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EAST ALTON – The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRRECsm) staff and land management partners visited the Palisades Nature Preserve near Grafton recently to gain a better understanding of how the Nov. 19, 2021, wildfire affected the preserves’ rare hill prairies. “Fire is a natural and necessary step in restoring and keeping a prairie healthy,” said Habitat Senior Project Assistant Phil Rathz. “Fire, when utilized by professionals, has many benefits including killing off invasive plant species, recycling nutrients faster, removing excess thatch that suppresses plant growth, and stopping trees from growing and taking over the prairie area.” Hill prairies develop on south-facing steep slopes where summer sun, dry winds and periodic fires keep forest species from growing. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) states there are approximately 90 sites with good-quality hill prairies statewide. The Palisade Preserve

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SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement after a bipartisan group of Senators announced a common sense new proposal to help keep America’s children and communities safe from the gun violence epidemic: “We have been elected to the United States Senate to respond to American crises. Each of the elements in this bipartisan gun safety package has the potential to save lives. I continue to believe military-style assault weapons that can shred the bodies of their victims have no place in civilian use—but we cannot let the perfect Congressional response be the enemy of the good. Though this agreement falls short in this and other respects, it can and will make our nation safer.” In addition to making improvements to the background check system, supporting red flag laws, enhancing school safety, and closing domestic violence loopholes, the bipartisan framework

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EAST ST. LOUIS - SIHF Healthcare is hosting a stay healthy Juneteenth celebration event on Friday, June 17, 2022, from 12 pm – 4:30 pm at SIHF Healthcare, 100 North 8th Street, East St. Louis, Illinois. Available services provided at the event will include school physicals, blood pressure checks, COVID testing, COVID vaccines/boosters, HBA1c testing, free insurance enrollment, and assistance scheduling healthy women appointments. “We want to help our community celebrate Juneteenth with a healthy twist,” said Hyacinth Burrage, health center manager. “We will also have some giveaways for the children, including Gateway Grizzlies tickets and a boy's and a girl's bicycle with helmets. “Come out and celebrate with us! Appointments are not required for services at this event,” she added. Free hot dogs, water, juice, and chips will be provided to attendees. In addition, there will be fun activities for the kids.

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EDWARDSVILLE – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD, conferred doctor of dental medicine (DMD) degrees upon 55 graduates of the SIU School of Dental Medicine during their commencement ceremony held Saturday, June 4 at the First Community Arena at the Vadalabene Center on the Edwardsville campus. “You are a special group,” said SIU SDM Interim Dean Duane Douglas, DMD. “During the last four years, you have put in many hard hours and distinguished yourselves through academic achievements, the delivery of high-quality dental care, community outreach and service efforts and research accomplishments.” The SIU SDM Class of 2022 was celebrated for having achieved a remarkable 100% first-time pass rate on the Integrated National Board Dental Exam, a distinction earned for the second year in a row. During the ceremony, Minor thanked the Class of 2022 for the privilege to serve them and praised their resiliency through the

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EDWARDSVILLE - Third Judicial Circuit Associate Judge Veronica Armouti was elected to the Board of Directors of the Illinois Judges Association at the annual meeting held on June 3, 2022. Judge Armouti will serve a three-year term. There are approximately 50 members of the Board of Directors. The Illinois Judges Association is composed of 1,250 active and retired Illinois State Court Judges. The IJA provides education and services to its members and information about court operations to the public. Judge Armouti was appointed to the Third Judicial Circuit as an Associate Judge in August 2019 and is currently assigned to the Traffic Division, was previously assigned to the Family Division, and is a member of the Illinois and Missouri Bar Associations. The Illinois Judges Association also installed the following new officers for 2022-23 at the annual meeting: President, Justice Eileen O’Neill Burke, 1st Appellate District; 1st VicePresident, Justice David Overstreet, IL Supreme

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EDWARDSVILLE - Lincoln Middle School announces students who have made honor roll for 4 th quarter. Honor Roll List

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EDWARDSVILLE - SIUE announced their Spring 2022 Dean's List honorees. Dean's List 2022

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ST. LOUIS - With hot temperatures and high humidity on the horizon, the American Red Cross of Missouri and Arkansas urges residents to take precautions against the heat. According to the National Library of Medicine, extreme heat causes more deaths than any other weather-related hazard, killing 12,000 people living in the U.S. each year. In addition, the CDC reports that more than 65,000 people visit an emergency room in the U.S. for acute heat illness every summer. Everyone is at risk when temperatures rise above 90 degrees; and the elderly and the very young are most susceptible to heat and heat-related illnesses. Heat-related illnesses can cause serious injury and even death if unattended. Signs of heat-related illnesses include nausea, dizziness, flushed or pale skin, heavy sweating and headaches. Persons with heat-related illness should be moved to a cool place, given cool water to drink and ice packs or cool wet cloths should be applied to the skin. If a victim refuses water,

