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BENTON – A Southern Illinois district judge sentenced a St. Louis man to 145 months in federal prison for his involvement in a vehicle sale scheme using fake cashier’s checks and targeting victims in Madison, Jasper, Bond and Fayette counties. Valentino Colic, 34, pleaded guilty in September to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, two counts of wire fraud, two counts of interstate transportation of property taken by fraud and six counts of aggravated identity theft. Following imprisonment, he will serve three years of supervised release. The 11-count indictment also named co-conspirators Alen Saric, 36, Almir Palic, 25, and Emad Hasanbegovic, 34, all of St. Louis. Saric pleaded guilty in January to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, one count of interstate transportation of property taken by fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 7. Palic was sentenced to 51 months in February. Hasanbegovic is

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CHICAGO - Today, Governor JB Pritzker released the following statement regarding Donald Trump’s executive order to attack free and fair elections in the United States: “Voting is a fundamental right and sacred responsibility of every American. Yet, once again Donald Trump is ignoring the rule of law and circumventing Congress. “We need to call this what it is: another illegal, extreme, and dangerous attempt to take power away from the American people and hand it over the wealthiest man in the world, Elon Musk, who wishes to decide which U.S. citizens can and can’t vote. “We will not blindly follow illegal orders because Donald Trump wrote them down on a piece of paper. Illinois follows the laws of the land – not the decrees of an aspiring king hell bent on disenfranchising millions of voters who deserve to have their voice heard. “In the face of these attacks on voting rights, Illinois will continue to administer free and fair elections

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EDWARDSVILLE - The refreshments gave off the trappings of an afternoon chai, with an assortment of teas and specialty wafers and crackers. However, the presentations and conversations at the “Teaposium” dealt with less palatable subjects – field mice and pouched rats. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Danielle N. Lee, PhD , assistant professor in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Biological Sciences, hosted her annual “Teaposium” on Friday, March 21 in the Science West Building. “The Teaposium highlights current and upcoming independent research activities of students, as well as invites students to consider joining the DN Lee Lab for hands-on science learning,” said Lee. “Student research assistants participate in ongoing field mice or pouched rat projects – scoring animal behavior videos and assistance with field or lab related research activities.” SIUE students of the latter

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned witnesses during the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution hearing entitled “The Censorship Industrial Complex.” Durbin began by asking Benjamin Weingarten, a Commentator and Senior Contributor to The Federalist, about the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol. Mr. Weingarten has written about the existence of a so-called Censorship Industrial Complex that he believes has been directed by the Biden Administration. As part of this, Weingarten has stated, “the Capitol riot fueled the war on wrongthink” and that “lemency for Capitol rioters, perhaps above all other opening actions , should represent the start of the end of that war.” “Do you think the January 6 riot at the Capitol was protected free speech?” Durbin asked. Mr. Weingarten responded, “I think to the extent there was peaceful

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today joined a multistate coalition of 19 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief supporting the plaintiffs’ challenge to the Trump administration’s early terminations of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations for Haitians and Venezuelans. In the brief that was filed in Haitian-Americans United, et al., v. Trump, Raoul and the coalition urge the court to grant the plaintiffs’ request to postpone the terminations while litigation challenging the termination proceeds, arguing the terminations would irreparably harm Illinois and the coalition states' families and economies. “Haitians and Venezuelans who hold TPS designations have fled conflicts and environmental disasters in their home countries. Temporary Protected Status helps these immigrants work toward a better life for their families while also contributing to the nation’s workforce,” Raoul said. “I am the proud son of Haitian immigrants,

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Illinois representatives from the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), including President of the Chicago Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC), Toby Hauck. During their meeting, Durbin and the NATCA members touched on the industry’s critical staffing shortage and spoke about steps to recruit, train, and retain air traffic controllers. The leaders also discussed replacing outdated equipment and improving mental health support for air traffic controllers who often work 10 hour days, six days a week. “When we board a flight, we expect to arrive safely at our destination. But that’s not possible without the critical work of our air traffic controllers, who are strained by the industry’s staffing shortage,” said Durbin. “Today, I met with Illinois-based air traffic controllers and Toby Hauck, President of the Chicago Air Route Traffic Control

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Anderson Healthcare Board Welcomes New Board Members: John McCracken Anderson Healthcare is pleased to welcome attorney John McCracken to our Board of Trustees. As a respected business and real estate attorney in southwestern Illinois, John brings a wealth of expertise and leadership to our organization. "John is the founder of McCracken Law Firm, which specializes in legal matters related to owning and operating businesses as well as buying, selling, and developing real estate. With extensive experience in litigating cases across the region, he is known for leveraging his background in both courtroom litigation and business transactions. "John’s trusted reputation, deep legal knowledge, and commitment to the community make him an invaluable addition to our Board. We look forward to his contributions as we continue to advance healthcare services for the communities we serve." Tim Schoenecker "We are honored to welcome Tim Schoenecker to the Anderson Healthcare

