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ST. CLAIR COUNTY – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced that a Metro-East man was sentenced to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to the possession of child sexual abuse material. The case is part of Raoul’s ongoing work, in collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies and local law enforcement officials throughout Illinois, to apprehend offenders who download and trade child sexual abuse material online. Raoul’s office prosecuted Charles B. Zamarron II, 44, who was sentenced on Thursday by St. Clair County Circuit Court Judge John O’Gara after pleading guilty to five counts of possession of child sexual abuse material, four counts of failure to register as a sex offender and one count of unlawful possession of methamphetamine. “This sentence brings justice to exploited and abused children who are retraumatized each and every time one of these heinous images or videos are downloaded or shared,” Raoul said. “My office’s

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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski will host a roundtable discussion on February 17, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. CST, with the Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT) and special education advocates to address concerns regarding the Trump Administration’s stance on the Department of Education. The event will take place at the Fairview Heights IFT Union Hall. The roundtable aims to highlight the potential negative impacts of eliminating the Department of Education on the disability community. Budzinski, who has a personal connection to the issue as the aunt of a nephew with Down syndrome, has consistently advocated for federal funding programs that support children with disabilities. "I look forward to hearing directly from IFT members, educators, and advocates, and bringing their stories and insights back to Washington," Budzinski stated in a recent communication. Participants in the roundtable will include Cyndi Oberle-Dahm, Secretary-Treasurer of the Illinois Federation

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COLLINSVILLE – In response to a growing trend of school threats across the nation, the Collinsville Police Department and the Collinsville Unit 10 School District have collaborated to produce an educational video aimed at students and parents. The initiative comes as concerns rise over the implications of making violent threats, even when intended as jokes. The video targets students in grades 4 through 12 and their parents, and will be shown to students at school as part of an effort led by School Resource Officers and building administrators. The video aims to clarify the potential consequences of making false threats against schools, illustrating the impact on both the school community and law enforcement resources. Collinsville District 10 Superintendent Dr. Brad Skertich and Collinsville Police Chief Brett Boerm emphasized the importance of this initiative. The two said, "The Collinsville Police Department, in partnership with CUSD 10, has produced a video to warn students

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CARLINVILLE - Carlinville residents Ron Releford and Kelly Passalacqua are spearheading a fundraiser to support Wally Dyer, who was seriously injured in a snowmobile accident on Jan. 26, 2025. The incident occurred in Mercer, Wisc., while Dyer was riding with his son, Nate, and friends. As he approached a bridge, his snowmobile struck a rock, causing him to be thrown from the vehicle, resulting in significant injuries. Following the accident, Dyer was airlifted to a trauma center in Wausau, Wisc., where he remains hospitalized. He sustained multiple injuries, including 17 broken bones in his back and ribs, a ruptured eardrum, a fractured skull, and a brain bleed. His wife, Michelle, immediately traveled to Wisconsin upon receiving notification from the Wisconsin State Police and has not returned home since. Wally Dyer is currently conscious and able to move his arms and legs, although communication remains challenging due to pain management issues. After nearly two weeks in intensive

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today encouraged Illinoisans to be vigilant when dating online to avoid becoming a victim of a romance scam. “You may be hoping to meet a special someone online or through a dating app this Valentine’s Day, but be mindful of red flags that could indicate they are not who they claim to be. Romance scammers take advantage of victims’ openness and trust,” Raoul said. “If you think you may be a victim of a romance scam, do not let any embarrassment deter you from seeking help or filing a complaint with my office.” Attorney General Raoul issued the following tips to help prevent individuals from falling victim to online romance scams: Online scammers often create fake profiles or pose as celebrities and may attempt to contact you via social media. You can identify a fake profile by running a reverse image search of the account’s pro Beware of text messages or direct messages from strangers

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BETHALTO - The Bethalto Chamber of Commerce will host a candidate forum for the village officials and trustees and the school board candidates. At 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, the community is invited to the Bethalto Senior Center at 100 E. Central in Bethalto. Candidates will be present to meet residents and answer questions. Jane Balsters Ahasay with the Bethalto Chamber of Commerce noted the importance of getting to know the candidates. “It truly gives you an opportunity to come out and meet a candidate face-to-face that is representing you both in your village and on your school board,” Ahasay said. “It’s very important that you know who is representing you. Many people don’t realize. They probably can’t tell you who’s on your school board or who your village trustees are. It’s really important to know who’s representing you in your community.” The village officials are running unopposed. Current Village

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COLLINSVILLE - The Collinsville Police Department has received a donation of a ballistic vest for its K9 officer, Kingo, from Brady’s K9 Fund, an organization dedicated to supporting police dogs across the United States. Brady’s K9 Fund was established by an 8-year-old boy named Brady, who recognized the need for body armor for K9 officers, similar to that worn by their human partners. Since its inception in 2018, the fund has raised over $1.25 million and provided vests for more than 950 K9s in all 50 states. The organization aims to equip these dogs with essential protective gear, allowing them to perform their duties safely. “The work that K9 officers do is invaluable to our community,” said the Collinsville Police Department in a statement. “We are grateful for the support of Brady’s K9 Fund, which helps ensure that K9 Kingo is well-equipped and protected during his shifts.” Brady’s K9 Fund continues to seek support from th

