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(The Center Square) – With crime stories dominating the headlines daily in Illinois, the bipartisan House Public Safety and Violence Prevention Task Force convened Thursday to discuss ways to address gun violence. The task force brought together lawmakers, prosecutors, and a licensed gun dealer to come up with possible solutions to deadly shootings occurring around the state. “We all agree that we have a problem in Illinois and that problem is people are dying from preventable deaths due to violence,” state Rep. LaShawn Ford, D-Chicago, the chair of the task force, said. Scott Pulaski owns the gun store Piasa Armory in Alton. He was asked what laws could be added to the books to prevent crime. Pulaski said enforcing current law should be the priority. “Those who may be arrested for committing gun crimes but wind up back out on the street and may face a plea bargain or just be released with charges dropped doesn’t do anything to deter crime,” Pulask

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GLEN CARBON – Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois will host the 4th annual United We Lead Gala on Saturday, September 10, 2022 at The Regency Conference Center in O’Fallon, IL. The United We Lead Gala, themed “The Girl Scout Difference” in 2022, brings together a wide range of people who share the same desire – to be a difference in girls’ lives. Two of those people, Ralph and Donna Korte, will be honored at the event with the Distinguished Community Leader Award. As innovators and community builders, the Kortes have helped Girl Scouting thrive in Southern Illinois for decades. “Ralph and Donna Korte are true champions for Girl Scouting in Southern Illinois,” said Heidi Koehl Weaver, Director of Fund Development. “Their generosity has helped generations of girls grow into leaders whose courage, confidence, and character make our world a better place.” The United We Lead Gala will feature a dinner, silent and live auctions,

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ALTON – Beginning next month, OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center Mission Partners (employees) will hold free meetings to inform the public about lymphedema . The National Cancer Institute defines lymphedema as a condition where lymph fluid does not drain properly. The fluid may build up in the tissues and cause swelling, usually in the arms and legs. The condition is often associated with cancer and radiation therapy. “It’s important to be aware of lymphedema, as it can seriously impact the quality of life for patients,” said Frances Young, manager of rehabilitation services at OSF Saint Anthony’s. “Fortunately, we know a lot about managing this condition.” OSF Saint Anthony’s rehabilitation services mission partners will hold free informational meetings on the following dates: August 4, September 1, October 6, November 3 and December 1. Each session is from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the OSF rehabilitation services office

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EAST ALTON - East Gate Plaza will be hosting their 2nd annual Jeep Day on August 7th from 12 to 3pm. This fun event features activities for both Jeep owners as well as for the General Public. Everything will be behind the Plaza this year, including the local businesses and vendors. Jeep Contests: Coolest Jeep Muddiest Jeep Best Sound System (Sponsored by Modified Auto!) Articulation Ramp Prizes are $50 gas cards! Jeep Obstacle Course sponsored and excavated by TGRH Construction . Test your off roading skills. Don’t worry if it gets dirty! Key Largo Tan and Spa East Alton will be sponsoring a Jeep Wash! Other activities include: Bounce House sponsored by Slurped Daiquiri Inflatable Obstacle Course sponsored by Julia's Banquet Center and Catering Bubble Bus sponsored by Atlantis Pools Inc 643 Sports Training will be setting up a radar gun so that you can see how fast you can throw a baseball! Food A Fare , Joe’s Pizza East Alton

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GRANITE CITY – Due to the ongoing and severe substitute shortage being experienced by districts across the country, Granite City Community Unit School District #9 has increased substitute daily pay rates effective immediately. The pay rate increase was approved at the July 26, 2022 GCSD9 School Board Meeting. Substitute Teacher/Nurse Sub Certificate/Nursing license: $130 Certified Teacher/School Nurse: $145 Retired Teacher/School Nurse: $155 Substitute Administrator Assistant/Additional help: $220 Building Principal: $235 Retired Admin in any position: $245 Classified Subs: Paraprofessionals requiring a license: $15.75/hour Paraprofessionals requiring a license that are working on getting them: $15.00/hour Café, Custodians, Monitors, Secretaries, Building Aides(excluding retired secretaries and custodians whose rate is set per contract): $15.00/hour Correspondence should be directed to: Granite City Community Unit School District #9 Jim Parker - jim.parker@gcsd9.net

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Police Department issued a report Thursday afternoon that Grady Giger, 48, is considered a missing person. Grady was last seen at 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 28, 2022, walking in the 900 block of Eric Drive in Edwardsville. Grady often takes short walks and likes to frequent comic book stores, gas stations, hospitals, and restaurants. Edwardsville Police said Grady is not in possession of his needed daily medication. Brady is 5-10, 280 pounds, and has brown hair and blue eyes. He was last seen with a pink polo shirt on. He also was dressed in suspenders, jeans, and white tennis shoes. Anyone with any information about Grady is asked to contact the Edwardsville Police Department at (618) 656-2131.

