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CARLYLE – Attorney General Kwame Raoul charged a Carlyle, Illinois man with the possession and reproduction of child sexual abuse material. The case is part of Raoul’s ongoing work, in collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies and local law enforcement officials throughout Illinois, to apprehend offenders who download and trade child sexual abuse material online. The Attorney General’s office charged Mickail S. Cranford, 24, in Clinton County Circuit Court with five counts of reproduction of child pornography, Class X felonies each punishable by up to 30 years in prison; and 10 counts of possession of child pornography, Class 2 felonies each punishable by up to seven years in prison. Sentences are ultimately determined by the court. Cranford is detained at the Clinton County Jail, and his next court date is scheduled for Oct. 9. “Child exploitation can cause trauma to survivors and their families that can lead to a lifetime of physical and

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Reps. Mike Bost (IL-12) and Ann Wagner (MO-2) led efforts today calling on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to move forward with critical improvements at the John Cochran VA Medical Center in St. Louis. In a letter to VA Secretary Denis McDonough, Bost and Wagner emphasized the urgent need to fund the replacement of the hospital's aging bed tower and modernize clinical services to ensure veterans from across Missouri and Southern Illinois receive the high-quality care they have earned. The letter, also signed by U.S. Reps. Sam Graves (MO-6), Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3), and Jason Smith (MO-8), comes after repeated delays despite longstanding recognition that upgrades are needed for the medical center. "For far too long, St. Louis and Metro East Illinois veterans served by the John A. Cochran VA Hospital have been waiting for improved medical facilities," said Bost. "The VA has recognized for well over a decade that the hospital’s bed tower

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GRANITE CITY – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that repairs to westbound Interstate 270 between Illinois 3 and Riverview Drive in Missouri will require one lane to be closed starting, weather permitting, at 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20. One lane will remain open. All lanes will reopen by 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this closure. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on the social media platform X at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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ALTON - Alton Main Street , the Sierra Club Illinois ’ Three Rivers Project and Jacoby Arts Center are announcing the return of the Mississippi Earthtones Festival to Alton’s Riverfront Amphitheater on Saturday, September 21st from noon until 10:00 p.m. This 18th annual free event boasts 25 environmental education exhibits, 95 eco-friendly artists and makers, and 10 culinary vendors. The popular festival attracts approximately 5,000 community members and tourists to Downtown Alton to celebrate our river through art, music, and conservation every third Saturday in September. The theme of this year’s MEF is ‘Emerge and Be Heard’, and Alton’s riverfront will be filled with art that interprets this subject. Local artists have been commissioned to build large installations that will enhance the festival grounds and delight festival goers. The Riverbend Yarn Bombers are knitting & crocheting a fantastical walk-through yarn cottage and garden, whic

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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS - Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT) – the region’s transit advocacy organization – recognized five “Champions of Transit” at its 40th Annual Meeting, held in downtown St. Louis on Sept. 13. During the event, CMT presented the 2024 Chairman’s Award to its General Counsel Larry Katzenstein ; the 2024 New Initiatives Award to the City of Fairview Heights and 2024 Service Awards to Ten Toe Express® walk leader Mary Fran Balmer and longtime Metro Transit employees Eddie Cooley and Bruce Williams . CMT’s “Champions of Transit” awards are given on an annual basis and designed to celebrate the efforts of organizations, municipalities and individuals advocating for a safe and effective transit system in the St. Louis region. Katzenstein , of the Central West End, who received the 2024 Chairman’s Award, has voluntarily served as CMT’s general counsel for more than three decades. Over

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EDWARDSVILLE — In a unique twist to a workplace grooming policy, the Edwardsville Police Department has found a charitable outlet for its "no beard" rule. Officers who wish to sport facial hair can do so by paying for the privilege, with the funds raised being donated to various local organizations. Today, the Metro East Humane Society received a donation of $1,560 from the department. Officers gathered to present the check to the society. The initiative allows department employees to vote each quarter on where the collected funds will be directed. Previous recipients have included the Madison County Juvenile Diversion Program, Junior Service Club of Edwardsville/Glen Carbon, Glen-Ed Pantry, Edwardsville Neighbors, Main Street Community Center, and The Stork Foundation for Infertility. This quarterly practice not only fosters community support but also brings a personal touch to the department's charitable efforts.

