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SPRINGFIELD – State Representative Amy Elik (R-Alton) continues to fight to protect the rights of parents to choose the best educational experience for their children. HB 2827 , the “Homeschool Act,” was heard in committee today and passed over the objection of tens of thousands of families choosing home or private school for their children. This bill mandates that non-public elementary and secondary schools register annually with the Illinois State Board of Education, and also requires homeschools to fill out a Homeschool Declaration Form or risk truancy, which could lead to fines and even imprisonment. It further requires administrators to submit personal information about themselves and their students to state and local authorities. “Illinois should empower parents to place their children in education environments that help them learn and succeed,” said Rep. Amy Elik. “Bureaucrats in Springfield have bigger problems to solve than tracking

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ALTON - The inaugural Alton Art Expo is going to be weird, and organizer Charles Mooneyham wouldn’t have it any other way. Mooneyham, owner of Mooneyham Art , has spent the last six months planning the expo, scheduled for 12–7 p.m. on Saturday, March 29 and 12–5 p.m. on Sunday, March 30, 2025, at Milton Schoolhouse. He and co-organizer Stephen Scordias are excited to launch the event to benefit Centerstone , an organization located in Alton that combats mental health and substance use disorders, while also celebrating all the authenticity of Milton Schoolhouse and the artists who have come together to make the expo happen. “Can you get any more Velvet Underground than this place?” Mooneyham said. “It is so Warhol. And that’s been my goal, just to make it Warhol. Keep it freaking Warhol.” Mooneyham “came into this town loud” a few years ago, working as crisis hotline clinician while his husband, Jon Ross-Mooneyham

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SPRINGFIELD – At a Capitol news conference Tuesday, Assistant Republican Leader C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Murrayville) joined his House Republican colleagues to highlight a legislative package focused on stopping illegal immigration in Illinois. Under the Biden Administration’s Open Border policy, the United States and the State of Illinois were unable to keep up with the flood of migrants coming into the country. According to the Center for Immigration Studies, Illinois is home to the fifth most foreign nationals in the country, with at least 530,000 illegal immigrants residing across the state. “The surge of illegal immigrants into Illinois has led to a string of horrific crimes, endangered public safety, and has blown a huge hole in our already-strained budget,” Rep. Davidsmeyer said. Representative Davidsmeyer is sponsoring legislation ( HB 1317 ) to repeal the Illinois TRUST Act, a misguided law that prohibits law enforcement agencies from working with

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ALTON - The Ninian Edwards Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution held the 72nd annual award ceremony on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at Asbury Village in Godfrey. DAR Good Citizenship Award is given to seniors based on their involvement in extra-curricular activities; contributions to the community; scholarship; and demonstration of the good citizen qualities of dependability, honesty, leadership, and patriotism. This year’s winners are: Alton High School: Jacobi Solomon Civic Memorial High School: Carlie Pritchett East Alton-Wood River High School: Kelsey Moore Marquette Catholic High School: Rodger Zawodniak Mississippi Valley Christian School: Herbert Gray Sapp III Roxana High School: Meredith Pitchford In the essay portion of this award, Carlie Pritchett’s essay was picked to advance to district competition. She was given a $100 gift card for being chosen.

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) continues to combat trafficking, including human trafficking. ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly, along with key stakeholders representing human trafficking survivors, law enforcement, and support service providers, will appear before the Senate Criminal Law Committee today to speak to Senate Bill 2323 . The proposed legislation includes development of a strategic plan to improve the victim-centered, trauma-informed law enforcement response to individuals who have been trafficked, as well as developing training standards for detection, investigation, and response to human trafficking. “Human trafficking can come in many forms, from commercial sex acts to forced labor,” said Director Kelly. “Because human trafficking has many faces and can happen almost anywhere, it is important to have a comprehensive, statewide trauma-informed response that encompasses those who may come in contact with individuals who are

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt advanced a measure to simplify the college admissions process for high school seniors and community college transfer students. “To keep more students in our state for college, we have to make the application process as seamless as possible,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “We have done a lot of work on the admission process in Illinois in recent years, and this measure is another step in the right direction.” Senate Bill 2448 would reduce barriers for students by offering direct admission to qualified applicants at all public institutions of higher education and community colleges that participate in the program. Under the legislation, students would no longer face the burden of repeated application processes or unnecessary application fees, ensuring a smoother transition into postsecondary education. The measure would also require school districts to provide student directory information to each public institution

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SPRINGFIELD – This week, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Congressman Frank Mrvan (IN-01), and Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) led a letter to President Trump expressing willingness to work with him to invest in domestic manufacturing and American steelmaking. The members expressed support for tariffs on imported steel and aluminum to counter the influence of bad actors in the global market, incentivize the use of American-made materials and promote fair trade, but highlighted concerns with implementing tariffs on close trading partners like Canada. The members write , “Section 232 tariffs on imported steel and aluminum, like those you announced on February 10, can help counter the influence of bad actors in the global market, like China, India, and Mexico. The use of this important policy tool can also incentivize the use of American-made materials and promote fair trade. While your administration should be applauded for wanting to pursue policies to

