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EDWARDSVILLE – Classes are in full swing at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and so are the Cougar Welcome activities for new and returning students. This week, students have taken part in a back-to-school barbeque, resource fair, kick-off event, and trivia night, among many other activities. “My experience has been amazing so far,” said first-year theater major Colin Hoef, of Collinsville. “I moved in last Thursday and have gotten to meet my neighbors. All of my classes have been great. My acting class is especially amazing.” Students took a break between classes on Wednesday, Aug. 24 to attend the annual Merchant Fair featuring representatives from a variety of community businesses and organizations. They also enjoyed an ice cream social, which included free Dairy Queen Blizzards being handed out by SIUE Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD, and Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs/Dean of Students Rony Die. “We came to the Goshen

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BETHALTO - When Civic Memorial High School football fans walk into the stadium with new turf and refinements in the facility Friday evening, they are sure to see it as “breathtaking,” said Bethalto School District 8 Superintendent Dr. Jill Griffin. Civic Memorial Athletic Director Todd Hanaford said there will be a ribbon cutting of the new field at 6:30 p.m. prior to the Marquette Catholic at CM football game. “We have had a significant upgrade of the stadium and there will be a lot of enthusiasm and excitement about the field and stadium,” Dr. Griffin said. “There are still some finishing touches that need to be done on the stadium but it is close to done. The turf is a significant upgrade. It has great colors and it is very attractive. It is something the community should be really proud of. We can’t wait to show it to everybody.” CM High School has also had gymnasium updates as well as elementary school changes over the summer and work

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ST. LOUIS, Mo. - The St. Louis Regional Clean Air Partnership today released data from the first half of the 2022 air quality forecasting season. While the findings reveal no poor or “red” air quality days to-date, the need to continue taking steps to help clear the air remains important as we head into the final stretch of summer. To that end, the Clean Air Partnership continues to work collaboratively with Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT) and other partnering organizations to inform people the way they choose to travel impacts the quality of air area residents breathe, while motivating them to modify commuting behaviors as often as they are able through the summerlong “Don’t Pollute. Switch Up Your Commute,” campaign. Over the past few months, the St. Louis region has seen its share of scorching temperatures and a related increase in the number of days when the air quality has reached moderate to unhealthy ranges. At the mid-point of the air quality forecastin

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SPRINGFIELD – Illinois State Police (ISP) Director Brendan F. Kelly, today announced the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) change in command. Colonel Sean M. Cormier is retiring from ISP after more than 26 years of service. On September 1, 2022, Lieutenant Colonel Chris Trame will be promoted to Colonel and will be the newly appointed DCI Deputy Director. “Congratulations to Colonel Cormier on his many years of distinguished service to the people of Illinois and thank him for his dedication,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “Colonel Cormier has been a true leader at ISP and his impact will live on through the officers he led under his command. As we celebrate our Centennial year at ISP, we welcome Lieutenant Colonel Trame into his new role as the Division of Criminal Investigation Deputy Director and look forward to his leadership as we enter our second century.” Colonel Cormier began his career with ISP in 1995, as a member of Cadet Class

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ST. LOUIS - September is Better Breakfast Month and there has never been a better time to celebrate. Breakfast has long been called the most important meal of the day and for good reason. The documented benefits of eating breakfast include boosted brainpower, improved nutrient intake, and revved metabolism. Yet, according to the United States Department of Agriculture, while 93% of Americans believe that fueling an empty tank every morning is important, less than half jump-start the day this way. “Breakfast is the first nutrition opportunity of the day and a chance to get more of several foods that may be lacking in our diets, like dairy, fruits, and whole grains. These foods pack a powerful punch of vitamins, minerals, protein, and fiber. Research shows that breakfast-skippers may not make up these nutrients later in the day,” notes St. Louis District Dairy Council Registered Dietitian Maggie Cimarolli. While Americans may be “in the know” about the

