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OSF HealthCare has been recognized by Fortune as one of America's Most Innovative Companies for 2023. It is the only healthcare system headquartered in Illinois to earn the distinction. The 300 U.S. companies with the highest score were awarded by Fortune as America’s Most Innovative Companies 2023. OSF was rated at 194 in product rank, which helped it place 254 overall. Fortune and Statista, the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider, selected the inaugural group of America’s Most Innovative Companies 2023 based on product innovation, process innovation and innovation culture, which includes the introduction of a corporate culture that promotes creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. The evaluations were based on a compilation of online surveys and input from experts in various fields, from recruiters to management consultants and patent attorneys. "It's incredibly humbling and exciting at the same time. I think a lot of health care systems are

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EDWARDSVILLE - Simon McClaine, a star hurdler for the Alton High boys track team, is off to a great start in the new outdoor season, winning both the 110-meter and 300-meter hurdles races in helping the Redbirds finish a solid fourth in the Southwest Illinois Relays, the season's first big outdoor meet, Tuesday afternoon at the Winston Brown Track and Field Complex in Edwardsville. McClaine won the 110 meters at 15.91 seconds, then took first in the 300 meters at 41.73 seconds, a strong start to the outdoor season after enjoying a successful indoor season. He was also a part of the 4x400 meter relay team that came in third at 3:38.91, climaxing a good opening day. In an interview conducted before the 4x400 meter relay, McClaine expressed his feelings about his day. "I'm feeling pretty good so far," McClaine said. "I've won both of my open events and I'm about to hit the (4x400) in a second." McClaine had a successful 2022 campaign and for his senior year, he's hoping to do the same

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EDWARDSVILLE - At Garwood’s Heating & Cooling in Edwardsville, quality customer service has been a family tradition for the business, which has been serving the Edwardsville/Glen Carbon area for over 40 years between two generations of the Garwood family - and possibly a third generation someday. “It’s a small family business that my father and mother started in the early ‘80s, and things have been going very well,” Service Manager Shane Garwood said, adding that he’s been with the business since 1993. Shane said they mainly specialize in residential service and retrofit replacement, as well as some minor commercial work. He added it’s been “quite an honor” for the company to be in business for the last four decades. “We’ve been so fortunate and blessed in this community,” he said. “We’ve grown with it and the business opportunities that it’s presented for us have been phenomenal.”

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EDWARDSVILLE - Prairie Farms Dairy announced today the promotion of Chris Hackman as its Chief Operating Officer. Hackman currently serves as Senior Vice President of Operations, and on April 1, he will succeed Gary Aggus, who has served as COO since 2006. In February, Aggus announced that he would step down from the position. “I am grateful for Gary’s dedicated service as Chief Operating Officer and wish him the very best as he transitions into the next phase of his career. At the same time, I am thrilled to have Chris assume this critical leadership role and look forward to our work together for many more years,” said Matt McClelland, Prairie Farms’ Chief Executive Officer/Executive Vice President. “Chris’ extensive knowledge, experience, and dedication to “Do Right” for our farmer-owners, associates, and customers makes him the ideal person for the COO position.” “When I began my career with Prairie Farms 16 years ago,

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ALTON - The wait for a new Starbucks in Alton is almost over. The first walls were positioned in place Tuesday at the new Starbucks location at 1725 Homer Adams Parkway in Alton. The new coffee house will be located where the old Shop 'n Save gas station once occupied that space. The walls appear pre-assembled, so the process should go quickly and soon there will be a new Starbucks on Homer Adams Parkway. The new location was approved about a year ago by the city, but there was site work required because it once was a gas station.

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URBANA, Ill. – Seasons come and go, but home gardening never stops. Pick up the knowledge you need to embrace a resilient and sustainable home landscape, identify plants that could be problematic, and promote a natural display of beauty throughout the year. Learn best practices for all things plants from?the University of Illinois Extension educators in the Four Seasons Gardening webinar series this spring. Online sessions are from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. on select Tuesdays and are free to attend. Registration is required. Extension educators Elizabeth Wahle and Christopher Enroth will lead this series.?Learn more about the series and register for individual events at? go.illinois.edu/FourSeasons . Native Plants: Sequence of Blooms,?April 25 : Native plants are essential components of a sustainable landscape, and many offer blooms to brighten any garden.?Explore a selection of Illinois native plants suitable for the home garden and find out how to plant in sequence fo

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This is my fourteenth update to the citizens of the 111 th district, as your State Representative. We are about half-way through the 2023 spring legislative session, having already met deadlines for bill introduction, committee passage and House floor passage. We have been in Springfield every week but two since the beginning of January. During 2021-2022, because of Covid, it was much quieter in the Capitol. Now in 2023 the doors are wide open and groups and associations are bringing people back to Springfield to lobby and advocate for their particular issues. I have had many local residents and students from the 111 th visit the Capitol, and I always try to make it to the events that groups host to see local constituents. If I don’t make it, it’s only because a meeting or committee ran long. If you are coming to the Capitol, and would like to meet with me there on a session day, please call my Springfield office and we can find the best time to meet. My committee assignments

