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EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced Tuesday afternoon Jerrica Christine Rudebeck, age 31, now residing in Belleville, was sentenced in the Circuit Court of Madison County to a term of four years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for her role in stealing over a half a million dollars from a small family business in Granite City. Rudebeck pleaded guilty to the offenses on December 6, 2021. The victims of this crime were Jeff and Todd Overby, owners of Overby InkJet Solutions. Over a period of six years, after earning the trust and respect of the Overbys with whom the defendant worked in very close proximity, she started stealing from their business, eventually stealing over $500,000. This created a deep financial hole for the Overbys by plunging them, unknowingly, into crippling debt. Through hard work and incredible resilience by the entire family, their business has thankfully survived. “Small businesses are the bedrock of our community,”

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JERSEYVILLE - A Maker’s Faire will be held tonight from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. in the parking lot under the water tower at the corner of Arch and Washington streets in Jerseyville. Local businesses and vendors will sell items like clothing, jewelry, plants, books, and more. The Maker’s Faire will be a recurring event every fourth Tuesday of the month from tonight until October 25 from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m., in coordination with the Jersey County Business Association’s “Open Late” promotional campaign. Businesses/vendors participating in the Maker’s Faire include Ajk Designs, Allen Greenhouse, A.Toppy Designs, Epoxy Farms, Fox & Thistle, the Jerseyville Public Library, Scentsy, and Triple H Frangrances. Outgoing JCBA Director Beth Bear said the purpose of the Faire is to promote local small businesses both new and old. “One of the reasons for the chamber of commerce is not only to promote our existing businesses, but to support new and start-up

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JERSEYVILLE - Tonight is the first night of the Jersey County Business Association’s “Open Late” promotion. Outgoing JCBA Director Beth Bear said participating businesses are encouraged to stay open later than 5 p.m. to give everyone - especially commuters - more time to visit downtown businesses. “Statistically speaking, nearly half of our working-age population commutes to Madison County, St. Louis County, or the City of St. Louis,” Bear said. “We are aware that for a lot of our 9-to-5 businesses, our residents just don’t get to experience what our retail establishments have to offer here in Jerseyville, so we wanted to make sure they had a chance outside of just a Saturday morning to come and enjoy our downtown, which is thriving at this stage.” “Open Late” nights will be held on the fourth Tuesday of every month from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. starting tonight until October 25. In addition to staying open later, businesses ar

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ALTON - This is the 47 th move of my lifetime. I have lived in four different states and the Philippines. My work has taken me all over the world including Canada, China, South Korea, Great Britain, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Sweden. I purchased a home here in September of 2021 and have announced to everyone that I have found my FOREVER HOME in Alton, Illinois. I am now officially an Alton Ambassador. I like the more formal term “doyen” meaning dean or elder member of a community. I also find it funny that the local pot shop uses the term when hiring new employers to become doyens of dope. Ah, language is another great joy of my life along with music and reading. People ask me repeatedly “why did you move to Alton?” I have whittled my response to six simple words: People, potential, and the Mighty Mississippi. In that order. I find the people of Alton to be extremely friendly. The potential of Alton, Illinois, is like electricity flowing from a cut

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JERSEYVILLE - The National Day of Prayer event in Jersey County will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 5, 2022, at LifeChurchX at 300 Bluebird Lane in Jerseyville and should once again be a "powerful one," one of the coordinators Linda Minor said. Minor said she has been affiliated with the Day of Prayer in Jersey County now for several years and she says it is a calling for her. “When God gives you something to do, you follow it," she said. "I feel this is what I am supposed to do. It means a lot to a lot of people and there are many awesome people who work on it and come together and pray. When people gather together and pray, God listens. It is so much different to be here in person for the event. I think people feel the ambiance and it really touches people's hearts." A bagpiper and drummer will open the event and perform "Amazing Grace" and Minor said that will set the stage for what is ahead. "God is not surprised by anything that each of us is going through," she said