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ALTON - The Alton High School boys' soccer team did not have a season to remember last year. Senior forward Ashton Scheppers will be the first one to tell you that. He's ready to put all that behind him though and is looking forward to his senior season. The Redbirds' season kicked off Thursday night (August 25) against Springfield Southeast with a huge 6-0 win. The scoresheet credits Scheppers with a couple of goals in that win. One of them was off a nice breakaway from the half-field line. He timed his run perfectly to accept a well-delivered through ball and put it past the keeper. That was the sixth and final goal of the game. Ashton is an Auto Butler Male Athlete of the Month for Alton High School. Ashton played club soccer growing up but then switched to baseball. He said he was happy to get back into the sport in high school. "My parents usually like baseball," he said, but according to him, he plays soccer because it's a fun way to stay in shape. After last year, it's easy

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ALTON - A Food Giveaway open to the community is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday and supplies last with Alton Fourth Ward Alderwoman Rosie Brown. The giveaway will be at the Millennium Temple Cogic at 801 Blair Ave., Alton. Those in need of food are recommended to drive up and get a bag, Brown said. Alderwoman Brown said there are always food needs around the area and now, especially because school is back in session. “We will have items that will be easily accessible for children to prepare themselves,” Brown added. “We just see a need to help the parents and make sure food is available for them for their children. Sometimes the parents may not be home, so we are providing some food that can be prepared in their absence.” Brown pointed out that some Alton residents may have lost their jobs and be in need of some accessible food. “I am always wanting to give back and look at what is needed in the community,” Brown said. “We are partnering

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ALTON - Marquette Catholic senior Hanna Marshall is a two-sport athlete for the Explorers who just wants to have as much fun as possible in her final year of high school. This fall she's playing volleyball and come spring she plays soccer. She has played both sports at Marquette for all four years now. She mentioned that fall is her favorite season, but soccer will always be her preferred sport. Last season, her volleyball team recorded a 24-9-2 record. Unfortunately, they bowed out in the first round of the postseason, something Hannah does not want to do again. "I want to go further than just regionals. I want to have a good season with the team," she said. The Explorers went out in the Regional Semifinals against No. 8-seeded Litchfield. It was quite the upset to end their season. Hanna and the team are using that as motivation to capture just their second Regional Championship in program history. The photo of Hanna above was taken at Marquette's 1st Annual 'Blue and White Volleybal

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police Crimes Against Persons detectives and the Accident Reconstruction Unit are investigating a fatal motor crash near the intersection of Mackenzie Road and Langley Avenue which later resulted in the death of an adult female. On August 21, 2022, at 4:53 PM, St. Louis County police officers from the Affton Southwest Precinct responded to a call for service for a motor vehicle accident near the intersection of Mackenzie Road and Langley Avenue. Arriving officers located five motor vehicles involved in a motor vehicle crash. Preliminary investigation has revealed a Ford Focus was stopped southbound on Mackenzie Road, waiting to turn onto Langley Avenue, when it was rear-ended by a Volkswagen Jetta, resulting in a muti-vehicle accident. The driver of the Focus, a 67-year-old female, was conveyed to an area hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries. An 8-year-old rear passenger of the Focus was conveyed to an area hospital for minor injuries.

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ALTON - Senior Services Plus (SSP) is hosting a Pickleball Tournament fundraiser for the United Way of Greater St. Louis on Saturday, September 10 th , 2022 at their wellness center located at 2603 N Rodgers Drive in Alton. SSP is excited to partner with EmpowerMe Wellness to host a Pickleball Tournament on Saturday, September 10 th , 2022. All proceeds will be donated to the United Way of Greater St. Louis. Players must be 55 or older and will register in teams of two. There will be two divisions, open doubles and mixed doubles, and registration is $50 per team. Register by 8/30 to get a free t-shirt. The tournament will be double elimination with each team guaranteed at least two games. Prizes will be awarded to the winning team in each division. Games will be played on one outdoor court and one indoor court. This event is open to the community. Please register by calling the Senior Services Plus Wellness Center at 618-465-3298 x 109. For event inquiries, please contact the SSP

