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SPRINGFIELD — Today, Governor JB Pritzker issued a disaster proclamation to unlock immediate assistance and provide public safety support for communities across Illinois impacted by last night’s tornadoes and severe weather. The disaster proclamation includes Boone, Crawford, DuPage, Marion and Sangamon Counties. The Governor is also directing the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) to coordinate a robust, statewide response and recovery effort, which includes multiple state agencies, public safety entities, and non-governmental organizations. “The devastating storms that swept through our state last night have upended communities and resulted in heartbreaking injury and loss of life,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “In response, I am issuing an emergency disaster proclamation to immediately provide all necessary aid to our communities. I am in close contact with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and local partners around the state to ensure

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement regarding the indictment of former President Trump by a Manhattan grand jury: “While there are many unknowns, we know a few things to be true: the Manhattan District Attorney must be allowed to continue his investigation without interference; any attempt to undermine this process is contrary to the rule of law; and political violence or threats of violence cannot be tolerated. “As this process continues, former President Trump should be afforded the due process protections that he is guaranteed by our Constitution, just like any other American. But no one is above the law – not even a former president.”

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WASHINGTON – As the nation reels from yet another tragic school shooting this week, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and U.S. Representatives Elissa Slotkin (D-MI-07), Mark Takano (D-CA-39), and Marilyn Strickland (D-WA-10) to reintroduce legislation to fund research at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to better understand and address the nation’s ongoing gun violence epidemic, a public health crisis which in the past five years has taken the lives of more than 180,000 people across the United States. As of 2020, firearm-related injuries have become the leading cause of death among children and adolescents in the U.S. Specifically, the Gun Violence Prevention Research Act would authorize $50 million each fiscal year over the next five years to boost CDC’s firearms safety and gun violence prevention research

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GODFREY - The brand-new Scooter's Coffee shop at 5330 Godfrey Road is now open. The store had a soft opening Monday morning when at 5:30 a.m. The location is locally owned by Lindsey and Bob Semptimphelter. Bob was at the store Sunday afternoon doing some finishing touches and said he is super excited about opening his second location. The Semptimphelter's also own a Glen Carbon location at 4208 Illinois Route 159. The Godfrey store has not yet released its full hours at this time. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 14, and will be hosted by the RiverBend Growth Association.

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ST. LOUIS - During the last three years, many people have experienced increased stress as the pandemic delivered unexpected life changes and economic pressures. With April marking National Stress Awareness Month, now is the time to reset habits and prioritize balanced meals, sleep and exercise to promote a sense of well-being. Consuming dairy products as part of a healthy eating pattern can build energy reserves, promote a sense of calm, boost the immune system and promote gut health. All of these factors can help battle stress. Meals and snacks containing carbohydrates, protein, fat and fiber keep hunger away, provide lasting energy and stabilize blood sugar. Steady blood sugar levels throughout the day can improve thinking and smooth out moods. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends three servings of dairy per day as part of a healthy approach to meals and snacks. Milk and yogurt, for example, offer a strong combination of protein, carbohydrates and fat. Dairy foods also pai

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ALTON - For Keith Neuber, Kreative Kids Learning Center executive director, Friday had to be one of the most special days of his adult life as the center had an official ribbon cut/opening of a facility at 3048 Godfrey Road in Godfrey Kreative Kids is an early childhood education center that for 55 years has been helping children prepare for the future. Children from six weeks of age to 12 years old are the focus of the organization that helps develop for the future. “We feel our work here is extremely important,” Neuber said. “By the time we are the age of two, we can walk, talk and use our hands and fingers. Early childhood education is essential for readiness after two years of age by refining the basic skills. We refine their basic skills and help the children grow and learn.” Keith, a clinical psychologist, has been with the organization for 25-plus years. He said: “This is a place you fall in love with. You make a difference in children’s

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GODFREY - Kreative Kids Learning Center had a lot to be proud of Friday, March 31, 2023, in an open house at its new facility at 3048 Godfrey Road in Godfrey. The event featured a ribbon-cutting around 10 a.m. on Friday, then tours of the new building, guest speakers, and was overall just a great time for everyone who attended. There was significant happiness displayed at the new facility - a goal for a long period of time was accomplished by administrators, board members, staff and donors. Prior to this move, Kreative Kids was previously located at the old McKinley School in Alton for 22 years and also started in the old St. Patrick’s School building. Kreative Kids is the pride and joy of CEO Keith Neuber, who has witnessed tremendous growth in the childcare industry in his career at the not-for-profit business. Neuber also said the demand for childcare is great right now and this will allow the business to welcome more children. Kreative Kids plans to add a temporary classroo

