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EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County homeowners can apply for up to $30,000 in assistance through the Illinois Homeowners Assistance Fund (ILHAF) starting Monday. “The state received federal funding to assist homeowners who are delinquent in paying their mortgage or about ready to lose their home due to the pandemic,” Madison County Community Development Chief Deputy Program Administrator Chris Otto said. Otto said the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) announced a $309 million fund that is available to help homeowners pay past due mortgage payments, property taxes, property insurance, and delinquent homeowner and/or condominium association fees. ILAF is targeting homeowners who have experienced financial hardships caused during COVID-19. Applicants must also currently own and occupy their home in Illinois as their primary residence, be at least 30 days late on their mortgage or other homeowner expenses, and have a household income at or below 150 percent of th

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GODFREY – With a three-day celebration for their grand opening and a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the RiverBend Growth Association, Reiniger Jewelers has officially arrived in the Riverbend. It is now open in the former Maneke Jewelers location in Alton at 1633 Washington Avenue. There were about 25 people on hand to join in the ribbon-cutting ceremony, including Alton Mayor David Goins and RBGA Member Engagement Director Stefanie Withers. The grand opening included refreshments, gifts for those who stopped in during its three-day celebration, a drawing for six different prizes, and the store’s grand prize of a $1,500 shopping spree. Owner and third-generation independent jeweler Paul Reiniger bought the Alton business from Charlie Maneke at the end of December 2021, just weeks after opening a third location in Effingham in November. “Paul knew Charlie was retiring in Alton, and he called him to see if he could buy any equipment for his new Effingham location

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EDWARDSVILLE — Watershed Nature Center announced the lineup for their Earth Day celebration event to take place on Saturday, April 23rd, 2022. Festivities begin at 8 a.m. with the BJC HealthCare Run Wild! 5k & Fun Run followed by the Native Plant Sale and Pollinator Discovery Day activities at 10 a.m. The last day to register and receive an event t-shirt is Saturday, April 9th. However, registration will remain open until April 23rd. Participants can pick up their registration packets from 7:30- 8:30 a.m. on the morning of the event. The BJC HealthCare Run Wild! 5k & Fun Run consists of three separate opportunities: a 5k through the Watershed and Madison County Transit trails, a virtual 5k, and a 1-mile fun run. The price of registration varies among the Run Wild! opportunities and includes several products and services provided by local businesses on the day of the event and cash or certificate prizes for the winners. “We are thrilled to be Edwardsville's home

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Anderson Hospital Foundation recently welcomed three new members to its Board of Directors: Jason Geminn, Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc., Chief Financial Officer Joseph Newman, Newman Carriers, Inc., President Nancy LeVault, Anderson Auxiliary, President Jason Geminn is an SIUE alumnus and joined Prairie Farms in 2010. In 2015 he was promoted to Chief Financial Officer where he now oversees the company’s Finance, Risk Management, and IT functions. Geminn has served on various Company boards and also previously served on Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Accounting Advisory Board. Joe Newman is a lifelong resident of Edwardsville. His transport company, Newman Carriers, Inc., has 2 main terminals in Fairmont City, IL and Kankakee, IL, operating in 48 states, Canada and Mexico. He currently serves on several other boards including the executive board of the Illinois Trucking Association and Busey Bank Advisory Board. Nancy LeVault is the

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The Center Square – There’s an agreement on a state budget to spend the most taxpayer money in Illinois history, and the $45.6 billion plan includes temporary tax cuts, Democratic leaders said late Thursday. Republicans sought permanent tax relief. Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, and House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, announced Thursday evening they will pass a $45.6 billion spending plan just in time for the Friday adjournment date. Pritzker said there will be tax relief in the form of an extension of the earned income tax credit, a property tax rebate of up to $300 per household, an income tax rebate, and a freeze of the 1% grocery tax. There’ll also be a freeze of the looming 2 to 3 cent gas tax increase that’s set to kick in on July 1. The grocery and gas tax cuts will be temporary. “On groceries, a full year,” Pritzker said. “On gas, again, six months up to Jan. 1, and then we’ll

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WOOD RIVER – Midwest Members Credit Union is proud to sponsor the “Oiler of the Month” program at EAWR High School. A senior student is selected each month by members of EAWR faculty. Each student is awarded a certificate and a Subway gift card. The Seniors selected each month will have the opportunity to compete for a $1,000.00 “Oiler of the Year” scholarship at the end of the school year. March’s winner is Julian Marshall. Julian is a Senior at EAWR and is involved with football, baseball, wrestling, and Academic Challenge. Julian has received honors for High Honor Roll, Renaissance, Silver Medallion, Illinois State Scholar and is a member of the National Honors Society. After graduation, Julian plans to attend SIUE and look to obtain a degree in Pharmacy. Congratulations Julian and we all wish you good luck in your future! Midwest Members Credit Union has been serving your community for over 86 years. To find out more information about Midwest

