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EAST ALTON – Spring brings new possibilities, not only in nature but also in the education department at the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC sm ). NGRREC, a division of Lewis and Clark Community College, recently welcomed two new team members to the education department, Kathy Fournier and Jen Mandeville. Fournier joined the team in early January and Mandeville just recently started in mid-April. “I love connecting people to their environment in ways they may not have realized existed,” Fournier said. “Seeing things from a new perspective can have significant impacts on groups and individuals and change how they think about conservation and protecting our planet.” Fournier works as the lead educator for the Critical Interface Network project. Her role is to transform cutting-edge research into education programs and lessons that are useful for teachers throughout Illinois to teach earth science. This position is partially

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SPRINGFIELD – Illinois’ unclaimed property program reached another historic milestone this month when it paid its 1 millionth claim since 2015, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs said today. The achievement is even more noteworthy when considering only 500,000 claims were paid between 2003 and 2014. Frerichs became state treasurer in 2015. The dramatic increase is a result of a complete restructuring of the unclaimed property process, especially the addition of electronic claims, eliminating red-tape that slowed small-money claims, and leveraging technology to allow payments to be made without a claim even needing to be filed. “This milestone was achieved because we reimagined the office and used common sense to make it more efficient,” Frerichs said. “As a result, we have returned a record-shattering $1.4 billion to Illinois taxpayers, who richly deserve to keep more of their own money.” Unclaimed property, also known as I-Cash, refers

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CHICAGO — Governor Pritzker today announced that the State of Illinois has received $5.4 in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that will support and expand access to equitable and affordable family planning services for low-income populations across Illinois. This federal grant, along with $5.8 million in state general revenue funds, means the Illinois Family Planning Program is providing approximately $11.2 million in funding in state Fiscal Year 2023 to 29 delegate agencies that operate 98 family planning clinics throughout the state. The new HHS grant to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) will support access to Title X services under the Illinois Family Planning Program that were sharply restricted under the previous federal administration, which imposed a “gag rule” that blocked family planning clinics from referring patients to abortion providers. “Now that the Biden administration has reversed Trump’s

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ST. LOUIS – Katie’s Pizza & Pasta Osteria is officially revealing their 2022 spring menu and cocktail menu at both Rock Hill and Town and Country locations. Customers can find the return of fan-favorite ingredients like squash blossoms, watermelon, and morel mushrooms. “Chef Jake Sanderson and I collaborated to create our best menu yet,” said Owner Katie Collier. “This year, our inspiration came from old traditions and serious techniques. We traveled and researched a lot, and it shows. These dishes have a history and story, and they highlight the incredible skill in our kitchens.” The full list of spring menu items includes: Appetizers: beets and whipped ricotta, crab arancini, figs and whipped ricotta, fried squash blossoms, peas and speck with taleggio polenta, prosciutto and melon, and scallops en brodo Burrata: black garlic pizza bianca burrata, huckleberry and prosciutto burrata, and pizza rossa burrata Salads: burrata caprese, Rolando's

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PONTOON BEACH -With summer approaching, Madison County Transit (MCT) is once again offering free rides on fixed-route buses for Madison County students (age 18 and under) with the 2022 MCT Summer Youth Pass. The MCT Summer Youth Pass is valid Memorial Day to Labor Day and allows Madison County students in kindergarten through 12 th grade an opportunity to ride MCT for free all summer long. The program has created vital transportation access for Madison County youth since 2008. This year, approximately 9,000 passes have been distributed to junior high/middle school and high schools throughout Madison County. Students or parents can obtain a free MCT Summer Youth Pass by visiting their school office or by contacting MCT at YouthPass@mct.org or 618-797-4600. “For 14 years, the MCT Summer Youth Pass has provided Madison County students with a free and safe way to access summer jobs and classes, shopping, pools, parks, and more,” said MCT Managing Director SJ Morrison. “And

