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WOOD RIVER - A proposal to subdivide 10 acres from Belk Park in Wood River, potentially for development of a wedding venue, was tabled at the Planning Commission public hearing on Thursday night. However, the City Council could technically still move the item forward without their recommendation at the council’s next meeting on August 7. The hearing, which lasted over two hours, saw more members of the public attend than many commission members said they had ever seen. In total, 17 members of the public spoke out against the proposal, while two spoke in favor. Supporters cited opportunities for economic growth, development, and an expanded tax base for the city. Critics said the proposal would be an improper use of land donated in Robert E. Belk’s will and voiced concerns about losing greenspace, increased traffic, and much more, recalling fond memories of time spent in the park. Madison County Treasurer Chris Slusser said several Madison County mayors would

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – As FAA reauthorization negotiations continue and our nation faces an ongoing aviation safety crisis, U.S. Senator and pilot Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) and Chair of the Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations and Innovation—introduced the Experienced Pilots Save Lives Act to strengthen pilot training standards and uphold the 1,500-hour rule, which was enacted in 2010 after the last commercial aviation crash caused by pilot error. There has not been a single civilian death caused by pilot error in commercial aviation since the rule was enacted. With this new legislation, Duckworth is holding the line on safety as some Senators continue to consider watering down pilot certification standards by decreasing flying hours at the risk of public safety amid a spike in near-miss incidents in our commercial aviation system. “When it comes to our nation’s pilot training

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SPRINGFIELD – The Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees met in Springfield this week. Among agenda items were performance reviews of System President Dan Mahony and Carbondale Chancellor Austin Lane. SIU Board of Trustees Chairman Phil Gilbert released the following statement after the meeting: “Listening to the discussion today on the performance of our senior leaders, it is clear that this board is well pleased with our President and Chancellors and the leadership they are providing. President Dan Mahony and Chancellor Austin Lane, whose performance evaluations were up for review, and Chancellor James Minor, still early in his tenure, have tremendously impacted their campuses and this university system. They have the full support of the board. The board made a great hire in March 2020 when Dan Mahony became SIU’s ninth president, and that was confirmed early during the pandemic as we shut down our campuses and sent our students into online learning

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EAST ST. LOUIS – The U.S. District Court in East St. Louis announced on Thursday that a Florida woman was arraigned on an indictment in federal court on Wednesday charging her for allegedly scamming her grandmother living in Cahokia Heights out of more than $300,000. Tanya M. Aboseada, 38, of Pompano Beach, Florida, is charged with 12 counts of wire fraud. “Financial crimes against the elderly for personal gain are intolerable, and offenders will be brought to justice,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. FBI Springfield Field Office Special Agent in Charge David Nanz said, “The FBI remains committed to protecting the elderly in our communities from financial fraud and holding accountable those who exploit them.” The indictment alleges Aboseada convinced her grandmother to wire money into her bank account under false pretenses on at least 12 occasions between November 2021 and August 2022. Aboseada lied about needing money in order to transfer a truck

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Sweltering summer heat is here, and people are soaking up the sun. While some vitamin D from sun rays is good in moderation, experts warn that if you overdo it, you’re at risk for melanoma , a less common skin cancer but one that accounts for most deaths. To emphasize how important it is to be aware of skin cancer, look no further than two recent cases, one from Hollywood and one at OSF HealthCare. Khloe Kardashian recently went into more detail about her brush with melanoma. And Kristi Fetter of Granite City, Illinois, is a survivor of four types of cancer, including a melanoma diagnosis in 2018, and she regularly attends a cancer support group at OSF HealthCare in nearby Alton, Illinois . “I went to my doctor, and she noticed a little black dot on my chest. And she thought it was cancer, and it was,” Fetter says. “They cut it out, and it’s a pretty long scar,” Fetter adds as she gestures to the inches-long mark by her neck. “So wear

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ALTON - Alton attorney Shane Schmidt of Simmons Hanly Conroy has been named to the Advisory Council of a new research project from the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism . The initiative will assess the prevalence and impact of bullying in the legal profession and recommend best practices for preventing it. It is believed to be one of the first wide-scale research projects conducted in the U.S. on this topic.

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Hannah N. Polinske, a 2018 Edwardsville High School graduate, recently completed her first year of law school at Northern Illinois University and was on the Dean’s List. Hannah received a B.A. In Criminal Justice and Psychology from Drury University, Springfield, MO.

