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SPRINGFIELD – State Treasurer Michael Frerichs is encouraging young Illinois photographers to submit photos for the 2023 Cream of the Crop Photo Contest so they can be eligible to receive scholarship prize money. The contest, for students ages 8 to 18, offers an opportunity for young people to display their skills and imagination to highlight agriculture in our state. The Treasurer’s Office is accepting electronic submissions for the contest until the entry deadline of June 12. Bright Start scholarship funds will be awarded to the top winners in each of the three age categories. First-place winners will receive $1,000, second-place winners will receive $500, and third-place winners will receive $250. “Our 2023 Cream of the Crop Photo Contest provides a great way for students to showcase their creativity and to help others appreciate the strength, diversity, and beauty of Illinois’ rich agricultural landscape,” Frerichs said. “We encourage all

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Senate passed a revenue package Wednesday containing a number of tax credits and tax emptions, including two measures championed by State Senator Christopher Belt that provide tax incentives to electric vehicle manufacturers and aircraft engine suppliers and manufacturers. “The electric vehicle industry showcases the potential for the future of our state,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Not only do these measures incentivize growth of the electric vehicle and aircraft engine industries, but also it will drive economic prosperity in Illinois while reinforcing the state’s commitment to fostering a sustainable business environment.” The Aircraft Engine Sales Tax Exemption exempts materials, parts and equipment used in the modification, replacement, repair and maintenance of aircraft engines from sales tax. Belt, as chair of the Senate Appropriations-Public Safety and Infrastructure Committee, was actively involved in budget

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PIASA - Southwestern Middle School announced its fourth-quarter Honor Roll lists. To view the lists, please click the link below: Southwestern Middle School Honor Roll The pictures below are from the 7th and 8th grade Awards Ceremonies.

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ALTON - The Alton City Council voted unanimously to expand the list of protected brick streets and alleys in the city through an amendment to the City Code on May 24. Also approved were new requirements regarding brick street maintenance and repair. Among the newly protected streets is West 7th Street between Belle and State Streets. 7th Street is the “steepest brick street in the world” according to research presented by William Perkins at an Alton Historical Commission meeting earlier this spring, when expanding the protected brick street list was first discussed. The expanded list does not include northern Adams Court, West 15th Street, or south of the 200 block of West 13th Street - however, if bricks are removed from those streets, this resolution states they “may not be discarded but may only be used to repair the brick streets” covered by this resolution. The city also cannot pave the brick sections of these streets until the bricks are remove

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EDWARDSVILLE – The Edwardsville Municipal Band is ready to take the stage for another season of Band Concerts in the Park, parades and special events. This year marks the 138th season for the band, a musical tradition in Edwardsville that dates back to the late 1800s. The season officially begins on Monday, May 29, with a performance at Woodlawn Cemetery’s Memorial Day Remembrance event, which runs from 10-11 a.m. at the cemetery, 1400 St. Louis Street. The historic cemetery’s annual program honors America’s fallen veterans and also will feature speakers and military tributes. Then, on Thursday, June 8, the Band Concerts in the Park weekly series gets underway at the Cleaon Etzkorn Bandstand in City Park next to the Edwardsville Public Library. The band traditionally performs a mix of marches, big band arrangements and show tunes through the course of the season. Visitors are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket to watch the concerts under the stars,

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EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County recognizes Roxana educator for her leadership and creativity in helping to keep her school “green” and honoring the institution where she teaches as “Green Team of the Year.” Madison County’s Green Schools Program named Roxana High School teacher Amie Hanneken as “Coordinator of the Year” and Roxana High School as its “Green Team of the Year.” Hanneken serves the high school’s green school coordinator. “Through her dedication and passion, she has successfully instilled a deep sense of environmental consciousness among students, staff and parents alike,” Roxana High School Principal Jason Dandurand said. Dandurand said that by forging collaborations with teachers across disciplines, Hanneken has facilitated the integration of environmental concepts into a wide range of subjects. “Through these collaborative efforts, students are able to explore the intricate connections

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EDWARDSVILLE - Junior pitcher Alex Siatos tossed a very good complete game for Alton in their 2-1 loss to Collinsville in the IHSA Class 4A regional semifinals on May 24 at Tom Pile Field in Edwardsville, allowing two runs on six hits while walking one and striking out three. For the season, Siatos was 2-7 with an ERA of 3.60, walking 18 while striking out 38 in 60.3 innings pitched as the Redbirds finished the season 10-23. Siatos also hit .281 during the season with no homers and seven RBIs and an on-base percentage of .390. Siatos is an Auto Butler Male Athlete of the Month for the Redbirds. It was a very well-played game by both the Kahoks and Redbirds, with Alton taking the lead in the top of the third, only to see Collinsville counter with the two runs that would eventually decide the game in the home half. Still, there was no shame in the outcome of the game and Siatos had some mixed feelings during his postgame interview. "I mean, I feel good and bad at the same time," Siatos

