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SPRINGFIELD – For the third year in a row, the number of shootings on Illinois interstates has dropped. The Illinois State Police (ISP) is reporting interstate shootings statewide decreased 31% in 2024, compared to 2023. ? Since a record high in 2021, there has been a decrease in interstate shootings every year: 31% decrease from 2023 to 2024 53% decrease from 2022 to 2024 71% decrease from 2021 to 2024 2024 2023 2022 2021 Shootings 89 129 189 310 Injury-related Shootings 17 37 75 133 “The continued dedication of resources, including personnel, license plate readers, Air Ops, K9 units, and investigations, has allowed ISP to reduce crime on interstates and make roads safer,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “Although our strategies for crime reduction continue to evolve, ISP’s commitment to protecting the public remains unwavering.” In 2024, through patrol enforcement and special

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CHICAGO – Illinois State Police (ISP) officials investigated a traffic crash that occurred on Interstate 55 involving two ISP troopers who were handling a crash when their squad cars were struck by a driver who failed to move over. On January 14, 2025, at approximately 7:48 a.m., two ISP troopers were inside of their squad cars, on the left shoulder, handling a crash with their emergency lights activated on Interstate 55 northbound just south of Harlem Avenue. A Honda Accord failed to move over and struck the rear of one parked squad and then sideswiped the second squad. One trooper and their canine partner reported minor injuries. The driver of the Honda, 20-year-old Gabriel S. Owens of Sauk Village, Illinois, was charged with driving Too Fast for Conditions and a Scott’s Law violation. In 2025, ISP has already suffered two Move Over Law-related crashes. In 2024, ISP suffered 27 Move Over Law-related crashes with ? 12 troopers injured and one death. In 2023,

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MURRAYVILLE - House Republican Leader Tony McCombie announced today that she has selected State Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Murrayville) to serve as Assistant Minority Leader again for the 104th General Assembly. "As a member of the Republican Leadership team, I view my role as a conservative voice for my constituents and so many others throughout the State. I am working to end the growth of government, to create more natural business growth on main-street, not Wall Street, and to ensure that Illinois families and future generations have the opportunity for personal success. I will continue to work to bring more conservative Republicans to the General Assembly and some real balance to the State of Illinois!" Republican Leader McCombie points out that she has been intentional in assembling a leadership team that reflects the diverse voices of Illinois. The team includes thoughtful leaders from southern, central, and northern Illinois, ensuring that the House Republican Caucus, which

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GODFREY - Kevin Botterbush, a local real estate expert and Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR)-certified instructor, will reopen his real estate courses for the spring semester next week. Botterbush said the classes are something he has a deep passion for and commitment to do each semester. Botterbush is the owner of Botterbush & Associates in Godfrey. The classes, designed to equip aspiring real estate professionals with the necessary skills to succeed, will cover a range of topics, including property valuation, the complexities of real estate transactions, and the impact of political issues on the market. "The real estate business can be fun, but it is also challenging and offers numerous opportunities to explore various avenues," Botterbush said. "We don't just teach how to pass the real estate exam; we prepare students to thrive in the industry." "Brokers must now have a buyer brokerage agreement with their clients," Botterbush explained. "This agreement clarifies the commission

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SPRINGFIELD – With no scent, color, or taste, radon is a stealthy killer. In fact, it’s the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. “January is National Radon Action Month and a good opportunity to learn about this gas,” explained Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau. “It is estimated that more than 1,100 people in Illinois develop radon-related lung cancer each year. IEMA-OHS is encouraging all property owners and renters to understand the risk and test for radon,” said Tate-Nadeau. Radon test kits can be purchased by calling the Illinois Radon Hotline at 800-325-1245 or at most hardware and department stores. It is recommended to conduct one short-term test and one long-term test to ensure consistent readings. Should you find higher readings, you should contact IEMA-OHS at 800-325-1245 for information about a licensed mitigation professional who are trained to reduce