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CHICAGO - Governor Pritzker signed SB3490, an amendment to the Illinois Act on Aging designating specific protections and services for older LGBTQ adults. This signing took place on National Honor Your LGBTQ Elders Day, a day of recognition for older LGBTQ individuals who fought for equality and led the movement for equality still active today. The amended act creates the Illinois Commission on LGBTQ Aging to investigate and advise on improving services and needs of older LGBTQ adults. “These elder adults are trailblazers in the fight for LGBTQ rights, growing up in an a more hostile time where basic rights were regularly denied based on gender and sexuality,” said Governor JB Pritzker . “This amendment to the Illinois Act on Aging honors that struggle by ensuring all people can age in dignity with equal access to essential care and social supports.” The Illinois Commission on LGBTQ Aging will study issues relevant to LGBTQ elders including, but not limited

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At some point in their life, many men will have to think about benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), commonly known as an enlarged prostate. BPH often means the flow of urine from the bladder is blocked by the prostate gland growing inward, leading to frequent and annoying trips to the bathroom. But BPH can also lead to more serious problems of the bladder, urinary tract, and kidneys. According to the National Kidney and Urological Disease Information Clearinghouse, the most common prostate problem for men over 50 is prostate enlargement. By age 60, more than half of men have BPH, according to the American Urological Association. By age 85, the number climbs to 90%. Luckily, BPH is treatable. Ronan Lev, MD, is a urologist who provides care through OSF HealthCare in Alton, Illinois. His practice was recently designated as a Center of Excellence by UroLift®, an organization that introduced a quick, minimally-invasive procedure to deal with an enlarged prostate and allow for an easier

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EDWARDSVILLE - Six Metro East Lutheran High School baseball players are concluding their careers. Recently the six were honored on Senior Night in a game against Roxana. The boys are recognized as Metro East Lutheran Boys Athletes Of The Month. The MELHS senior boys are: Collin Jose Trevor Pickerell Tommy Hackethal Seth Linnenbrink Nathan Butler Caiden Downs The boys play at 4:30 p.m. today at Valmeyer. MELHS couldn't come back in a 19-8 loss to Roxana on Tuesday at MELHS. Roxana scored 5 runs in the first inning. Despite the loss, the Knights collected 12 hits in the high-scoring game. Senior Hackethal took the loss for the Knights. Seniors Pickerell, Butler and Hackethal each had multiple hits for the Knights, which seemed like a fitting end to Senior Night. Collin Jose had a triple, and Butler had two doubles. The seniors and their parents were honored in a ceremony before the game.

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ALTON – Revitalizing the Last 100 Miles of Route 66 in southwest Illinois is no longer a dream but a reality, thanks to a $919,000 Route 66 Grant awarded to the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau by the state. The grant will fund community murals, a new Route 66 Interpretative Visitor Center in Edwardsville, Mother Road monuments in several communities, and the reopening of the historic Cannonball Jail in Carlinville. Those projects are all interlocking pieces of a revitalized Route 66 envisioned by the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau of Southwest Illinois. The Tourism Bureau applied for a grant under the Route 66 Grant Program administered by DCEO and the Illinois Office of Tourism. The grant funds are available to certified Destination Marketing Organizations in Illinois that represent and promote the Mother Road. “We have to thank the Illinois Office of Tourism, DCEO, and our local state elected officials including State Senator Rachelle Crowe, State Senator Dori

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COLLINSVILLE – May means graduation season is upon us. As people gather for outdoor celebrations, Ameren Illinois is asking customers to properly dispose of Mylar balloons in an effort to reduce the potential for power outages. Mylar balloons are metallic and conduct electricity, resulting in surges and shorts that have the ability to knock out power, start fires, and cause significant damage to the electric grid. Each year, Ameren Illinois responds to numerous power outages caused by Mylar balloons contacting electrical equipment. The popular party accessories also pose an unnecessary safety hazard for linemen who must safely untangle and remove what’s left of the balloons from energized high voltage lines. “We realize this is the time of year when everyone is outside celebrating new graduates, newlyweds, birthdays, and spring holidays,” said George Justice, Vice President of Electric Operations for Ameren Illinois. “Keeping the balloons tethered and weighte

