free and open to the public, no base access required. There will be static aircraft displays, STEM Exhibits and a Career Field Village. Anticipated Static Aircraft Displays B-25 GA-8 PT-17 C-172 PT-19 C-182 PT-26 HE-1 P-51 C130J DH-115 TMB Avenger C-21 Please visit https://www.scott.af.mil/Open-House-STEM-Expo-2025/ for the latest updates on displays and exhibits. If you have any questions, please email 2nd Lieutenant Faith Powers 375amw.pa.org@us.af.mil.

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O’FALLON — HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital announces a year filled with significant achievements in quality care and a commitment to excellence. With numerous recognitions and accreditations earned over the past year, the hospital has exhibited its dedication to delivering exceptional care that consistently meets or exceeds national standards and more importantly ensures patients have access to quality care services. These accomplishments reflect the hard work, dedication and expertise of staff, providers and other partners, who each play a vital role in ensuring the well-being of every patient, underscoring St. Elizabeth’s colleagues’ dedication to quality, innovation and industry leadership. Some of the accreditations and recognitions received in the past year include: The radiation oncology team was awarded a three-year term of accreditation after a review by the American College of Radiology (ACR). The ACR is the nation’s oldest and most widel

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ALTON - Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford has announced that a suspect is in custody after the shooting in the 2100 block of State Street in Alton on Tuesday night, Jan. 28, 2025. The Alton Police were notified that a person had been shot at 8:11 p.m. on Tuesday night. Chief Ford said physical evidence was also recovered. "Charges are pending review by the State's Attorney's Office at some point this week," Ford said. Officers immediately responded to the 911 call and located a 16-year-old male who suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. The male was treated on scene by members of the Alton Fire Department and transported to an area hospital where he was later transferred to a St. Louis area hospital for further treatment. Ford said preliminary investigation revealed the two involved individuals, both known to law enforcement, are familiar with each other and this was not a random act. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Alton Police

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EAST ST. LOUIS - East St. Louis School District 189 has announced a revised school calendar to compensate for lost instructional time due to inclement weather in January. The decision comes after the district utilized all five eLearning days permitted by the Illinois State Board of Education, along with three emergency days when schools were closed. East St. Louis School District 189 Superintendent Arthur R. Culver communicated the changes in a letter to families, emphasizing the district's commitment to maximizing instructional time. The adjustments were necessary following a series of snow days and virtual learning sessions that began in early January due to icy road conditions affecting the community. The revised calendar includes the addition of three previously designated non-attendance days as student attendance days. Specifically, February 18 and 19, 2025, will now be school days, with the latter having a one-hour early dismissal. Additionally, March 3, 2025, which is Pulaski

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO. — Detrice Young, a 56-year-old resident of the 10500 block of Castle Drive, faces serious charges following the death of a 4-year-old girl, Aubreeyonna Muex, who was shot in the chest on Jan. 27, 2025. The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office charged Young with Endangering the Welfare of a Child Creating a Substantial Risk and Endangering the Welfare of a Child First Degree Resulting in Death. The incident occurred when officers responded to a report of shots fired at approximately 1:43 p.m. on Jan. 27. Upon arrival, they found Muex suffering from a gunshot wound. She was transported to Christian Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. According to a probable cause statement, Young was at home with two other adults and three children, ages 2, 4, and 11, when the shooting occurred. Witnesses reported that both aunts were awakened by a gunshot and discovered the 2-year-old and 4-year-old at the foot of Young's bed, with the gun present and Muex injured

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EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County Board Chairman Chris Slusser on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, discussed the freeze on federal funding. Slusser said that he was never concerned about the pause because the federal money Madison County receives does not conflict with the president’s executive orders, or the memo issued through the Office of Management and Budget (OMB.) “The executive orders and the memo from OMB made it very clear to me that none of the federal funds received by Madison County would be included in the freeze,” Slusser said. Slusser said he understands why the federal government wanted to review agency programs. “We understand that people were worried about how this would have affected them,” he said. “What we did know is that that federal assistance to individuals would not have been affected, including Social Security, Medicare, food stamps, student loans and scholarships, rental assistance or energy assistance for low-income families.”