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EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County Clerk, Debbie Ming-Mendoza, reminds citizens that the deadline to file referendums by petitions is rapidly approaching. The due date for such referendums is August 8, 2022. "Various citizen groups who are interested in petitioning to put questions on the ballot need to secure the proper number of signatures which is determined by the political subdivision to which the referendum pertains," Mendoza said. "My office is always willing to assist residents and answer their questions to successfully file petitions for such referendums.” Units of local governments have until August 22 to submit referendum questions to be placed on this November’s ballot. Voters typically see these referendum questions on their ballots which may be advisory or binding. One such advisory question this year will be submitted by the Madison County Board pertains to the General Assembly’s implementation and design of judicial sub-circuits in Madison County. Another

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Police Department lost one of its finest officers today when Lt. Chris Byrne retired with 26 years of service. Edwardsville Police Chief Mike Fillback thanked Chris for their long time working together on the city force and their friendship and dedication to the craft. On almost any major police investigation over the past two-and-a-half decades, Chris was a lead or deeply involved in the probes. “We will miss Chris a lot,” Chief Fillback said. “Chris is a great guy and a good person. He was a good cop but an even better person. We will deeply miss him had a lot of fun over the years hopefully identify someone to fill shoes big shoes to fill.” Chief Fillback said he and Chris Byrne had a similar rise in the police department as patrol officers for many years. “Chris was a really good patrol officer,” Chief Fillback said. “He was a good guy to supervise folks and pass on knowledge to address people’s need

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BETHALTO - Bethalto Police Department and the Madison County Sheriff's Office teamed again this week to conduct a covert investigation in the village that resulted in the execution of a search warrant and seizure of narcotics. On the morning of July 26, officers from both departments executed a search warrant in the 100 block of Terrace in Bethalto and seized suspected cocaine, packaging materials, and currency. In addition to the noted seizures, additional evidence was seized from the home that was linked to an illegally possessed firearm Bethalto Officers seized during a traffic stop on July 11, 2022. Bethalto Police Chief Mike Dixon said: "One male occupant of the home and a guest were taken into custody at the scene. The guest was questioned and released with the male occupant being detained on probable cause developed in the investigation. "The facts of the investigations were presented to Madison County State's Attorney Thomas Haine’s Office today, which drafted charges

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $518,916 in funding for several rural fires and emergency medical services (EMS) agencies in Illinois. The funding, which was created through Durbin’s Supporting and Improving Rural EMS Needs (SIREN) Act , will go toward supporting EMS agencies in training and recruiting staff, conducting certification courses, and purchasing equipment. “Across Illinois, rural EMS agencies are first on the scene to respond to community emergencies, the opioid crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic. But for EMTs to properly respond to these emergencies, we must ensure they are equipped with the necessary supplies, training, and steady funding to support their operations,” said Durbin. “I worked hard to pass the SIREN Act to meet the needs of EMS agencies as they care for their communities. I hope to see today’s grant recipients put this federal funding t

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MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL - The following students have been named to the 2022 spring semester Dean's List at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, the university announced today. Edwardsville, IL Maryn C Heidt, Junior, College of Contin & Prof Studies To qualify for the Dean's List, a student must complete 12 or more letter-graded credits while attaining a 3.66-grade point average.

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SWANSEA, IL. - Holland Construction Services is proud to announce it has hired Scott Hendricks to serve in the newly created position of Vice President of Industrial. Hendricks has spent nearly two decades in the construction industry, including an earlier stint at Holland in the pre-construction department. His experience includes pre-construction and estimating project development, and client relations. Holland’s President Mike Marchal said they decided to create this position based on the increasing amount of industrial construction work Holland is managing, including the most recent project for Volpi Foods’ new 87,000-square-foot meat slicing and packaging facility. “Scott’s return to Holland has been a blessing for our team,” said Marchal. “Scott was with us for seven years and has since amassed a wealth of knowledge and expertise around not just the industrial market, but the construction business in general. We are excited to have Scott’s

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police Crimes Against Persons detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred in the area Larimore Road and Reale Avenue which resulted in the death of an adult male. At 8:20 p.m. on July 27, 2022, St. Louis County Police North County Precinct officers responded to a call for service for shots fired near the intersection of Larimore Road and Reale Avenue. Responding officers located an adult male with the vehicle he was driving crashed into a tree and found him to be suffering from an apparent gunshot injury. The victim was transported to an area hospital with a life-threatening injury where he later succumbed to his injury and was pronounced deceased. St. Louis County Police Department’s Crimes Against Persons detectives are conducting the investigation. The investigation is very active at this time. Additional information will be disseminated as it becomes available. Please contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210

