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CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced $18 million in funding for the fourth round of the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program. The Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program provides training opportunities, expands the talent pipeline, and boosts diversity in the construction industry and building trades. Grantees will be selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process. “Since 2021, the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program has broken down barriers in the construction industry by training and recruiting underrepresented Illinoisans for high-paying jobs,” said Governor JB Pritzker . “With $18 million in available funding, I highly encourage all eligible organizations to apply to this competitive grant.” “The Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program isn't just about building infrastructure, it's about building brighter futures,”

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ALTON - On the most recent episode of “You’re Beautiful” with Brian Trust, Myla Dixon shared how she has relied on God as she has raised 13 children and how her faith has intensified following her son Kirby’s brain cancer diagnosis last month. Kirby, 25, has undergone two brain surgeries in the past month and will soon start radiation and chemotherapy. When he turns 26 in September, he will no longer be eligible to remain on his parents’ insurance plan. The family is holding a benefit for Kirby on Aug. 24, 2024, to support him through this time. Dixon noted that Kirby’s faith is “unshakeable,” and the family has continued to fully rely on God through everything. “I can do all things through Jesus and His strength. That is a saying in our house that goes full-force, all the time,” Dixon said. “No matter where we’re at, He’s always going to be there to hold us through everything. No matter how dee

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul elaborated more on Monday, July 29, 2024, about charges regarding a former Alton police officer with theft and wire fraud, alleging he stole funds from the Alton Police Department Benevolent and Protective Association while employed by the department. Raoul said Jeremiah T. Dressler, 41, of Brighton, faces one count of Class 2 felony theft, one count of Class 2 felony theft by deception, and three counts of Class 3 felony wire fraud. The Class 2 felony charges carry a maximum sentence of up to seven years in prison each, while the Class 3 felony charges carry a maximum sentence of up to five years each. Sentences can be served concurrently, depending on the court's decision. Dressler surrendered to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office on Friday, July 26, 2024, following the issuance of a warrant for his arrest. His next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 9, 2024. “The public should be able to rely on law enforcement officers

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GODFREY – Early Saturday morning, July 27, 2024, a car struck two homes at approximately 6 a.m. in the 1200 block of Ranworth Drive in Godfrey. According to the shift commander at the Godfrey Fire Department, the vehicle crashed through the backyard fencing of one home and collided with the corner of another. The driver was transported to a St. Louis area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The incident resulted in significant damage to one of the homes, necessitating the disconnection of gas and power services. As a result, the residents of the affected home were displaced. The area has a history of frequent crashes, adding to the concern for local authorities and residents.

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GODFREY — On Sunday, July 28, 2024, the Godfrey Fire Protection District responded to a trailer park fire on West Delmar. The fire was swiftly extinguished, preventing extensive damage to the trailer, according to district officials. The Fosterburg Fire Department assisted at the scene and then returned to service. "We are grateful for the rapid response from our team and the support from Fosterburg," a Godfrey Fire Protection District official said. "Their efforts ensured that the fire was contained quickly and efficiently." No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — Charles A. Bourrage, 42, of Fairview Heights, was charged with possession of child pornography following an extensive investigation by the Fairview Heights Police Department on July 24, 2024. The investigation, which included the execution of numerous search warrants, led to the discovery of digital media containing child pornography in Bourrage's possession. Bourrage, who resides in the 700 block of Terra Springs Way Drive, was apprehended by detectives from the Fairview Heights Police Department. The case was subsequently presented to the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office, headed by James Gomric, which issued multiple warrants for Bourrage's arrest. These warrants include five counts of possession of child pornography, each classified as a Class 2 felony. In accordance with the SAFE-T Act Pre-Trial Release provisions, Bourrage was released from custody pending trial. The Fairview Heights Police Department has reaffirmed its commitment

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ALTON - The organization Trinity’s Way will host its annual litter clean-up and pet food drive to celebrate Trinity’s birthday. From 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, people are invited to drop off pet food and supplies at Piasa Park. Community members can also participate in a litter clean-up of the caves. April Gray, founder of Trinity’s Way and Trinity’s mother, said the organization’s mission is to boost conservation and animal welfare in memory of Trinity. “It is a big weekend for us because this is the weekend that we normally celebrate Trinity’s birthday,” Gray said. “We do the litter cleanup down at the caves because that was one of her favorite places in all of Alton, and she hated the litter that was down there. So we do that cleanup for her birthday, and then in conjunction with the cleanup, we do the pet food drive also.” Trinity was a vocal advocate for the conservation of the caves in Alton,

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BROOKLYN, Ill. — A 22-year-old St. Louis man was fatally shot early Saturday morning in Brooklyn, Illinois, according to the St. Clair County Coroner's Office. The victim, Lerenzo L. Arnold, who lived in St. Louis, was pronounced dead around 3:15 a.m. in the 600 block of South 6th Street in Brooklyn Illinois, Coroner Calvin Dye Sr. confirmed Sunday morning. Arnold died of multiple gunshot wounds, Dye said. No other information was available as of Sunday morning. Further details may emerge as the investigation continues. Updates will be provided as new information becomes available.

