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ALTON – The YWCA of Southwestern Illinois will once again host Free Girls Circle programs at its location at 304 E. Third Street, Alton. This program focuses on the promotion of growth within the youth, families, and the community. "The program places emphasis on generating, re-establishing, and encouraging the continuance of healthy relationships," YWCA of Southwestern Illinois Executive Director Dorothy Hummel said. "The topics that are discussed relate to everyday issues that girls may have experienced or will possibly encounter in the future. This program consists of a knowledgeable facilitator that is equipped in providing guidance and preparing the girls with useful information for shaping their future." For many years, girls have been faced with discrimination, put down because of their physical appearances, challenged emotionally, and judged on their choices and opinions by society, Hummel said. "The 'Being a Girl' unit highlights the advantages of being a girl," sh

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GLEN CARBON – Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois celebrated the outstanding volunteers and Girl Scouts who exemplify our mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place at the first annual Recognition of Excellence ceremony. The ceremony was held on Sunday, May 15 at the DoubleTree Inn in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Girl Scouts, volunteers, and their families from the 40-county jurisdiction gathered together to celebrate this year’s award recipients. “What a day to celebrate! Days like today make me very proud to be a Girl Scout,” said Loretta Graham, CEO of Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois. “These amazing volunteers and girls truly represent what Girl Scouting is all about – being a champion of girl ambition and making the world a better place,” Graham added. Seventeen Girl Scouts wer

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COLLINSVILLE - After a distinguished 20-year career in the energy sector and 45 years of business and civic leadership, Richard J. Mark, chairman and president, of Ameren Illinois, announced his intention to retire on Aug. 1, 2022. Upon reaching a final decision, Ameren leaders will announce Mark's successor. "Richard has been a difference-maker for our company, having served in leadership positions for both Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois," said Martin J. Lyons, Jr., president and chief executive officer, of Ameren Corporation. "He has always focused on doing what's best for our customers and I extend my gratitude for his many contributions to Ameren and our communities." Mark was promoted to president of Ameren Illinois in 2012 after 10 years in executive leadership for Ameren Missouri. Since joining Ameren Illinois, he has helped shape constructive regulatory policy that has modernized the energy sector in the state. Under his direction, Ameren Illinois has undertaken a transformative

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THE CONVERSATION - The Atlantic hurricane season starts on June 1, and the Gulf of Mexico is already warmer than average . Even more worrying is a current of warm tropical water that is looping unusually far into the Gulf for this time of year, with the power to turn tropical storms into monster hurricanes. It’s called the Loop Current , and it’s the 800-pound gorilla of Gulf hurricane risks. When the Loop Current reaches this far north this early in the hurricane season – especially during what’s forecast to be a busy season – it can spell disaster for folks along the Northern Gulf Coast, from Texas to Florida. If you look at temperature maps of the Gulf of Mexico, you can easily spot the Loop Current. It curls up through the Yucatan Channel between Mexico and Cuba, into the Gulf of Mexico, and then swings back out through the Florida Strait south of Florida as the Florida Current, where it becomes the main contributor to the Gulf Stream. The

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JERSEYVILLE – On May 24th, at 5 pm, the City of Jerseyville, in partnership with local community donors and the national consulting organization known as the National Fitness Campaign (NFC), will be unveiling the City’s new Fitness Court® at Jerseyville’s Lions Club Park. The construction of this recreational innovation has reached completion at the corner of North Jefferson and East Spruce streets, also known as Lion’s Club Park. This is a free-of-charge community resource featuring seven functional training zones as well as a supporting mobile app and will offer locals and visitors alike with a no-cost option to work on their health and wellbeing. The free app, “Fitness Court,” is available for both iOS and Android and affords users with a coachin-your-pocket style platform adaptable for all fitness levels. On this evening we invite the public to join the City Council, Jerseyville Parks and Recreation Department, Representatives from Jersey

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ST. LOUIS — Baseball season is in full swing, and that means it’s once again time to roll up a sleeve to help save lives. Join the Cardinals, Bally Sports Midwest, and the American Red Cross at the 19th annual St. Louis Cardinals Blood Drive June 14-16 at 22 locations in the St. Louis, Greater St. Louis, Metro East, and Southwestern Illinois areas. Everyone who attempts to donate will receive a limited-edition St. Louis Cardinals ‘Knock It Outta The Park’ T-shirt and bonus item while supplies last. The Cardinals Blood Drive always comes at a critical time of year. The last two years presented new challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and over the last month presentation of donors has continued to decline. Those who have a desire to help save lives can step up to the plate and participate in this year’s event. Since its inception in 2004, nearly 16,500 blood donations have been collected at the Cardinals Blood Drive. This year our goal is to collect

