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EAST ST. LOUIS – Over 30 businesses in Madison and St. Clair Counties were awarded more than $1.4 million in funding from the Back to Business program thanks to advocacy and support from State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea). “Metro East businesses have fought to keep their doors open,” Belt said. “Local businesses are deserving of this funding to continue getting back on their feet after the unprecedented times we have had.” A total of $1.415 million was awarded to 34 businesses in the 57 th District. The B2B grants are awarded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity using funds allocated to them by the American Rescue Plan through last year’s state budget. DCEO has provided $250 million in B2B grants – thanks to strong support from Senator Belt – to small businesses throughout the state, with an emphasis on hard-hit sectors, such as hotels, restaurants, bars, barbershops, and salons, and disproportionately

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STAUNTON - For the first time, The Macoupin Art Collective has combined their annual Spring Art Bazaar and Spring Plant Sale/Swap into one large event. Both events are now being held for one day, Saturday, May 14, 2022; however, the times will be slightly staggered: Art Maker’s Mart 10 am-5 pm and Plant Sale 9 am-2 pm. The Maker’s Mart will feature 15 different artists set up in outside tents and in their gallery space indoors from 10 am to 5 pm. You will find a variety of items for sale from jewelry to ceramics, paintings and other wall art, stained glass and fused glass, wreaths, epoxy resin, and much more. The Plant Sale/Swap will be located outside beginning at 9 am and running until 2 pm. Jared and Lisa Wirth will be bringing a large selection of vegetable seedlings and some house plants, too. This event is special in that they are open to trades. If you have extras of one plant and would like to share, bring them with you. If you have nothing to share then

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ALTON - Mac's Kentucky Derby Party is planned to be bigger and better than ever, Rob Lenhardt of Mac's, said Friday. The massive Mac's Derby event is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at Mac's at 315 Belle St. in Alton. The Kentucky Derby race is called "the most exciting two minutes in sports." The Block Party Concert will feature The Fabulous Thunderbirds at 7 p.m. The band's most famous hit is "Tuff Enuff," which was a Top 40 hit and peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Tuff Enuff," was featured in the 1986 film "Gung Ho," and also featured in the movie "Tough Guys." The band also had music featured in the 1987 movie "Hot Pursuit." Lenhardt said, "The Fabulous Thunderbirds" will put on quite a high-energy, captivating show and is a great way to kick off the summer in Alton. "This is the biggest party every year and it is good to have a national act like 'The Fabulous Thunderbirds.'" Rob Lenhardt said about noon things are rocking on Belle Street for the Derby Party

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ALTON - Alton Little Theater is hosting a Volunteer Invite & Appreciation Party on May 22nd at 2 pm. All those who would like to get more involved in community theater are invited to attend. There is no charge for this event. The Theater group is launching its 89th season and is seeking over 400 Volunteers who earn FREE Tickets while serving as ushers, set workers, backstage crews, costume help, and more. Comedian Michael Arthur will appear at the showplace on May 22nd and remind us of the joys of volunteering for a great organization. Light refreshments will be served and attendees will have the first chance to get the inside scoop on new shows and speak with directors and actors who will announce audition dates, explore all the volunteer functions available, and learn how easy it is to earn free tickets for mainstage shows! The event is free, but please call 618-462-3205 to make a reservation to attend. The staff at Alton Little Theater would love to meet you!

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SPRINGFIELD - Today, the Democratic Party of Illinois formally indicated it intends to submit an application to the Democratic National Committee for Illinois to be selected as a “pre-window” state for the 2024 presidential nominating process, meaning it would be one of the first five states to hold its primary election. Click HERE to see the letter of intent sent to the DNC by the Democratic Party of Illinois today. “There is no better state in the country for Democratic presidential candidates to make the case to voters than Illinois,” said Democratic Party of Illinois Chair Rep. Robin Kelly. “Illinois looks like America, with ethnic, geographic, racial, economic and ideological diversity that is core to our party’s success. Illinois has also led the way for Democrats in passing progressive policies, including promoting green energy, supporting workers’ rights, raising the minimum wage, protecting reproductive health, expanding access

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BETHALTO — 1st MidAmerica Credit Union is joining the Selfreliance Foundation and the Illinois Credit Union Foundation in supporting the people of Ukraine. 100% of donations collected in support of Selfreliance Foundation’s Ukraine Humanitarian Relief Fund will be going to US-based non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working with Ukraine. Selfreliance Federal Credit Union is one of 12 Ukrainian credit unions founded in the U.S. and is based in Chicago, Illinois. Donations can be made in person at any 1st MidAmerica Credit Union branch, by phone through the Member Support Center at 618-258-3168, or by mail. For check donations, please make payable to “Illinois Credit Union Foundation” with “1st Mid CU Ukrainian Fund” in the memo line. Donations made via check will receive a donor receipt from the Illinois Credit Union Foundation, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable organization. Checks can be dropped off at any branch or mailed to: Illinois Credit

