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EAST ST. LOUIS – U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe praised police officers who are working to deter the prevalence of gun violence and remove offenders in a comment about an East St. Louis man's sentence announced today. A U.S. District judge sentenced an East St. Louis man to five years in federal prison after he admitted to possessing firearms as a convicted felon. Devonte T. Franklin, 30, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. In addition to the prison sentence, he will serve three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay a $100 fine and $100 in special assessments. Crowe made this statement about the police work and sentence in regard to the Franklin decision: "This case serves as proof of police officers working courageously to deter the prevalence of gun violence and remove those offenders." “The Illinois State Police Public Safety Enforcement Group continues to get illegal guns off the streets and out of the hands of criminals

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ALTON - In the span of a few months in 2014, Christina Stanford-Harvey retired after 20 years in the military, graduated from culinary school and had a baby. What was the next step after such a monumental, stressful year? She started a business, of course. But the risk clearly paid off. Nine years after Christina began her catering service, she’s the proud owner of C-Rations Grub Hub Food Truck, a Riverbend favorite. Alongside her husband Hoover and their children, Christina’s business is doing better than ever and giving back to the Alton community. “It’s good to see the fruits of your labor after a while,” Christina said. “I’ve been able to keep it a family business. It’s been really good.” The family bought the food truck in February 2019. They were still fixing it up when the COVID-19 Pandemic hit, which brought the entire business to a standstill. Both Christina and Hoover are 20-year veterans, so they’re

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WOOD RIVER - Madison County Coroner Stephen P. Nonn has identified the victim who died as a result of a single-vehicle motorcycle crash occurring in Alton on Saturday, August 12, 2023, as Larry M. Patton, 33, of Wood River. "Per witness statements and evidence examined at the scene, the decedent was eastbound on Broadway traveling at a high rate of speed when his 2005 Harley Davidson Road King motorcycle left the roadway to the south and struck a yellow pole causing him to be ejected," Nonn said. "His body came to rest near a wall on the Ardent Mills property. "Coroner’s Office Investigator Kelsey M. Jones, DSN 1579 pronounced his death at the scene at 6:10 p.m., August 12, 2023. The preliminary cause of death appears to be from blunt head trauma. He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. Routine toxicology testing for the presence of drugs and alcohol remains pending. A final cause of death will not be issued until all reports are complete." The case remains under

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Letter to the editor: Imagine a husband who applies for a credit card – without telling his wife. In some states and circumstances, she will be liable for the debt, even if she didn’t know. But she finds out – before he gets the loan – and she notifies the credit card company that she needs a say in the matter. That’s what just happened between the East Alton-Wood River High School district and its taxpayers. Last week, petitions with more than 1,100 signatures were submitted to the EA-WR district office, in response to its July 12 “backdoor referendum” that gave citizens 30 days to gather 832 signatures to put a $2.4 million bond issue on the March 19, 2024 ballot. Going door to door, I gathered 300 of these signatures myself. Without the signatures, the district could issue the bonds without voter approval – with taxpayers none the wiser – until their tax bills arrive in the mail. How many people read the legal notices?

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EDWARDSVILLE - Walter D. Williams was recognized for his leadership and accomplishments, and a new president - Traci S. Daniels, MSL, was announced at a special meeting of the NAACP Edwardsville Branch. Williams recently resigned as branch president after accepting a position with the City of Racine, Wisc. Traci S. Daniels, MSL, has served as 1st Vice President of the NAACP Edwardsville Branch for three years. She is the assistant pastor of Anchored In Truth Ministries in Edwardsville and now will assume a new role. Daniels is also an Ambassador for the Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce and a devoted wife. “I am ready to take on the responsibilities and challenges that come with this esteemed position," Daniels said. "I am committed to continuing the vital work of the NAACP in advocating for equality, justice, and civil rights for all. "With the support of our dedicated members and the community, I am confident that we can make a significant impact and create positive

