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JERSEY COUNTY - Jersey County State's Attorney Ben Goetten has filed a lawsuit against the State of Illinois in regard to the controversial Safe-T Act. The Safe-T Act was supported and signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker on Jan. 22, 2021, the Illinois Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today (SAFE-T) Act (the Act) implements sweeping reform impacting many aspects of the criminal justice system, including pre-arrest diversion, policing, pretrial, sentencing, and corrections. "While I’m still hopeful the legislature will do the right thing and make the necessary amendments to this Act, I felt filing suit sends a strong message from Jersey County that we are not in favor of installing a revolving door at our jailhouse," Goetten said. "The men and women in law enforcement deserve better, the people of this State deserve better, and I’m certain that the citizens of Jersey County deserve better." Goetten continued and said: "This Act does nothing more than strip vital

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EDWARDSVILLE – Through funding provided by BioMADE, the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center (NCERC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Valerian Materials, the University of Minnesota, and Scientific Bioprocessing Inc. (SBI) have partnered to perform research and development on novel sustainable materials solutions. Launched in 2021, BioMADE is the most-recently established Manufacturing Innovation Institute. By supporting the development of biomanufacturing technologies, BioMADE and its network of 150+ members are strengthening American competitiveness, creating a more resilient supply chain, and helping the U.S. becoming more self-sufficient. This project is one of several being funded by BioMADE as part of its mission to secure America’s future through bioindustrial manufacturing innovation, education, and collaboration. “Projects like this are a perfect example of the research we do in the bioproducts space,” said John Caupert, NCERC executive

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office has announced that on Thursday it issued warrants on Tony Martin, 22, of the 4500 block of Edgewood Boulevard in St. Louis, for Murder Second Degree and Armed Criminal Action. The deceased in the homicide has been identified as Christy Martin, 50, of the 4500 block of Edgewood Boulevard in St. Louis. Martin is being held on $250,000 cash only, no 10% bond. The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office's probable cause statement reads: The defendant is the son of Christy Martin. On this day (9/21/2022), the defendant was carrying a firearm around their home. They were arguing while putting groceries away. Christy Martin touched the defendant’s arm so that he would turn around. When he turned around he shot Christy Martin once in the chest with a Glock Model 19 .9-mm firearm. When the police arrived, they seized the weapon, one shell casing, and one projectile. Martin was deceased when the police arrived.

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ALTON - Associate Judge Neil Schroeder has made a ruling on the mental health of Deundrea S. Holloway, 22, of Litchfield. His decision at this point is Holloway's mental health prevents him from assisting in his own defense. Holloway is charged with the beheading of a pregnant Alton woman on June 9, 2022, in the 3400 block of Bolivar in Alton. Holloway, a Litchfield man, was charged with the gruesome murder of a pregnant mother, Liese A. Dodd, also 22, in the 3400 block of Bolivar Street in her residence. On August 1, 2022, another hearing was held on Holloway’s fitness and this was written by the judge: “Based upon the evidence presented, the court finds the defendant is presently unfit to stand trial. The court further finds that if provided a course of treatment there is a substantial probability he will attain fitness within one year. The defendant is remanded to the Department of Human Services for treatment.” Judge Schroeder wrote on June 16, 2022: “After

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ST. LOUIS, MO – Katie’s Pizza & Pasta Osteria , an award-winning artisan Italian restaurant and bar owned by husband-and-wife team Ted and Katie Collier, is announcing that construction of its newest restaurant has begun. The restaurant, located at 751 Clark Street, is the company’s 3rd location in St. Louis, Missouri, and is set to be open to the public by spring 2023, in time for the start of the upcoming MLB season. This is fitting, as it’s located in Ballpark Village, directly across from Gate 4 at Busch Stadium. Executive Chef Jake Sanderson leads the culinary team and Head Bartender Hayley AuBuchon is in charge of the cocktail program. The menu, which includes appetizers, burrata, salads, pastas, pizzas, and seasonal specials, will expand to include location-specific items. At this location, they’ll serve steak, seafood, and grilled vegetables from their wood-fired grill. Spiegelglass Construction Company is the general contractor and TAO + LEE