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NASHVILLE — Centerstone, a national leader in behavioral health and addiction services, announces the release of its seventh topical comic book. Spark Unmasked addresses matters of identity among LGBTQ+ youth and is available now to read for free at centerstone.org/comics . Centerstone Comics are part of the organization’s Prevention Services that educate and empower youth to make positive decisions when faced with common real-life issues. In an approachable way, each new story explores a complex topic with help from superhero Spark (actually a teenager named Amber Hernandez). The series has also tackled bullying, depression and suicide, online safety, sexting, drugs, and underage drinking. Spark Unmasked introduces Aspen, a student whose pronouns are they/them. Having trouble fitting in at school, Aspen is befriended by Amber (Spark) who helps them connect with a school teacher, Ms. Aliada. “I’ve worked with many LGBTQ+ youth on campus and with several outreach

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JERSEYVILLE - The drive-thru construction at Germania Brew Haus’s Jerseyville location has been slightly delayed, but owner Jared Brynildsen said that “it is being load-tested currently and should be open on Monday, May 9, should all go well.” Once the drive-thru construction is complete, Brynildsen said this location will open for its full business hours, which will start earlier than other Germania locations. “This location will open earlier than our other locations due to the earlier departures for most of the residents,” Brynildsen said. “We want to serve the community and to do that, we must be open when they need it. We are shooting to be open no later than 5:30 a.m. once we go to full hours.” Progress is still being made on the exterior, but Brynildsen said it’s been slowed down by factors like rain and pandemic-related manufacturing delays. He said the location’s “signage and awnings should be up very soon,”

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TROY/MARYVILLE - Employers need employees. High school students need jobs. The Troy/Maryville/St. Jacob/Marine Chamber of Commerce knows employers. Triad High School knows students. So, the first High School Student Job Fair was born. “This event concept came together in about 30 minutes,” said Dawn Mushill, Executive Director, Troy/Maryville/St. Jacob/Marine Chamber of Commerce. “I think we all knew there was a need and it was just a matter of figuring out the logistics”. Figuring out the logistics meant bringing together Triad teachers Todd Grigg and Stephanie Potthast, and Mushill. The Chamber knew they had the member businesses and the Triad staff knew they had the venue and the students. Putting it on paper and orchestrating the details were next. First, the students. They were asked to preregister online for the event and submit their general information into the portal provided. Mr. Grigg and his staff worked with the students to put together

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BELLEVILLE – For the third year in a row, Illinois American Water, a subsidiary of American Water Company (NYSE: AWK), has received the J.D. Power award for ranking highest in customer satisfaction among large water utilities in the Midwest according to the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Water Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction StudySM. Illinois American Water also ranked #1 in 2021, 2020 and in the first year of the J.D. Power Water Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Study in 2016. Illinois American Water President Justin Ladner commended employees for their commitment to customers. He said, “Our employees have a service-focused mindset and place our customers at the center of everything they do. Every day, our team strives to deliver excellent service at a good value, not for recognition, but because it is the right thing to do. To be recognized three years in a row is an incredible feeling for all of us. I am very proud of our team.” The J.D. Power 2022 U.S.

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WOOD RIVER - Kaidence Reef is a rising three-sport athlete for East Alton-Wood River High School. At this time, Kaidence is a freshman star of the East Alton-Wood River High School girls soccer team. She is the Midwest Members Credit Union East Alton-Wood River Female Athlete of the Month. Kaidence's highlights for this girls' soccer season: 3/14/22 - Max Preps Player of the Game vs Metro East Lutheran, scored the first goal of the season. 3/17/22 - Max Preps Player of the Game against Greenville, scored a goal. 3/28/22 - Scored a goal against Southwestern. 4/8/22 - Max Preps Player of the Game against Salem, two goals playing center mid and forward. 5/3/22 Max Prep's Player of the Game against Litchfield had one goal and one assist. Played center mid, forward, and sweeper. Kaidence said she would like to thank her parents Doug and Kara Reef for believing me and encouraging me to keep playing and moving up to the club level. "I look up to my brother Carson Reef and strive to

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ST. LOUIS - Four Edwardsville students were recently named to the dean's list at Washington University in St. Louis. College of Arts & Sciences: To qualify for the Dean's List in the College of Arts & Sciences, students must earn a semester grade point average of 3.6 or above and be enrolled in at least 14 graded units. Chris Byron Jr. Usma Rizvi McKelvey School of Engineering: To qualify for the Dean's List in the McKelvey School of Engineering, students must earn a semester grade point average of 3.6 or above and be enrolled in at least 12 graded units. Dev Mathur Dhruv Mathur About Washington University in St. Louis Washington University in St. Louis is counted among the world's leaders in teaching, research, patient care, and service to society. The university draws students to St. Louis from more than 100 countries and all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The total student body is more than 15,000 undergraduate, graduate,

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ALTON - The Alton Police Department is investigating a shooting incident, which occurred in the 2000 block of Salu Street, at approximately 4:17 p.m. on Sunday, May 1, 2022. Alton Deputy Police Chief Jarrett M. Ford said the investigation revealed that a suspect discharged a firearm from a vehicle while yelling at patrons on the golf course. He also said no one was injured during this incident. The suspect vehicle is described as a brown in color “cube” style vehicle. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Criminal Investigation Division at 618 -463-3505 Ext 634.

