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GRANITE CITY – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today hosted a roundtable discussion with public safety leaders and officials at Granite City’s City Hall focused on the challenges our law enforcement officers face and her efforts at the federal level to ensure they have the resources they need to keep communities safe. Duckworth also spoke to the officials about her bipartisan Public Safety Officer Support Act that President Biden signed into law last week. Photos of today’s roundtable are available here . “It takes a special person to get up every day determined to keep our streets safe and protect our little ones from danger,” said Duckworth. “With the spikes in violent crime we’ve seen in communities from Highland Park to Uvalde—not just in places like Chicago as some people want you to think—this is everyone’s problem because it happens everywhere. We need to better support our officers and communities, which is

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ALTON - Amoriah Gray, the 7-year-old author of the children’s story “Amoriah’s Magic Afro Puffs,” held a book signing at the Boys & Girls Club of Alton on August 10. With this being the final stop on Amoriah’s summer book tour, her mother Angela Gray said the event was “a huge success.” “Amoriah's Book signing at the Boys & Girls Club was a huge success. Several parents purchased books and T-shirts,” Gray said. “Other parents took information cards with her website to order later. Some of the Boys & Girls staff even ordered.” In addition to copies of her book, T-shirts, coloring kits and more were up for sale at Amoriah’s latest book signing event. Gray said they also custom-made some T-shirts for the Boys & Girls Club of Alton. “To show our appreciation to the staff for everything they did for Amoriah this summer, we made shirts from our small business, Luv2Express Tees & More,” Gray said.

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WOOD RIVER - Girl Scout Troop 130 and 792 spent the last year planning, preparing, and implementing projects that both benefited Partners for Pets in Troy. Troop 130 titled their project “Shelter Helpers - A Project for Partners for Pets” and Troop 792 titled their project “Care for Critters.” Both troops learned recently that their projects met all of the requirements for the Silver Award and they will be presented their awards at the Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois’ annual Recognition of Excellence Awards Ceremony in May of 2023. Troop 130 Silver Awardees are Somona Acheson of Wood River, granddaughter of Kathy Acheson, KayLynn Buttry of East Alton, daughter of Dustin and Janet Buttry, Hope Carter of Wood River, daughter of Carmen Elfgen, and Melina Luebbert of Hartford, daughter of Ted and Kristie Luebbert. Troop 792 Silver Awardees are Julia Heil of Carrollton, daughter of Jeff and Jean Heil, and Elisabeth Preston of Edwardsville, daughter of Samuel

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GLEN CARBON - Girl Scouts 193 received one of the organization's highest honors recently by earning a Girl Scout Bronze Award. Amber Donnelly, a spokesperson for Girl Scouts Troop 193, said thank you to Lowe's of Glen Carbon for donating pallets to the service project. The project was to build a goat playground and the Girl Scouts also collected $127 to donate toward the upkeep of animals at Willoughby Heritage Farm. Willoughby Heritage Farm is located on 40 acres of bluff line prairie and woodland overlooking the American Bottom at 631 Willoughby, Collinsville. The farm has more than 30 acres of wildlife preserve complete with hiking trails. Donnelly said the Girl Scouts in the troop and adult volunteers made the project a success with their dedication to the cause. For the Girl Scout Bronze Award, it is suggested a minimum of 20 hours of building a team, exploring the community, choosing a project, planning it, putting a plan in motion, and spreading the word about the project.

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ALTON - Alton’s Fall City-Wide Litter Clean-Up will be held on Saturday, September 10th from 9:00 a.m. until noon, rain or shine. The community is invited to pitch in by picking up bags, gloves, a free donut, and directions to areas that need cleaning. Registration stations are open from 8 am-12 pm and located Downtown at the corner of 3rd & Belle St., and in Middletown at Fast Eddie's Chicken at 7th and Central Ave. At 9:00 a.m., groups are departing in Upper Alton from Taqueria Maya at 621 College Ave and North Alton from Joe K’s Restaurant, located at 2530 State St. If needed, groups can pick up supplies at Great Rivers Tourism Center, or Jacoby Arts Center two weeks prior. Alternatively, volunteers can simply pick up litter in their neighborhood and deposit it in their trash & recycle bins. The bi-annual cleanups are coordinated by Pride, Incorporated, collaborating with Alton Main Street who share the vision and understanding that litter-free streets are essential

