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ALTON - Twenty writers and countless bookworms flooded the halls of Milton Schoolhouse for the seventh Writers of the Riverbend event on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. Writers of the Riverbend invites local authors, editors, photographers, illustrators and other creatives to connect with each other and share their work. Community members, including many aspiring writers, stopped by the schoolhouse to support the artists and learn about the publishing process. “When I started, I didn’t know any other writers,” said Sarah J. Dhue, author and organizer of the event. “Community is huge, huge, huge for me, and it’s become more in the most recent years in writing as well as other parts of my life, just how important it is to have that community.” Dhue explained that the event aims to bring writers together so they can network. She said it’s difficult to navigate the writing, editing and publishing process by yourself, and it helps to have mentors

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COLLINSVILLE – Today, Ameren Illinois announced a key senior leadership change and the retirement of one vice president. Luke Wollin has stepped into the role of Ameren Illinois Vice President, Electric Operations and Distribution, effective Oct. 1. Wollin joined Ameren in 2003, transitioned into leadership in 2013 as Ameren Transmission Manager and since then has held roles in Design Engineering and Transmission Operations & Maintenance prior to his role as Vice President, Transmission Engineering and Construction. Wollin grew up in Kinmundy, Illinois. He earned his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and his master's in business administration from Washington University in St. Louis. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in Missouri and Illinois. He is active in many industry groups including Edison EIectric Institute (EEI), and Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). He will report to Patrick Smith, Senior Vice President,

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SPRINGFIELD - Some may not know this, but Madison County ranks nearly at the top of crashes involving deer during mating season. Madison County was second in the state in 2022 with 396 crashes involving deer. Cook County led the pack with 542 crashes involving deer. McHenry was third with 351 and fourth was Lake County with 350 of these crashes. Macoupin County was in 10th position in the state from the 2022 crashes involving deer statistics with 271. Illinois is entering the peak time for crashes involving deer as fall moves ahead. Fall in Illinois includes high school football, spectacular scenery as the leaves change colors and... the arrival of deer mating season. The Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois Department of Natural Resources are reminding motorists to be alert for deer, which are entering their peak active season, especially at dawn and dusk now through December. “While your natural instinct is to steer quickly out of the way when you see a deer,

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GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College’s annual Art Faculty Exhibition begins with an opening reception this Friday, Oct. 20, from 4-6 p.m., in the Godfrey Campus’ Hatheway Gallery. The event is free and open to the public. The exhibition showcases the artwork of the art faculty at L&C, who are unique because they not only teach; they are also working artists who actively create and show their work in galleries across the country. This year’s exhibition will feature eight faculty members and their work. “Art exhibitions are a wonderful community outreach event,” said Angela Hung, L&C Fine Art program coordinator and gallery director. “We welcome the entire community to join us in celebrating the talents and mission of the Art Department.” The exhibition will run from Oct. 20 – Nov. 18, with gallery hours from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday. “We ar

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HARDIN – The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced lane closures on the Joe Page Bridge/Illinois Route 100 over the Illinois River. The bridge is highly utilized by people coming in and out of Calhoun County, Greene County and beyond. Traffic will be reduced to one lane during the following dates and times, weather permitting: October 16-20: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. October 23-27: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. IDOT said these lane closures are necessary to allow crews to complete routine inspections scheduled for this structure. "Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area," IDOT added. "To avoid the work area, when feasible, the use of alternate routes should be considered. "Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changing conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices, and be alert for workers and equipment." For IDOT District 8 updates, follow them on Twitter @IDOTDistrict8

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WILL COUNTY - President Joe Biden, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Illinois Comptroller Susana A. Mendoza made strong statements about the recent murder of six-year-old Palestinian-American Wadea Al-Fayoume as an apparent hate crime in reaction to the conflict going on in Israel. Biden said the following: "Jill and I were shocked and sickened to learn of the brutal murder of a 6-year-old child and the attempted murder of the child's mother in their home yesterday in Illinois. The child's Palestinian Muslim family came to America seeking what we all seek - a refuge to live, learn and pray in peace." The mother and child were allegedly attacked by their landlord Joseph Czuba, 71, who now faces charges of two counts of a hate crime, one count of first-degree murder, one count of attempted murder and one count of aggravated battery. The charge states that Czuba allegedly came at them with a knife and the mother ran to the bathroom and called 911. The woman was stabbed more than