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ST. LOUIS - The Saint Louis Zoo announced today that effective Monday, May 23, it will no longer limit attendance and guests do not need reservations. Extended summer hours also currently are underway and we hope that you enjoy the next Zoo visit. Now through May 22, reservations can be made up until 15 minutes before the scheduled Zoo closure on the day of your visit, if the date is not sold out. Please note the Zoo's closing time on the day you wish to visit before making your reservation. If reservations are sold out, please check back periodically, as additional reservations may become available. The Zoo made a statement that said: "We don’t want to turn anyone away from enjoying the Zoo whenever they want to visit." Zoo officials also said visits to the legendary institution will remain free of charge. The Zoo will release a limited amount of reservations approximately one hour prior to posted opening time on sell-out days to best accommodate guests unable to secure

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WOOD RIVER - Wood River Police Department again paid tribute to officers who lost their lives or have been disabled in the line of duty on Friday, May 13, 2022. Wood River Police Chief Brad Wells said Peace Officers Memorial Day falls on May 15 each year to pay tribute to the brave local, state, and federal peace officers who have died or been disabled in the line of duty. "Falling in Police Week, the day is marked with a memorial event in Washington D.C., a candlelight vigil, and speeches commemorating officers past and present," Chief Wells said. "On Friday, May 13, 2022, members of Wood River PD and Mayor Tom Stalcup laid wreaths at the gravesite of Chief Samuel Thompson and Officer John Phipps who both died in the line of duty for the City of Wood River. "We also laid a wreath at the gravesite of Officer Tyler Timmins who lost his life in the line of duty in Pontoon Beach, Illinois, last year. Tyler was Police Cadet in the City of Wood River before becoming

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SPRINGFIELD - Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today announced $4 million in grant awards for various projects across the state designed to spur tourism, bolster educational opportunities, and support an increase of Electric Vehicle (EV) travel – which will create and modernize attractions along the Mother Road leading up to the 100th Anniversary of Route 66. This grant – which was open to Illinois' Certified Convention and Visitor Bureaus (CVBs) – was awarded to Great Rivers and Routes CVB, Heritage Corridor CVB, Visit Oak Park CVB, and Springfield CVB for innovative projects that span Route 66 throughout the state. “Route 66 in Illinois is a driver for both national and international travelers and these state grant funds will go a long way towards reinvigorating our Mother Road tourism products in southwest Illinois. We applaud the forward-thinking of Governor Pritzker and state legislators who

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SPRINGFIELD - Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today announced $4 million in grant awards for various projects across the state designed to spur tourism, bolster educational opportunities, and support an increase of Electric Vehicle (EV) travel – which will create and modernize attractions along the Mother Road leading up to the 100th Anniversary of Route 66. This grant – which was open to Illinois' Certified Convention and Visitor Bureaus (CVBs) – was awarded to Great Rivers and Routes CVB, Heritage Corridor CVB, Visit Oak Park CVB, and Springfield CVB for innovative projects that span Route 66 throughout the state. “Route 66 in Illinois is a driver for both national and international travelers and these state grant funds will go a long way towards reinvigorating our Mother Road tourism products in southwest Illinois. We applaud the forward-thinking of Governor Pritzker and state legislators who recognize

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ALTON - The Marquette Catholic High School girls soccer team won their 12th Regional Championship in school history on Friday (May 13) when they defeated the Greenville Comets 7-1. Helping out and scoring two goals in that game was junior midfielder, Caroline Stephan. She scored in the 15 th minute to make it a 2-0 game after she tapped the ball in off a cross sent in by her teammate freshman forward Ella Anselm. Her other goal came in the 39 th minute. She crossed half field and ran onto a through ball. She only had to beat one defender which she did before she buried the ball in the back of the net. She’s now scored eight goals this season. Stephan is a Tucker's Automotive Repair & Tire Inc. Female Athlete of the Month for the Explorers. Stephan mentioned that in the preseason, winning a regional title wasn’t exactly an expectation, but once her team saw the schedule, they kind of knew they could. “Once we saw the schedule, I think we did expect to get this

