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CHICAGO – As Illinois’ overall respiratory illness level has increased from Moderate to High in the past week and more than half the counties in the state are at an elevated level for COVID-19 hospitalizations, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reminding the public to stay up-to-date on all respiratory illness vaccines and to stay home and seek treatment if you are sick. This health guidance is being offered as seasonal respiratory viruses - including COVID-19, flu and RSV - are circulating widely and the CDC is reporting that 61 Illinois counties are at either High or Medium level for COVID-19 hospital admissions, according to the CDC’s national COVID Data Tracker , as of the week ending December 23. A total of 18 counties in Illinois are listed at High level for COVID-19 hospitalizations (compared to 14 counties in the week prior) and 43 are at a Medium level in the latest week (compared to 50 counties in the week prior), including Cook,

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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville High junior boys basketball player Iose Epenesa scored six points, and contributed to a great defensive effort that held the top three players on Collinsville to a combined 31 points as the Tigers dealt the Kahoks their first loss of the season 42-38 on Jan. 5 at Lucco-Jackson Gym. Edwardsville broke a three-game losing skid with the win and also broke Collinsville's 17-game winning streak to start the season, with the Kahoks tied for number two in the state with Homewood-Flossmoor in this week's Illinois Associated Press Class 4A poll, behind top-ranked Chicago Curie. For the season, Epenesa's made a significant contribution to the team, averaging 6.5 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, adding on 18 assists, four steals and two blocked shots as the Tigers improved to 11-6 with the win. Epenesa is a Johnston Law Firm Male Athlete of the Month for the Tigers. "I'm feeling really excited, and I don't even know what to say," Epenesa said in his postgame interview

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GLEN CARBON - Father McGivney Catholic High School recently released its fall semester honor roll lists. They go as follows: High Honor Roll is awarded to students with a 3.60 or greater weighted GPA. 12 th grade : Joseph Chouinard, Grace Deakos, Melanie Dempsey, Lane Goodwin, Katherine Greer, Christopher Grotefendt, Brianna Guetterman, Thomas Halbrook, Kaitlyn Hatley, Anna Henke, Joseph Hyten, Elaina Jansen, Rylie Joelner, Ryker Keller, Olivia Klusas, Riley Knobeloch, Emily Landoll, Nathan MacLaughlin, Liana Miller, Logan Miller, Colin Moore, Gerold Myatt, Sophia Novosel, Samantha Oller, Meaghan Pamatot, Mayelin Rios, Molly Ronzo, Lindsey Schrage, Christian Spiroff, Samuel Strack, Siena Strehl, Nathan Terhaar, Samantha Viliocco, Drew Villhard, Luke Welser, Jaiden Zook, Jada Zumwalt 11 th grade : Tyler Ahring, Madison Autry, Kylie Becker, Julia Behrmann, Lyle Biermann, Liam Boeving, David Carroll, Jane Cummins, Madeline Day, Aidan Deist, Lincoln Duffy, Joseph Feldhaus, Molly

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ST. LOUIS - Twenty ideas for the Rams Settlement Funds have been selected to move forward to a public vote. Over 700 ideas have been submitted by residents on the CitizenLab portal since its launch in August of 2023. In December 2023, the Board of Aldermen passed Board Resolution 159 to share their priorities for the Rams Settlement, informed by resident input through a citywide survey and multiple public hearings. Those priorities include upgrading water infrastructure, improving city services by attracting and retaining city workers, increasing public safety, improving city finances, catalyzing downtown reinvestment, increasing community mobility, and increasing access to affordable childcare. President Green’s policy team, led by Policy Director Cristina Garmendia, reviewed all ideas submitted by residents and identified 101 ideas that address the Board’s priority challenges. From November 17 through December 31, 2023, residents were given the opportunity to provide