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PIASA - Southwestern football head coach Pat Keith has a couple options for his team's starting quarterback this season. One option is his son, senior Logan Keith, the other is sophomore Blake Rimbey. Both could be seen in a practice last Friday acting as the QB in offensive drills as the two are seemingly fighting for the starting spot. Regardless of what happens, one thing is for sure, Blake's heading into the new season confident in himself and his team. "I feel like we've got some guys that are going to do some pretty good things. I feel like we can get a pretty good season going." Blake is an Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Athlete of the Month for Southwestern. He believes his team has what it takes to get back to the playoffs and is just looking forward to having fun this season. "We don't have any doubts," he said about being able to make the playoffs. "We lost some pretty good guys, but I feel like we got better at catching balls, got better at blocking." T

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LITCHFIELD - Registration is open for art and craft vendor booth space at the final 2023 Litchfield Pickers Market on October 8. This market will feature juried vintage, antique and refurbished items, and also the wares of talented artisans and crafters, creating a unique shopping experience in one convenient and fun location. The City of Litchfield hosts the Litchfield Pickers Market on the second Sunday of each month, May through October, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in downtown Litchfield. During the market, the streets are filled with around 100 vendors specializing in items from prior to 1985. During the October 8 market, a section will be allocated to contemporary art and craft items. All items must be handcrafted by participants, and no buy/sell or retail mass marketed merchandise is allowed. Registration information can be found at visitlitchfield.com, and is also available at 120 East Ryder Street in Litchfield. Call the Litchfield Tourism Office at 217-324-8147 with any questions.

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EAST ALTON – Community members, legislators, Girl Scouts and staff from the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC) gathered Tuesday, Aug. 8, at the Jerry F. Costello Field Station to celebrate female leadership in policy and science. Among the speakers was Rep. Amy Elik, District 111, who gave the Scouts some advice. “Try new things to open your eyes to new experiences,” she said. “Even if it is something you may not be good at." Also in attendance was Rep. Katie Stuart, District 112, who told the girls what she likes best about her position. “Knowing what I do benefits people in a positive way,” she said. Everyone enjoyed pizza and s'mores while learning about Girl Scout Troop 325's community and nature-based projects, how to create seed-balls for spreading native plants and about the important research happening at the station. The event concluded with a female leadership discussion panel, which was led by Girl Scout

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul, along with seven attorneys general, is urging a federal court to strengthen a private, consumer class-action settlement with Hyundai and Kia by requiring the companies to recall or buy back the theft-prone vehicles and equip them with engine-immobilizer technology. In a letter to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Raoul and the coalition argue that the current proposed settlement requirements are insufficient and will not resolve the ongoing Hyundai and Kia thefts that continue to jeopardize public safety in Illinois and across the country. While Illinois is not part of this settlement, Raoul signed onto the letter because in 2022, there were over 7,000 Hyundai and Kia thefts in Chicago, which account for 10% of all registered Kia vehicles and 7% of all registered Hyundai vehicles in the city. “I am urging the court to strengthen its current settlement with Hyundai and Kia to ensure consumers’ vehicles

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CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement regarding the indictment of former President Donald Trump by a Georgia grand jury for his alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election: “In America, every person indicted or accused of a crime is entitled to a presumption of innocence and the full spectrum of rights under due process. Former President Donald J. Trump deserves no less. “But this is not routine political fare or just another day in American politics as former President Trump would have us believe. Donald Trump stands accused of some of the most serious charges ever leveled against an American public figure. “Former President Trump is accused of concealing top secret intelligence documents; destroying evidence; provoking a mob to storm the Capitol building and subvert the counting of votes in a Presidential election; and attempting

