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JERSEYVILLE - Jerseyville is a city where neighbors help neighbors in their times of need. A pet lizard was on the loose recently, slivering through the city before Midwest Tropical Fish responded to a few calls and rescued the Argentine black and white tegu. Midwest Tropical Fish dispatched a person named Billy to the scene and he brought a three-and-a-half foot pet Argentine black and White tegu lizard back to Midwest Tropical Fish. Midwest Tropical Fish Owner Warren Crabtree said the pet lizard was then reunited with its owners. Crabtree added that he was proud of Billy for the safe rescue and glad to be able to return the exotic pet to the owners. The lizard was brought to safety close to the Jersey County Sheriff’s Office and Amoco in Jerseyville, Crabtree said. While the lizard only roamed for a brief time in Jerseyville, it certainly roused attention. Multiple people called Midwest Tropical Fish about the lizard on the loose that day. Crabtree said his business occasionally

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WASHINGTON — This week, U.S. Representatives Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13) and Michelle Steel (R-CA-45) introduced the Trauma Support and Mental Health in Schools Reauthorization Act — bipartisan legislation to link schools with evidence-based trauma support and mental health care services, improving access for students. “The United States is facing a youth mental health crisis, but early intervention, improved access to mental health care services and culturally relevant support can save and improve lives,” said Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski. “I’m proud to introduce bipartisan legislation with Congresswoman Steel that will direct greatly needed resources to communities in need as we work to detect and respond to the mental health challenges we are seeing in our schools and communities in Central and Southern Illinois and around the country.” “Our young people are growing up in the midst of a new mental health challenge. This legislation

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JERSEYVILLE - Jerseyville CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), a local nonprofit advocating for children in foster care from neglect/abuse, is hosting their first ever-Walk-A-Thon fundraiser at 10 a.m. this Saturday, June 17, at the Jersey County Courthouse. The event will feature one, two, and three-mile walks for participants of all ages and abilities. The entry fee is $25 (by cash, check, or Venmo ) and includes refreshments, fresh fruit, and other snacks. To register, contact jerseyvillecasa@jerseycounty-il.gov , download the registration form online, or fill it out in-person at the event before it begins at 10 a.m. Stacey Burney, director of Jerseyville CASA, said the Walk-A-Thon is a new initiative she created after becoming director last August, which has already proven more popular than she anticipated. “I wanted to do a small fundraiser for awareness in our community, and it just blew up and took off like wildfire,” Burney said. “I though

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EDWARDSVILLE – The Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (SIU SDM) has announced the recipients of its annual Dean’s Scholarship, Dr. Larry A. Lowe Memorial Scholarship and its inaugural International Advanced Placement Program (IAPP) Scholarship Awards. The IAPP Scholarship Award recognizes an outstanding student who has excelled throughout the first year of the program and has overcome significant challenges on their personal journey toward earning a Doctor of Dental Medicine. Salam Rajih of Damascus, Syria, is the first ever recipient of the award. “We are very pleased to be able to start a new tradition this year by awarding the IAPP Scholarship Award,” said Dr. Saulius Drukteinis, dean of the SIU SDM. “Our IAPP students often overcome considerable hardships to be able to attend our program, and this award will certainly be beneficial. “ "As a foreign graduate and mother of two, I have faced numerous challenges in my

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On June 12, Southern Paramedic, an ambulance provider based out of Arkansas, donated six (6) ambulances to US Ambulance for Ukraine, a Peoria, Illinois-based initiative to get used emergency vehicles into the hands of Ukrainian first responders. Founded by an OSF HealthCare executive, this effort has resulted in the delivery of 38 ambulances and 6 fire engines to Ukraine since March 2022. Later this summer, US Ambulances for Ukraine will deliver its largest shipment of vehicles to date which will include at least 12 ambulances, and two fire engines. In addition, several SUVs, including two donated by OSF HealthCare, will be included in the shipment. This will bring the total number of emergency vehicles from the United States in Ukraine to over 60. Once the vehicles are collected by US Ambulances for Ukraine and its partner UA Resistance Foundation, all vehicles are filled with supplies and made ready to go into service upon arrival in Ukraine. Of the 45 vehicles already donated