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EDWARDSVILLE - As a way to honor area seniors , State Senator Erica Harriss (56 th -Glen Carbon) and Senator Jason Plummer (55-Edwardsville) will host their annual Valentines for Seniors Card Drive through February 5, 2024. “I often hear of people in the community looking for ways to help others. This is an opportunity people can show our seniors love and support this Valentine’s Day,” said Senator Harriss. “We have several nursing homes and long-term care facilities across the district, and I want to make sure these residents don’t feel unloved or forgotten about on a day focused on love.” Both Senators are asking students, scout groups, churches, families, and other groups to consider creating homemade cards that will be delivered to nursing homes, assisted-living facilities, and other long-term care facilities throughout each Senate District. “This is a chance to make sure people know that we care and are thinking about them,” sai

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JERSEYVILLE - The Jersey County Republican Central Committee is hosting their annual Lincoln Day Dinner once again starting at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024 at American Legion Post #492 in Jerseyville. This year’s event will feature keynote speaker Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lisa Holder White, who also visited Jersey Community High School last November . The Lincoln Day Dinner will begin with cocktails at 5 p.m. followed by dinner at 6 p.m. Tickets are $25 each at the door, the cost of which includes a catered dinner with gourmet desserts, water or tea, as well as admission to see the guest speakers. In addition to the speakers and dinner, the evening will also see a Silent Auction, raffle, and 50/50 drawing take place, giving attendees plenty of chances to win lots of great items. American Legion Post #492 is located at 300 Veterans Memorial Parkway and West Fairgrounds Avenue in Jerseyville. For additional information, visit jerseycountygop.com

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On Christmas Eve 2021, Jessica Tilton saw a little TikTok video that inspired her to dream big. A young woman wearing a ruby red evening gown climbed the steps of an academic building. The onscreen text read: “Competing in pageants to help pay for medical school.” The woman passed behind a column and emerged on the other side, now in a white coat and blue scrubs. The text changed to: “Becoming a doctor thanks to Miss America.” Three weeks later, Tilton was walking onstage with the contestants in the Miss Central Illinois competition. And on January 14, 2024, she will represent the state of Illinois in the Miss America competition, broadcast live from Orlando. She has had an exciting and busy two years. And as thrilling as her achievement is, Jessica has another, larger goal. She is halfway through her first year at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Carbondale. According to plan, scholarships from the Miss America Opportunity have indeed

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GODFREY - The Alton High School Class of 1986 hosted their second “Freezing for Funds” event and raised nearly $7,000 for the YWCA. On Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, roughly 20 people waded into the lake at Glazebrook Park to raise money for charity. “Freezing for Funds” started in 2022 and raised $3,500. After a hiatus in 2023, the event returned in 2024 and had double the donations and participation this year. “A lot of you guys came back to us and said, ‘Could you please do it again?’” committee member Craig Lombardi told the crowd. “And we did and you, we're probably gonna make this double. We're probably going to have double of what we made last year, and that’s because of you guys.” The Alton High School Class of 1986 organized the event with committee members Lombardi, Cami Beaber Giertz, Tawnya Hooper, Trisha Conreux Perks, Shane Calhoon, Mindy Myer and Mark Haynes. Participants donated to the fundraiser

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GRAFTON - A new local business is off to a strong start as the official merchandise supplier of Grafton’s veteran’s memorial. Seed to Sewn, a direct-to-film garment printing company, has partnered with the National Memorial of Military Ascent (NMMA) to provide merchandise for the new veteran’s museum and memorial to be built in Grafton . A percentage of the proceeds for every shirt purchased will go toward NMMA to help fund the memorial. “We’re honored, blessed. It’s been an exciting road for us inside of doing business for our company Seed to Sewn, and this is some involvement that we never expected,” said Joellen Sudmeier, owner of Seed to Sewn. “Special shoutout to the mayor Mike Morrow in Grafton and his lovely wife Lynn. Really, everybody that we’ve met in Grafton. This is huge for us, and we are honored to be able to do this for them.” Sudmeier started the business with her friend Chris Grigsby after the

