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FARMERSVILLE – The Illinois State Police (ISP) has released five additional names of the seven people fatally injured in multiple crashes that occurred on May 1, 2023, at approximately 10:55 a.m. on both northbound and southbound Interstate 55 between mile markers 72 and 78 near Farmersville in Montgomery County. A total of 72 vehicles are known to be involved in the crashes and 37 people were transported to area hospitals with injuries ranging from minor to critical. There were seven fatalities in the crashes, including 88-year-old Shirley Harper of Franklin, WI whose name was previously released. Joseph Bates, 73-year-old from Crystal Lake, IL Donna Bates, 71-year-old from Crystal Lake, IL Earl LeGrand, 64-year-old from Florissant, MO Michael Zinchuk, 55-year-old from Champaign, IL Amy Zinchuk, 54-year-old from Champaign, IL ISP is working closely with the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office to confirm the identification of the final remaining victim. Information

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JERSEYVILLE - The Jerseyville Public Library is gearing up to host its third annual Free Comic Book Festival on Saturday, May 13 from noon to 3 p.m. The event will feature free comic books, a Smash Bros tournament, prizes, a costume parade, crafts, and much more. Beth Smilack, the library’s social media and marketing manager, appeared on a recent episode of Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com to discuss all the activities happening at the festival. “Last year, we had a costume contest - we encourage people to wear costumes, so coplayers, come on out if you want,” Smilack said. “This year, we’re just going to do a costume parade, so no pressure.” No library card is needed for this or any other Jerseyville Library event. Registration also isn‘t required for the event itself, but is required for the Smash Bros tournament. The tournament will feature a first-place prize of Mario Kart Deluxe 8 for the Nintendo Switch, a second-place prize

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EDWARDSVILLE - If you're craving authentic Mexican food, you must check out Viva la Fiesta in Edwardsville, IL. This restaurant is the perfect place to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with your friends and family, and they are open tonight until 10:30 pm - unless the party just can't be stopped! With a lively atmosphere, amazing food, and great service, Viva la Fiesta is the perfect spot to have an unforgettable Cinco de Mayo celebration. The restaurant's hot, fresh, and homemade authentic Mexican food will leave you feeling satisfied and craving more. Their menu features a wide range of Mexican dishes, including burritos, tacos, enchiladas, and much more. If you're not sure what to order, the friendly staff at Viva la Fiesta are always happy to recommend their specialties. Stop in and see Kelsey, Caty, or Rafael, and they will ensure you have an unforgettable Cinco de Mayo! They're known for their excellent service and are always ready to make your experience at Viva la Fiesta a memorable

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O’FALLON - GCS Credit Union employees joined together to raise more than $1,000 over the course of April to donate toward the O’Fallon All-Abilities Playground project. The donation was funded via employee contributions through the company’s “Smile for Jeans” program. “The Smile for Jeans Program is funded by GCS employees who make monthly, monetary donations out of their own pockets to a local organization,” the company said in a press release. “By donating $15 or more to a specific organization, GCS employees are able to wear jeans and tennis shoes on Fridays and Saturdays during that month.” In total, GCS Credit Union employees raised $1,160 for the all-abilities playground. They presented the donation with a giant check on May 3. The company added: “Nothing gets better than seeing a smile on an organization’s face when GCS Credit Union presents them with a jeans donation check.” More information on

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ALTON - Marquette Catholic's seniors and parents had a memorable two final days of school Thursday and Friday at the school. On Thursday, there was ice cream distributed to all the senior Marquette students and then on Friday on their final day, donuts were handed out before school and when students went back to their vehicles later in the day, parents had volunteered to wrap their vehicles with different tributes. Paula Schwartz, one of the coordinators, said: "It is a great class," she said of the Marquette Class of 2023. "The students have some wonderful friendships now. Marquette is a very special place. We wanted to recognize the seniors, they loved the ice cream on Thursday and then parents volunteered to decorate their vehicles and also donuts were distributed. They also always love senior mission week and they went for a field day to a park last Friday." Suzanne Tesson, another one of the coordinators, spent considerable time on the car decoration process. "It has been

