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WESTMONT – Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT) President Dan Montgomery issued this statement following Governor Pritzker's executive order lifting required masking in schools: “We are grateful for Governor Pritzker’s leadership throughout the pandemic ensuring that science, not politics, has informed guidance. It has been a long two years, but there is finally light at the end of the COVID tunnel. “We welcome this new guidance for a safe off-ramp from universal masking in schools. The CDC’s new guidelines set us on a path to a new normal in schools. By using an analysis of hospitalizations in addition to community transmission, school districts, in collaboration with educators, staff, and families, can decide when to ease mask requirements. “Our sole priority since the start of this pandemic has been to protect students, teachers and staff, and their families by following the proper mitigations. Schools have remained open because of the implementation

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GLEN CARBON – Now more than ever, we’re aware of how much we rely on the care of our communities. This year, Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois is happy to announce our Hometown Heroes program where our local heroes can be the recipients of delicious Girl Scout Cookies. Through Hometown Heroes, local Girl Scouts chose organizations to celebrate with the gift of girl Scout Cookies. These special groups include hospital workers, first responders, veterans, school staff, food banks, and others who are out making a difference every day. Hometown Heroes gives customers the opportunity to support their local Girl Scouts as well as local heroes. “Through Hometown Heroes, customers can purchase Girl Scout Cookies for those who give so much to the people in our communities – like firefighters, nursing homes, and police officers,” said Katie Grayling, Senior Manager of Product Programs. “Girl Scouts are known for giving back to their communities, and we’re

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ALTON - The Three Rivers Project of Sierra Club Illinois is hosting three Seed Swaps in partnership with local businesses and organizations: Old Bakery Beer Company , the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC) , and The Lodge Bar at Lovejoy . Join Three Rivers Project staff, our partners, and fellow farmers and gardeners while swapping or sharing your quality seeds, cuttings, and bulbs. These community events are free to attend and all are welcome. Join us in celebration of the end of winter and the start of the spring gardening season! The first seed swap event will be held at the Old Bakery Beer Company in Alton on Saturday, March 5 from 11:30 to 2:00pm. Masks must be worn to attend this indoor event. To register for the Seed Swap at Old Bakery Beer Company, go to sc.org/OBBCseedswap . The second seed swap will be held outside at the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC) on Saturday, March 26 from 10:00am to 1:00pm. To register for

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MARYVILLE - The Auxiliary of Anderson Hospital and the Anderson Hospital Medical Staff are offering $1,000 scholarships to students who are enrolled in health care related fields of study. Students must be legal residents of the State of Illinois and must attend an accredited school, although it need not be an Illinois institution. Winners will be announced by July 2022. Scholarship application packets contain information for both scholarship opportunities. The scholarship applications are due by June 4, 2022. Applications are available through the financial aid/counseling departments of local academic institutions. They can also be found at the Anderson Hospital switchboard, gift shop and Physician's Office Building reception desk. Applications can also be downloaded from the hospital's website at andersonhospital.org . In addition, interested individuals may contact Cheryl Pace, Auxiliary Scholarship Chairperson, 6800 State Route 162, Maryville, IL 62062.

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CARLINVILLE – Blackburn College has received 2021 Tree Campus Higher Education® recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to effective urban forest management. With a long history of leading in sustainability, Blackburn is currently the only Illinois college or university in the St. Louis region to be named a Tree Campus USA. Blackburn first received this honor in 2013 and has been annually recognized since 2018. The Tree Campus Higher Education program honors colleges and universities for effective campus forest management and for engaging staff and students in conservation goals. Blackburn College achieved the title by meeting Tree Campus Higher Education’s five standards, which include maintaining a tree advisory committee, a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance and student service-learning project. Nick McKorkle, Grounds Supervisor at the College, said he was honored to receive