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STAUNTON - The surrounding communities are invited to rediscover The Macoupin Art Collective in Staunton, IL. The MAC is a non-profit art school created with the goal of bringing Art To All, serving over 20,000 children and adults since 2017. Three years ago, they moved into their current building and began renovations, including a vibrant new facade and a 60-foot mural by world-renowned artist Cbabi Bayoc. Inside, The MAC is equipped to hold classes in a large variety of mediums: glass, clay, fabric, metal, and more. The MAC would love everyone to stop by to see all that’s new. On the night of Fri, Sept 2, from 6 pm to 8 pm, The MAC is holding a community open house and Gallery Opening reception for their newest display: Capture: Heat To Toe, a photography exhibit by Christopher Smejkal of Edwardsville, IL. This show will be held in two parts, the second being located in The Blackbird Bakery next door and is called: 3, 2, 1 Contact. Both exhibits will feature candid moments of

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SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White tested positive for the COVID-19 virus yesterday. Secretary White has mild symptoms and is conducting work from home while in quarantine. White is double vaccinated and twice boosted. He is following appropriate CDC and IDPH quarantine guidelines.

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DU QUOIN, IL. - Illinois State Police (ISP) is looking forward to welcoming fairgoers back to the Du Quoin State Fair in 2022. The fair opens Friday, August 26th, and continues through Monday, September 5th. “As the ISP celebrates 100 years of serving the citizens of Illinois, we stand ready to serve all who come out to the fair this year to enjoy all it has to offer,” said ISP District 13 Commander Captain Joshua Anderton. “The ISP will have plenty of Troopers on site to ensure a safe and enjoyable Du Quoin State Fair,” he added. Troopers will be assigned to the State Fair to provide public safety with walking patrols, gate security, monitored surveillance cameras, and undercover officers. The Du Quoin Fire Department and area ambulance services are also prepared for emergencies during the event and the First Aid Station is located on the north end of the Grandstand. Fairgoers are reminded to stay hydrated as the Du Quoin area is expected to have moderate

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BETHALTO - An East Alton woman has been charged in Madison County Circuit Court with offenses of Aggravated Domestic Battery and Aggravated Battery. The woman was Alexis M. Broyles, 31, of the 100 block of Wesley Drive, East Alton. This is the report from the Bethalto Police Department: "At 11:08 p.m. on Wednesday, August 24, 2022, the Bethalto Police Department was dispatched to the area of Old Oak Trailer Park, 100 Wesley Drive, for a female who appeared to be bleeding from a head injury. Officers responded and located the victim who was suffering from serious lacerations to her face. The victim was transported to a St. Louis regional hospital for treatment. "The victim, who was identified as a household member of Alexis Broyles, told officers that Broyles struck her with a household lamp, which caused the injuries to her face. Officers attempted to locate Broyles but were unable to locate her. A search warrant was obtained and executed on the home, but at this point,

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HARDIN - The Calhoun County Sheriff's Office made three arrests that started with a traffic stop at 5:52 p.m. on August 21 by a deputy on the Illinois River Road near Franklin Hill Road, Calhoun County. Subsequent to an investigation, the driver, Pamela J. Gorman, age 50, of Alorton, Illinois was arrested on the following charges: Improper Lane Usage, DUI - Drugs, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (Crack Cocaine), Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Additionally, a passenger, Erica S. Adams, age 34, of East St. Louis, Illinois, was arrested for the following offenses: Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (Crack Cocaine), Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Illegal Transportation of Alcohol by Passenger. A Deputy with the Jersey County Sheriff’s Office arrived and assisted with the stop. Gorman and Adams were taken into custody and transported to the Greene County Jail. Deputies with the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office conducted