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ALTON - Alton Little Theater is preparing for the last production of their 89th season, “Ding Dong,” with show dates running throughout the month of May. In addition to Opening Night on May 5, the show will also run on the evenings of May 6, 10, and 11-13, as well as matinee shows on May 7 and 14. Evening shows will start at 7:30 p.m. while matinee shows begin at 2 p.m. The comedy play’s story takes place in Paris and is described as a “French farce about four women who have great fun turning the tables on their many-timing lover.” Tickets for each performance are available online on the Alton Little Theater website , where you can also buy season tickets . Director Lee Cox has planned a signature drink for every performance and other treats, as well as prizes including a beautiful basket of amenities and eight $200 gift certificates to My Just Desserts which will be raffled off. Incidentally, Cox said the closest English translation to th

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GODFREY - The Godfrey New Horizons Band, founded in 1998, performed 18 familiar (and fun) songs to celebrate their 25th anniversary at the Godfrey Knights of Columbus Hall, on Stamper Lane, in Godfrey this past Saturday and Sunday (April 29 and 30). Founder/Director Stanley Chytil said, “Twenty-five years ago I was teaching music at Lewis & Clark when the music director for the college (Harlan Hock) asked me to start a band for Senior citizens and it’s been nothing but fun since. I’ve enjoyed teaching music to senior citizens because they are generally more motivated to learn than younger students. Unlike the younger students…when I ask the Seniors to rehearse at home…they rehearse at home and they get good at their instruments pretty quickly.” Which is really a good thing because Mr Chytil says no auditions are necessary. “If you are enthusiastic about wanting to play that instrument we want you…even if you have never played

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EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County State's Attorney William Haine and other local officials have made statements after the resignation of St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner was announced on Thursday. Her resignation takes place effective June 1, 2023. Gardner drew significant criticism after Daniel Riley sped through a stop sign in downtown St. Louis and caused a crash that critically injured a 17-year-old volleyball player - Janae Edmundson - who had to have her legs amputated. Riley was on electric monitoring for armed robbery and had violated his terms of bond several times, but Gardner's office failed to file any motions in the case to revoke his bond. Madison County State's Attorney Haine said: "As a region, we need to continue to do better. The justice system is complex and relies on the efforts of innumerable unsung public servants to produce a good and just result for citizens. When it goes haywire, whether through mismanagement, neglect, or lack of appropriate resources, the

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville High School Drama Group is having another outstanding year and recently received eight nominations for their Spongebob Musical for the St. Louis High School Musical Theater Awards. Those nominations include: • Outstanding Production • Outstanding Ensemble • Outstanding Lead Actress - Noelle Sonderegger • Outstanding Supporting Actor- Case Warner • Outstanding Direction – Ashley Miller Melton • Outstanding Musical Direction – Emily Ottwein • Outstanding Technical Execution – Jonah Sheckler • Outstanding Costume Design/Execution – Jen Blum-Tatara The entire cast will perform a medley song at the awards ceremony at the Fabulous Fox Theater at 7:30 p.m., on May 26, 2023. Additionally, two students will perform in the opening number with Noelle Sonderegger being featured in a leads medley performance. ???????????? ???? ?????????????? ??????????????, ??????

