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SWANSEA – Attorney General Kwame Raoul charged a Belleville man with disseminating child sexual abuse material. The case is part of Raoul’s ongoing work, in collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies and local law enforcement officials throughout Illinois, to apprehend offenders who download and trade child sexual abuse material online. The Attorney General’s office charged Austin A. Wheat, 23, in St. Clair County Circuit Court with seven counts of disseminating child pornography, each Class X felonies punishable by up to 30 years in prison. Sentences are ultimately determined by the court. Wheat is currently detained at the St. Clair County jail. “Survivors of child abuse and exploitation are revictimized each and every time an individual trades or downloads one of these heinous images or videos,” Raoul said. “I will continue to partner with law enforcement to investigate and hold alleged perpetrators accountable, and I thank the Swanse

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ALTON - Local families and community members received 100 turkeys for Thanksgiving. On Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, Meridian Health donated 100 turkeys to families who utilize the Crisis Food Center in Alton. State Senator Erica Harriss was present to distribute the turkeys, and she noted her enthusiasm for helping local families while sharing more resources with the community. “I think people don’t always know what their state legislators do,” she said. “They know that we maybe go to Springfield and work on bills and laws, but this is, to me, the very fun and great part of being able to be connected in our district and meeting people and seeing what their needs are, and, if we can meet those, getting to do that. That, to me, is a great part of this job.” Harriss shared that her office has received more calls than last year from people who are seeking resources, including people experiencing food insecurity. She said the turkey giveaway was “a

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O'FALLON - A shooting of a teen in South St. Louis on Saturday evening, Nov. 23, 2024, has riveted the Metro East region. Colin Brown, 16, was critically injured in a shooting after a hockey game for his team Christian Brothers College High School on Interstate 55 in South St. Louis. Colin is the son of Calvin Brown. The Brown family issued this statement: "First, we would like to express our gratitude to the SLMPD and the Illinois State Police, as well as the broader public safety community, for their continued efforts in apprehending the perpetrators of this senseless crime against our beloved son, Colin. "As a family and a former law enforcement official with over 28 years of experience, we believe that greater efforts are needed in the City of St. Louis and the surrounding region to support the police and equip them with the necessary tools to combat such senseless, violent gun crimes. Additionally, we want to thank the St. Louis and Chicago hockey communities for their overwhelming

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EAST ST. LOUIS – Three men from the Metro East area have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their alleged involvement in a scheme to defraud the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Dana C. Howard, 52, of O’Fallon, Richard Scott Myers, 63, of Edwardsville, and Glenn Sunnquist, 53, of Swansea, face multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud. The indictment, which was returned recently, accuses Howard and Myers of misusing a PPP loan of $1,426,500 obtained in April 2020. The loan was purportedly intended to support their construction company, Zoie, LLC, and freight company, Zade Trucking, both based in East St. Louis. Instead, it is alleged that the funds were diverted for personal use and for the benefit of another business they owned. U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe stated, “In one of the most prevalent and widespread fraud crimes in American history, any greedy individuals who sought to steal from

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ALTON — Jason Harrison and his family are set to continue their tradition of community support with a significant giveaway event planned for Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, at LaMay's Catering, located at 909 E. Broadway in Alton. The event will take place just prior to Thanksgiving Day, with a goal of serving over 700 people in the Alton area. The community giveaway aims to provide meals to those in need, including seniors and students. Harrison stated that the effort will include delivering turkeys to senior homes and Lewis and Clark Community College for students who may not have access to meals during the holiday season. "This year, we are preparing to distribute 200 turkeys along with boxes of side dishes," Harrison said. "Our plan is to serve as many people as possible, whether they choose to eat in or take out." The event will begin at noon and is open to anyone in the community who wishes to participate. Harrison emphasized the importance of the initiative, saying, "We just lov

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GRAFTON - Bundle up and bring your family at 5 p.m. this Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, and join Santa and Mrs. Claus as Grafton’s Christmas tree in Grove Memorial Park springs to light. The City Of Grafton invites everyone to help “sing in” the 2024 Christmas Season with carols led by Nicki Brooks. Come join us for hot chocolate and s’mores, frosty noses and tingling toes as well as photo opps with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Between greeting old friends and new friends, be sure to sign up for the giveaway of four $25 Walmart gift cards. The drawing will be held at the event, and you must be present to win. ”We hope to see you all there to help us welcome Christmas, exchange hugs and handshakes and light Grafton’s Christmas tree to be shared with all who travel our river and our highway,” Grafton Mayor Mike Morrow said.