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GODFREY – Twelve teams of area high school students came to George C. Terry River Bend Arena on March 24 for Lewis and Clark Community College’s 16 th Annual Trebuchet Competition. This year, first place in the trebuchet went to Angels Raining Down Destruction from St. Joseph’s Academy in St. Louis. Second place went to M 3 , a team comprised of area homeschool students, with third place going to Newton’s Finest, from Father McGivney High School. First place in the journaling competition went to team M 3 . The Flingers, from Edwardsville High School, came in second, with Newton’s Finest finishing in third place. The winner of this year’s iPad giveaway was Jakob Stockman from East Alton-Wood River High School. For more information about the annual trebuchet competition, contact L&C Professor of Mathematics Kevin Bodden at kbodden@lc.edu or visit www.lc.edu/trebuchet .

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SPRINGFIELD – Collectible coins, sports cards, and jewelry are among the more than 500 unclaimed property items to be auctioned online from April 3 through April 7. “The online auction is an excellent and convenient opportunity to shop for collectibles and other memorabilia,” said Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs, whose office oversees unclaimed property in Illinois. “Jewelry, cards, and souvenirs could be a wonderful addition to a personal collection or a unique gift to a friend of relative.” Items to be auctioned include a 14-karat gold link bracelet, Victorian trade cards and a 1924 Saint-Gaudens $20 U.S. gold coin. Among the other available items are Beanie Babies stuffed toys, collectible sports items and cards, fine jewelry, coins and currency from the United States and other countries, Elvis Presley memorabilia, comic books and costume jewelry. To view auction items, go to ibid.illinois.gov/ and select the tab labeled “Storefronts.”

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MADISON, Ill. - The 2023 Confluence Festival will once again feature chart-topping talent across multiple genres, including many regional favorites for the thousands of fans expected for the Enjoy Illinois 300 Presented by TicketSmarter race weekend, June 2-4. Already announced 14-time Grammy-nominated Dierks Bentley will headline, playing a full set in what will be his only St. Louis appearance this year. He leads an impressive award-winning lineup: Flo Rida Five-time Grammy nominee Flo Rida is an American rapper and singer who 2007 breakout single “Low” was number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for over ten weeks and remained in the top ten for over 20 weeks. Having sold over 80 million records worldwide, he is one of the best-selling musical artists in the world. Brothers Osborne Brothers Osborne is an American country music duo consisting of brothers T.J. Osborne and John Osborne. Eight-time Academy of Country Music Award winners and six-time Country Music Award

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GRANITE CITY - GCHS Class of 2021 graduate and published author Destiny Burkett was a guest speaker for Young Authors Monday at Coolidge Junior High School. Burkett published "The Magic Mind of a Child", which is a collection of young stories she wrote from third through eighth grade while in GCSD9. She spoke to students and answered questions for 30 minutes, before signing books for each of the Coolidge Young Authors. Burkett is a junior at SIUE majoring in psychology with a minor in creative writing. She credits her family for being an inspiration to write, especially her grandpa who encouraged her to write at a young age.

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GODFREY – Coffee lovers, get ready to “round up” and be the change by supporting a new Germania Brew Haus Scholarship for Lewis and Clark Community College students. Beginning Apr. 1, customers will be able to round their purchases to the nearest dollar to benefit the scholarship. The goal is to raise $500. The campaign will kick off from 9-11 a.m. at Germania’s Godfrey location Saturday Apr. 1. The event will feature an appearance by L&C’s mascot, Blazer the Newfie, and staff from College Radio’s Best WLCA 89.9-FM. Those who come by during the event can even score some free L&C swag. Germania is a specialty coffee house that opened its first location in Alton in 2017. Two years ago, it opened its second location in Godfrey across the street from L&C. “The community has been so good to us,” said Store Manager Cameron Mank. “We want to give back.” GBH is co-owned by L&C alumni and brothers, Ben and Jared Brynildsen, as well

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, along with 12 attorneys general, today called for nationwide restrictions on the use of sulfoxaflor, a chemical pesticide that is extremely toxic to bees and other pollinators. The coalition, comprised of some of the nation’s leading agricultural producers, depend on pollinators to sustain their crops and natural ecosystems. In a letter to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Raoul and the coalition warned that the unrestricted use of sulfoxaflor could have devastating effects on pollinators, ultimately harming the economy and endangering the nation’s food security. Raoul urged the EPA to adopt reasonable restrictions on sulfoxaflor’s use and support further research into the pesticide’s potential impacts on human health and the environment. “We must do what we can to protect pollinators, which are critical to Illinois agriculture,” Raoul said. “I am urging the EPA to ensure

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EAST ST. LOUIS – State Senator Christopher Belt announced that the Illinois Secretary of State has awarded nearly $2.5 million to the Metro East Auto Theft Task Force to combat carjacking and vehicle thefts in the area. “Carjacking and vehicle thefts are serious crimes that threaten the safety and well-being of our community,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “I am grateful to the Secretary of State’s office for recognizing the importance of this issue and for providing crucial support to help prevent this issue.” The funding originates from the Illinois Vehicle Hijacking and Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance Verification Council, which is overseen by the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State’s office convenes regular meetings of council members and awards funding to assist law enforcement entities to combat carjacking and prevent motor vehicle thefts. The Metro East Auto Theft Task Force is a collaborative effort between law enforcement

