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SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director John J. Kim is encouraging Illinois residents to use caution when outdoors as air quality conditions are expected to be in the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” category for Friday, June 2, according to the national Air Quality Index. The Illinois EPA has issued an air quality forecast of “Orange” or “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” for all of Illinois for June 2nd. Ground-level ozone is formed when emissions of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds from vehicles, power plants, and other industrial sources, react in the presence of sunlight. As a result of current ground-level ozone levels and anticipated weather conditions, the air quality is forecasted to be “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” in many regions today, and statewide tomorrow. These conditions pose a potential health hazard to sensitive populations, including individuals with respiratory or pulmonary

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CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has confirmed the first three batches of mosquitoes to test positive for West Nile virus in Illinois in 2023, both in Cook County. The North Shore Mosquito Abatement District collected a positive batch of mosquitoes in Evanston on May 30 and the Northwest Mosquito Abatement District collected two positive mosquito batches on May 31 in Park Ridge. The first positive mosquito pool in 2022 was reported on May 24th in Roselle in DuPage County. No human cases of West Nile virus have been reported so far this year. “The reports about the first batches of mosquitoes with West Nile virus is a good reminder that this is the time of year when Illinois residents should begin protecting themselves from vector-borne diseases,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “We urge everyone - and especially older people and those with weakened immune systems - to take precautions to protect themselves and their families from

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EDWARDSVILLE - A Madison County jury deliberated just 40 minutes Thursday before finding a man guilty of first-degree murder for intentionally striking a woman with his pickup along a highway in Pontoon Beach. The jury convicted Richard D. Mayor, 60, in connection with the death of Lisa M. Dunnavant-Polach, 46, on Feb. 21, 2023. The two had been in a relationship but became involved in a dispute. Mayor and Dunnavant-Polach were residents of East St. Louis. Evidence and testimony showed that Dunnavant-Polach was on foot along Illinois Route 111 and trying to evade Mayor, who was driving a pickup. The driver of a tractor-trailer, seeing that the victim was in distress, pulled over to help her. As Dunnavant-Polach tried to get into the semi, she was hit by Mayor’s pickup. The driver of the semi, a former Marine, testified that he pulled the microphone wire off his CB radio and used it to tie a tourniquet on the victim’s severed leg. Despite her injuries, Dunnavant-Polach wa

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JERSEYVILLE - The 2023 Jersey Community High School PAC scholarship recipients were recently announced. The winners are front row (l to r) - Don Snyders, Kendall Davis, Elaina Walsh, Anna Fink, and Cate Breden. Back row (l to r) Drake Goetten, Colton Gavaza, Logan Meisner, Tanner Brunaugh, Kari Krueger, Chloe Kallal.

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EDWARDSVILLE – Deb Wudtke, biology and life science teacher at Metro-East Lutheran High School, has been selected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for its Science Ambassador Fellowship. This fellowship is the only program of its kind offered by the CDC for STEM teachers interested in bringing public health sciences into their classrooms. The competitive program includes a 5-day summer course at the CDC’s headquarters in Atlanta and a 1-year distance-based professional development opportunity. Wudtke said she has long been interested in the topic of public health and its impact on day-to-day life, but especially now coming out of the pandemic. “Students need to have more of a basic understanding of what public health is all about now,” she said. “They are bombarded by the media with information about it. They are affected by it. They need to be educated about it.” Through the fellowship, Wudtke will collaborate with CDC experts

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GLEN CARBON - Father McGivney Catholic High School celebrated its 2023 graduating class recently at a Sunday ceremony. Below are major accomplishments for the school. Major Accomplishments by the Class of 2023: Top Students based on Academics – Alphabetical order – Daniel Gierer, Lauren Jones, Margaret Klusas, Evan Schrage, Sophia Tutt. 7,962 Service Hours completed over four years. Attended over 160 all-school Masses. Average ACT - 23. 16 Illinois State Scholars, placing them in the top 5% nationally. The average GPA is 3.99. Graduates were accepted by 161 colleges and universities. $18 million dollars in scholarship offers – an average of $260,000 per student.

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ST. LOUIS - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District held a groundbreaking ceremony recently for the design and construction of a new 1,200 ft. x 110 ft. lock chamber adjacent to the existing 600 ft. x 110 ft. lock chamber in Winfield, Mo. The original Lock 25 opened May 18, 1939, as the third to the last lock built in the Mississippi River system and passes approximately 23 million tons of commercial commodities through annually. Eighty-four years later, the St. Louis District along with several dignitaries held the official kick off to welcome the new construction of the additional lock chamber that will allow for two-way traffic and the construction of a fish passage structure at Lock 22 in Saverton, Mo. Located in Winfield, Mo. (45 miles north of St. Louis), Lock and Dam 25 was selected for upgrades due to its location through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed into law by President Joe Biden in November 2022. The $829 million funding for the Mississippi River