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ALTON - After successful 2020 and 2021 virtual events, the highly anticipated in-person return of the Alton Miles for Meso 5k Run and 3K Fun Run and Walk is being held on Saturday, September 24. More than 1,000 participants will gather in person and virtually to fundraise and spread awareness about mesothelioma . Started in 2009 by Simmons Hanly Conroy, the Alton Miles for Meso event takes place every September in recognition of National Mesothelioma Awareness Day . Race day festivities begin at 7:30 a.m. at Simmons Hanly Conroy headquarters at One Court Street in Alton, across from Marquette High School. The race starts at 9 a.m. Registration is still available for $45 the morning of the race. All registration fees benefit the charity and include a long-sleeve, moisture-wicking shirt. Over the past 13 years, Miles for Meso events nationwide have raised over $850,000 to benefit mesothelioma awareness and research. For the ninth straight year, proceeds from the Alton event will

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ST. LOUIS - Reedy Press is pleased to announce the release of its newest local interest book, St. Louis Sports Memories: Forgotten Teams and Moments from America’s Best Sports Town , by Ed Wheatley. What city broke barriers by welcoming some of the first African-American baseball players in addition to the first female owners of both an MLB and NFL team? Where have local colleges dominated a specific sport, winning dozens of national titles over as many years? The answer, of course, lies in St. Louis, a hotbed of professional and amateur sports with a diverse history and an evolving legacy of success. In St. Louis Sports Memories: Forgotten Teams and Moments from America’s Best Sports Town , relive the highlights from the championships to the crossroads of social change that have characterized St. Louis’s sports scene for more than a century. Learn about the tennis legend who found an accepting environment to master his game during the racial turmoil of the 1960s.

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ST. LOUIS - From Hurricane Fiona to Typhoon Merbok, and wildfires across the West Coast, American Red Cross volunteers from across the Missouri and Arkansas Region continue to answer the call. Dedicated American Red Cross workers have been providing critical aid to wildfire evacuees and are now assisting those in Puerto Rico and Alaska. The American Red Cross of Missouri and Arkansas has stepped up to deploy volunteers to assist as wildfires continue to ravish multiple areas. As of Wednesday morning, 20 volunteers from across the region have raised their hands to respond, with 11 volunteers on the ground in impacted areas, while nine are headed to Puerto Rico. “As disasters wreak havoc from coast to coast and beyond, volunteers from the Missouri and Arkansas Region continue to step up to help,” said Chris Harmon, Regional Disaster Officer for American Red Cross of Missouri-Arkansas. “Disasters come in all shapes and sizes, and we need more volunteers to not only

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ALTON - The ongoing sewer separation project has roads opening and closing on a weekly basis, but headway is being made in the Downtown Alton district. After being closed for a few weeks, West 3rd Street is back open to through traffic from Piasa Street to State Street in Alton. Illinois American Water started sewer separation system work on U.S. 67 from 20th Street/College Avenue south to 3rd Street in Alton on July 5, 2022. The sewer separation project should improve the efficiency of the system in the Downtown Alton area and make a large difference during flooding conditions. Work continues to be done on Belle Street and is still closed from West 3rd Street leading up to West 9th Street. Work is being done as fast as possible to re-open the area. The pictures above are of Belle Street right outside of Mac's.

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STAMFORD, CT. - Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: CHTR) (“Charter” or “Charter Communications”) today announced that Chris Winfrey has been named President and Chief Executive Officer of Charter Communications, effective December 1, 2022. Mr. Winfrey has most recently served as Charter’s Chief Operating Officer after more than a decade as Charter’s Chief Financial Officer. As CEO, Mr. Winfrey will report to Charter’s Board of Directors. Tom Rutledge, who announced his plans to retire as CEO after a storied 50-year career beginning as a technician in 1972 while in college, will serve as Executive Chairman of the Company and its Board of Directors through the end of his contract in November of 2023. Mr. Rutledge will maintain oversight of Charter’s Government Affairs during that time and provide his guidance and expertise to ensure a smooth and successful transition. “It has been an honor and a pleasure to lead Charter and