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ALTON - While COVID-19 was the disease that made all the news in 2020, for Matt Contarino it was something that unfortunately is much more familiar – diabetes. The 60-year-old Alton resident was diagnosed after a routine exam that year at Family Physicians of Bethalto with Denise Schleeper, FNP. From there, however, Matt has things under control – and he owes a huge debt of gratitude to the diabetes educators at Alton Memorial Hospital. “I felt fortunate in the fact that I was the only one in my immediate family who did not have diabetes,” Contarino said. “Denise confirmed through my labs that I did, and she was very proactive with me, as I had thousands of questions in my head. She suggested that I contact the AMH Diabetes Management Center. I called immediately. The timing was perfect. I was signed up to start the very next month.” Naomi Ward, registered dietitian at AMH, contacted Matt prior to classes starting to discuss his eating habits and

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BETHALTO - Germania Brew Haus Owner Jared Brynildsen said Bethalto is the coffee house’s next target location - while specific details are still under wraps for now, he said they’re looking at beginning the renovation and construction process this fall, with plans to open next spring. Brynildsen said a few things make Bethalto the ideal home for the next Germania location, including the level of interest from fans and his own family connections to the area. “The demand from Bethalto has been great. Every social media post receives multiple comments from people asking for Bethalto to be next,” he said. “It was also on the radar previously due to its location in relation to our other stores - but also because of the time me and my family spent there growing up, which has continued through today.” He also said he appreciates the cooperation and collaboration from community members. “What we love about these small towns like Bethalto an

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SPRINGFIELD — Governor JB Pritzker today signed House Bill 4292 into law, extending the pension buyout option for state employees to 2026. The bill authorizes $1 billion in additional general obligation bond funding to extend the buyout program. This action was another important step in the Governor’s mission to ensure fiscal responsibility and reduce overall liability costs placed on taxpayers and follows the inclusion of an additional $500 million contribution to the retirement systems above certified amounts across FY2022 and FY2023. “Responsible fiscal management means taking every action possible to address our pension obligations while honoring promises made to current and retired workers – promises made by governors and legislators on both sides of the aisle,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “The expansion of this bipartisan pension buyout program builds on Democrats’ work this session to save taxpayers nearly $2 billion in pension liabilities

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02), Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust, released the following statement underscoring the importance of mental health care access, especially among Black Americans: “Data shows that both new instances of mental health issues and exacerbation of existing mental health issues are on the rise across the country. According to the Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, Black adults in the U.S. are more likely than white adults to report persistent symptoms of emotional distress. “However only one in three Black Adults who need mental health care receive it. Additionally, there is a growing mental health crisis among our youth. According to the CDC, only 20 percent of children with mental health issues receive care from a specialized mental health provider. “We must continue working to expand availability of care, increase the diversity of our mental healthcare workforce,

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SOUTH ROXANA - On May 4, 2022, Madison County Chief of Police meeting, hosted by Chief Brad Wells of the Wood River Police Department a presentation made by Crime Stoppers State Director Kathy Norris took place about adopting a Crime Stoppers program in Madison County. "Crime Stoppers has been around since 1976 and with Madison County being the eighth-largest county in the state, I think it is imperative we catch up with technology to better assist our citizens," South Roxana Police Chief Bob Coles said. "Crime Stoppers would allow the police to partner with our communities, where a non-law enforcement citizen board would be put in place to assist in running a Crime Stoppers program. "One of the amazing things about this program is it gives power back to the citizens, which is essential in bridging the relationship between police officers and the community. "I believe law enforcement has a lot of support in our county and a tool like crime stoppers could benefit everyone. A discussion

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WOOD RIVER - Carson Reef, a senior varsity athlete at East Alton-Wood River High School, recently signed on to the Lewis and Clark Community College’s golf team during a school assembly. Reef has been a varsity athlete all four years of his high school experience, and it’s starting to pay off. While Carson also excelled at soccer and played “more sports than anyone in recent memory,” according to his athletic director, Mark Beatty, he was awarded two years of free college for his exceptional golfing performance. Reef is being recognized as the Midwest Members Credit Union Male Athlete of the Month for East Alton-Wood River High School. In an interview with Riverbender.com, Reef recounted his progression in the sport, “I started playing when I was little but I didn't start taking it seriously until my freshman year and then I probably noticed my most improvement from sophomore year to junior year, that’s where I kind of shot up the numbers.”

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SPRINGFIELD –The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced the release of the new Illinois Official Highway Map. The map includes route updates as well as a new feature that shows mileage between towns and marked route junctions to help residents and visitors alike plan their travels throughout Illinois. “While many of us now use smartphones for directions, paper maps remain an important resource,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “When your phone dies or you drive out of range, paper maps will show you the way. What’s more, they provide valuable information about our great state to help you make the most of your travels.” The new map’s cover features a beautiful shot of the capitol building in autumn. The photograph was the winner of IDOT’s employee map cover contest, submitted by Andrew Bolinger, an office assistant. For those with a smartphone, QR codes printed on the maps provide easy access to information

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