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EDWARDSVILLE – City Park is losing a dear, old friend: A towering maple tree estimated to be about 125 years old will be removed in the near future amid safety concerns about its declining health. The maple tree reaches high into the sky, its branches sprawling far and wide, in a prominent spot in the downtown park. It’s roughly centered between the Edwardsville Public Library and South Buchanan Street. "We've been keeping an eye on it for about five years," said Sarah Cundiff, the chair of the City's Beautification & Tree Commission. "We knew it was declining and have been trying to keep it as long as possible. With that being such an active park, it's a safety concern." An exact date hasn't been set for the tree to be brought down, but it's expected to take place within the next two weeks. Earlier in March, a tree located on the north side of the library fell on a day that saw strong winds, rain and snow pelt the City. The trunk of that tree is all that remains on the

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You will find a comprehensive list of Easter Egg Hunts around the area below. SATURDAY, APRIL 1 ALTON: Alton VFW Post 1308 will be hosting an Easter Egg Hunt on April 1st beginning at 1 p.m. All area children ages 0-12 and their parents are welcome. GODFREY: The Village of Godfrey will be hosting their 20th Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Glazebrook Park on April 1st. The hunt will begin promptly at 2:15 p.m. and will last until all of the eggs are found. Games, crafts, and pictures with the Easter Bunny will go on until 4 p.m. Cedarhurst Senior Living at 1000 Airport Rd. in Godfrey will host an Easter Egg Hunt from 10 am-Noon on April 1. There will also be opportunities to take pictures with the Easter Bunny and enjoy cookies and punch. EDWARDSVILLE: Edwardsville Care Center located at 401 St Marys Dr in Edwardsville will be hosting an Easter Egg Hunt on April 1st beginning at 11 a.m. This event will feature pictures with the Easter Bunny! EAST ALTON: The Village of East

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MADISON COUNTY - Early childhood should be a joyful time filled with curiosity, creativity, play, and innocence where opportunities abound for children to increase their vocabulary and learn important skills like how to problem-solve, manage emotions, and build empathy for others. Healthy relationships and happy memories during this period set the stage for school readiness and a healthy, productive life. Unfortunately, not all families have the same access to resources and support while raising their children. This is preventable with the right tools in place. In April, we recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month and The Week of the Young Child® (April 1 – 7), providing time for reflection and opportunities to advocate for innovative policies that transform systems, so all children and families have what they need to thrive. Every child should have the same access and opportunities to learn, grow, and reach their full potential. Organizations like Children’s Home & Aid

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GLEN CARBON - The purchase of new body cameras and tasers for the Glen Carbon Police Department was approved by the Glen Carbon Village Board on Tuesday, March 28, among several other agenda items. The Village Board approved the purchase of the “Axon Enterprise bundle,” which includes body cameras, new tasers, and cloud video storage at a total cost of $456,960.20. Police Chief Todd Link said this purchase will help officers adhere to requirements in the SAFE-T Act, including one that all officers be equipped with body cameras no later than January 1, 2025. Link said $113,414 of the cost will be paid in Fiscal Year 2023 using Capital Permit Project Budget funds, with the remaining balance of $343,548 to be paid in installments through Fiscal Year 2027. When asked by Mayor Marcus about the cloud storage, Link said the footage would typically be stored on Axon servers for up to 90 days unless the footage is “flagged” to be stored for a longer period. He adde

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GLEN CARBON - A "Kicks On 66" car show this fall, open community garden spots, and more were among the announcements from Glen Carbon Mayor Bob Marcus at the most recent Village Board meeting on March 28. Later this fall, a “Kicks On 66” car show will be held at Schon Park. Marcus said the event will feature “over 500 high-end classic cars” as well as vendors, music, and more. The car show will be held on Saturday, Sept. 16, and more details will be announced as they are finalized. There are still seven Community Garden spots available on a first-come, first-serve basis at Village Hall, Marcus said. Applications are available at this link from the village website. Marcus also said sponsorship and vendor opportunities are also still available for the Glen Carbon Homecoming taking place on June 16 and 17. He said to visit this link on the village website for more information. Glen Carbon was recently named a Salute To Southwestern Illinois award winner at

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MATTOON — First Mid Bank & Trust has launched their ‘Certified Homebuyer Program’ to give borrowers a head start on securing home financing. First Mid lenders can help potential homebuyers complete their purchase and start a new chapter in their lives even sooner. Buying a home is a monumental decision and it can be overwhelming. First Mid is excited to offer this program to simplify the homebuying process. Becoming certified can help by taking care of the financing paperwork up front and letting potential buyers know what they can afford before searching for a home. The program can also identify any unexpected financing issues ahead of time. While many banks offer prequalified programs, the First Mid Certified Homebuyer Program goes a step further. “Many individuals don’t realize there is a difference between prequalified and pre-approved,” says Chad Abernathy, Chief Retail Loan Officer. “Prequalified is when an application is completed and

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