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CHICAGO -The 2022 Illinois Governor’s Conference on Travel & Tourism kicked off Monday, Dec. 5, at Navy Pier in Chicago, with the 2022 Illinois Excellence in Tourism Awards ceremony honoring Illinois tourism leaders’ contributions to the industry. Governor JB Pritzker attended the event to address conference attendees prior to the awards ceremony. “It is an incredible honor to celebrate and recognize our state’s tourism industry leaders and innovators who work incredibly hard each day to make Illinois a premier travel destination,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Their tourism marketing efforts have made an impact in their communities, reinvigorating local economies, and putting a spotlight on what makes Illinois an exceptional destination. As tourists gear up for a busy holiday travel season, we’re ready to welcome visitors near and far to experience everything Illinois has to offer, boosting our hospitality industry and bringing revenue to Illinois

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SEE VIDEO: GODFREY - The Godfrey Village Board of Trustees established the 2023 Tax Levy and passed a few other ordinances on their agenda during Tuesday night’s meeting, with Trustee Ben Allen being the only member absent. The board unanimously approved an ordinance establishing an unchanged Tax Levy for 2023 and the “collection of such taxes for the year 2022 as provided by law.” Shortly after it passed, Mayor Mike McCormick said, “I’ll comment on that - we’re leaving it flat.” The board also unanimously approved the minor subdivision of a property located at 2815 Airport Road in Godfrey. An ordinance amending the zoning classification for 3052 Godfrey Road in Godfrey from “R-3” Single-Family Residential to “B-5” Planned Business was also unanimously approved by the board. Before it passed, Trustee Jeff Weber asked whether or not a new entrance would be constructed off of Godfrey road, to which

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GODFREY - Several members of the Godfrey Village Board of Trustees discussed the concerns they had about the Godfrey roundabout project being done by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) at their meeting on Tuesday night. The general consensus amongst the board members is that while they agree some measure needs to be taken to address traffic in the area, they don’t feel the project’s current design is right for Godfrey and that IDOT has not provided adequate traffic solutions during the construction phase. “Last night, there was a meeting with IDOT about the roundabout … whether you’re for it or against it, I think Godfrey has been thrown a big problem by IDOT,” Trustee Jeff Weber said. “IDOT’s going to close that section for - I talked to four different people from IDOT, one of them said it’ll take a year, one said a year and a half, one said two years, and one said, ‘I hope we can get it done in three

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ALTON – Michael Ringering’s full-time job is the administrator of several specialty physicians’ offices on the Alton Memorial Hospital campus, but he keeps himself quite busy away from the office, too. Writing is his other game, and Ringering recently released his third novel, Where Butterflies Go to Die , as well as his fifth short story, The Boy Who Ate Dirt . Ringering is the administrator over three BJC Medical Group of Illinois offices - Neurology and Sleep Medicine, Alton Surgery, and Diabetes and Endocrine Care in Medical Office Building B, Suite 230, 4 Memorial Drive in Alton. A 1984 graduate of East Alton-Wood River High School, he earned a Business Administration degree from Murray State University in Kentucky in 1989. He’s been involved in health care since 2005, but his interest in writing goes back to third grade at Eastwood Elementary School in East Alton. “I had to do a book report ( Broomtail by Miriam Mason), and it’s when

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ALTON - Kristin Tincher (holding plaque) of Twin Rivers MRI, who is Alton Memorial Hospital’s December Employee of the Month. Kristin received the honor on Dec. 6 from AMH President Dave Braasch and her co-workers, Renee Roady and Lori Moore. According to the nomination by Renee and Lori, “Kristin is always willing to come in early, work late, and work through her lunch. She always has a positive attitude, puts the patients first, and gets the job done. "Kristin is very knowledgeable and is our go-to person with any questions. We love working with her!”

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CHICAGO – Governor Pritzker today signed HB1095, a series of amendments and clarifications to the landmark SAFE-T Act, originally passed in 2021. The bill addresses misinformation related to the Act, including clarifying the detention net, expanding processes for transitioning to cashless bail on January 1 st , and specifying definitions of willful flight and dangerousness, among other changes. “I’m pleased that the General Assembly has passed clarifications that uphold the principle we fought to protect: to bring an end to a system where wealthy violent offenders can buy their way out of jail, while less fortunate nonviolent offenders wait in jail for trial,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Advocates and lawmakers came together and put in hours of work to strengthen and clarify this law, uphold our commitment to equity, and keep people safe.” The bill clarifies multiple aspects of the SAFE-T Act, which ends the cash bail system in Illinois effective

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - On Tuesday, December 6, 2022, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued charges on suspect Kevin McArthur, 43 years of age, unknown address, for Terrorist Threat Second Degree. A booking photo of McArthur is attached. McArthur is being held on a $7,000 bond. The probable cause statement reads: On December 5, 2022, witnesses, and nursing staff at Hyland Behavioral Health Center, reported that the defendant, who had been a patient at the Center, stated that upon his release he was going to blow up and shoot up Northwest High School in Jefferson County, MO. The school was notified and extra patrols of the campus were implemented. The defendant was arrested. Defendant admitted to making the threat against the school. St. Louis County police officers from the Affton Southwest Precinct are leading this investigation. Please note, charges are merely an accusation, and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of