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ALTON - The Alton Amphitheater Commission is excited to announce initial events for the 2023 season, highlighted by the I LOVE THE 90s TOUR at 8 p.m. on Friday, August 4, 2023. The I LOVE THE 90s TOUR invites attendees to reminisce about the trend-setting decade of the 1990s with some of the most iconic, indelible names in rap, hip hop, and R&B. The evening includes performances by iconic ‘90s artists Vanilla Ice, Rob Base, All 4 One, and Tag Team. “A Friday night on the Alton Riverfront with an exciting lineup of iconic ‘90s artists will be a great night for Alton and the region,” said Dan Herkert, Alton Amphitheater Commission Chair. “The Amphitheater Commission is excited to bring yet another national act to our riverfront to anchor the 2023 season.” Tickets for the I LOVE THE 90s TOUR go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 26, 2023, at www.Metrotix.com and through MetroTix outlets. VIP tickets will sell for $120.00 per person, reserved tickets

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SOUTH ROXANA - On May 25, 2023, the South Roxana Police Department the South Roxana Police Department obtained charges on multiple felony cases through the Madison County States Attorney’s Office. Elizabeth Hargroves, 32, of South Roxana, has been charged with multiple offenses listed below: COUNT I: UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE (CLASS 2) in that said defendant knowingly possessed more than 5 grams, but less than 15 grams of a substance containing methamphetamine. COUNT II: UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A FORGED LICENSE PLATE (CLASS 2) in that said defendant possessed a license plate with a purported Missouri registration number knowing it to have been forged or counterfeited. COUNT III: DRIVING WHILE LICENSE REVOKED (CLASS 4) in that said defendant drove a motor vehicle bearing Missouri registration number WI050-00I, upon a public way, being Sinclair Ave, Madison County, Illinois, at a time in which the defendant's license was revoked, due to a 2015 conviction for

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JERSEYVILLE - The date, time, and route of the 2023 Memorial Day Parade in Jerseyville have officially been announced. This year’s parade will take place on Monday, May 29 at 9 a.m. Parade participants will start lining up from 8:15 to 8:30 a.m. on West Prairie Street between Wells-Norris Tire & Auto and Domino's Pizza. The parade will then officially start at 9 a.m. The parade will proceed north on State Street before turning east on Pearl Street. It will then head east on Spruce Street, traveling to Oak Grove Cemetery, where a Memorial Day ceremony will be held shortly after the parade. Gregory Breden, superintendent of the Veterans Assistance Commission of Jersey County, said: “We highly recommend that you bring your lawn chairs.” In case of rain, the parade will be canceled and the ceremony will be moved to the American Legion Post 492 under the big pavilion. The host of this year’s Memorial Day Parade will be Veterans of Foreign Wars 4528.

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ATCHISON, Kan. - Benedictine College has recognized those students who have distinguished themselves academically during the last semester, which ended May 9, 2023. Any full-time student carrying a minimum of 12 hours and a perfect 4.0-grade point average through the spring term is named to the President's list. Full-time students with 12 hours and a grade point average of 3.5 to 3.95 are named to the Dean's List. Of the 2,234 students on campus for the 2022-2023 academic year, 166 made the President's List and 698 made the Dean's List. These students from Alton were recognized with academic honors from Benedictine College: Faith Becker, Dean's List Anna O'Connor, Dean's List Thao-Vy Tran, Dean's List Founded in 1858, Benedictine College is a Catholic, Benedictine, residential, liberal arts college located on the bluffs above the Missouri River in Atchison, Kansas. The school is proud to have been named one of America's Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report as well as on

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GRAFTON - Jersey County Circuit Clerk Daniel Schetter presented Grafton Police Chief Eric Spanton and Mayor Morrow with a check in the amount of $5,000 at the City Council meeting on May 16. Mr. Schetter’s goal was to help the smaller cities in Jersey County to bolster government services, and Grafton is one of the beneficiaries. The gift was made possible through his office from traffic ticket revenue in the county. “We need to work together to help each other and to make our communities safer for everyone,” Mr. Schetter said. Chief Spanton said, “This money will be used to purchase new handheld radios with improved reception, which will enhance officer safety and allow quicker response time.” The county provided funds last year to transition Grafton police cruisers from analog to digital radios. “We are very grateful for the continued support from the county,” said Mayor Morrow. Grafton City council meetings are held on the third Tuesday

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ALTON – Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that lane closures will be encountered on the U.S. Route 67 Clark Bridge over the Mississippi River. IDOT said traffic will be reduced to one lane in the direction indicated during the following dates and times, weather permitting: May 30 - June 1 - Southbound Right Lane Closed - 9 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. June 2 - Northbound Right Lane Closed - 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. June 3 - 4 - Northbound Right Lane Closed - 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. IDOT said these lane closures are necessary to allow for the completion of cable inspections scheduled for this structure. "Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area," IDOT said. "To avoid the work area, when feasible, the use of alternate routes should be considered. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices, and be alert for workers and