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ALTON – Republicans Joe Hackler, a candidate for 112 th district state representative, Ryan Spain, a House representative for the 73 rd District, and Madison County Clerk candidate Mike Walters were interviewed prior to a voter reform discussion in O’Fallon late last week. The three were each supportive of some major changes in regard to election integrity in Illinois and in the area. “I am thankful to have Rep. Spain and Tim Butler as election integrity experts to sit on committees,” Hackler said. “I think one of the biggest problems in the state of Illinois is a trust with government, whether it be local or state. One of the first things I think we need to do is to make changes so people trust the election process. If you don’t have trust in the election process, you will never trust state government at all.” Hackler said he thought the Election Integrity Roundtable in O’Fallon went well and some good ideas came from the evening.

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ALTON - This is the Marquette Catholic High School High Honor and Honor Roll for the last quarter of 2022. High Honor Roll Honor Roll

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JERSEY - Jersey Community High School announced their Honor Roll and High Honor Roll lists for the eighth-grade fourth quarter and the high school second semester of the 2021-2022 school year. 8th Grade Honor Roll 8th Grade High Honor Roll 9th Grade Honor Roll 9th Grade High Honor Roll 10th Grade Honor Roll 10th Grade High Honor Roll 11th Grade Honor Roll 11th Grade High Honor Roll 12th Grade Honor Roll 12th Grade High Honor Roll

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OPINION: Health care systems must take the lead on health inequity now At OSF HealthCare, justice is one of our core values. We recognize and respect the personal worth and dignity of every person we serve regardless of race, color, religion and ability to pay. At the same time, we realize that we need intense focus on our underserved communities. Health inequity is real, and there are preventable differences in medical care and health outcomes. Many of our patients face a combination of challenges: lack of access to treatment, transportation, healthy foods and education on healthy behaviors. At first, the basics such as transportation and education may not seem like health care, but in reality, they are essential to better health outcomes. Social and economic barriers contribute significantly to health disparities. We are developing innovative care delivery models and community resources, but disparities continue. At OSF, we strive to serve every patient with the greatest care and

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O'FALLON - Gateway Classic Cars is hosting STL Smooth JAZZ’s first annual Evening at the Jazz Garage Concert. This inaugural event will have performances by J. White, an internationally recognized Billboard artist, and Jacob Webb, award-winning producer, bassist, pianist, and multi-instrumentalist. Jacob Webb is a multi #1 Billboard award winning producer, bassist, pianist, and multi-instrumentalist who began his performing career at the young age of fifteen. He co-founded the acclaimed The JT Project while majoring in Jazz Performance at the prestigious William Paterson University. He also produced, collaborated, and performed alongside iconic and legendary artists, then in 2018 founded Next Paradigm Records . Billboard has recognized Next Paradigm as the #4 Label in Smooth Jazz. Saxophonist J. White is an internationally recognized Billboard artist , songwriter, and producer. Known for his captivating performances and amazing, soulful sounds, J. White’s

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Letter To The Editor: It is my pleasure to endorse Mike Walters for the position of County Clerk for Madison County, Illinois. I have known and worked with Mike Walters for over 30 years. In his role as Madison County Board member, Mike has worked effectively on countless initiatives for the people of Madison County. He brings excellent credentials to this position, as well as years of experience as a County Board member, serving as Chairman Pro-Tem and serving on Facilities, Transportation, and Judiciary committees. The clerk's duties require filing accurate court records, overseeing the court clerk's duties, organizing voter registration, and scheduling elections. Mike understands the importance of keeping good records and of dealing with the public. He is honest, reliable, and willing to work the long hours needed for the position. I believe Mike Walters is the person best qualified to be our next County Clerk. Please join me in voting for Mike Walters for Madison County Clerk

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EDWARDSVILLE — Treasurer Chris Slusser reported to Madison County officials on Thursday on the continued growth of its investments. “We are on pace for record returns on county investments,” Slusser said. “We are projecting $5.2 million in investment income this year.” Slusser presented an investment report to the Finance and Government Operations Committee showing the increase in investment income. From 2012 to 2016 the county earned an average of $826,000 annually, Slusser said. “From 2017 to 2022 we’ve averaged $3.96 million,” he said. “That’s a $16 million increase in the past five years.” Slusser said he used his 15 years of investment experience to overhaul the county’s portfolio since taking office in December 2016. “We focused on increasing income by diversifying the portfolio and actively managing the funds,” he said. In 2016, there with 85 investments in the county’s portfolio

