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JERSEY COUNTY - Jersey County State's Attorney Ben Goetten has decided to run as an independent in the next election for his office. He made these statements today: "I’ve represented Jersey County as State’s Attorney for nearly 20 years. I hope to continue to do so for years to come. With the ever-growing perception of the politicization of federal and state law enforcement, I’ve made the decision to remove myself from the partisan divide and run as an Independent. "I have considered this for some time. I make this announcement now, on the eve of the enactment of the SAFE-T Act which takes effect September 18, 2023. This was legislation I opposed and joined in an unsuccessful suit to overturn. My decision is also made out of respect for my fellow prosecutors and brothers and sisters in law enforcement. We work in a field where politics should never come into play. "Should the electorate feel they need a (R) or (D) next to their State’s Attorney's name, I’ll

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ALTON - The Alton Police Department responded to a report of a traffic crash with a vehicle on fire in the area of West Broadway and State Street at 8 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 18, 2023. Alton Police Officers and members of the Alton Fire Department immediately responded. Upon their arrival, a black Dodge Challenger was observed to be on fire. Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said the driver of the vehicle was entrapped and was ultimately removed from the vehicle by the Alton Fire Department. The driver was transported to a local hospital and then flown to a St. Louis area hospital for treatment of his injuries. "Preliminary investigation revealed that the vehicle was traveling east on West Broadway when the driver lost control," Ford said. "The vehicle struck a fuel tank on the west side of Ardent Mills, and then struck the Ardent Mills structure, causing the vehicle and fuel tank to both catch on fire. "The investigation is ongoing at this time. Further information may be released as

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EDWARDSVILLE - The 2023 Metro East Holistic Wellness Fair invites community members to learn about alternative and holistic approaches to physical, mental and spiritual health. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30, attendees can check out any of the fair’s 40 vendors who offer a wide variety of products and services. Aura photography, reiki, sound and energy healing, crystals and CBD products are just a few examples of what can be found at the fair. “We’re all trained to use the traditional medical model for our health. A lot of people don’t realize that there are other options out there for them, and they don’t know where to find these options,” organizer Joyce Stewart said. “So this is an opportunity where I’m bringing everybody to one location. They can talk to all the different vendors and businesses, sample different products and treatments, and they can really get educated about what the alternative health community ca

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EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County taxpayers have been forced to expend more than a quarter of a million dollars merely to defend against more than a dozen failed lawsuits filed by only two former county employees. “It’s a sadly typical case of frivolous lawsuits driving up costs for taxpayers,” said Haine. “I hope it stops soon, so local taxpayers don’t continue to suffer this waste of resources merely to ward off meritless lawsuits by just two individuals.” As of mid-August, the county’s legal fees to defend against litigation brought by former county administrator Doug Hulme and former information technology director Robert Dorman stood at $271,568.43. Dorman and Hulme were employed as top appointees of County Board Chairman Prenzler in 2016. After an investigation into acts of malfeasance while in those roles, their employment was terminated by the County Board in 2020. Since then, Dorman, Hulme or both are plaintiffs in 18 separate cases

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A federal panel recently advised women get a mammogram every other year starting at age 40, rather than 50. And the American Cancer Society estimates that in 2023, nearly 300,000 women in the United States will learn they have breast cancer. About 43,700 women will lose their life due to the disease. The headlines are reminders to know your breast cancer risks. While many risks are out of your control, there’s just as much you can control, says Heather Chambers, a breast health navigator at OSF HealthCare. Major risks you can control Active lifestyle and healthy eating: Chambers puts it plainly. If you eat junk, you’ll feel like junk. And any exercise will give you more energy and burn fat. Fat produces estrogen, which feeds cancer cells. “You want to make sure you’re well-maintained with your weight, even after menopause,” Chambers says. Taking hormones: This impacts your ovaries, reducing or adding estrogen. Whether you’re at a routin

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ROODHOUSE – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that pavement patching on U.S. 67 from Franklin Street to Prairie Street in Greene County will require intermittent lane closures beginning, weather permitting, Friday, Sept. 22. Flaggers will maintain two-way traffic. 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. The project is expected to be completed by the end of September. 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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EDWARDSVILLE - Nautical Bowls in Edwardsville has closed permanently following an announcement from the co-owners yesterday that the restaurant was unable to stay afloat. The business closed just nine months after it opened in Edwardsville on December 13, 2022. Nautical Bowls Co-Owners Joel and Melissan Nimmo compared the business’s downfall to the nautical legend of the “siren song,” wherein sailors were led to their doom by the deceptive sound of a woman’s singing. “Like the sailors of the legend, we heard a beautiful song eighteen months ago,” they wrote on Facebook . “The song sounded like the culmination of a career spent preparing for this opportunity to make our dreams come true. The melody of working for ourselves, building a legacy for our family, and making a difference in our community was exhilarating. “So, we followed the siren’s call and set a course to open a Nautical Bowls restaurant in Edwardsville.