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EDWARDSVILLE — The Edwardsville Police Department today announced on Thursday it issued 142 citations during the recent Memorial Day “Click It or Ticket” enforcement period, including 10 DUI arrests. “Through the Memorial Day enforcement campaign, we helped make Illinois roads safer and spread the word that seat belts and child safety restraints save lives,” said Lt. Brandn Whittaker. While Illinois’ 2022 seat belt compliance rate was 93%, unbelted occupants still account for more than half of those killed in traffic crashes. The “Click It or Ticket” campaign aims to change the behavior of the millions of people who don’t buckle up. Thousands of lives could be saved each year if every vehicle occupant was properly restrained when traveling. Lt. Whittaker also shared these other stats during the May 19-30 enforcement period, the Edwardsville Police took the following actions: 1 child car seat citation 5 Seat belt violations

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ALTON - The City of Alton was recently notified by Good Energy, Alton’s consultant, that Ameren Illinois has established its new residential electric rate for city customers, which took effect June 1st. The new Ameren BGS1 Residential rate is $0.08162, compared to the City’s Program base rate of $0.1220. City residents should know that the newly filed rate can return to an upward swing anytime during that period. City officials said their goal was to give Alton residents an alternative to Ameren's utility rates. The previous program period, which ended in December 2022, secured fixed base rates of $0.0429 for nearly 8 months while Ameren's rates were peaking at well over $0.12 cents, saving the residents over $0.08 cents per kilowatt hour used. The average user was saving $65 per month during that time and many larger users were saving more. The new rates are lower than Alton’s current municipal electrical aggregation contract with Constellation New Energy which i

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MOUNT VERNON – Governor JB Pritzker, Manner Polymers, and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today joined local leaders and partners to announce Manner Polymers’ new manufacturing facility in Mount Vernon. Known as an industry manufacturing leader in polymer compounds, Manner Polymers’ new state-of-the-art Illinois facility will manufacture a wide array of PVC compounds, including automotive PVC compounds for use in electric vehicles (EVs) and components for solar panels. The facility will be powered by a 15-acre solar field located on site. Bolstered by a Reimagining Energy and Vehicles in Illinois (REV Illinois) incentive package, Manner Polymers plans to invest $54 million and create more than 60 jobs for the Southern Illinois region. “I couldn’t be prouder to announce that Manner Polymers has selected Illinois for their new 80,000 square foot, 100% solar-powered facility to manufacture electric vehicle PVC compounds,

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ALTON - In celebration of the Mississippi River Network’s Mississippi River Days of Action, the Three Rivers Project of Sierra Club Illinois is calling for volunteers to help stencil storm drains throughout Alton on June 17. Volunteers will receive storm drain stenciling kits provided by Sierra Club Illinois and stencil storm drains and apply plaques that say, “No Dumping, Drains to River!” to aid in the protection of the Mississippi River. To register to participate in the Storm Drain Stenciling Project, visit bit.ly/stormdrainstenciling23 . “Storm drain stenciling is a fun and interactive way to explore Alton and get involved in the local community while also protecting our important waterways,” says Christine Favilla, co-Coordinator of the Three Rivers Project of Sierra Club Illinois. “Downtown Alton’s storm drains flow directly into our local waters, depositing whatever they pick up along the way directly into the Mississippi River. We

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CHICAGO - Someone could jump-start June 2023 as a multi-millionaire. The Lotto jackpot for tonight’s drawing has swelled to a mouth-watering $16.55 million. If a player wins tonight’s jackpot, it will surpass the last record-making Lotto jackpot won in June 2020 of $16.5 million. While a couple of $1 million Lotto prizes were won by lucky winners in Romeoville and Oak Forest in April, the jackpot is still up for grabs. In total this year, nearly 3.5 million winning Lotto tickets have been sold, netting players over $14 million in prizes. Lotto is an Illinois-only game that is played three times a week on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday. About the Illinois Lottery Founded in 1974, the Illinois Lottery has contributed over $24 billion (since 1985) to the state’s Common School Fund to assist K-12 public schools, as well as hundreds of millions of dollars to the Capital Projects Fund and to special causes. For more information, visit IllinoisLottery.com .

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GRANITE CITY - GCS Credit Union recently announced their new name, Revity Credit Union, which will take effect on July 1, 2023. GCS noted this rebranding project has been a deliberate process and they deeply respect their roots, dating back to 1941. Honoring their history is important, and this revitalization will help bridge the past and future while connecting to GCS Credit Union’s entire 18- county field of membership. While members will see a new name and look, the Credit Union’s values and mission have not changed. The same great people will be there to serve membership just as they have always done. GCS is honored to be the neighborly credit union the community has come to know for over 80 years. “We are proud of our 82-year history and mission. We know change is constant, and we must adapt to our members’ needs. We will always stay true to our mission of serving our members, and are excited for this revitalization of the future,” said Keith Burton,