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GRANITE CITY – Senior three-sport student-athlete Peyton Hatfield was named the 2022-23 Granite City High School Scholar-Athlete of the Year and is also now recognized as a Stillwater Senior Living Granite City Female Of The Month. "I am very grateful to be recognized," she said to her wide variety of recognitions at the end of her senior year. "I have worked very hard since day one of my freshman year. "I'm grateful to have had my older sister Riley Hatfield to look up to and help me out during my high school years. She would tell me the 'to do's and not to do's' in order to "survive and thrive in high school. I listened, and now I have survived and thrived in high school." Peyton Hatfield is a three-sport standout in tennis, swimming and soccer at GCHS, and is headed on a soccer scholarship to Lindenwood University in the fall and will major in elementary education. She is the daughter of Mike and Susan Hatfield. " Peyton Hatfield is a shining star at GCHS. She is our studen

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GLEN CARBON – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that bridge painting will require intermittent nighttime lane closures in both directions of Interstate 270 between Illinois 159 and Illinois 157, weather permitting, starting at 6 p.m., Tuesday, June 20. One lane in each direction will remain open at all times. All westbound lanes will be opened each morning at 6 a.m. and eastbound at 1 p.m. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. The work is expected to be completed by the end of August. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on Twitter at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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GODFREY - Magic, robotics, American Sign Language, self-defense…whatever your children are interested in, Lewis and Clark Community College (LCCC) has a College for Kids class that’s sure to satisfy. The College for Kids program runs throughout the summer. Kids come to campus for week-long classes taught by a local expert in the field. Art classes with Julie Smith are a new offering this year, and Smith is enjoying the chance to teach young artists of the Riverbend. “The biggest part of my classes is that I’m like, I need everybody to leave here with some bit of knowledge they didn’t have before, and we have to have had fun,” Smith said. “We’re going to try our best to make it as fun as possible.” The class topics and sizes vary from week to week. Most recently, Smith has been working with three students in her class “Understanding Proportion, Scale and Space.” She said that the small class size has allowed her

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BETHALTO - The Village of Bethalto is advising residents to consider remaining part of its energy aggregation program despite Ameren currently having a lower market rate. The energy aggregation program is meant to protect residents from market volatility by charging a fixed rate regardless of the market through 2024 - but if residents wish to opt-out and switch to Ameren, the village has also outlined the steps to do so. The new Ameren rate is $0.08162 compared to Bethalto’s program rate of $0.1220. Ameren’s new rate went into effect on June 1, and the aggregation program’s fixed rate will expire in December 2024. According to a press release from the village, “Residents need to understand the newly filed Ameren rate can return to an upward swing anytime during that period … The Village’s Program has been very successful since its inception in 2012.” Also noted in the press release were the savings from the previous round of the aggregation

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SPRINGFIELD — Residents struggling to pay their gas or electric bills will not face life-threatening utility shutoffs on hot days thanks to an initiative supported by State Christopher Belt that was signed into law last Friday. “This measure recognizes the urgent need to safeguard vulnerable populations, including the elderly, children and individuals with health conditions,” said Belt. “There are many risks associated with extreme heat, and this aims to mitigate them, as well as prevent potential health and safety hazards.” The new law prohibits a utility company from terminating gas or electric service due to nonpayment of bills on days when the forecasted temperature is 90 degrees Fahrenheit or above, or when the National Weather Service issues a heat watch, advisory or warning for the location of the residence. Previously, disconnections were prohibited during temperatures 95 degrees or hotter and did not take into account humidity or heat index.