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EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is partnering with U.S. Bank to bring convenient banking services to the campus community via an on-campus branch located in the Morris University Center. The U.S. Bank digital first advisory center is slated to open around July 1, 2022. It will include a customer engagement zone where bankers will provide one-on-one consultative services, financial education, financial guidance and recommendations. U.S. Bank will provide its entire suite of products and services, including new account opening, affinity debit card ordering and mobile app assistance. U.S. Bank will offer student checking accounts, as well as perks for faculty and staff. Additionally, there will be an ATM providing multiple denominations, which will serve the deposit, withdrawal and check cashing needs of students, faculty and staff. “The University looks forward to making available convenient and critical banking services via our partnership with U.S. Bank,”

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ALTON - East Elementary School in Alton celebrated its most recent addition - an outdoor classroom - with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that was well-attended and included a special visit from National Educational Association President Becky Pringle. East Elementary Cuts Ribbon on Outdoor Classroom: The East Elementary School outdoor classroom project has been a seven-year undertaking. Jen Herron, a fifth-grade teacher, was recognized at the ribbon cut, for her diligence and hard work. Herron wrote for several grants and also there was strong community support for the project. Her work has been done with complete love and sincerity and now thanks to her and the others, East Elementary has a beautiful outdoor classroom. Pringle, the highest-ranking official in the nation’s largest union, is a middle school science teacher with 31 years of classroom experience and has distinguished herself as a social justice warrior and education rights defender. East Elementary Principal

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - The St. Louis County Police Crimes Against Persons detectives are currently investigating a homicide in the 15800 block of New Halls Ferry Road which resulted in the death of an adult male. On Monday, April 25, 2022, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued warrants on suspects Jeremiah Allen, 18 years of age, of the 1600 block of Langholm in Florissant, Missouri 63033, and Tywon Harris, 18 years of age, of the 3200 block of Brookshire in Florissant, Missouri 63033, each for one count of Murder Second Degree and one count of Armed Criminal Action. Both Allen and Harris are being held without bond. On April 24, 2022, at approximately 6:38 AM, St. Louis County police officers from the North County Precinct responded to a call for service for a shooting at the Hazelwood Central High School in the 15800 block of New Halls Ferry Road. Officers located an adult male in the parking lot suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. The victim was

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GRANITE CITY - Seniors Sierra Cooper and Lilly Relleke of Granite City High School were selected as Granite City Elks Lodge 1063 Students of the Month for April. The Elks Student of the Month Program is designed to recognize outstanding young men and women for achievements in school and community life-fine arts, hobbies, athletics, church, school, club and community service, industry, and farming. Nominees are judged on multiple achievements including leadership skills, good moral character, community involvement, extracurricular activities, honors and award, and scholastic ability. Each student receives a $100 U.S. savings bond and an Elks certificate of achievement. SIERRA COOPER Four-year member of Marching Warriors, including two-year Section Leader ... 2021 Homecoming Court ... Member of Book Club, Creative Writing Club, National Honor Society, Science Club, Varsity Club and Writing Club ... Pride Club Historian ... Rotary Student of the Month ... Daughter of Don and

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is partnering with regional business leaders to host the 1 st Annual Entrepreneurship Academy in a Day. The program brings together the greatest minds in business to instruct, motivate and empower winning entrepreneurial endeavors. It will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 7 in the Morris University Center second floor Conference Center on the Edwardsville campus at 1 Hairpin Drive, Edwardsville. Parking is available in Lot B. Registration is available at ilsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/36407 . Use code EASIUE052022 for a discounted price of $199. “The Academy gives business owners around the region the opportunity to spend the day learning and interacting with business leaders who have positioned themselves in the marketplace as experts in their respective fields,” said G.W. Slaughter, founder of the Entrepreneurial Academy. “This one-day,