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COLLINSVILLE - The World's Largest Catsup Bottle Festival is back and coming to Uptown Collinsville on Saturday, July 8, 2023. The new location is Herald Square Collinsville at 119 East Clay Street. After a five-year hiatus, organizers decided to start pouring it on again. “We were presented with an opportunity to partner with the team at Old Herald,” said chairman Mike "The Big Tomato" Gassmann. “It’s a great new community gathering space right here in our historic business district.” Derik Reiser, owner of Old Herald Brewery and Herald Square, said, “We’re really excited. This is going to be a whole lot of fun.” He also said he knows this will create interest and a lot of foot traffic to help promote the entire uptown Collinsville area. Events and activities include the Princess Tomato and Sir Catsup Contest, old-fashion party games, tater-tots and hot dogs smothered in ketchup eating contests, and a ketchup tasting booth. NEW

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Letter To The Editor: I am a sustainability major. In all my sustainability classes renewable energy is discussed as a necessary technology to combat climate change (and do other things). Until this semester however, I was never academically exposed to the specific process in which lithium-ion batteries (a key part of renewable energy) are made. Subconsciously I knew, like any other product, the raw resources came from somewhere, but the cost of getting those resources was always a matter of carbon in my mind. The cost is much more than just excess carbon in the atmosphere. One of the most common ways of extracting lithium is to pump brine out of the ground and into pools, then once the water is evaporated you are left with lithium. This process has a negative impact on the drinking water for surrounding communities (especially indigenous peoples in Chile). Wealthy first world countries imposing problems on other less fortunate countries/communities to have sustainable energy is wron

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SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois House of Representatives adopted HJR 21 on Thursday designating Illinois Route 140 as it travels through Meadowbrook as the ‘Cpl. Tommy N. Miller Memorial Highway’. The resolution was sponsored by State Representative Amy Elik (R-Alton). “I have the pleasure of knowing Corporal Tommy Miller's younger brother who was about seven when his older brother died in Vietnam,” said Rep Elik. “He has vivid memories of his cool older brother who is beloved. Tommy was a drummer in a band and loved music. In fact, just before the enemy attack, he made a tape for his family from his base in Vietnam where he sang and played the guitar recorded on the tape for his family. When the family received the tape, they loved it and they didn’t know yet that he had already died because then it took days and weeks to be notified. Corporal Tommy Miller gave his life in service to our country and is no doubt a true hero deserving of this resolution

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In an unprecedented move, RiverBender.com, the popular online news source, is set to introduce a groundbreaking new feature: a paywall that charges users for every word they read. The move has been met with equal parts shock and awe from both subscribers and industry experts. The brains behind this ambitious and potentially disruptive idea, I.M. Jesting, explained the rationale behind the decision. "We believe that every word has value, and as such, we want our readers to truly savor and appreciate the content we provide. By implementing the pay-per-word system, we can ensure that our readers are fully engaged with every character on the page." In a world where most websites still rely on traditional subscription-based paywalls, RiverBender.com's innovative approach is turning heads. "It's a game-changer," said industry expert and digital journalism professor, April McFoolery. "The audacity of charging for each word means that readers will be compelled to select their content with care,

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EDWARDSVILLE - “ SIUE gives me a voice and encourages me to pursue my interests and aspirations,” shared Joyce Tawdros, first-year business marketing student at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Tawdros’ passion for entrepreneurship and her appreciation for the women who came before her drives her to succeed. Throughout the month of March, SIUE has celebrated Women’s History Month. Tawdros has had many influential women figures in her life and celebrates their achievements and reflects on their struggles, which has helped her get to where she is today. “Women’s History Month is a recognition to all the amazing women who have shown courage, dedication, ambition and determination to inspire women everywhere," said Tawdros. “With the challenges women have been faced with for so long, it’s a chance to not just acknowledge the obstacles we’ve overcome, but the obstacles we’ve yet to overcome.” Tawdros herself i

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The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that road repairs to Interstate 270 between Riverview Drive in Missouri and Illinois 3 will require lane closures beginning at 7 p.m., Friday, March 31. One lane in both directions will remain open at all times. All lanes will reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, April 2. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this closure. 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.

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The quiet waters of Piasa Creek near Beltrees, Illinois, took an unexpected turn toward the extraordinary when local fisherman, Earl "Buddy" Thompson, stumbled upon a long-lost relic from the Soviet era. While casting his line from his trusty kayak, the Nutwood native unearthed a mystery that has since captivated the small community and sparked rumors of Russian connections. A seasoned angler, Buddy was exploring a new stretch of the creek when he noticed something unusual in the water. "I was paddling along, minding my own business, when I saw this strange shape down below," he recalled. "At first, I thought it was a huge log or something, but when I looked closer, I realized it was a darn submarine!" Unable to contain his excitement, Buddy quickly snapped a few photos of the partially submerged vessel and shared them with his fellow Nutwood residents. The bizarre discovery soon became the talk of the town, with many speculating about how a Soviet-era submarine could have ended