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ALTON - Alton's Kathleen Richardson was named Senior Operations Supervisor in the Alton District, effective August 22. In this role, Kathleen will oversee operations and management of the Alton Wastewater Treatment Plant. She will report to Senior Production Manager Fred Campbell. Kathleen joined Illinois American Water as a Wastewater Technician. Prior to that she worked for the City of Alton as a Wastewater Operator, was a Utility Worker for U.S. Steel, and a Welder/Rigger for Central Mine Equipment Company. Kathleen is licensed as a Class 3 Wastewater Operator. Kathleen is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. Richardson was the first woman hired at the former City of Alton Waste Water Treatment Plant. Kathleen started at the WWTP in 2012 and stayed on with the acquisition in 2019. Since that time, she and her co-worker has received company-wide recognition for creating a project to save the company money. Kathleen is married to Alton Fire Department Battalion Chief Derrick

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EDWARDSVILLE - This is another in a series of articles with photos and descriptions of entries in the Edwardsville Arts Fair at City Park on September 23-24. Today an Alton and Edwardsville artist are both featured. Artist Name: Jenna Muscarella Location: Alton Artist Statement: " I collect cigar boxes and keep physical memory keepsakes inside of them. I admire the detail and craftsmanship of each box. I observe each line in the design every twist and curve. I visually represent the box details with my quick, calligraphic one-shot mark." Artist Name: Jane Voltz Location: Edwardsville Artist Statement: " I search for small antique treasures and resurrect them into unique jewelry compositions. I love re-imagining the old, making it new and precious again." Artist Name: David Hasty Location: St. Louis, MO Artist Statement: " David Hasty is a St. Louis photographer with several years of experience. My work is varied and extensive. I consider mysel

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ST. LOUIS - The Hawthorn, St. Louis’ newest live music and events venue, is excited to announce its Grand Opening & first concert that will be coming to Downtown West St. Louis. The new space, located at 2225 Washington Avenue, is set to celebrate its Grand Opening on November 3 and is currently taking bookings for events including midsize concerts, galas, weddings, and corporate events. Independent country music duo, Muscadine Bloodline, will be taking the stage on November 18 as The Hawthorn’s first large-scale concert in the newly renovated space. The band’s latest album debuted at No. 1 on the iTunes Country Chart and their energetic live shows continue to draw large crowds all over the country. This concert is one of several new events being announced in the coming weeks. “We’re excited to announce the Grand Opening for this unique event space in St. Louis and we’re looking forward to many more big announcements to come,” said co-owner

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GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College has another slate of non-credit Community Education classes beginning this month. “As always, we are proud to offer these classes at L&C to help enrich the lives of our community members,” said Community Education Division Assistant Becky Moore. “We offer courses on an array of subjects designed to both entertain and educate. With our community education courses held throughout the year, we hope there is something for everyone.” Saturday Morning Glow Yoga is for anyone who enjoys yoga, whether they are new to the practice or have many years of experience. This course will focus on the fundamentals of yoga, including posture alignment, breathwork and meditation. Participants will reap the many benefits of yoga such as relaxation, improved flexibility and balance, increased physical strength and energy, and better digestion. Students will need to supply their own mats – blocks and straps are suggested,

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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS - IMPACT Strategies will begin work as Construction Manager this month on renovations to create a new medical marijuana dispensary for Proper Cannabis. The project will convert a former Bank of America building in Bridgeton, MO into a new, 2,500-square-foot retail location. The project features design details in a modern apothecary feel, with high-end millwork finishes, a crisp black and white design with light wood accents, botanicals, geometric fixtures, and midcentury modern furniture. Specialized security measures were taken with the installation of ballistics glass and drywall and a specialty vault. In addition to an interior retrofit, the project includes renovating the building’s exterior. The updated building fac¸ade will feature warm white painted brick and slat privacy screen siding. The project is the firm’s third for Proper Brands. In 2020, IMPACT renovated two locations for medical marijuana dispensaries in South County and Warrenton, Missouri