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EAST ALTON/WOOD RIVER - Local communities have received $5.8 million for water infrastructure projects. On Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski traveled to East Alton to present the Village of East Alton with a $5 million check for improvements at the East Alton Water Treatment Plant. Budzinski also presented the City of Wood River with a $850,000 check to construct a detention pond. “In our communities, water infrastructure is something that is so critically important,” Budzinski said. “It’s why I was so glad to submit two of my 15 community project funds right here, one in East Alton and then also the other in Wood River.” The East Alton Water Treatment Plant upgrade funding was requested by Budzinski and Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth. These funds will be used to bring the East Alton Water Treatment Plant up to current Environmental Protection Agency standards and increase its production from 3 million gallons per day

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SIU Medicine’s Pelvic Wellness Center and Samuel Grampsas, MD, earned the distinction as an InterStim™ Center of Excellence by Medtronic (NYSE: MDT), the world’s largest medical device manufacturer. The honor is awarded to providers with expertise in using the InterStim™ system to treat overactive bladder, non-obstructive urinary retention and chronic fecal incontinence. SIU Medicine is the only provider within a 50-mile radius of Springfield to hold this distinction. According to the National Association for Continence, more than 33 million Americans live with incontinence, and many of them don’t realize their condition may be treatable. Of those patients who do seek treatment, many choose the InterStim™ system. This technology provides relief by gently stimulating the patient’s sacral nerves through a small device implanted in the lower back. In the 20 years since its debut, more than 300,000 patients worldwide have benefitted from it.

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ALTON — State Senator Erica Harriss, in collaboration with Meridian Health and the Crisis Food Center, plans to distribute 100 turkeys to individuals and families in need this Thanksgiving season. The event is scheduled for Monday, November 25, 2024, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Crisis Food Center located at 21 East 6th Street in Alton. This initiative aims to support local residents during the holiday season, providing a crucial resource for those facing food insecurity. The turkeys have already been accounted for, and the event is designed to ensure that they reach the intended recipients effectively.

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BELLEVILLE – Illinois American Water wants to help customers and the general public protect their residential plumbing and wastewater systems by providing important tips for disposal of Fats, Oils and Cooking Grease (FOGs). When FOGs are washed down the sink, they cool and can turn into a thick sludge that sticks to the lower parts of the pipes. Neither dishwashing detergents nor garbage disposals can effectively break down these materials, leading to a gradual build-up over time. Eventually, this sludge can cause blockages, backups, and overflow issues, which can pose significant health and environmental risks. Follow these helpful tips on how to properly dispose of FOGs: Never rinse FOGs down the drain. Regardless of how powerful your garbage disposal may be, it cannot prevent FOGs from sticking to your pipes. Strain it, don’t drain it. To prevent food scraps from entering the pipes, install a basket or strainer in the drain and dispose of the trapped

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O’FALLON — The Hospice Team of HSHS Home Care invites community members to join them at a Candlelight Memorial on Monday, Dec. 9 at 5:30 p.m. in the HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital Chapel, 1 St Elizabeth's Blvd., O’Fallon, Illinois. The service will be a time to honor and remember during the holiday season the memory of loved ones lost. Everyone attending is invited to bring a photo of their loved one for the memorial board during the event. Other Candlelight Memorials being held by HSHS Home Care in the region also open to the public: Thursday, Dec. 12 at 5:30 p.m. – HSHS St. John’s Hospital Chapel, 800 E. Carpenter St., Springfield. For more information or bereavement support, call HSHS Home Care at 217-685-0702. For more information about HSHS Home Care, visit hshshomecare.org .

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MADISON/BOND COUNTY - Retiring Chief Judge Stephen Stobbs announced today that Circuit Judge Christopher P. Threlkeld has been selected by his fellow Circuit Judges to serve as the next Chief Judge of the Third Judicial Circuit of Madison and Bond Counties, Illinois for a two-year term. Judge Stobbs is set to retire on December 31, 2024, concluding his tenure as Chief Judge. Judge Threlkeld will begin in his role as Chief Judge on January 1, 2025. “I am humbled by the confidence and faith my colleagues have shown in me,” Judge Threlkeld said. “As Chief Judge, I am committed to building on the Third Judicial Circuit’s legacy of excellence and collaborating with my colleagues and Courthouse staff to uphold and maintain the highest standards of justice for the people of Madison and Bond Counties that we serve.” “Judge Threlkeld is a highly respected and accomplished jurist, and I am confident the Third Judicial Circuit will thrive under his leadership,”

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ALTON - Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford announced that Bradley D. Crabtree has been charged with four different counts in a recent accident over the weekend on Landmarks Boulevard. One of the charges occurred when the defendant drove a 2017 Jeep Patriot with Missouri license registration on Landmarks Boulevard in Alton while under the influence of alcohol. The vehicle is shown above stuck on the curb after the accident. Crabtree was charged with the following after the crash of the Jeep Patriot. Count I: Aggravated Battery. Count II: Criminal Damage To Government-Supported Property. Count III: Driving While Under The Influence. Count IV: Resisting a Peace Officer. It is alleged that the defendant knowingly resisted an Alton Police officer while being aware of this arrest. He also faces an aggravated battery charge after the accident occurred. All suspects charged are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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GLEN CARBON - On Nov. 22, 2024, several Father McGivney Catholic High School (FMCHS) students made a meaningful impact in our community by delivering 16 full Thanksgiving meals to local families in need. This heartwarming outreach was made possible by the dedicated efforts of the McGivney National Honor Society Cansgiving Committee. The students organized this initiative from start to finish, ensuring the proper food items were collected, shopping for turkeys and hams, and coordinating delivery logistics with Brightpoint. Their commitment and teamwork were truly inspiring. A special thank you to the generous supporters whose cash donations helped cover any needed items, as well as the purchase of the turkeys and hams. Additional support came from our own Griffin Guard, whose contribution ensured this project’s success as well as the Gardening Club who provided fresh flowers for all the families. We are incredibly proud of our students and grateful to everyone who played