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GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College will celebrate its Godfrey Campus’s long history of providing high quality educational experiences by welcoming Monticello alumnae Linda Nevlin and L&C alumnus MiKeith Teague to speak at the 51 st Annual Commencement, Wednesday, May 18. The two will address more than 150 graduates planning to participate in this year’s ceremony, to take place at 6 p.m. at Alton’s Public School Stadium. More than 800 students earning associate degrees, certificates, or both make up the Class of 2022. “This year, we’re reflecting on the rich history of our campus, while at the same time, looking down the road to how we can build on that foundation and make the next 50 years at Lewis and Clark the best that they can be,” said President Ken Trzaska. “We are honored to welcome these two speakers representing that foundation, and celebrate with the Class of 2022, who represent our future.” Nevlin grew up

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HARDIN - Jerry Sievers and Calhoun Entertainment Company have provided a great touch of culture and exposed theater for many in the county over the years. Ellie Nolte played the part of Ariel in the spring “Little Mermaid” production, which was a rousing success. Scotty Browning played Sebastian and Craig Johnson was King Triton. Nora Delaney and Sophie Cotner were Flotsam and Jetsam and Emma Godar was Ursula. Anna Eberlin played Flounder and Teresa Goetten was Scuttle. the lead male, Jackson Cotner was the lead male and played Prince Eric. Sievers started his quest with the entertainment company in 1989. “Little Mermaid sold out every night except the first night,” he said. “We had a great cast and the show was amazing. We started this group as an outlet for adults and then kids to perform." “Musicals are once a year at the Center for Archaeology, the old Kampsville Grade School, a Christmas concert at the Hardin Presbyterian Church Hall on th

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LITCHFIELD – Illinois State Police (ISP) District 18 Commander, Captain Mark Gillock, announces the results of a Roadside Safety Check (RSC) held in Greene County from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on April 24. The RSC was conducted at IL-267 @ IL-108, by District 18 officers. Violations Enforcement Activity Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Citations 0 Other Alcohol/Drug Citations 3 Occupant Restraint Offenses 2 Registration Offenses 8 Driver’s License Offenses 1 Insurance Violations 0 Total Citations/Arrests 8 Total Written Warnings 23 Alcohol and drug impairment are factors in more than 30% of all fatal motor vehicle crashes in Illinois, and throughout the U.S., nearly 10,000 people die each year due to alcohol-impaired driving. RSCs are designed to keep our roads safe by taking dangerous DUI offenders off the road. This project was funded through the Illinois Department of Transportation.

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WEST FRANKFORT – Centerstone, a not-for-profit health system specializing in mental health and substance use disorder treatments, will host a free, virtual Road to Resiliency training on May 25 from 10-11:30 a.m. While learning the definition of resilience and how trauma impacts our ability to be resilient, participants of this webinar will take a dive into assessing their resilience traits and the five strategies for building their inner strengths. Objectives of the training include: Define the concept of resilience and assess our own resilience traits Look at how trauma exposure impacts our ability to be resilient Gain a deeper understanding of resilience characteristics and traits Learn five key strategies for building on your own inner The presenter of the training will be Amber Anderson, the prevention specialist with Prevent Child Abuse Illinois. This training has 1.5 hours of continuing education approved for IL LCPC / LPC, IL LCSW / LSW, and IL Nursing (LPN,

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URBANA – Every spring, magnolia trees across the Midwestern landscape offer some of the most spectacular flowering displays of any woody plant. These beautiful ornamental trees, native to Asia, are some of the first landscape plants in our area to deliver such a showy display; truly one of the most endorsing signs that spring is finally here. Most of Illinois’ native, deciduous trees are primarily wind-pollinated and many bloom even earlier than magnolias, although often unnoticed by many of us says University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Ryan Pankau . Their strategy is to produce a lot of pollen in the hopes that wind dispersion will spread their genes far and wide. Wind pollinated species do not need a showy display to attract pollinating animals or human attention. They typically lack aroma and nectar which, along with color, are the primary means plants use to attract pollinators to their flowers. “Since most of our native trees, like oak, ash,

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