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ALTON - This year’s Alton Memorial Hospital White Cross Auxiliary “Girls on Grapes, Boys on Brew” fundraiser raised a total of almost $25,000 – enough to purchase 10 more Staxi wheelchairs for the hospital. The wheelchairs are distributed throughout the hospital as well as the three medical office buildings on the AMH campus. They are much easier for volunteers to push and also stop, providing a much more efficient and pleasant experience for patients. Thanks to the many sponsors, volunteers and all who came out to the Loading Dock this spring to support the annual “GOGBOB” event.

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WASHINGTON DC - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $10 million in federal funding for the Illinois Department of Human Services’ Illinois Pathways to Partnerships Project (IPPP). Through partnerships with state agencies and Centers for Independent Living, the project aims to support independent living and professional development for students with disabilities aged 10-24 across the state. “Today’s announcement is progress in ensuring Illinois’s youth of all abilities are encouraged to have independent and fulfilling lives,” said Duckworth. “I’m glad to announce this federal funding and will keep advocating for Americans with disabilities to get the federal support they deserve.” “This federal funding allows us to break the cycle of exclusion and enable our youth to be contributors in our communities,” said Durbin. “By investing in their future, we’re empowering the

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 24 attorneys general, filed a legal brief advocating in support of the federal government’s challenge to Idaho’s near-total ban on abortion access. “Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, we have seen increased attempts to criminalize abortion care even in situations when the patient’s health or life is at stake,” Raoul said. “I will continue to stand with my colleagues against these efforts and ensure women in every state have access to life-saving health care.” In their brief filed in United States of America v. Idaho , Raoul and the coalition support the federal government’s argument that Idaho’s ban conflicts with the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), a federal law that requires doctors and hospitals to provide stabilizing emergency treatment to patients, including abortion. Every hospital in the United States

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) has filed an emergency rule with the Illinois Secretary of State to implement the Protect Illinois Communities Act (Act). On January 10, 2023, Governor JB Pritzker signed into law Public Act 102-1116 regulating the sale and distribution of assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and switches in Illinois. The Act went into effect immediately upon signing. Individuals who possessed an assault weapon, assault weapon attachment, .50 caliber rifle, or .50 caliber cartridge before the Act took effect are required to submit an endorsement affidavit through their Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) Card account prior to January 1, 2024. A copy of the emergency rule will be posted on the ISP website at www.isp.illinois.gov/Home/AssaultWeapons , but in the interim, can be found in this news release posted on the ISP website . Individuals can begin submitting their endorsement affidavits online beginning October 1, 2023. Affidavi

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EDWARDSVILLE: Juvenile violence is an ongoing concern in our community. All too often, my office prosecutes serious violent acts committed by juveniles including car thefts, shootings, and murders. Due to legally required confidentiality when minors are involved, and the uncertainty of terms of confinement in the juvenile system (these issues are explained below), some in the community may fear that violent juveniles are not being dealt with appropriately. This article aims to provide concerned citizens with additional insight on how a juvenile case is charged and prosecuted here in Madison County, and the various methods we use at the State’s Attorney’s Office to ensure our community is protected from juvenile violence, while also keeping in mind that when children are involved, the law gives them special attention and consideration. Background In 1899, the Illinois Juvenile Court Act (JCA) took effect, and Illinois became the first state to create a separate court for juveniles

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WOOD RIVER - Wood River Police Chief Brad Wells said his department has been prepared for the end of cash bail long before the Pre-Trial Fairness Act officially went into effect on Monday, Sept. 18. At Monday night’s City Council meeting, Chief Wells assured the public that his department will work with the State’s Attorney to continue keeping the city safe. “We’ve done a lot of internal work to get ready for this morning,” Chief Wells said. “With the click of the calendar from the 17th to the 18th, Illinois is the only state in the land to be a no-cash-bail state. “We’ve done a lot of meetings, a lot of preparation with our State’s Attorney, have a lot of procedures in place, we feel like we are ready for that. The time from midnight last night until this morning, we’ve not had to deal with that issue, but obviously by the time the week ends will determine just how that’s going to affect us.” Wells sai

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ALTON - Monday, Sept. 18, kicked off the start of student disciplinary hearings following a series of physical altercations between students at Alton High School on Aug. 30. The Alton Community Unit School District #11 Board of Education held five hearings from 4–8 p.m. on Monday. All five students were expelled, though the terms of their expulsions differed. Four students were expelled effective immediately until June 1, 2024. One student was expelled until June 1, 2025. Expelled students cannot be on school property, nor can they attend or participate in school-sponsored events for the duration of their expulsion. In order to continue their education and fulfill requirements to graduate, these students can enroll in the Madison County Regional Office of Education 41 alternative schooling program. One student was offered homeschooling or remote learning options rather than the alternative schooling program, which would allow the student to graduate from Alton High School.