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SPRINGFIELD – The state’s largest educator organization, the Illinois Education Association (IEA), today honored those with an outstanding commitment to their schools, their students, their communities and to public education. The awards were presented during the IEA Representative Assembly (RA). The RA is the legislative body of the IEA and helps the state’s largest union set its agenda for the year. There are 1,200 IEA delegates, guests and state dignitaries who attend the RA. “Each and every one of our members has gone above and beyond just by working in a school these past couple of years. We applaud all of our teachers, professors, nurses, secretaries, custodians, bus drivers and paraprofessionals. All of our hardworking education employees deserve recognition after making it through the second year of a global pandemic,” IEA President Kathi Griffin said. “We celebrate this year’s award recipients for taking what will likely be the most

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SPRINGFIELD — Governor JB Pritzker issued the following statement after the full passage of House Bill 246, which reforms nursing home rates to incentivize higher staffing levels and quality improvements at facilities. “For 45,000 vulnerable seniors in nursing homes across the state, the passage of HB 246 will mean improved care and accountability in the places they call home. For the first time, increased funding for nursing homes will be tied to staffing levels at these facilities, ensuring new funds go directly to improving care for our seniors instead of profit for owners and allowing us to hold bad actors accountable. This legislation is the product of more than a year of hard work led by my Department of Healthcare and Family Services along with our partners in the General Assembly, stakeholders, and industry leaders. I applaud their work to protect our seniors and the leadership of Senator Gillespie and Representative Moeller to move this bill forward in the General

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Raoul today issued the following statement on Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s historic confirmation to the United States Supreme Court. “I congratulate Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on her historic confirmation to the United States Supreme Court. I am the proud father of a daughter who aspires to go to law school, and today, I was able to tell her that the sky truly is the limit. Judge Jackson will be the first Black woman to serve as a justice of the Supreme Court, but she will not be the last. “I applaud the majority of senators who voted in support of today’s historic confirmation. It is unfortunate that, notwithstanding their votes in opposition, some members of the U.S. Senate could not even demonstrate a modicum of respect for the moment that has been afforded to all previous nominees by simply remaining in the chamber during the vote. I appreciate President Biden’s commitment and courage to making this historic appointment,

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BELLEVILLE - The Belleville Area Humane Society (BAHS) Bags for Wags fundraiser is back in person on Monday, May 23, 2022. Doors open at 6:00 pm and the program begins at 7:00 pm. The spacious St. Clair Country Club once again serves as a generous host for this mission-driven soirée. Tickets are on sale now for Bags for Wags 2022 and this event will sell out. Join your host, Courtney Landrum from 106.5 The Arch, and the BAHS team for the PURR-FECT PAWTY where BAHS will raffle off more than $10,000 worth of designer handbags, including bags from Gucci, Kate Spade, Burberry, Tory Burch, Michael Kors, and more! Purse raffle tickets are 1 for $25, 5 for $100, or 14 for $200. There will also be a curated live silent auction filled with vintage bags, fashion accessories, getaways, gift certificates, and more! Admission tickets are just $60 each and include reserved table seating, delicious eats, and two complimentary cocktail tickets. Please view sponsorship opportunities and help

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WOOD RIVER – Midwest Members Credit Union is proud to sponsor the “Eagles of the Month” program at Civic Memorial High School. Senior students are selected each month by members of the Civic Memorial faculty to represent each department. All students are awarded a certificate and a Subway gift card. Two Seniors (1 female student and 1 male student) that were selected each month will have the opportunity to compete for a $500.00 “Eagles of the Year” scholarship each at the end of the school year. 2022 March's Eagles of the Month winners: - Math – Maya Tuckson - Fine Arts – Mariah Schillinger - Social Studies – Kaylin Weinberg - PE/Health – Bryce McArthur - Choir – Allie Roberson - Band – Gabrielle Davis - Science – Nina Chen - English – Dakota Nolte - C.T.E. – Hayden Bodwell March’s Teacher of the Month winner: - MGC – Jessica Eddy Congratulations to all the Civic Memorial “Eagles

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GODFREY Area residents, schools, businesses, and municipalities are invited to the Lewis and Clark Community College E-waste drive in conjunction with CJD E-Cycling. The event is being held on Friday, April 22, and Saturday, April 23, 2022, between the hours of 9:00 am until 12:00 pm. The Lewis and Clark parking lot at Godfrey Road and Tolle Lane (across from the Dairy Queen) is the designated collection site for the drive. Recycle anything with a cord and anything metal! Bring us your servers, switches, PC towers, printers, and other technical equipment. We also accept landline phones, cable boxes, cell phones, wireless modems, servers, audio and video equipment, cables, holiday lights, home electronics, printers, additional telecommunication items, and lead-acid batteries. All types of televisions, along with computer monitors, dehumidifiers, and refrigerators will be accepted with a charge (from $5-$35 depending on size and type). Be advised, poor weather conditions may cancel

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BETHALTO - Matthew L. Coleman, 27, of Pontoon Beach, was charged Monday with domestic battery. He allegedly hit a female in the back of her head and on her back after having been convicted of aggravated battery on Feb. 10. Bail was set at $30,000. ALTON - Joshua D. Kenshalo, 36, of the 200 block of Residence Street, Alton, was charged Wednesday with unlawful failure to register as a sex offender. He allegedly failed to register a change of address with the Alton Police after having been convicted of failure to register as a sex offender in 2009. Bail was set at $30,000. ALTON - Joshua D. Kenshalo, 36, of the 2800 block of Residence Street, Alton, was charged Tuesday with unlawful failure to register as a sex offender. He allegedly failed to register with the Alton police chief after a change of address. Bail was set at $30,000. EAST ALTON - Tyler M. Buckingham, 20, of the 900 block of Crestview, Wood River, was charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine and aggravated