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PESOTUM, Ill. – A swift response from the Illinois State Police (ISP) led to the arrest of a suspect involved in a road rage shooting on Interstate 57 in Champaign County. LeJoshua C. Smith, 40, of East St. Louis, has been charged with Attempted Murder and multiple other criminal offenses following the incident on September 12, 2024. ISP Troop 7 received a report of shots fired on I-57 northbound near milepost 223. ISP said the confrontation began with a minor crash between two vehicles, escalating into a road rage situation where Smith allegedly fired a weapon at the victim's vehicle. While the vehicle sustained damage, the victim was unharmed. Within minutes of the report, ISP officers located Smith's vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. Smith fled, prompting a pursuit that continued northbound on I-57 through Ford County and into Iroquois County. The chase concluded near milepost 285 in Gilman, IL., after ISP Troop 5 officers deployed stop sticks, forcing Smith's vehicle

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MADISON COUNTY — Illinois State Police Troop 8 responded to a significant traffic incident on Interstate 270 westbound at milepost 5 at 5:58 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. ISP provided additional details about the accident and said the preliminary investigation revealed that a Truck Tractor Semi-Trailer (TTST) caught fire, leading to a chain reaction crash involving multiple vehicles. According to the ISP report, the initial incident began when a TTST caught fire on the westbound side of I-270. A second TTST stopped directly behind the burning vehicle, followed by two passenger vehicles. Subsequently, a third TTST failed to stop, resulting in a rear-end collision that involved all the stationary vehicles. ISP said three individuals sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. The incident prompted the closure of all eastbound and westbound lanes of I-270 on Tuesday, causing significant traffic delays in the area. Authorities

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CAHOKIA HEIGHTS – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that pavement repairs on southbound Interstate 255 between Illinois 15 and Illinois 157 in St. Clair County will require lane closures over several weekends. Throughout construction, at least one lane will remain open at all times. Starting at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 20, weather permitting, the two left lanes of southbound I-255 between Illinois 15 and Illinois 157 will be closed. One of the southbound lanes will reopen by 6 a.m. Monday, Sept. 23. Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on the social media platform X at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map o

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RIVERBEND - Observers might have noticed that the moon appeared a little more spectacular than normal on Tuesday night, Sept. 17, 2024. Tuesday’s moon was the harvest moon, a supermoon and a partial lunar eclipse. The odds of all three astronomical events occurring at the same time are slim. The supermoon occurs when a full moon is at the closest point to Earth in its orbit. On Tuesday, the moon was only about 226,000 miles away from Earth. To the casual observer, the result is a full moon that appears brighter and bigger than normal. Tuesday’s supermoon was especially exciting because there was also a partial lunar eclipse visible in Europe and many parts of North America, South America, Asia and Africa. The peak of the eclipse occurred at 9:44 p.m. But that’s not all. The harvest moon occurs near or on the fall equinox every year. This year’s harvest moon reached its peak on Tuesday, Sept. 17 around 9:30 p.m. Harvest moons are typically brighter and

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ALTON – Jimmie Johnson, co-owner of the beloved Johnson's Corner in Alton, died overnight at his home, leaving the community in mourning. Johnson's Corner, a staple in Alton, has been a family-run establishment for decades, first owned by Jimmie’s father, Bob Johnson. Pat Taulbee, a long-time friend of the Johnson family, said she was "heartbroken" over the loss of Jimmie. "My birthday was on the same day as Jimmie's dad," she said. "We would always celebrate our birthdays together at Johnson's Corner. I went there last night after my granddaughter's tennis match and saw Jimmie. He walked me to my car. He was that kind of wonderful person. He will be very missed in the community. Jimmie and his wife are like family to me." Steve Schwartz, a long-time patron, reminisced about the role Johnson’s Corner played in the community. "Johnson’s Corner has been a cornerstone for years and years. Jimmie’s father, Bob, had it, and it is a sad situation he passed

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EAST ST. LOUIS – East St. Louis Senior High School went into lockdown Wednesday morning, Sept. 18, 2024, following a social media threat that referenced potential violence at the school. The East St. Louis School District reported the threat and immediately contacted law enforcement. “The district is working closely with local law enforcement and all students are safe as classes are continuing,” the district stated. “The safety and security of our school community remains our highest priority. We appreciate the cooperation and patience of our students, staff and parents at this time. Law enforcement will remain on-site to support the safety of our campus.” In a related incident, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville (SIUE) issued an e-Lert the same day, indicating that SIUE Police had received information about a possible threat. “As a precautionary measure, we secured (locked down) the Wyvetter H. Younge Higher Education Campus in East St. Louis,”

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ROSEWOOD HEIGHTS — A vehicle left the roadway and struck a power pole Wednesday morning in the 800 block of East Airline Drive. The incident occurred around 10 a.m., prompting responses from the Rosewood Heights Fire Department, Madison County Sheriff's Department, and Alton Memorial Ambulance Service. According to initial reports, a black vehicle veered off the road, traveled approximately 15 feet, and collided with the power pole. Traffic in the area slowed as emergency responders managed the scene. One individual was transported to a nearby hospital by Alton Memorial Ambulance Service. The condition of the victim has not been disclosed. The Madison County Sheriff's Department is conducting an investigation into the accident.

