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SPRINGFIELD - As Illinoisans turn up their thermostats to stay warm the rest of this winter the risk of a home heating fire or Carbon Monoxide incident increases. This is why the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) encourages residents to have their furnaces checked, change furnace filters, and make sure carbon monoxide (CO) and smoke alarms are functioning properly. Unlike smoke, carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas only detectable by special devices and CO alarms. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fire deaths. Fire departments responded to an estimated average of 44,210 fires involving heating equipment per year from 2016-2020, accounting for 13% of all reported home fires during this time, and these fires resulted in annual losses of 480 civilian deaths. Space heaters were the type of heating equipment responsible for the largest shares of losses in home heating equipment fires

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WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed Joshua Kolar to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement regarding Judge Kolar’s confirmation: “Judge Kolar is a dedicated public servant and an accomplished litigator who will be an asset to the Seventh Circuit. Among other things, his resume and service as a U.S. Magistrate Judge earned him bipartisan support, including from Indiana Senators Young and Braun. As a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve, Judge Kolar knows what it means to serve his country honorably – and he will continue to live up to that mission on the federal bench. “I congratulate Judge Kolar on becoming the fortieth Circuit Court judge confirmed under President Biden, and the latest example of the Senate Judiciary Committee advancing highly qualified nominees following good-faith collaboration between

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $2,869,784 to help businesses in rural Illinois transition to solar power. This funding, through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), will help selectees purchase and install solar arrays to help power their businesses while saving recipients money on power costs, conserving energy and creating good-paying jobs. “Transitioning to solar power will help lead Illinois into a future of clean, renewable energy use while creating economic growth and job creation in our state,” said Duckworth. “With this federal support that was made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act , we’re investing in our farmers and rural businesses to help them save more of their hard-earned dollars by reducing their electric bills while also conserving energy.” “These REAP projects are funded by the Biden Administration using par

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today met with Department of Justice (DOJ) Inspector General (IG) Michael Horowitz to discuss his office’s investigation into the non-medical deaths of those in Bureau of Prison (BOP) care. At the request of Durbin, IG Horowitz previously agreed to review the reports of abuse and the death of seven incarcerated men at Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Thomson in 2022 as part of a larger report on deaths in BOP facilities. “I am still deeply disturbed by the reports of death and abuse of incarcerated adults that have come out of FCI Thomson, and we must understand what lies at the root of these deaths. BOP must be held to a higher standard, which I emphasized in my meeting with Inspector General Horowitz today,” said Durbin. “As the review concludes, I hope that Inspector General Horowitz’s report will shine a light on how BOP can prevent deat

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EDWARDSVILLE – Metro-East Lutheran High School will host an Open House at its campus on Center Grove Road on Sunday, Feb. 4, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. 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 school programming. 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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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after the United Kingdom (U.K.), Australia, France, and other countries have advanced plans to ban kid-friendly e-cigarettes, including flavored and disposable vapes; and called on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to immediately act to protect public health in the United States: “Faced with an alarming rise in youth vaping, leaders in the UK, France, and Australia are finally acting to protect children. Meanwhile in America, FDA’s failed leadership refuses to regulate and use its public health tools. The consequence is Big Tobacco peddling unauthorized and flavored e-cigarettes to children, addicting millions of new customers, and exposing school kids to a cloud of harmful vapor. It’s embarrassing that the U.S. lags far behind other countries while FDA delays and delays enforcement to protect American kids. “We know flavors are Big Tobacco’s ploy

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GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College’s Community Education division is offering a weekly Private Pilot Ground Class from 6-9 p.m. every Monday from March 4 through June 3 (no class on May 27, Memorial Day). The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) required class is now being formed for the spring semester. Students must have previous Ground Training to qualify for Flight Training. Don Hill and John Harding, Aviation FAA Certified Flight Instructors, are teaching the course. “If you are interested in flying, this class will help determine if aviation is the right path for you,” Hill said. Registration costs $350; students must provide photo identification, such as a driver's license, a birth certificate, or passport, and $75 for books and materials on the first night of class after registration. Registration is required before class begins and is currently a non-credit offering. The Private Pilot FAA Exam Preparation Course is designed to

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WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees—met Admiral Samuel Paparo, the nominee to serve as the Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), to discuss his nomination and their shared priorities to strengthen military readiness, defense strategy and interoperability with our partners in the Indo-Pacific region. Photos of the meeting can be found on the Senator’s website. “I was pleased to meet with Admiral Samuel Paparo ahead of this week’s Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on his nomination to serve as the Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command and hear his vision for the role if confirmed,” said Duckworth. “I’m glad he shares my priorities of furthering interoperability between TRANSCOM and INDOPACOM to improve military operations in a contested environment, expand medical care capabilities in