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SPRINGFIELD – A national organization of college savings plans today recognized Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs with its highest honor. The College Savings Plans Network (CSPN) , the national network of 529 plans, states, and private-sector partners, honored Frerichs with the Distinguished Service Award. The award is the highest honor bestowed by CSPN and is given each year to those who have shown national leadership in the college savings industry. Past award winners include U.S. senators from both parties such as Florida Sen. Bob Graham and Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley; state treasurers; and prominent leaders of 529 college savings plans. “Treasurer Frerichs’ sincere desire to chart the future course of the College Savings Plans Network by making CSPN a more data-driven organization, and his collaboration on initiatives to promote new leaders and members within the Network are commendable,” said Rachel Biar, Chair of the College Savings Plans Network

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COLLINSVILLE - Edwardsville senior midfielder Axton Anom played very well for the Tigers in their 2-1 loss at Collinsville Tuesday night at Kahok Stadium, as did the entire team. After the loss, the Tigers' spirits were still up and positive, and Anom felt the Tigers did play as well as they could in the second match of the year against Collinsville. "I'm always feeling bad after the loss," Anom said in a post-match interview, "but I think the boys gutted it out from the beginning to the end. I think we worked hard on defense, but we sat out. We had a mission coming into this game to work hard and play our soccer and I think we did that. A little mistake for the goal, but I'll take the blame for that one on that one, but I think we just move on after this." It was a very clinical, goal-scorers type of goal that Reiniger score to give the Kahoks the three points, but the Tigers still worked hard throughout the 80 minutes, just falling short in the end. "Yeah, we went out there, we

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EAST ST. LOUIS – The U.S. District Court in St. Louis announced today that Antonio M. Brown, 38, of St. Louis, Missouri, was sentenced to 151 months in prison for the distribution of methamphetamine on Monday, September 19, 2022. Following his release from federal prison, Brown must complete five years of supervised release. The offense occurred in early February 2021, while Brown was on supervised release for federal firearms offenses. A federal grand jury indicted Brown on September 21, 2021, for one count of distribution of a controlled substance. Brown was indicted for distributing crystal methamphetamine in Sauget, Ill., but evidence showed that Brown was also selling the drug in bulk from his residence in south St. Louis, Missouri. “Crystal methamphetamine is dangerous in any amount, no matter where it comes from,” United States Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe said. “With the assistance of our state and local partners, federal law enforcement officials will

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ALTON - The St. Mary's Chuch Annual Oktoberfest will be back to full scale this year on the weekend of October 7-9. A spokesperson Carolyn Simansky, a spokesperson for Oktoberfest, said “all activities are back to normal this year” for the highly regarded event. The Annual St. Mary’s Oktoberfest celebrates the parish’s German heritage and this year the 164th anniversary of the congregation. The Oktoberfest is held on the grounds of St. Mary’s Church at the corner of Henry Street and East 3rd Street, Alton. The event is open to the public and free of charge. Funds raised from the event benefit both St. Mary’s Church and the school. It is one of the parish’s largest fundraisers of the year. Simanksy pointed out some of the new or special changes for this year: “Join us for a festive, 1-mile fun run at 5:30 p.m. Friday, October 7, to kick off the start of Oktoberfest 2022. There will be finisher swag (a stein) for the top two male an

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ALTON - The fast reaction of Alton Fire Department members prevented a battery spill of sulfuric acid going into nearby drains on Wednesday morning at Argosy Casino. Alton Deputy Fire Chief Matt Fischer said there was a portable jack in place to unload semis and something happened causing a large battery to fall to the ground spilling sulfuric acid. “Our firefighters arrived on the scene quickly and were able to stop it before it went into any drains,” he said. “They did an excellent job of stopping it from the drains.” Fischer said an area HAZMAT team brought a neutralizing agent to also stop the spill. “We are in a holding pattern until a mitigation team hired by Argosy gets to the scene, Fisher said around 10 a.m. Wednesday. “The battery was oversized and it runs the portable jack. We checked the drains and they are dry. The spill occurred not at the entrance for employees but the one right in the middle.” Fischer was not certain whe