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JERSEYVILLE - The Jerseyville Public Library has a busy January jam-packed with fun community events for all ages scheduled this month, and invites the public to attend with no library card needed to participate in any programs or events they have planned. This month’s activities kick off with the monthly LEGO Club for kids in Kindergarten through seventh grade, held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. No registration is required, and the LEGOs will be provided. Each of the masterpieces created during the event will be displayed at the library all month long. For those looking for more of an informative night in, call the library at 618-498-9514 to receive a Zoom link to watch the latest Illinois Libraries Present: Speculating About Our AI Future from the comfort of your own home. The virtual event will feature three best-selling science fiction writers discussing the promise, perils, and possible impacts that AI will have on our future. On Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024,

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EDWARDSVILLE — A Ferguson, Mo., man was charged Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, in the death of a Maryland Heights, Mo., man after a body was discovered in Alton in a wooded area on Lincoln Avenue. Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine and Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford announced Friday that a 44-year-old Ferguson, Missouri, man - Antonio M. Baker - has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of a man whose body was discovered in a wooded area of Alton. The 34-year-old victim found in the wooded area was Andre T. Hawkins of Maryland Heights, Mo. Alton Police took Baker into custody Thursday night in Missouri, less than 48 hours after the discovery of the victim’s body. A municipal worker discovered the body of Hawkins shortly after noon Wednesday in a wooded area along Lincoln Avenue. Hawkins suffered numerous gunshots. Baker was being held Friday afternoon at the St. Louis County Jail, pending extradition to Madison County. Haine’s office

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PIASA - Sophomore Vivian Zuehide is a remarkable athlete and she is showing it this winter on the basketball court for the Piasa Birds. Vivian's coach Darren Mosley said she has had a double-double with scoring and rebounding in multiple games this season and is extremely productive on the court. Vivian is an Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Female Athlete of Month for her efforts on the basketball court. "Vivian has significantly improved her play from last season in all facets of the game," Coach Mosley said. "Vivian has to fill a number of roles for our team. Vivian plays both as a guard and as a post for our team. "Vivian has been both the leading scorer and rebounder for our team. She plays with a passion and is very competitive. She has a desire to win and that shows on the basketball court." Again congrats to Vivian for her recognition as an Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month for her girls' basketball efforts. Vivian is also a

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ROXANA - Junior Sarah Baldwin was a member of the Roxana girls' volleyball team this past fall and counted on heavily as a setter. Baldwin can also play the middle hitter role. The good news for Roxana’s girls program is Baldwin will return in the fall 2024. Sarah is being recognized for her abilities this past season with the Shells as a Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month for Roxana. Sarah’s head girls volleyball coach Andrea Keller spoke very highly of her setter. “She did an amazing job this past year of taking a role as a setter, especially since she has never done it before,” Coach Keller said. “She is a dynamite hitter and is always working on improving her game and working to become a better setter and all-around player.” Coach Keller said Sarah will only improve as she takes the experience of her junior year into her senior year in the fall of 2024. Again congrats to Sarah for her recognition as a Midwest Members

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GRANITE CITY - Sophomore Lucy Klumpp is a versatile Granite City High School athlete. This past fall in 2023, Klumpp was a key on varsity for the Warriors’ volleyball team as an outside hitter. She is also a strong soccer player for Granite City and has participated in track and field. Lucy Klumpp is a Stillwater Senior Living Female Athlete of the Month for the Warriors. Warriors head girls volleyball coach Grace Hurst said Lucy found her groove in hitting for Granite City last fall and she has a bright future for the team. “It was amazing to see her grow as a player,” Hurst said. “She is an outside hitter and is someone we can count on. She grew into a starting role and earned it playing the right side. She shows up for volleyball and then has to rush to soccer practice, but she shows up for the team no matter what.” Hurst said she is excited to see how much Klumpp develops as a volleyball player in her final two years at Granite City. “I

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Emily Isom has a new year’s resolution for kids and their parents: pledge to keep your hands clean and away from your face to prevent the spread of illness. Isom, a certified medical assistant in pediatrics at OSF HealthCare, often sees young people biting dirty fingernails and not washing their hands properly. Here’s a primer: Nail hygiene Isom says people of all ages should trim their nails regularly. Once a week for fingernails and once or twice a month for toenails is a good rule of thumb. In between trimmings, watch for dirt and other filthy matter caught under the tip of the nail. Some nail clippers come with a scraper tool to remove that debris. But don’t use your mouth to clean your nails. “Our nails carry so many germs and bacteria. That’s how people keep getting sick and spreading illness,” Isom warns, referring to putting fingernails in your mouth or on your face. You can also chip teeth and get facial warts and pimples from putting

