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CHICAGO - The Illinois Lottery today announced record results, including sales of $1.8 billion and estimated returns to the State of Illinois of $468 million, for the first six months of the 2023 fiscal year. “I’m proud to announce another record sales period, leading to increased returns to public education in Illinois,” said Lottery Director Harold Mays. “The Illinois Lottery is a valuable state asset with the core purpose of generating essential funding to the State of Illinois to support K-12 education and good causes across Illinois.” The first six months of the year have been notable for the Lottery, with two jackpots over $1 billion - with the Mega Millions jackpot rolling to $1.34 billion in July 2022 and the Powerball jackpot rolling to $2.02 billion in November 2022. The $1.34 billion Mega Millions jackpot was won by an Illinois resident on a single ticket bought in Des Plaines, Illinois. The winning ticket ended up being shared by two players,

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GODFREY – Over the past weeks, five new members have been added to the roster at the RiverBend Growth Association. This group of new members includes Danny’s Lounge, Factory Direct Mattress-Bethalto, Lifesaver Senior Care Services, Susie Sweetman CPR/First Aid Training, and Sweet Little Things, LLC. Danny’s Lounge “has been calling the shots” for well over 70 years now since first arriving on Alton’s bar scene in 1951. Located at 118 W. 4 th Street, part of historic and iconic downtown Alton, its owners are Keith Hall and Regina Stewart. “There’s no better place to enjoy a drink, a pizza, and have a great time out,” the owners noted. “Grab your friends and make your way down to Danny's Lounge for a great atmosphere and an even greater time. Stop by and join in on the fun.” Open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Thursday along with Sunday, the lounge stays open an hour later on Friday and Saturday night, until

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EDWARDSVILLE - A total of 19 Edwardsville High School students earned All-State honors recently. Here is the list of EHS All-State Music students: Selin Aktuna, cello Jane Fitzgerald, violin Ashley Kim, violin Magdalyn Thomas, double bass Karis Chen, violin Alessia Heiser, bassoon Derek Markus, viola Peter Valkov, viola Hansen Zheng, cello Ben Moore, voice Da'Shon Dunn, voice Taylor Mollett, voice Savannah Kohlmiller, voice Julia Towell, voice Lucy Schapman, voice Ella Carter, voice Lauren Bruss, voice Natalie Becker, voice Sydney Andrews, voice These students were selected to All-State based on their All-District audition scores back in October 2022. ILMEA (Illinois Music Educators Association) is divided into nine districts throughout the state. Edwardsville's district region spans from Mt. Vernon to Carbondale. These students represent the top 2 percent of band, choir, and orchestra high school students in the state of Illinois. "The students that score at

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ALTON - The Alton High School Music Department has always ranked among the best in the State of Illinois. Recently, the Alton Music Department proudly represented the school at the 2023 Illinois Music Educators Association (ILMEA) All-State Festival. These students represent the top 2 percent of band, choir, and orchestra high school students in the state of Illinois. These are Alton High's Music All-Staters: All-State Chorus: Aaron Swanson, senior, 2nd year selected to All-State All-State Honors Chorus: Kyle Neace, senior, 2nd year selected to All-State Matt Taylor, senior All-State Honors Band: Melanie Parker, flute, senior, 2nd year selected to All-State All-State Orchestra: Brody Macias, violin, senior, 2nd year selected to All-State Ethan Fox, viola, junior Stephen Whiteside, cello, sophomore Will Hussey, bass, senior, 2nd year selected to All-State All-State Honors Orchestra: Victor Humphrey, viola, senior, 3rd year selected to All-State Wesley LeBrun,

