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Parents who don’t use all the money in their Illinois 529 College Savings Accounts (Bright Start and Bright Directions) are now able to roll over the funds into a Roth IRA under Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs’ plan that was signed into law . “This will give parents another option when deciding what to do with the money they’ve saved for their children if they don’t use all of it,” said Treasurer Frerichs, who thanked Gov. JB Pritzker for signing the legislation and State Sen. Steve Stadelman and State Rep. Diane Blair-Sherlock for sponsoring it. “A common question we get from parents is what they can do with their Illinois 529 money if their child doesn’t go to college or gets a scholarship, and there is money left over in the account, and we have good news to share with them.” The option is possible because Congress approved a measure in December 2022 changing Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code to authorize tax-

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GRANITE CITY – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that an intersection replacement project on Illinois 3 between Niedringhaus Avenue and Rock Road will begin, weather permitting, at 6 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 12. To complete the necessary work, Illinois 3 will be closed to through traffic at 20th Street. Motorists should follow the marked detour as follows: Illinois 3 northbound: Illinois 3 to Plank Road to Packers Avenue to eastbound Interstate 70 to northbound Interstate 255 to westbound Interstate 270 to Illinois 3. Illinois 3 southbound: Illinois 3 to eastbound I-270 to southbound I-255 to westbound I-55/70 to Illinois 3. The work is expected to be completed by mid-September. Drivers are urged to remain alert while traveling the marked detour throughout construction. Drivers should reduce speed, obey all construction signage and refrain from using mobile devices while driving the detour route. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us

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EDWARDSVILLE - Area veterans will be the recipients of free clothing, door prizes, employment, community and educational resources and services, and will have the opportunity to be interviewed on site by employers during the upcoming Resource and Job Fair, co-hosted by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Veterans Upward Bound (VUB). VUB, in partnership with the City of Florissant, The Kaufman Fund and Florissant area veterans service organizations, will hold the Fair from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14 at the John F. Kennedy Community Center, 315 Howdershell Road, St. Louis, Mo. According to VUB Outreach Coordinator Bill Schnarr, who is also an U.S. Army veteran, the event is at capacity for providers, with 45 vendors registered to attend. “We are extremely excited to be offering a Resource Fair of this magnitude,” said Schnarr. “We look forward to assisting veterans in various ways, particularly in finding employment.” “Taking care of veterans

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ALTON - In the most recent episode of “You’re Beautiful” with Brian Trust, Cole Abell shared his perspective on fulfillment and obedience to God. Abell, a Christian music artist, spoke about the power of prayer and reading the Bible to help people connect to God. He believes this is how to build a relationship with Him. While Abell has struggled with feelings of unfulfillment, his faith has guided him through these periods of uncertainty. “Faithfulness and obedience will always take you further than staying complacent,” Abell said. “If I want to build my relationship with God, what do I have to do? Doing nothing gets me nothing. If I want to build my relationship, I have to do what? Get in the word, pray, go to church, worship. There’s all these things in His word. We act like we don’t know what to do when it comes to God, but it’s all right there in His book. All we have to do is read it.” Abell encourages

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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville High sophomore softball player Grace Oertle was one of the heroes for her team when she slammed a three-run first-inning home run in the Tigers' 7-4 IHSA Class 4A regional final win over Belleville West on May 23, 2024, at the Edwardsville Sports Complex. Oertle hit a three-run homer off the top of the fence in left-center field that bounced over to start the Tigers off on the right foot Edwardsville then scored four times in the second. After the regional championship, Oertle was hitting .368, going 32-of-67, with two home runs and 22 RBIs. She was one of the hottest hitters for the Tigers late in the season. Grace is a Spencer Homes Female Athlete of the Month for the Tigers. "It was a good outcome, and it's a good feeling to win regionals for the seventh time in a row," she said after that big game. Oerlte's homer came about on a pitch that was right inside her wheelhouse, and she knew exactly what to do with the ball once it got to the plate.

