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EDWARDSVILLE: Juvenile violence is an ongoing concern in our community. All too often, my office prosecutes serious violent acts committed by juveniles including car thefts, shootings, and murders. Due to legally required confidentiality when minors are involved, and the uncertainty of terms of confinement in the juvenile system (these issues are explained below), some in the community may fear that violent juveniles are not being dealt with appropriately. This article aims to provide concerned citizens with additional insight on how a juvenile case is charged and prosecuted here in Madison County, and the various methods we use at the State’s Attorney’s Office to ensure our community is protected from juvenile violence, while also keeping in mind that when children are involved, the law gives them special attention and consideration. Background In 1899, the Illinois Juvenile Court Act (JCA) took effect, and Illinois became the first state to create a separate court for juveniles

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WOOD RIVER - Wood River Police Chief Brad Wells said his department has been prepared for the end of cash bail long before the Pre-Trial Fairness Act officially went into effect on Monday, Sept. 18. At Monday night’s City Council meeting, Chief Wells assured the public that his department will work with the State’s Attorney to continue keeping the city safe. “We’ve done a lot of internal work to get ready for this morning,” Chief Wells said. “With the click of the calendar from the 17th to the 18th, Illinois is the only state in the land to be a no-cash-bail state. “We’ve done a lot of meetings, a lot of preparation with our State’s Attorney, have a lot of procedures in place, we feel like we are ready for that. The time from midnight last night until this morning, we’ve not had to deal with that issue, but obviously by the time the week ends will determine just how that’s going to affect us.” Wells sai

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ALTON - Monday, Sept. 18, kicked off the start of student disciplinary hearings following a series of physical altercations between students at Alton High School on Aug. 30. The Alton Community Unit School District #11 Board of Education held five hearings from 4–8 p.m. on Monday. All five students were expelled, though the terms of their expulsions differed. Four students were expelled effective immediately until June 1, 2024. One student was expelled until June 1, 2025. Expelled students cannot be on school property, nor can they attend or participate in school-sponsored events for the duration of their expulsion. In order to continue their education and fulfill requirements to graduate, these students can enroll in the Madison County Regional Office of Education 41 alternative schooling program. One student was offered homeschooling or remote learning options rather than the alternative schooling program, which would allow the student to graduate from Alton High School.

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GODFREY - The Village of Godfrey’s 22nd annual Fall Festival invites community members to check out the Great Godfrey Maze and other family-friendly activities this Saturday, Sept. 23. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Godfrey’s Robert E. Glazebrook Park will offer games, attractions, food vendors and live music in addition to the famous maze, which opened last week. This year’s theme is “Family Game Night.” Chris Logan, the Parks and Recreation Director, explained that the Fall Festival adds some extra fun to the maze’s regular weekend events. “This is another festival that Godfrey provides, a chance for families to come out and have a good time,” Logan said. “It’ll be more like a regular maze Saturday with some extra things going on, so it’s an even better day to come out.” The Great Godfrey Maze is open from 6–10 p.m. on Fridays and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays until Oct. 28. Young kids can also

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GRANITE CITY — U.S. Steel has put the blame on the United Autoworker's strike for a decrease in demand but has said they are idling operations of a blast furnace at Granite City Works until conditions improve. Meanwhile, the Granite City mayor, a U.S. congressman, and a major labor representative describe the move as "shameful." The United Steelworkers plans to meet with U.S. Steel to hopefully minimize layoffs with their contract. The auto workers' strike against Detroit's Big Three now enters day four with no signs Monday of any breakthrough. Granite City Mayor Mike Parkinson issued a statement about the idling and said: “There is reason for shutting down the furnace. This is a way they can idle employees without notice. It is deplorable and I question the fact they are doing it because of the auto industry strike. This is not a way to treat American workers.” U.S. Steel made this statement following the announcement of UAW strike actions: "We are executing our

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EDWARDSVILLE/GLEN CARBON - The Randy Gori Memorial 2023 Kicks on 66 Car Show & Cruise invited car lovers to have a fun time with old rides this weekend. More than 600 cars and motorcycles lined up at Schon Park in Glen Carbon from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 16. Attendees could check out the classic cars and chat with the owners about their vehicles. The afternoon ended with a cruise through downtown Glen Carbon. Newbold BMW and Newbold Toyota , two car dealerships in O’Fallon, presented the car show and cruise. Thousands of people came out to enjoy the free event and support the Gori family. The Kicks on 66 show honors Randy L. Gori , a prominent Edwardsville attorney who was killed in 2020. Gori was a co-founder of The Gori Law Firm , which partnered with the Village of Glen Carbon to support the event. This was the third annual car show held in his memory. On their official Facebook page , Kicks on 66 called this weekend’s event “one of th