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WASHINGTON – Boar's Head Provisions Co., Inc., a Jarratt, Va., establishment, is recalling all liverwurst product produced by the establishment that is currently available in commerce because it may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes , the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The company is also recalling additional deli meat products that were produced on the same line and on the same day as the liverwurst and, therefore, may be adulterated with L. monocytogenes . The company is recalling approximately 207,528 pounds of products. The ready-to-eat liverwurst products were produced between June 11, 2024, and July 17, 2024, and have a 44-day shelf life. The following liverwurst products are subject to recall : 3.5-lb. loaves in plastic casing, or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head Strassburger Brand Liverwurst MADE IN VIRGINIA.” The products shipped to

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CHICAGO – Today, on the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act being signed into law, the Democratic National Convention announced several new accessibility milestones, including the construction of the first ADA-compliant ramp in Democratic National Convention history that provides direct access to the convention floor. This is a custom, first-of-its-kind ramp that the convention is building at the United Center to ensure delegates, media, volunteers, and guests who request accommodations can access the convention floor. This historic step will help to ensure that more delegates with ADA needs can be seated directly on the floor, which has not always been the case in previous years. As part of Democrats’ commitment to making this convention the most accessible in history, the following accommodations will also be available: Designated accessible parking Wheelchair-accessible entrances Accessible restrooms Dedicated spaces at the United Center

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ST. LOUIS — The American Red Cross urges donors to give blood or platelets now to reinforce the blood supply as much as possible before the summer winds down. Type O blood donors and those giving platelets are especially needed to help keep hospital shelves stocked through August. Donors remain critically needed to support the Red Cross delivery of vital blood products, which are in demand around-the-clock as hospitals work to save lives this summer. When fewer people answer the call to donate, the blood supply can quickly shrink. Help safeguard necessary care for patients − book a time to give blood or platelets by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.?? In thanks, those who come to give Aug. 1-31, 2024, will get a $20 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. See RedCrossBlood.org/Help for details. Upcoming blood donation opportunities Aug. 1-15 MISSOURI Crawford Bourbon 8/12/2024: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Bourbon

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SAUGET- Prairie Du Pont and Sauget Fire Department responded to a truck that had struck a train and caught fire Saturday morning at around 2 a.m. on Illinois Route 3. When firefighters arrived on the scene they located a male deceased and the truck and train engine were on fire. Investigators say the railroad had its lights and gates activated when the collision occurred. Route 3 from Monsanto Avenue to Queeny Avenue was closed after the crash but reopened just after 8 a.m. The driver of the truck was pronounced dead at the scene by the St Clair County Coroner's Office. No other injuries were reported Illinois State Police is investigating the accident.

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O'FALLON - A 2.4 on the Richter Scale magnitude earthquake was reported at 1:50 a.m. Saturday morning one-kilometer south-southwest of O'Fallon, Illinois, at a depth of .3 kilometers. The USGS has received reports from at least 11 people on the earthquake as of Saturday afternoon. No injuries have been reported, and no damage from the earthquake was reported. The Richter magnitude of an earthquake is determined from the logarithm of the amplitude of waves recorded by seismographs. The New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ) is a 150-mile-long fault zone spanning four states in the Midwestern United States (see Figure 1). The NMSZ lies within the central Mississippi Valley, extending from northeast Arkansas, through southeast Missouri, western Tennessee, and western Kentucky to southern Illinois.

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July 27th has been a canvas for significant events worldwide, with each year painting a new story. One of the most pivotal events on this day occurred in 1953, when the Korean War armistice was signed, effectively bringing an end to the hostilities between North and South Korea. This armistice, signed at Panmunjom, established the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), a border that still impacts global geopolitics today. The cessation of hostilities marked a significant pause in Cold War tensions and left an indelible mark on international relations. Moving forward to 1974, July 27th saw the impeachment process of U.S. President Richard Nixon take a crucial turn. The House Judiciary Committee adopted the first of three articles of impeachment against Nixon, charging him with obstruction of justice in the Watergate scandal. This event was a defining moment in American political history, leading to Nixon's resignation on August 8, 1974, and reshaping the country's political landscape.