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CLARKSVILLE, MO – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rivers Project, is again partnering with the City of Clarksville to bring additional experiences to their annual Clarksville Eagle Days festival. Throughout the two-day event, USACE Park Rangers will offer free lock tours at Lock and Dam #24, which is not typically open for public touring. “The Corps of Engineers at Lock and Dam 24 is excited to welcome the public to enjoy a unique experience touring the lock and dam,” said Lock Master Ryan Lee. “You will get to see the lock chamber up close at the height of eagle season. Not only can you learn about tow boats and navigation, but you can also see hundreds of bald eagles around the open water of the dam.” Clarksville Eagle Days runs from 10:00am – 3:30pm on Saturday January 25th and 11:00am – 3:30pm Sunday January 26th with tours of LD24 being offered by Park Rangers every 20 minutes during those times. Those wishing to join a tour can sig

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CHICAGO- Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Children’s Behavioral Health Transformation Initiative (CBHTI) announced the public launch of the BEACON (Behavioral Health Care and Ongoing Navigation) care portal, a centralized resource for Illinois youth and families seeking youth mental health services and care, including state agency support and community-based programs. BEACON is now live for use by Illinois residents and can be accessed at beacon.illinois.gov . “We have made behavioral health a priority of my administration – not just investing in affordability and accessibility but breaking down the stigmas associated with it,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “With the launch of BEACON, families have an easy and accessible place to start. I’m thankful for the team at the Children’s Behavioral Health Transformation Initiative and the staff across six different state agencies whose collaboration proves that breaking down silos in state

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On January 15, history has witnessed a remarkable array of events that have shaped our world in various ways. A notable event on this day occurred in 1971 when the first episode of the popular television series “All in the Family” aired in the United States. This groundbreaking sitcom, created by Norman Lear, tackled controversial social issues such as racism, gender roles, and the generational divide through the lens of humor. The show’s main character, Archie Bunker, became a cultural icon, representing the struggles and complexities of American life during the turbulent 1970s. “All in the Family” not only entertained audiences but also sparked important conversations about societal norms and values, paving the way for more progressive content in television. Fast forward to 2001, when the United States experienced a significant political shift with the inauguration of President George W. Bush. This event marked the beginning of a controversial presidency

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Key takeaways: Most energy drinks are not FDA approved Too much caffeine can lead to negative side effects Many energy drinks have 200mg of caffeine content per can Consider your urination when thinking about hydration Break down hydration based on the activities you do The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) makes clear that energy drinks are “fundamentally different” than sports drinks like Gatorade or Powerade. But scrolling through social media or strolling through the grocery store aisle, and the lines start to blur a bit. When quarterback Justin Fields was a rookie, he inked an endorsement deal with C4 – an energy drink brand. More recently, CELSIUS signed six Heisman Trophy “hopefuls” to NIL (name, image and likeness) deals. The company’s slogan is “live fit,” a motto many athletes can relate to. Karan Rai, MD, is a sports medicine physician with OSF HealthCare who works in partnership with Illinois State

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EDWARDSVILLE - Expanding on its previous and current dramatic offerings and education, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will present the inaugural SIUE Performing Arts Initiative on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025 according to Marc Schapman, DMA, professor of voice and chair of the Department of Music. The new series of performances and workshops will begin on Jan. 22 in the Dunham Hall Theater and will feature Chamber Project Saint Louis (CPSTL), with the University’s own Professor of Cello Marta Simidtchieva . Ticket prices are available here . “The mission of the SIUE Performing Arts Initiative is to provide low-cost, high-quality, cultural and educational programs directed at a wide cross-section of the community,” said Schapman. “We want to bring performances to the area that residents would otherwise have little opportunity to attend and provide a variety of points of view and diverse artistic experiences. We feel this is an asset to SIUE

