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CHICAGO – With COVID-19 positivity rates continuing to decline and the majority of eligible Illinoisans vaccinated, today Governor Pritzker released an updated executive order lifting the mask requirement in most indoor settings. In accordance with CDC guidance, the executive order also lifts the mask requirement in K-12 schools and daycares. School districts and private businesses can continue to require masks at their discretion. “Across the state, Illinoisans are taking their masks off today knowing that most eligible adults are boosted, and our hospitals have much more capacity to save lives,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “ I’m proud that Illinoisans have done the hard work that has made our state a leader in the Midwest, with more of our residents vaccinated than any other state in the region. All Illinois residents, regardless of background or immigration status, can go to vaccines.gov to find a vaccine location near you.” To continue protecting

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CARLINVILLE - Carlinville High School recently participated and excelled in the Academic Challenge Regional Competition (formerly WYSE) sponsored by Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. Ten Carlinville students participated in the online competition. The contest format is that each member of the team competes in two academic subjects, chosen from Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering Graphics, English, Mathematics, and Physics. CHS won the competition. Carlinville individuals who finished in the top two places were: Biology: 1 st : Eli Ratcliff 2 nd : Aaron Wills Chemistry: 1 st : Madalynn Bloome 2 nd (tie): Jacob Petrovich and Charlie Wilson Engineering Graphics: 1 st : Kyle Carriker English: 1 st : Peyton Dahler 2 nd : Owen Griffiths Mathematics: 1 st : Aaron Wills 2 nd (tie): Jacob Petrovich and Charlie Wilson Physics: 1 st : Hayden Truax 2 nd : Eli Ratcliff The members of the team are: Madalynn Bloome Kyle Carriker Peyton

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ALTON - Local playwright and school superintendent, Dr. Patrick Anderson, has brought his very funny new comedy to Alton Little Theater after the theater group produced his educational drama, School Secrets three years ago. This March 18th - 27th, the ALT Showplace will produce the comedy with a new name and a most delightful cast. Director, Lee Cox asked Patrick if ALT could change the name for the "birth" of this new production, since the heart of the comedy revolves around marriage, pregnancy, a couple of quirky partners, some very interfering grandparents, and a couple of adored dogs. Lee was also inspired by the movie "Zorba the Greek" and Nikos Kazantzakis's many witty observations about life. When asked what makes for a good life, Kazantzakis replies, "Oh yes, wife, children, home, everything; the full catastrophe!" And so, Sex, Dogs, and the Full Catastrophe was born. Together Anderson and Cox are creating a new staging for the show after it was performed in Waterloo,

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WOOD RIVER - Junior Tyler Robinson has concluded a successful season with the boys basketball team at East Alton-Wood River High School, averaging 1.9 points and 3.3 rebounds-per-game, also contributing totals of 29 assists, 33 steals and seven blocked shots, helping the Oilers finish their season with a 12-20 record. Robinson is one of the team's most tireless workers, ready to make a contribution to the team whenever and wherever he's needed. For his efforts this season, Robinson has been named one of the school's Midwest Members Credit Union Male Athlete of the Month. Robinson, who plays for head coach Steve Flowers, has been playing basketball since a young age and still very much enjoys the game, especially when he's with his friends. "I've been doing it since probably around kindergarten," Robinson said, "but began doing more than just rec ball when I was around nine. The thing I like most about it is that I've been able to do it with my friends the whole time." Robinson

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EDWARDSVILLE - Chris Johnson has been named the new Madison County Emergency Management Agency director by the Madison County Board after a recent vote. Johnson was nominated by Madison County Chairman Kurt Prenzler for the position. Johnson was picked as a replacement for Tony Falconio, the previous Emergency Management Agency director. Johnson has a lifetime of military and civic service experience and Prenzler and Wood River Police Chief Brad Wells both see him as the perfect choice for the important county emergency management position. Johnson has 27 years of law enforcement experience, plus was in the Marines for four years and Marine Reserves for four years. He is exceptionally trained in emergency types of situations because of his law enforcement and military experiences. “Chris will do a great job,” Prenzler said. “I am excited about him being in the position and I know he is excited. He has been in responsible positions for a long period of time. I think

