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HARDIN - The Calhoun County Sheriff's Office apprehended two suspects in a large narcotics bust after an attempted traffic stop at 12:51 a.m. on March 28, 2023. Calhoun Sheriff's Deputy Nic McCall with the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office tried to conduct a traffic stop on Illinois Route 100 near Poor Farm Hollow in Hardin on that date. The vehicle failed to pull over and continued northbound on Illinois Route 100. Deputy McCall and Sergeant Zach Hardin continued to follow the vehicle north through Calhoun County in an attempt to get the vehicle to stop. The vehicle continued to travel northbound, turning onto Route 96 and heading in the direction of Pike County, Illinois. Deputies from the Pike County Sheriff’s Department responded to the county line in an attempt to intercept the vehicle. The vehicle again failed to stop and continued to flee north into Pike County. The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office and the Pike County Sheriff’s Department continued to follow

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ALTON - Southbound traffic on Belle Street will no longer be able to access 10th Street, to then access US 67, starting on 4/5/2023. Sewer work is progressing north on Belle Street toward 10th Street and will close this intersection. Please continue to utilize State Street, Alby Street, and US 67 for north-south travel thru this area of town. Sewer work is progressing north up 9th Street, currently near Augusta Street. Sewer installation has been completed on 9th Street east of US 67 moving toward Alby Street, with water main installation still needing to be completed. North-South traffic on Piasa Street (US 67) will not be impacted. Pavement restoration work is starting on Belle Street near the intersection of 9th Street. Please avoid these areas if possible until pavement restoration work is completed. Below is an up-to-date map of the consisting road closures.

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CHARLESTON, Ill. - More than 95% of union members surveyed at tonight’s well-attended membership meeting endorsed the option to declare a strike on April 6. The union – EIU University Professionals of Illinois (EIU UPI, IFT Local 4100) – is standing firm in its efforts to strengthen EIU by calling for an investment in students. The decision to strike comes after an eight-hour bargaining session yesterday, where EIU administration walked away from the bargaining table after offering an effective pay cut for all members of the union. Compensation and workload are the remaining issues on the table. EIU UPI President Jennifer Stringfellow took this difficult decision to the union. “After our members saw the administration walk away from the table, we knew we had no choice but to move forward with a strike. We are still very far apart on key financial issues, including wage adjustment to catch up on lost wages and adjusting minimum salary so that no faculty teaching

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GODFREY - The Nature Institute (TNI), located at 2213 South Levis Lane in Godfrey, Illinois, will be showing movies outdoors on the front lawn of the Talahi Lodge, once a month, starting April 27. The movies will be presented free of charge, with donations accepted. Each film will be shown around the quarter moon during the month, so donations are encouraged in the form of quarters ($.25), but all donations of any denomination will be accepted. Attendees will need to bring lawn chairs and/or blankets. Snacks and drinks will not be provided, but participants are welcome to bring their own. No alcohol is permitted. Join us on the following dates to watch these Classic Films: - April 27 at 8:00 pm - My Man Godfrey (1936) - May 11 at 8:30 pm - ‘Till the Clouds Roll By (1946) - June 8 at 8:30 pm - The Snows of Kilimanjaro (1952) - July 25 at 8:30 pm - A Bug’s Life (1998) (Sponsored by Hayner Public Library) - August 24 at 8:00 pm - One Eyed Jacks (1961) - September

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ALTON - Riverbend region residents are invited to join the OSF Lymphedema Therapy team for a free educational session about Lymphedema and meet other people with Lymphedema. The next Lymphedema education meeting will be held: Thursday, April 6, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center Rehabilitation Service 228 Alton Square Mall, Alton, IL (Enter the Rehab office from the upper Mall parking lot, facing Alby Street, under the"OSF HEALTHCARE" sign.) Interested individuals should direct questions or requests for additional information to OSF Saint Anthony’s Rehabilitation Services at (618) 463-5171.