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ALTON - Week two of the 133rd Alton Municipal Band season will feature music for the children and a local media personality! Jennifer Shenberger directs the band for the “almost-world-famous” Children’s Concert, which will feature music from movies, television shows, and more! Concertgoers of all ages will enjoy the classics they remember from childhood along with songs from the freshest new releases! Heidi Glaus, St. Louis radio and television personality, will be in town to narrate the classic tale of “Peter and the Wolf.” As a seasoned journalist, television star, and radio host, Glaus has won multiple accolades and Emmy Awards. Her iconic voice will be familiar to anyone who grew up watching TV or listening to the radio in St. Louis, and her fresh spin on “Peter and the Wolf” is sure to be a crowd pleaser. The concert will take place on Thursday, June 15th, at Riverview Park. Showtime is at 7:30 p.m. The show will then repeat on Sunday,

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DIXMOOR, Ill. - In case you missed it, Congresswoman Kelly was joined by Congressman Jonathan Jackson, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Village of Dixmoor to break ground on a new water main project. Largely supported by federal funds secured, in-part by Rep. Kelly, Dixmoor’s new water main would preserve and protect the village’s critical water supply. Dixmoor’s water main infrastructure project is planned to build a 3,700 ft 12-inch water main, which would stretch from Seeley Avenue, cross south under the I-57 overpass, and east onto 13th St. in Dixmoor. The project would also cap five other water mains in the area to help prevent future water main breaks. Congresswoman Kelly celebrated the over $2M she helped secure for the project, which included funds from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the most significant commitment to public infrastructure the United States has made in decades. “These investments ar

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WOOD RIVER - A Wood River man was charged after law enforcement officials from Calhoun County Sheriff's Office responded to a domestic disturbance on May 28, on Porcupine Lane in Hamburg in Calhoun County. He also has been sentenced after a guilty plea. Law Enforcement Officials from CCSO responded to the complaint and conducted an investigation. Subsequent to an investigation, Jerry A. Thomas, age 36, of Wood River, was arrested for the following offenses: Aggravated Battery (Two Counts) Aggravated Domestic Battery Unlawful Restraint At the time of the offense, Thomas was on Mandatory Supervised Release (Parole) from the Illinois Department of Corrections for unrelated convictions for Aggravated Domestic Battery. Thomas was arrested without incident and transported to the Jersey County Jail. On June 13. 2023, Thomas pled Guilty to Aggravated Domestic Battery and Aggravated Battery. Thomas was sentenced to five years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, by the Honorable

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ALTON - The Alton City Council gave their final approval for several items passed earlier this week by the Committee of the Whole, including pay raises for some city employees, further progress on two solar installation projects in the city, as well as other items that were added by trustees. A resolution authorizing a 3% pay raise for non-union city employees was passed 6-1, with Alderwoman Carolyn MacAfee casting the sole “no” vote. These raises will remain in effect for the rest of Fiscal Year 2023. Renovations to the bathrooms at Gordon Moore Park were also approved, including the utilization of “battery operated motion detectors,” at a total cost of $78,391. Berco Construction is set to lead the renovation project. The council also approved a Ground Lease between the city and Alton Landfill Solar LLC. This allows the development of a solar farm at the Old Alton Landfill to move forward, and Alton Landfill Solar LLC is to lead the development project.

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ALTON - The Brown Bag Bistro has gained acclaim across the Riverbend. Now, they’re taking on the rest of the country. America’s Best Restaurants , a media company that highlights independently-owned restaurants across the U.S., is coming to Alton. The Brown Bag Bistro will be featured on their ABR Roadshow series. The Bistro was opened in 2018 by mother-daughter duo Christine and Erin Velloff. As Christine explained, they found success as a “small, quaint little lunch spot.” “It’s just turned out to be incredible,” Christine added. “We really have consistent food.” The Bistro offers sandwiches, salads, soups and desserts, among other beloved menu items. Several of the sandwiches have unique names that nod to Alton history or the Velloff family, including “The Wadlow” and “The Sammy Roo.” The Bistro’s full menu can be found on their website . America’s Best Restaurants will film i