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ALTON – Support beautification efforts in downtown Alton with the purchase of a new T-Shirt available for sale now at the Alton Visitor Center, 200 Piasa St., Alton. The Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau created a new T-Shirt designed to specifically support on-going Alton beautification efforts. That work is spearheaded by Pride, Inc. which will receive 100 percent of the proceeds from the sale of the shirts. Pride, Inc. is a community beautification organization which focuses its volunteer efforts on the greater Alton region. “Every purchase of a T-Shirt directly contributes to enhancing the look and feel of downtown Alton,” said Cory Jobe, President/CEO of the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau. “This initiative will foster community pride and promote a more vibrant and attractive downtown environment.” The Bureau purchased the T-shirts which are selling for $25 each plus tax. The Alton Visitor Center is open Wednesdays through Sundays

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This weekend offers an exciting array of events that cater to diverse interests, from engaging community fundraisers and delicious fish fries to lively music performances and creative workshops, ensuring there's something for everyone to enjoy. For a complete listing of all events happening in the area, be sure to visit https://www.riverbender.com/events/ . Featured Join Fish Haven at Alton VFW Post 1308 for a Fish Fry Every Friday in Lent . Come hungry, bring your crew, and enjoy great food, cold drinks, and live music! Dinner includes Fish (Buffalo, Catfish Filet, Catfish Nuggets, or Cod), Hushpuppies, 2 Sides, and Bread for $15. Available from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Godfrey Knights of Columbus Friday Fish Frys will be held Every Friday, March 7 through April 11, 2025 , from 4-7 p.m. at the McNicholas Club on Stamper Lane. Buffalo, whitefish, whole catfish, shrimp, and baked fish and cheese pizza will be served. Buffalo and whitefish are All You Can Eat. Sides will include fries,

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ALTON - As I step down from my role as Ward 7 Alderman, I want to take this opportunity to reflect on my time in office and express my strong support for Mayor David Goins’ continued leadership. Serving on the City Council has given me a firsthand look at the challenges our city faces and the critical decisions required to move Alton forward. Over the past several years, Mayor Goins has worked diligently to stabilize the city’s finances, foster economic growth, and take the long-overdue step of developing a city-wide strategic plan—something Alton has not had since 2003. His leadership has been defined by fiscal responsibility, proactive decision-making, and a willingness to collaborate with businesses, developers, and state and federal officials to bring meaningful opportunities to Alton. One of Mayor Goins' most significant accomplishments is launching the process to develop a comprehensive strategic plan. A strategic plan serves as a roadmap for a city’s

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ROLLA, MO. - McKenna Tosh, a junior in industrial engineering from Alton, representing Kappa Delta, has been named one of the Missouri S&T students named Knights of St. Patrick. The practice of knighting students every spring can be traced back to the beginning of the 20th Century, when Missouri S&T students declared St. Patrick the patron saint of engineers. The students were knighted on Friday, March 7, 2025.

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GODFREY - A Meet and Greet for Godfrey Village Board and Clerk candidates is set for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at IBEW 649 Union Hall at 3945 Humbert Road in Alton, IL., 62002, on Thursday, March 20, 2025. The Alton and Godfrey Democrats are inviting residents to meet their local candidates and share their views, ask questions and support the community! There will be no formal questions, organizers said. There will be an opportunity to informally meet each candidate on a one-on-one basis.

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ALTON - The Riverbend CEO program is preparing for the conclusion of their year, and Director Katie Sabolo couldn’t be prouder of her students. The Riverbend CEO program allows high school seniors from Alton High School, Marquette Catholic High School, Civic Memorial High School and East Alton-Wood River High School to learn more about local businesses and create their own business plans. The goal is to foster entrepreneurship, practical life skills and community involvement among these students. “That’s one of the tenets of CEO, real life experience,” Sabolo said. “You’re not just taking notes off a PowerPoint on how to network. You’re actually doing it. So it’s great for them to get that experience, but also another important thing is having the ability, if you need it, to fail in a safe space. Everybody around here understands who CEO is, what we’re doing.” Riverbend CEO collaborates with the North Alton-Godfrey

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GODFREY – Godfrey residents caught parking on grass or dirt for over 48 hours could be cited under a newly passed ordinance. The Village Board of Trustees voted unanimously on Tuesday to pass an ordinance which forbids parking for more than two days on soft, non-paved organic surfaces. Building and Zoning Administrator Tony Cain said the village has received several calls complaining about yard parking, but couldn’t take action without an ordinance on the books. “This is to keep people from parking in their yards, basically,” Cain said. “It’s become an overwhelming issue in the town and we continue to get calls.” According to the ordinance, the village has found that “parking on grass causes depressions, ruts and damage to grass, dirt and other unpaved areas which can collect water and harbor mosquitos and other pests and is hereby found to be a nuisance.” Under the ordinance, parking in the front, back, or side yards of privat

