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EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County Coroner Stephen P. Nonn has released the identity of the three victims of the fatal Greyhound Bus crash that happened on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at the Silver Lake Rest Area, on Interstate 70, Highland. The first victim has been identified as Juan E. Vasquez-Rodriguez, 34, of Passaic, N.J. He was pronounced deceased at the scene by Madison County Coroner’s Office Investigator Kelsey Jones at 3:15 a.m. on July 12, 2023. An autopsy examination was conducted on the decedent and the preliminary findings showed that he sustained craniocerebral, thoracic and abdominal blunt trauma as a result of the crash. The second victim has been identified as Buford Paya, 71, of Supai, Ariz. He was pronounced deceased at the scene by Madison County Coroner’s Office Investigator Kelsey Jones at 3:16 a.m. on July 12, 2023. An autopsy examination was conducted on the decedent and the preliminary findings showed that he sustained blunt head trauma as well as thoracoabdomina

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Name: Lee Graham Hometown: East Alton Years of Service: 1960-1964 Branch: Army Submitted By: Julie Heinemann

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JERSEYVILLE - The Jersey County Fair was a hit yet again this year, with thousands gathering in downtown Jerseyville on Tuesday to watch over an hour’s worth of parade floats and participants. This year’s theme was “Jersey County Fairytales” - several participants went all-out on the theme, bringing rolling castles, princesses, Disney characters, and more to the streets of Jerseyville. A panel of judges awarded some of the best floats in various categories. The following businesses received the following awards for their floats, along with plaques and award money: Best Participation - 1st MidAmerica Bank Most Complex - Glo Tan Most Appealing - Villas of Holly Brook Most Creative - CNB Bank & Trust Best Followed Theme - Julie's Graphics Best Overall - Glo Tan Andrea Ringhausen, one of the coordinators of the parade, said she had 112 participants sign up to be part of this year’s parade. “I think it went well,” Ringhausen

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CHICAGO - Governor Pritzker along with leaders in business and education from around the state will embark on a trade mission to the United Kingdom on July 16. The Governor will kick off the international trip by attending the Goodwood Festival of Speed from July 13-16 to discuss Illinois’ commitment to electric vehicle manufacturing with automobile, energy, and supply chain industry leaders. Following the Goodwood Festival of Speed, a delegation of business and education leaders will meet with their counterparts in London to discuss strengthening economic cooperation between the State of Illinois and the United Kingdom. Programming throughout the mission will focus on manufacturing, clean energy and technology, quantum, higher education collaboration, and other key industries. “When I first ran for Governor, I promised to be our state’s best Chief Marketing Officer—letting the world know that Illinois is the best place to live, work, and do business,”

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ILLINOIS - As the National Resources Conservation Service works to clear out invasive plant species, there’s no telling what they could find. The National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, offers a conservation planning and funding program that allows them to remove invasive species from private properties. Their goal is to conserve the area and avoid disrupting nature or historic sites. “That’s what their object is, to get some funding to help offset the cost of cleaning that out,” Andy Schlichting, who works with NRCS, said. “But you have to protect all the natural resources that we have. You have to make sure that we’re not going to destroy anything.” Locally, the NRCS is mostly concerned with protecting Native American artifacts and burial sites. Sarah Fisher, Illinois’s State Cultural Resource Specialist for NRCS, explained that this part of Illinois can be a “hotspot”

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SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Police are investigating a stabbing of a 24-year-old woman who lived in the 1000 block of South Eighth Street on Tuesday. Springfield Police responded to the call that a male subject possibly injured his girlfriend in Springfield. When police arrived, they found the 24-year-old deceased with multiple stab wounds. Authorities said a Sangamon County 911 dispatch center received a report from a Bethalto woman who told the dispatcher her brother possibly harmed his girlfriend. No additional information has been released yet about that. The Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon has confirmed the woman's death and made a statement that she appeared to have sharp force injuries and that her death is being investigated by police as a homicide. An autopsy has been scheduled on the woman. More to come as it is released.

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JERSEYVILLE - The 62nd Annual Jersey County Fair Pageant honored the young contestants and their aspirations on Wednesday, July 12. Kyndal Price was crowned Miss Jersey County 2023. Blakely Green was crowned Little Miss Jersey County 2023. Price and Green will represent Jersey County at parades, festivals and other events throughout the year. “This is truly amazing,” Price said. “Having my mom be a queen several years ago just makes this experience so much more genuine. I’m so excited for the journey ahead.” On top of her duties as a Jersey County representative, Price is attending Lewis and Clark Community College and will transfer to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville later this year to major in elementary education with plans to eventually pursue a master’s degree. Green’s favorite moment of the pageant was the coronation. She said that she doesn’t know what she’s most excited about in the coming year, likely because

