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SPRINGFIELD – The unemployment rate around the region is under 4.0 percent in nearly all of the counties and Edwardsville and Alton unemployment numbers also are positive in the March 2023 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Illinois Department of Employment Security analysis. As far as area counties, Madison County has a 3.5 percent unemployment rate in March 2023, down from 3.9 percent in March 2022, Calhoun remained steady at 4.2 percent compared to 4.2 percent last year in March, and Jersey was 3.5 percent compared to 3.7 percent in 2022. St. Clair County was 4.0 percent in March 2023, compared to 4.5 percent in 2022. Macoupin County is at 3.5 percent compared to 4.0 percent at this time last year. Greene County is 3.9 percent compared to 4.3 percent in March 2022. Alton has an unemployment rate of 4.6 percent in March 2023, compared to 5.2 percent a year ago. Edwardsville has a 2.8 percent unemployment rate in March 2023 compared to 2022 at the same time and Granite

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ALTON - Brown Street Baptist Church (BSBC) in Alton recently welcomed Daniel Sternquist as the new senior pastor of the church. The Sternquist family comes to Alton from California, and the church is planning an installation service for the new pastor within the next few months. "It is abundantly clear that the Lord directed our steps to Brown Street,” Sternquist said. “I consider it a true privilege to be a part of what God is doing through this church, and I'm excited to see how He will continue to use Brown Street to reach people for Christ." The Sternquists come to BSBC from First Baptist Community Church in Los Gatos, California. Pastor Sternquist served as the assistant pastor at his previous church since 2015. He completed his Master of Divinity from Faith Baptist Theological Seminary in Ankeny, Iowa in 2014. Sternquist also received his Bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies, Bible Exposition, and Greek from Faith Baptist Bible College in Ankeny, Iowa in

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Gallon jugs are oftentimes used for daily necessities like milk and water. But a new trend on social media could be a mixture for disaster. Blackout rage gallon, or “BORG” drinking, is the newest TikTok take on binge drinking. College students can be seen on social media mixing alcohol, water, sweet flavorings, and hangover remedies like Pedialyte. But while the consumers think water and electrolytes might protect them from hangovers, it didn’t protect some students from ending up in the hospital. In Amherst, Massachusetts – home of UMass Amherst – the local fire department handled nearly 30 ambulance transport requests due to significant alcohol intoxication . Deepak Nair, MD, a neurologist with OSF HealthCare Illinois Neurological Institute, says blacking out from drinking is very harmful. “High quantities of alcohol can cause direct damage to the brain,” says Dr. Nair. “In single settings of drinking where you’re having enough

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COLLINSVILLE - Collinsville Police presented a case to the Madison County State's Attorney's Office and today announced charges in the homicide of Vaeden J. Hawkes on April 24, 2023, in Collinsville. Murder charges have been filed against Isaiah T. Jenkins, 16, of Collinsville. The charges are as follows: Count 1: First-Degree Murder; a Class M Felony Count 2: First-Degree Murder; a Class M Felony Count 3: Unlawful Possession of a Stolen Firearm; a Class 4 Felony. Count 4: Aggravated Unlawful Use of Weapons; a Class 4 Felony. The Honorable Judge A. Ryan Jumper set the bond amount for Jenkins at $5,000,000. Jenkins is currently in custody at the Madison County Juvenile Detention Center.

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GRAFTON - Pere Marquette Lodge's Annual Mushroom Festival was described as a "blast" by organizers and more than 350 people came out and celebrated the spring season. The biggest mushroom found was 9.5 inches, the smallest was 11 millimeters and the most mushrooms found by one person was 49. "Our guide, Joe, took out over 350 people on Saturday, many of which were out in the woods hunting mushrooms for the first time," Arielle Niemeyer, the event coordinator and Pere Marquette marketing director, said. "A round of applause for our employees for their efforts. Like many local businesses, we have been dealing with a short staffing issue. The staff really came together and made it happen. We are grateful for our team, our customers, and such a beautiful place we can all enjoy." Niemeyer said this year's Mushroom Festival was the biggest one to date in 15 years. "We also had kid's activities, free face painting, and the guided hunt," she said. "It was a great day."

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ALTON - The 3rd annual Sandbach Strong Golf Scramble is being held tomorrow, April 29, starting at 8 a.m. at The Woodlands Golf Club & Banquet Facility located at 2839 Harris Lane in Alton. All proceeds raised from the tournament will go to The December 5th Fund, an organization “dedicated to helping families forget cancer, just for one day.” The event is a four-person scramble that includes contests like Closest to the Pin, Longest Drive, and more. Breakfast and registration begin at 8 a.m. with the tournament’s shotgun start beginning at 9 a.m. Last year’s tournament raised over $9,000 for The December 5th Fund and is currently on track to exceed those numbers for the tournament this year. “The December 5th Fund's mission is to give an amazing day without worry to local families dealing with cancer,” Executive Director Thomas Wiley said. “While families are out enjoying their day, D5F volunteers are back at their home tackling household

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GODFREY - Lewis and Clark Community College Building Futures YouthBuild AmeriCorps students participated in the annual Alton Spring City-Wide Litter Clean-Up on April 21. They focused on the Hunterstown neighborhood, near the Scott Bibb Center. Pictured are Isaiah Slater, Kyan O’Bannon, Aden Rochowiak, Nicholas Shea, Terrance Johnson, Rocky Hoffstot, Casio Manley, Vaughan Kuykendall, Tabitha Latchford and Sabastian Manning. For more information about YouthBuild AmeriCorps and L&C Adult Education, contact Pathway Resource Development Director Sabrina Davis at (618) 468-4150 or sdavis@lc.edu .