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There has not been a confirmed U.S. Attorney for the Southern District since 2015, with the previous administration never putting forward a nominee to fill this role. WASHINGTON – Tonight, the U.S. Senate unanimously confirmed Rachelle L. Crowe to serve as United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois. U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement on her confirmation: “We are pleased that the Senate has confirmed Rachelle Crowe to serve as U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of Illinois. After seven years without a confirmed U.S. Attorney for the Southern District, Ms. Crowe has the qualifications, integrity, and judgment to serve with distinction.” Ms. Crowe’s biography from the White House is included below: Rachelle L. Crowe: United States Attorney Nominee for the Southern District of Illinois Rachelle L. Crowe has served

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ALTON - Take in the breathtaking views from 150-feet high at the Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower, 435 Confluence Tower Dr., Hartford, which re-opens for the season Thursday, May 19. The Tower will be open to the public Thursdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Guided tours are available every 30 minutes from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Tower will be open from May 19 through Oct. 30. It will reopen again for Eagle Season 2023 in January and February. The Confluence Tower is operating under a partnership between the Village of Hartford and the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau. “The Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower is a popular attraction for the Village of Hartford and it really welcomes people to the first part of the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway. We look forward to welcoming visitors back to Hartford and the Tower,” Hartford Mayor Bill Robertson said. The Confluence Tower was built to commemorate the bicentennial celebration of the historic

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SPRINGFIELD – The State of Illinois is taking a series of important steps to help families get the safe formula they need in response to the current, nationwide infant formula shortage. In coordination with the USDA Food & Nutrition Service, Illinois retailers are being encouraged to set aside formula for low-income families enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) has also trained caseworkers to assist families with formula questions IDHS Help Line at 1-800-843-6154. The Help Line is designed for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and WIC customers primarily but is open to all residents of Illinois. “The ongoing formula shortage has brought undue stress into the lives of new parents, and my administration will do everything in our power to help families maintain access to formula,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “We’ve partnered

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BETHALTO - A new Scooter’s Coffee location is coming to Bethalto. Peter Gariepy, who co-owns the Bethalto location with his wife Karishma, said he hopes for construction to be complete in mid-July. The Bethalto Scooter’s location will be built on the former site of the Amoco gas station - its address will be 102 W Bethalto Drive once construction is completed later this summer. “This location was actually identified Scooter’s Corporate as a high-growth and very promising location. My wife and I, we live across the river … we had been working with Scooter’s and absolutely loved the concept and we wanted to work with them in the St. Louis area,” Gariepy said. “Scooter’s said, ‘Hey, there’s this location in Bethalto that we think will be absolutely perfect. It’s at a high-traffic intersection … and we think that you should check it out.’” At only 630 square feet, Gariepy said customers

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CHICAGO - Governor JB Pritzker signed HB4383 into law, banning the sale and possession of so-called ‘ghost guns’ statewide. ‘Ghost guns’ refer to unserialized, privately made firearms that are often sold as a set of parts to be assembled at home, allowing prohibited purchasers to circumvent background checks. Ghost guns cannot be traced by conventional means and can be created on a 3-D printer, leaving no record of their ownership. “The people creating, selling, and purchasing these firearms know that they’re working to circumvent common-sense gun laws that ensure guns stay out of the hands of traffickers, abusers, and convicted criminals,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “We are seeing these unseralized guns being built in basements by those who should never have had access to such dangerous weapons and then used to commit heinous crimes, and it must be stopped to keep Illinoisans safe.” Illinois is a trailblazer the fight against ghost

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ALTON - Senior Services Plus will host a free health fair for senior citizens from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Wednesday at Senior Service Plus, located at 2603 N. Rodgers Ave. in Alton. Debbie Frakes of Senior Service Plus said there will be free health screenings and 40 vendors present. She said the Older Adults Health Council is coordinating the event. TRIAD, will also be present, with many other agencies. She said there will also be drawings for baskets and giveaways and those who want breakfast or lunch can get it in the Senior Service Plus grill. Seniors should leave with info on a wide variety of topics from the event. Those present can also tour the Wellness Center at the facility. Multiple health agencies will be in attendance. Frakes said those in addition to the health screenings and giveaways, seniors will be able to learn about health care, wellness, legal issues, and much more.

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ALTON - A new law aimed at improving the safety of transportation for foster children was signed into law on Friday. The legislation was sponsored by State Representative Amy Elik (R-Fosterburg) on behalf of a local foster parent following concerns shared with her about the safety of children under the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). “I knew something had to be done when a constituent shared with me that foster children were either not being picked up on time or not being picked up at all by transportation providers,” said Rep. Elik. “Children under state care depend on transportation providers that will pick them up on time. There is no excuse for our youth in care to be left without a ride home.” Public Act 102-795 sponsored by Rep. Elik provides that transportation services to children and families must comply with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations. Drivers must submit to a fingerprint-based criminal

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MADISON COUNTY - Madison County Jail Officer Rhealyn Butler recently graduated from the St. Clair County Correctional Officer's Training Academy Class #120. Butler graduated with 33 other classmates from around the state of Illinois. Captain Kristopher Tharp and Captain Steve Ridings were present to celebrate her accomplishment with her friends and family. Officer Butler was also the recipient of the "Rangemaster's Award for Most Improved" for her hard work during the academy's firearms training. "We are proud of Jail Officer Butler and her accomplishments," Madison County Sheriff John Lakin said. "Congratulations to all of the graduates of Class #120."