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ROXANA - Madison County Coroner Stephen P. Nonn has identified an Owensboro, Kentucky, man that tragically lost his life following a job site-related accident at the Phillips 66 Refinery, 900 South Central, Roxana. Nonn said the victim was a project manager for Sterett Crane & Rigging, a subcontractor at the refinery. During the operation of the crane, a mechanical malfunction occurred and caused the crane to overturn. "The victim sustained head trauma," Nonn said. "A second male worker, who was the crane operator, was also injured and transported to a local hospital." The deceased was pronounced dead at the scene by Coroner’s Investigator Shelbi Frakes at 1:13 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022, and he is identified as: Chad L. Crabtree Age: 47 - White/Male Owensboro, Kentucky. Mr. Crabtree’s wife has been notified of the tragic accident, the coroner said. The incident remains under investigation by the Roxana Police Department and OSHA investigators The emergency respons

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GRANITE CITY - Granite City will be getting a new business - entrepreneurs Jerheart Huntley and Jami Goodman (owners of the Tax Super Heroes) - are franchising a successful Daiquiri bar named Slurped Daiquiri in Granite City. The grand opening is set for 11 a.m. Friday, Dec 16, 2022, at 3361 Fehling Road, Suite 3 & 4 Granite City IL 62040. Jerheart said at this bar they will be booking themed and also corporate parties. He also added this will be the perfect spot for bridal showers, ladies' nights, karaoke, and happy hour. He said you can book with them by messaging their Facebook page. "On top of the already delicious flavored drinks, amazing food will be in the building,” he said. “We will have enjoyable entertainment, pool tables, dart boards, live bands, and local comedians that will pop in from time to time. “Most importantly they will have a safe fun place in the daytime for kids to come to get lunch and throw some darts or play pool." The couple said some

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EDWARDSVILLE - Nautical Bowls will have its grand opening Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, at its new Edwardsville location at 2323 Plum Street. Doors open at 11 a.m. Saturday. Nautical Bowls co-owner Joel Nimmo encouraged people to come early and have photos taken with Santa and listen to Christmas carols. "Also, the first 50 guests in line receive a free bowl," he said. "One lucky winner will receive a free bowl for a year." Nimmo said for those looking for the new Edwardsville business, it is located between Sugarfire and Chicken Salad Chick on Plum Street. "We will serve delicious acai bowls that just happen to be packed full of superfood ingredients that are organic, gluten-free, dairy-free, plant-based, and loaded with essential vitamins and nutrients to fuel a full life," Nimmo said. "See you Saturday.”

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COLLINSVILLE - Junior Thomas Rice is expected to be one of the top bowlers on a young Edwardsville High team this season, and he is off to a great start. In mid-November at the Zach LeCuyer Invitational at Collinsville's Camelot Bowl, tossed a six-game series of 1,092 - a morning qualifying score of 535 and an afternoon session series of 557 - in helping the Tigers finish seventh in the Bronze Division. Rice is one of the team's hardest workers and will show much leadership and example for a young Edwardsville team as the season goes along. For his efforts both on and off the lanes, Rice has been selected as an iCan Clinic male Athlete of the Month for the Tigers. The Tigers have had their struggles the last two years, but the team is getting better with more experience and Rice had some very reachable goals he's set for himself and the team this season. "I have goals to make the sectionals," Rice said, "and place really well in sectionals and hopefully, get to state because that's

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WOOD RIVER - A worker was killed and another was injured after a crane overturned and crashed to the ground at Wood Refinery - Phillips 66 - Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. Phillips 66 spokeswoman Melissa Erker said the crane overturned at the company's Wood River Refinery at around 10:45 Tuesday morning. Erker said the injured employee was transported to an area hospital for treatment but did not elaborate on the injuries. Erker said the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the incident with refinery officials. The names of those involved in the accident have not been released.

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EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced today that the Illinois Supreme Court has rejected his request that they review the subcircuit law that was passed last January. Nonetheless, he said he was “honored” by the chance to challenge this law, and that the County “fought the good fight” in the lawsuit. Haine also congratulated the four other plaintiffs against this law – Judge Chris Threlkeld, Judge Amy Sholar, Sen. Dan McConchie, and Chrissy Dutton Wiley – for their strong stand on principle over a period of many months. “This subcircuit law chopped Madison County’s judiciary into subcircuits,” said Haine. “It outraged people from across the political spectrum. It resulted in a recent judicial election where two-thirds of the County voters had no vote for the first time in our history. The County Board called on us to fight this law, and we were honored to do so. The County Board can be proud

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ALTON - St. Mary's Catholic Church issued a reminder that its Forty Hours Devotion begins at 1 a.m. Wednesday with Holy Mass. From 6 p.m. to approximately 6 a.m. they will use only one entrance - the Fourth Street Side Entrance (with the automatic door). The emergency number for the adoration periods is: 617-851-5636. Call this number if there is any difficulty or missing scheduled adorer...