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MITCHELL - One of the most dramatic car fires in recent memory occurred this past weekend on Illinois Route 270 just over the Mitchell border. The Illinois State Police explained today what happened in the fiery incident: "At 6:36 p.m. on June 9, 2023, Troop 8 responded to a vehicle fire on I-270 westbound at the intersection with I-255 southbound in Madison County," ISP said. "Unit 1, a 2021 Chrysler Voyager, struck an unknown piece of debris in the roadway. The driver of Unit 1 pulled onto the shoulder and noticed that Unit 1 was on fire. "The driver and five occupants safely exited the vehicle and Unit 1 became fully engulfed in flames. Mitchell Fire arrived on the scene and extinguished the flames. " The State Police said no further information is available about the incident.

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ALTON - Each day, the new Starbucks in Alton gets closer to being a reality. Much progress has been made at the location, which is fenced off just off Homer Adams Parkway in Alton. The shell of the new structure is in a place where the old Shop 'n Save gas station was once located. Alton Mayor David Goins said he believes the new location will open soon. He hopes to see doors open sometime in July or in the summer. Mayor Goins said he knows the new Starbucks will provide a boost in tax revenues because it is such a popular coffee house and it has been sought for many years. Starbucks is an American chain of coffeehouses and roasters reserves headquartered in Seattle, Wash., and is the nation's largest coffeehouse chain. Starbucks has hot and cold drinks, whole-bean coffee, espresso, coffee latte, full and loose-leaf teas, juices, Frappuccino beverages, pastries and snacks with free Wi-Fi internet service. "We are really excited to see the progress on the Starbucks," the mayor said.

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GODFREY - Godfrey Mayor Mike McCormick is stepping down from the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Board of Directors to focus on his mayoral duties. The board, which oversees the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau , will be saying goodbye to McCormick after more than 20 years of service. “My main job is being the mayor of the Village of Godfrey, but I’ve really enjoyed watching the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Board and how they’ve grown through the years,” McCormick said. “I have enjoyed the time I spent on the board, but it’s time for me to move on.” McCormick originally joined the board as a business owner. He owned Imo’s Pizza in North Alton before he accepted the job of mayor 14 years ago. “People needed somebody to represent the restaurant industry in the local area, and asked me to go on the board,” McCormick said. Over the next 20 years, he watched the Great Rivers & Routes group expand into the tourism

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GRAFTON - A large bobcat was viewed near Grafton off Powerline Road recently and definitely was “above average in size,” Scott Isringhausen, a Pere Marquette park ranger, said after a review of a photo. Bobcats are definitely appearing in the area more frequently, Isringhausen said. “Male bobcats are bigger than females, so my guess is it is probably a male in the photo,” he said. “Bobcats are definitely around more than they were a couple of years ago. There aren’t many predators for them and they are becoming more plentiful.” Bobcats don’t normally attack a person, Isringhausen said, but they will attack chickens, ducks and possibly pets. “We occasionally see a bobcat during the day, but they are very shy and secretive and usually you can see them at night,” he said. “They also prey on rabbits, quail and songbirds and they kill to kill. Sometimes they don’t even eat what they killed.”

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ALTON - Rosetta Brown is taking a group of teens to Raging Rivers Waterpark , and she’s asking for your help. “There are quite a few underserved children who have not been able to experience this, so I decided I would make this happen,” Brown, Alderwoman for the 4th Ward, said. For $15, teens ages 12–16 can join Brown on July 8 for a trip to the waterpark. This discounted rate includes bus transportation, entrance to the park and lunch. Brown is asking for donations so that every teen who wants to participate can do so. “I’m very honored and very appreciative of the residents of the 4th Ward,” Brown said. “They are ready to help out however. I do have a core group of volunteers who assist in any way that I ask, and I am very appreciative of them.” The Alderwoman’s office has also partnered with Darlene Croft from Next Step Forward Community Development Corporation and Kennedy Smith from Unity in the Community

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