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EVERGREEN PARK - The 21st century introduced to us a whole world of technology that has grown rapidly year by year. At the start of the pandemic in 2020, the time kids spent inside and on screens significantly increased. While there are ongoing debates on the topic of technology and kids, one thing is certain: Screen time is here to stay. The factors that play a role in how beneficial screen time is come down to both the quantity and quality of the screen time. One popular screen-time choice for young children is CoComelon . CoComelon is a YouTube channel with 128 million subscribers and counting – and each video posted is viewed millions of times. The CoComelon phenomenon is entering households all across the country, both online and through branded apps and streaming platforms like Netflix. So, what is the obsession? Shows such as CoComelon tend to draw children in because of the fun sounds and visuals, including bright colors and large shapes. Not only does this catch a child’s

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An open letter to the community: Throughout OSF HealthCare, our hospitals, clinics, and staff are being challenged in ways we haven’t experienced in two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. But if you look back on OSF history, those before us faced similar challenges. Our founding Sisters cared for patients with contagious diseases, and as it is today, the need for care was tremendous. Those Sisters were willing to do whatever was needed, saying, “This is a person created in God’s image, and I’m going to take care of them.” Today’s Sisters – and their 24,000 partners in the OSF HealthCare Mission – are also saying that. Yes, our health care workers are tired and worn out. Just like health systems across the country, our doctors, nurses, clinical support staff, and others continue to endure mental, emotional, and physical strain. The surge we are experiencing with omicron is the latest test. But our caregivers and other Mission Partners draw

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ST. CLAIR COUNTY - This is an Illinois State Police District 11 summary of a two-vehicle personal injury crash on I-55 in St. Clair County at 5:36 a.m. on Feb. 6, 2022. The drivers involved were from Florissant, MO., and Alamo, Texas. A woman - Breonna Hargrove, 28, of Florissant, Mo., was transported by ambulance to a regional hospital with life-threatening injuries. More details about the crash are below from ISP. WHAT: Two-Vehicle Personal Injury Traffic Crash WHEN: Feb. 06, 2022 at approximately 5:36 a.m. WHERE: Interstate 55 southbound at milepost 3.1, St. Clair County VEHICLES: Unit 1- 2010 White Audi Q5 Unit 2- 2022 White Freightliner Truck-Tractor Semi-Trailer Combination DRIVERS: Unit 1- Breonna Hargrove, 28-year-old female from Florissant, MO – Transported by ambulance to a regional hospital with life-threatening injuries. Unit 2- Juan Cantu, 57-year-old male from Alamo, TX – Transported by ambulance to a regional hospital with non-life-threatening

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SANGAMON COUNTY - A downstate Illinois judge has issued a ruling against the state's school mandates, including masking after lawsuits involving parents and teachers from more than 150 districts throughout the state. In granting them a temporary restraining order, Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge Raylene DeWitte Grischow said the mandates violate the plaintiffs' "due process rights under the law which provide them a meaningful opportunity to object to any such mitigations." “This court acknowledges the tragic toll the COVID-19 pandemic has taken, not only on this State but throughout the nation and globe,” Grischow wrote in the decision. “Nonetheless, it is the duty of the Courts to preserve the rule of law and ensure that all branches of government act within the boundaries of the authority granted under the Constitution. “The (Illinois Department of Public Health) is limited by law to delegating its authority only to certified local health departments

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CHICAGO – Governor Pritzker has asked the Illinois Attorney General’s office for an immediate appeal of Judge Grischow’s decision to restrain the State from enforcing the safety measures aimed at protecting teachers, school personnel, students and communities from COVID-19. The Attorney General is seeking an expedited appeal from the Fourth District Illinois Appellate Court. “The grave consequence of this misguided decision is that schools in these districts no longer have sufficient tools to keep students and staff safe while COVID-19 continues to threaten our communities – and this may force schools to go remote,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This shows yet again that the mask mandate and school exclusion protocols are essential tools to keep schools open and everyone safe. As we have from the beginning of the pandemic, the administration will keep working to ensure every Illinoisan has the tools needed to keep themselves and

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EDWARDSVILLE - Criminal charges have been issued against a former Roxana School District teacher for alleged crimes that occurred inside the City of Edwardsville. On January 26, 2022, the Edwardsville Police Department received notification from the Roxana Police Department that a former school teacher in the Roxana School District had alleged sexual relationships with juveniles that were under the age of 18 years old. The Edwardsville Police department initiated an investigation due to the sexual acts occurring within the city limits of Edwardsville. The subsequent investigation led to the execution of a search warrant on February 1, 2022, at the suspect’s residence, located in the 400 block Roanoke Drive, Edwardsville, Illinois. The suspect was taken into police custody at that time. On February 4, 2022, the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office issued criminal information for: Danielle C. Fischer F/W, 29 years of age For the following offenses: COUNT

