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ALTON – Alton Memorial Hospital is making health equity scholarships of up to $5,000 available to high school seniors or recent high school graduates in Madison County. The deadline to apply is March 31. Please submit your application via email to April Becker at April.Becker@bjc.org . Materials can also be sent via U.S. mail to April at Alton Memorial Hospital, One Memorial Drive, Alton, IL 62002. “We are excited to announce the health equity scholarship encouraging our local young adults to consider one of the many careers in health care,” said Brad Goacher, chief operating officer at Alton Memorial. Scholarships could be renewable for up to three years beyond the initial term (up to four years total) and could include employment while in school. Candidates for the scholarship include: Permanent residents of Madison County High school seniors or graduates within the last two years (also includes those obtaining a GED) Students of historically marginalized

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JERSEYVILLE - The 2nd annual Lucky Local Love Treasure Hunt is coming up on March 5th. This is a day filled with fun and shopping with lots of deals and/or giveaways at every location. This event is one of four shop local events hosted annually by the #shopthe618 small business group. These events are not only about local businesses supporting each other and creating a fun day of shopping for our customers, but they’re also about our community and reaching people outside of Jerseyville to show them the amazing shopping available here. The Lucky Local Love Treasure Hunt will work just like the past events: pick up a punch card from any of the ShopThe618 locations. As you shop at each store, have them punch your card. Turn that card into the last store you visit by 3 pm. If you are able to get punches from every location, you will be entered to win the Pot of Gold with treasures from each store. If you didn’t get all the punches, you can still enter to win the participation

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ALTON - Senior Chloe White has been a dominant figure on the court all season in 2021-2022 for Marquette Catholic's top-notch girls' basketball team. Chloe said she Coach Lee Green has helped her reach her true potential in basketball and she is so thankful for his influence. "When I transferred to Marquette Catholic High School, Coach Green gave me confidence, something I did not have before," she said. "I would like to thank my Mom for being my motivator and pushing me to be my greatest, my grandparents for always being by my side, and my amazing coach Lee Green. "Basketball has always been a part of me. I try to practice whenever I can and push myself to be better I can say that is a major accomplishment for me. I have been playing the sport for about eight years. What I love most about basketball is the connection you can have with your teammates, I love that it is a team sport. But I also love defense, of course, a team needs a good offense, but good defending players is what

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ALTON - Junior Hayden Sherman recently completed a highly successful boys bowling season. The Marquette Catholic boys’ varsity team had a really great season, with a 13-4 overall record. "I bowled anchor for the varsity team, which is an honor," Sherman said. "My average this season was 204 - a personal best. At regionals I bowled a 1356 series, averaging 226, and placed second individually. This personal best performance, along with awesome games from our whole team, led to our second-place finish at regionals, advancing us to sectionals. We qualified for sectionals for the first time in Marquette’s bowling history." Hayden is the Tucker's Automotive Male Athlete of the Month for Marquette Catholic. Hayden extended thanks to several who have helped shape his bowling career: "I’d like to thank my brother, Logan, for introducing me to the sport; my mom, dad, and grandparents for supporting me; Coach Dave Meyers who coached my 8th-grade year at Alton Middle; and Coach

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that new federal investments are expected to help several rural businesses and communities across Illinois create 170 jobs and save 328 additional jobs. Today’s investments come through multiple United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Programs. “I’m proud to see this federal support helping create and save good-paying jobs in rural communities and glad that the Biden Administration is committed to helping uplift local businesses in Illinois,” said Duckworth. “Federal support like this helps create economic opportunities that can empower working families, and I’ll continue working with Senator Durbin and others to make sure hardworking Illinoisans throughout our state receive the resources they deserve.” “These USDA grants and loans will help create jobs, support small businesses, and spur economic development

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ST. LOUIS – Katie’s Pizza & Pasta Osteria’s next Giveback Tuesday event will take place on Tuesday, February 22nd in Town and Country, Missouri. Funds raised from the day will be donated to Girls on the Run St. Louis (GOTR-STL), a nonprofit organization that inspires girls to lead joyful, healthy, and confident lives through an experience-based curriculum that creatively integrates running. Every month, Katie’s Pizza & Pasta Osteria features a local nonprofit organization and donates 100% of profits from the entire day to the charity. So far, Katie’s Pizza & Pasta Osteria has donated $297,725 to local nonprofit organizations. Girls on the Run St. Louis will use the funds raised from Giveback Tuesday to fund their scholarships, since the program is open to all girls who want to participate, regardless of their financial status. Families unable to pay the registration fees can request financial assistance, and in the past year, GOTR-STL provided more than

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ALTON - The Alton Salvation Army red kettle bell-ringing campaign is officially complete and the goal has been exceeded. The final report is $113,207.17 was raised and that exceeds the goal of $106,000. Taylor and Lily Freer were the co-chairs of this year's event. Taylor and Lily said it was because of the public's support the organization was able to meet the goal. Taylor said: “We are very thankful for our community and their generosity.” Lily was also extremely excited and said: "The fact this campaign helps so many people." Both girls also added: "To the multitude that rang bells, promoted and gave “YOU ROCK” Thank you from the bottom of our hearts." Captain Sean Grey said, “I am beyond grateful for this wonderful community. Thank you so much for making it possible for us to continue to provide help to our neighbors who are struggling. Thank you for loving beyond and helping us give a hand up to Hope! "We served more than 340 families with Thanksgivin