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GRANITE CITY - Illinois State Senator Erica Harriss - 56th District - and Illinois State Representative Amy Elik - 111th District - met with Granite City High School students on Monday, Sept. 18, as part of Constitution Day. GCHS Social Studies classes gathered in the Performing Arts Center (PAC) to hear from local State elected officials about Constitution Day, the Constitution and its importance, and citizenship. NOTE: Constitution Day was celebrated on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, and was recognized at GCHS on Monday, Sept. 18, 2023

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BETHALTO - It’s been almost six months in the making, but the Piasa Flyers are ready for Take Off. Members of the club are now proud owners of a 1968 Piper Cherokee 180D. The plane has low hours, is in good shape and should be a great first plane for the club, said member Don Hill. “It has a 180 HP engine that is capable of flying cross country at 145 miles an hour and still meets the needs of a trainer aircraft.” The plane was purchased from a private seller in Baltimore, Maryland, and flown back to the St. Louis Regional Airport by member Rob Kurtz this past Monday. The Search Committee, formed about a month ago, included Joe Rather, John Hentrich, Rob Kurtz, Paul Malcharek, Ron Jones, Vance Stutz and President Cody Peckham. “I think we got pretty lucky,” said John Hentrich, treasurer of the organization. “Buying a 55-year-old plane located halfway across the country with no real experience was both tricky and a little stressful. None

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Madison County Sheriff's Office released information today about a missing/endangered person in the Dorsey/Staunton area - Laura Erzen. The above photo is of Erzen. She now has been reported found. The Madison County Sheriff's Office issued a statement that she has been located and is "safe." Erzen is a white female, 36, 5-foot-5, 185 pounds, with blue eyes and brown hair. The sheriff's office said she was last known to be in the Dorsey, IL, area. If you have any information, call 618-692-4433, or the anonymous Tip Line at 618-296-3000.

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EDWARDSVILLE - One of the most popular events in the region each year is the Touch-A-Truck Day at Edwardsville Township Park (Airplane Park) at 6368 Center Grove Road. Kevin Hall, Edwardsville Township supervisor, and Adam Colvin, the Edwardsville Township administrator, said the event offers more vehicles/activities than ever from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, September 30. Nearly 50 vehicles will be on-site for children to explore throughout the day. Edwardsville Township’s 9 th Annual Touch-A-Truck event will incorporate a range of nearly 50 vehicles, including: SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital’s Helicopter and Ambulance City of Edwardsville & Village of Glen Carbon Ambulances and Fire Trucks Eclipse Car Wash’s Caterpillar D6 Dozer Gateway Truck & Refrigeration’s Volvo VNL 860 Southern Illinois University School of Engineering’s Solar Car, Cougar Baja, and Formula Car Scott Credit Union’s Hummer The Annual Touch-a-Truck

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ST. LOUIS - The Bike MS: Gateway Getaway 2023 fundraiser and bike ride recently welcomed 1,000 bicyclists to the Riverbend area to raise funds and awareness for multiple sclerosis (MS). “It was such a great weekend full of hugs, high-fives and mission-inspired moments,” Marisa Hacker, senior manager for Bike MS, said. “Definitely an emotion-filled weekend, with the excitement and the inspiration of the progress that we’ve made so far and then always knowing there’s still work to be done until we find a cure for this thing.” On Sept. 9 and 10, bicyclists tackled 25-, 50-, 75- or 100-mile routes through local communities with Lewis and Clark Community College (LCCC) in Godfrey as their home base. There are 50 Bike MS events across the U.S., and this ride in the St. Louis region is in the top 15. The bicycle rides aim to raise a collective $1.3 million for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society . The Bike MS: Gateway Getaway in the Riverbend

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EDWARDSVILLE — A man has been sentenced to 10 years in an aggravated DUI case. Madison County State's Attorney Thomas Haine made the announcement on Monday that Wayne A. Stayton, 41, of Collinsville, received the sentence at a hearing on Friday. The crash happened at about 4 a.m. on Feb. 23, 2018. In June, following a week-long trial, a jury convicted Stayton of aggravated DUI, finding that he was under the influence of cannabis when his pickup crossed the center line of U.S. 40 in Highland and crashed into a truck driven by Charlene Johnson, 45, of Highland. Witnesses at the trial included experts from Colorado, Florida and Chicago. “This prosecution involved highly scientific evidence and testimony from medical experts. This is an area of criminal law that continues to evolve,” Haine said. “In the end, the jury’s diligent analysis led them to the conclusion that this defendant chose to become impaired, then got behind the wheel – and in fact

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Illinois Poison Center Offers Parents & Caregivers Suicide Prevention Resources, Ways to Mitigate Risk During Suicide Prevention Awareness Month CHICAGO – Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States, and the 3 rd leading cause of death among youth ages 10-19 in Illinois. September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. With the school year underway for Illinois students, the Illinois Poison Center (IPC) is offering tips to teachers, parents, and caregivers to help prevent suicide attempts. “Suicide attempts by overdose rise during the back-to-school period and throughout the school year,” said IPC Medical Director Michael Wahl, M.D. “For some students, going back to school appears to trigger stress and anxiety, making it even more important that teachers, parents and caregivers are on the lookout for behavioral changes.” According to the latest Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) data, 186 Illinois youth and young adults