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WASHINGTON – Ahead of the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the failures of Big Tech to protect kids from sexual exploitation online, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke on the Senate floor outlining what he hopes to hear from the CEOs of Discord, Meta, Snap, TikTok, and X (formerly known as Twitter). Durbin also called on his colleagues to support his Strengthening Transparency and Obligations to Protect Children Suffering from Abuse and Mistreatment Act of 2023 (STOP CSAM Act), legislation that supports victims and increases accountability and transparency for online platforms. During his speech, Durbin also detailed the need for Congress to update its outdated laws in the face of an unprecedented wave of technological innovation. “For the first time, the CEOs of five Big Tech companies will testify about the crisis of online child sexual exploitation. This continues our Committee’s bipartisan

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EAST ST. LOUIS – State Senator Christopher Belt is encouraging local grocers to apply for funding through the Illinois Grocery Initiative for the purchase of updated energy-efficient equipment. “There are many factors that play a part in operating a successful grocery store,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Through the Equipment Upgrades Grant Program, our local grocery stores have the opportunity to receive funding to aid in purchasing necessary, updated equipment.” Rising energy costs lead to outdated equipment, which presents a major expense for small community grocers. Under the Equipment Upgrades Program, eligible grocers can apply for grants to upgrade heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment; refrigeration units and freezers; lighting systems; and other systems providing significant energy savings. Eligible grocers should apply online by March 25. In order to support the businesses most in-need, grocers must be independently-owned with fewer

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SPRINGFIELD – Nearly $55 million in state grants are being awarded for 111 local park projects throughout Illinois to help communities acquire land and develop recreational opportunities, Gov. JB Pritzker announced today. For the second year in a row, the governor ensured funding was set aside for economically distressed communities, resulting in 32 underserved locations receiving $18.7 million in grants from the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development , or OSLAD, program. This is the 37th year for the program, which is administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. “Since day one as Governor, it’s been my mission to support the health and well-being of Illinoisans,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “With funding from the OLSAD program, municipalities across Illinois will have the opportunity to expand and improve local neighborhood parks through sport and recreational space, plants, playgrounds, and more. All across Illinois, we’re

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Madison County Court’s Law Librarian and Pro Bono Coordinator, Angela Wille, received some sensational news recently. She was selected as a member of the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice's Forms Committee. Wille will serve a three-year term from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2027. The Commission on Access to Justice was created in 2012 to expand access to the Courts to all people, particularly those low-income and vulnerable. Through the Commission’s work, the need for standardized statewide forms became apparent and the Forms Committee was established. Today, there are over 350 individual forms that make up 56 form sets. As law librarian, Wille provides these forms to the thousands of yearly patrons who seek the services of the Law Library and Self-Help Center. Wille is a Difference Maker in the region for the constant assistance she provides both patrons and county staff. Her calming presence assists some people in a time when

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GRANITE CITY - Two individuals from Granite City have been charged with fleeing/attempting to elude officers over the past few months, according to recently filed Madison County court documents. Micah J. Clevenger Jr., 33, of Granite City, was charged with aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer. Court documents allege that on Nov. 6, 2023, Clevenger failed to stop her vehicle after being given a visual or audible signal by a police officer to stop. She was also allegedly speeding at least 21 miles per hour over the legal speed limit during her attempt to elude. Clevenger faces a Class 4 felony in the case presented by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. Court documents indicate she was released upon her signature of a Conditions of Pretrial Release Order. Johnathan I. Espinoza, 22, of Granite City, was charged with aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer on Dec. 31, 2023. According to court documents, Espinoza was arrested by the

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EDWARDSVILLE - During the regular Board of Education meeting on Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, the Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 Superintendent Dr. Patrick Shelton announced that the district will hold an anti-bullying week in February. From Feb. 26 to March 1, 2024, students will participate in anti-bullying assemblies and activities to promote kindness throughout the school district. Shelton explained that the proceeds from the fall semester’s “Everyone, Every Day, Edwardsville” t-shirt campaign will fund the week’s events. “During that week, we will have an individual providing assemblies in every single one of our schools and then we’ll have two parent events that week,” Shelton said during the Board meeting on Monday. The parent events are scheduled from 6:30–8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 27 and Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. The Tuesday event is for parents of secondary students and will be held at Liberty Middle School. The

