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METRO EAST - A quick area survey of gas prices in the past 24 hours from Gas Buddy on Riverbender.com revealed a wide range of prices, but all highly elevated in the Metro East. For those interested in keeping a daily gauge on prices, visit this link each day on Riverbender.com: http://www.riverbender.com/gasprices/ The lowest for regular unleaded gas was $4.43 at Walmart in Godfrey. Some of the highest prices in the past 24 hours were in Jerseyville, with $5.09 at a pair of Casey’s. The Casey’s in Wood River on Edwardsville Road posted a $5.08 unleaded regular price in the past 24 hours from Gas Buddy. Sam’s Club in Glen Carbon was also low compared to others with a price of $4.71 a gallon. The Circle K in Edwardsville on North Main had a price of $4.89. BP in Alton on College Avenue had a price of $4.79 a gallon. The Missouri statewide gas price average has set or tied new record highs for 22 consecutive days. The Center Square reported recently that the average

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WOOD RIVER - East Alton-Wood River High School senior track and field star Noah Mason is one who loves training, whether it is for track and field or in martial arts. Noah has been running track for two years now and says that his favorite thing about it is having to put in all the work needed to run races. Noah is a Midwest Members Credit Union Male Athlete of the Month for the Oilers. "Throughout high school, I have been able to develop the ability to stay focused to help me accomplish my goals which I got from track to break PRs," Noah said. Outside of track Noah is also a black belt in tae kwon do. His other hobbies include wrestling, art, music, carpentry, and drama club. Noah also succeeds inside the classroom being a National Honors Society member, academic challenge participant, and vice-presidential scholar thespian. He plans on attending Illinois State University where he thinks he'll study engineering. He does not plan to continue running track during college but

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ALTON - Dave Braasch (above), president of Alton Memorial Hospital, accepts a Perseverance Award at the Chamber Choice Awards on May 25. The awards luncheon was hosted by the Riverbend Growth Association. The hospital was honored for its courageous efforts during the past two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to the tireless devotion exhibited on a daily basis by an excellent staff of more than 900, the physicians as well as the volunteers, Alton Memorial has taken on the worst that COVID-19 could throw at it and continues to provide excellent care – to all of its patients, families, and the communities that it serves.

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ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Jewish Film Festival is hosting a movie screening of the documentary “Fiddler’s Journey to the Big Screen” on Sunday, July 14 at 4 pm. The film looks back at producer-director Norman Jewison’s 1971 feature version of the beloved stage musical, “Fiddler on the Roof”. The showing will take place at the J’s Staenberg Family Complex’s Performing Arts Center. Narrated by Jeff Goldblum, the film captures the humor and drama of Jewison's quest to recreate the lost world of Jewish life in Tsarist Russia and re-envisions the beloved stage hit as a wide-screen epic. Oscar-nominated filmmaker Daniel Raim puts us in the director's chair and in Jewison's heart and mind, drawing on behind-the-scenes footage and never-before-seen stills, as well as interviews with Jewison, actresses, and more. The film explores how the experience of making "Fiddler” deepens Jewison as an artist and revives his soul. Last year, marked

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ST. LOUIS - People across the bi-state region using food pantries made difficult trade-offs to feed their families in mid-2021. A new report from the University of Missouri found that in the 26 counties served by the St. Louis Area Foodbank, 53% of food pantry clients had to choose between paying for food or utilities last year, while 40% had to decide between paying for food or medicine/medical care and 42% had to choose between purchasing food or paying for housing. That’s according to Food Assistance & Hunger in the Heartland 2021 which was conducted by the MU Interdisciplinary Center for Food Security to better understand the characteristics of food pantries and circumstances of those neighbors who rely on food pantries. “It is important to remind ourselves that food insecurity doesn’t happen in a vacuum,” said Bill McKelvey, co-author and project coordinator with the center. “People may also struggle to afford other essentials like housing, transportation

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EAST ST. LOUIS – State Senator Christopher Belt is launching a Summer Reading Club for students to encourage continued learning throughout the summer. “Reading keeps students engaged throughout the summer,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “With summer break approaching, this reading club will keep kids learning to prepare for the next school year.” The Summer Book Club requires students to read eight books of their choice during the summer break, record the names of the books on a form and return the form to Belt’s office by Aug. 12. Everyone who completes the Summer Book Club will receive a gift card and certificate from Senator Belt. “I hope students of all ages will take advantage of this program to make reading a habit and be rewarded for it,” Belt said. “Let’s enjoy the summer by reading and being creative.” To receive a book club form, visit SenatorBelt.com to download and print the form. Parents can also call Belt’s

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EDWARDSVILLE – A member of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy’s (SOP) pharmacy advisory board for 14 years, Chris Smith, of Springfield, has been an instrumental leader and advocate of the School. Smith has held various roles, including president and committee chair. His most recent role is that of an elite donor. In December, he and his wife announced a gift of $104,250 to the SOP to establish the Chris and Debbie Smith Pharmacy Endowed Scholarship. This gift is the largest one-time individual gift that has been given to the SOP. All pharmacy students with demonstrated financial need are encouraged to apply, and priority will be given to underrepresented minority students. “Debbie and I were inspired to provide this scholarship because we wanted to create more opportunities for minority students to access the premier pharmacy school education at SIUE,” Chris Smith said. “Opportunities for higher education do not just provide