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EDWARDSVILLE – As you travel through Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Lovejoy Library, you will see that libraries are evolving to be utilized by students in new ways with technology, opportunities for greater collaboration and engagement, maker-spaces, and other possibilities. Library and Information Services (LIS) is advancing under the direction of Interim Dean Eric Ruckh, PhD, who brought his proven history of service and thoughtful leadership to the role on January 1. Lovejoy Library, in particular, is at the heart of the Edwardsville campus core, and is thriving as a central force in the University’s student engagement and success initiatives and academic excellence broadly. “Our faculty and staff of LIS have been working to envision how we can fully embody a 21st century library rooted in excellence, committed to equity, and dedicated to student success and learning,” said Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Denise Cobb, PhD

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ALTON - Jeff Larner, Republican candidate for Madison County Sheriff, today announced if elected he will not be taking a state-funded pension. “Let me be clear,” stated Larner. “The hardworking men and women of the Sheriff’s Department and other police forces put their lives on the line for us every day. They unequivocally deserve their pensions.” “Unfortunately, “Larner continued, “too often the administration of these county offices use these jobs to supplement their pensions or even collect a second pension. That is wrong. I want the voters of this county to know my commitment is to running a professional, cost-effective office and one way to do that is to decline a pension.” Illinois’ pension crisis has been rated the worst in the nation, measured by pension debt relative to state gross domestic product. Since 2014, Illinois owes $144.2 billion in net pension debt and that number is estimated to continue to rise

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EDWARDSVILLE – As part of an ongoing campaign to connect the Illinois farming community to mental health resources, Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello II visited the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center (NCERC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville on Thursday, May 12 for a press conference highlighting the Farm Family Resource Initiative (FFRI). The FFRI was established in Illinois in 2019 to address the mental health needs of farming and agricultural communities. During the last legislative session, the Illinois General Assembly appropriated an additional $500,000 to ensure the program remains operational in all 102 Illinois counties throughout fiscal year 2023. The press conference at NCERC marked the third of a seven-stop campaign throughout the state with the goal of bringing awareness to this program and increasing accessibility to the farming community. SIU President Daniel Mahony, Representative Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville), and Karen

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SPRINGFIELD - A new law aimed at improving the safety of transportation for foster children was signed into law on Friday. The legislation was sponsored by State Representative Amy Elik (R-Fosterburg) on behalf of a local foster parent following concerns shared with her about the safety of children under the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). “I knew something had to be done when a constituent shared with me that foster children were either not being picked up on time or not being picked up at all by transportation providers,” said Rep. Elik. “Children under state care depend on transportation providers that will pick them up on time. There is no excuse for our youth in care to be left without a ride home.” Public Act 102-795 sponsored by Rep. Elik provides that transportation services to children and families must comply with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations. Drivers must submit to a fingerprint-based criminal

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EDWARDSVILLE - In April of 2022 after select shows in Europe, The Music of Cream returns to the USA with a 50-plus city tour kicking off in Florida. All dates are now on sale. The Music of Cream is the pedigree of hallowed ‘60s power trio Cream, featuring Ginger Baker’s son, drummer Kofi Baker and Eric Clapton’s nephew, guitarist, and lead vocalist, Will Johns. This new show, following in the footsteps of their highly acclaimed ‘50 Anniversary World Tour’ across 2017/18/19, sees The Music of Cream perform the original band’s landmark 1967 recording of Disraeli Gears in its entirety during the first set. ‘Clapton Classics’ will follow in the second, including hits like Cocaine, Layla, Crossroads, & Wonderful Tonight, as well as Blind Faith’s Presence of The Lord, Do What You Like & Can’t Find My Way Home. Baker and Johns played with Eric Clapton, his band, and a myriad of top musicians at the Ginger Baker Tribute concert

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ALTON - At a young age, Alton community activist Abe Lee Barham's father instilled in him a love of gardening. Over the years, he formulated a dream of establishing an Inner City Garden for area youth so other Alton children could learn the adoration and skills in a garden as he did as a child. The Inner City Garden is sponsored by Alton Housing and Theodora Farms with the goal to empower youth in the Alton area with another skill and experience that will stay with them forever. Faye Taylor and Lisa Brown assist Barham in the project. This year the project will start with 10 selected youth. However, Barham pointed out that last year, the project swelled to 25 kids once they learned what the others were doing and the others wanted to participate. Theodora Farms Manager Kris Larson said: "We are excited about this project and making sure local youth have access to not just garden-fresh foods but to learning how to grow food. Abe has been a real champion of teaching kids how to grow

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