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ALTON - Saturday, February 19 is a full moon and SVOUND™ is hosting a Celestial Moon + Tarot Soundbath at Jacoby Arts Center. "Energies are high and it's a beautiful time to look inward to see what we are ready to release and create new space for the things we want in our lives," said SVOUND™ creator Lisa Grezlak. "The moon plays such a beautiful role in our planet and our lives. Using the moon cycle is a powerful way to help us gauge things in our lives as change constantly swirls around us." Grezlak says, the tarot cards messages will provide intuitive ways that one can explore broader perspectives and understandings in their life. Sound vibration is used to promote a state of relaxation, ease, and openness. "Often we may find that thoughts, ideas, and insights that come to us during the soundbath are divine messages related to the card we receive. Join us this powerful evening to discover intuitive messages, release the old, set intentions for new things, and manifest

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GRANITE CITY – GCS Credit Union kicks off their 2022 Jeans Program, Don’t Stop Donatin’, by raising $1,520 for the Madison County Child Advocacy Center. GCS Don’t Stop Donatin’ Jeans Program focuses on supporting our local counties. Each month, GCS employees will donate to an organization within the 18 counties that GCS serves. The Don’t Stop Donatin’ Jeans Program is funded by GCS employees who make monthly, monetary donations out of their own pockets to a local organization. By donating $15 or more to a specific organization, GCS employees are able to wear jeans and tennis shoes on Fridays and Saturdays during that month. The Madison County Child Advocacy Center (CAC) is a resource for the brave children who are involved in abuse allegations. Through a confidential forensic interview, children are able to share their stories in a safe and supportive environment. CAC is dedicated to helping children and their families find hope and healing

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EDWARDSVILLE – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Engineering’s Cougar Baja team achieved 7th place at this year’s Blizzard Baja hosted Saturday, Feb. 5 at Michigan Technology University. The president of the SIUE Baja team, senior Samuel Churchill, of Ottawa, together with teammates Matthew Buchholz (treasurer), Curtis Lake, and Nathan Buss (secretary) competed against athletes from across the country. This year’s edition had a total of 22 cars competing in dual events of hill climb and a four-hour endurance race where all the cars raced wheel to wheel. “We did well considering our resources,” Churchill shared. “We were up against stiff competition with Michigan schools known for having car manufacturers’ support. The most challenging aspect was the low temperature of around 10-15 degrees and wind. After about a half-hour we had to swap drivers because it was so cold.” “The team worked together well and

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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville Public Works announced on Wednesday morning it will be shutting down the water main in the 100 block of North Main Street at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday today to make emergency repairs. "At this time, we anticipate the repairs will take an hour and service will be restored upon completion of the repairs," Edwardsville Public Works Department said. "A boil order will be in effect at the time of the shutdown for the east side of North Main Street in the 100 block, and 101 and 103 North Main Street." For updates regarding the boil order, please visit: www.cityofedwardsville.com . Contact the Edwardsville Public Works at (618) 692-7535 with any questions.

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GRANITE CITY – Granite City Community Unit School District #9 has canceled its Special Meetings of the Board of Education on Thursday, Feb. 17, and Friday, Feb. 18. The next scheduled GCSD9 Board Meeting is set for Tuesday, Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. at the James J. Greenwald Administration Building. The meeting will be streamed live on the GCSD9 Facebook page: facebook.com/GCSD9.net. For more information about Granite City School District #9, visit www.gcsd9.net .

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ROLLA, Mo. - Missouri University of Science and Technology announces the names of students who made the honor list for the Fall 2021 semester. To be included on the honor list, students must have carried a minimum of 12 hours and had grade point averages of 3.2 or above out of a possible 4.0. Alton, Illinois 62002, Reiley Clark, engineering, sophomore 62002, Claire Pohlman, environmental engineering, senior Bethalto, Illinois 62010, Hannah Butkovich, engineering, sophomore 62010, Kaitlyn Kappler, chemical engineering, senior Edwardsville, Illinois 62025, Lauren Coulter, civil engineering, senior 62025, Andreas Ellinas, technical communication, junior 62025, Jessica Glenn, mining engineering, sophomore 62025, Luke Goeckner, computer science, senior 62025, Logan Mills, computer engineering, junior 62025, Katelynne Roberts, engineering, sophomore 62025, Andre Wilke, mechanical engineering, sophomore Glen Carbon, Illinois 62034, Anna Burke, civil

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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville School District 7 Superintendent Dr. Patrick Shelton released information today that after working with legal counsel, the 9-0 Joint Committee on Administrative Rules vote of 9-0 means because these emergency rules have expired, schools can only require employee vaccinations/testing, student and employee masking, and exclusion of students and employees (positive or close contacts) from school if there is a court order or an order from the local health department. "Earlier today, we learned of an action from the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) which voted 9-0 to reject a reintroduction of emergency rules for COVID-19 protocols in schools which include masking, testing, and exclusion. JCAR is not connected to the Illinois Appellate Court process, which we are still awaiting a ruling from," he said on Tuesday. "As a district, we have a duty to be compliant with all state and federal mandates and follow the guidance of health care professionals

