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MACOUPIN COUNTY - The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis has announced it has disbanded at this time and has turned the investigation of an elderly woman's death in Bunker Hill over to the Macoupin County Sheriff's Office. The Major Case squad said Tuesday afternoon it is "highly unlikely" the death of Nancy Blycker was "due to homicidal means." Blycker, 91, was found deceased in the 2900 block of Wood Lane in Bunker Hill on Monday morning. "The Major Case Squad has revealed no additional evidence to significantly contradict this finding," Lt. Mike O'Neil, deputy commander of the Major Case Squad said. "The official cause of death is pending further laboratory analysis." "Please see our final press release pertaining to our Macoupin County investigation," the deputy commander added. "At this time, the Major Case Squad is making preparations to disband this activation."

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EAST ST. LOUIS - Due to the winter storms forecasted for the remainder of the week, School District 189 buildings will be closed and shift to e-learning days Wednesday through Friday (February 2-4, 2022). E-learning days provide virtual instruction to students so make-up days will not be required unless a district-wide power outage prevents e-learning instruction. In practice, e-learning days are similar to remote instruction days. Students will need their district-issued Chromebooks or tablets and should log on for school from 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. daily. Teachers will take attendance on e-learning days. Students are expected to participate throughout the entire class period and school day. Attendance will be based on a student’s consistent engagement and participation. You are encouraged to review the complete E-Learning Plan for School District 189, posted on our website. After-school and evening activities for Tuesday, February 1, 2022, will continue as scheduled.

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MOBILE, ALA. - Alton native Nick Hausman has been named to the Mobile, Alabama, 40 Under 40 group. The announcement was released recently and Nick, who has a lot of family in the Alton area, was overjoyed at the honor. He is a marketing leader for Hargrove Engineers and Constructors in Mobile. Since joining the Hargrove team in 2020, Nick has successfully implemented several creative and innovative processes to reach the company’s clients and to market its services. Even in the face of the COVID Pandemic, his expertise in omni-channel marketing, user experience, and digital media has elevated Hargrove’s brand. When taking ownership of projects, Nick leads with grace, humor, and expertise; he coordinated a redesign of Hargrove’s leadership team, and has worked to facilitate improvements in internal and external communication. Nick has also enjoyed coaching his son’s baseball team for several years. Nick is a graduate of Seton Hall University and he and his

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ALTON - The State of Illinois is partnering with Senior Services Plus to bring a vaccine clinic from noon to 4 p.m. on Feb. 11 at Senior Services Plus at 2603 N. Rodgers Ave., Alton. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is authorized and recommended for persons 12 years of age and older. To schedule your appointment visit: https://events.juvare.com/IL-IDPH/oooyn/1235405/ If you can't make this event, find a clinic near you by visiting coronavirus.illinois.gov.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and ten of their bipartisan colleagues in a letter urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to prioritize the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) by maintaining the blending requirements for 2022; denying all pending Small Refinery Exemptions (SREs); eliminating proposed retroactive cuts to the renewable volume obligations (RVOs); and setting 2021 RFS volumes at the statutory levels. “The RFS is a significant tool for EPA to reduce the carbon footprint of our transportation sector,” the Senators wrote. “By taking the above actions, the EPA can quickly restore integrity, stability, and growth to the RFS and the U.S. biofuel sector while ensuring that the program continues to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, diversify our fuels, drive down gas prices, strengthen our national security, and drive rural economic opportunity.”

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SPRINGFIELD — With the upcoming winter storm, HSHS Illinois recommends a few safety tips before you shovel snow to clear your sidewalks and driveways. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), about 11,500 people visit the emergency room each year to treat injuries received while shoveling snow. “Shoveling snow can be a strenuous activity, particularly because cold weather can be taxing on the body,” says Dr. Gurpreet Mander, HSHS Illinois chief physician executive. “There is a potential for exhaustion, dehydration, back injuries and even heart attacks.” Keeping your driveway and walkway clear of snow and ice is in most cases a necessity and will help prevent falls this winter. HSHS Illinois wants you to keep the below tips in mind when you shovel snow. Know if you shouldn't shovel. Certain people should avoid shoveling snow. If you have a history of heart problems, you should avoid this activity. Dress appropriately. Wear light clothing

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MENOMONIE, WI - Tim Thannum, of Edwardsville, graduated in December 2021 from University of Wisconsin-Stout in Menomonie, WI with an MS in Manufacturing Engineering. UW-Stout, Wisconsin's Polytechnic University, has 47 undergraduate majors and 24 graduate programs, including one doctoral degree. UW-Stout, established in 1891, prides itself on the success of its students in the workplace, with an employment rate above 97% for recent graduates. The university was awarded the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 2001. Enrollment was 7,670 in the fall. The university graduated 454 undergraduate and 106 Graduate School students in December 2021. UW-Stout is Wisconsin's Polytechnic University, with a focus on applied learning, collaboration with business and industry, and career outcomes.