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SPRINGFIELD —Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) Director John J. Kim today announced a $27,023,485 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to fund the replacement of existing diesel school buses with new all-electric school buses located and operated in any of the three priority areas outlined in the Beneficiary Mitigation Plan (BMP). Illinois EPA will also fund a portion of new electric charging equipment if charging infrastructure is needed. This opportunity continues the Pritzker Administration’s commitment to focus Illinois’ remaining Volkswagen (VW) Settlement funding on electric transportation and infrastructure. “Here in Illinois, we are leading the clean energy revolution—and this latest $27 million in funding for electric school buses will help us achieve our goal of 100% clean energy by 2050,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This isn’t just a win for our environment—it's a win for our state’s children

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 18 attorneys general, took action today in support of a West Virginia student challenging a state law banning transgender female students from participating on sports teams consistent with their general identity. The student was prohibited from joining her school’s girls’ cross country and track teams and filed a lawsuit against the board of education. In an amicus brief filed in B.P.J. v. West Virginia Board of Education, Raoul and the coalition argue that the law violates the Equal Protection Clause and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as it denies transgender students access to the same athletic opportunities that other students enjoy. “Transgender students should be afforded the same extra-curricular opportunities available to every student,” Raoul said. “I will continue to stand with my colleagues against discriminatory policies and in full support of the rights of transgender

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WASHINGTON D.C. - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), member of both the U.S. Senate’s Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees, today issued the following statement in reaction to Finland formally joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) alliance: “With Finland officially joining NATO today, our alliance is now stronger and more capable than it has ever been—which is especially important as Vladimir Putin continues to wage his unjustified and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine. I was proud to help pass the Senate resolution to approve Finland’s accession into NATO last year, and now I’m even prouder to officially welcome Finland as the 31 st member of our alliance. This addition brings even stronger military defenses and diplomatic capabilities against Russia and other emerging threats and sends a clear, resounding message that the free world remains united in support of Ukraine. Moving forward,

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CHICAGO - The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) is reminding taxpayers that the upcoming deadline for filing 2022 state individual income tax returns is Tuesday, April 18, 2023. "We encourage those taxpayers who have not yet filed to do so soon and file electronically with direct deposit to ensure the most efficient processing and issuance of any refunds," said IDOR Director David Harris. "Taxpayers may file electronic returns for free by using our recently enhanced online account management program MyTax Illinois and electronic filing is also available through third party software or with most tax preparers.” MyTax Illinois has been improved this year to make filing easier than ever. The system now includes a simple question and answer format, along with tax information prepopulated from previous returns. Taxpayers can also file their individual income tax returns using MyTax Illinois with or without an account and receive immediate confirmation once their returns hav

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GRANITE CITY - Meet Kyla Gerhardt, a senior at Granite City High School and a finalist in the 13 th Annual St. Louis Teen Talent Competition. Gerhardt will perform Saturday, April 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis. VIDEO: https://youtu.be/pYRsZZuwax4

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ALTON – The Alton School Board race was one of the closer contests in the Tuesday Madison County election. Alfred (Al) J. Womack, Jr., led the field with 1,502 votes. Christina M. Milien, received 1,863 votes and was unopposed for a two-year term. The top three finishers who won four-year terms were Womack, Jr., followed by David P. Lauschke, with 1,391 votes, and Vivian L. Monckton, who had 1,230 votes. Beverly Velloff had 1,124 votes, David M. Fritz recorded 1,097 votes, and Jarvis Swope had 494 votes in the contest. Al Womack Jr., also executive director of the Alton Boys & Girls Club was a new face in the school board race. He said: “I am excited about the opportunity and I am looking forward to serving our district. I am very humbled and almost speechless at the support I received from the community. It really encourages me with the work to be done for the kids. I am up for the challenge.” Lauschke said he was most appreciative of residents having the confidence