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WOOD RIVER - C&B Boiled Bagels is making steady progress on the interior of its future location in downtown Wood River, which is slated to open later this spring on April 1. The shop will bring New York-style bagels, Schmears, and bagel sandwiches to Wood River and contribute to the city’s downtown revitalization. Matt Herren, co-owner and co-founder of C&B with his wife Amy, said several improvements have already been made to the interior so far, and they’re currently waiting on parts to renovate the storefront. “We’ve put in all-new electric and plumbing service, new HVAC service, put in a new roof, framed out the service area, employee bathroom, and the floors are done,” Herren said. “We are just waiting on a new storefront - so all-new glass in the storefront, new front doors. As soon as those go in and as soon as Ameren hooks up our electric service, we’re moving forward.” Herren said C&B will be a “traditional New Yor

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JERSEYVILLE - Vicki Watkins has left a legacy for drill team and dance in Jersey County, and recently, she was inducted into the Illinois Drill Team Association Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Springfield. Watkins' induction was done at the February 11, 2023, IDTA State Finals at the Bank Of Springfield Center. IDTA HOF Inductees are nominated and voted upon by the IDTA Officers and Board of Directors. Alex Foster of Jerseyville, IDTA Certified Execution Judge and 2020 IDTA Hall Of Fame Inductee, introduced and presented the honor to Vicki Watkins, Certified IDTA General Effect and Legality/Penalty Judge. Vicki has been involved in IDTA for over 37 years, having served as the JCHS Dance Team Coach from 1986-1999, and for five IDTA State Championship JCHS Dance Teams from 1991-1998. Vicki said she was "deeply humbled" by her induction into the IDTA Hall Of Fame. "I cannot fully explain how meaningful it is to me to be included in this group of exceptional dance colleagues

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WORDEN - The Mardi Gras celebration, 'Wordi Gras,' in Worden was once again a huge hit, and Rick Landrem, of the Yellow Dog Bar and Cafe, said with the perfect weather on Saturday the event was simply “spectacular” this year. Landrem said the beauty of the event is everyone has fun from young to old, and it is a perfect Mardi Gras celebration year in and year out. He said the event means so much every year to the businesses in Worden, including the Yellow Dog Bar and Cafe, which serves fresh Jumbalia all day long, along with corn dogs, cheeseburgers, and alligator on this particular day. The heavy presence of trucks, tractors (old and new), farm equipment, and country feel makes it special each year. “Our food is homemade except for the alligator of course, which is brought in,” he said. “About 99 percent of the people who come that day know Worden exists because of Wordi Gras. It is a huge event. Once again, we didn’t have any problems, everybody

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Society for Research on Educational Effectiveness (SREE) Series featured Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Derek Houston, PhD, associate professor in educational leadership, in a recent webinar on Monday, Feb. 13. Houston's current scholarship is centered at the intersection of quantification and criticalism which includes thinking deeply about the training of future scholars. In the webinar, he discussed the pedagogical considerations and possibilities of critical quantification and offered insights into the complexities of the sustainability of critical quantification. “The hope for those who watched the webinar is that they will begin to think deeply and critically about how and where they teach quantitative methods,” said Houston. “I also hope that current and future quantitative methods instructors will think about how they engage with students, particularly with students that may not be or have not been as represented as

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ALTON - Mac's in Downtown Alton has announced a new treat for area parents each Monday that features the Little Mac's Kids dinner program. From now on Mondays, kids under age 12 will eat free of charge on the Little Mac Menu from 3 to 8 p.m. The menu consists of chicken tenders, 7-inch cheese pizza, a hotdog, a little Mac slider, a grilled cheese, and all Little Mac meals are served with a side of fries, applesauce, or fruit. Rob Lenhardt, an owner of Mac's and spokesperson, said the move to have the Mondays For Little Mac's program is just another way for the business to give back to the community. "I have a 2-year-old now and your perspective changes when you have kids," he said. "It isn't always easy to go out to eat or cheap either. We wanted to do this for the community and it is coming from the parent's point of view. It will also make it easier on parents because there will be more kids there on Mondays." Rob laughed and said if a child acts up a bit parents won't feel s