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GRAFTON - A new restaurant is opening in Grafton. Fountain Hill will open on March 1, 2025. Located at 1500 W. Main Street in Grafton, the site of the former Fin Inn, Fountain Hill will serve steaks, pasta dishes and seafood. Owner Sonny Asani, previous owner of Santino’s in Alton, noted his excitement to come to Grafton and welcome the community to his new space. “I don’t know how to thank the town. I don’t know how to thank the community,” Asani said. “It’s been nothing but the best. It’s been nothing but good things and I love them so much. Hopefully they’re going to support us and help us out, and we’ll be there for them, too.” From 5–7 p.m. on March 1, 2025, the community is invited to Fountain Hill for a grand opening ceremony, complete with a free buffet. Altonians are invited to stop by starting at 4 p.m. as a special “thank you” for supporting Santino’s. Asani expressed hi

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Did you know that Americans spend an estimated $20 billion each year on Valentine’s Day? This staggering figure highlights not only the commercial nature of the holiday but also the deep-seated human desire to express love and affection. But where did this tradition of celebrating romantic love originate, and how has it transformed into the elaborate festivities we see today? The Historical Roots of Valentine’s Day Valentine’s Day has its origins shrouded in mystery, with various theories tracing its beginnings back to ancient Rome. One prevalent legend is linked to St. Valentine, a priest who lived during the reign of Emperor Claudius II in the third century. According to this tale, Claudius believed that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, leading him to ban marriages for young men. St. Valentine defied this decree by secretly performing marriages for young couples. Eventually, he was caught, imprisoned, and executed on February

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February 14th is a date often associated with love and romance due to the celebration of Valentine's Day. However, the day has also been marked by pivotal events that have shaped history in various ways. One of the most notable events on February 14 occurred in 1929, known as the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. In Chicago, during the height of Prohibition, seven members of George 'Bugs' Moran's gang were brutally murdered by assailants allegedly hired by rival gangster Al Capone. This shocking event highlighted the violent turf wars that characterized the era of organized crime in the United States. The massacre not only captured the public's attention but also led to increased scrutiny of law enforcement's inability to combat crime effectively, ultimately contributing to the eventual demise of Prohibition. In the realm of sports, February 14, 1989, marked a significant milestone as the first-ever NBA All-Star Game was held in the new Madison Square Garden, New York City. This event

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ALTON - The Wellness Center at Senior Services Plus, located at 2603 N. Rodgers Ave. in Alton, IL, is excited to host a free wellness workshop focused on healthy living for older adults. The "Healthy Living for Older Adults" workshop will take place on Friday, February 28, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Guest speaker Dr. Sumit Tiwari, a cardiologist with SIHF Healthcare, will share expert tips on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, managing cholesterol, engaging in safe and effective exercises, and adopting heart-friendly dietary habits. This free workshop will be held in the Wellness Center’s classroom and is open to the public—no Wellness Center membership is required to attend. No RSVP is necessary. Light refreshments will be provided. For more information, call 618-465-3298, ext. 109. About Senior Services Plus, Inc. Senior Services Plus, Inc. is a 501(c) not-for-profit organization established to enrich the lives of older adults through programs and services, for everyone

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ALTON - YWCA Southwestern Illinois and the Alton Section of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) invite all community members to two upcoming Voter Education Events. These forums will provide an opportunity for voters to engage with candidates ahead of the April 1 election. The Coffee with the Candidates & Madison County Clerk event will take place on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 6 p.m. in the YWCA Lobby and Levis Room (304 E. Third St., Alton, IL). Voters will have the chance to meet one on one with Madison County Clerk Linda Andreas and all candidates for key City of Alton races, including Mayor, City Clerk, City Treasurer, and Alderman. Clerk Andreas will also share important voter information on early voting, vote by mail, registration, polling places, and the MadisonVotes.com website. Additionally, she will provide details on the Student Ambassador Program for youth interested in civic engagement. On Thursday, February 27, 2025, at 7 p.m., YWCA and NCNW will host an Alto

