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SPRINGFIELD – Today, the Illinois Board of Higher Education released its first look report at enrollment data from the state’s public universities for the fall semester of the 2022-23 academic year. Freshmen enrollment at Illinois’ public universities increased by a noteworthy 5% compared to the fall semester of the 2021-22 academic year. This bucked the national trend which indicated a 2.4% decrease in freshmen enrollment at all public universities. Of Illinois’ 12 public universities, nine reported an increase in freshmen enrollment. Illinois outpaced national enrollment growth rate of African American and Latino freshmen with enrollment of Latino freshmen in Illinois increasing by a remarkable 12.9%, compared to a decrease of 0.7% at the national level. And while national data show that enrollment of African American freshmen decreased by 4.3%, in Illinois, enrollment of African American freshmen increased by a notable 10.5%. “Here in Illinois, our

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EAST ALTON - Helmkamp Construction’s Director of Operations, Joe Stange, and Project Director, Kyle Ogden, are moving into new roles at the 85-year-old general contracting firm. These new roles are being strategically put into place by President & Owner Rob Johnes to allow for viable growth in the company’s future. “These changes allow for more review, coaching, and accountability at all levels. We’re building the framework and capacity for larger, more complex projects as well as company growth,” said Johnes. The company-level responsibilities of Ogden’s new role, VP of Building and Life Science Construction, include developing standards for estimators, project managers, and superintendents. He will review systems and technology for improvement and new implementations, which Johnes had historically handled. Ogden will also develop and maintain the hiring process while recruiting new project managers, estimators, and superintendents. In his

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ALTON - A trimmer dropped a tree on main wires in the 4100 block of Humbert Road in Alton on Tuesday afternoon. A reported 450 are out of power in that vicinity as of around 4:15 p.m. Tuesday. The Alton Fire Department initially responded to the scene. Ameren-Illinois crews are en route to the situation, however, it may take multiple hours to rectify the problem.

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ALTON - As the temperatures drop, State Senator Kris Tharp is encouraging drivers to utilize the winter road conditions map on the Illinois Department of Transportation’s website . “Ahead of the upcoming winter weather, drivers need to be aware of road conditions before traveling,” said Senator Kris Tharp (D- Bethalto). “Using this resource from IDOT can allow individuals to take precautions before their drive, which can prevent crashes and road delays altogether.” GettingAroundIllinois.com is available on your computer and optimized for smartphones. The site includes the ability to identify and zoom in on a location, travel route or destination on a state map. The map is updated frequently through a cloud-based system to provide a general overview on IDOT-maintained highways “The weather in Illinois can change suddenly and this online tool is really helpful and updates often,” said Tharp. “I encourage all individuals to view this

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ST. LOUIS - So that holiday chefs, cooks and bakers in need of that last-minute ingredient can properly prepare for their festive gatherings and parties, Schnuck Markets, Inc. today announced the 2022 Christmas and New Year's holiday schedules for all stores. Christmas: Saturday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) - Close at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, December 25 (Christmas Day) - Closed Monday, December 26 - Open at normal time New Year’s: Saturday, December 31 (New Year's Eve) - Close at 8 p.m. Sunday, January 1 (New Year's Day) - Open at 9 a.m. Stores will be open their regular operating hours during all other days not listed.

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EAST ALTON - $100 could buy you a day-and-night difference in your car’s appearance if you know it needs cleaning but don’t have the time to do it yourself. T & R Auto Detail of East Alton is offering a complete auto detailing service - including a full exterior wash, interior detailing, engine detailing, wheel cleaning, and more - for just $100. Visit the “Shop Local” section of Riverbender.com to learn more about this offer and “clip” this coupon before it expires on January 31. T&R Auto Detail Owner Rob Whitten said customers get a “complete detail - top to bottom, bumper-to-bumper.” “If there’s tar on there, it comes off. If there are scratches in it, they come off,” he said. “ shampoo, wax - the only thing I don’t do is ceramic coating.” Whitten said T & R Auto Detail currently operates by appointment only, so interested customers can call him at (618) 467-9254 to schedule a drop-off.

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CHICAGO – Illinois Lottery players have a chance to become a multi-millionaire this holiday as the Mega Millions jackpot soars to $465 million for tonight’s drawing. If a player wins Tuesday night’s jackpot, it would be the 12th largest jackpot in the game's history. In July, an Illinois Lottery player won a historic $1.34 billion Mega Millions jackpot, the largest lottery prize ever won in Illinois, and the third largest lottery prize ever won in the U.S. With over 7,000 Illinois Lottery retailers across the State, lottery players can conveniently pick up a ticket at their local store - or they can login to the Illinois Lottery website or app and purchase a ticket online. Mega Millions is played every Tuesday and Friday night. Tickets are $2 each, and players can add the Megaplier for an additional $1 for the chance to multiply non-jackpot prizes.