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SPRINGFIELD – Liquor delivery services will be expanded thanks to a measure championed by State Senator Christopher Belt that was signed into law Friday. “We have continuously taken strides to uplift our small businesses, and this is a big win for Illinois bars and restaurants,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “This expansion allows businesses to bring in more revenue and increases access for people across the state.” In partnership with the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, Belt’s initiative will eliminate state and local fees for liquor delivery throughout Illinois. Additionally, it brings parity for liquor delivery between home-rule and non-home rule municipalities to regulate liquor delivery. Senate Bill 1001 also lowers the licensing fees for wineries to $750 if renewed online and $900 for initial or non-online certification. Under a law passed in 2021, the fees were raised to $1,200 if renewed online and $1,500 for initial licenses and non-online.

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced that a Perry County man was convicted of possessing and reproducing child pornography. The case is part of the Attorney General’s ongoing work to apprehend offenders who download and trade child pornography online. A Perry County jury convicted Timothy E. Hedrick, 42, of Cutler, Illinois, of three counts of reproduction of child pornography, Class X felonies punishable by up to 30 years in prison, and five counts of possession of child pornography, Class 2 felonies punishable by up to seven years in prison. Hedrick was remanded to the custody of the Perry County Jail. His sentencing is scheduled for March 13. “Child pornography leaves victims and their families with lifelong scars,” Raoul said. “My office is committed to working with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and local law enforcement to track down individuals who perpetrate these horrible crimes and hold them accountable.” Raoul&rsqu

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GODFREY – YouthBuild/AmeriCorps students from Lewis and Clark Community College’s Scott Bibb Center recently teamed up with the Madison County Partnership to End Homelessness for Project Homeless Connect. Project Homeless Connect is an effort to provide homeless and at-risk families with immediate goods and services. L&C student Aiden Connor described what it was like helping someone who is close to his own age. “I met a 21-year-old who shared with me about their PTSD, their experience being homeless and how they’re trying to make a change in their life,” he said. “This experience really touched me and helped me to realize that I can help those in my community." Another student, Kyan O’Bannon, really liked how it felt to connect with people. “I really liked seeing the smile on peoples’ faces when we were able to help them,” he said. “I had some interesting conversations.” The event took place at the River

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SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA), along with the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) are encouraging Illinois farmers to set aside time to recognize Grain Bin Safety Week from February 19-25 and review safety practices while working in and around grain bins. According to researchers at Purdue University, more than 900 cases of grain engulfment have been reported with a fatality rate of 62% in the past 50 years ending in 2010. In 2010, at least 26 U.S. workers were killed in grain engulfment accidents - the highest number on record. It only takes 4 seconds for a full grown adult to sink to their knees in flowing grain and 20 seconds to be completely buried in flowing grain. Suffocation from engulfment is the leading cause of death in grain bins. “Often times we become complacent when doing tasks we have done a thousand times and for farmers that often means working in and around grain bins,” said IDOA Director, Jerry Costello II.

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CHICAGO - Governor JB Pritzker today signed HB0009 into law, authorizing an easier process for individuals seeking to change the gender listed on their birth certificate. Previously, amending a birth certificate’s gender marker required certification from a health care professional that the individual had undergone gender reassignment surgery or other clinical treatment. The updated law allows changes to the birth certificate providing the petitioner signs a statement affirming their gender identity or intersex condition, opening an easier path to legal recognition for transgender Illinoisans. “Here in Illinois, we recognize that gender transition is a personal journey that doesn’t always follow a prescriptive medical path, but still deserves to be honored legally,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “In a time of increasing violence and hateful rhetoric against the trans, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming community, it is more important than ever to reaffirm

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SPRINGFIELD — Governor JB Pritzker and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Director John J. Kim today announced $21,046,025 in grants to six communities across the State through Illinois EPA’s Unsewered Communities Construction Grant Program (UCCGP). Made possible through the Governor’s bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital plan, these grants will allow underserved communities to construct dependable wastewater collection and/or treatment systems. "No community should be forced to function without a high quality water infrastructure system,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “The historic Rebuild Illinois capital plan is ushering our state’s wastewater infrastructure into the 21st Century, providing solutions that work for everyone. Thanks to this grant program, residents across the state will reap the benefits of a safe home, clean streets, clean water and clean air.” This is the second of five planned funding rounds for this program, whic