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Our Love Story: The Couple: Shannon (Honeybear) & Amanda (Angelbear) from Jerseyville Date Met/Started Dating: June 20, 2004 Briefly Describe First Date: First date was a Halloween party Amanda hosted in Shannon's honor when he flew home on leave from Iraq. Date Married: June 23, 2012 Name Something You Enjoy Doing Together: Playing video games, hiking, photography, and spending time with our son. Share Advice For A Happy Relationship: Communication can make or break a relationship, never forget to have fun, and love with all you have.

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation is warning the public that a major winter storm is expected to create treacherous conditions starting tonight and lasting for several days, with the potential for extremely dangerous and, at times, life-threatening travel across much of the state. Throughout Illinois, periods of heavy snow, rain, ice, high winds and bitter cold should be anticipated, leading to a likelihood of whiteout conditions and roads that will be impassable in the hardest-hit regions. “The Illinois Department of Transportation spends the entire year preparing for snow-and-ice season and is ready to respond around the clock to this significant weather event, but clearly the public needs to be prepared for the worst-case scenario and postpone all unnecessary travel,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “Always remember, during extreme weather, the safest option is to stay home. If you must be on the roads, please be

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EDWARDSVILLE - SIUE is a nationally recognized university that educates and develops professional and community leaders through its excellent faculty and programs. Undergraduates who meet high academic standards are included in a Dean's List issued each semester. To be eligible for the Dean's List, a student must maintain a grade point average of 3.5 or better and have 12 hours calculated (B is equivalent to 3.0; A to 4.0). For the complete list, visit www.siue.edu/news/deanslist CITY LAST NAME FIRST NAME MIDDLE NAME Alton Bakshi Bhavesh Alton Bakshi Muskan Alton Bevenour Emily Claire Alton Bond Alexander Joseph Alton Bonnell Aaron T. Alton Cox Seth David Alton Cross Isaiah Allen Alton Davison Jessica Renee Alton Dyer Nathaniel Bryant Alton Engelman Jared Michael Alton Figueroa Isabel M Alton File Hayley Jordan Alton Frank Brandi M. Alton Frankford Korinne Alton Gray Bene Elizabeth

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GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College has a variety of events planned in February to honor Black History Month. “Because of the pandemic, L&C is holding fewer events than normal in celebration of Black History Month, but the calendar is varied,” Student Activities Coordinator Jared Henning said. “The schedule includes educational presentations, music, soul food, civic contributions, and a popular tour of local Underground Railroad sites.” The 2022 event schedule has been designed to keep in line with the campus’ COVID-19 policy. All events are free and open to the public, except for the Soul Food Dinner, which is for L&C students. 2/9 – D.C. Cooper on Public Speaking: 11 a.m.-noon, Reid Memorial Library. Communications expert D.C. Cooper will highlight information on the value and importance of becoming proficient in public speaking. Participants will learn how to develop skills to become more confident and competent when speaking

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BELLEVILLE – Illinois American Water announced today the application window is open for the company’s 2022 Environmental Grant Program. Through the program, funding is provided to environmental stewards focused on innovative, community-based projects to improve, restore and protect Illinois watersheds. For over 10 years, Illinois American Water has supported diverse initiatives such as watershed cleanups, reforestation efforts, biodiversity projects, streamside buffer restoration projects, wellhead protection initiatives, hazardous waste collection efforts, education efforts and more. “Our team plays a vital role in our customers’ daily lives by delivering safe, reliable service to families, businesses and for fire protection. We understand how important it is to protect our precious resources. We are proud to collaborate with community partners through our environmental grant program to positively impact our source water and watersheds,” said Justin

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BETHALTO - The girls' basketball team at Civic Memorial High School is something special. The Eagles are enjoying a great season so far, with its biggest highlight to date coming on Jan 22, when the Eagles defeated a previously undefeated Okawville side 53-47 in the final of the 25th Highland Invitational Tournament. CM stands 24-3 and is poised to make a big run in the IHSA Class 3A playoffs in February and possibly March. CM defeated Pleasant Plains 48-30 Monday at Pleasant Plains. Junior Aubree Wallace was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player for her solid play in CM's journey to the title, while fellow junior Olivia Durbin was also named to the All-Tournament first team and senior Kelbie Zupan was selected for the second team. For their efforts on and off the court this season, the entire Eagles girls basketball team has been selected the Tom Lane State Farm Female Athletes of the Month for Civic Memorial. The CM girls exemplify what team basketball is all about under head

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SPRINGFIELD – Area unemployment rates stayed low in the month of December 2021 in the latest statistics. Edwardsville's unemployment rate was a remarkable 2.3 percent, the lowest in the area. Madison County's unemployment rate stood at 3.3 percent, while Jersey was 3.1 percent, Macoupin County was 3.3 percent, and Calhoun and Greene County 3.4 percent. St. Clair County stood at 4.2 percent. Alton has a 4.8 percent unemployment rate for December 2021, much better than 8.9 percent in December 2020. Statewide the unemployment rate was 4.3 percent in December 2021, compared to 7.9 percent in 2020. The unemployment rate decreased over the year in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas in December for the ninth consecutive month according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). Jobs were up in thirteen metro areas and down in one. “We are pleased to see continued positive economi