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SOUTH ROXANA - An East Alton man is facing eight charges after he allegedly drove with a blood-alcohol level of more than 0.22 percent, more than three times the level for a legal presumption of under the influence. John B. Nappier, 44, of the 100 block of Irwin Street, was charged Tuesday with two counts of aggravated driving under the influence, failure to report an accident involving personal injury or death, two counts of aggravated battery, criminal damage to property and aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer. He allegedly drove a 2009 Nissan on April 4 while under the influence of alcohol after having been previously convicted of the same charge. He is also accused of driving the vehicle after having been convicted of driving under the influence four times previously. A South Roxana police officer attempted to stop the vehicle Nappier was driving when Nappier allegedly fled the scene. Police pursued him into East Alton, where his vehicle and another

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PANA – The Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Internal Investigation (DII) continues its investigation into the discharge of an Illinois State Police Trooper’s duty weapon after the pursuit of a homicide suspect wanted in connection with the murder of two women in the Collinsville area on April 2, 2022. At the present, no additional information is available on that investigation. In accordance with the ISP’s commitment to integrity and public transparency, the video of the event is being made available to the public and can be found by clicking on this link: This video may be inappropriate for some users. This video is being released after consultation with the Christian County State’s Attorney and the families of the deceased individuals involved in the events of April 2, 2022. This remains an ongoing investigation being conducted by ISP DII and is under review by the Christian County State’s Attorney’s Office.

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ALTON - Madison County Urban League Inc's Board of Directors and Staff would like to announce the passing of its first President/CEO, Mr. Willie F. Walker, formerly of Godfrey, Illinois on Saturday, April 2, 2022, in Dayton, Ohio. Mr. Walker was a stalwart member and leader in our community and was well respected by all. He remained active and involved in the Urban League as well as his church and community. About the Madison County Urban League The mission of the Madison County Urban League is to assist African Americans and disadvantaged persons to secure economic self-reliance, parity, power, and civil rights. We accomplish this through interracial cooperation, advocacy and education.

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ALTON – Thanks to the hard work and relentless commitment of dozens of Alton community volunteers, much of Alton’s Downtown Historic District is officially listed in the National Register of Historic Places as part of an expansion of the Middletown Historic District. The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation's historic places worthy of preservation and part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America's historic and archeological resources. “When the people of Alton come together, we can accomplish anything,” said Jayne Simmons, President of AltonWorks. “Members of local organizations including Alton Main Street, Alton Area Landmarks, the Historical Commission, and Hayner Library worked with the AltonWorks team and dozens of community volunteers from January of 2019 through early this year, gathering documents, taking photos, verifying property addresses,

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GREENVILLE – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that US 40 from 0.1 mile west of Overpass Road to 0.3 miles west of IL 127 near Greenville will be intermittently restricted to one lane beginning Tuesday, April 12, 2022, weather permitting. Work can be anticipated between 7 AM and 7 PM, Monday thru Friday, and is necessary to complete asphalt resurfacing. Work is expected to be completed by July 2022. Motorists should allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to construction signage and watch for changing conditions, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment while approaching and traveling through the work zone. The contractor on this project is The Kilian Corporation of Mascoutah, Illinois. 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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EDWARDSVILLE - The 1818 Chophouse restaurant has a vibrant new inviting location at 6170 Bennett Drive Suite A in Edwardsville at Trace On The Parkway. The recent ribbon-cutting invite hosted by the Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce was well-attended and everyone raved over the food, drinks, and location at the Trace. Megan Pashea, the owner of 1818 Chophouse, said she “loves” her new location and it has been very successful since opening in November 2021. “We have a very cozy restaurant space and a large bar area,” she said. “We have 8,000 square feet of private dining space. "We think we are going to have a good summer with being so close to the bike trail and in the heart of the Edwardsville-Glen Carbon communities. "We are getting where we will have live music every Friday night and Sunday afternoon. It is going to be a great summer.” The 1818 Chophouse has become a "go-to" place for many throughout Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, an

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) championed a measure that passed the Senate Wednesday that would give people another option to become an organ donor. “In January 2010, I received a kidney transplant,” Belt said. “After living on dialysis for a year, I understand how important organ donors are.” House Bill 4696 would allow the Department of Natural Resources to offer online hunting license holders the opportunity to be redirected to the First Person Consent Organ and Tissue Donor Registry. On average, 300 people die each year waiting for an organ donation. More than 4,700 Illinois residents are waiting for an organ or tissue donation. In 2020, there were 7 million Illinoisans registered as organ donors. The first-person consent law provides an opportunity to save more lives and ensures that your wish to be an organ/tissue donor is honored. Prior to the first-person consent registry, many Illinoisans who signed the back of their

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