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CHICAGO - A life-changing amount of cash is up for grabs tonight as the Powerball jackpot soars to a sweltering $700 million. If a player wins Wednesday night’s jackpot, it would be the fifth-largest Powerball jackpot and the eighth-largest lottery jackpot won in U.S. history. Illinois Lottery players are already winning big in this jackpot roll. In Monday night’s Powerball draw, two local players instantly became $200,000 richer and another two lucky players won prizes of $50,000 each. This was on top of the big Powerball prizes won by Illinois Lottery players in Saturday night’s draw. So far this year, Illinois Lottery players have purchased over 2.1 million winning Powerball tickets and won nearly $23.5 million in prizes in Illinois. You could be next! With over 7,000 Illinois Lottery retailers across the State, lottery players can conveniently pick up a ticket at their local store - or they can login to the Illinois Lottery website or app and purchase a ticke

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EAST ST. LOUIS – In recognition of First Responders Day on Oct. 28, State Senators Christopher Belt and Kris Tharp urge residents to take time this week to express gratitude toward emergency personnel. “Individuals working in public safety respond to calls of distress on a daily basis,” said Senator Tharp (D-Bethalto). “First responders exemplify courage and strength in our communities. This week and every week, thank one you know personally or when you see one out around town.” First Responders Day recognizes the work of firefighters, police officers, 911 dispatchers, emergency medical technicians and paramedics and their commitment to improving public safety in Illinois. Senators Belt and Tharp remind residents to extend gratitude to first responders year-round for their dedication and remember those lost in the line of duty. “Public safety officers and first responders have made sacrifices in order to serve and protect their communities,”

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WOOD RIVER - The Legendary Mustang Sanctuary , a nonprofit organization that rescues Mustang horses, hosted a Music Trivia Blast fundraiser last Friday, Oct. 24 at the Wood River Moose Lodge. Cora Miller, director of promotion and development with the Legendary Mustang Sanctuary, said the event was a big success and that they had a “full house.” She attributed the event’s large turnout to “good marketing” and her appearance on Our Daily Show on Riverbender.com . “We had a full house - I would say every seat we planned on was filled,” Miller said. “I think the good marketing, and also the podcast we did, really encouraged people to buy their tickets ahead of time and that worked out beautifully.” Big Papa G was the host for the evening, and Miller said he did a phenomenal job. The prizes and gift baskets were also well-received by attendees. “He is always a hit with the crowd. He keeps the spirit of the Mustang

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EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County State's Attorney Tom Haine announced today that Madison County has filed a petition asking the Illinois Supreme Court to review the Fourth Appellate District’s ruling on the recently passed judicial subcircuit legislation. Joining Madison County in the petition were Christina Wiley of Bethalto (pro se plaintiff), Judges Christopher Threlkeld and Amy Sholar (Represented by Attorney James Craney), and Senate Minority Leader Dan McConchie (Represented by Phillip A. Luetkehans). “Prior to the passage of this subcircuit law, all residents of Madison County could vote for their circuit judges,” said Haine. “Now, the boundaries have been gerrymandered in such a way that only a fraction of the residents of Madison County will have the right to vote on Circuit judges, even though they will still have power to decide cases for all County residents. We think that concept is fundamentally unfair and a violation of our Constitution.” “Als

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul is warning student loan borrowers to be on the lookout for scammers posing as debt relief and debt consolidation companies to steal personal information and money. Attorney General Raoul is urging borrowers to be vigilant, particularly as federal loan payments paused under the CARES Act will restart Jan. 1, 2023. Attorney General Raoul encourages borrowers to exercise caution if they receive unsolicited phone calls, letters in the mail, emails, texts or social media messages from entities offering student loan debt relief. According to Raoul, these entities could be scammers, and borrowers will receive more reliable guidance by using a personal loan servicer or going through the Department of Education. “The last thing any student loan borrower needs when attempting to address their student loan debt is to become a victim of student loan repayment scams,” Raoul said. “Instead, borrowers should get their information from the

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SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced a total of $1,483,510 in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grants for Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville and Loyola University in Chicago. The HHS funding was awarded through the Clinical Faculty and Preceptor Academies Program and the Registered Nurse Training Program. The Clinical Faculty and Preceptor Academies Program supports partnerships between academic programs, clinicians, and the community to offer support to clinical nursing faculty and preceptors, improving the capacity of academic and clinical programs to train more nurses. The Registered Nurse Training Program works to improve health outcomes and health equity by strengthening the capacity and skills of student nurses to give high-quality and culturally-competent care to underserved communities. “In a time of need, everyone deserves to have high-quality care from well-trained

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WASHINGTON – During National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works, along with 13 of their Senate colleagues, wrote to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in support of steps they have taken to develop and implement the Biden Administration’s historic Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan. In light of EPA’s decision to draft Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) in accordance with Executive Order 13990, the Senators emphasized the need to strengthen and enforce the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR), including to require water systems to replace often century-old and deteriorating lead pipes over the coming decade. They also urged EPA to ensure that lead in school and child care center drinking water is prioritized, with emphasis on disadvantaged communities and communities with the highest cumulative impact of lead exposures.