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SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) has provided more than $3.6 million to 32 Illinois Community Colleges to support student mental health in 2025. These funds will introduce new services, augment existing practices, and target service gaps to help meet the mental health needs of thousands of students on community college campuses across the state. “We know many college students nationwide face mental health challenges. A recent U.S. News survey revealed nearly 70% of college students report struggling with their mental health. This investment will help community colleges better meet the needs of students outside the classroom, contributing to their success in the classroom, said ICCB executive director Brian Durham. A 2023 Healthy Minds Study, which surveyed 800 campuses across the country found that 41% of college students screened positive for clinically significant symptoms of depression and 1 in 3 college students screened positive for anxiety. T

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SAINT LOUIS - The Eastern Missouri Beekeepers Association invites beginning and experienced beekeepers to their 2025 Beekeeping Workshop and Honey Show. From 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, community members are invited to Holiday Inn in Sunset Hills, Missouri for a full day of speakers and vendors. Intermediate and expert beekeepers will learn more about biology, queen rearing, pest control and colony behavior, while the beginner track is tailored toward those with no beekeeping experience so they can start beekeeping in the spring. “We really wanted to focus a lot on quality. Any time that the Eastern Missouri Beekeepers Association tries to do something, we try to do it pretty well,” said Tom, a representative with EMBA. “Whether you want to be a beekeeper or not, you really need to come. The fascination of learning about this God-given insect that we have here is just mind-boggling.” Tom, Dan and Melissa, who all work with EMBA,

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SPRINGFIELD – It will soon be five years since the Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) began accepting certified payrolls from contractors who perform construction work on public works projects. Public works projects include any construction work funded in whole, or in part, by state or local public tax dollars. Certified payrolls are a record of wages paid to workers on these projects and are required by the Prevailing Wage Act to include such things as the workers name, classification, trade, hourly wage rate, and hours worked each week on the public works project and any other project. “Prevailing wage certified payroll filings help ensure that workers on government-funded projects are paid the correct wages and benefits for their work,” said Illinois Department of Labor Director Jane Flanagan . “Illinois’ public certified transcript of payroll portal provides transparency in the industry, helps maintain accountability among contractors that have

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SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) will participate in at least 10 hiring events open to the public in various locations throughout February and March. These events provide an opportunity for anyone interested in a career with IDOC to learn more about the application process. IDOC recruiters will be available to answer questions and assist individuals with the application process on-site. Along with correctional officers, IDOC is currently seeking nurses, wardens, office associates, social workers, and more to join its team. The State of Illinois offers competitive wages; health, vision, and dental insurance; vacation, sick, and personal days; wellness program; upward mobility program; deferred compensation plan; and a retirement plan. There are job opportunities at more than 10 statewide IDOC locations. For questions, email idocjobs@illinois.gov. IDOC recruiters will be on-site to meet with prospective applicants at the following events open to the public:

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EDWARDSVILLE — Today, Governor JB Pritzker and Illinois State Police (ISP) Director Brendan F. Kelly, alongside representatives from public Illinois universities, announced new partnerships that advance educational opportunities for troopers and officers and build an even stronger law enforcement agency. Eastern Illinois University, Governors State University, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and Western Illinois University will offer credit hours toward a bachelor’s degree for troopers and officers who graduate from the ISP Academy. “Investing in our Illinois State Police officers is not only the right thing to do – it is one of the most important things we can do for public safety,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Today, I am proud to announce a new initiative that recognizes their dedication and supports their continued growth. Through partnerships with our state’s public universities, ISP cadet graduates will now earn college credit