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ALTON - Girls Circle is a model of structured support groups for girls from 9-18 years. It is designed to foster self-esteem, help girls maintain authentic connections with peers and adult women in their community. In honor of Black History Month, the YWCA, Alton Housing, Be A Bridge, and Lemay's Catering collaborated to conduct the two circles. Marqueta Goins has been the Facilitator and Amy Williams is the Co-Facilitator for the two circles held on Monday and Wednesday night each week. In honor of Black History Month, Marqueta and Amy personally invited a group of successful African American women from the Alton community to share their stories and encourage the girls. We have already had Sheila Goins as a guest speaker. The ladies looked forward to hearing from the other guests. "Since the two circles I facilitate are made up of all African American girls, I feel that it is important for the girls to see and hear from women who look like them and have had similar experiences

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police Department Crimes Against Persons detectives are currently investigating a homicide in the 11000 block of Bellefontaine Road in the North County Precinct which resulted in the death of an adult male. On February 26, 2022, at approximately 11:06 AM, St. Louis County Police officers responded to the scene of a shooting in the 11000 block of Bellefontaine Road. Two adult males suffered gunshot wounds. One victim was transported to an area hospital with life threatening injuries. The second individual was pronounced deceased on the scene. Investigation revealed the two individuals fired rounds at one another after being involved in an altercation on the parking lot. 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 to investigators if you have any information regarding the incident. To remain anonymous

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - The deceased has been positively identified as De’Marion Jones, 17 years of age, of the 200 block of Midlothian Road in St. Louis, Missouri, 63138, in the recent homicide in the City of Jennings. Additional information will be disseminated as it becomes available. St. Louis County Police Department Crimes Against Persons detectives are investigating a homicide in the 9300 block of Lewis and Clark Boulevard in the City of Jennings which resulted in the death of a male victim in his late teens. At 10:46 p.m. on February 26, 2022, St. Louis County Police officers from the City of Jennings Precinct responded to a call for service for an alarm sounding in the 9300 block of Lewis and Clark Boulevard. When officers arrived, they learned that a shooting had occurred inside the business. The victim was taken to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries but was pronounced deceased. The suspect fled the scene. The investigation has revealed the suspect and victim

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - The deceased in a homicide in the 8300 block of Airport Road in the City of Berkeley has been positively identified as Cincere Ford, 21 years of age, of the 5300 block of Wells Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri 63112. The second victim remains in critical condition at an area hospital and is expected to survive. St. Louis County Police Department Crimes Against Persons detectives are currently investigating a homicide in the 8300 block of Airport Road in the City of Berkeley which resulted in the death of an adult male. At 10:10 p.m. on February 25, 2022, police officers from the City of Berkeley Police Department responded to the scene of a shooting in the 8300 block of Airport Road. Officers located two adult males in a vehicle suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Both victims were transported to an area hospital where one victim was pronounced deceased. The second victim suffered life-threatening injuries. City of Berkeley Police Officers requested St. Louis

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ALTON - Community activist Abe Lee Barham has announced he is making a bid for the Madison County Board. Barham made his announcement at My Just Desserts in Alton. When his daughter, Consuela Barham, introduced Abe Lee at My Just Desserts, some of the highlights of his community involvement were given. Part of what she discussed was that he is co-chair of the Alton Juneteenth Celebration, chairman of the Miles Davis Festival, and Inner City Garden Project in Alton, among many other things. She also said Abe Lee was part of those who helped rename Salu Park to James Killion Park at Salu and a library at Alton High after James Bailey. Lee has assisted the housing authority and has coached youth and volunteered across the Alton community. Lee says he has always tried to be a positive force in the community and voice for those who otherwise didn't have a voice. "We need a new plan for redevelopment in Alton and the county," he said. "It is very important to meet people. I am very passionate