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ELSAH - A woman from Elsah is the subject of a Jersey County child battery case after allegedly battering a minor with a belt while another child was present. Christina A. Smith, 41, of Elsah, was charged on Nov. 18, 2024 with aggravated domestic battery (a Class 2 felony) and endangering the life or health of a child (a Class A misdemeanor). On Nov. 16, 2024, Smith allegedly struck a child under the age of 18 with a belt “several times, kicked him in the head with her feet, and struck him in the arms and back area multiple times,” according to descriptions of the charges. A petition to deny Smith’s pretrial release states another child was present during the incident, leading to the involvement of the Department Children Family Services (DCFS). “The defendant battered the child with the belt in such a manner to cause bruising to the arms and back in addition to kicking the child in the head,” the petition states. “The defendant is also

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ALTON — The holiday season officially began in Downtown Alton on Friday evening, Nov. 22, 2024, as the community gathered for the annual tree lighting ceremony at Lincoln-Douglas Square. The event, hosted by Alton Main Street, attracted families and friends, creating a festive atmosphere filled with joy and anticipation. The festivities commenced at 5:30 p.m. with free trolley rides from 3rd and Belle Street in Alton. Attendees enjoyed cookies, hot cocoa, and caroling, while costumed characters mingled with the crowd. Santa and Mrs. Claus made their grand entrance at 6 p.m., adding to the excitement of the evening. Alton Mayor Goins hit the light illuminating the Christmas tree, provided by the Alton-Godfrey Rotary Club, at 6:45 p.m. The event also served a charitable purpose and encouraged attendees to bring non-perishable food donations to support the Salvation Army’s food pantry. Sara McGibany, Executive Director of Alton Main Street, expressed her enthusiasm fo

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EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD, shared financial information that touted the University’s remarkable influence in the Southern Illinois region and St. Louis Metropolitan area, such as the more than $1.3 billion of economic impact that includes the benefits of 12,178 jobs, the generation of $144.4 million in taxes and the alumni power of $516.3 million. Minor released the University’s Economic Impact Report , which is made up of 2023 fiscal year data, during SIUE’s Economic Impact Celebration on Friday, Nov. 22 in the Morris University Center’s Legacy Room. Southern Illinois University (SIU) System President Dan Mahony, PhD, also shared highlights from the SIU System’s Economic Report . Also in attendance at the community celebration were Illinois legislators State Rep. Katie Stuart, of the 112th District, State Rep. Amy Elik, of the 111th District, and State Sen. Erica Harriss, of the 56t

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At 8:45 p.m. on Nov. 16, 2024, a Deputy Sheriff with the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Main Street and County Road, in Hardin, Calhoun County, Illinois. As a result of the traffic stop, Eryka R. Gauntt, aged 31, of Hardin, Illinois was arrested for the following offenses: Possession of Methamphetamine (Less than 5 Grams), Possession of Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Gauntt was arrested without incident and transported to the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office. All suspect(s) are innocent until proven guilty.

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Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and we know what that means: family time, delicious food, and a whole lot of traveling. Whether you’re heading to a family’s house or catching up with friends, the holiday season can be full of joy. But let’s face it: the roads can be a little bit less joyful. According to recent data from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Thanksgiving is one of the most dangerous times to be on the road. So, before you jump in the car to enjoy the holiday festivities, let’s take a look at what the crash data is telling us and how we can make sure everyone stays safe this year. We’re all about enjoying the season—without any unexpected crashes or injuries . Why Are Thanksgiving Road Trips Risky? Let's Break It Down Thanksgiving is more than just a chance to indulge in turkey and pie. It’s a time when millions of people hit the road, and that means more potential for accidents. Here’s why

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Thanksgiving is one of the most anticipated holidays in the United States, celebrated with family gatherings, feasts, and a spirit of gratitude. However, for many, the journey to reach loved ones can be fraught with challenges—from crowded airports and busy highways to last-minute travel changes. To make your Thanksgiving travel experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible, we’ve compiled essential tips that will help you navigate the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Plan Ahead Book Early One of the most effective ways to reduce stress during Thanksgiving travel is to plan ahead. This means booking your flights or accommodations as early as possible. Airlines and hotels often offer discounted rates for early bookings, and you can secure a better selection of options. Aim to finalize your travel arrangements at least a few months in advance, especially if you’re considering popular destinations or peak travel days. Choose Your Travel Days Wisely Traveling

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