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GLEN CARBON - More than 16 million Americans suffer annually from rosacea, a chronic skin condition. Local aesthetic physician, best-selling author of “Live Life Beautifully (With a Little Help)” and owner of Ooh La La Spa, Anti-Aging & Wellness, Kristen M. Jacobs, MD is educating people about the symptoms and treatments for this disease during April, Rosacea Awareness Month. Some symptoms of rosacea include facial flushing or blushing, swollen bumps, a burning sensation, eye problems and skin thickening. This skin condition can impact anyone but it’s more common in middle-aged women. Although there is no cure, certain treatments can help reduce the signs and symptoms. “Our patients living with rosacea often say it can be embarrassing and it doesn’t need to be,” said Dr. Jacobs. “If you are frustrated with over-the-counter products not working, we offer several laser treatments and products that can help minimize the appearance of rosacea.

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WASHINGTON, D.C – Today, U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), along with U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), reintroduced two bills to expand and increase access to employment opportunities for underserved youth. The Helping to Encourage Real Opportunity (HERO) for Youth Act and the Assisting in Developing (AID) Youth Employment Act, which was previously titled the Creating Pathways for Youth Employment Act, will increase federal resources for communities seeking to create or grow employment programs and provide tax incentives to businesses and employers to hire and retain youth from economically distressed areas. “Lack of investment in our communities perpetuates a cycle of poverty, and unfortunately violence, that leaves too many young people without opportunities to reach their full potential,” said Kelly. “The HERO for Youth Act and the Assisting in Developing Youth Employment Act will help

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CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation ("IDFPR") announced today it received 2,693 applications for the upcoming Social Equity Criteria Lottery ("SECL"). This lottery will distribute the next round of 55 conditional adult use cannabis dispensary licenses across the 17 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Regions. The list of applicants participating in the SECL may be found on IDFPR’s website here . Applicants are encouraged to review the list and confirm that they have been properly listed for any BLS Region in which they applied. The SECL will be conducted by IDFPR with the Illinois Lottery in early- to mid-May. The date will be announced by IDFPR as soon as possible. “Our simplified online application process increased the accessibility for individuals of all backgrounds and from all over Illinois to have the opportunity to write the next chapter of the most equitable cannabis industry in the country,” said IDFPR Secretary

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ALTON - The Last 100 Miles of Route 66 is receiving another financial boost thanks to a new $493,000 Route 66 Grant for projects designed to increase tourism by highlighting the history and diversity of communities that line the historic Mother Road in southwest Illinois. The grant funds will expand the existing Route 66 Monument Trail and the new Post Card Mural Trail in addition to providing interpretive panels for historically significant sites along the Last 100 Miles of Route 66 in southwest Illinois. Projects in Hamel – a new outdoor concert and event space – and Edwardsville – a Route 66 Highway Exhibit at the Edwardsville Children’s Museum and parking lot improvements at Route 66 sites in the City of Edwardsville – are also part of the grant funds. The Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau, which oversees the Last 100 Miles of Route 66 in Illinois, applied for the funds under the Route 66 Grant Program administered by DCEO and the Illinois Office

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JERSEYVILLE - Merris McDuffie, a Jersey Community High School Journalism student, won a third-place award for Headline Writing during the IHSA State Journalism Contest last weekend. Journalism Teacher Beth Morgan said McDuffie represented the school well at the state-level contest. “When Merris advanced to the state competition, we really had no idea what to expect,” Morgan said. “Hearing her name, along with our school’s name called as the third place winner out of the entire state, was an amazing feeling. I felt that she had really helped put our class and community on the map and hopefully helped inspire other students to enroll in the class. “We were competing with schools across the entire state, many of whom have had journalism programs for many years, more access to equipment and supplies, et cetera, so we really just felt incredibly grateful to even be participants.” Two other students placed in the sectional competition: Kateryna

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SPRINGFIELD – Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today announced 58 awards totaling $6.6 million through the Route 66 ($3.7 million) and Tourism Marketing Grant Programs ($2.9 million) to boost local tourism efforts and attract visitors to drive along the historic Route 66 and Enjoy Illinois. “Illinois truly is the middle of everything, as perfectly demonstrated by the hundreds of miles of America’s highway—Route 66 that travels through our state,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “These grants will stimulate local economies across Illinois and highlight our growing EV sector, honoring the history of Route 66 and looking to the future.” The Route 66 Grant Program is awarding $3.7 million in funding to seven recipients for the development of tourism, education, preservation, and promotion leading up to the 100th Anniversary of Route 66 in 2026. 300 miles of Route 66 weave through Illinois,