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ALTON - After 26 years of serving on the Alton City Council, Fifth Ward Alderman Charles Brake officially resigned before a new alderman, John Meehan, was appointed in his place at the July 12 City Council meeting. Brake said he has been “honored to serve as the fifth ward alderman since 1997,” but submitted his resignation due to “health circumstances” that are beyond his control. Alton traditionally allows resigning aldermen to suggest their replacement to serve the remainder of their term; Brake recommended Meehan, who he said he’s known for many years and knows will “do an exceptional job for the citizens of the Fifth Ward and for the City of Alton.” Between rounds of applause and standing ovations, Brake made a few comments about his time on the council over the years. “It’s been a 26-year trip I’ve been in this chair, and it’s been 99.9% good because I’ve been associated with the people,” Brak

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SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Secretary of State’s office launched a redesign of its website, making it easier to navigate and adding new functions for services that users can access remotely, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced today. “The revamped website is more intuitive and prioritizes our most popular programs and services so customers can find the information they want and need faster and more conveniently,” Giannoulias said. “Whether it’s renewing your driver’s license, searching for information about a business or looking for a job, making these changes and adding new functionality to the website reflect our commitment to residents and understanding their needs.” Along with creating a new and consistent look throughout the website that is easier to view and navigate, other enhancements include: Simplifying the homepage to prominently feature key services and most frequently sought information. Consolidating th

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This is my fifteenth update to the citizens of the 111 th district, as your State Representative. The state’s fiscal year 2024 budget took effect on July 1 st . The budget appropriates approximately $50.4 billion, including $9.8 billion (19.5%) towards pensions, $12.9 billion (25.6%) towards K-12 and higher education, and $10.3 billion (20.4%) towards human services. Fiscal year 2024 revenues are estimated to be approximately $50.6 billion, per the Governor’s office figures. As the House Republican Deputy Budgeteer, I had a very busy spring session, as we analyzed the Governor’s proposed budget, attended budget working group meetings, and advocated for our priorities to be included in the budget. While no Republicans voted for the budget, and three Senate Democrats also voted no, there are many worthy programs funded, such as investments in early childhood programs under the Governor’s Smart Start initiative, a new teacher retention program for districts

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ALTON - Webster Temple, COGIC, 1100 Highland Avenue in Alton will host a Vacation Bible School on Aug. 10-12. On Aug. 10-11, it will be from 6-8 p.m. and on Aug. 12, 10-3 p.m. Pastor Sancho Williams is the host pastor and Rosetta Brown is director. Ages 5 and up are welcome. "We will have children and adult classes," Brown said. "There will be crafts, food, music, lessons and fun." Please contact 618-580-2394 for more information.

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SPRINGFIELD - East St Louis District 189 will receive $50,000 in funding from a recent Illinois Arts Council Agency/Illinois State Board Of Education Grant. The Illinois Arts Council Agency (IACA), in cooperation with the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), announced grant recipients today. The agencies said they have awarded thirteen grants to districts and schools across the state for arts and foreign language education. The Arts and Foreign Language Education Grant Program (AFL) is designed to assist school districts and other eligible applicants with the development or enhancement of curricular programs in the arts or foreign language. "World language and arts courses are essential to a well-rounded education, yet students’ access to these critical learning opportunities is all too often determined by affluency. This grant program will allow us to expand access to arts and world language education that all of our students deserve," said State Superintendent of Educatio

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CHICAGO – The Powerball jackpot has been increased from $725 million to $750 million for tonight’s drawing - making it the sixth largest Powerball jackpot and the 10th largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history. Illinois Lottery players have been lining up around the block and jumping online to grab a ticket for tonight’s draw, while some players are already celebrating after winning big in Monday night’s draw. Two lucky Illinois Lottery players matched four numbers and the Powerball to win $50,000 each in Monday’s drawing, July 10. This is also a win for the retailers that sold those winning tickets, as they will receive a bonus of 1% of the prize amount. Nearly 114,000 other prizes, ranging from $4 to $50,000, were won in Monday’s Powerball drawing. Winners have one year from the date of the winning draw in which to claim their prize. The Illinois Lottery encourages all lucky winners to write their name on the back of their ticket and keep

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EDWARDSVILLE - Sivia Law is addressing allegations of workplace religious discrimination made against the company in a recent legal case. As a company who exercises its right to publicly profess a business that aligns with principles of faith, Sivia Law stands firmly behind its practices of upholding the rights and respecting the beliefs of all employees. The case filed against Sivia Law alleges religious discrimination in the workplace, which the company takes very seriously. Some of the instances in question include: optional prayer prior to company meetings, a Bible verse being sent to all staff by a non-management employee on his/her own accord, and holding a meeting in a church common area not used for religious practices. “It is essential to note that our company firmly believes in respecting the beliefs and practices of its employees,” stated Attorney Todd Sivia. “Although our firm is founded on godly values, we have established policies and procedures

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ALTON - A vehicle crashed in the 3000 block of Brown Street in Alton at 7:40 a.m. Wednesday. The accident caused 10 customers to have their power knocked out. Ameren Illinois workers responded to the accident to restore the power. Ameren Illinois was at the scene working on the power for about three hours. The pole was replaced and the wires were repaired. There were no injuries in the accident and no other information about the cause of the crash, but Alton Police has it under investigation.