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ALTON - During their regular meeting on Sept. 17, 2024, the Alton Community Unit School District Board of Education recognized the Optimist Students of the Month for September. Willie Barbee IV was named the Optimist Student of the Month at Alton Middle School, and Ellyn Dix was recognized as the Optimist Student of the Month at North Elementary School. Alton Middle School Principal Dr. Brian Saenz introduced Barbee as an eighth-grade student at AMS with “a really excellent name.” Barbee is a member of the football team and an honor roll student. “His teachers describe him as a very bright student who tries his best in all he does,” Saenz said. “He is kind to his peers as well as adults, often offering to help others when needed. He participates in class, offering answers as well as sharing new things.” Saenz added that Barbee loves math and wants to be a firefighter when he grows up. Optimist Students of the Month receive a $25 gift car

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ALTON - During the regular Alton Community Unit School District Board of Education meeting on Sept. 17, 2024, attendees learned about the district’s School Improvement Plan. The plan has three main objectives, which focus on creating a culture of belonging , standardizing instruction, and building professional learning communities. At the board meeting, Superintendent Elaine Kane and Director of Curriculum Rene Hart spoke about the professional learning communities (PLCs). “Professional learning communities are groups of people who come together with the same goal to partner and collaborate to get better results,” Kane explained. “That’s how we do our best work.” Kane said that the district has contractual time for meetings, so teachers can come together and plan their teaching in a PLC setting. She added that through funding received during the COVID-19 pandemic, Alton has purchased “very high-quality curriculum resources”

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September 18th has been a date marked by significant events throughout history, shaping the world as we know it today. 1989: The Fall of the Berlin Wall Envisioned Although the Berlin Wall did not physically fall on September 18th, 1989, this date is significant because it was when the East German government announced the opening of border crossings, which eventually led to the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9th, 1989. This momentous announcement marked the beginning of the end for the Cold War, leading to the reunification of Germany and a new era of global politics. The Berlin Wall had stood since 1961, dividing families and friends, and its fall was a symbol of freedom and the triumph of democracy over oppression. 1793: The U.S. Capitol Cornerstone is Laid On September 18, 1793, George Washington laid the cornerstone of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. This building would become the seat of the United States Congress, housing the legislative branch of the federal

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Drone footage provided by Brayden Cook Video Courtesy of Aubrey Claxton Willis Illinois State Police (ISP) released a preliminary investigation report on Wednesday morning concerning a multi-vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 5:38 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. ISP said the incident took place on I-270 westbound near milepost 5 and involved a Truck Tractor Semi-Trailer (TTST) that caught on fire. According to ISP Troop 8, the initial fire in the TTST led to a series of events causing a chain reaction rear-end crash. A second TTST stopped directly behind the burning vehicle, followed by two passenger vehicles. A third TTST failed to stop, resulting in the collision. Three individuals were transported to nearby hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. In a statement, ISP also added this about the Tuesday afternoon accident: "All eastbound and westbound lanes of I-270 were shut down. I-270 westbound lanes of I-270 reopened at approximately 1:20 a.m. One lane

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Authorities are investigating an accident that involved multiple vehicles on Interstate 270 near the Chain of Rocks Bridge on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. Traffic was back up significantly after the accident and a tractor-trailer was reported to have caught fire and multiple individuals were injured. There was several vehicles involved in the accident. Law enforcement reported that area of 270 was closed for multiple hours and the lanes didn't open until early Wednesday. More to come. Video Courtesy of Aubrey Claxton Willis Drone footage provided by Brayden Cook Photo courtesy of Adam Hutton

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SAWYERVILLE, Ill. – The Macoupin County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a death after a body was discovered inside a home on Tuesday evening, Sept. 17, 2024. Authorities responded to a 911 call requesting deputy assistance for an unspecified incident at a residence located at Mine Road and Clark Street. Upon arrival, deputies found a body inside the home. The sheriff’s office has yet to release information about the victim or the circumstances surrounding the incident, pending further investigation. “There’s no danger. We have the scene secured and there’s no danger to any of the public at this point,” Macoupin County Sheriff Shawn Kahl said. The sheriff’s office is actively conducting interviews and canvassing the neighborhood for additional information. Sheriff Kahl urged anyone with information to come forward by calling 217-854-3135, extension 1.

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WEST ALTON, MO – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Rivers Project and the Audubon Center at Riverlands invite the community to celebrate National Public Lands Day (NPLD) with an exciting new event focused on the monarch butterfly and native plant conservation. On September 28th from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM join monarch and native plant enthusiasts alike for “Monarchs & Milkweed”, a family-friendly volunteering event at the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary. National Public Lands Day is the largest, single-day volunteer effort for public lands in the United States. The 2024 theme, “Together for Tomorrow,” emphasizes the importance of collective action in environmental stewardship. “National Public Lands Day fosters a strong connection between people and the environment, educating and cultivating environmental stewards” said Park Ranger, Corrinne O’Brien. “From education stations and service projects, there is something for the entire

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