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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS - IMPACT Strategies was recently recognized by Ameren as a top supplier partner in diverse business spending. Ameren recognized firms reporting greater than 25% of total expenditures with diverse suppliers. IMPACT Strategies was one of twelve area firms named to this list. This recognition comes as IMPACT Strategies boosts its efforts to build sustainable MBE/WBE partnerships throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area. To that end, the firm is proactively building strategic relationships with qualified, established MBE/WBE firms, and hosting meet-and-greet events to assist them in forging relationships with other established majority firms. IMPACT Strategies has also hosted outreach/workshop mentoring and entrepreneurial programs in cooperation with the Illinois Office of Minority Economic Empowerment along with officials of the Illinois Small Business Development Council for the Metro East. The firm is also actively developing relationships with qualified subcontractors

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ST. LOUIS - Panic! At The Disco will be bringing their Viva Las Vengeance Tour to St. Louis on October 9, 2022. They'll be playing at the Enterprise Center at 7 p.m. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, June 8 at 10 a.m. and can be bought here . About Panic! At The Disco Formed in Las Vegas, NV in 2004 Panic! At The Disco are a multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated rock band. They released their #1 album "Pray For The Wicked" in 2019 off the heels of their critically acclaimed fifth album, "Death Of A Bachelor.” "DOAB" debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 Chart and was nominated for Best Rock Album at the 2017 GRAMMY® Awards. The RIAA platinum selling release was the highest selling rock album and fourth-highest selling album released in 2016, according to Nielsen Soundscan. "DOAB" has also spawned RIAA certified gold singles “Hallelujah,” “LA Devotee,” Don’t Threaten Me With A Good Time,” and platinum singles "Death Of A Bachelor,”

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GRAFTON - Before the River Road, there was the Dinky! The historic ‘railbus’ will be celebrated with the unveiling of a replica ‘Dinky’ at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 4 at the Edward Amburg History Museum, 950 E. Main St., Grafton. In the 1920s, the Illinois Central Railroad Company created a unique “Railbus” that operated between Alton and Grafton with stops in Elsah and Chautauqua. The original engine was a city bus configured with wheels for railroad tracks that locals dubbed the “Dinky”. Grafton has created a replica of the final version of the “Dinky” - #206 which ceased operations in 1953. To honor this important part of the history of the region, Grafton will host a special day at the Edward Amburg History Museum. Events have been scheduled between 10:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 4 on the museum grounds. Edward Amburg History Museum is located at 950 East Main Street, Grafton, IL. Phone: 618-786-7000

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ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Chapter of Financial Executives International (FEI) hosted their annual golf tournament at Forest Park Golf Course and raised $5,000 for Independence Center. They chose Independence Center as their charity of choice because of its mission of providing innovative, quality programs that help more than 1,500 individuals with serious and persistent mental illnesses each year. “We are so honored to have been chosen as the FEI’s St. Louis Chapter charity of choice,” said Executive Director of Independence Center, Trish Holmes. “Our goal is to help our members find belonging and purpose and gain independence to live their best lives. We are always so grateful for any donation that supports our mission to provide services and resources to anyone living with a mental illness.” Independence Center supported the golf scramble by providing volunteers to help support event registration and raffle tickets sales. The tournament ended with

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ALTON - The Piasa Palisades Group of Sierra Club Illinois is calling for volunteers to help stencil storm drains throughout Madison and Jersey Counties to aid in the protection of the Mississippi River. The Piasa Palisades Group, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, will be hosting a storm drain stenciling day of action on Saturday, June 4, focusing on Downtown Alton. Interested volunteers can pick up storm drain stenciling kits provided by the Piasa Palisades Group between 9am and noon on June 4 and either dive into their stenciling work or go out throughout the following week to put up their assigned plaques and stencils. To register to participate in the Storm Drain Stenciling Project, visit bit.ly/PPGstenciling . “Storm drain stenciling is a fun and interactive way to get involved in the local community while protecting the critical waterways in the Metro East region,” says Amitie Flynn, Executive Committee member of the Piasa Palisades Group. “Throughout

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GLEN CARBON - LeadingAge Illinois honored Lutheran Senior Services’ Gayle Hantak with the 2022 Rising Star Award recently. This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated an extraordinary performance through a strong work ethic, commitment, initiative, leadership and the ability to be a team player in their first 24 months on the job. As the Lifestyle Enrichment Coordinator for Memory Care at Meridian Village, a Lutheran Senior Services Life Plan Community, Hantak is dedicated to enriching the lives of residents living with dementia. She gets to know each person as an individual, focusing on their abilities and interests and encouraging them to be active in ways that are meaningful to them, from singing to gardening and more. For example, last Christmas she planned a special performance for Memory Care residents and their families by having residents learn to sign and sing a song. It was a meaningful experience for all involved. She creates an environment of continuous