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ST. LOUIS — Red Cross Disaster and Recruitment volunteer, Dustin Wisnasky, states, “I volunteer to be the light in a scene of dark time… to be the positive during a negative moment, and to bring help to those in need.” In March, the American Red Cross of Missouri and Arkansas is honoring the people who make its mission possible every day during its annual Red Cross Month celebration — a national tradition started nearly 80 years ago when President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the first national Red Cross Month proclamation recognizing those who give back through the American Red Cross. Each U.S. president has issued a proclamation ever since. “When emergencies strike, our community rallies together to help families and individuals when it matters most,” said Pete Wyatt, Regional Executive of the Missouri Arkansas Region. “We honor this dedication during our Red Cross Month celebration, and we invite everyone to turn their compassion int

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ST. LOUIS — The Grow Solar St. Louis and Grow Solar Metro East programs have come to an end for the year. The limited-time program gives people access to solar education and competitive prices for solar installations on residential and commercial properties through volume purchasing. Through a competitive selection process, a local advisory committee chose St. Louis-based StraightUp Solar as the program’s solar installer. As a result of these programs, 56 households in the Metro-St.Louis region are on their way to getting clean solar energy to help meet their daily energy needs in their homes and on their properties. Grow Solar, an initiative of the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA), helps make navigating the solar industry more affordable for individuals with its limited-time group buy discount program. The program is built on the belief that communities are stronger when they’re composed of informed citizens and that it’s important for each individua

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BELLEVILLE - Caritas Family Solutions hosted its 9 th annual Heart & Soul Gala, presented by Federico Kia, virtually on February 5, 2022. Caritas Family Solutions raised more than $150,000. The gala serves as the nonprofit’s largest fundraising event, supporting its mission of strengthening the social and emotional well-being of individuals and families in order to create healthy relationships, loving homes, and strong communities. The agency’s services include foster care, pregnancy care for women experiencing homelessness, adoption, counseling and independent living for adults with disabilities among other service lines. This year’s one-hour production was emceed by WSIL-TV’s Brooke Schlyer and included a silent auction, engaging videos about Caritas’ mission, as well as special appearances from local celebrities such as KSDK’s Rene Knott. Caritas Family Solutions CEO Gary Huelsmann said their goal is to raise awareness about all of

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Fair is excited to announce the first six acts scheduled to perform on the Illinois Lottery Grandstand stage during the upcoming 2022 Illinois State Fair. From Grammy Award-winning artists in country, pop and reggae to rock royalty, this year’s lineup has something for everyone. Fairgoers can start planning their summer concert adventures when tickets go on sale Friday, March 11th. Multi-Platinum-selling, award-winning hitmaker Sam Hunt will kick off the first weekend of the fair on Friday, August 12. Hunt’s sophomore album SOUTHSIDE debuted to critical acclaim and was one of the top country albums of 2020 landing at number one on the Billboard country albums chart. Hunt is known for bridging multiple genres with powerhouse collaborations with artist that include Carrie Underwood (“Heartbeat”), Breland (“My Truck”), Sasha Alex Sloan (“When Was It Over”) and Ingrid Andress (“Wishful

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EDWARDSVILLE – Firmly believing in the transformative power of higher education, James T. Minor, PhD, officially began his appointment as Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s 10th chancellor on Tuesday, March 1. “It is my honor to join the faculty, staff and students of SIUE to define our future,” Minor said. “Higher education is a catalyst for solving pressing social problems, driving economic development, and promoting social mobility for entire families. SIUE is positioned to expand its reach and powerfully impact countless individuals’ lives.” To chart the path forward, Minor is prioritizing listening. This week, he launched a listening tour to engage with faculty, staff, students and community members from all campuses and professional schools, as well as individual units and organizations. “It was clear to me early on that SIUE is a special place ready to exert itself in the most positive way,” he shared. “It