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ALTON - The Alton Municipal Band is excited to announce its 133rd season of Concerts in the Parks. Each summer, on Thursdays and Sundays, the band performs a variety of programs featuring singers, instrumentalists, and music for everyone in the family. This year, conductors Jennifer Shenberger and David Drillinger have planned an exciting concert series, with old favorites and new friends joining the band. The season will kick off at Riverview Park on Thursday, June 8th. This 7:30 p.m. concert will feature local favorite Susan Stanard, along with the members of the band. The Hayner Public Library District will be on hand with a card table for the kids, and the entire family can take in the breathtaking views from atop the bluffs. Then, on Sunday, June 11th, the concert will repeat at Haskell Park. The earlier start time at 7 p.m. makes this concert a perfect weekend event for the entire family. The Mobile Tropical Snow will be at Haskell Park providing tasty treats for purchase,

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WASHINGTON – Following Memorial Day, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, spoke on the Senate floor highlighting democratic nations’ commitment to defend peace and freedom as Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked war in Ukraine continues. Durbin said, “On Memorial Day, we remember those who gave their lives for this country. And on this Memorial Day, we were reminded, once again, that the struggle to defend freedom is never over. The peace and freedom for which more than one million American service members gave their lives in World War II is now threatened by a delusional despot, drunk on the fantasy of reclaiming a bygone Russian empire. And once again, the free nations of the world are united in our determination to defend peace and freedom.” During his speech, Durbin highlighted the stark contrast between Putin and Ukrainian President Zelensky, who spoke at the Arab League summit in Saudi Arabia, where he

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GLEN CARBON - When Girl Scout Cadettes focus on an issue they care about, learn the facts, and take action to make a difference, they gain the confidence and skills that will catapult them to lifelong success. It all adds up to the Girl Scout Silver Award – the highest honor a Cadette in grades 6-8 can achieve. Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois is pleased to announce this year’s class of Silver Award Girl Scouts who were honored at the annual Recognition of Excellence ceremony on Sunday, May 21. Congratulations to all our Silver Award Girl Scouts! Troop #130 from the Alton/Godfrey/Wood River/Roxana area Project: Shelter Helpers – A Project for Partners for Pets Somona Acheson, KayLynn Buttry, Hope Carter, and Melina Luebbert Troop #792 from the Alton/Godfrey/Wood River/Roxana area Project: Care for Critters Julia Heil and Elisabeth Preston Troop #819 from the Edwardsville/Glen Carbon area Project: Medical Equipment Help Hadasah Hunter, Doreen

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ST. LOUIS - Transit safety is a top regional priority, and leadership continues to take a very active role in addressing challenges, implementing changes and helping the community regain confidence in the system that serves the St. Louis region. Today, a virtual “Talking Transit” event was held by Citizens for Modern Transit to serve as a forum for transit security updates. Those in attendance received valuable insights and updates on the $52 million Secure Platform Plan, a metal detector pilot program, efforts to increase law enforcement presence on MetroLink and MetroBus and other means to address challenges and implement change. The discussion featured Taulby Roach, President and CEO of Bi-State Development; Kevin Scott, General Manager of Security for Bi-State Development; Catina Howard, Vice-President of the ATU Local 788 and Kathy Osborn, President & CEO of the Regional Business Council. The forum was moderated by Kimberly Cella, Executive Director of Citizens for

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WOOD RIVER - East Alton-Wood River High School announced its second semester Honor Roll lists. To view them, please click the link below. EAWR Second Semester Honor Roll

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MADISON – The Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois State Police are reminding the public and everyone planning to attend this weekend’s Enjoy Illinois 300 about traffic and travel impacts in the Metro East, advising people to plan ahead even if you’re just passing through the area. More than 65,000 people are expected to attend the NASCAR Truck Series race, NASCAR Cup Series race, concerts and other special events at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison on June 2, 3 and 4. “Enjoy Illinois 300 is a showcase event for our state. By taking a few minutes to plan your schedule and prepare, you can help ensure another safe and successful weekend for everyone,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “Whether you’re attending the Enjoy Illinois 300 events or traveling through the area, we want you to buckle up, drive sober and be patient so everyone makes it to their destination safely.” For motorists traveling

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GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College Athletics, along with former NBA standout Kenny Battle and former University of Illinois standout and Alton native Larry Smith, are joining forces this summer to offer a Future All-Stars Camp for aspiring basketball players. “These kids are going to have the best experience of any basketball camp they have ever attended, plus they get to meet me and I am a lot of fun,” Battle said. “At the end, everyone will walk away with the knowledge of what it takes to become a professional athlete.” The camp, which is geared toward boys and girls entering grades 1-8, will run from June 12-15, in the George C. Terry River Bend Arena on L&C’s Godfrey Campus. Each day will start with a morning session from 9 a.m. – noon, followed by a lunch break, then an afternoon session from 1-3 p.m. Lunch will be provided, but parents of children with known food allergies should plan to send a lunch with their child each day.

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