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MACOUPIN COUNTY - The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis has been activated after an unresponsive female was found at 7:40 a.m. on Monday, January 31, 2022, in the 2900 block of Wood Hill Lane, Bunker Hill. The Macoupin County Sheriff’s Department received a 9-1-1 call of an unresponsive female at that address with multiple injuries at the end of her residential driveway near the roadway. The female victim was pronounced deceased on the scene by the Macoupin County Coroner. The decedent is identified as: Nancy Blycker, 91 years of age, Bunker Hill, Illinois. The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis has been activated to investigate this matter with approximately 20 investigators from the Major Case Squad are working the investigation. Investigators are actively working leads in order to identify the person(s) responsible for Blycker’s death. The investigation is in the early stages and there is no further information to provide at this time. Anyone with information

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COLLINSVILLE – Ameren Illinois activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on Tuesday morning to prepare for a winter storm which is forecasted to dump snow and ice across the Ameren Illinois service territory. The EOC is staffed around-the-clock to coordinate service restoration, crew mobilization, and communication. George Justice, vice president of Electric Operations for Ameren Illinois, said while snow may pose driving challenges for crews during a winter storm, ice and wind are the more hazardous and frequent causes of winter power outages. “Ice storms are particularly challenging from a power restoration perspective," Justice said. "Significant ice build-up combined with below freezing temperatures and strong winds can wreak havoc on our power lines, transformers and other equipment. Ice accretion of more than a quarter inch is our main concern because that's when we see tree limbs snap and fall into our equipment." Justice said activation of the EOC is the firs

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ST. LOUIS REGION – World Wide Technology Raceway’s Toyota 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event today was announced as the first leg of the three-race NASCAR Triple Truck Challenge. The June 4 Toyota 200, the prelude to WWTR’s inaugural NASCAR Cup Series race, will pay an extra $50,000 to the winner if he is a Truck Series regular. If one driver sweeps the series and wins all three, he will earn $500,000. The second and third races of the Triple Truck Challenge are Nashville Superspeedway on June 24 and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (Lexington, Ohio) on July 9. Tickets are on sale for WWTR’s 2022 NASCAR Weekend, featuring the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series race, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Toyota 200. For tickets and additional information, please call (618) 215-8888 or visit www.WWTRaceway.com . Follow WWTR on social media (@wwtraceway) for additional information. About World Wide Technology Raceway World Wide Technology Raceway (WWTR) is th

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CHICAGO – Final federal numbers show that a total of 323,427 Illinoisans selected health plans on the ACA (Affordable Care Act) Health Insurance Marketplace during the Open Enrollment Period and 12,938 selected their plans during the last month of enrollment. The Biden-Harris Administration extended the deadline from December 15, 2021 to January 15, 2022, allowing consumers additional time to purchase ACA Marketplace plans.* Even without including the additional 30-day extension, a comparison to last year’s Open Enrollment Period reveals an increase of 19,274 sign-ups in Illinois. ** IDOI Acting Director Dana Popish Severinghaus said Illinoisans were also encouraged by the reduced health insurance premiums available under the American Rescue Plan. “Our ad campaign and outreach promoted the benefits of buying quality health insurance on the ACA Marketplace, made even more affordable with the ARP,” said Popish Severinghaus. “We worked hard to get the

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SPRINGFIELD - The 2022 Winter Olympics are here and to celebrate Team USA, the Illinois State Fair is giving you a chance to win. Now through February 22, when you purchase a State Fair Mega or Jumbo Pass, you will be entered into a drawing to win an admission booklet and one parking pass for the 2022 Illinois State Fair. Two winners will be drawn on February 22 or “Twosday” (2-22-22), one Mega Pass purchase winner and one Jumbo Pass purchase winner. “In the middle of a Midwest winter we all need something to look forward to,” said Illinois State Fair Manager Rebecca Clark. “With the Winter Olympics and “Twosday” falling within the same month, we thought it would be a great opportunity to do something fun to break up the ‘winter blues’ and get people looking towards warmer weather.” The Mega Pass gives you unlimited rides in the Midway and Adventure Village, while the Jumbo Pass has the bonus of unlimited trips down the Gian

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BUNKER HILL - Bunker Hill High School released its Illinois State Scholars list today. The Bunker Hill students on the Illinois State Scholars selections are Lydia Yates, Kyla Thyer, Drake Scroggins, Juliene Lefler, Karli Yotter, and Laney Bazzell. The Illinois State Scholar program is awarded to high school seniors based on ACT or SAT test scores. Each student who is designated as a state scholar receives a congratulatory letter, a certificate of achievement and statewide news media recognition.

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