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced his office has charged a former Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital employee who allegedly stole and sold approximately 10 tanks of nitrous oxide, a medical gas used as an anesthetic in medical procedures and surgeries. The Attorney General’s office charged Mitchell R. Gunther, 39, of Burbank, Illinois today with one count of burglary, a Class 2 felony punishable by three to seven years in prison; two counts of theft over $500, Class 3 felonies each punishable by two to five years in prison; and two counts of possession of nitrous oxide with the intent to deliver, Class 3 felonies each punishable by two to five years in prison. Gunther’s bond was set at $10,000, and his next court date is scheduled for March 20. “The Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital uses its supply of nitrous oxide to safely perform critical and life-saving surgeries on sick children and teens. It is outrageous that

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ALTON - Often children learn prejudice and racism from the grownups in their life. Even well-intentioned adults can pass along bias by not having deliberate conversations about diversity and race. Diverstory: Reading for Equity is a program designed to empower families so they feel better prepared to talk about race and racism with children. Hosted by YWCA and Post Commons, Diverstory is a free story time for children ages 2- 10 years, where children and their grownups come together to listen to children’s stories about diversity and engage in conversations and activities about diversity, belonging, and race. Every family will receive copies of the books that are read to take home and continue intentional conversations about race. Our aim is to equip children and adults with the resources and support they need to join in the work of bringing change and equity to our community. The facilitators for this event are Candice Wallace and Becky Cowart. Candice, lifelong Alton area

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SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs recently held its 112th annual convention at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield. One of the highlights of the annual event is the Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Pageant. Paige Van Dyke of Lewisville, IL, 20, was crowned the 63rd Miss Illinois County Fair Queen. Paige represented Clay County at the 112th Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs Convention on Sunday. Van Dyke is the daughter of John and Katrina Van Dyke and is currently attending Oklahoma State University majoring in ag communications with a minor in special education. She hopes to someday start an agriculture program for special needs students. MacKenzie Moyer of Macoupin County was a finalist. Van Dyke will be a summer employee of the Department of Agriculture. She will travel to about 30 county fairs and will be the official hostess of the Illinois State Fair in Springfield and the DuQuoin State Fair. As queen, Van Dyke’s main duty is to emphasize

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GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College’s newest dean isn’t new to the college at all – he’s been teaching mathematics there since 1997. Randy Gallaher, of Brighton, celebrated his 25 th anniversary at Lewis and Clark in 2022 as a professor of mathematics, then started the new year in his new role – Dean of Liberal Arts, Business, and Information Technology. Gallaher began his run at L&C as a mathematics instructor, working his way up to the position of professor and serving as coordinator of the Mathematics Department for 15 years. He has taught at nearly every level of education, including middle and high school, and has served on the Board of Education for the Southwestern School District since 2011, a seat he will vacate after his term ends in April. An administrative position was never part of his plan, but as dean, Gallaher hopes to provide the necessary resources and support mechanisms so faculty and staff can create the best possible

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ALTON - Alton Middle School went into a temporary lock-down mode today after Alton Police investigated a report of shots fired in the Rock Springs and Salu area, Alton Chief Jarrett Ford said. Chief Ford said the report came to the police earlier today. He said as a precautionary measure, they contacted Alton Middle School officials and they decided to do a temporary lock-down. "We saw no indication of shots being fired and we canvassed the entire area and also kept a close watch on it the entire afternoon," he said. "At no time did we see that students or staff at the middle school were in danger. A lockdown was just done as a precaution for those at Alton Middle School. We contacted the school and told them everything was clear, so the lockdown stopped." Chief Ford said once the lockdown ended, the students were dismissed on their normal schedules.

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