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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — A 38-year-old man was taken into custody on Saturday, March 15, 2025, following an attempted wire theft in the 9700 block of St. Clair Avenue, according to the Fairview Heights Police Department. Edwin J. Gonzalez was apprehended after officers responded to a tamper alarm reported by AT&T, leading to the discovery of suspicious activity in the area. Upon arrival, police officers heard sounds consistent with tampering and located long strips of wire on the ground, suggesting a potential theft. Officers identified a pickup truck parked nearby, which they suspected belonged to the suspect. After determining that Gonzalez had fled the scene on foot, law enforcement coordinated with additional agencies to establish a perimeter. To aid in the search, an Illinois State Police K9 unit and a Fairview Heights Police drone equipped with thermal imaging technology were deployed. The drone pilot successfully directed officers to Gonzalez's location in the wooded area,

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EDWARDSVILLE - Main Street Community Center recently celebrated its 50th anniversary in the Edwardsville community. Located at 1003 N. Main Street in Edwardsville, the community center works with local seniors to provide programming, trips, activities and services. As volunteers, donors and seniors mingled during the anniversary party on March 17, 2025, Director of Operations Carissa Hess reflected on the center’s work in the community. “The community center serves Edwardsville-area seniors. Our goal is to keep everybody as active and engaged in the community as possible,” Hess said. “There’s an opportunity for every senior to have something to do that they would enjoy and to get out and just be active and meet other people.” Main Street Community Center offers a home-delivered meals program, exercise programs, a resale boutique and more. They regularly plan activities, games, domestic and international trips and other programs. Pa

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ST. LOUIS – Porsha B., St. Louis resident and employee at QuikTrip, won a new 2024 Ford Maverick through the United Way of Greater St. Louis (UWGSL) annual Watch.Enter.Win! contest. Porsha has consistently donated $5 a week for years to UWGSL to help others, and for her, this moment was a welcome and unexpected culmination of her generous support. “Who would have thought that giving this $5 a week for the past two years would turn into this?” Porsha said in excitement. “All I can say is ‘Thank you.’ I never thought I was going to wake up, go to work, and come to a new truck!” The vehicle is a key part of an annual donation to UWGSL by O’Fallon, IL based Auffenburg Dealer Group to help increase UWGSL’s visibility and impact through the local campaign. In addition to donating a car, Auffenburg and their employees contributed more than $40,000 to the UWGSL 2024 community campaign. “We are so pleased to continue this

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BETHALTO — Zion Lutheran School is proud to announce the middle school students who have achieved academic excellence during the third quarter of the school year. The High Honor Roll and Honor Roll recognize students who have demonstrated outstanding dedication and commitment to their studies. High Honor Roll The following students have achieved High Honor Roll status: Paolo Scheffel Annabelle Bean Claire Epps Amelia Johnson Grace Koch Kylie Pfeiffer Aidan Wheeler Avery Boots Leticia Lorenz Hunter Turner Maelene Wright Honor Roll The following students have achieved Honor Roll status: Raine Sahuri Josh Liefer Gavin Martin Isaiah Hanson Jackson Rider Jeremy Jones Carter Whipple Zion Lutheran School congratulates these students on their dedication and hard work. Their achievements reflect the commitment to academic excellence that Zion Lutheran School strives to instill in all students.Zion is currently enrolling for the 25/26 school year. With

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EAST ST. LOUIS – Illinois State Police (ISP) conducted a violent crime suppression detail on March 10-12, 2025, in St. Clair and Madison counties, focusing its efforts on East St. Louis and neighboring Metro East communities. The operation utilized intelligence and technology to target known high crime areas, violent offenders, and structured criminal groups in the communities of the Metro East. Detail Results Arrests 32 Felony Charges 38 Criminal Charges 52 Firearm Related Charges 24 Firearms Seized 14 Controlled Substance Seized 51.1 grams Stolen Vehicles Recovered 2 There were several notable events and arrests during the detail. On March 11, 2025, troopers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for Illinois Vehicle Code (IVC) violations. A probable cause search of the vehicle and a subsequent search of a passenger resulted in the seizure of an unlawfully possessed firearm. Charges

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ST. LOUIS – Today, the City of St. Louis launched OneStopGov , a new digital portal for interactions with the City, and a significant step in the City’s digital transformation. Residents can now access OneStopGov at onestopgov.stlouis-mo.gov . The site, created with the help of funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, currently features online special events permitting that will streamline the permitting process for event organizers. In line with Mayor Tishaura O. Jones’ commitment to making interactions with the City smoother for residents and businesses, the City intends to continue to grow the number of processes that can be completed through OneStopGov. “Filling out paper forms and going to City Hall can be a long and sometimes frustrating process, taking away time from more important things for residents, businesses, and the City,” said Mayor Jones. “ I am committed to modernizing City services, and this is a great step forward for making

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