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ALTON - Families and longtime residents of the Mexico region in Alton came together for a “Back to Mexico” block party on Sept. 2. Alton’s Mexico area stretches from Tremont Street to Union Street along Central Avenue. The Back to Mexico Committee organizes this event every year so former and current residents can connect and remember the area’s history. “It just brings me so much joy,” committee member Faye Taylor said. “It’s just like a big family gathering or picnic. It is a community event…and we have people come back from Atlanta, Detroit, Chicago, Indiana, wherever.” This year, attendees marked the occasion with a cookout, bounce house, face painting, vendors and games. Alton High School students who are part of the Alton Section of the National Council of Negro Women volunteered throughout the day. While the Back to Mexico event is a fun celebration, it’s also a nod to history. This section of Alto

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ALTON - The Alton Expo will take place as planned at the Alton Amphitheater from Thursday, Sept. 7 to Sunday, Sept. 10, and Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said there will be "a large police presence" at the event as well as private security used at all events at the Alton Amphitheater. As usual, the Alton Expo will feature live entertainment, rides, games, and of course fair food. "The Alton Expo has long been a family friendly event," Chief Ford said. "The safety and security of the event is always a top priority. Given recent altercations at Alton High School, we are implementing additional security protocols for the Alton Expo this year. Specifically, anyone 17 years of age and under will need to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian while at the Alton Expo. Those who are not will be required to leave until they can return with a parental figure." Ford added that while he has no specific information that leads him to believe that further altercations will take place, "we

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JERSEYVILLE - A wide range of charges including armed violence, battery in a public place, unlawful production of cannabis, and several more were filed in Jersey County over the past week, according to recent court filings. Steven A. Gold Jr., 22, of Jerseyville, was charged with armed violence (category three), aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, and unlawful possession of a controlled substance. Court documents state that on Aug. 29, Gold unlawfully carried a loaded pistol on his person while in possession of a substance containing Vyvanse and while not on his own property or property he had been invited to. The pistol was allegedly “immediately accessible to the defendant at the time he carried it,” according to court documents. Gold was charged with one Class 2 felony for armed violence and two Class 4 felonies for controlled substance possession and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. His bail was set at $25,000. Shelly A. Reed, 51, of Brighton, was charged

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EAST ST. LOUIS — State Senator Christopher Belt announced that nearly two dozen school districts across the area will receive over $12 million in additional funding to help address the financial challenges of recent years. “These investments will do wonders for the physical and intellectual learning environments across the district, and the students are more than deserving of the utmost support,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Raising children is a community effort, and I am thankful for all the hard work parents, teachers and other staff have done to uplift their students.” The funding comes from the 2017 Illinois Senate Democrat-backed evidence-based funding formula — an overhaul of the way the state funds K-12 education. The law made school funding more equitable by calculating the needs of individual school districts and basing its state revenue on those needs. The formula takes into account a district’s total enrollment, poverty rate and number

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ROLLA, Mo. - During a time when many students enjoy some well-deserved rest, Hannah Butkovich, a junior in civil engineering at Missouri S&T, had other plans this summer. Over the past few months, Butkovich, of Bethalto, Illinois, participated in an internship with Keeley Construction. Plus, she was selected as a national student ambassador for the American Society of Civil Engineers. “I had a busy summer, but I learned so much in the process and had a great time being part of the Keeley team,” Butkovich says. “I am going to stay with the company this fall for a cooperative education program as well, which I can do remotely while still being a full-time student.” At Keeley Construction, Butkovich focused on pre-construction duties, such as estimating, calling contractors, marking up bid forms and reviewing construction drawings. “It was amazing,” she says. “Right from the beginning, they gave me real jobs to do. I had multiple projects

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GODFREY – L&C is inviting the public to celebrate this year’s garden show, “Discover the Monticello Sculpture Gardens,” at an upcoming Garden Festival, from 5:30-8 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 14. The festival is a free event and includes food, activities, live music, and fun for the whole family. “We want our community to view the Monticello Sculpture Gardens as a place to bring the family to enjoy art and nature,” said Garden Designer and Horticulturist Katie Piper. “This festival celebrates that and hopefully draws some new people to the gardens who have not had the chance to see the other wonderful things L&C offers outside of the classroom.” Make sure to grab a map and take a stroll across campus to discover eight beautiful themed garden locations and 14 unique bronze sculptures, which are permanent fixtures on the Godfrey Campus. L&C’s College for Life students will serve Icy Joes (from Bunkhouse Joe Coffee) from their Coffee

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today called on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and its Center for Tobacco Products to do more to protect kids from e-cigarettes. Specifically, Raoul is encouraging the FDA to limit flavors that attract minors, reduce nicotine levels to prevent addiction, and protect young people from marketing. “I have spent years dedicated to protecting minors and young people from becoming addicted to nicotine and tobacco products. Since becoming Attorney General, I have worked across state and party lines with other attorneys general to address youth e-cigarette usage, which has reached epidemic levels nationwide,” Raoul said. “The FDA is a critical partner in this effort, but it can and must do more. That is why we are urging the FDA to take additional steps to protect young people from nicotine addiction through e-cigarette usage.” More than 9,000 different types of e-cigarette devices are now sold in the United States,