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - On Thursday, August 25, 2022, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued warrants on suspect John Cowan, 63 years of age, of the 1200 block of Congress Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri 63138, for Murder First Degree and Armed Criminal Action. A mugshot of Cowan is attached. Cowan is being held on $1,000,000 cash only, no 10% bond. Please note, charges are merely an accusation and Defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law. The probable cause statement reads: On August 24, 2022, officers were dispatched to a shooting in the 1200 block of Congress Avenue. A witness stated that the victim and the defendant had been in a verbal altercation in the living room of the home. The defendant then arms himself with a 12 gauge shotgun, follows the victim into the kitchen and shoots the victim once in the stomach. Officers recovered the firearm in the living room and found the victim to be deceased on the kitchen floor. Th

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EDWARDSVILLE - Registered voters are now eligible to request a Vote by Mail Ballot. August 10 was the first day the County Clerk’s Office could accept a request. Ballots will be mailed to those who request a Vote by Mail Ballot beginning on September 29. County Clerk, Debbie Ming-Mendoza, said in the first week, the County Clerk’s Office has received over 150 requests for Vote by Mail Ballots. The clerk’s office has also received 1,300-plus permanent Vote by Mail requests following the June 28 Primary Election. "The last day a Vote by Mail Ballot can be requested is November 3," Mendoza said. Vote by Mail became a popular way to cast your ballot during the COVID Pandemic. Mendoza said, “The County Clerk’s Office works to provide every opportunity for Madison County residents to carry out their constitutional right to vote. I want registered voters to be confident that no matter how you cast your ballot it is counted with the utmost integrity. Voters

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JERSEYVILLE - Liberty Village of Jerseyville hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony from 1-3 p.m. on Thursday afternoon to celebrate the recent addition of their newest memory care program, “Memory Lane - Fitness for the Mind.” The event saw a large turnout from the public and featured guest speakers including State Senator Steve McClure and Liberty Village staff members, in addition to demonstrations of new memory games in the village’s courtyard and tours of the newly-redone interior. State Senator Steve McClure, who represents the 50th Senate District of Illinois, introduced himself to the crowd as “the youngest-looking member of the State Senate, but I’m not the youngest,” and noted the lack of similar memory programs in the region. “This is a beautiful campus, and I think one of the issues that we have in this region - particularly lately - is there are not enough facilities that offer treatment options that help people with memory issues,”

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EDWARDSVILLE - Each Year on the day of the Edwardsville D.A.R.E. Car Show, Officer Jarrod Sprinkle is likely the busiest person at the event. Sprinkle and the other volunteers and officers spend several hours planning the event, which always has a little something for everyone. This year, Jarrod even had his son, Blake , as a volunteer which had special meaning for him. Sprinkle loves his role in the community as the D.A.R.E. officer for Edwardsville School and has a tremendous impact on the children each year. He said the program goal is to help more than 2,000 kids "make better choices in their lives, "not just stay off drugs." Officer Sprinkle thanked the devoted volunteers and other officers who assisted with the event and the business sponsors.

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ALTON - The final JK-BEC Movie Night at James Killion Park will conclude with “Spiderman No Way Home” on Saturday night (August 27) at James Killion Park at Salu. This week’s sponsor is AARP Illinois. The movie starts at dusk. There will be free snow cones, hot dogs, and popcorn for kids. Those who attend are asked to bring blankets and lawn chairs. Jeff Scott, a spokesperson for AARP, said this sponsorship is just another way AARP tries to use part of a program called “Livable Communities” and how to make a community better. “Events such as the Movies In The Park in Alton jump out as a chance for kids, grandparents, mothers, and fathers to get out to have a good evening,” Scott said. “It is a chance for families to have a good evening and we cherish those kinds of opportunities.” Scott said: “Spiderman No Way Home” is a wonderful movie and he is thankful to be able to show it at James Killion Park. “This is

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