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ALTON - Alton School District Superintendent Kristie Baumgartner provided details Wednesday morning of a Tuesday night decision by the School Board. Dr. Baumgartner said the board voted 7-0 Tuesday night in a meeting to move from mask required, but "strongly recommended." "Late this afternoon, the Illinois Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) voted 9-0 to reject the extension of the Illinois emergency regulations for COVID-19 mitigations in schools," she explained. "These mitigations include masking for students and staff, testing requirements for staff, and exclusion for close contacts. Because the emergency regulations are now expired, student and staff mask requirements, employee vaccination/testing requirements and exclusion of close contacts can only occur through a court order or an order from the Madison County Health Department. "Therefore, beginning on Wednesday, February 16, 2022, masks will now be strongly recommended for our students and staff, but not required,

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On Feb. 14, sweethearts of all ages exchanged cards, flowers, candy, and more lavish gifts in the name of St. Valentine. But as a historian of Christianity , I can tell you that at the root of our modern holiday is a beautiful fiction. St. Valentine was no lover or patron of love. Valentine’s Day, in fact, originated as a liturgical feast to celebrate the decapitation of a third-century Christian martyr, or perhaps two. So, how did we get from beheading to betrothing on Valentine’s Day? Early Origins of St. Valentine Ancient sources reveal that there were several St. Valentines who died on Feb. 14. Two of them were executed during the reign of Roman Emperor Claudius Gothicus in 269-270 A.D., at a time when persecution of Christians was common. How do we know this? Because, an order of Belgian monks spent three centuries collecting evidence for the lives of saints from manuscript archives around the known world. They were called Bollandists after Jean Bolland,

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SPRINGFIELD - The bipartisan Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) voted today to block the re-implementation of Governor JB Pritzker’s mask mandate for K-12 schools in Illinois. According to State Representative Amy Elik (R-Fosterburg), “As it stands today, the statewide school mask mandate is no longer in place following support from both republican and democrat lawmakers serving on JCAR. Governor Pritzker’s go it alone approach has caused chaos across our state. When a legislative body had the opportunity to decide, they voted to suspend the governor’s school mask mandate.” Governor Pritzker’s emergency rule on COVID mitigations for Illinois schools expired on Sunday, February 13. Prompting the Pritzker administration to immediately re-file the rule on Monday, putting it back into effect unless JCAR voted affirmatively to block it with a minimum of 8 members on the 12-member committee. Nine members voted to suspend the Governor’s

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ST. LOUIS – The Little River Band makes a triumphant return to River City Casino & Hotel on Saturday, October 22, 2022. Showtime is 8 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.). Tickets are $85, $65, $55, $45 and $35. Tickets go on sale this Friday, February 18 at 10 a.m. and can be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com or at the River City Casino & Hotel box office. You must be 21 and older to attend. The Eagles founding member, the late Glenn Frey, knew what he was saying when he dubbed Little River Band “the best singing band in the world.” The current lineup of LRB takes that accolade to heart each and every time they perform. Through the ‘70s and ‘80s, LRB enjoyed huge chart success with multi-platinum albums and chart topping hits such as “Reminiscing,” “Cool Change,” “Lonesome Loser,” “The Night Owls,” “Take It Easy On Me,” “Help Is on Its Way,” “Happy Anniversary,” “We

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CHICAGO – The Illinois Lottery today announced outstanding results for the first six months of fiscal year 2022, including sales of $1.7 billion, to benefit the State’s Common School Fund. Two-thirds of Illinois adults now play the Illinois Lottery, which is up from half just a few years ago, with an expanded retail network and an improved digital offering attracting new players. “The Illinois Lottery is a valuable state asset, generating essential revenue for the Common School Fund and good causes across the great State of Illinois,” said Acting Illinois Lottery Director, Harold Mays. “Lottery proceeds directly support K-12 education and causes such as breast cancer awareness, Alzheimer's support, and homelessness prevention. A successful first half-year allows us to continue to deliver for the State.” During the first half of the fiscal year, a new Monday night Powerball draw was launched, the Lottery expanded its Fast Play game in retail

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East Alton Elementary, Wood River-Hartford District, the Alton School District, Edwardsville School District, and Granite City School District now are mask optional. The schools made decisions on Tuesday to drop mask requirements. The decision comes after the recent Sangamon County judge’s decision overturning the Governor Pritzker mask mandate and the Illinois Joint Committee on Administrative Rules voted to reject reintroduce of emergency rules for COVID-19 protocols. Granite City Superintendent Stephanie Cann made this statement on Tuesday night: "This afternoon action from the Illinois Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) voted 9-0 to reject a reintroduction of emergency rules for COVID-19 protocols in schools which include masking, testing, and exclusion. This Illinois legislative body is independent of the Illinois judicial Appellate Court, from whom we are still awaiting a ruling on the previous court cases involving the Governor’s mask mandates. "Our lega

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