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ALTON — Tiana Gipson, a candidate for the Alton School Board, will host a Meet and Greet from 6 to 9 p.m. on Monday, February 3, 2025, at the Alton VFW located at 4445 North Alby Street. Gipson was appointed to the Alton School Board in 2023. She emphasized her commitment to the Alton community, and said: "I am a proud Altonian dedicated to serving the great people of Alton." She expressed the importance of communication, adaptability, teamwork, and passion in her role as a candidate. Gipson highlighted her dedication to public service, and said, "The ability to give back to society and serve the people is of the utmost importance to me." She is particularly focused on the needs and concerns of the constituents in the Second Ward, where she aims to advocate effectively. In addition to her role on the school board, Gipson works in home health care, specializing in hospice services. She has also been active in community initiatives, including the Juneteenth Celebration and

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SPRINGFIELD - Several thousands of Illinois residents are eligible to receive a share of a $106 million multi-state settlement with mutual fund investor company Vanguard, which is accused of failing to disclose tax implications of its retirement funds, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced. According to the settlement, Vanguard failed to disclose potential tax consequences to investors that resulted in higher capital gains taxes for some investors. In Illinois, it led to approximately 9,000 investors paying higher than expected capital gains taxes on some retirement funds, Giannoulias added. “The Secretary of State’s office is committed to protecting Main Street investors and ensuring that companies operating in Illinois follow securities laws and are held accountable when they fail to do so,” said Giannoulias, who serves as co-chair of the National Association of Secretaries of State’s (NASS) Securities Committee. “Investment companies

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JERSEYVILLE - Two Jersey Community Unit School District No. 100 cheerleaders, Makayla Woolsey and Katie Schultz, have been recognized for their achievements by being selected to the Mississippi Valley Conference (MVC) All-Conference Team. This announcement was made public recently, celebrating the dedication and hard work both athletes have shown throughout their cheerleading careers and as students at Jersey. The two girls are Sparklight Female Athletes of the Month for Jersey Community High School. The coaches of the cheerleading squad extended their congratulations to Woolsey and Schultz, commending their commitment to the sport. The acknowledgment from the coaches highlights the significance of this achievement within the context of the school and the community. The MVC All Conference Team selection reflects the athletes' skills and contributions to their team, further emphasizing the importance of recognizing student-athletes in competitive environments. The Jersey Community

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BENLD - Benld mother Amy Fitzwater, currently battling stage 4 cancer, is asking for community support after an emergency surgery for severe blood clots proved unsuccessful. A GoFundMe campaign launched by Alycia Page aims to help with medical costs as Fitzwater faces amputation, chemotherapy, physical therapy, and more. “As many of you know, our beautiful Amy has been fighting stage 4 cancer and has previously gotten a tumor removed from her brain,” Page wrote on the GoFundMe page . “Recently, she has developed large blood clots and has needed a life flight and emergency surgery. The emergency surgery didn’t work; any object they put in her body is getting rejected. “She will now need an amputation from the knee down on her right leg to hopefully help. She will need lots of physical therapy and chemo after. We ask for any small donation or share publicly, please. We appreciate and love our community for all the help and support we’ve received.”

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CARLINVILLE - DaNautica Williams, a sophomore justice administration major from East St. Louis, is the recipient of Blackburn College’s 2025 Martin Luther King (MLK) Student Leadership Award. Presented annually, this award honors students who have demonstrated outstanding commitment and service to the ideals of diversity, equity, and inclusion at the College. Williams was announced as the recipient during Blackburn’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation on Monday, January 27. Blackburn’s MLK Student Leadership Award was first presented in 2014 to celebrate the exceptional community-based work Blackburn students undertake. To be eligible for the award, a student must meet one or more criteria, including exhibiting leadership that has significantly impacted the Blackburn community, extraordinary commitment and dedication to service, volunteerism, or perseverance to overcome challenges. Nominations praised Williams for her exceptional engagement and dedication t

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