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ALTON - William Perkins is a proud Marine, but he has now become well-known for something else - the discovery that Alton’s West Seventh Street is the steepest brick street in the world. Perkins has diligently researched the subject for several years and he found that Canton Avenue in Pittsburgh, Penn., has the highest street gradient which is 31.37, but West Seventh in Alton has a gradient that makes it the steepest brick street of any throughout the world, according to his long-time research. Perkins worked with a Principia professor Dr. Marie Farson and her students to measure the steep incline. “Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania brags that they have the steepest street in the country, which is Canton Avenue,” Perkins said. “The gradient on is 31.37%, West 7th is 22.7%. “About one-third of Canton Avenue, though, is concrete and the rest of its cobblestone. West Seventh in Alton is brick - and from my research, that makes West Seventh the steepest brick street

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ALTON - Alton, Grafton and Hardin are expected to be close to the flood stage with rising river levels by May 4, 2023, after a huge snowpack has melted in northern Minnesota in the Upper part of the Mississippi River. Some residents along the swelling Upper Mississippi River evacuated their homes this week while others scrambled Wednesday to stack sandbags in preparation for potential flooding. A small number of people had to leave their homes in Wisconsin as the river kept rising. These are the projections by the U.S. Geological Survey for this area. In Hardin, the Illinois River projection has a high on May 4, 2023, of 26.3 feet, the flood stage is 25 feet and 26.3 feet is considered slightly above minor flooding. In Grafton, a Mississippi River high of 21.4 feet is predicted on May 6, 2023, which is considered just above minor flooding. Minor flooding in Grafton is considered at 20 feet. The Mississippi River level at Mel Price (Alton) Lock and Dam is projected to be at 18.5 feet

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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville Police Department has requested the public's assistance in identifying the subjects pictured here relating to an ongoing investigation. If you believe you know who the individuals are, please contact Edwardsville Officer Heffington at 618-656-2131. The police department was not yet able to release any other details about the investigation at this time.

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EDWARDSVILLE - Senior infielder Kayden Jennings had made a positive contribution to the success of the Edwardsville High School baseball team as the Tigers continue to defend their 2022 IHSA Class 4A state championship, and in a two-game series against Alton on Apr. 25-26, he combined for four hits and three RBIs as Edwardsville swept the series 16-6 and 13-1. For the season, Jennings is hitting .323, with no home runs, 14 RBIs, an on-base percentage of .462 and 16 stolen bases as the Tigers are currently 17-6 on the season. In the game on Apr. 25, the Tigers were able to grind out the win, taking advantage of 14 walks and a pair of costly errors to score their runs, and after the game, Jennings felt his team could have done some things better, but was also happy with the win. Jennings felt he took solid at-bats than in games recently in Paducah, Ky. The Tigers continue to move right along and have been playing well, and it's especially a good time to be playing well, with the IHSA

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ALTON - Marquette Catholic High School had what was described as "a glowing night" for the students at the 2023 Prom this past weekend. The prom court is shown above and is left, to right: Claire Antrainer and Will Schwartz, Paige Bradley (Queen) and Joe Brangenberg, Jenna Dean and Dre Davis (King), Sammy Hentrich and Jackson Pranger, and Rachel Rummerfield and Rolen Eveans. Marquette Catholic Academic Dean/Guidance Counselor Beth DeCourcey coordinated the event and did a spectacular job, Marquette Principal Tim Harmon said. "Our theme was 'Let's Glow Crazy' and it was a great night," DeCourcey said. "There were 220 kids there and dinner at the Best West Premier was also great. I feel it was a perfect night overall."

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WASHINGTON — This week, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) joined four Republican colleagues and every House Democrat in voting against partisan legislation that would make harmful across-the-board cuts to federal programs. The proposal comes as House Republican Leadership continues to hold the full faith and credit of the United States hostage in a political game aimed at forcing cuts on programs that working families rely on every day. Budzinski’s statement can be found below: “Just like every family in America, it’s critical for Congress to pay its bills. Failure to do so would cause a devastating default on our debt and an economic crisis. It’s profoundly irresponsible for Republican Leadership to hold our economy hostage in an attempt to force harmful cuts on the American people,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “This week, I stood with colleagues on both sides of the aisle in voting against a proposal that would raise costs for hardworking

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EAST ST. LOUIS – On April 24, 2023, the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office (SCCSAO) filed two counts of Official Misconduct (Class 3 Felony) and four counts of Aggravated Battery (Class 3 Felony) against 32-year-old Justin D. Gaither, a Washington Park Police Officer. On March 19, 2023, the Washington Park Police Department (WPPD) requested the Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Zone 6 to conduct an excessive use of force investigation involving Gaither, one of their officers. Earlier that day, Gaither had responded to a residence near 45 th Street and Bunkum Road in Washington Park for a call for service. While in the home, Gaither reportedly became involved in a physical altercation with a 19-year-old male resident. An ambulance responded to treat the injuries of the 19-year-old victim. Gaither allegedly used excessive force on the victim by striking him in the face and tasering him while strapped to an ambulance gurney.

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