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PONTOON BEACH – Firefighters from the Long Lake Fire Department and the Mitchell Fire Department responded to a structure fire in the 100 block of Queensbury Court on Thursday night. The Pontoon Beach Police Department arrived first at the scene and reported that the house was fully engulfed in flames. Upon arrival, firefighters found the house ablaze, and they worked quickly to bring the fire under control. While the primary structure was heavily damaged, the house next door sustained damage to its siding and a window due to the heat of the fire. According to initial assessments, the house that caught fire appears to be vacant, and no injuries have been reported in connection with the incident. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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EDWARDSVILLE — The trial of Bryce V. Andrews is set to begin tomorrow, as he faces charges in connection with the deaths of his adoptive father, Robert “Bob” Andrews, and his husband, Leonard “Jim” Ebrey. The alleged homicides occurred on February 1, 2021, at their residence in Godfrey, Illinois. The incident began when the Madison County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting a residential fire at 2301 Wedgewood Drive in Alton, Illinois. Fire units and deputies responded to the scene, where two males were found and subsequently pronounced dead. In response to the incident, the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis was activated at the request of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. Approximately 25 investigators worked on the case until it was resolved. Andrews is charged with four counts of First Degree Murder, one count of Aggravated Arson, one count of Offenses Related to Motor Vehicle, and two counts of Concealment of a Homicidal

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JERSEYVILLE – The Jersey County Rural Water Company (JCRW) has released a statement warning customers of a rate increase taking effect on March 15, 2025. The company claims it’s being “forced” to pass the rate increase onto customers, but is working with local municipalities to create a not-for-profit water supplier. The JCRW Board of Directors, who wrote the statement, are JCRW customers themselves and “take these rate increases very seriously.” “In December the Illinois Commerce Commission approved a 27.82% increase to the rates for water from our current supplier, Illinois American Water Company,” the board explained. “Despite our efforts to fight the increase we are forced to raise our rates to cover the expense this causes ... The rate increase that we in turn must pass on will take effect on your water bill due March 15, 2025.” For over a decade, the JCRW has been trying to form a not-for-profit water supplier,

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Illinois members of the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) to speak about the challenges of providing health care in rural communities. During their meeting, Durbin and the health care leaders discussed the importance of preserving Medicaid funding from Republican proposals to cut health insurance benefits and coverage from millions of Americans. They also discussed workforce initiatives to recruit and retain health care providers to serve in rural areas. To help address the shortage of health care professionals, Durbin secured $1 billion in the American Rescue Plan for scholarship and loan repayment awards through the National Health Service Corps and Nurse Corps to build a more diverse pipeline of clinicians and recruit more health providers to serve in shortage areas. Durbin also spoke about his Rural Hospital Closure Relief Act , which he introduced earlier this week. The bipartisan legislation

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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — Two suspects were taken into custody following a reported burglary at a residence on Meckfessel Drive in Fairview Heights on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025. Officers from the Fairview Heights Police Department responded to the scene after the victim discovered various items had been stolen from a shed in her backyard. The victim reported seeing individuals in her yard and provided surveillance footage that captured the suspects loading stolen items into a tan-colored pickup truck. This evidence facilitated the identification of the suspects. With assistance from the Belleville Police Department, authorities apprehended the suspects at a residence on South Church Street in Belleville. The St. Clair County State’s Attorney, James Gomric’s Office, has issued warrants for the following individuals: Jared S. Kitterman, age 31, of the 100 block of Tomlinson Street, East Alton, faces charges of unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 1 felony, and burglary,

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ALTON – The Alton Committee of the Whole will have a major project to consider on their next agenda: a housing development estimated at $27 million. While exact details of the project have yet to be released publicly, Alderman David Gan shared a few insights at Wednesday’s City Council meeting, when he had the item placed on the next Committee of the Whole agenda. Gan’s proposed resolution would “authorize and direct the city to begin negotiations” with development company McCormack Baron Salazar to build a $27 million housing project in the city. “This particular developer is looking at bringing a $27 million investment into the City of Alton,” Gan said. He described the project as “70 units of mixed-income-level housing” with amenities including an elevator, rooftop access, outdoor amenities, and more. Gan referred the item to the Committee of the Whole for consideration and approval at their next meeting on Monday, Feb.

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It’s no great surprise to read that men and women both benefit from working out. But women may receive greater benefits from regular exercise than men, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. The study centered on the importance of exercise as a way to avoid dying prematurely. The researchers studied data from 400,000 people and found that women who exercised were 24% less likely to die early from any cause. Men who exercised, however, were 15% less likely to die early. The study also revealed that the women who exercise had a 36% lower risk of dying from a cardiovascular event, compared to men at 14%. That’s important because women have twice the risk of dying from a heart attack than a man. Mary O’Meara is a nurse practitioner with OSF HealthCare. She says society still views heart attacks more as a man’s disease. That’s simply not true. “Usually, a male is feeling this really bad chest pressure,

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ALTON - The National Great Rivers Museum will host their annual Ice Jam at the Dam event, complete with animal meet-and-greets, tours of the dam and s’mores. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, community members can stop by NGRM at 2 Lock and Dam Way for their fourth annual free event. This year, vendors and educational booths will be located inside the museum, and the community is invited to learn more about winter recreation and conservation. “We’ve got some cool stuff, so you should definitely check it out,” said Elise, the event’s coordinator. There will be several educational partners at the event, including the Missouri Department of Conservation, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Lewis and Clark State Historic Site, Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, Mississippi Water Trail Association, and many more. Kids are encouraged to complete their “Polar Passes” by visiting every vendor and receiving

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