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ALTON – Volunteers are needed to help the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC sm ) and the Three Rivers Project plant trees in Alton, Sunday, May 7 and Monday, May 8. Over the course of two days, volunteers will help plant 21 trees across the Alton area. This will be the final planting in a year-long tree planting effort. “This spring, Alton-based organizations will be planting trees purchased through a Recover, Replant, Restore! (RRR) grant from Trees Forever,” Trees Forever Field Coordinator Emily Ehley said. This Sunday, May 7, planting will start at noon at the Alton Marina, located at 1 Henry Street. On Monday May 8, the event will begin at 9 a.m. at Hellrung Park, located at 703 Central Avenue. RSVP at http://bit.ly/Altontrees . “We are excited to be able to increase tree cover in popular recreation spots in the Alton area,” said Swarovski Waterschool USA coordinator Jen Mandeville. “Swarovski Waterschool is committed

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ALTON - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Rivers Project Office invites you to R.E.C. (Recreation, Education, and Conservation) Fest – the largest recreation and safety festival in the Riverbend! Kick off the summer season with your family at the National Great Rivers Museum, in Alton, Illinois from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for this free, adventure-themed (rain-or-shine) event. “Our goal with this new, exciting event is to encourage families to explore their outdoor recreational opportunities and learn how to go about them safely,” said Park Ranger and Event Coordinator Travis Smith. “From archery and hiking to weather and first aid there will be plenty for you and your family to test out and learn.” R.E.C. Fest will host more than 20 partnering organizations such as the Illinois Department of National Resources, Alton Parks and Rec, and Missouri Department of Conservation and will feature booths and activities that teach about outdoor recreation and safety throug

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SPRINGFIELD - Schools across the state may soon start observing Constitution Day in Illinois through newly passed legislation on its way to the Governor’s desk. House Bill 1273, carried by Senator Erica Harriss (56 th -Glen Carbon) and Representative Amy Elik (111 th -Alton), passed the Senate on May 4 and represents Sen. Harriss’ first bill to make it through the legislative process. “Currently, Constitution Day is recognized federally but not by our state and so this legislation ensures that our schools are honoring this commemorative holiday and providing our students with an educational opportunity to learn more about their fundamental rights and our government,” said Senator Harriss. The bill was brought forward to Senator Harriss and Representative Elik by Madison County Regional Superintendent Rob Werden. “This bill will bring Illinois into compliance with federal law and ensure that our schools are recognizing the importance of our United States

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BETHALTO - Midwest Members Credit Union is proud to sponsor the “Eagles of the Month” program at Civic Memorial High School. Senior students are selected each month by members of the Civic Memorial faculty to represent each department. All students are awarded a certificate and a Subway gift card. Two Seniors (1 female student and 1 male student) that were selected each month will have the opportunity to compete for a $500.00 “Eagles of the Year” scholarship each at the end of the school year. 2023 April's Eagles of the Month winners: Math - Olivia Goodman Fine Arts - Olivia Johnson Social Studies - Cheyanna Zirges PE/Health - Annaliese Dankenbring Choir - Kaleigh Chester Band - Jared Thomas Science - Jared Mathis & Dylan Surovec English - Tayla Fontana C.T.E. - Jade Bowker Teacher of the Month winner: Lucas Meyer - Science

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SPRINGFIELD - Landmark legislation designed to prevent book banning passed the Illinois Senate, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced today. HB 2789, which now awaits the Governor’s signature, sets a nationwide precedent in the fight against book bans, as libraries and librarians face unprecedented censorship of books and resources, including in Illinois. The bill passed the Illinois House in March. Giannoulias, who also serves as the State Librarian, initiated HB 2789 after extremist groups – including the far-right nationalist group, the Proud Boys – targeted Illinois libraries, divided communities and harassed librarians, despite that the books are not required reading. “The concept of banning books contradicts the very essence of what our country stands for,” said Secretary Giannoulias. “It also defies what education is all about: teaching our children to think for themselves. This landmark legislation is a triumph for our democracy,