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EDWARDSVILLE - The SIU System is pleased to announce that both SIU Carbondale (SIUC) and SIU Edwardsville (SIUE) are engaging in a new partnership with the Gateway Equity Institute (GEI), a St. Louis based organization dedicated to advancing equity and justice. GEI empowers leaders to drive change, provides transformative training and engages youth through impactful diversity programs. SIU and GEI are partnering to provide the Anytown Campus Program to 100 students from SIU Carbondale and SIU Edwardsville, plus students from Carbondale Community High School and East St. Louis Senior High School. “Through the inclusion of both college students and high school students, GEI and SIU are creating unique opportunities for youth to learn from one another's perspectives as they explore the following topics: establishing a foundation, sex, race, ability, LGBTQIA2S+ identities and preparing for next steps,” said Rhonda Carter Adams, executive director of GEI. Each school has successfully

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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 Superintendent Dr. Patrick Shelton has announced the recommendation of Alex Fox for the permanent role of principal at Edwardsville High School. The recommendation will be presented to the Board of Education at its monthly meeting on Monday, Jan. 27. If approved, Fox’s appointment will begin with the 2025-26 school year and include a two-year contract, with an option for a third year. Fox has served as interim principal at EHS since August 9 after Dr. Steve Stuart stepped down as principal to assume the position of executive director of the EGHM Foundation. “Edwardsville High School has really thrived this year under Mr. Fox’s leadership as interim principal,” said Shelton. “He has the trust and support of the students, staff, and community, and I am excited to see how EHS will continue to prosper under his direction in the years to come.” Fox served as associate principal

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ALTON — A mudslide occurred around 4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, at Riverview Park in Alton, prompting city officials to assess the damage and consider future stabilization efforts. The incident did not damage the nearby Abbott facility in Alton but resulted in a collection of significant debris and the loss of old trees near the business. Mike Parsons, the public works director for Alton, reported that the mudslide has closed off certain areas of the park while crews work to clean up the debris. "We are looking at all options now as these incidents seem to be happening more frequently," he said. City personnel plan to clear the collection of trees and debris as early as Wednesday. Lyndsey Younger, the interim Alton Park and Rec Director, said: "The mudslide affected the sidewalk that connects the parking lot to the Riverview wall, creating a no-trespassing zone to ensure public safety. However, the road near Riverview Park remains open, as it is situated further down from

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ALTON - OSF Healthcare St. Anthony’s Health Center has a new president. Zach Yoder, MHA, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE, is in his second week as St. Anthony’s president, but he’s a longtime Riverbend resident eager to serve the Alton area. Yoder said he’s looking forward to taking care of the community alongside OSF’s mission partners. “For us it’s just about living the mission and doing what we’re here to do every day,” he said. “We’re looking to continue to be here to take care of the community. Hospitals are an economic pillar in the community. We not only have a lot of folks that work in our organization that live here, but we also take care of everyone in the community as well. For us, that’s not something that we take lightly. A graduate of Jerseyville High School, Yoder started his medical career as a pre-med student, until his junior year of college when he “had a little bit of a crisis” and switche

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee who served 23 years in the Reserve Forces—slammed U.S. Secretary of Defense expected nominee Pete Hegseth on his utter lack of experience and qualifications to lead the Department of Defense at his confirmation hearing. Pointing to a framed copy of the Soldier’s Creed—a copy that hangs over her desk in the Senate and hung above her bed during her recovery at Walter Reed Medical Center after the helicopter she co-piloted was shot down—Duckworth urged Mr. Hegseth to follow this Creed as our servicemembers do every day, placing the mission above personal ambition. Duckworth’s full remarks can be found on the Senator’s YouTube . “Every day, our servicemembers follow the Soldier’s Creed as we ask them to leave their families, walk into enemy fire and be ready for the mission until their very