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CHICAGO — Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today announced $50.7 million in new infrastructure grants awarded to 34 communities, counties, and localities across Illinois for critical infrastructure projects including bridge replacement, water treatment upgrades, road construction projects and more. State funds will be met with $72.1 million in matching commitments for capital projects, which brings the total investment to nearly $123 million. This funding is made possible by the Rebuild Illinois Public Infrastructure (RIPI) Capital Program, part of Governor Pritzker’s historic, bipartisan capital program, Rebuild Illinois, and a key priority outlined in Illinois’ 5-year economic plan, a blueprint to create economic growth. RIPI is one of several infrastructure programs created by the state to provide investment in aging infrastructure, as well as job opportunities for communities. In total, the Rebuild

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O'FALLON - GCS Credit Union has recently awarded the $2,000 Nicole R. Thorp Scholarship to Ryan Merrill from O’Fallon Township High School. GCS was looking for applicants who receive good grades, have an opinion on effective money habits and who are actively involved in school and the community. Nicole R. Thorp, who the scholarship is named after, was a big believer in helping out where needed. Ryan is ranked number thirty-two in his class, played soccer for OTHS, and is an Eagle Scout of Troop 555. Ryan will be attending Brigham Young University in Idaho. Candidates were also required to submit an essay on three principles they believe should guide a new college student’s money habits. Ryan believes, “I first need to make sure all other obligations and dues are paid before spending money on my wants. Material things come and go, but college students should understand that a place to live, the ability to attend college, and bad credit scores will be crucial i

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EAST ST. LOUIS – State Senator Christopher Belt supported a number of measures signed into law aimed at helping law enforcement – including mental health support, pay increases, retention incentives, retirement assistance, day care help and other benefits. “Law enforcement officials protect our communities,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “I was proud to vote for these laws that offer support and ensure that police officers have the tools and training to do their job.” Among the new laws Belt supports are House Bill 3863, which creates the Law Enforcement Recruitment and Retention Fund to assist departments through the hiring and training processes and improve retention strategies. He also supported House Bill 1568, which permits employees of Sheriff’s Departments and Department of Corrections security employees and parole agents who are honorably retiring in good standing to purchase any badge previously issued to the employee by the employer and

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CHICAGO — Governor Pritzker today signed historic and equity-focused nursing home rate form legislation (HB246) that will improve care for nursing home residents across Illinois. The legislation holds facility owners accountable by tying new funding to improving care for vulnerable Illinoisans. The reform principles include increased funding that is tied to staffing levels, a proven predictor of improved health outcomes for residents; a new pay scale for certified nursing assistants that increases wages based on years of experience; and funding connected to improving key quality measures. The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services first introduced these reforms in March 2021, and they were also included in the Governor’s budget for this fiscal year. Illinois will become the first state to implement this reform model, as well as the first to incentivize better nursing home staffing at this magnitude. For the first time in Illinois, there will be a direct

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ST. LOUIS - Today, the City of St. Louis Department of Human Services begins its free summer food program, Schools Out Cafe. A partnership with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Schools Out Cafe brings together city and community resources to connect children to available food from over the summer at city recreation centers and local nonprofits at more than 30 locations across the city. “Good nutrition for our children is a year-round goal,” said Department of Human Services Director Yusef Scoggin. “The Department of Humans Services is committed to helping make sure children don’t go hungry this summer with Schools Out Cafe.” One meal per child is available both at breakfast and lunch. Parents or guardians may visit any site at any time, but attending the same site will help staff coordinate. The program runs from May 31, 2022, to August 19, 2022, and a list of the 31 sites and hours can be found on the City’s website .

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First, there was flax. Then chia. Now the latest food craze is hemp. It is a nutritional powerhouse and you can find it on your local supermarket shelves in the form of seeds, milk, and powder. Hemp contains all of the essential fatty and amino acids required by the human body. The seeds are an excellent source of protein, minerals, and dietary fiber. Hemp is actually a variety of the cannabis plant and is grown commercially for its many uses including use as food, paper, textiles, rope, fuel, building materials, and even a fuel alternative. It’s probably one of the most useful plants on earth. Hemp cultivation dates back more than 10,000 years and hemp has been utilized for hundreds of products from food to fuel to fiber. The 2018 farm bill reclassified industrial hemp as a commodity crop, which made it legal. This opened up a world of possibilities. Hemp has the power to transform the environment and strengthen local economies while having a positive impact on the environment

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PIASA - Emily Lowis finished her high school track and field career with a strong performance at the IHSA Girls State Track and Field Meet in Charleston. Emily cleared 2.75 meters in the pole vault and finished in a six-way tie for 25th place. Emily said it was “awesome” qualifying for the state track and field meet. She thanked both of her coaches Gary Bowker and pole vault specialist Jenna Wernsing for her efforts. Bowker said Jenna medaled at the state meet in high school and was a competitor at Western Illinois University. Jenna had a large impact on Emily. “Emily is a great girl,” Jenna said. “Her form now from where she first started four years ago is night and day different. She looks at and evaluates what she is doing and understands what it takes to be successful.” Emily said overall, “it was just a fun season. I got a chance to go to state and extend my track season a little longer.” She said not only did she enjoy the state

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