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Durbin Statement On Supreme Court Nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Judge Jackson was most recently confirmed by the Senate to be Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia by a bipartisan vote of 53-44 CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement after President Joe Biden announced his intention to nominate D.C. Circuit Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson—former clerk to Justice Stephen Breyer—to be the next Associate Justice on the United States Supreme Court: “From a strong list of prospective candidates, President Biden has chosen an extraordinary nominee in D.C. Circuit Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. To be the first to make history in our nation you need to have an exceptional life story. Judge Jackson’s achievements are well known to the Senate Judiciary Committee as we approved her to the D.C. Circuit less than a year ago with bipartisan support. We will begin immediately

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GREENE COUNTY - A 53-year-old Jerseyville man suffered life-threatening injuries in a two-vehicle traffic crash involving a motorcycle on Kane Road at U.S. Route 67 at approximately 4:03 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 28, 2022. Th e Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 18 about the crash on Feb. 28, 2022, in Greene County: VEHICLES: Unit 1- 2008 Black Dodge Charger Unit 2- 1976 Bronze Harley Davidson Motorcycle DRIVERS : Unit 1- Caydn Chapman, 18-year-old male from Kane, IL Unit 2- Winfried Tasker, 53-year-old male from Jerseyville, IL – Flown to a regional hospital with life-threatening injuries. PRELIMINARY: A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: Unit 1 was traveling west on Kane Road at U.S. Route 67, stopped at the stop sign, in Greene County. Unit 2 was traveling south on US Route 67 approaching Kane Road. The driver of Unit 1 failed to yield to Unit 2 and proceeded through the intersection.

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GREENVILLE - Illinois’ Class 2A Basketball Regional Championship belongs to the Marquette Explorers. The young Explorers team had a dominating performance against the Greenville Comets with a final score of 55-24. While putting up two points in the game, #11 junior point-guard, Dre Davis, did several other key things and played a role in the Explorers championship. Davis is one of the Tucker's Automotive and Tire Explorers' Male Athletes of the Month. Davis plays small-forward, point-guard, shooting-guard, and slots for some of the Explorer’s best players like Parker Macias, Kendall Lavender, and Owen Williams. A team is only as good as its worst player and with the Explorers winning another Championship, Davis deserves a lot of credit. When asked how it felt to be sharing the championship with his teammates, Davis said, “It just feels great. We put in the work every day, so to get this outcome is awesome. We were talking about this all week and this win was something

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BRIGHTON - Junior MaCaylin Day is a multi-dimensional student-athlete for Southwestern High School. For the winter, Day is one of the Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Female Athletes of the Month for the Piasa Birds. Day said she has always enjoyed playing her various sports. “I love the energy sports,” she said. “I like how I can play a sport and it takes everything off my mind. I love how I can provide a positive attitude even when things don’t go my way in athletics. Sports has taught me leadership and determination.” Day is an outside hitter/outside back performer in girls volleyball and plays the wing position in girls soccer. MaCaylin also plays club soccer. She said the club sports have also helped her be positive and her best self. Day said she plans to play college soccer at a four-year school. She is an exceptional student with a 3.4 GPA. At this time, she plans to major in occupational therapy in college. She added that her mom and

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SPRINGFIELD – Illinois State Police (ISP) officials are reminding the public that several convoys are traversing the United States and therefore will be traveling through Illinois in the coming days. ISP would like all motorists to be mindful of increased traffic congestion in order to prevent traffic delays and traffic crashes. ISP would like all motorists traveling on Illinois roadways to arrive at their destination safely. Motorists are encouraged to pay close attention to their surroundings and obey traffic laws while driving and to share the roadways “Illinois State Troopers are dedicated to ensuring the motoring public is safe, including those traveling through Illinois as part of a peaceful protest,” stated ISP Division of Patrol Colonel Margret McGreal. She continued, “We are in contact with organizers and anticipate the convoys will enter Illinois and are able to travel safely along with other motorists on our roadways. We would like to remind the

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WOOD RIVER - The Wood River Police Department has released this information about a missing runaway: "At 3 p.m. on Monday, February 28, 2022, the mother of Joseph R. Heiple reported Joseph left their home, in the 700 block of Wood River Ave., in Wood River. "He left the home of his own volition and has not returned home. "He is 15 years old, 5'08, 130 pounds, blonde hair, blue eyes. "He was last seen wearing a red and black hoodie with the number 23 on it. "He was wearing dark jeans and dark high-top Nike tennis shoes. "If you have seen him or can assist with information, please contact the Wood River Police Department at 618-251-3114 or your local law enforcement." Any comment not related to assisting with this case will be deleted. Thank you in advance.