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EDWARDSVILLE - Source Juicery, a locally owned business dedicated to offering convenient, healthy eating options, is encouraging people interested in getting their body on track before summer, to try a 3-day cold-pressed juice cleanse. Juice cleanses are a simple way to detoxify and heal your body while providing your immune system with nutrients, antioxidants, and active enzymes. Source Juicery Co-Owner Chrissy Stevens said a juice cleanse can also give your digestive system a much-needed rest. Stevens said a juice cleanse can help restore your gut, assist in weight loss and help minimize your cravings for processed food. Each of their juices has around a pound and a half of fresh produce in them. “Spring is a great time of year to try a juice cleanse because people typically are a little less active in the winter months and don’t eat as many healthy foods, so this helps reset your system,” said Stevens. “Our juices are unique because they are made in our

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AURORA – The Irvin for Illinois campaign today is proud to announce Illinois Troopers Lodge #41’s endorsement of Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin and State Representative Avery Bourne in the Republican primary for Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Illinois. “Bad decisions from Springfield coupled with dangerous policies are alienating law enforcement and empowering criminals at a time when we need support from our elected officials,” said Troopers Lodge #41 President Joe Moon. “The men and women of Troopers Lodge 41 support individuals for office who support and understand the challenges facing state police and without question Richard Irvin is the Republican Gubernatorial candidate who has proven time and again he has the back of law enforcement.” Troopers Lodge 41 is the largest statewide police union in Illinois that includes approximately 3,200 sworn and retired Illinois state troopers. Irvin’s strong record in supporting law enforcement

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced today that it has learned of three suspected cases of severe hepatitis in children under ten years of age, potentially linked to a strain of adenovirus. Two of the cases are in suburban Chicago and one is in Western Illinois. One case resulted in a liver transplant. IDPH is working to learn of other suspected cases in Illinois and is asking healthcare providers in the state to be on the lookout for symptoms and to report any suspected cases of hepatitis in children of unknown origin to local public health authorities. The IDPH announcement follows a nationwide alert issued by the CDC in response to a cluster of nine cases of hepatitis of unknown origin in children in Alabama ranging in age from 1 to 6 years old, all of whom were previously healthy. The CDC said that symptoms of hepatitis, or inflammation of the liver, include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark

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GREENE COUNTY - Saturday, April 30, 2022, will be the 22nd National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. Greene County residents are urged to use this as an opportunity to clean out those medicine cabinets and properly dispose of those unused medications. “Disposing of unneeded medications can help prevent drugs from being misused,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. “Overdose deaths continue to hit tragic record highs. I encourage everyone to dispose of unneeded prescription medications now.” Overdose became the leading cause of death in the United States as of March 2022. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration says that in a recent study they found that a majority of people obtain medications from family members or friends. Unfortunately, Greene County is not immune from the effects of this crisis. Syndromic surveillance efforts by the department confirm that overdose incidents are on the rise, right here at home, a trend we can work togethe

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Robert (Bob) and Beverly (McNear) Moore of Godfrey will be celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary on May 11, 2022. Wedding vows were exchanged on May 11, 1957, at St. Matthew's Catholic Church in Alton with Father Croake performing the ceremony. Bob retired from Canteen Vending Company after 40 years and Rolling Hills Golf Course after 20 years. Beverly retired from the Bank of Edwardsville with over 20 years and Rolling Hills Golf Course after 15 years. Their children are Dana and Tony Armenta of California, Brian and Karen Moore of Godfrey, Kimberly and Frank Rothe of Brighton, Robert Moore of Godfrey, and Chris and Marilyn Moore of Wood River. Bob and Bev are proud grandparents to nine grandchildren: Kristy (Mike) Pulley, Adam (Heather) Rothe, Hannah (Drew) Joehl, Jessica (Erik Jaffry, Patrick (Marisa) Moore, Laura Moore, Brittney (Kolby) Bissell, Kendall and Kelsey Moore. They are also proud great grandparents to seventeen grandchildren: Koller, Kaden, and Merritt Moore;