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GRAFTON - Grafton has its Third Annual Memorial Day Commemoration Ceremony planned for noon on Monday, May 29, 2023, at the Whalen-Hill American Legion Post 648's World War I Monument overlooking the cemetery. “There will be a short ceremony honoring our nation’s fallen military members followed by a twenty-one-gun salute by the Legion’s Honor Guard and the playing of Taps,” Mayor Mike Morrow announced. Afterward, a light lunch will be provided by the Auxiliary in the Legion Hall. The Grafton mayor, also a veteran, said the ceremony is open to the public with parking available at the Legion Post, 14258 Scenic Drive, Grafton IL., 62037. He said in the case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held indoors. The American Legion Post #648 Auxiliary will be handing out poppies from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, May 27th and 28 th , at the intersection of Illinois Routes 3 and 100. They will also be accepting donations. Morrow emphasized

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ALTON - As work continues on the ongoing sewer separation project around Alton, road conditions are still ever-changing. Above is the updated map of which roads and intersections are closed. Below is information about road closures beginning May 25: Southbound Belle Street south of Hamilton Street to 10th Street remains closed to all traffic. Please use 20th/Madison Ave. or 16th Streets to access State Street to the west, or US 67 and/or Alby Streets to the east. Access to Bo’s Hardware and Maher Automotive should use Belle Street, south from 20th Street, for easy access to these businesses. The barricades are staggered to allow business and local resident traffic to these locations at 16th Street. 10th Street remains closed west of US 67 to local traffic only. Sewer work is progressing north up 9th Street, currently north of Coppinger Road. Watermain installation work is nearing completion with only minor work remaining. Pavement restoration work is continuing on

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People everywhere are enjoying the great outdoors after a long, bitter winter. But before you head out for that hike, health care experts remind you to take precautions to avoid tick bites. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates around 300,000 people are infected with Lyme disease each year, and is now warning people to be on the lookout for signs and symptoms of the disease, which is usually contracted through tick bites. Tina Barton, Infection Preventionist at OSF HealthCare says there are tell-tale signs of Lyme disease, including a rash around the bite mark that takes the shape of a bulls-eye. "If you get infected, then it starts out with a rash. The rash may not appear for like three days or so and then it’s followed by a lot of like flu-like symptoms," said Barton. "So it can be fatigue and sore throats and things like that can go along with it too.” When caught early, Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics. However, when untreated the disease

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EDWARDSVILLE - Metro East Lutheran High School released its Fourth Quarter Honor Roll lists. To view them, please click the link below. Metro East Lutheran High School Fourth Quarter Honor Roll

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WASHINGTON DC - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement commending the Honorable Alvaro Bedoya, Commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), for enforcing the three Civil Investigative Demand (CID) requests the FTC issued to three infant formula manufacturers that bid on contracts to provide formula through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). “I applaud the FTC for following through on its investigative efforts to examine this vital industry and root out potential anticompetitive behavior in this highly concentrated marketplace so that families everywhere have access to and can afford the formula they need to feed their babies,” said Duckworth. “Ensuring the infant formula industry promotes effective competition and more resilient supply chains remains a critical national priority. This action by the FTC demonstrates the Commission is appropriately

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GODFREY – The Village of Godfrey consultant - Good Energy - has informed the village that Ameren Illinois has established its new residential electric rate for customers in the Godfrey area and these rates should be released by June 1. Although the rate filings are not yet official, the preliminary rates for Ameren BGS-1 Residential, which would be from June 2023 – May 2024, are estimated to be $0.08450-$0.08650. However, residents need to also know the newly filed rate can return to an upward swing anytime during that period. These new rates are lower than Godfrey’s current municipal electrical aggregation contract with Constellation New Energy which is $0.1220. With the extreme volatility in the energy markets, in terms of both commodity and capacity, aggregation programs have deviated away from the primary goal of consistently saving the residents money to seeking the best available rates and allowing those rates to be insurance and protection during volatile

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GRANITE CITY - Granite City High School English teacher Ashley Richey was selected to receive a $1,000 Book Love Grant from the Book Love Foundation to expand her classroom library. With this $1,000 grant, Richey will be able to purchase a wide variety of new books to expand her classroom library and give students a diverse selection of books to independently read. "The Book Love Foundation is providing me with the opportunity to expand my classroom library and guide students into the wonderful world of reading," said Richey. "I am ecstatic to give my students more reading selections and allow them to be immersed in a book of their choice." Richey is in her second year at GCHS and teaches freshmen and sophomores in English 2A and 4. She graduated from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 2021 with a bachelor of arts degree in secondary English education. "Ashley began her teaching career at Granite City High School in our English Department and had an immediate impact,"

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