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EDWARDSVILLE - Mustang horses and service dogs will be the guests of honor at a fundraising event at Triangle H Farms this weekend. From 2–4 p.m. on Saturday, July 15, people can stop by, see the animals and help raise money for veterans. The event’s proceeds will go toward funding The Righteous Life Rescue Ranch (TRLRR), which will provide a home for dogs and mustangs. As plans for the ranch solidify, founder Matt Perella hopes that it will help veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) heal through nature, equine therapy and time with service dogs. “I’ve lost so many friends to suicide,” Perella said. “It’s just really dear to me to give back to the animals that have helped me. There’s so many horses that need to be rescued and so many dogs that need to be rescued and so many veterans that need to be rescued.” Perella plans to work with mistreated mustangs and “death row dogs,” or dogs that have bitte

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WOOD RIVER - Wood River City Councilman Jeremy Plank has issued some comments about a recent city council meeting. Plank is concerned about the tone of the public comment section of city council meetings. "There is a handful of disgruntled people who are being led and organized by 4 failed candidates for city council. Unfortunately, these folks want to ignore the will of the voters and refuse to accept the results of the election. "Meanwhile, our council is focused on economic development, fixing streets and crumbling sidewalks, and investing in our parks. That's why we were elected and we won't be distracted from that." Plank said he intends to have a conversation with the Mayor about the direction of public comments so that we can turn the page toward the progress that voters want.

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ALTON – Heartland Regional Investment Fund (HRIF), a Certified Development Entity (CDE) managed by the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership (STL Partnership) has invested $8 million in New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) for the redevelopment of two commercial buildings in Alton. The Heartland Regional Investment Fund and the New Markets Tax Credits program support investments that create jobs and provide services in distressed communities throughout the greater St. Louis metropolitan area. The redevelopment project, led by AltonWorks, a company focused on revitalizing Downtown Alton, plans to transform the Wedge and Elfgen buildings on the 600 block of East Broadway into the Wedge Innovation Center. The center will be a hub to support startups and later-stage companies through education, mentorship, and finance opportunities. Companies located in the hub will benefit from private offices, co-working space, training events, and street-level retail and café space. AltonWorks

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JERSEYVILLE - A new Miss Jersey County and Little Miss Jersey County will be declared at 7 p.m. tonight at the Jersey County Fair. Eight Miss Jersey County contestants and 16 Little Miss Jersey County contestants will take the stage tonight at the annual Miss & Little Miss Jersey County Fair Queen Pageant. The winner will represent Jersey County for the next year. This year’s theme is “A Night of Dreams.” The 2022 Miss and Little Miss Jersey County winners, Matilynn Thornsbury and Tessa Huelskoetter, will be in attendance. Lori Hopkins will serve as the event announcer, and Jeff Bunch from Encore Sound will manage the sound. Many local businesses donated and sponsored the pageant. While the winners will be crowned tonight, the 2023 contestants have been busy at the Jersey County Fair all week. They volunteered at the Fair Kickoff Party & BBQ Contest, enjoyed the Christian Music Night and attended multiple 4-H Livestock Shows. They were also a part of the Jerse

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HIGHLAND - Illinois State Police Troop 8 has provided information about a fatal crash that involved a Greyhound passenger bus that was reported at 1:54 a.m. on Wednesday, July 12. Three reportedly died in the accident confirmed and multiple others were taken to a hospital with serious injuries, four by helicopter and at least 10 by ambulance. The crash also involved three commercial vehicles on Interstate 70, westbound Milepost 27 at the Silver Lake Rest Area in Madison County. ISP said a total of 14 were injured in the crash. No one in the commercial motor vehicles was injured. The Greyhound bus was apparently bound for St. Louis. ISP said the initial investigation indicates a Greyhound passenger bus with passengers was traveling westbound on Interstate 70 and struck three commercial motor vehicles parked on the exit ramp to the Silver Lake Interstate 70 westbound rest area. "All westbound lanes and the ramp to the rest area are open," ISP said. "This is an open and ongoing

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