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Letter to the Editor: Black History Month’s celebrations are unique opportunities to honor contributions made by African American women and men to the freedoms and security of our nation through their service in the United States Armed Forces, often in segregated units experiencing racism and inequality that pervaded the military ranks during those times; serving and fighting in countries around the world for ideals, freedom and fairness they did not enjoy here at home. Regrettably, many of these Sailors and Soldiers’ valor and service helped create our nation’s story are unknown, not recognized, purposely or unintentionally omitted from some of our Nation’s military and scholastic history books. Nonetheless, African Americans participated in Colonial conflicts, the American Revolutionary/ American Civil/Spanish-American Wars, the World Wars, Vietnam War, the Desert Storm, Afghanistan and other actions including the January 6, 2021 Insurrection and Occupation

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ST. LOUIS – Ryan McDaniel, 25, of St. Louis, Missouri appeared before United States District Court Judge Stephen R. Clark late yesterday afternoon and was sentenced to 179 months in prison for carjacking a Domino’s Pizza driver in February 2021. McDaniel previously pleaded guilty in November. According to the plea agreement, on or about February 5, 2021, McDaniel approached the victim who was making a Domino's pizza delivery at The Residences at Forest Park, a location within the Eastern District of Missouri. Brandishing a handgun, McDaniel demanded the keys to the victim's motor vehicle, a 2020 Mazda CX-30. McDaniel reached in the victim's pocket and grabbed the keys before fleeing the scene in the carjacked vehicle. Minutes after the robbery, officers located the stolen Mazda CX-30 and a lengthy pursuit ensued. McDaniel was eventually taken into custody after the vehicle was disabled. Officers searched the vehicle and found two Springfield XD semiautomatic firearms.

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ALTON - The recent Black History Tour, sponsored by Be A Bridge and Executive Director Marqueta Goins, visited several important historic sites and left quite an impression on the youth who attended. Goins said the teens in the Youth Like You program started the day early and literally soaked up the information and the stories that happened where they stood. "Black History and its impacts are so much closer than we think," she said. "Some of our youth were even descendants of the people we learned about! We ended the day with games, food, and a fun time together." The tour included information about Elijah P. Lovejoy, the abolitionist newspaper owner of the Alton Observer, who died defending his press, Rocky Fork Church in Godfrey, information about Erasmus Green, founder and co-pastor of Rocky Fork Church, and information about Priscilla Baltimore, known as the "Moses of the West," who help organize the Underground Rail System in Southwest Illinois. Marqueta Goins thanked a bunc

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BETHALTO – Hannah Meiser, a junior guard for the CM girl’s basketball team, made it count on the minutes she was in during the Eagles' Sectional Semifinals win over Mount Vernon. Meiser, an extraordinary overall athlete, has been a player CM could count on throughout the girls' 2021-2022 season. Meiser is one of the Tom Lane State Farm Insurance Female Athletes of the Month for CM's spectacular girls' basketball team. Meiser went in for a quick substitution in the first quarter and scored five quick points. The first thing she did was grab an impressive offensive rebound and banked in back in off the glass. One of the next plays she pulled up and drained a three-pointer. She was clearly fired up after the play. “It’s just tight situation games like this, I want to go in there and give the spark that my team needs, and I’m really happy that we pulled out the win,” Meiser said after the game. Head coach Mike Arbuthnot claimed that his girls weren’t

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BETHALTO – The Civic Memorial girls basketball team was crowned Sectional Champions Friday night when they beat the Mattoon Green Wave 74-68. It’s the third time in program history the Eagles have achieved this feat. However, it’s the first time for senior forward Emily Williams. She made the start for what could have been her final high school basketball game. She didn’t play a lot of minutes and was kept off the scoresheet. While not in the game, Williams is usually standing or pacing around the bench in stress. “I haven’t really played much the last three years, so I’m getting to be on the court and actually part of the whole adrenaline, and it’s just crazy.” Back on Feb. 18, the Eagles played East St. Louis in another game that was decided in overtime. I remember sitting behind the bench and her saying, “I can’t sit down, it’s too stressful.” She seemed so stressed out almost to the point of tears.