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GLEN CARBON - Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSofSI) is excited about a $5,000 grant for an upcoming six-week program and said it looks forward to partnering with American Water to deliver a new STEAM (STEM + Art) learning series. "Thanks to a $5,000 grant from American Water, Girl Scouts program and community outreach staff will host a six-week program titled, “It’s Your Planet – Love It!” for K-5 students in East St. Louis, Cahokia, and Belleville," the Girl Scouts said. "Girl Scouts there will learn about water conservation, water management, watersheds, hydroelectric power, and more."

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - On Friday, December 16, 2022, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued charges on suspects Keyshaun Carmel, 20 years of age, of the 400 block of Northridge Drive in St. Louis, Missouri 63137, for Resisting Arrest and Tampering and with a Motor Vehicle Second Degree, and Khalub Perkins, 18 years of age, of the 400 block of Northridge Drive in St. Louis, Missouri 63137, for Tampering with a Motor Vehicle Second Degree. Booking photos of Carmel and Perkins are included. Carmel is being held on $25,000 cash only, no 10% bond. Perkins is being held on $10,000 cash only, no 10% bond. A 16-year-old juvenile was charged in St. Louis County Family Court with Resisting Arrest and Tampering First Degree. Please note, charges are merely an accusation and Defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law. The probable cause statement for Carmel reads: The defendant was the backseat passenger of a gray in color, 2020 Acura

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EDWARDSVILLE – The Illinois Department of Transportation announces Illinois Route 159 will be closed to all traffic from Illinois Route 143/Old Alton Road, over the Mooney Creek and Cahokia Creek structures, to 3,000’ south of Roman Hills Road beginning at 7 a.m. Tuesday until 7 p.m. Tuesday, January 3, 2023. IDOT said in addition, the westbound right lane closure on Illinois 143, west of Illinois 159, will be ongoing through the duration of these repairs. Illinois 159 will remain open to traffic from south of Roman Hills Road to Illinois 140. "A marked detour will be in place utilizing Illinois 143, Illinois 255, and Illinois 140," IDOT said. "This closure is to complete emergency slope repairs and installation of permanent sheet piling to stabilize the shoulder and roadway. Work is being completed by Keller Construction." To avoid the work area, when feasible, the use of alternate routes should be considered. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions

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JEFFERSON COUNTY - Illinois State Police District 13 is investigating a two-vehicle fatal traffic crash that occurred at 1:18 a.m. on Dec. 20, 2022, on Interstate 57 northbound at milepost 102.5 in Jefferson County. The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 13 VEHICLES: Unit 1 – Unknown Truck-Tractor/ Semi-Trailer Unit 2 – 2016 White Nissan SUV DRIVERS: Unit 1 – Unknown Unit 2 – 40-year-old male from Shreveport, LA – Transported to an area hospital with injuries. PASSENGERS: Unit 2 – 41-year-old female from Shreveport, LA – Transported to an area hospital with injuries. Unit 2 – Juvenile male from Shreveport, LA– Transported to an area hospital with injuries. Unit 2 – 67-year-old male from Shreveport, LA – Deceased, Pending next-of-kin notification. Unit 2 – 61-year-old female from Shreveport, LA – Deceased, Pending next-of-kin

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ALTON - Jim Hanlon has a lasting love with Ss. Peter and Paul Church in Alton. After all, it is the church his mother first took him to as a child. In essence, he was raised in the church. Jim, the church priest Jeff Holtman, and the entire congregation have embarked on an aggressive crusade to preserve the long history of the church in the community. Pastor Holtman is also heavily involved and has his heart in the project. The structure is in need of Old Cathedral repairs and some serious renovation. Slightly over half of the $800,000 has been raised for the capital campaign, but Hanlon, who is assisting with the coordination of the fundraiser, says much more still needs to be raised. Hanlon also stresses that St. Peter and Paul Catholic Cathedral and Parish have long been a centerpiece of the Christian Hill area, with some of Alton's most treasured historical homes. The purpose of the capital campaign is to restore the structure of the church with needed repairs in stone and

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CHICAGO - With only a few days left in the holiday shopping season, Attorney General Kwame Raoul is reminding Illinoisans to take precautions when shopping for or selling items online. Raoul is warning that scammers may use fake websites, fake mobile apps and fake social media advertisements to trick consumers into giving up their personal information and paying for products that will either never be delivered or cost more than they are worth. “As the holidays draw near, it is important to be on the lookout for signs of fraud, as scammers are waiting to prey on consumers finishing up their holiday shopping,” Raoul said. “This year alone, my office has received approximately 1,200 complaints from consumers relating to online purchases. By taking just a few precautions, consumers can educate themselves and quickly identify potential fraudulent transactions before they occur, saving money and headaches this holiday season.” In particular, Raoul is reminding buyers

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BELLEVILLE - With frigid temperatures occurring across the state, Illinois American Water is reminding homeowners to take steps to prevent frozen pipes this winter. These tips can also help protect the local water service team as they perform critical work for reliable, safe water service. Customers should: Allow a small trickle of water to run overnight to keep pipes from freezing. Customers should consider collecting the water for later use such as watering indoor plants and more. The cost of a short-term trickle is much less costly than a repair to a burst pipe. Open cabinet doors to expose pipes. Opening cabinet doors exposes pipes to warmer room temperatures. Vice President of Operations Beth Matthews said, “These two tips are most important. They help residents keep their home plumbing safe, while also supporting our team in the field. Many times, when pipes freeze, customers will assume there is an issue with their water service and call our team to inspect.