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EDWARDSVILLE – 80 years to the day after the Edwardsville Garden Club placed a plaque in City Park in memory of those who died in World War II, its members will host a rededication event to again honor the veterans’ heroism and sacrifices. The ceremony will take place in City Park, 101 S. Buchanan Street, at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 5, 2025, the same time and day as the original 1945 event. The Edwardsville Parks & Recreation Department will plant a black tupelo tree, which is native to the region, ahead of the ceremony; the original plaque will be placed in proximity to the tree, just as it was in 1945. “We want to honor our 1945 club president who got this started, and honor the men and women who served or were killed in action,” Edwardsville Garden Club President Cheryl Green said of the rededication. “As a garden club, if we can help preserve history, we want to do that.” The public is invited to attend the ceremony, which will faithfully

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul led a coalition of 22 attorneys general in seeking a court order to force the Trump administration to unfreeze essential funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Despite multiple court orders, including a preliminary injunction issued on March 6 blocking the Trump administration from unlawfully freezing federal funds, the administration continues to withhold hundreds of millions of dollars in grants to states from FEMA. This funding freeze threatens lifesaving emergency preparedness and recovery programs addressing terrorist attacks, mass shootings, wildfires, floods, cybersecurity threats and more. Raoul and the coalition filed a motion to enforce the March 6 preliminary injunction, seeking a court order requiring the administration to immediately stop the freezing of FEMA funds. “Funding through FEMA is critical in Illinois and states around the country because it supports state efforts to help communities

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ALTON - Alton Memorial Health Services Foundation helps support patients with cancer by removing barriers to treatment, including financial hardships. The Foundation’s upcoming fundraiser, Ribbons of Strength, brings together members of the community who have connections to cancer. Proceeds benefit the Foundation’s You’ve Got a Friend and Extra Mile funds, which support patients undergoing cancer treatment at Alton Memorial. In 2024, the Foundation raised over $10,000 to support cancer patients in the River Bend community. “This event is special because it brings people together and lets those who are fighting this battle know that they are not fighting alone,"...said Shannon Fraley, a manager for the Alton Memorial Health Services Foundation." Guests can purchase a purple ribbon with a personal message to encourage someone fighting cancer, or a memorial ribbon in honor of someone who lost their battle with the disease. The ribbons will be displayed on the Wal

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Did you know that the average office worker spends nearly 28% of their workweek managing emails? This staggering statistic highlights a growing problem in our increasingly digital world: the overwhelming clutter of files, emails, and digital assets that can sap our productivity and cause unnecessary stress. As we accumulate more digital files, keeping them organized often falls to the wayside, leading to chaos on our devices and in our minds. So, how can we reclaim our digital spaces and foster a more efficient, streamlined workflow? In this article, we’ll explore practical strategies to keep your digital files organized and clutter-free, enhancing your productivity and peace of mind. Understanding Digital Clutter Digital clutter isn’t just about having too many files on your desktop. It encompasses everything from unorganized emails to neglected cloud storage accounts. This clutter can lead to frustration, wasted time, and decreased efficiency. In fact, a study by the

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March 26 has witnessed a multitude of significant events throughout history, spanning various fields such as politics, technology, culture, and social movements. First and foremost, we look back to 1979, a pivotal year in the realm of international relations. On March 26, President Jimmy Carter and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat signed the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty. This landmark agreement marked the first peace treaty between Israel and an Arab nation, significantly altering the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East. The treaty was a result of the Camp David Accords, where both leaders, with the mediation of U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, negotiated terms that would eventually lead to diplomatic relations between the two countries. The agreement resulted in Israel agreeing to withdraw from the Sinai Peninsula, which they had occupied since the 1967 Six-Day War, in return for Egypt's recognition of Israel's right to exist as a sovereign state. This deal set a precedent

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This Weekend's Go Guide is packed! From fish fries and historical reenactments to engaging workshops and live music performances, there's something for everyone to enjoy. For a full listing of all upcoming events, visit Riverbender Events . If you want to make sure even more of the region is aware of your event email cj@riverbender.com and explore our range of Event Promotion Services! Featured Join Fish Haven at Alton VFW Post 1308 for a Fish Fry Every Friday in Lent from March 7 to April 11. Come hungry, bring your crew, and enjoy great food, cold drinks, and live music! Dinner includes Fish (Buffalo, Catfish Filet, Catfish Nuggets, or Cod), Hushpuppies, 2 Sides, and Bread for $15. Available from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Godfrey Knights of Columbus will host Friday Fish Frys every Friday from March 7 through April 11, 2025, from 4-7 p.m. at the McNicholas Club on Stamper Lane. Enjoy an array of options including Buffalo, whitefish, whole catfish, shrimp, and baked fish, with