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ALTON - Allison Cooke is an outstanding student at Alton High School with a passion for music as a percussionist in the Marching 100 Band. She has been recognized multiple times on a statewide level. Alton H.S. students, Cooke and Melanie Parker were selected to ILMEA’s Future Music Educators program, which is a forum designed to mentor and encourage future music education students. "I am involved in the Marching 100, Alton High's Honors Chamber Singers, Wind Ensemble Band, and Symphonic Orchestra Percussion," she said. "I plan to go into music education. Alton High has been so helpful in impacting me positively and encouraging every activity. "I am a student leader for both choir and band. I coordinate the social media for the Alton High School Choir Page and I am also section leader for the Marching 100 front ensemble. I have had both of those positions for two years. Our school has continued to thrive, and I am so thankful to have the opportunities I have had, such as

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CHICAGO – With COVID-19 positivity rates continuing to decline and the majority of eligible Illinoisans vaccinated, today Governor Pritzker released an updated executive order lifting the mask requirement in most indoor settings. In accordance with CDC guidance, the executive order also lifts the mask requirement in K-12 schools and daycares. School districts and private businesses can continue to require masks at their discretion. “Across the state, Illinoisans are taking their masks off today knowing that most eligible adults are boosted, and our hospitals have much more capacity to save lives,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “ I’m proud that Illinoisans have done the hard work that has made our state a leader in the Midwest, with more of our residents vaccinated than any other state in the region. All Illinois residents, regardless of background or immigration status, can go to vaccines.gov to find a vaccine location near you.” To continue protecting

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CARLINVILLE - Carlinville High School recently participated and excelled in the Academic Challenge Regional Competition (formerly WYSE) sponsored by Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. Ten Carlinville students participated in the online competition. The contest format is that each member of the team competes in two academic subjects, chosen from Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering Graphics, English, Mathematics, and Physics. CHS won the competition. Carlinville individuals who finished in the top two places were: Biology: 1 st : Eli Ratcliff 2 nd : Aaron Wills Chemistry: 1 st : Madalynn Bloome 2 nd (tie): Jacob Petrovich and Charlie Wilson Engineering Graphics: 1 st : Kyle Carriker English: 1 st : Peyton Dahler 2 nd : Owen Griffiths Mathematics: 1 st : Aaron Wills 2 nd (tie): Jacob Petrovich and Charlie Wilson Physics: 1 st : Hayden Truax 2 nd : Eli Ratcliff The members of the team are: Madalynn Bloome Kyle Carriker Peyton

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ALTON - Local playwright and school superintendent, Dr. Patrick Anderson, has brought his very funny new comedy to Alton Little Theater after the theater group produced his educational drama, School Secrets three years ago. This March 18th - 27th, the ALT Showplace will produce the comedy with a new name and a most delightful cast. Director, Lee Cox asked Patrick if ALT could change the name for the "birth" of this new production, since the heart of the comedy revolves around marriage, pregnancy, a couple of quirky partners, some very interfering grandparents, and a couple of adored dogs. Lee was also inspired by the movie "Zorba the Greek" and Nikos Kazantzakis's many witty observations about life. When asked what makes for a good life, Kazantzakis replies, "Oh yes, wife, children, home, everything; the full catastrophe!" And so, Sex, Dogs, and the Full Catastrophe was born. Together Anderson and Cox are creating a new staging for the show after it was performed in Waterloo,

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