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COLLINSVILLE - A Collinsville man has been charged with two counts of forgery that were allegedly committed just three days apart from each other at the same location, according to recently filed Madison County court documents. In the case presented by the Pontoon Beach Police Department, Smith reportedly delivered a fraudulent check to the manager of a Mobil Gas Station which was “written on the Bank of America Account of Republic Services” on Oct. 20, 2023. Three days later, on Oct. 23, 2023, Smith reportedly delivered another fraudulent check to the same manager of the same gas station, resulting in both counts of forgery. In total, Smith has been charged with two Class 3 felonies. Court documents indicate he was released upon his signature of a Conditions of Pretrial Release Order. The issuance of charges is based solely upon probable cause and is not an indication of guilt. All subjects charged with criminal offenses are considered innocent until proven guilt

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ALTON - Illinois State Representative Amy Elik (R-Alton) was recently appointed to serve as the Assistant House Republican Leader, joining the leadership team chosen by House Republican Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna). “I’m ready to take the lead on issues that will help make Illinois a better place to live and work,” said Rep. Amy Elik. “I look forward to serving as the Assistant House Republican Leader to help drive policy beneficial not only for the people I represent in the Metro East, but the entire state as well. I am honored that Leader McCombie has chosen me to serve in this position.” State Representative Amy Elik joins an accomplished group of lawmakers from across the state who help guide the House Republican caucus through the 103rd General Assembly. “I am proud to add Amy to our leadership team and know that her strong background in accounting, as a member of the Audit Commission and as one of our caucus budgeteers will be a great asse

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EDWARDSVILLE – State Senator Erica Harriss (56 th -Glen Carbon) is proud to announce $1 million in grant funding to two communities across the 56 th District as a part of the state’s Open Space Land Acquisition and Development or OSLAD program through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. “The Metro East has a rich history of connecting people to nature and it’s exciting to see these new investments in our parks and recreation facilities close to home,” said Senator Harriss. “As a mom especially, I find great pride in finding outdoor spaces for both mental and physical activities.” For this year, $54.9 million in grants were awarded to 111 projects across the entire state. The OSLAD program was established by the Illinois General Assembly in 1986 and is a cost-sharing program between state and local governments to help fund land acquisition and development for outdoor recreation. Projects across the 56 th Senate District include:

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WATERLOO – Andy Ambrose, AVP Commercial Loan Officer, First National Bank of Waterloo, Waterloo, IL,. has been selected to participate in the Future Leaders Alliance offered through the Illinois Bankers Association. This 14-month leadership program is dedicated to enhancing the professional development of new and promising bank leaders through three primary components: education, community service and networking. Participants will partake in comprehensive training, which involves educational sessions, completing an advancement strategy project and performing local community service teaching financial literacy. The education sessions cover core topics such as Leadership and Influence, Team Building, Coaching, Service Leadership, Collaboration Skills, Financial Marketing, Personal Branding, Legislative Process, Presentation Skills, Accounting for Bankers, Asset Liability Management, Regulatory Hot Topics, Cyber Security and more. Andy is an active member for numerous organizations

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Arts Center announced today that applications for the 10th Annual Edwardsville Art Fair in September 2024 are open. The event this year will run from Sept. 27 to 29, 2024. Applications close on April 30, 2024. "Edwardsville Art Fair is a juried show that will take place in beautiful City Park in Edwardsville," the Arts Center said in its information release. "We have had nine years of exceptional Art Fairs and look forward to hosting another great year. We hope you'll apply to join us this year." Artist Amenities: $10,000 in Awards Mayor’s Purchase Award Complimentary meals are available for artists throughout the weekend. Artist's partners/helpers can purchase meals for the weekend for an additional fee. Single booth spaces are available. Double and corner spaces by request for an additional fee. Volunteers are available to assist with set-up and loading. Booth sitters and indoor bathrooms are available. Individual electricity is provided

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GRANITE - Recently on Granite City High wrestling team's Senior Night, a trailblazer for the girls' program - Samir Elliot - was recognized. She was the first IHSA state girls wrestling qualifier in history for Granite City. Samir graduated early from Granite City High and is now preparing to enter basic training in the Army. Head Coach John Venne and the entire Granite City administration and student body are exceptionally proud of Samir for her work at Granite City and have hopes for her future. Samir is a Stillwater Senior Living Female Athlete of the Month for the Warriors. Some of Samir’s key performances in 2023 were as follows: IWCOA Girls 2023 Open Championship NCHS Wrestling Girls Invite Joe Bee Memorial Lady Longhorns Roundup IHSA State Wrestling Tournament Third Place In The IHSA Sectional at Peoria Richwoods High School (She defeated Autumn Williams of Bartonville Limestone by fall at 32 seconds in the third-place sectional match). Wrestled at state at 15

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