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GODFREY - The Village of Godfrey’s 22nd annual Fall Festival invites community members to check out the Great Godfrey Maze and other family-friendly activities this Saturday, Sept. 23. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Godfrey’s Robert E. Glazebrook Park will offer games, attractions, food vendors and live music in addition to the famous maze, which opened last week. This year’s theme is “Family Game Night.” Chris Logan, the Parks and Recreation Director, explained that the Fall Festival adds some extra fun to the maze’s regular weekend events. “This is another festival that Godfrey provides, a chance for families to come out and have a good time,” Logan said. “It’ll be more like a regular maze Saturday with some extra things going on, so it’s an even better day to come out.” The Great Godfrey Maze is open from 6–10 p.m. on Fridays and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays until Oct. 28. Young kids can also

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GRANITE CITY — U.S. Steel has put the blame on the United Autoworker's strike for a decrease in demand but has said they are idling operations of a blast furnace at Granite City Works until conditions improve. Meanwhile, the Granite City mayor, a U.S. congressman, and a major labor representative describe the move as "shameful." The United Steelworkers plans to meet with U.S. Steel to hopefully minimize layoffs with their contract. The auto workers' strike against Detroit's Big Three now enters day four with no signs Monday of any breakthrough. Granite City Mayor Mike Parkinson issued a statement about the idling and said: “There is reason for shutting down the furnace. This is a way they can idle employees without notice. It is deplorable and I question the fact they are doing it because of the auto industry strike. This is not a way to treat American workers.” U.S. Steel made this statement following the announcement of UAW strike actions: "We are executing our

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EDWARDSVILLE/GLEN CARBON - The Randy Gori Memorial 2023 Kicks on 66 Car Show & Cruise invited car lovers to have a fun time with old rides this weekend. More than 600 cars and motorcycles lined up at Schon Park in Glen Carbon from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 16. Attendees could check out the classic cars and chat with the owners about their vehicles. The afternoon ended with a cruise through downtown Glen Carbon. Newbold BMW and Newbold Toyota , two car dealerships in O’Fallon, presented the car show and cruise. Thousands of people came out to enjoy the free event and support the Gori family. The Kicks on 66 show honors Randy L. Gori , a prominent Edwardsville attorney who was killed in 2020. Gori was a co-founder of The Gori Law Firm , which partnered with the Village of Glen Carbon to support the event. This was the third annual car show held in his memory. On their official Facebook page , Kicks on 66 called this weekend’s event “one of th

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GRANITE CITY - Illinois State Senator Erica Harriss - 56th District - and Illinois State Representative Amy Elik - 111th District - met with Granite City High School students on Monday, Sept. 18, as part of Constitution Day. GCHS Social Studies classes gathered in the Performing Arts Center (PAC) to hear from local State elected officials about Constitution Day, the Constitution and its importance, and citizenship. NOTE: Constitution Day was celebrated on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, and was recognized at GCHS on Monday, Sept. 18, 2023

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BETHALTO - It’s been almost six months in the making, but the Piasa Flyers are ready for Take Off. Members of the club are now proud owners of a 1968 Piper Cherokee 180D. The plane has low hours, is in good shape and should be a great first plane for the club, said member Don Hill. “It has a 180 HP engine that is capable of flying cross country at 145 miles an hour and still meets the needs of a trainer aircraft.” The plane was purchased from a private seller in Baltimore, Maryland, and flown back to the St. Louis Regional Airport by member Rob Kurtz this past Monday. The Search Committee, formed about a month ago, included Joe Rather, John Hentrich, Rob Kurtz, Paul Malcharek, Ron Jones, Vance Stutz and President Cody Peckham. “I think we got pretty lucky,” said John Hentrich, treasurer of the organization. “Buying a 55-year-old plane located halfway across the country with no real experience was both tricky and a little stressful. None

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Madison County Sheriff's Office released information today about a missing/endangered person in the Dorsey/Staunton area - Laura Erzen. The above photo is of Erzen. She now has been reported found. The Madison County Sheriff's Office issued a statement that she has been located and is "safe." Erzen is a white female, 36, 5-foot-5, 185 pounds, with blue eyes and brown hair. The sheriff's office said she was last known to be in the Dorsey, IL, area. If you have any information, call 618-692-4433, or the anonymous Tip Line at 618-296-3000.

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