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ST. LOUIS - St. Louis County Police Crimes Against Persons detectives are currently investigating a murder/suicide in the 300 block of Shepley Drive which resulted in the deaths of two teenage males. On June 11, 2022, at approximately 9:33 PM, St. Louis County police officers from the North County Precinct responded to a call for service for shots fired as well as a ShotSpotter activation in the 300 block of Shepley Drive. Responding officers located two males suffering from apparent gunshot injuries. Both were transported to area hospitals for treatment of life-threatening injuries. Both later succumbed to their injuries and were pronounced deceased. The deceased suspect has been identified as Tadarious Jackson, 19 years of age. The deceased victim has been identified as Quintez Robinson, 15 years of age. Both resided in the 100 block of Windsgate in Covington, Georgia 30016. Mr. Jackson and Mr. Robinson were cousins. The incident occurred in the rear yard of a residence

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today issued the following statement regarding the passing of former Illinois Attorney General James E. “Jim” Ryan. “Jim Ryan dedicated much of his career to public safety, first as DuPage County state’s attorney and then as Illinois Attorney General, and I strive to follow his example. Jim’s leadership as Attorney General and commitment to protecting all residents of Illinois is something that I have done my best to mirror since taking office. “After being elected Attorney General, I had the opportunity to meet with Jim. I continue to be grateful for his graciousness and advice as I prepared to enter the office he once led with such integrity. His counsel has continued to guide how I, as Attorney General, have governed the office and expanded my focus on enhancing public safety. “Jim Ryan will forever be known for his strength and dedication to service on behalf of the people of Illinois, even

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ALTON - The Rotary Club of Alton and Godfrey president Steve Schwartz presented the William E. Moyer Vocational Arts and Science Scholarships to two students attending Lewis & Clark Community College. This year the awards were presented to Bryce Christner and Brandon Dunsing . Lewis and Clark Community College Director of Development, Debby Edelman, introduced Brandon and Bryce, announcing they were the recipients of the William E. Moyer Vocational Arts and Science Scholarships for the 2022-2023 academic year. Bryce Christner and Brandon Dunsing are the newest recipients of the Alton Godfrey Rotary William E. Moyer Vocational Scholarship for the 2022-2023 academic year. Bryce Christner, of Alton, graduated from Alton High School in 2021. He was the Rotary Club's Student of the Month that April. Now, Bryce is working on an Associate of Applied Science degree in Welding Technology at Lewis and Clark Community College. He plans to graduate in May 2023. His goal is to enter the workforc

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ALTON - Abigail Hasty has been named the Alton-Godfrey Rotary Club’s 2022 Student of the Year. She joins a select few as the 25th Student of the Year. Hasty is the daughter of Jeanna and Michael Hasty. She will receive a $6,000 scholarship as recognition of her outstanding academic record and participation in school and community activities. During her four years at Alton High School, she has participated in Chamber Strings and Pit Orchestra, tutored students through Mu Alpha Theta, performed with The Symphonic Orchestra, served as President of National Honor Society, and kept at least a 4.5 GPA, which earned her a Platinum Alpha Award - the highest educational distinction offered at AHS. Hasty also represented Illinois during her work with the American Battlefield Trust’s Youth Leadership Team this past year. She volunteers monthly as a preschool teacher at Cornerstone Church and is looking forward to serving the foster care children of Madison County at a summer camp

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All photos may be purchased for personal use at: https://www.randymanning.com/All-Wheels-Drive-In-Car-Show-Alton-Illinois ALTON - Alton’s Annual All-Wheels Drive-In Car Show was a free event that attracted over 200 classic cars, hot rods, and motorcycles on Sunday, June 12 on 3rd, State, and Belle Streets in Alton. Trophies were awarded in thirty-seven classes plus five specialty awards. Missouri resident Dennis McBee (who showed his Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500) said, "The day was a little warm, but the show is fabulous and has been good every time we've come." Alton Main Street organized the event (along with Time Machines Unlimited Car Club). Car Show Judge Roy Edwards said, "It's a great event. The car show brings in a lot of people, and once they get here they eat, drink and have fun!". In addition to the car show, there was live music, a pin-up contest, 50-50 drawing, vendor displays, merchant sidewalk sale, and (of course) great food.

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