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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that the the right lane in both directions of Interstate 64 from 0.2 miles west of Illinois 157 to 0.3 miles west of Greenmount Road will require intermittent daytime lane closures beginning, weather permitting, Wednesday, Sept. 20, through Thursday, Sept. 21. Work will be suspended between the hours of 6-9 a.m. on the westbound lanes and 3-6 p.m. on the eastbound lanes. 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 @IDOTDistrict 8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com

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JERSEYVILLE - Four individuals are facing various battery charges in Jersey County, including two who were also charged with mob action. Recent court filings indicate these batteries took place across a two-day span from Sept. 8 to Sept. 9. Casey C. McGee, 24, of Jerseyville, was charged with one count of aggravated battery in a public place and one count of mob action. According to court documents, McGee allegedly struck someone in the face at the Jerseyville MotoMart on Sept. 8. with a set of plastic brass knuckles. McGee was additionally charged with one count of mob action; court documents allege he “disturbed the public peace in that he, while acting together with” Timothy D. Sunderland, 25, of Jerseyville, committed the battery. According to Illinois law , someone commits “mob action” by engaging in “the knowing or reckless use of force or violence disturbing the public peace by two or more persons acting together and without authority

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ALTON - Student disciplinary hearings will begin this week for students who were involved in last month’s altercations at Alton High School. On Aug. 30, Alton High School was put on soft lockdown following multiple student fights on school grounds. School officials implemented virtual learning for a few days and placed restrictions on student attendance at athletic events. When students returned to in-person classes on Sept. 6, they were met with new policies and procedures , including concealed weapons detection systems and an increased law enforcement presence on campus. Today, Sept. 18, the Alton Community Unit School District #11 Board of Education will begin disciplinary hearings for students who were involved in the altercations. Several Special Board of Education Meetings are scheduled this week “to conduct closed sessions for the purpose of student discipline hearings,” according to a public notice. Each meeting will begin in open session with

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The hugely popular Edwardsville Art Fair will return to City Park in Edwardsville for three days of festival fun Sept. 22–24. More than 90 artists from around the U.S. will be showcasing their work. This free family-friendly event local performing arts, a children’s art gallery, and children-friendly activities. These are some of the artists who will have displays. Look for additional profiles as the week continues. Artist #1 Name: Kristin McDonough Location: Saint Louis MO Medium: Textiles Artist's Statement: "I craft leather handbags and accessories that seamlessly blend form and function. Utilizing time-honored leather working techniques, and high-quality U.S. hides, each piece is carefully hand-cut and stitched. With a focus on showcasing the natural beauty of leather, I use minimalist designs that highlight the material's unique characteristics." Artist #2 Name: William and Susan Pasetti Location: Cortland IL Medium: Glass Artist's Statement

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EDWARDSVILLE – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is thrilled to announce the fusion of two beloved traditions, Homecoming and Family Weekend, that promises to captivate alumni, families and community members alike. Under the theme "Cougar State of Mind," this year's celebration will take place Wednesday-Sunday, Oct. 11-15. “The traditions surrounding Homecoming at SIUE are continuing to grow,” said Maggie Krumwiede, PharmD, board president of the SIUE Alumni Association. “This year, more than ever, it gives legacy families the opportunity to not only celebrate their students during Family Weekend, but to also engage in spirited Homecoming activities, while reflecting on time spent at SIUE and reconnecting with other fellow alums.” “Homecoming and Family Weekend provides the opportunity for SIUE alumni, parents and families to come together with current students for a weekend packed with more than 20 exciting events,” said Miriam

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ALTON - Office Depot at 303 East Homer Adams Parkway in Alton has announced it will close its doors. A sign on the Office Depot doors said the closing is for the Alton location only. Alton Mayor David Goins said it is "disappointing to hear that Office Depot is closing." "My hope is that space will not sit vacant long and be occupied soon by another retail establishment," he added. The store remains open in Alton with clearance sales on items. Office Depot is closing its Alton store permanently on Nov. 11, 2023.

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ALTON - This weekend, the 17th annual Mississippi Earthtones Festival celebrated the Mississippi River with a day of live music, art and conservation education. Attendees flooded the Alton Amphitheater from noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 16. They could enjoy eco-friendly craft vendors and art exhibits while learning about the river and ways to help the environment. The many family-friendly activities and interactive art booths attracted a big crowd. “Our goal is to bring locals and tourists alike to Downtown Alton to celebrate life on the Mississippi River and learn about ways that we can all be good stewards of our environment,” explained the festival’s webpage . The Mississippi Earthtones Festival was presented by Alton Main Street , an organization that aims to revitalize downtown Alton, as well as Jacoby Arts Center and the Sierra Club . Local bands rocked the riverfront from 2–10 p.m. Jason “Gordo” Gordon , Mattie

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