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GRANITE CITY – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that all lanes of Illinois 3 from Industrial Drive in Granite City to the McKinley Bridge in Venice will require intermittent daytime lane closures beginning, weather permitting, Tuesday, Oct. 17, through Thursday, Oct. 19. The lane closures are necessary for the evaluation of pavement conditions. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all 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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ALTON - Alton Little Theater, located at 2450 N. Henry St., is excited to produce a big Broadway hit musical with eight performances November 10th through 19th at the Showplace! Yes, Gentleman’s Guide To Love And will grace the stage with all its wonder and wit and a fabulous (and lucky) cast of 13 performers, who are honored to pay tribute to composer and lyricist, Steven Lutvak, who passed away last week. The show was Steven's crown jewel and won much acclaim at the 2014 Tony Awards, for its magical music, stage design and costumes - and ALT directors. Lee Cox and Brant McCance became instant fans (even while doubting that ALT could mount such a big show) but nine years later, the innovations in technology led the pair to believe that the show could be done by community theater groups who are brave enough (or foolish enough) to accept the show's many challenges. The music is divine (but needs trained voices), the costume and scene changes are ridiculously quick and numerous,

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SPRINGFIELD - With the Medicare open enrollment period set to begin on Sunday, Oct. 15, older adults looking to make changes to their Medicare coverage can receive trusted, unbiased, one-on-one counseling and assistance through the Illinois Department on Aging’s (IDoA) Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP). “This is an exciting time for Medicare; with new drug price reductions on the horizon, it is imperative that you compare your current Medicare coverage to the 2024 options for Medicare health and drug coverage,” said Illinois SHIP Director Sandy Leith . “SHIP offers personalized service with your best interest in mind. Let our passionate and caring counselors give you peace of mind that you are making the most of your Medicare experience.” The Medicare Open Enrollment period begins annually on Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 7. During this time, people with Medicare have the opportunity to review, renew, and/or change their current Medicare health

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WASHINGTON D.C. – On Monday, October 16th, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will travel to Kankakee, Illinois. There, he will visit a local family farm with U.S. Congresswoman Robin Kelly, Congressman Jonathan Jackson, and Illinois Director of Agriculture Jerry Costello where they will highlight progress made in partnering with farmers and American businesses to increase innovative domestic fertilizer production, making it easier for U.S. farmers to grow food through the practice of double cropping. These actions are part of a broader set of commitments made in 2022 by President Biden and Secretary Vilsack in Kankakee to help producers boost production and address global food security.?The Fertilizer Production Expansion Program is also part of a government-wide effort to promote competition in agricultural markets. Secretary Vilsack will also highlight other efforts under the Biden-Harris Administration through historic investments, including the American Rescue

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CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reports that on October 10, a suspected case of measles was reported by Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) to IDPH. The case, involving an unvaccinated individual with exposure internationally, was confirmed by the IDPH laboratory on October 11. IDPH is working with CCDPH to identify potential exposure locations in the U.S. The case’s rash onset was identified as October 9; therefore, the infectious period would be between October 5 through October 13. Prior to this case, the last measles case in Illinois was identified in 2019. Most people are vaccinated routinely in childhood and are not at high risk. Of most concern are people who have not been vaccinated. Individuals who think they have been exposed should check with their health care provider about protection through prior vaccination or the need for vaccination. Symptoms of measles include rash, high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes.

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CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) said today that although data indicates COVID-19 hospitalizations are at a low level across the state, Illinoisans should not wait to protect themselves from the COVID-19 virus and other respiratory illnesses. According to the CDC’s national COVID Data Tracker , as of the week ending September 30, all Illinois counties are currently at a low level for COVID-19 hospitalizations and the total number of hospitalizations for the week was at 566, down almost 14 percent from the previous week. As fall begins, IDPH is continuing to closely monitor data on COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses including flu and RSV. “As the leaves begin to change and fall is in full swing, now is the best time to protect yourself and your loved ones from the three respiratory viruses that caused last year’s tripledemic,” said IDPH Director, Dr. Sameer Vohra. “I am happy to report that all Illinois counties are

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HAMEL – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that pavement repairs on Illinois 4 between Interstate 55 and Illinois 143 will begin today, Oct. 12, and require intermittent lane closures. 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 November. 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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CHICAGO - Governor JB Pritzker issued the following statement following recent charges against a Plainfield man accused of murder, attempted murder and hate crimes: “To take a six-year-old child’s life in the name of bigotry is nothing short of evil. Wadea should be heading to school in the morning. Instead, his parents will wake up without their son. This wasn’t just a murder—it was a hate crime. And every single Illinoisan — including our Muslim, Jewish, and Palestinian neighbors —deserves to live free from the threat of such evil. Today, MK and I join our Muslim and Palestinian brothers and sisters in mourning this tragic loss and praying for the recovery of Wadea’s mother. May Wadea Al-Fayoume’s memory be a blessing.” The Illinois State Police are coordinating statewide law enforcement communications and activity in response to the elevated level of threats of violence and hate crime related to the current conflict in the Middl