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Arts Center invites the community to a reception for the current exhibit, “Still Lives: Painters and Objects” on Friday, August 26th from 6-8pm! In the DeToye Student Gallery a display of submissions for this year’s “Out and About” Banner Contest which is hosted with the Campus to Community Committee. The winners’ banners will be hung on lampposts in downtown Edwardsville and throughout the SIUE Campus. “Still Lives: Painters and Objects” was curated by former SIUE Professor of Painting, Jane Barrow, and features 16 professional painters from all over the United States. Each artist is exhibiting only two or three paintings and have had their work exhibited in galleries and venues throughout the country. In choosing artists to invite, Barrow “selected contemporary painters whose interests are either perceptual, emphasizing the painterly illusions of light and form, or conceptual, focusing on

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ALTON - The Alton Marina has become a powerhouse business over the past 15 years under the direction of General Manager Karen Baker-Brncic of Parrot Pointe Marine Inc. On Saturday, August 27th, the region will say goodbye at the Marina to the legendary general manager with a huge anniversary party. Karen will soon retire from her position. Award-winning Barbecue Masters Black Iron BBQ begins selling plates at 6:30 p.m. at the party. Beverage bars will also be on site. The world-famous Z-Band will be the entertainment at the Marina. There will be a Grand Finale on the Big Screen produced by Megyme Productions that people will want to see, Karen said. There is no cover charge and people are requested to bring their lawn chairs and "party attitude," Karen says. The Z-Band starts performing at 7:30 p.m. Under Karen’s leadership, the Alton Marina has emphasized exceptional hospitality and convenience. In 2020, The Alton Marina was selected to be on the cover of Quimby’s. Karen

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EDWARDSVILLE - Senior tennis player Chloe Koons is emerging as one of the best girls tennis players in the St. Louis area and is one of the top players on a very talented Edwardsville High team as fall practice began last week. Koons won 35 matches last season en route to a sectional championship in 2021, and feels confident in having a big season as practice began. "I think things are going really well," Koons said in an interview conducted during a practice session last week. "I feel really good and everything's smooth." Chloe is an iCAN Clinic Female Athlete of the Month For EHS. Koons has some big expectations going into the 2022 season as a senior. "Well, I'm definitely hoping to go to state this year, for sure," Koons said. "Like win sectionals, then go to state. I want to make it the furthest, like, anyone from EHS. I think that's my goal." Koons took a break during the summer and it helped refresh and reenergized her for tennis this fall. "Summer went really well," Koons

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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville junior receiver Kellen Brnfre enjoyed some success as a sophomore for the Tigers football team in the 2021 season, catching 25 passes for 330 yards and three touchdowns and also ran 13 times for 144 yards and a touchdown, scoring a total of five touchdowns on the season. His breakout game was against Belleville East. where he caught seven passes for 69 yards and also ran for 35 more yards in the Tigers' win over the Lancers. Brnfre felt that the summer season went well for himself and his teammates, overcoming a slow start to keep improving throughout the offseason. "Yeah, it was a good summer," Brnfre said. "It was a little slow, but I think we're starting to pick up the speed and pick up the pace." Brnfre feels that setting the bar high at the start will set a good example for younger players on the team. "Yeah, we work hard," Brnfre said. "We've got to set the bar, me and two other of my teammates, we've got to set the bar for the younger kids looking

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WOOD RIVER - Senior football lineman Richard Seitzinger is one of the key linemen that East Alton-Wood River High will be depending on when the Oilers open their 2022 football season on Aug. 26 at home against Harrisburg. Seitzinger is one of the team's hardest workers, both on the field and in the weight room, leading by example for his teammates while encouraging them to work together to be successful. For his efforts, Seitzinger has been named a Midwest Members Credit Union male Athlete of the Month at EAWR. Seitzinger, who plays for head coach Garry Herron, has played football for nearly a decade and enjoys both working with and helping out his teammates. "I've been playing football for eight years," Seitzinger said, "and the most I like about football is being with my friends and working together in tough situations." Seitzinger thanked his family for their support in his football endeavors. "I would like to thank my mom, dad, sisters and brother-in-law for pushing me to the