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Dear Editor: Who do you trust? I’m not thinking of political leaders. I’m referring to people. Whether they go to church is as irrelevant as their political party. What matters is whether they put their beliefs above evidence. Do they put Tribe above Truth? If they are unwilling to look at evidence, then the answer is beware. We all choose what we believe. But if we’re unwilling to put evidence above ourselves, we can’t even trust ourselves. We’re all tempted to do it. You know who I am talking about because we are related to them. They are our friends and neighbors. They are nice people. Need examples? Think of someone you know who will believe allegations from their favorite “fact” source. But not watch testimony sworn under oath if they think it threatens their belief. Telling lies is not against the law. False testimony under oath is. That’s why some people do everything they can to avoid it. Cross-examination makes the veracity

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ALTON - Sierra Club Illinois’ Three Rivers Project, Alton Main Street, the Jacoby Arts Center, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the City of Grafton are calling for volunteers to support the Mississippi Earthtones Festival ’s 17th annual Great River Clean-Up. The clean-up will take place on Saturday, September 23 to coincide with the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF)’s National Public Lands Day (NPLD). During the clean-up, volunteers will work together to remove litter and debris from the Mississippi River and its shoreline. Community members can register to volunteer at the clean-up at bit.ly/MEFriver23 . “We’re proud to partner with local organizations, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the City of Grafton to host the Great River Clean-Up in an effort to encourage environmental engagement with wild places such as the Mississippi River,” said Christine Favilla, Co-Coordinator of the Three Rivers Project of Sierra Club Illinois. “To

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COLUMBIA – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that pavement repairs on eastbound Interstate 255 from the Illinois 3 exit to the Dupo exit in Monroe County will require lane closures starting, weather permitting, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 5. To complete the work, I-255 will be reduced to one lane at the Illinois 3 exit. The work is expected to be complete by Saturday, Sept. 9. 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 equipment. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on Twitter at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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ELSAH - The Village of Elsah Festival returns for 2023 on the first day of fall, September 23, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. With over 35 vendors, live music at three venues, and plenty of opportunities to explore the village’s shops, attractions, and history, this year’s festival is shaping up to be even bigger than last year. Visitors can explore the #1 Top Scenic Spot in Illinois on self-guided tours around town, including Wetland Trail and Pollinator Garden Tours. Free pamphlets for those tours are available at all Elsah businesses, and those who submit their completed plant identification brochures have a chance to win a $25 gift card from the Elsah General Store. This year’s festival will feature live music at the Gazebo behind the Green Tree Inn, the Riverview House, and Elsah United Methodist Church. At the Gazebo, the Bluesette Duo will perform jazzy “French café music” from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by the acoustic classic rock and country

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ALTON - Two NFL stars will return to their hometown of Alton for the Mayor’s Charity and Fundraiser Ball next month. Michael Ford and Ezekiel “Zeke” Elliott both spent their childhoods in Alton before going on to play football in college and, eventually, the NFL. They will be recognized with a Hometown Royalty Award at the Mayor’s Ball on Oct. 7. “This year, we decided to feature our Hometown Royalty professional football athletes,” Sheila Goins, First Lady of Alton, said. The Mayor’s Ball will raise funds for the Friends for David Goins organization and the Overnight Warming Center . This year’s theme is “A Night in Disguise,” a masquerade ball with a Mardi Gras twist. Music will be provided by Red and Black Brass Band and Premier Protainment Band featuring Danita Mumphard . In addition to dinner and dancing, the program includes a Hometown Royalty Award. This tribute recognizes the success of people

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CHICAGO – The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) announced the Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund (ILHAF) will no longer accept applications beginning at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023. ILHAF supports qualified homeowners with grants of up to $60,000 for past-due mortgage payments, property taxes, property insurance and homeowner and/or condo association fees. Any application submitted prior to closing will be reviewed to determine eligibility and a submitted application is not a guarantee of approval. Eligible Illinois homeowners can apply online at www.illinoishousinghelp.org . “Any homeowner struggling to make their monthly payments due to lingering fallout from the pandemic should not hesitate and reach out today to see if you are eligible for this free assistance,” said IHDA Executive Director Kristin Faust . “There is no guarantee of additional funding from Congress, so do not miss out on this opportunity and visit www.illinoishousinghelp.org