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MARYVILLE, IL. – Our Lord’s Lutheran Church (OLLC), 150 Wilma Dr., Maryville, will hold a Pet Expo from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 12, 2025. This outdoor event will include canine demonstrations, rescue organizations, face painting, a teddy bear clinic, reading to pets, vendors, a booth for pets and owners to receive a blessing, and many door prizes. This event is free and open to all ages and pets of all kinds. Simple lunch items will be available for a small donation. Rescue organizations such as Catty Shack and Renee’s Rescue will be present. Horseshoe Lake Animal Hospital will provide nail trims and education. Freedom Dogsports is returning to showoff the training young people have given their dogs by demonstrating the dogs agility and ability to follow commands on an obstacle course. Got Your Six Support Dogs will have a booth and a recipient of a trained support dog from Got Your Six will speak at 11 am. There will be facepainting and child friendly

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Letter To The Editor: The City of Alton needs you to vote. Your neighbors need you to vote. Your friends need you to vote. Your personal interest needs, need you to vote. There are many important things we can and should do as members of a society. Depending upon one’s perspective, the range of importance could include: helping and protecting others, mentoring others, volunteering, respecting laws, and faith. The list can go on and on. But as members of this society, voting is in a category of importance that seems to be all too often neglected. Election day in the City of Alton is rapidly approaching. Once again, the future direction which Alton will follow will be determined by who is elected to influence and to guide the City towards its future. “Every election is determined by the people who show up”, L.J. Sabato. “Bad officials are elected by good citizens who don’t vote”, George Nathan. The aforementioned quotes highlight the concerns

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GLEN CARBON – The Glen Carbon Police Department gained four new officers on Tuesday night as each were sworn in and introduced to the community. At this week’s Village Board meeting, Mayor Bob Marcus administered the official oaths for new officers Zachary Keplar, Keonta Lane, Myron Jackson, and Blake Barth. Police Chief Todd Link said a fifth new officer, Mike Brown, will be sworn in at a later date. While training five incoming officers at the same time proved challenging for the village’s smaller police department, Link commended each for making the process “seamless” with their exceptional training performance. He highlighted the experience and education each of them brings to the department. Zachary Keplar (Badge G71) Keplar didn’t just take his oath of office on Tuesday – he also celebrated his 23rd birthday. A born and raised Maryville native, Keplar played football and baseball at Elmhurst University before graduating in 2024

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CARTERVILLE - Centerstone’s CASTLE program provides evidence-based therapy for children ages 3-12 diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The goal is to help children develop essential skills in communication, daily living, and social interaction while reducing challenging behaviors. The Centerstone office is located in Carterville, Illinois, and serves Southern Illinois–including Williamson, Jackson and Franklin counties and beyond. Centerstone's CASTLE Program can help with a variety of challenges faced by children diagnosed with Autism, including: developing complex language and social skills – and engaging in conversations with peers completing daily living skills like toileting and dressing learning age- and developmentally-appropriate crucial pre-academic and intellectual skills decreasing challenging behaviors Why Refer to CASTLE? Individualized therapy tailored to each child’s needs, led by board-certified behavior analysts (BCBAs) Ski

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ALTON - Over 100 Alton Community Unit School District #11 students have written their first books. Kindergarten through eighth grade students in the district had the opportunity to participate in Young Authors, a program that encourages students to write and illustrate their own books. Of the 118 Alton participants, 28 were selected to advance to the county conference on April 26, 2025. “The goal is to be fostering that love of writing at an early age, which not only strengthens their literacy skills, but it builds their confidence and their critical thinking,” explained Rene Hart, ACUSD11 Director of Curriculum and Instruction. “Our students really take pride in that work.” Students sign up for the Young Authors program in the fall and have a few months to write and illustrate their books. They can work with Alton staff members and their families to create their manuscripts. On March 5, 2025, the Alton School District hosted all of the Young Authors

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police Department Bureau of Crimes Against Persons detectives are investigating a homicide in the 2500 block of Saddle Ridge Drive that resulted in the death of an adult male. On Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at 12:25 p.m., St. Louis County police officers from the North County Precinct responded to a call for service for a shooting in the 2500 block of Saddle Ridge Drive. An adult male was found suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The male was transported to an area hospital for treatment but succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased. There are no suspects in custody currently. The investigation is ongoing. Additional information will be disseminated as it becomes available. Please contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210 to speak with investigators if you have any information regarding this incident. To remain anonymous or potentially receive a reward, please contact CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477).

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Letter to the Editor: Godfrey has been so blessed to have Mike McCormick as Mayor. Mike has set the bar very high for those aspiring to fill his shoes. He has brought the Village the lowest taxes in the county while expanding our quality of life. Godfrey is safe, peaceful, and a lovely place to live and work and raise a family. And he did all this while refusing a salary increase! The best news of all is that Mike McCormick is running for re-election. Please join me in voting for Mike McCormick for Mayor of Godfrey so he can continue to work for the good of all citizens. Thank you. Sue Goers Active participant in the Godfrey community

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