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GREENVILLE – The Marquette Explorers recently traveled to Greenville High School for the Class 2A Regional Championship. No. 20, a junior center, Brody Hendricks, and the Explorers brought home their 12th Regional Championship after taking down the Greenville Comets 55-24. When asked how it felt to be a champion, Hendricks responded, “It feels great. It's the first time I have won a Regional Championship and it feels great to be a part of this team.” Part of being on a winning team is having all the players buy-in for one goal and the Explorers are a winning team. Hendricks said the Explorers work to become a better basketball team every day. “We are building everything across our team, working on getting better every single day, and it all led to this moment," he said. “We practice hard enough to earn this, so we’ll come back next year to do the same thing.” Basketball is a team sport and the Explorers had three players with point totals i

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ALTON - Below is information about this week’s road closures – Feb. 28, 2022 Piasa Valley Area: 6th Street east of Alby Street is open to George Street, with surface restoration work being completed as weather permits. Please drive carefully as some of the roadways are still rock surfaces. Alby Street is closed from 6th Street north to 8th Street, with closures north and east of Alby/7th Street in place. 7th Street from George to Mechanic Street is closed. North and east of the intersection of Alby/8th St. closures coming soon. Turner Tract Area: Danforth Street will be closing this week to all thru traffic to allow for sewer installation work. The alley south of McKinley east of Lincoln is back open to traffic, with pavement restoration happening as weather permits. Douglas Street, between State and Lincoln Streets is open, with pavement restoration happening as weather permits. Please drive carefully. Shields Valley Area: The west end of Greenwood Street is closed.

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The Conversation — Governments have delayed action on climate change for too long, and incremental changes in energy and food production will no longer be enough to create a climate-resilient future, a new analysis from scientists around the world warns. The world is already seeing harmful impacts from climate change, including extreme storms, heat waves and other changes that have pushed some natural and human systems to the limits of their ability to adapt. As temperatures continue to rise, transformational change is coming to how people live on Earth. Countries can either plan their transformations, or they can face the destructive, often chaotic transformations that will be imposed by the changing climate. I’m one of the authors of the climate impacts and adaptation report, released Feb. 28, 2022, as part of the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Sixth Assessment Report . The increasing alarm in these reports, which review the

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ST. LOUIS - Award-winning comedian and writer John Mulaney announced 16 additional shows on the second leg of his John Mulaney: From Scratch tour including stops in Portland, Seattle, Cleveland, Washington, D.C., St. Louis, and more. This latest announcement follows the addition of a third show, due to popular demand, in both New York and Chicago. Mulaney is returning to host Saturday Night Live for the fifth time on Saturday, February 26th. General on sale for tickets stars Friday, February 25th at 10 am local time on Ticketmaster.com . John Mulaney is a two-time Emmy and WGA award-winning writer, actor, and comedian. In 2018, he traveled the United States with sold out Kid Gorgeous tour, which was later released as a Netflix stand-up special and won the Emmy for Outstanding Writing in a Variety Special; In 2015, he released The Comeback Kid, also a Netflix original, which The AV Club called the “best hour of his career;” In 2012, his Comedy Central special New In

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EDWARDSVILLE – The pandemic has taken a marked toll on all individuals, presenting a variety of challenges as it has engendered salient adjustments in personal lives, learning environments and workplaces. Realizing and sharing in these challenges, numerous Southern Illinois University Edwardsville faculty, staff and students have gone above and beyond to support each other. In response to a social media call to highlight “SIUE Difference Makers,” nominations were abundant. Among those acknowledged for their positive impact was Tim Jacks, PhD, associate professor of computer management and information systems (CMIS) in the School of Business. “I'm incredibly fortunate to have a meaningful career where I'm able to make an impact on people at a personal level,” shared Jacks, who joined SIUE in 2012. “I am profoundly humbled by this Difference Maker recognition. The School of Business is full of faculty, staff, and administrators who make a difference

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