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul urged the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit to reverse a lower court’s decision that halted implementation of Hawaii’s prohibition on carrying firearms in and around parks, beaches, banks, financial institutions, parking areas adjacent to government buildings, and bars and restaurants serving alcohol. Attorney General Raoul and District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb co-led a coalition of 19 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief to support Hawaii’s designation of these places as sensitive places where individuals cannot carry handguns. “States retain the ability to enact reasonable restrictions on where firearms can and cannot be carried in public spaces,” Raoul said. “I will continue to advocate against the scourge of gun violence that has become common in too many communities around Illinois and across the nation.” In their brief, Raoul and the coalition argue the Second

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CHICAGO — Illinois joined Indiana and Michigan in announcing a $1 billion federal funding award from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for the Midwest Hydrogen Hub, which is a network that enables decarbonization through strategic hydrogen use and will reduce carbon emission by approximately 3.9 million metric tons per year. “The fight against climate change and the path toward a sustainable future require innovative solutions,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Through this collaborative partnership with our neighbors and with the federal government’s support, we will foster a healthy economic environment for the hydrogen production market, while creating more clean energy jobs and lowering emissions across the region.” The DOE award builds on Illinois’ landmark Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, which set a national standard for aggressive decarbonization goals by pledging to be completely reliant on clean energy by 2050. The Midwest Hydrogen

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ALTON - The Downtown Alton Chili Cook-Off welcomed the chilly weather and brought together businesses and community members for some friendly competition on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. The Cook-Off, a longtime tradition in Alton, invited businesses, organizations, individuals and restaurants to compete for the best chili recipe. The nonprofit Alton Main Street sponsored the event this year as a fundraiser for their organization, which aims to revitalize downtown Alton and foster community spirit. “This is our biggest fundraiser of the year for Alton Main Street, and so we really appreciate all the organizations and businesses and individuals that come out and participate in this to help us raise some funds to keep downtown Alton on the map,” said Sara McGibany, the nonprofit’s executive director. This year, 14 teams were set up at the Lodge at the Lovejoy . Attendees could taste each batch of chili while enjoying live music from Big George Jr. and the NG

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CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) launched $2.5 million in funding for the new Illinois Economic Empowerment Centers Program (EEC). Eligible career education agencies and non-profit organizations can now apply to serve as EECs to provide entrepreneurship training to prepare individuals from historically marginalized communities to pursue business opportunities in a more inclusive business ecosystem. EECs will be selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process. “Illinois is stronger when every individual has equitable opportunities to thrive,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “That’s why I’m proud to launch $2.5 million in funding to uplift communities that have historically lacked access to business resources and guidance while facing significant barriers to entry. Our new Illinois Economic Centers Program will provide a comprehensive business support

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CHICAGO — Joined by educators, lawmakers and advocates, Governor JB Pritzker announced today that the Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT) is launching a paid trainee program to build a pipeline of tech talent to meet the growing demand for skilled professionals and diversify the agency’s workforce. “As Governor, I’m determined to make sure every Illinoisan can access good jobs — the kind that pays the bills and also supports the dreams of their families,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “We are launching an IT trainee program to build a pipeline of tech talent to meet the growing demand for skilled tech professionals and diversify our state’s tech workforce. From creation to consumption, Illinois is paving the way in the digital economy for all our residents.” Trainees will receive a minimum yearly salary of $54,000 from DoIT while pursuing tracks in one of five high-need concentration areas: cybersecurity, networking,

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ALTON - In Alton Main Street’s Chili Cook-off held Saturday at Elijah P’s, iMerge Community Center’s chili was voted best among entries in the organization category. This was iMerge’s inaugural entry in the annual contest. Key participants were iMerge’s executive director, Brigit Holt; program director, Ana Montoya; volunteers Charley Holt and Jake Hausman. Holt said: "A huge thank you goes out to all of our volunteers and participants who came to help us serve up our chili to so many tasters from near and far, as well as the organizers who put on an amazing event. It was such a fun day." iMerge runs esports and weekly open-play programs for area kids in the Riverbender.com building at 200 W. Third Street, Alton. The center is also available for private event rentals. Information, tickets and reservations are available at iMergeCommunityCenter.org .

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