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ALTON – Illinois State Representative Amy Elik (R-Alton) was reappointed to serve as the Assistant House Republican Leader by House Republican Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna). “It’s such an honor to serve again as Assistant House Republican Leader with Leader Tony McCombie,” said Rep. Amy Elik. “I do not take this responsibility lightly and am excited to use this position to present real solutions to the tough problems Illinois is facing. This is a great opportunity to drive policy that will not only benefit the people I represent in the Metro East, but all across Illinois. I am humbled Leader McCombie has chosen me to serve alongside her in the 104th General Assembly.” State Representative Amy Elik joins an accomplished group of lawmakers from across the state who will guide the House Republican caucus through the 104th General Assembly. “Amy is a tremendous asset to our caucus, and I am thrilled to have her on my leadership team,”

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ALTON/GODFREY — Community Christmas in 2024 successfully provided hundreds of toys and clothing to families in need, thanks to local efforts and generous donations. The Freer family from Freer Auto Body played a pivotal role in the campaign, which aims to support those who may otherwise go without during the holiday season. On Christmas Eve, the Freer family learned of a family of 10 that lacked clothing and toys. They worked quickly to gather the appropriate sizes for the children and find toys for the kids, embodying the precise spirit of Community Christmas. Margaret Freer, a family member and part owner of Freer Auto Body, expressed the emotional significance of the campaign, stating, “It just warms my heart each year to do the Community Christmas campaign. It was David's favorite charity, so that makes it even more special for me. The need is out there and our community never fails to come through.” David Freer, the founder of Freer Auto Body in Godfrey, died

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CHATHAM – The Board of Directors of United Community Bank (UCB) is pleased to announce that Allen Schmale has been named President and Chief Executive Officer of UCB, effective immediately. This announcement follows a highly successful tenure as Interim President and CEO, during which Schmale demonstrated exceptional leadership and a steadfast commitment to the Bank's mission. "Allen is the ideal leader for this role," said Bob Narmont, Chairman of the UCB Board. "His deep banking expertise, dedication to serving our customers and communities, and ability to engage and motivate our team have been invaluable as we continue to grow and strengthen our organization." With decades of experience in banking and finance, Schmale previously served as Chief Lending Officer at UCB, where he spearheaded initiatives that drove growth and success across our organization. His leadership will be instrumental as UCB continues to serve and support its central Illinois, northeast Missouri, and

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EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, that multiple charges have been filed against Delvarrion D. Harris, 30, of East St. Louis, in connection with a shooting that injured 12 people at a club in Venice. The incident occurred early on Nov. 24, 2024, at a club located in the 1400 block of Broadway in Venice. Haine said all the victims survived, although some required hospitalization for their injuries. Harris is charged with 12 counts of Aggravated Battery with a Firearm, a class X felony, as well as one count of Possession of a Weapon by a Felon, a class 3 felony. The charges allege that Harris discharged a firearm, striking the victims, and that he possessed a .40-caliber handgun despite a prior felony conviction. The charges were officially filed on Dec. 20, 2024, but remained sealed until Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, following Harris's arrest. He is currently held at the St. Clair County Jail and is expected to be transferred

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GLEN CARBON - Two contracts between Glen Carbon and TWM, Inc. for street improvement projects are up for a vote at Tuesday night, Jan. 14, 2025, Glen Carbon Village Board meeting. Trustees will consider the approval of two contracts with TWM, Inc. for construction engineering services under the Street Program. Work under the first agreement totals $94,300, while the second agreement totals $44,700. According to a memo to trustees from Public Works Director Scott Slemer, the $94,300 agreement is for the Main Street Storm Sewer Replacement project, while the $44,700 agreement is for the Forest Ridge Court Reconstruction project. Main Street Storm Sewer Replacement Project limits for the Main Street Storm Sewer Replacement extend from the historic Glen Carbon covered bridge to School Street. The full scope of the work is described in the first Professional Services Agreement as follows: “All inlets and storm sewer will be replaced, and the street will be patched as necessary,&rdquo

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