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SAUGET - The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis has announced it is investigating the discovery of a body early Sunday morning at the Oz Nightclub in Sauget. A man - 29-year-old Jonathan Brown - was found shot to death outside the nightclub in St. Clair County. Sauget Police made the discovery of the body of the Black Jack, Mo., man. He was pronounced dead at 10:30 Sunday after a gunshot wound to his head. Anyone with information on the killing is asked to call the Sauget Police Department at (618) 337-5267 or CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS.

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ALTON - The temps were cool, but there was plenty of Irish fun and entertainment Saturday in Alton businesses for the annual St. Pat’s Day Crawl. Jody and Stacy of Jerseyville said they had “a blast” at the Pub Crawl. “We love it,” the two said. “We are from Jerseyville and we don’t have to go far for a big St. Pat’s Day party. It has been great to go back to the bars and the scene.” Another said St. Patrick’s Day is their favorite holiday and said they thought Alton did it right on Saturday. “I think a lot of it has to do with our family heritage and the fact we like to drink and celebrate,” the person said. “I think Alton should also have a parade for St. Pat’s Day and make a day of it.” Mary Morrison of Morrison’s Irish Pub was all smiles Saturday. “It is nice to have everybody out to celebrate and come together,” she said. “This year will be a good year. Our

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ALTON - A man died after a crash in the 800 block of Brown Street in the early morning of March 13, 2022. The driver was later identified as Keith D. Brenner, 33, of Alton. This is the information from Alton Police Chief Marcos Pulido: "At 6:30 a.m. on March 13, 2022, Alton Police Officers and the Alton Fire Department were dispatched to the 800 block of Brown Street in reference to a traffic crash with probable injuries," the chief said. "Preliminary investigation revealed that the driver and sole occupant of a white Chevrolet S10 was traveling southeast on Brown Street from the area of Union Street. "The S10, for an unknown reason, crossed over the opposing travel lanes in the 800 block of Brown Street and partially overturned. The S10 collided with a wheelchair ramp which was attached to a residence in the 800 block of Brown Street as well as a tree. This S10 sustained extensive damage." Chief Pulido said life-saving measures were attempted on the driver, but unfortunately,

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BRIGHTON - The Macoupin County Sheriff's Office and Coroner's Office are investigating the death of a man who was found deceased in a vehicle submerged in water in the 3000 block of Miles Station Road in Brighton on March 12, 2022. At 9:43 a.m. on March 12, 2022, the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Office responded to Miles Station Road in Brighton location in reference to a vehicle in a lake. "Upon arrival, deputies discovered a vehicle submerged in the water," Macoupin County Sheriff Shawn Kahl said. "After removing the vehicle from the water, deputies located 31-year-old Kenneth Torrez of Brighton deceased inside the vehicle. "Torrez was pronounced deceased by the Macoupin County Coroner’s Office. The Macoupin County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Coroner’s Office will be conducting the investigation."

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) commissioned 15 new Troopers of Cadet Class 134 at a graduation ceremony at the Illinois State Police Academy in Springfield, bringing the total ISP troopers added since 2019 to 279. Cadet Class 134 was a “Fast Track” class for certified police officers to become Illinois State Troopers through participation in an accelerated training program. The new Troopers will report to five ISP patrol districts throughout the state on Monday, March 14, 2022. Cadet Class 134 marks the sixth cadet class graduation under Governor JB Pritzker, which brings the total investment to 279 new Troopers since 2019. The Governor’s proposed ISP budget for Fiscal Year 2023 will be the largest in ISP history and will allow for an additional 300 new Troopers. “On behalf of the State of Illinois, I wish a heartfelt congratulations to the new Troopers of Cadet Class 134,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Today, 15 brave men and

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SPRINGFIELD - The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) reminds Illinoisians to test, inspect for expired alarms, and replace batteries in their smoke and CO alarms as they change the clock this weekend. “It’s simple, working smoke alarms save lives! Replacing broken or expired smoke alarms will provide an early warning and help prevent loss of life due to fire,” said Illinois State Fire Marshal Matt Perez. “Construction materials used in today’s homes are made from more synthetic materials which means they burn hotter and faster, while also producing toxic smoke. This means people typically have less than 3 minutes to escape their homes, which makes the early warning that smoke alarms provide even more vital.” The time change serves as a bi-annual reminder to test all smoke and CO alarms in your home. If you find an alarm that is not working or is expired, replace the alarm immediately with a new 10-year sealed battery alarm. Review your