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing (SON) has doubled the number of awards and associated monetary total aimed at supporting student success through generous annual and endowed scholarships. During its Scholarship and Awards Ceremony held Monday, April 11, SON administrators, faculty, staff, students and donors gathered to celebrate the distribution of 60 awards valued at more than $60,000. “It is my absolute delight to welcome everyone to this in-person gathering,” shared Senior Director of Development Patti McDonald. “This has been an extremely challenging last couple of years for us all, personally and professionally. But, the response of nurses, nurse educators and our students to these difficult and ever-changing circumstances has been nothing short of heroic. The world has truly discovered the value of nurses and their significant impact on quality of life and well-being.” “On behalf of the School of Nursing,

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ALTON - After learning by doing, and accumulating 20 years of first-hand experience in the scrap industry, Douglas Francis launched his entrepreneurial journey with his company Alton Dock Works, LLC. Since?June 2021, he has?been a?client of the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville?and Director Jo Ann Di Maggio May, after first contacting the SBDC for help with his SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). In high school, Douglas was introduced to the scrap industry. He attended Greenville College and continued his career in not just scrapping but specifically ferrous and non-ferrous metals. He worked at Azcon Corporation, PSC Metals, and then Azcon Corporation again trading scrap metal and shipping all around the world. Francis then decided to use his contacts in the metal industry to venture out on his own. He began his journey full force. Finding a location in Alton, building a clientele, networking, and

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EDWARDSVILLE – The City of Edwardsville Parks and Recreation Department will be hosting the 24th Annual Route 66 Festival on Saturday, June 11 at City Park, 101 S. Buchanan Street in downtown Edwardsville. This year's festival will feature live music, the classic car cruise, food vendors and an artisan market, inflatables, a petting zoo, and the Route 66 10K Run will also be coming back – sponsored by Metro Milers. “We are so excited to announce the return of the Route 66 Festival this year with many new offerings; there really is something for everyone!” said Edwardsville Mayor Art Risavy “This family-friendly event will include games and prizes, a variety of food options, shopping, and entertainment, and it could not happen without the generous support of our business community.” Sponsorship opportunities are listed below and additional details can be found in the sponsorship breakdown . The deadline to participate is Friday, May 13: The Mother

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ST. LOUIS - Disney Concerts and Live Nation have announced the Encanto: The SingAlong Film Concert Tour, where Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Academy Award®-winning film comes to life in a one-of-a-kind concert event, featuring the entire feature-length film and an on-stage band celebrating all the record-breaking hit songs from the beloved soundtrack. The 32-city tour kicks off on Monday, July 18th in Ridgefield, WA, making stops across the U.S., including the Stifel Theatre in St. Louis on July 31, and more before wrapping up in Chicago, IL on Saturday, August 28th. The Encanto Original Motion Picture Soundtrack features eight original songs by Academy Award-nominated, Tony® and Grammy®-winning songwriter/composer LinManuel Miranda (“Hamilton,” “Moana”) with an original score by Academy Award-nominated composer Germaine Franco. The R.I.A.A. Platinum-certified soundtrack held the No. 1 position on the Billboard 200 album chart for 9 non-consecutive

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EAST ALTON – The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC sm ) team is launching a multi-year microplastics initiative to understand how plastics are affecting our freshwater ecosystems. “Scientists have only recently discovered that microplastics are found in almost all areas of the environment and are being ingested by most organisms, including humans” Large River Ecologist Jason Knouft said. “Unfortunately, we don't really know if and how these particles are affecting our health. This is likely an issue that impacts us all and requires significant attention.” Microplastics are defined as plastic pieces less than five millimeters or 0.2 inches in diameter. They have been detected in marine organisms as small as plankton, commercial seafood, and our drinking water. As of March 2022, leading health researchers have also detected microplastics in human blood. Microplastics are becoming increasingly prevalent in the environment and

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