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INGLEWOOD, CALIF. - Richard Dahl of Inglewood, Calif., has organized another fundraiser to remember the life of Jaiden Dahl. Jaiden died after a shooting on New Year’s Day at 2 Woodview Court in Alton. Richard is working with others to try to get Jaiden’s body back for a proper California burial. “It is with heavy hearts that we come together to remember a bright young soul, Jaiden Dahl, who left us far too soon at the tender age of 17,” Richard Dahl said in the GoFundMe for Jaiden. “Jaiden's life was tragically cut short by a senseless act of gun violence, leaving our community devastated and grappling with the pain of such an untimely loss. “Jaiden was a vibrant spirit with dreams and aspirations that were abruptly extinguished. He touched the lives of those around him with his infectious laughter, genuine kindness, and a warmth that radiated from within. As we mourn the loss of this promising young man, we are faced with the difficult task o

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EAST ST. LOUIS – U.S. Attorney Rachel Aud Crowe announced on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, that a district judge sentenced a felon from East St. Louis to 97 months’ imprisonment after he admitted to conspiring to launder money and distribute drugs in Southern Illinois. Donald B. Perkins, 37, of East St. Louis, pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering conspiracy, one count of conspiracy to distribute marijuana, one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana and one count of felon in possession of a firearm. “This prison sentence reflects the seriousness of breaking the law by distributing illegal drugs, laundering the proceeds and unlawfully having a firearm,” said Crowe. According to court documents, Perkins conspired with a co-defendant to launder money to conceal drug proceeds by using cash exchanges and cashier’s checks. The pair are estimated to have laundered more than $1.2 million. Byron Robinson, 60, of Florissant, Mo., was also charged

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Treasurer’s Office returned nearly $276 million in missing money during 2023, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced today. Illinois’ missing money program — also known as I-CASH — processed 314,154 claims last year. In December, the Treasurer’s Office returned $12 million through 11,477 claims. “This money does more good for our state and our citizens in their hands than in a vault in Springfield,” Frerichs said. “We have made it easier to file a claim for many cases and streamlined the system with the help of state lawmakers.” I-CASH is one of the state’s oldest consumer protection initiatives. The State Treasurer is tasked with safeguarding unclaimed property, such as the contents of overlooked safe deposit boxes, unpaid life insurance benefits, forgotten bank accounts and unused rebate cards. Frerichs completely restructured the missing money process. The State Treasurer’s

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WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement celebrating the one-year anniversary of President Biden signing her bipartisan Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act into law to strengthen our nation’s criminal justice system and help more families keep in touch with their incarcerated family members: “For far too long, families were forced to spend outrageous sums to speak on the phone with their loved ones living miles away in a correctional facility—denying children the comfort of hearing their parents’ voices and preventing spouses from being able to say a simple ‘I’m here for you’ to their partners. But one year ago today, that predatory status quo that enabled prison telecom providers to gouge the families of incarcerated people finally came to an end when President Biden signed my bipartisan Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act into law. Today, we celebrat

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EDWARDSVILLE - It’s time to think spring – as in the City of Edwardsville’s “everyday heroes” spring banner program, which is returning for a second year. Applications for the banners, which will adorn City lampposts starting in April, are due by the end of February. The spring banner program debuted in 2023 as part of an effort to honor community contributors such as teachers, nurses and doctors, first responders and others whose noteworthy actions make Edwardsville a better place to live, work and visit. Among the initial 2023 banner honorees were 16 educators, a nurse, a former mayor, and volunteers and professionals involved in impactful community outreach efforts. “This banner initiative is a wonderful way to publicly acknowledge the kind, compassionate actions that are being taken every day on behalf of the community,” Mayor Art Risavy said. “We would love to see lots of these lining the streets as a display of gratitude for

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