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SPRINGFIELD - With cold weather settling in and the first major winter storm of the season potentially on its way, the Illinois Department of Transportation is reminding the public to visit and bookmark GettingAroundIllinois.com. for continually updated information on road conditions. Weather can change quickly in Illinois, so whether you’re driving a short distance or taking a longer trip, GettingAroundIllinois.com is an essential resource to keep you updated 24/7/365 on road conditions throughout the state all winter long. “Our No. 1 priority is making sure roads are safe for the motoring public, but you should always prepare yourself before taking any trips,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “Completely clearing roads during and after a weather event can take some time and depends on a variety of factors. We will get the job done, but ask the public to please remain patient during winter weather and always check GettingAroundIllinois.com

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EAST ALTON - United Way’s annual Community Christmas program raised more than $56,000 to purchase needed items for people throughout the Riverbend area. The largest funder for Community Christmas is Freer Auto Body’s annual “Christmas in July”. In addition, over 30 boxes of donations were collected from around the community and distributed to United Way partner agencies with donations that included new toys, non-perishable food, baby and personal care items, and winter essentials like coats, hats, gloves, and scarves. “We are always surprised by how much support Community Christmas is able to garner from the Riverbend Community, but we are so fortunate to live in a community that cares about uplifting their neighbors,” said Maura Wuellner, director of the Southwest Illinois Division of United Way. “We are thankful for everyone who contributed by donating or volunteering. Support for Community Christmas from so many generous people will

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SPRINGFIELD - Director Paula Basta of the Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) and Dr. Sameer Vohra, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), are coming together to encourage older adults across Illinois to get up-to-date on their vaccinations ahead of the holidays. “Winter illnesses are always something we prepare for, and with COVID-19 trending upwards, we want to reinforce the importance of getting up-to-date on vaccinations — including the updated booster shot — ahead of the holidays,” said IDoA Director Basta. “I want all older adults to live long, healthy lives — and you can do that by getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and the flu. It’s not too late: visit your local pharmacy or call our senior helpline at 1-800-252-8966 to get assistance making an appointment.” “Both Director Basta and I received our updated COVID-19 boosters and flu shots in the fall to protect ourselves from winter illnesses, and w

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Police Department is marking 150 years of serving the community. The milestone will be acknowledged at the City Council meeting Tuesday, December 20, with a presentation by Police Chief Michael Fillback that illustrates how the department has evolved. “Looking out for and keeping our community safe is one of the most essential services a City can provide,” Mayor Art Risavy said. “As a City, we are proud of the men and women who have served us throughout the years with such dedication, professionalism, and compassion.” The Edwardsville Police Department was officially established in December 1872 – 54 years after the City was incorporated. As the City has grown, so has the Police Department. It now includes a chief, deputy chief, three lieutenants, and six sergeants; 30 patrol officers; 10 telecommunicators; 3 community service officers; a records manager and two records clerks. “A well-trained and professional police

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EAST ST. LOUIS – A Cahokia man was sentenced to 126 months by the Honorable Judge Stephen P. McGlynn for Enticement of a Minor, Travel with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct and Engaging in Illicit Sexual Conduct in a Foreign Place. According to evidence presented during trial and sentencing, Joseph Albert Fuchs, III, a 55-year-old American citizen, met a 14-year-old girl while visiting the Philippines. Fuchs engaged in sexual conversations with the minor using Facebook and discussed ways to evade detection of her age when he would return to the Philippines to engage in sexual acts with her at a hotel. Fuchs returned to the Philippines in March 2019 and engaged in sexual acts with the 14-year-old minor. During this time, Fuchs was a special agent for the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General. USPSOIG provided their full cooperation into the investigation, and it was later revealed that Fuchs sent nearly $1,000 to the minor over a year-long period.

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EDWARDSVILLE - Moran Economic Development announced today the promotions of Jared Kanallakan to vice president and Jake Zambaldi to director of development programs. “Both Jared and Jake have been integral parts of the firm’s overall success and growth, and we are thrilled to give them the opportunity to take on more responsibility within the company in their new leadership roles,” said Keith Moran, president of Moran Economic Development. “With Jared and Jake’s promotions, the recent addition of Emily Calderon as director of planning, and the one-year anniversary of Holly Head joining the firm as an associate, I am very proud of our team and am excited to see all that they accomplish for our clients.” In addition to a growing team, the firm is also expanding its services with the launch of a planning division. Calderon has 17 years of experience leading municipal planning and community development. With her expertise in this area, Moran Economic

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