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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 is still looking to fill several positions before the start of the school year. Superintendent Dr. Patrick Shelton noted that they are looking for cafeteria staff, playground monitors, paraprofessionals and more. There will be a job fair from 3–6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, at the District #7 Center for Learning at 1210 N. Main Street. “Like everybody, our classified employees, we are short right now,” Shelton said. “I think that’s really our focus right now, making sure our people are ready for the first day of school. Our buildings and our people are the two things we need ready.” Shelton said he believes that District #7 offers “a pretty competitive wage.” They are currently looking to hire monitors starting at $15/hour, school safety officers starting at $18.70/hour, food service starting at $15.40/hour, extraordinary care assistants starting at $16/hour, paraprofessionals

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RIVERBEND - With less trash on Highway 143, Rusty Wheat and his one-man Chain Gang are focused on new topics that affect the Riverbend region. In a recent episode of “Our Daily Show!” with host C.J. Nasello , Wheat spoke for the American flag and against what he perceives as the widespread “desecration” of flags. Wheat pointed to the Blue Lives Matter flag and the Pride flag as two examples of flags that go against the U.S. Flag Code. He argued that flags like this should not be hung in public buildings like police stations and libraries. “I’m fresh out of causes. I don’t have a whole lot to do, so I look at things I used to write about and I think, well, I’m going to talk about some of the things that I perceive that’s wrong with America today. And one of the things that I perceive wrong is what I consider the desecration of the American flag,” Wheat said. “When it comes to public buildings and publicly-funde

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SPRINGFIELD – Unemployment stats were mixed throughout the region in the latest June 2024 survey. Edwardsville had the lowest stat of Metro East communities with a 4.6 percent mark compared to 3.7 percent a year ago. East St. Louis recorded a 9.0 percent rate compared to 7.7 percent a year ago, while Alton was at 7.4 percent compared to 6.1 percent in 2024. East St. Louis had a 1.8 percent rise in unemployment, while Alton 1.3 percent. Belleville stood at 5.6 percent compared to 5.1 percent a year ago and Collinsville recorded a 5.4 percent rate compared to 4.6 percent in 2023 at the same time. Granite City had a 6.4 percent rate in 2024 compared to 4.6 percent a year ago, also a 1.8 percent spike and O’Fallon rested at 5.5 percent compared to 4.6 percent a year ago. Clinton County had a remarkable 4.1 percent overall rate, compared to 3.5 percent a year ago, while Bond had a 5.0 percent rate. Madison County’s mark was 5.4 percent, Monroe had the lowest tally

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Say yes to yogurt to fill nutritional gaps in teens’ meals While teens are known for their big appetites, you might feel like your teen is not receiving proper nutrition as fast food, sugary energy drinks and empty-calorie snacks edge out well-balanced meals. This feeling usually ramps up during the school year as early morning schedules can lead to skipping breakfast. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans confirms this parental intuition, noting that adolescents usually fall short in meeting their nutritional needs due to not eating enough dairy, grains, fruits and vegetables. Teens, for example, need three servings of dairy a day, but, oftentimes, do not meet this recommendation. As your children navigate their teen years, evaluate your shopping patterns and make strategic changes to stock your refrigerator and pantry with more nutrient-dense foods to support their growing bodies. Adding dairy foods, such as milk, cheese and yogurt, to meals and snacks will elevate your family’s

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In today's competitive world, choosing the right path for your career is more crucial than ever. While a traditional college degree offers broad academic exposure, investing in a career in aviation provides a targeted, high-return pathway to a rewarding and lucrative future. Piston Aviation, with their original facility in Creve Coeur, Missouri, opened at the St. Louis Regional Airport in Bethalto this past March. Owned by Joe and Meghen Ord, Piston Aviation operates with an open-door policy to the general public and other aviators, and has incorporated industry approved curriculum with training programs for: Private Pilot, Sport Pilot, Instrument Certification, Commercial Pilot, CFI and CFII. “This is our second location, so it represents an expansion of our business,” said Joe. “The community here has been extremely supportive and we’re excited to be part of it. I really enjoy getting to support our students through their journey and their goals.

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EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County State's Attorney Tom Haine announced Friday, July 26, 2024, that felony charges, including Aggravated DUI Resulting in Death and Reckless Homicide, have been filed against a 24-year-old Bethalto man in connection with a fatal crash. The charges were filed against Israel K. Evans, 24, of Bethalto, following a single-vehicle crash that occurred on the night of May 20, 2024, in Hartford. The incident took place on Illinois 3 near Rand Avenue and resulted in the death of Evans' passenger, 24-year-old Jacob S.P. Werner, also of Bethalto. Evans faces two counts of Aggravated Driving Under the Influence Resulting in Death (class 2 enhanced felony), one count of Reckless Homicide (class 3 felony), and two counts of Aggravated DUI (class 4 felony). The charges allege that Evans had a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 percent or more when his 1998 Chevrolet Corvette left the roadway and struck a tree. Additionally, the state's attorney's office said it is alleged

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