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Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois CEO, Loretta Graham, wrote this editorial reflecting on Black History Month: As we celebrate Black History Month, let us recognize how African American culture has profoundly shaped American culture. Two of the greatest women in black history delivered a couple of the most significant speeches in American history - Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman. Sojourner Truth dedicated herself to the causes of ending slavery and fighting for equal rights for women. She was born into slavery in New York and freed in 1827 under the state’s emancipation law. Let’s reflect on an interpretation of a speech she delivered, “Ain’t I a Woman?”. She said “Well, children, where there is so much racket there must be something out of kilter. I think that ’twixt the Negroes of the South and the women at the North, all talking about rights, the white men will be in a fix pretty soon. But what’s all this here talking about? T

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PEORIA - How many times at work have you declared, “There has got to be a better way!” Knowing that Mission Partners (employees) have great ideas to create a better way, OSF HealthCare launched the OSF Innovation Studio – to take those ideas from exploration to commercialization. A couple of ideas that have been rapidly advanced include an app to improve surgical safety of patients with medical implants and a new type of heart stent. Kip McCoy, vice president of Innovation Studio for OSF HealthCare, says his team looks for ideas that have the potential to transform health care, are associated areas of expertise at OSF or are aligned with the OSF Innovation focus areas. Those areas include pediatrics, neurology, medical technology, big data and the social determinants of health, among others. But the Innovation Studio will also embrace random opportunities in a particular setting to improve processes, safety, recovery, treatment or even the patient’s overall

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Our Love Story: The Couple: David (I call him Dave, Husband, Love, & Sexy) and Natalie (He calls me Natty, Sugar Butt, Wife, Love, & Momma) from Wood River Date Met/Started Dating: July 11, 1997 Briefly Describe First Date: He worked at Tommy's Quik. My Mom helped me get a car. I started going in there for gas, cigarettes, and soda. If he was there, he made sure he was the one to always wait on me. He was very nice. After a few days, he asked me to stay and hang out. We spent several hours talking between customers. Getting to know each other, joking, flirting. He asked for my phone number, and we spent the rest of the night on the phone. We both knew from that day that we would be together. Date Married: April 11, 1999 Name Something You Enjoy Doing Together: Everything. At this point in our lives, we are both disabled. He has stage 4 Kidney disease, & Chronic Hemolytic Anemia, among other things. I have Uncontrolled Epilepsy among other things. We spend 99.9% of

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Our Love Story: The Couple: Craig and Chelsea from Roxana Date Met/Started Dating: July 24, 2005 Briefly Describe First Date: Dinner at Moonlight. Date Married: January 30, 2009 Name Something You Enjoy Doing Together: Spending time together, playing with our 3 kids. Share Advice For A Happy Relationship: Always marry your best friend! You will have your ups and downs, but it's the friendship that gets you through. Thanks to my Aunt for the best advice!

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Our Love Story: The Couple: "Honey" and "Sugar" from Wood River Date Met/Started Dating: April 22, 1994 Briefly Describe First Date: Our first date was at the movies at Eastgate. Date Married: August 17, 1996 Name Something You Enjoy Doing Together: L ooking for records and driving our pt cruiser down the river road for fish or going to Duke's bakery for a cookie. We have been together since I was 14 and he was 16. Share Advice For A Happy Relationship: Always love each other no matter what. Love always wins. We just fit; we are soul mates.

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Our Love Story: The Couple: Scott & Melissa from Godfrey Date Met/Started Dating: January 3, 2010 Briefly Describe First Date: Homemade dinner and movie. Date Married: September 3, 2010 Name Something You Enjoy Doing Together: Sxs riding. Sushi dates. Movies. Fun days with our kids. We have fun doing anything together. Share Advice For A Happy Relationship: Laugh. Have fun and don’t take things so seriously. Always have date nights.

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SPRINGFIELD— February can be one of the coldest and snowiest months of winter. With the upcoming sub-zero temperatures predicted for the region, HSHS Illinois hospitals and HSHS Medical Group clinics remind everyone the risk of cold-related injuries increases as the temps drop. The most common cold-related health issues are hypothermia and frostbite. Dr. Gurpreet Mander, HSHS Illinois chief physician executive, says while many people can and should stay indoors when the temperature drops to dangerous levels, some jobs require people to work in the cold. “Hypothermia and frostbite can set in very quickly and those who work outdoors should take steps to prevent these potentially serious issues.” If you must be outdoors during frigid temperatures: · Dress in layers and wear insulated clothing that allows for evaporation and minimal absorption of perspiration. · Take breaks. Be sure to warm up inside when needed. · Eat a balanced diet. · Drink