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ALTON - Four food trucks will give away a total of 500 meals in the housing developments under the Alton Housing Authority. Community members can receive a free hot meal from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2024. The food trucks will stop in the housing developments at Oakwood Estates, Alton Acres, Toledo Estates and Alton Manor, and each food truck will give away 125 meals. “We’ll just enjoy one another and use food as a way to connect and bless the people,” explained John Michel. Michel oversees the operations of Soulcial Kitchen and Currency of Caring, two programs that fall under the Food is Love brand and aim to fight food insecurity in the St. Louis metro area. He explained that the Currency of Caring program allows people to purchase $8 tokens to provide a free meal to their neighbors. This month, Alton Township decided to purchase 500 tokens to provide meals to community members. Michel said Alderman Ray Strebel was “instrumental”

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ALTON - iMerge Community Center is hosting a three-day house music festival to raise funds to help the center continue to offer programs for youth as well as meeting and party space for area groups. The Once in a Blue Moon House Music Festival and Fundraiser will be held during August’s blue moon phase, from Friday, August 16 through Sunday, August 18, at iMerge, which is housed in the Riverbender.Com building, 200 W. 3rd Street in Alton. Brigit Holt, Executive Director of iMerge, has recruited a robust lineup of DJ’s from Chicago, St. Louis, and Tennessee. “We have 15 DJ’s lined up so far, most of whom are from Chicago,” Holt said. “In fact, it was a Chicago DJ who inspired me to host a House Music festival at iMerge,” she said. World renowned DJ Gene Hunt visited Holt in Alton after performing at a venue in St. Louis. “I gave him a tour of iMerge Community Center, and he was really impressed with the facility. He said it would be

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CHAMPAIGN – Today , the Pritzker Administration announced that SEquity Ventures (LLC dba The Dispensary Champaign) became the 100th social equity cannabis dispensary to open its doors in Illinois. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) issued a full adult use cannabis dispensary license to The Dispensary Champaign on June 6, 2024, who applied for and was selected in the Social Equity Criteria Lottery (SECL) and met the lottery's criteria . “From day one of legal cannabis sales in Illinois, my administration has been committed to making sure we don’t sacrifice a fair, equitable opportunity to join the industry – while also undoing decades of wrongs in the failed War on Drugs – just for the economic gains,” said Governor JB Pritzker . “More than three years later, we’ve consistently learned and made our industry more accessible, while also seeing strong, consistent year-over-year revenue growth.”

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GLEN CARBON – Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois proudly recognizes Kennedy Cason from East St. Louis, Illinois for her recent achievements. Kennedy is a member of the 2024 Girl Scout Gold Award class and recipient of a $5,000 scholarship from Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) for her work in creating a literacy library for the seniors of East St. Louis Township. The Gold Award is the highest award in Girl Scouts, and those who earn it set themselves apart from their peers through their perseverance and grit. Nationally, close to 3,000 Girl Scouts in the 2024 Gold Award Class found meaningful ways to address some of the most pressing issues facing their communities, acted on issues they are passionate about, and discovered they have the power to create the future they want. This year’s class of world-changers raised over $1.6 million of support for their projects and invested over 287,000 hours toward creating long-term solutions to community issues they’re passionate

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CARBONDALE - Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) and the Southern Illinois University Faculty Association (SIU-FA) have reached a collective bargaining agreement that has been ratified by the SIU-FA membership, the university and the association announced today (Aug. 5). The agreement is effective July 1, 2024. “Our most valuable resource is our employees,” said Chancellor Austin A. Lane. “We appreciate the faculty association bargaining with us in good faith to reach a common goal: compensation that is more fair, equitable and competitive.” SIU-FA represents more than 400 tenured and tenure-track professors. This agreement marks a historic accomplishment for both the union and university, bargaining successfully to a tentative agreement prior to the expiration of the previous agreement on June 30, 2024. “This agreement is an excellent step in addressing compressed faculty salaries and raises our lowest paid faculty to a more competitive wage,&rdquo