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UVALDE, TEXAS/ALTON, IL. - The community of Uvalde, Texas has been reeling since a tragic shooting on May 24, 2022, when an 18-year-old gunman - Salvador Ramos - wielding an AR-15-style rifle, killed 19 children and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in the community, a small city west of San Antonio. Melissa Federspill of the Uvalde Leader-News said recently that this year with the school shooting, "there was not too much going on to try to push for Wreaths Across America." That was before the Alton Wreaths Across America Committee valiantly stepped in recently to offer a gesture that is being talked about across the country. Uvalde, Texas, has only been registered as an official Wreaths Across America location for one year. In what was described as a gesture in the true American spirit, the Alton Wreaths Across America Committee had raised more than enough wreaths to honor all of their local veterans. Margaret Hopkins, leader of the group, connected with volunteers for Hillcrest

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SPRINGFIELD – Governor JB Pritzker released the following statement after the conclusion of the 2022 legislative session. “As we conclude the 2022 veto session, I want to congratulate the lawmakers and advocates who came together on behalf of the people of Illinois and made this session a success. Government is at its best when we come together across party lines to make Illinois the best it can be. “For almost six months, working groups of legislators have been hard at work with victims’ advocates, state’s attorneys, public defenders, law enforcement partners and others to clarify language in the SAFE-T Act, which goes into effect January 1 st . I’m pleased that the General Assembly has upheld the principles we fought to protect, including bringing an end to a system where those charged with violent offenses can buy their way out of jail, while others who are poor and charged with nonviolent offenses wait in jail for trial. “I want to particularly

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JERSEYVILLE - A wide range of charges including child pornography, domestic battery, drug possession/delivery, and more were filed in Jersey County over the past week, according to the latest felony booking report from the Jersey County Circuit Clerk. Jerry A. Newby, 24, of Brighton, was arrested on five counts of reproducing child pornography in which the victim was under 13 years of age. He was arrested on Dec. 1 and his hearing is set for Jan. 9, 2023 at 9 a.m. Jon G. Deneef, 36, of Jerseyville, was charged with possession of less than five grams of meth, possession of a controlled substance, possession of hypodermic syringes/needles, possession of drug paraphernalia, and resisting a peace officer. Deneef was arrested Dec. 2 and his hearing is set for Dec. 12 at 9 a.m. Stephanie N. Choat, 36, also of Jerseyville, was also arrested for possession of less than five grams of meth, possession of a controlled substance, possession of hypodermic syringes/needles, and possession

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GRANITE CITY – Over 50 Granite City High School Teachers and staff wore t-shirts on Friday to support one of their students - Chloe Affolter. Affolter, a 15-year-old sophomore, was diagnosed with papillary carcinoma thyroid cancer in 2019. After her diagnosis, they removed her thyroid. Since then she has been going in for blood work every three months to keep things in check. In August 2022, her yearly scan didn’t quite match up to her blood work numbers so she underwent further testing that determined the cancer was back. Another surgery was done to remove the cancerous lymph nodes. After an eight-day stay in the hospital, Chloe was sent home to heal. Being in remission, her battle is far from over. She will head to the endocrinologist in January for follow-up PET scans and ultrasounds.

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ALTON - The Annual Dr. King Commemoration Service will take place on Sunday, Jan 15, 2023, at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, 2621 Amelia St., Alton, Rev John Buford, Host Pastor. Michael Holliday is the new President of the Alton Branch NAACP. Michael McMillan, CEO of the St. Louis Metropolitan Urban League will be the speaker. (ULSTL) a nonprofit organization providing social services to the Metropolitan St. Louis community since 1918. The St. Louis Urban League was the first affiliate of the National Urban League movement to be awarded a Five-Star Rating which it holds to this day. The Urban League’s mission is “to assist African Americans and others throughout the region in securing economic self-reliance, social equality and civil rights.” Each year, the Urban League serves more than 125,000 residents through programming supporting economic opportunity, educational excellence, community empowerment, civil rights, and advocacy. President

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O’FALLON, IL — HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, announces the addition of three new members to the hospital’s Board of Directors. This brings the number of board members for St. Elizabeth’s to eleven. Board members serve voluntarily and provide counsel and oversight on decisions that affect the organization’s sustainable future and advance the mission. St. Elizabeth’s is pleased to welcome Barbara Cempura, Brian Lemon and Kevin Meder to the Board of Directors. “As successful community leaders, I appreciate the experience, engagement and governance support that Barbara, Brian, and Kevin will bring to complement our already effective team of board members,” said President and CEO Chris Klay. Barbara Cempura was the founder and served as the President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwestern Illinois from 1980 to 2015 and served as interim CEO in 2018 to 2019. Brian Lemon has served his entire career in

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