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EDWARDSVILLE - The BuseyBank Edwardsville Rotary Criterium Festival bicycle road race series in Edwardsville was once again a community success. The race takes an abundance of volunteers and crew and once again they all came through like clockwork. There were 170 volunteers who took part this year. The records set in both pre-registration and racers competing are a great testament to the growing popularity of the event, and Race Director Brian Mulhill has a theory on why. "You know, I think it's just delivering a consistent, safe course," Mulhill said, "year in and year out. And the riders, when they know they show up, they're going to be treated professionally and with great courtesy, and efficiency and the crowd's going to be huge. They'd rather have that than the payouts. And I've learned that in the last year, listening to a lot of meetings with directors, these racers anymore are much more about the environment than they are about winning 50 bucks, or even the pros, maybe winning

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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville Fire Chief James Whiteford said Saturday the bodies of two construction workers who had been operating at a residential development in the 100 block of East Union Street were recovered Friday, August 19. He said the two men were found deceased in a manhole that led to storm sewer piping. The Edwardsville Police and Fire Departments responded to the scene at about 6:55 p.m. Friday for a 911 call about a person in need of rescue from a manhole. It’s believed the two workers had entered the manhole sometime in the late afternoon. Fire Chief Whiteford said the atmosphere where the men were located was found to contain very little oxygen and a buildup of toxic gases, as is common in confined underground spaces. The two men were nonresponsive, and rescue was attempted. Upon determining the men were deceased, the operation transitioned to a recovery effort. The victims were recovered about 8:30 p.m. Friday. A member of the Edwardsville Police Department

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ALTON - The James Killion Beautification & Enhancement Committee brings back another Movie Night Saturday night at James Killion Park. This week’s movie is “The Bad Guys," presented by JK-Bec. Last week’s movie was “The Good Dinosaur” and was very well attended. Tredell Jones of Bridging The Gap was a key sponsor for last week’s movie and said he enjoyed the night tremendously. “It means so much to me knowing that I have come so far from my past and I am dedicating the rest of my life to be part of the solution to our problems,” he said. “We are getting amazing feedback from the Movie Nights. I have witnessed so much positive in our community and I truly believe investing resources in youth is the answer. I am appreciative to be a part of it all.”

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) commissioned 10 new Troopers today from Cadet Class 137 at a graduation ceremony at the Illinois State Police Academy in Springfield. The total number of ISP troopers added since 2019 now stands at 305. The new Troopers will report to eight ISP patrol districts throughout the state on Monday, August 22, 2022. Cadet Class 137 marks the eighth cadet class graduation under Governor JB Pritzker. The Governor’s proposed ISP budget for Fiscal Year 2023 is the largest in ISP history and allows for an additional 300 new Troopers. “Congratulations to our new troopers on their graduation from the Illinois State Police Academy,” said Governor JB Pritzker . “If we want to create safer streets, then I know we need to get more experienced Troopers on the expressways and in our communities — and that’s exactly what we’re doing. Since 2019, we’ve added more than 300 ISP Troopers who patrol

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PIASA – After an interesting 5-5 season, where the Southwestern Piasa Birds won their first four games and then lost the next four, they earned a playoff game, but were shutout 42-0. There are worse things than finishing a season 5-5, but seniors Jacob Fischer and David Watkins believe that they can do better than that. The two are both Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Male Athletes Of The Month For Southwestern. “We can always do better,” Fisher said. “I’m looking forward to our team working hard, staying together, and just winning. I mean, that’s all we want and we’re going to keep going.” They’ve been working hard all summer and they can’t wait for their season to kick off this Friday, August 26 th against Staunton. They believe that they have what it takes to get off to another great start to the season. “I think our team is very well rounded and I think we can do it this year. We’re going to go

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