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EDWARDSVILLE - The SCTE (Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers) is an international organization that is split up into 68 chapters. The four technicians did an outstanding job representing Madison Communications and the SCTE Gateway Chapter competing against 10 other teams consisting of technicians from Mediacom, Casscom, and Comcast. Madison Communications took home 3rd place overall along with Madison technician, Tanner Pieri taking home 3rd place in MTDR and ORDR, Erick Goode taking home 2nd place in MTDR, and Greg Crabill taking home 1st place in both OTDR and MTDR along with 2nd place overall and in Fiber Splicing. MTDR is short for Metallic Time Domain Reflectometer that is used for finding faults in metallic cables such as twisted pair copper and coax. OTDR is short for Optical Time Domain Reflectometer that is used for finding faults in fiber cables. Out of the 21 potential medals to be awarded at the contest, the Madison technicians took home 7 of them. They also

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INTERLOCHEN, Mich. — Camden Schroeder, 16, of Jerseyville, will attend Interlochen Arts Academy, the world’s premier fine arts boarding high school, for the 2023-24 school year. Schroeder, the son of Shawn and Danielle Schroeder, will study Musical Theatre at Interlochen. Schroeder’s theatre credits include Arsenic And Old Lace (Officer O’Hara), You Can’t Take It With You (Mr. De Pinna), The Plot, Like Gravy Thickens (Tony Blackwell), Bye, Bye, Birdie (Randolph McAfee), The Addams Family (Lucas Beineke), You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown (Snoopy) all at Jersey Community High School, and Newsies (Darcy) at The Muni Opera of Springfield, IL. In addition, he has attended several classes and workshops at the St. Louis Muny. As a sophomore, during the 22-23 school year, Camden was selected as a Bass for the Illinois Music Educator Association’s All-State Chorus. Artistic students from around the world convene at Interlochen to expand their capacity

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JERSEYVILLE - The Oddfellows Hall in Jerseyville was abuzz on this bright Saturday. The Grand Encampment, (A division of The Grand Lodge of Illinois (Oddfellows)) was “in the house”. It was reminiscent of the days of old. The lodge hall was filled with members of the order and future members of the order. Nearly 50 people enjoyed fellowship and lunch, hailing from all areas of the state. A new encampment was instituted for the Quincy area and there was a total of 13 initiates in this advanced degree. In other news, a member was celebrated for his many years in the service of others. He is the embodiment of the tenets of Oddfellowship. Allen Jones recently received his 75-year pin. Having been a member of Brighton Lodge #366 of The IOOF, he not only knows the history of the order in Illinois, he is the history. Talking with him about things past and things future is an adventure. Mr. Steve Pigg, Grand Master of the jurisdiction of Illinois was able to make it t

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EAST ST. LOUIS – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that lane closures in both directions of Interstate 55/64 between the Poplar Street Bridge and the I-64 exit will start, weather permitting, at 9 a.m., Monday, July 31. The closures are necessary for road surveying. To complete the work, intermittent shoulder and single lane closures in both directions of I-55/64 will take place daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The closures are expected to last for two weeks. Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. To avoid the work area, when feasible, use of alternate routes should be considered. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on Twitter at @IDOTDistrict 8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler

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BETHALTO – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that resurfacing of Illinois 255 between Illinois 143 and Seminary Road in Madison County will require lane closures beginning, weather permitting, Wednesday, July 26. One lane will remain open in each direction at all times. Motorists could experience delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this closure. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. This work is expected to be completed by the end of November. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on Twitter at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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ALTON - The Alton High School Class of 1958 is holding its 65th reunion from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 1, at the Loading Dock in Grafton. Bill Hoagland, one of the coordinators, said there will not be any fees this time around and that Ben Allen, an AHS 1958 class member, is hosting the event at the Loading Dock. “It will be an informal dress,” Hoagland said. “We are trying to notify as many as we can.” Hoagland said any other class that wants to attend can also do so. “People can order off the menu or have drinks there,” he said. To register, contact Trudi Allen at tba@gtec.com or Hoagland at billhoagland70@yahoo.com .