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ALTON - Riverbend area woman Andrea Moore continues to inspire with her performances in pageant competitions. This time, she was runner-up in the prestigious World's Miss Tourism Pageant in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., at the Ramsey Hotel and Convention Center. Andrea participated in the Mrs. Division of the event, which was packed with solid entries, she said. She described the World's Miss Tourism Pageant as one of her greatest experiences in these types of events. She has participated in pageants since 2017 and has been a winner nearly every time. "I haven't been in that many pageants, but this was definitely my biggest ever," she said. "It was a fun experience. I loved visiting Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg while I was in Tennessee. I was hoping for the overall win, but walking away with some awesome trophies, a crown, sash, and a fur jacket for winning the Role Model honor is so special to me. "I loved having my husband, Jeff Moore, there and he helped me a lot both mentally and physically

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ALTON - Wednesday night, July 27, was OSF Saint Anthony's Health Center Night at the Ballpark. It included doctors and nurses receiving free admission, people giving out health care information, and a local cancer survivor throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. Jim Corby, 61, of Alton was diagnosed with esophageal cancer earlier this year. After multiple different treatments and surgeries, he received the news that he was 100% cancer free. When asked how relieved he and his family was to hear that news he got a little emotional. “To be honest, in January, I didn’t think I was going to make it. I’m not going to lie.” He thanked the help of his excellent doctors and nurses at Saint Anthony's and credited them for saving his life. “If it wasn’t for these nurses and these doctors, I wouldn’t be here. They get you to where you need to be. It’s not about them, it’s all about you and that’s what’s neat." Now that he's

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EDWARDSVILLE – A portion of Center Grove Road near Edwardsville High School will be closed for pavement repairs beginning Monday, August 1, through Friday, August 5, weather permitting. The repairs are being completed by RCS Construction. During that period, the roadway will be closed to all through traffic between Plummer Drive and Esic Drive. A full roadway closure for all traffic will be in place between the eastern and main entrances to Edwardsville High School. Motorists will be required to use alternate routes, and detour routes will be posted. Both entrances to the school and sports complex will remain open, as well as local access to businesses and subdivisions between Plummer Drive and Esic Drive. The City appreciates the cooperation of all residents during this process. Please contact Public Works at (618) 692-7535 with any questions.

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COLLINSVILLE - Professional caregivers in long-term care environments face unique challenges which may impact their personal health and wellbeing. A workshop series, Learn. Think. Care., offered by University of Illinois Extension , helps caregivers build personal resiliency, knowledge, and strategies for meeting the needs of clients in long-term care environments. "Professionals that work with older adults often have trouble accessing convenient continuing education opportunities," says Karla Belzer , Illinois Extension family life educator." The series is designed for professionals to join the session online, during their workday, eliminating the barriers of time and travel that often impair participation in continuing education." Three free one-hour workshops will be held online beginning at 2 p.m. on Sept. 8. Register at go.illinois.edu/LTCwebinars at least one week prior to each workshop to receive all access information. CEUs and CPDUs are available for a fee. If a

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ALTON - “Home and Abroad” will be the theme of the penultimate week of summer concerts in the park with the Alton Municipal Band. Conductor David Drillinger will lead the program of music from around the world, taking the audience on a musical adventure of destinations both near and far. Guest soloist Robyn Brandon, a longtime friend of the band, will be the evening’s featured vocalist. Mrs. Brandon’s vocal stylings have been a hit with audiences in Alton for the better part of two decades. This year, her performance will enhance the musical journey around the globe. The concert will be performed twice: once on Thursday, July 28th, at Riverview Park (7:30 PM), and again on Sunday, July 31st at Haskell Park (7:00 PM).

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ALTON – OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center in Alton will have one last celebration before school starts on August 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This free event is open to the entire community. There will be a fire truck, MICU ambulance, UPS truck, K-9 unit, shark dissection, vaping danger education and many more fun activities. Hot dogs and snow cones will be available. School supplies including paper, pens, pencils and crayons will be available to the first 300 kids ages 4-12. OSF Saint Anthony’s is hosting this event to build up the community after a difficult couple of years. OSF Mission Partners (employees) hope to educate and provide services to kids in their community through fun games and family activities. Some competitions include a self-portrait contest and bean bag toss. The event is sponsored by Dwight and Cheryl Werts in partnership with: Alton Police Department Alton Fire Department ARCH Helicopter Boys and Girls Club of Alton Lakeside

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ST. LOUIS – At least six NTT INDYCAR SERIES teams will test at World Wide Technology Raceway on Thursday, August 11 in preparation for the sixth annual Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Axalta and Valvoline. Teams expected to participate include Andretti Autosport, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing and A.J. Foyt Enterprises. • The August 11 test session is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Central. • If the weather forecast is not favorable, the test session may be moved up to August 10. • The test session is open to the media. The test session is not open to the public. • The Indy Lights Series is slated to test at WWTR on August 12. BOMMARITO AUTOMOTIVE GROUP 500 PRESENTED BY AXALTA AND VALVOLINE WEEKEND The NTT INDYCAR SERIES brings the world to the St. Louis-Metro East region. It’s an international series, with America’s best drivers competing against men and women from New Zealand, Spain, Australia, France, Netherlands, Sweden,

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