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ALTON - OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center is requesting help from the local community to determine and prioritize health needs. A survey is now available in English and Spanish, and residents of the Riverbend region (and throughout Madison County) can participate by filling it out online or by picking up a paper copy at OSF Saint Anthony’s (1 Saint Anthony’s Way, Alton). “Every community has different health care needs,” says Lisa Schepers, DNP, MBA, RN, NE-BC, Interim President of OSF Saint Anthony’s. “Through this survey, we hope to get input from a broad set of community members to help us focus our efforts on the challenges and opportunities unique to Alton, the Riverbend region, and Madison County.” According to Federal law, all not-for-profit hospitals are required to conduct a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) every three years and put together an Implementation Strategy to meet the community needs that the assessmen

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CARLINVILLE - Carlinville Area Hospital & Clinics will host a Community Blood Drive with ImpactLife, the provider of blood components for local hospitals. The blood drive will be from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024 at 20733 North Broad St., inside Donor Bus. What: Carlinville Area Hospital & Clinics Community Blood Drive When: Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Where: ImpactLife Donor Bus, 20733 North Broad, Carlinville, IL Appointments: To donate, please contact Vicki Walker at (217) 854-3141 or visit www.bloodcenter.org and use code 60352 to locate the drive. Appointments are requested. You may also call ImpactLife to schedule at 800-747-5401. Donor Eligibility Criteria: Potential donors must be at least 17 years of age (16 with parental permission form available through www.bloodcenter.org ) and weigh more than 110 pounds. A photo I.D. is required to donate. For questions about eligibility, please call ImpactLife at (800) 747-5401. Donors who

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EAST ALTON – The Pratt and Tobin Law Firm in East Alton has recently sponsored two students through the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division (BMWED-IBT) Affiliate Sponsored Scholarship Program. Isabella Ochoa, a recipient affiliated with AT&SFF, plans to major in Criminology and Criminal Justice at State Fair Community College. The other recipient, Joseph Stuckey, associated with Allied, is pursuing a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. "A warm congratulations to our two newest scholarship winners," the Tobin and Pratt Firm said in a statement. "They join the esteemed group of BMWED scholarship recipients. We look forward to seeing both of you excel in the upcoming academic year and wish you great success in your future endeavors."

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EDWARDSVILLE – Deundrea S. Holloway of Litchfield has received approval to represent himself in his upcoming trial, following an evaluation to determine his fitness to stand trial. Holloway faces multiple charges in connection with the June 2022 death of 22-year-old pregnant woman Liese Dodd at her apartment in the 3400 block of Bolivar St. in Alton. The charges include two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of intentional homicide of an unborn child, dismembering a human body, offenses relating to motor vehicle, and concealment of a homicidal death. The court's decision to allow Holloway to represent himself comes after thorough assessment of his mental competency. His trial is set to begin on Oct. 7, 2024. The case has garnered significant attention due to the nature of the charges and the circumstances surrounding Dodd's death. Authorities allege that Holloway committed the crimes at Dodd's residence, leading to a series of serious legal accusations. As the trial

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Gordon Lightfoot's song The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald depicts the Midwest's waterways simultaneously as a robust economic and recreational force and a terrifying force of nature. As beautiful as the rivers and lakes of Illinois are, any body of water can become dangerous and deadly when mixing boating and alcohol. Alcohol drastically increases the risks and dangers of boating in Illinois waterways. The Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC) urges boat operators and passengers to be responsible, practice moderation, and understand the threats of drinking and boating. “Like drinking and driving, Boating Under the Influence (BUI) of alcohol can impair operator and passenger safety. Alcohol can damage operator judgment, reflexes, depth perception, and coordination abilities. No matter how confident a boat operator is while under the influence, the consequences of alcohol on an individual's mental and physical well-being increase the danger of boating,” said Illinois