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Municipal Band is proud to announce its upcoming "The High Seas" concert, scheduled to take place on Thursday, August 17, at 8 p.m. The performance will be held at the Cleaon Etzkorn Bandstand located in City Park. Under the baton of co-conductor, Dr. Rubén Darío Gómez, the Edwardsville Municipal Band will immerse listeners in a musical journey inspired by the vast oceans and waterways. The performance will feature a repertoire of music composed with water, particularly the ocean in mind and will include pieces such as "Of Sailors and Whales," "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End," and "Sailing Songs," among others. Concessions available during the event will directly benefit the Main Street Community Center. Admission to the concert is free of charge, and all are welcome to bring their lawn chairs and blankets for a relaxing and memorable musical experience. For more information about the Edwardsville Municipal Band

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ALTON - Let it never be said that Emily Vandygriff backs down from a dare. This Alton nurse enjoyed making art privately in her free time. But when a friend dared her to share her paintings and drawings with the world, Vandygriff couldn’t say no. Now, the casual hobby she once used to manage stress has made Vandygriff the August Artist of the Month at Milton Schoolhouse . “I work nights as a nurse, and it kind of became like a way for me to cope,” Vandygriff said about painting and drawing. “Sometimes when I get done, I can just breathe a little better with certain things in my life…So it just kind of went from there. I was submitting to galleries, and I started getting in. That also became a little challenge to the drive of, okay, we’re making art to feel better, but people want to see it.” The themes of Vandygriff’s work can vary. She loves horror, so she enjoys painting pictures of her 7-year-old son as a zombie to make

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KAMPSVILLE - In a continued crackdown at 10:08 p.m. on August 11, 2023, law enforcement officials from the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police executed a court-authorized search warrant on Fourth Street in Kampsville in reference to an on-going methamphetamine investigation. The Calhoun County Sheriff's Office said subsequent to the execution of said search warrant, methamphetamine, methamphetamine-related drug paraphernalia, baggies, and scales were located and seized. Roy C. Connell, age 50, of Kamspville, was arrested on the following charges: Unlawful Possession with Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine, Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine, Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substances, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Connell was arrested without incident and is lodged in the Greene County Jail. "This arrest stems from the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office's continued and ongoing proactive enforcement

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MARYVILLE - Scooter’s Coffee, best known for its amazingly fast drive-thru, specialty coffee, and baked-from-scratch pastries, added a new location at 2119 South Center Street, Maryville, Illinois. To celebrate, the drive-thru location will be hosting a Grand Opening on Friday, August 18, where customers can buy one drink to get one free when they pay with the Scooter’s Coffee mobile app. With the app, customers earn three “Smiles” for every dollar spent to collect toward free drinks for their loyalty. To scoot through faster, customers can also link a credit card to the app and select “Pay/Earn Smiles” from the home screen. Then, if they choose to tip, customers can select a custom amount or percentage prior to scanning their app. To scoot through even faster, Mobile Order Ahead is also available. Ordering ahead allows customers to order their favorite drinks and food, pay ahead, and pick up quickly at the drive-thru window. The Scooter’s

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EDWARDSVILLE - Senior center Brett Moss is the key leader on a very talented and hard-working offensive line on the Edwardsville football team and he's looking ahead to getting the 2023 season started on Aug. 25, when the Tigers meet up with Jackson, Mo. at Tiger Stadium. Moss, a veteran starter on the offensive line, agreed in an interview conducted on Aug. 10 at Edwardsville's preseason practice that things have been going along well for the team and is hoping for a big season for the Tigers. Moss is a Johnston Law Group Male Athlete of the Month for the Tigers. "Yeah, I think we're coming together as a team," Moss said. "We look good as a O-line, everybody's working hard and I think we're pretty good." Moss described his job as the center as the linchpin of the line, making sure that everyone's prepared to do his job. "As the center, I've gotta lead everybody on the O-line," Moss said, "and get everybody set, ready, make sure everybody knows their assignments, just make sure