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The Center Square – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he believes in paying off the state’s debt, but he didn't mention the state’s $4.5 billion unemployment trust fund debt that costs taxpayers tens of millions in interest during his State of the State and Budget address Wednesday. Proposing a spending plan for the coming fiscal year that's billions of dollars more expensive than what he proposed for the current year, Pritzker laid out his fiscal 2023 budget priorities on Groundhog Day at the Old State Capitol in Springfield. The governor offered up a spending plan of $45.5 billion in state funds, nearly $4 billion more than he proposed for the current fiscal year. Despite increased spending, the election-year plan includes a freeze in grocery taxes and property tax rebates of up to $300 per household. The governor is also proposing freezing the estimated 2.2 cent gas tax increase scheduled for July 1. Pritzker said the extra gas tax money wasn’t needed by the Illinois

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WOOD RIVER - Wood River Fire Department issued a Box Alarm on a fire call to Lewis and Clark Elementary at 501 East Lorena in Wood River on Friday. When firefighters arrived, they found smoke on the second floor. The fire appeared to originate in the mechanical area of the Lewis and Clark Elementary basement. With the assistance of the East Alton Fire Department and Roxana, Edwardsville, and Rosewood Heights Fire Departments, the firefighters were able to get the situation under control in a fast fashion. It was a snow day for Lewis and Clark Elementary, so there were no students in the buildings, Wood River Fire Chief Wade Stahlhut said, which was a huge blessing. Madison County Emergency Management was also called to the scene to assist. Stahlhut said he was also appreciative of the other departments for their assistance both at the fire and others with help at their fire station. The State Fire Marshal's Office was also requested to the scene to assist in the investigation o

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GODFREY - Godfrey resident Jean Connoyer had some fun on Friday with her beloved horse - Henry - as he was in a stable for a few days the first part of the week because of the inclement weather. Today, Henry was in a playful mood, she said, with the weather breaking and he enjoyed time with Connoyer grazing outside. Henry is a black-coated horse and is a half Morgan and Friesian breed. The Morgan bread is compact, refined, and generally gray, black, or chestnut in color. Henry is boarded at Hoagland Stables in Godfrey. The Morgan breed is considered the ultimate all-American horse and originated in Vermont, Connoyer said. The Friesian breed originates in Friesland in the Netherlands. Friesian horses were in great demand during war times because they are graceful and nimble for their size and are better designed for the cold, Connoyer said. "The Morgan breed is a do it all kind of breed, Connoyer said, who has had Henry for about nine years." The yellow-coated horse - Sonny - below

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Our Love Story: The Couple: Jenny & Amos from Godfrey Date Met/Started Dating: June 8, 2020 Briefly Describe First Date: We met up and went out to explore Cuivre River in Missouri, after not having seen each other for at least 20 years. Name Something You Enjoy Doing Together: We love exploring, watching movies, pokemoning, traveling, and just talking and laughing together. Share Advice For A Happy Relationship: Communication is so very important.

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Our Love Story: The Couple: Carrie and David from Collinsville Date Met/Started Dating: July 10, 2021 Briefly Describe First Date: I met him on Facebook through a friend and asked him to go to my best friend's wedding with me…and he said yes! Date Married: June 25, 2022 Name Something You Enjoy Doing Together: We love going to the gun range and just being together. Share Advice For A Happy Relationship: Always be truthful and honest…laugh a lot and don’t take life too seriously…live in the now.

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GREENE COUNTY - A GoFundMe page has been set for Randa Davidson’s family after her death this past week. Randa, a Greene County woman, apparently died of hypothermia complications in Springfield after a massive search earlier this week. Randa’s body was found near a pond by a Sangamon County detective in the 3100 block of Robbins Road in Springfield’s extreme west end on Tuesday, January 25, 2022. Randa, a Hillview resident, was only 39 years old. The GoFundMe fundraiser was created by her aunt - Janet Surratt - to help support her two children. Surratt said the family thanks all those who reached out when Randa went missing. "We prayed for her safe return," she added. "Randa has been found and unfortunately is no longer with us. I am creating this account to help with burial expenses and for the benefit of Randa’s son and daughter. Any donation is appreciated. Please continue to pray for the family." Janet Surratt closed with some inspiring words to describ

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SPRINGFIELD – Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today highlighted recently-released data from the Business Formation Statistics Report that shows Illinois is leading the Midwest, and is among the top ten states nationally, in business startups - in addition to reaching the highest recorded number of business startups. Highlights include: Illinois Highlights : - In 2021, 198,827 business startups were created in Illinois, which is an increase from 170,400 in 2020 - In 2021, Illinois recorded its highest-ever number of business startups since the data was first reported in 2004. - Illinois has 69 percent more business startups in 2021 compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019 (198,827 compared to 117,392). From 2019 to 2020 there was also a 45 percent increase in business startups 117,392 to 170,400). Regional Highlights: - In 2021, Illinois had the highest number of business startups in the Midwest (as defined

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