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Parents of school-age children understand that weekday mornings are a ritual. We wake up our kids, pack their lunches, bundle them into their coats, keeping our fingers crossed we didn’t forget anything while rushing them to the bus stop. We wave goodbye as they wait for their school bus, hoping their ride is uneventful. As a mother, the safety and security of my girls is always at the top of my mind—when they play on the jungle gym at the park, when they swim at the pool and, yes, when they ride the school bus with their classmates. And if you’re like me, you may have assumed that school buses, given the invaluable cargo they carry, adhere to the most stringent vehicle safety requirements. But the reality is more frightening: Parents might not know that many of our nation’s school buses don’t even have basic safety equipment like seat belts or the ability to brake quickly in an emergency. From 2012 to 2021, 998 school-transportation-related crashes

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CHICAGO – Democratic Party of Illinois Chair and Illinois Delegation Co-Chair Lisa Hernandez issued the following statement after the Illinois presidential delegation voted unanimously to make Kamala Harris the official Democratic nominee for President: “Today, the Illinois delegation was a part of history and cast their ballots for a woman who is battle-tested, sharp and uniquely qualified to lead our nation. It’s a privilege to help lead my state’s delegation as we work to ensure Kamala Harris ascends to the White House under promises of unity, fairness and fighting for all Americans. The Democratic Party of Illinois does not take this historic moment for granted and is fully committed to mobilizing our communities in support of Kamala Harris. Vice President Harris’s platform reflects the values and priorities of Illinoisans, and we’ll continue to rally behind her to defeat Donald Trump.” Electronic roll call began at 10:00 AM CT on Thursday,

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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- Following 28 years of service in the U.S. Marine Corps, on July 30, 2024, Master Gunnery Sgt. Jimi Liddell Gayden commissioned as a lieutenant junior grade in the U.S. Navy to pursue a new career as a chaplain. The East St. Louis, Illinois, native and former intelligence chief with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing attributes his decision to join the Navy Chaplain Corps to his passion for serving others, which he discovered during his service as a Marine, often volunteering at base chapels. “I found in serving that it really challenged and encouraged me because I want to inspire people,” Liddell Gayden explained. “I also found it very rewarding to help people walk through scriptures and learn to grow spiritually. That laid some foundations for what came to be a ministry call.” Liddell Gayden joined the Marine Corps in 1996 with the intention of using his service as a stepping stone for college. “I knew that

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GRANITE CITY — During the late hours of August 3, 2024, to the early hours of August 4, 2024, the lives of many were irrevocably altered after a tragic motorcycle crash near Pontoon Beach. Meghan Lance, along with Nicko Lance, is spearheading a fundraiser to support the immediate expenses following the tragic loss of community members Cole and Morgan Whitford. The sudden passing of Cole and Morgan Whitford has left their family not only handling profound grief, but also managing the practicalities of funeral expenses and bills. To assist with these immediate financial burdens, a trust has been established in the names of their daughters, Remington and Emersyn Whitford. Contributions to this fund can be made through any FCB Bank or directly via the Irwin Funeral Home. “This world lost two beautiful souls leaving behind their two daughters, dogs, and home,” Meghan Lance shared. “Any donations will go toward immediate expenses and any remaining funds will be left

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GODFREY - With daily deals and top-notch customer service, Village Dispensary has something for everyone. Located at 110 Northport Drive in Godfrey, the new dispensary offers a variety of cannabis products and accessories. The “budtenders” pride themselves on their customer service, and they look forward to assisting the community with all of their THC needs. “It’s just nice to come into work,” said Alli, a representative with Village Dispensary. “You come in to help people and it’s pretty effortless. I love learning, and you learn something new every day there.” The dispensary offers daily specials, starting with “Roll Into the Week Monday” — a deal on pre-rolls — and “Tasty Tuesday” edible specials. “Waxy Wednesday” offers sales on concentrates and vapes. “Thirsty Thursday” promises 30% off select cannabis-infused drinks, and “Flower Friday” offers flower

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