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DUQUOIN – Illinois State Police (ISP) Troop 10 officials announce the arrest of 61-year-old Randal C. Everitt of DuQuoin, IL, for two counts of Aggravated Assault (Class 4 Felony), two counts of Unlawful Use or Possession of Weapons by Felon (Class 3 Felony), and one count of Possession of Firearm Without Requisite Firearm Owner’s Identification Card (Class 3 Felony). On May 3, 2023 at approximately 1:20 P.M., officers from the DuQuoin Police Department (PD) responded to the 200 block of West Park Street in DuQuoin, IL for a report of a suicidal subject. DuQuoin PD requested additional resources to assist after making contact with an armed male in a building at that location. Assets and personnel from ISP Troop 10, ISP Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) team, ISP Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT), DuQuoin PD, Pinckneyville Police Department, Perry County Sheriff’s Office, Illinois Department of Conservation Police, Illinois Secretary of State Police Bomb Squad, DuQuoin

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GRANITE CITY – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that repairs on westbound Interstate 270 between Illinois 3 and Riverview Drive in Missouri will require lane closures, weather permitting, starting at 9 p.m. Friday, May 5. One lane will remain open at all times. All lanes will reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, May 8. 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 Twitter at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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EAST ST. LOUIS – On April 25, 2023, the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office approved one count of Aggravated Battery with a Firearm (Class X Felony), one count of Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm (Class 1 Felony), and one count of Mob Action (Class 4 Felony) for 25-year-old Breona A. McClain of East St. Louis, IL. The charges stem from the April 14, 2023 shooting of an 11-year-old male victim in the 1400 block of North 39 th Street. In addition to the charges on McClain, the following juveniles were charged on April 20, 2023, in connection to this incident: Female 15, with one count of Aggravated Battery with a Firearm (Class X Felony), two counts of Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm (Class 1 Felony), one count of Reckless Discharge of a Firearm (Class 4 Felony), one count of Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon (Class 4 Felony), and one count of Mob Action (Class 4 Felony). Male 16, with one count of Aggravated Battery with a Firearm (Class X Felony)

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ALTON - The Vintage Voices committee has set an audition date for Vintage Voices tours to be held in October. Auditions will be held Saturday, June 24, 2023, at YWCA Southwestern Illinois, 304 E 3rd St, Alton, Illinois 62002. Actors wanting to audition should arrive anytime between 12:00 and 4:00 p.m. and will be asked to do a cold reading from a provided script. The event consists of tours held in the Alton Cemetery with actors in period costumes telling the story of Altonians who have shaped the area’s history. Auditions will cast the roles of fourteen characters in a variety of ages – four White females, four White males, two Black females, two Black males, and two children. Commitment is five performances and an individualized rehearsal schedule. “Vintage Voices highlights the stories of so many people who contributed to the Alton area: people who were often well-known during their lifetimes, but whose legacies are now buried in books and newspaper articles. W

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ALTON - The Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau of Southwest Illinois along with the cities of Grafton and Collinsville were awarded a total of $135,000 in Illinois Travel and Tourism grants from the Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity and the Illinois Office of Tourism. The grant funds will be used to market the region and the individual cities in tourism promotions spearheaded by the Tourism Bureau. “This is the first time we’ve applied for and received marketing grants for individual communities,” Cory Jobe, President of the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau remarked. “The grants call for a 50 percent match, so effectively we will be spending $270,000 on paid targeted marketing efforts, in addition to our normal marketing budget. We’ve seen a surge in interest in our region in the last several years from key markets in St. Louis, Chicago, Indiana, and Central Illinois-and that can be directly attributed to our strong marketing efforts.”

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EDWARDSVILLE – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s nursing students participated in a mass casualty exercise in coordination with Air Evac Lifeteam 156, Edwardsville Fire and EMS. This exercise is another example of how the School of Nursing provides hands-on learning and practice in a variety of environments and scenarios. “Educating nurses in community health includes health promotion and disease prevention; however, it also includes ensuring preparedness for unexpected, devastating events such as mass casualties,” said Myjal Garner, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, instructor of family health and community health nursing. “A multidisciplinary approach promotes collaboration between emergency responders and future nurses, allowing for a more comprehensive learning experience to augment didactic learning.” The exercise simulated a scenario of multiple people injured from an explosion. In collaboration with the emergency response professionals, the

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