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NEW YORK - U.S. President Joe Biden addressed several leaders from throughout the world today at the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday in New York. Biden's speech was only a few hours after Russia discussed expanding its war effort in Ukraine. He described the Russia-Ukraine War as extinguishing Ukraine's "right to exist as a state." Biden also stressed "horrifying evidence" of Russian war crimes in the situation. "The world's blood should run cold" over the invasion, he said. Biden stressed theSE key points: "Each of us in this body who is determined to uphold the principles and beliefs we pledge to defend as members of the United Nations — must be clear, firm, and unwavering in our resolve. "Ukraine has the same rights that belong to every sovereign nation. We will stand in solidarity with Ukraine. We will stand in solidarity against Russia’s aggression, period. The United States is also working closely with our allies and partners to impose costs

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GRAFTON - Robert ‘Bob’ Sanders received a Certificate of Appreciation for the exceptional service he and his waste services company have provided to the City of Grafton. Mayor Mike Morrow presented the certificate on behalf of the Grafton City Council at their meeting on September 20. Robert Sanders Waste Systems, Inc. was recently sold to Republic Services, who is now servicing the City of Grafton. “I am grateful for the recognition and for this award,” Bob said. “I will humbly receive it on behalf of the dedicated employees who worked for me.” Robert Sanders Waste Systems, Inc., was established in Alton in 1936 and was the oldest, privately owned, waste disposal service in the southwest Illinois region. “Bob and his team have always provided exceptional waste collection services to our city,” said Mayor Morrow. “We are grateful for all Bob has personally done for Grafton, such as regularly donating money in support of our police

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ST. CLAIR COUNTY - Illinois State Police is investigating a one-vehicle fatal traffic crash that occurred at 4:08 a.m. on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, on Interstate 64 westbound at Interstate 55 southbound in St. Clair County. A Gray 2017 Mercedes C300 driven by a Bellfontaine, Mo., man and a passenger Makenze L. Coulter, 23, of Table Grove, IL., were involved in the crash. The passenger sustained life-threatening injuries and was pronounced deceased. ISP released this preliminary report: "Unit 1 was traveling westbound on Interstate 64 near Interstate 55 southbound. The front seat passenger was standing through the sunroof and fell out of the top of the vehicle as the driver was navigating a curve on the interstate. Interstate 64 westbound was closed for approximately four hours for the investigation. All lanes were reopened at 8:45 a.m. The investigation is ongoing and there is no further information available at this time."

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GODFREY - The Godfrey Village Board of Trustees held a brief meeting on Tuesday evening, passing a number of motions and tabling one for their next meeting on October 4. Among the motions passed were the approval of a liquor license for the Eclipse Car Wash being built in Godfrey, approval for IDOT to construct gates and a sidewalk on Pearl Street, and more. After the pledge of allegiance and taking roll call, the village board began the meeting by approving the minutes from their last meeting on August 30 - no corrections or additions were made, so those meeting minutes are now on file with the Clerk’s office. Next, a proclamation was made regarding Beverly Farm’s 125th anniversary. A motion to make a presentation to Beverly Farms on October 1 celebrating this anniversary was approved with no comments, questions, or board members opposed. Ben Allen was not present to make the Public Safety Committee report, but he will be present at the next meeting on October

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police Crimes Against Persons detectives are investigating a homicide in the 4500 block of Edgewood Boulevard in the City of Northwoods which resulted in the death of an adult female. On September 21, 2022, at 10:47 AM, City of Northwoods police officers responded to a call for service for a shooting in the 4500 block of Edgewood Boulevard. Responding officers located an adult female suffering from apparent gunshot injuries. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene. City of Northwoods Police requested St. Louis County Police Department’s Crimes Against Persons detectives who are now leading the investigation. Preliminary investigation has revealed the shooting to be the result of a domestic incident. A suspect is in custody. The investigation is very active at this time. Additional information will be disseminated as it becomes available. Please contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210 to speak with

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