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JERSEYVILLE - Several streets around Jerseyville are set to be repaved and closed later this fall, with preparations beginning over the next few weeks. The streets being worked on are part of the Street Department’s annual “Oil & Chip Seal” program, and work is expected to be completed the week of Sept. 11, weather permitting. The full list of affected streets includes the following: Lott Street, Oak Street, Woodlawn Avenue, Northmoor Drive, Dressel Drive, Hawbrook Place, West Fairgrounds Avenue, Sunset Drive, Chestnut Street, Walnut Street, Sarah Street, Liberty Street, Warren Street, Fremont Street, Leavett Street, Snedeker Street, Short Street, Oakwood Plaza, Davis Drive, Forest Street, Pleasant Street, Lovejoy Street, and potentially more. Public Works Director Bob Manns announced the street work as part of a Public Notice last Friday. “No parking will be allowed on the streets from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and residents in these areas will experience

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GRAFTON - Those hoping to catch some Music in the Park in Grafton will have two more opportunities coming up this summer, with bands Krickett and the Grilled Avocados on Aug. 17 and Outlaw Opry on Aug. 24. Grafton's Music in the Park takes place each summer on Thursday nights from 7 to 9 p.m. at Grove Memorial Park. Peg Brooks with Grafton's Music in the Park said this year’s concert series has been met with an “amazing” amount of support and large turnouts so far. “Music in the Park has been met with amazing donors, biggest crowds ever - even in the heat - so many positive comments, and support,” Brooks said. “We - myself, my daughter Nickie Brooks, my husband Mike, and the Grafton Chamber are so happy with our growth. We have tried to add new incentives each year to keep our concert series growing.” Brooks said her family has made several additions to the concert series since they began overseeing Music in the Park. Among these additions

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ALTON - Alton Community Unit School District 11 (ACUSD11) will introduce a new mathematics curriculum and report card system for grade school students this year. These changes aim to better support kids and increase the collaboration between students. The new math curriculum, called i-Ready Classroom Mathematics, is a program that focuses heavily on numbers and real-life applications of math. Grades K-8 will use i-Ready Classroom Mathematics “to build mathematical thinkers and lifelong problem-solvers,” Superintendent Dr. Kristie Baumgartner explained. “Students will try problems, discuss their thinking with peers, and connect their strategies with the strategies of others,” Baumgartner said. “i-Ready Classroom Mathematics is paired with a diagnostic assessment that allows teachers to determine individual student needs and differentiate instruction to meet each student where they currently are.” Middle school classrooms at ACUSD11 already utilized

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GLEN CARBON - MidAmerica Plastic Surgery and The Spa will be hosting their annual Patient Appreciation Event on September 21, 2023. Historically, this event consisted of food trucks, live music, and activities for all guests. As a Southern Illinois native raised in Marion, Dr. Diederich says, “This region has provided us with so many opportunities. The people of the Midwest and their values helped make me who I am today. Being able to give back to the community is important.” Blues Fired Pizza and Seoul Taco will be dishing out some great food while Destination Desserts serves up some sweet treats. In addition to some tasty treats, Wandering Sidecar Bar will be serving both adult beverages and non-alcoholic options throughout the evening. As a thank you, all patients in attendance will be able to build their own flower bouquet. Guests can also expect to enjoy live music and be entered into exciting giveaways. You won’t want to miss it! “The support of our patients

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CHICAGO – Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered remarks at the National Black Prosecutors Association’s (NBPA) 40 th Annual Conference in Chicago, the same city where 100 Black prosecutors met for the first time in 1983 and brought about the organization’s founding. NBPA describes itself as the “only professional membership organization dedicated to the advancement of blacks as prosecutors” and “emerging as the international association of black law enforcement professionals with a reputation for providing education and leadership in the legal profession through its intensive training sessions and multi-disciplined networking.” Key Durbin quotes as prepared for delivery: “It’s great to have the annual conference back here in NBPA’s home base of Chicago. This is where, in 1983, more than 100 Black prosecutors met for the first time to discuss their commo

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