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WOOD RIVER – William “Bill” Dettmers led all Wood River City Council candidates in Tuesday night’s election with 681 votes. David Ayres was also elected in the two selections with 678 votes. Kristen Burns had 503 votes, Sonya Hageman had 386 votes and Davis M. Landry had 110 votes. Dettmers and Ayres both said they knocked on nearly every door in Wood River campaigning for themselves. Dettmers said he was even out Tuesday morning and knocked on a door of a lady who was disabled and she didn't have a way to the polls. He assisted the lady with a ride to get to her polling place. “I worked very hard," Dettmers said. "I went through town twice knocking on doors. I really can’t tell you how much I appreciate the support I had. I am going to be very cautious about decisions while on the council. I have said this, but I believe the new rec center is going to put the city in a very serious fiscal situation, so I will be bringing that up at the council.

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EDWARDSVILLE - Voters overwhelmingly passed an Edwardsville School District bond issue proposal 4,511-2,461 in Tuesday's election. Edwardsville District 7 Superintendent Dr. Patrick Shelton said the $100 million zero-tax-rate change bond referendum on the April 4, 2023, ballot, is aimed at improving school safety and the infrastructure of District 7 buildings. A 50 percent majority was required for the measure to pass. The bond issue will fund projects at every school in Edwardsville School District District 7. “I am appreciative of the District 7 community for getting out to vote and I am very proud to be in a community that has strong pride in its schools," Dr. Shelton said. "Improving our school buildings now will benefit many future generations of students and homeowners while helping to protect the financial future of our district.” The referendum approved by voters in April, District #7 will do the following: Install double-entry doors for improved safety and

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ALTON - Nariah, an Eunice Smith Elementary student, had an experience of a lifetime recently at Principia College. Nariah portrayed Astronaut Mae Jemison at the school's Living Museum event on March 10. As good fortune would have it, Dr. Jemison spoke at Principia College that night and Nariah got to meet her in person. Dr. Jemison traveled to space aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour. She became the first African-American woman to travel into space when she served as a mission specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992. Jemison joined NASA's astronaut corps in 1987 and was selected to serve for the STS-47 mission, during which the Endeavour orbited the Earth for nearly eight days on September 12–20, 1992. Born in Alabama and raised in Chicago, Jemison graduated from Stanford University with degrees in chemical engineering as well as African and African-American studies. She then earned her medical degree from Cornell University. Jemison was a doctor

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EDWARDSVILLE - This is a roundup of the various Madison County races held on Tuesday. In city and village Board of Aldermen and Trustee elections, Heather Stewart, Karen Straube and Randall D. Horner all ran unopposed for the three spots in Alhambra, with Stewart the leading vote-getter with 50, Straube having 49 votes and Horner receiving 43 votes. Elizabeth Allen also ran unopposed for Ward 1 Alderman in Alton, receiving 181 votes. For the Village Board of Trustees in Bethalto, the winners were Rachel Sontag, with 457 votes, Jeff Mull, with 346 votes, and Maria Perkhiser, who had 344 votes. Chrissy Wiley had 321 votes, Tim Vogel had 302 votes, Kenneth "Ed" Slayden had 256 votes and Brian Frier had 238 votes. Richard Stehman ran unopposed for Collinsville mayor, but collected 1,680 votes, while Tony Fuhrman and Anthony J. Hausmann were elected to the City Council, with Fuhrman receiving 1,211 votes to Hausmann's 1,033. Catherine Demers garnered 748 votes. Debra Angleton, Stanley Foiles

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HARDIN - Calhoun County voters have officially re-elected the Kampsville Village President, and have also elected a few trustees and school board members in the April 2023 Consolidated Election. Amanda Johnson won her re-election bid as Kampsville Village President. Johnson defeated challenger Angelia Suhling and won 56% of the vote, while Suhling received 23% of the vote with 100% of precincts reporting . Johnson will serve for aonther full four-year term. Kamspville voters also elected William J. Agney and Gary W. Smith as Kampsville Village Trustees, and both will serve for unexpired 2-year terms. Three total candidates competed for two open positions - Josephine D. Becker was not elected. Ken Schleeper was elected as a member of the Board of Education for Brussels Community Unit School District No. 42. He won 62% of the vote and defeated Michael Gilbreth, who received 51% of the vote. Schleeper will serve an unexpired 2-year term. David Schleeper, Ashley Affholder, and