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ALTON - Crisis Food Center (CFC) is again partnering with Midwest Members Credit Union (MMCU) to give away free Hams and side items for Easter. “Together, we are able to purchase a lot of hams for families in need this Easter," Derek Richardson, CFC, and former Midwest Members Credit Union Board member, who is assisting with the hame giveaway, said. "The two organizations went 50/50 on the hams, and in addition, Crisis Food Center is donating the side items to go along with the hams. Teaming up together makes a good partnership. "We believe that feeding of our community is important and want to make sure that families in our community are able to celebrate Easter with a nice Easter meal. We want to give back in a way that would definitely impact the families in the community." Hams and side items will be given out from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 1, 2022, at Crisis Food Center, 21 East 6 th Street in Alton. "We will have a contactless drive-through only ham giveaway with

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ALTON - Each of the contested candidates running for seats on the Alton School Board answered questions at a public forum hosted by the Alton YWCA on March 22. Six total candidates are running for three four-year-term seats on the Board of Education in the upcoming April 4 election. Those candidates are as follows: Vivian Monckton, Jarvis Swope, Beverly Velloff, Alfred “Al” Womack Jr., David Fritz, and David Lauschke. Christina Milien is also running unopposed for a two-year term and did not attend the event. Candidates were asked how they felt about changing curriculum to re-write or “whitewash” Black history or other ethnic histories. David Lauschke was asked to answer first and said he didn’t understand where the question was coming from, but that “history is history.” “History is history, and if it’s bad or it’s good, we have to discuss it,” Lauschke said. “I don’t know why you would want to whitewash

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ALTON - Two men have been charged after multiple reports of gunshots fired in the 1000 block of Brown Street in Alton at 12:28 a.m. on March 26, 2023. Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said officers responded and located physical evidence of gunshots fired. Officers did not locate anyone injured by the gunfire, however, the residence of 1019 Brown Street was found to have been struck by several of the projectiles. The residence was occupied at the time of the incident. At 2:48 a.m. on March 29, 2023, the Alton Police Department received a report of a vehicle on fire in front of 1019 Brown Street. Officers and the Alton Fire Department responded to the area and located a white 2004 Chevrolet mini-van on fire. Officers located evidence at the scene that indicated that the fire was intentionally set. Detectives from the Criminal Investigation Division worked diligently throughout the week on both of these incidents and found them to be related and intentional towards the occupant of 1019

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Letter to the Editor: WOOD RIVER: Wood River is headed in the wrong direction. It will take the “Right Two” to turn Wood River around. Voters clearly said they did not want a Rec Center. The cost is now $12,000,000 and we may not have the revenues to cover the cost of up to $1,000,000 a year to pay for it. Voters have been ignored. Cheryl Maguire, the “Rec”-less 3, and their supporters refuse to listen and want to continue to impose their will on Wood River. Voters have endured never-ending fees and tax increases. The City Council has failed to provide the proper oversight, the “checks and balances”, of city management and failed to enforce city ordinances which has resulted in waste and higher costs to taxpayers. Voters have suffered from declining population and stagnant property values. The City Council continues to enact policies that drain our resources and make Wood River unattractive for young families to consider as a place to live. Dav

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EDWARDSVILLE – The Illinois Department of Transportation announces an Illinois route near Edwardsville main street with high traffic flow will be closed for part of this coming week. Illinois Route 159 will be closed to all traffic from Illinois 143/Old Alton Road, over the Mooney Creek and Cahokia Creek structures, to 3,000’ south of Roman Hills Road beginning at 7 a.m. Monday, April 3, through 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 5. Illinois Route 159 will remain open to traffic from Roman Hills Road to Illinois Route 140. A marked detour will be in place utilizing Illinois Route 143, Route 255, and Illinois 140. "This closure is to complete final pavement repairs due to a previous slope failure in this area," IDOT said. "Work is being completed by Keller Construction." To avoid the work area, when feasible, use of alternate routes should be considered. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain

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ALTON - An Alton Police officer was injured in an accident that occurred at 9:44 p.m. on March 30, 2023, on College Avenue near the intersection with Homer Adams Parkway in Alton. Alton Police Officers and Alton Fire Department members responded and were actively engaged in their respective duties at the scene of the accident. At approximately 10:05 p.m., while completing the accident investigation, one of the officers returned to his police vehicle and was sitting inside when a vehicle struck the police vehicle from behind. Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said the officer was injured and taken to a local hospital via ambulance for medical treatment. The injured officer has since been treated and released from the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. He continues to recover at this time. The driver that struck the police vehicle was suspected of driving under the influence, Chief Ford said. The driver was taken into custody and brought to the Alton Police Department Jail where

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