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KANSAS CITY - Rockhurst University has announced the dean's list for the spring 2023 semester. This honor recognizes students who have achieved a grade-point average of 3.5 or above. The following area students earned a place on the list: HOMETOWN, STATE; NAME Edwardsville, IL Josh Kleinheider Granite City, IL Analiese Wilmsmeyer Olivia Wilmsmeyer

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CARLINVILLE - Blackburn College has announced its Dean's List for the Spring 2023 semester. Students named to the Dean's List must earn a grade point average of 3.6 or higher for the semester. Several area students are on the list. They are all shown below. HOMETOWN, STATE; NAME Alton, IL Luke Atkinson Brighton, IL Natalie Keith East Alton, IL Dawson Klunk Dylan Klunk Godfrey, IL Rebecca Adney Granite City, IL CJ Pittman Jerseyville, I L Evan Hopper Wood River, I L Kameron Tharp

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WOOD RIVER - At 7 p.m. Thursday, a public hearing will be held on whether or not to allow the City of Wood River to separate a 10-acre portion of Belk Park for a proposed wedding venue. One resident has already voiced their opposition to the plan, and more residents may voice their opinions at tonight’s hearing. Resident Brian Mallory spoke against the proposal at the Wood River City Council meeting on Monday and claimed part of the proposal was to “donate the land to a for-profit developer to build a wedding venue.” Councilman Bill Dettmers said he has heard no mention of the land being “donated” to the developer, but confirmed that the plans were for a wedding venue to be built on 10 acres located toward the front of Belk Park along Rock Hill Road. Mallory also claimed that part of the deal would include the construction of a hotel near highways 255 and 143, but Dettmers said this is not part of the proposal being discussed tonight. Any approval

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GODFREY – Freer Auto Body’s well-known Christmas In July is returning from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Friday, July 21, at the shop located at 4512 North Alby Street in Godfrey. Sloppy Joes, chips and a cold drink will be served for those who attend. As always, there are several excellent raffle prizes. The raffle prizes include a seven-night stay at a Panama City beach house, a seven-day stay at a Lake of Ozarks lakefront three-bedroom location, $2,500 cash, a five-day date at a blue crab shack in Carrabelle, Fla., four Cardinal Green Seats, four Cardinals tickets with gear, a Rustic Home Salida, Co., getaway date, and $1,000 cash. Prize donors are as follows: Darel and Vicky File, Might Rivers Recycling, Axalta Coatings, Reda and Tammy Iskarous, Jayne and John Simmons, DMMW Law, LLC, and Freer Auto Body. Taylor and Lily Freer are back once again as hosts. “They are here today making Sloppy Joes and will be here tomorrow,” Margaret Freer, the girls' grandmother,

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GRANITE CITY/EAST ST. LOUIS - Joshua Amos is a 32-year-old Granite City man who was last seen on March 19, 2023, in East St. Louis. Four months after his disappearance, his family is asking the community to help bring him home. “It’s just left such a hole in our family. He’s got two beautiful girls. They miss him so much,” Karin Ahart, Amos’s aunt, said. “He’s the one where all the nieces and nephews want to ride with Josh, want to spend the night with Josh, want to get picked up with him. He is the fun one. He’s silly, sarcastic, funny. He’s a sweetheart. He’s that guy of the family. He’s pretty much the one that ties us all together.” Ahart said the circumstances of Amos’s sudden and inexplicable disappearance have been incredibly painful. The family regularly shares updates on the “#BringJoshHome; Joshua Amos - Missing Person” Facebook page. They post pictures and stories of Amos and

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JERSEYVILLE - With a neon sign, wooden bar, exposed brick and killer sound system, George’s Local Brew has the downtown Nashville feel with the small-town Jerseyville charm. The bar pulls in customers from St. Louis to Springfield with its specialty steaks, mules and frothy drafts. Everything about the bar, from its name to its success, can be credited to the owners’ family-oriented approach. “As soon as I got the keys and walked in it, I said, ‘Wow. This has got potential. It’s got potential for a bar,’” owner George “Chris” Lorton said. “We ended up just putting it all together, and we opened it up as a family project.” Chris hadn’t planned to open the most popular restaurant in Jersey County; he originally bought the property with goals to renovate and rent it out. But a few weeks later, Chris and his wife, Brenda, took a weekend trip to Nashville. They stepped into Tootsies Orchid Lounge on Broadway and

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WASHINGTON DC - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—member of the U.S. Armed Services Committee and a former Army Black Hawk pilot who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years—is introducing new legislation to help improve military recruitment efforts by allowing highly skilled and motivated individuals to succeed in the military while still maintaining the Department of Defense’s (DoD) security requirements and high enlistment standards. The Enlist Act would expand the DoD’s authority to enlist individuals who have lived in the U.S. for at least five years—such as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients—and meet all of the services’ qualifications for military service. “Our military services are facing unprecedented challenges meeting their recruitment goals—in part due to a historically small pool of eligible recruits,” said Duckworth. “With my Enlist Act , we can start addressing

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