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GRANITE CITY - The Illinois Department of Transportation announces lane closures in both directions of I-270 between IL 3 and Riverview Drive in Missouri beginning at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 28, 2022, weather permitting. One lane in each direction will remain open throughout the weekend. This work is needed to do bridge deck repairs. All lanes will be opened on Monday, October 31, 2022, at 5:00 a.m. 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 contractor on this project is Walsh Construction Company II, LLC of Chicago, IL. 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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GODFREY - The Lewis and Clark Community College Athletics Department would like to invite you to a fun night of laughs, high-energy and creative talent brought to you by the Trailblazer student-athletes. The festivities will begin at 6 p.m., with a mixer (cash bar) in the upper level of the Hatheway Cultural Center. The talent show will begin at 7 p.m. in the Ann Whitney Olin Theatre. “The athletes have worked hard the past few weeks on their acts, and look to provide you with something that puts a smile on the faces of you and your family members,” said L&C Athletics Director Dr. Cedric Brown. "The idea of the Trailblazer Talent Show is a tenet of the President’s Cup, which is a competition between the 10 athletic programs within the athletic department. Each team will compete in five categories including overall team grade point average (GPA), total team community service hours, team spirit award, Trailblazer Talent Show, and total team fundraising. The team that

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BUZZ MAGAZINE - There are some businesses that become an integral part of a community for a long time and then, for any of a number of reasons, they close. Their legacy lives on and on and many of us that have been around a long time remember all the good things about that business. How could you remember Benld and not remember Fazios, New Dan, Benld Dairy, Mr. Rizzis Bank, Leone’s Lumber, Gaudio Distributing, or Tarros? I better stop there in naming businesses there that are gone. How could you not remember Staunton’s Kozis, Marty and Millies, The Alleys, Cignetti Beer Garden, Dietiker’s Clothing, and Illini Lumber in Staunton, Litchfield’s Dierduffs Roller Rink, Gardens Restaurant, Saratoga Club, Blackwelders Clothing, Yaeger’s Clothing, Newberrys Dime Store or Blue Danube? What about Gillespie’s Bernhardts Restaurant, Mikes Tavern, or Demuzio’s Tavern, Livingston’s Ken Dons Restaurant, Wray’s Grocery, Cooperative Store (Augustines),

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - On Tuesday, October 25, 2022, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued warrants on suspect Michelle Royal, 39 years of age, of the 700 block of Redwing in Florissant, Missouri 63031, for two counts of Hindering Prosecution. Royal was arrested on October 25, 2022. A Mugshot of Royal is attached. Royal is being held on $30,000 cash only, no 10% bond. Please note, charges are merely an accusation and Defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law. The probable cause statement reads: On May 29, 2022, two juvenile suspects escaped confinement from the St. Louis County Juvenile Detention Center. Early the next morning, one of the juvenile suspects called a subject requesting to be picked up from their location. A subject responded to the location and was observed on video providing them with transportation and firearms. Upon an arrest of the subject, he made statements incriminating the Defendant, the mother of on

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EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County’s Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Saturday Madison County’s law enforcement agencies, in cooperation with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, will operate a drop-off site for Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 29, in Edwardsville. Madison County State’s Attorney Thomas A. Haine, Sheriff John Lakin, and Coroner Steve Nonn will be operating the drop-off site in coordination with the DEA. The drop-off site, open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., will be in the Madison County Administration Building’s back parking lot on Second Street in Edwardsville: Madison County Administration Building, 157 North Main Street, Edwardsville, IL 62025. Haine said the event is “a great way for local residents to help fight the overdose epidemic and save lives.” Lakin added, “I encourage local residents to take advantage of this opportunity to dispose of unneeded medicines in a way that is healthy and safe.” Nonn

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BETHALTO - The Bethalto Halloween Parade has been rescheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022. The parade was supposed to occur at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25, but was rescheduled because of the rainy weather. The parade line-up begins at 6 p.m. at Rose Lawn Cemetery on the Erwin Plegge side. The parade route moves down Erwin Plegge and ends at Bethalto City Hall. A Trunk-or-Treat event will follow at Central Park in Bethalto. Those interested in participating with a decorated vehicle for the Trunk-or-Treat have to message the Rotary Club of Bethalto directly.