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It was a little more than a year ago when country music star Toby Keith shocked fans with the news that he had been diagnosed with stomach cancer in the fall of 2021. The 62-year-old Keith revealed that he spent six months undergoing surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatments and had to cancel all of his concert dates. But now, he’s feeling better. According to Keith, he’s continuing chemo, but his tumor has shrunk and his blood work has improved. So much that the singer is hoping to return to the road this fall if he continues to feel good. Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, is the growth of cancer cells in the lining and wall of the stomach. While breast, colon and prostate cancers tend to get more media attention, stomach cancer is nothing to ignore. Stomach cancer symptoms aren’t always easily identified. Feeling bloated after eating, heartburn, upper abdominal pain and unintentional weight loss are just some signs of a potential problem. “Unfortunately,

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GODFREY — On September 9 and 10, 2023, 1,100 cyclists will hit the road for Bike MS: Gateway Getaway to raise awareness and funds to find a cure for multiple sclerosis. Hosted by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Bike MS: Gateway Getaway invites companies, co-workers, neighbors, friends and family to team up for an extraordinary ride to make a difference in the lives of nearly 1 million people living with MS in the U.S. Cyclists will ride up to 100 miles over 2 days, departing from Lewis and Clark Community College on September 9, 2023 and crossing the finish line at Lewis and Clark Community College on September 10, 2023. This fully supported ride will feature traveling along the limestone bluffs on the Great River Road and winding through Lewis and Clark district communities, including Godfrey, Alton, Fosterburg, Bethalto, Elsah, Otterville, Jerseyville, Brighton, Dorsey, Worden, Holiday Shores, Moro, Woodburn, Bunker Hill, Shipman, Staunton, Benld, Wilsonville

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GLEN CARBON - Over 650 cars from the past and present will be on display and on the road in Glen Carbon in just a couple weeks on Sept. 16. The Randy Gori Memorial Kicks On 66 Ultra Car Show will be held at Schon Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., immediately followed by a car cruise into downtown Glen Carbon. The car show and cruise are 100% free to register and attend. Ryan O’Day, founder of the car show, said attendees should expect over 650 cars this year, as well as food vendors, a fun “kid zone” of bounce houses, and a live band playing during the show. O’Day said cars typically start showing up at 8 a.m. before the show opens to the public at 11 a.m., and he expects some rare vehicles at this year’s show. “We expect a few new clubs participating this year to bring some rare exotic Ferrari and Lamborghini brands to the show field,” O’Day said. “It is always exciting to see vehicles spanning the decades.” The car sho

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EDWARDSVILLE - Madelyn Ohlau, a freshman outside hitter on the Edwardsville High girls volleyball team, has seen her high school career get off to a great start with two wins in as many Southwestern Conference matches, the latest being a 26-24, 25-8 win over Collinsville on Aug. 31 at Lucco-Jackson Gym. Madelyn is a Johnston Law Firm Female Athlete of the Month. In a post-match interview that followed the win over the Kahoks, Ohlau felt good about how things went and felt that she played better than in the Tigers' opening win over O'Fallon. "I felt I definitely played better than the one I played in the O'Fallon game," Ohlau said after Thursday night's match against Collinsville. The two wins are definitely a great way to start a season, especially the wins being in the always difficult Southwestern Conference, where matches usually come down to the wire and anything can happen. "It's good whenever we win," Ohlau said, "because it just brings confidence up in the team." And as

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ALTON – Students got the chance this summer to spend a week working in the shop at Lewis and Clark Community College’s Scott Bibb Center during Construction Camp. During the camp, the participants, age 12-15, learned about shop safety and built games made out of wood, including washers and ladder golf sets, as well as ring toss and peg games. Some of the games were raffled off as prizes and others were donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Alton. For more information on Adult Education and YouthBuild AmeriCorps at L&C’s Scott Bibb Center, contact Director of Pathway Resource Development Sabrina Davis at (618) 468-4150 or sdavis@lc.edu .

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS), lead sponsors of the Credit Card Competition Act , today released the following statement regarding reports that Visa and Mastercard plan to raise their interchange fee rates in October and April: “We strongly urge Visa and Mastercard to withdraw their plan to raise credit card fees on small business owners and hard-working American families. “According to the Nilson Report, U.S. merchants paid an estimated $93 billion in Visa and Mastercard credit card fees last year—a huge jump from the $33 billion paid in 2012. Merchants pass these costs on to consumers in the form of higher prices. With small businesses and families already dealing with high prices on groceries and gasoline, this hidden credit card fee increase couldn’t come at a worse time. “Today’s news solidifies that it is time to pas

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GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College is expanding its annual wellness fair to include resources available to the campus and community at large, both health related and non-health related. “We’re looking for organizations and community resources to host informational tables and interactive exhibits that highlight the various resources available to our district residents, from food pantries to mental health resources and beyond,” said L&C Counselor Terri Austin. This year’s Rock n’ Roll-themed Resource and Wellness Fair is set to take place from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 4, in The Commons. L&C Counseling and the campus Wellness Committee are already planning free food and activities, as well as mental health screenings, therapy dogs, suicide awareness information, and will also highlight student services at Lewis and Clark, from tutoring to career services. This event will be free and open to the public. For more

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