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CARLINVILLE - Macoupin County voters have officially elected several trustees, alderpeople, and school board members in the April 2023 consolidated election. Gillespie, Eagerville, and Royal Lakes voters also decided on a few public questions that were on their respective ballots. Macoupin County’s most crowded city/village-level race saw five candidates compete for three open spots as trustees for the village of Royal Lakes. Angela M. Sanders, Charrease Frazier, and Henry Sanders were elected and won 29.59%, 27.55%, and 16.33% of the vote respectively. Tonya Stainback and Gary Weber were not elected and received 14.29% and 12.24% of the vote respectively. Dona Rauzi was elected as Gillespie’s Ward 1 Alderperson. Rauzi won 67.30% of the vote and defeated Jared Link, who received 32.70% of the vote, with 100% of precincts reporting. David A. Link Sr. was elected as Gillespie’s Ward 2 Alderperson. Link Sr. won 57.94% of the vote and defeated Bryan Wagoner,

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JERSEYVILLE - Jerseyville voters have officially elected Kevin Stork as their new Mayor. Stork defeated Lawrence Welsh and Clifford Coats, who were also competing for the Mayor’s spot after former Mayor Bill Russell decided not to seek re-election. Stork won with 56.45% of the vote, with 100% of precincts reporting. Welsh received 31.47% of the vote and Coats received 12.08% of the vote. Voters also elected John Miles as their new Commissioner of Streets and Public Improvements. Miles won with 46.59% of the vote and will replace incumbent Nick Bexheti, who received 32.13% of the vote. Chris Lorton received 21.28% of the vote. Anthony Steckel won Stork’s former seat as Commissioner of Accounts and Finance. Steckel won 53.09% of the vote and defeated Lisa Fitzgibbons-Wieneke, who received 46.91% of the vote. Zachary Crawford won his re-election bid against challenger Dean Comer. Crawford won with 81.90% of the vote and Comer received 18.10% of the vote. Jake

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HARDIN – The Illinois Department of Transportation will hold a public informational meeting to discuss the study for the proposed rehabilitation or replacement of the Illinois 16/100 bridge over the Illinois River (Joe Page Bridge). The meeting will be held: Thursday, April 20 5-8 p.m. Calhoun High School 102 Calhoun Ave., Hardin IDOT, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration, has initiated the Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Study of the Joe Page Bridge, which carries Illinois 16/100 over the Illinois River to connect Calhoun and Greene counties. The Phase I study will look at options for the rehabilitation or replacement of the existing bridge. The purpose of the meeting is to introduce the project and obtain input. Handouts and display boards will be available for public review, as will information regarding engineering, land acquisition and environmental issues. Representatives from IDOT and the project consultant, Hanson Professional

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JERSEYVILLE - Expansion is, at long last, on the horizon for the Jerseyville Public Library thanks to the generosity of the City of Jerseyville. The Board of Trustees began work on their vision for expansion of the library facilities by exploring grant opportunities as far back as 2010. In 2012, the Library’s architects quoted an amount which would be sufficient for the expansion plans and that amount was requested via a grant through the Illinois State Library. After seven years of applying, the library was finally awarded the grant in 2020. Also notable about that particular year was the onset of the COVID Pandemic. Due to the pandemic’s far-reaching impact on the economy, particularly construction costs, supply chain issues, etc., the grant amount became insufficient to see the expansion through as it was originally envisioned. The Board of Trustees began trimming away at those initial plans and eventually came up with a project that would maintain the integrity of the

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