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ST. LOUIS - More was learned on Tuesday morning at a police briefing about the shooter, 19-year-old Orlando Harris, who opened fire in the Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in St. Louis on Monday and killed a teacher and a student. Several students were also injured in the shooting and are being treated at St. Louis hospitals. Harris was shot and killed while firing at authorities. Mayor Tishaura Jones, SLMPD Interim Police Chief Michael Sack, and St. Louis Public Schools representatives spoke at the event. Harris shot and killed two individuals - Jean Kuczka, a 61-year-old health teacher at the high school, and 15-year-old student Alexandria Bell. Several others were injured. Harris described himself as “a loner with no friends” in a note in his vehicle, police said. He graduated from the school last year. Police said Harris had an AR-15-style rifle and more than 600 rounds of ammunition on his person at the time of the shooting. St. Louis Mayor Tishaura

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Rotary Club has chosen to honor Edwardsville High School student Isabelle (Izzy) O’Day with the Student of the Month Award for the month of October. Izzy was nominated by Honors Literature teacher, Ms. Cara Lane, of Edwardsville High School. Izzy is the daughter of Jamie and Ryan O’ Day. She is involved in many extracurriculars at Edwardsville High School including the Engineering Club, Film Society, Interact Club, Student Council, Partners for Pets Volunteering, and is an officer on Student Council and President of National Honor Society. In her free time, Izzy enjoys baking, working, reading, and playing volleyball, which is a passion she has pursued for six years. In the future, Izzy hopes to pursue a career in STEM - either in the medical or engineering field. Isabelle plans to attend either Illinois State University, Purdue, or Western Kentucky University. She also hopes to one day own her own business. The Edwardsville Rotary Club recognize

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Admittedly, it’s advice you’ve heard plenty. Don’t flush old or unwanted medicine down the toilet. It may end up in the water supply and harm plants and animals. Don’t put the pills in the trash either. It just adds to the landfill. But Corey Bates, manager of Pharmacy Operations at OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center in Alton, Illinois, says there are bigger consequences you can’t just gloss over. “Many times, we’ve read reports of people who take medication from their parent’s medicine chest. They go to a party, and everybody dumps a bottle into a bowl. Throughout the party, everybody just takes out whatever they want to party with. “That’s one of the most dangerous things I’ve ever heard of in my life,” Bates says. “Just because it’s in your medicine chest doesn’t mean it’s an opioid or anything that’s going to make you feel better. It could stop your heart.”

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GRANITE CITY – Wilson first-grade teacher Kayla Bridick was selected as a recipient for the Subway and ezCater Catering for Educators contest, Subway announced on Tuesday. Subway and its franchisees across the country, in partnership with ezCater, are stepping up to honor and appreciate educators and school faculty for their efforts to educate our youth – especially after the back-to-school buzz fades. On Thursday, Oct. 27, Subway and ezCater will team up to deliver Subway-catered lunches to the 2,022 schools, including Wilson 1-2 Education Center. "I want to thank Subway and exCater for taking this opportunity to recognize the great work our teachers do every day," said Wilson Principal Jayson Baker. "Ms. Bridick is one of the newest members of the Granite City School District family, and we are fortunate to benefit from the gifts and talents she brings to Wilson School as a 1st-grade teacher." Bridick is in her first year at Wilson 1-2 Education Center and is a 2022

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BELLEVILLE - A day after the Central Visual and Performing Arts tragedy in St. Louis where two were killed and a gunman was shot and killed, students are in custody after they brought guns and ammunition to Belleville East High School and Hazelwood West High School on Tuesday. Belleville School officials were told about social media reports that showed a 15-year-old student handling a gun before school Tuesday. The Belleville East resource center and campus patrol found the 15-year-old and a 14-year-old at school and discovered guns and ammunition. The two students were then isolated from those in the school and searched. The two have been arrested and law enforcement didn't believe any guns were displayed at school in this case. A student also brought a gun to Hazelwood West High School Tuesday. Police said the student was apprehended and the gun was seized. The incident at Belleville East High School and the other at Hazelwood West occurred one day after Alexandria Bell, 15, and

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GRANITE CITY - The Granite City Marching Warriors finished first place in Class 5A and Best General Effect in their last competition at the University of Illinois. Stephanie Cann, the Granite City Schools superintendent, said: "Congratulations to our GCHS Marching Warriors for their performance in their last competition of the season at U of I. We are very proud of their hard work and dedication!"

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ALTON - In June 2022, there was little time to waste for Michael Davidson of Alton, Illinois. One Sunday, he complained of chest pain and feeling tired. Hours later from the Emergency Department at OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center in Alton, he learned what needed to be done: surgery for a “massive heart attack,” as his wife Kathleen recalls the medical team’s diagnosis. The bypass surgery ended up taking seven hours at a hospital across the river in St. Louis. Davidson’s cardiologist, Sridhar Sampath Kumar, MD , was able to be with him every step of the way , something the man and his wife are grateful for. “ Heart attacks happen in an unpredictable fashion,” Dr. Kumar says. “Just because somebody has blockages doesn’t mean they will have a heart attack.” Heart attack symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness and nausea are easier to catch in patients with an active lifestyle. “Sedentary

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