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SPRINGFIELD – The 2021-2022 Illinois bobcat season concluded on Feb. 15 with 290 bobcats harvested by hunters and trappers. A total of 174 (56%) of bobcats were taken by hunting, while trapping accounted for 116 (37%) of the harvest. Twenty-three (7%) were salvaged by permit holders from circumstances such as roadkill. Hunters and trappers in Jefferson County reported 17 bobcats, which was the most for any county this year. There were more than 6,000 bobcat lottery applicants in 2021, and 1,000 permits were issued for the season. The bobcat harvest from the 2020-2021 season was 339, with 22 salvaged. The IDNR appreciates the support of hunters, trappers and IDNR staff who collected jaws for the bobcat research project at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. The IDNR continues to monitor the status of bobcats and will evaluate the program as new data become available from ongoing research. For more information about bobcat hunting and trapping, visit https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/trapping/Pages/Bobcat-Hunting-and-Trapping.aspx

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History has seen some fiercely intelligent, powerful, and inspirational women who have been pioneers for women’s rights and racial equality and have defined the worlds of science, mathematics, aviation, and literature. Some were inventors, scientists, leaders, politicians, and queens - literally. The list of inspirational women in history is endless, but these 12 strong women undeniably changed the world for the better. They were the rule-breakers and pioneers that showed their male peers what it means to be role models. Jane Austen defined an entire literary genre with her shrewd social observations and wit. Born into a family of eight children in England, Austen started writing her now-classic novels, such as Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility, in her teens. Her novels are funny, endearing, and question women’s roles within society. Austen had to hide her identity as the author of some of the most popular novels of her day and it wasn’t until her death

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TAYLORVILLE - John Mollet, a Taylorville resident, had some “bumps” in the road a few years back. Bumps that could have caused him to make some poor decisions that would not have been conducive to his personal, physical, or spiritual well-being. But as a former Marine, his mind was strong enough to steer him on a better path. Instead of adapting a lifestyle that would have most likely numbed his pain temporarily, but have lasting detrimental effects, he decided to go completely in the opposite direction. The first thing he did was open his own business, Zone Nutrition (2014) on Taylorville’s downtown square. Mollet didn’t just sell nutritional products, he lived them. Soon, some friends used a guest pass and took him to “their” gym, The Lock-Up Gym, also on the Taylorville square. The Lock-Up was opened in 2002 by Don Broaddus, a law enforcement officer, and was strictly for law enforcement personnel when it first opened. After only about a year,

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ALTON – Centerstone, a national leader in behavioral health care, is teaming up with the Illinois Council on Problem Gambling (ICPG) to host the 3 rd annual Problem and Compulsive Gambling Symposium on Thursday, March 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. via Zoom. CEUs are available. “March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month. And, Centerstone is honored to host this free event with an exciting lineup of speakers to start conversations about gambling disorder issues and educate those in attendance about prevention, treatment and recovery services available,” said Angela Quigley-Ragland, clinical coordinator at Centerstone. Symposium speakers include: Deborah G. Haskins, Ph.D., LCPC, ACS, MAC, ICGC II, BACC, ICGSO - “Guess Who’s Coming to Problem Gambling Treatment, Prevention, and Community Wellness? What’s On Your Menu?” o Remember Sidney Portier in the amazing “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?” Well, over 50 years later while there

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ST. LOUIS – A federal grand jury indicted Cornelius M. Green and Phillip J. Cutler on March 9, 2022, for conspiracy to commit murder for hire and murder for hire that resulted in the death of Jocelyn Peters and her unborn child in 2016. The indictment alleges that Green and Cutler had a longstanding and close friendship and Green, already legally married to another was involved in an ongoing romantic relationship with Jocelyn Peters. In 2015, Ms. Peters became pregnant, with Green being the father of the unborn child. Cornelius Green was the principal at Carr Lane Visual and Performing Arts School just outside downtown St. Louis at the time of the alleged crime. Beginning at an exact time unknown but including February 29, 2016, through October 11, 2016, within the Eastern District of Missouri and elsewhere, Green devised a plan to murder Peters and her unborn child. Part of that plan was that Green offered cash to Cutler for the murder of Peters and her unborn child. It

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EDWARDSVILLE - Marathon Pipe Line (MPL) released more late Saturday morning about the crude oil spill near Edwardsville. MPL Communications Director Jamil T. Kheiry released these comments: Upon detecting the release Friday morning, March 11, MPL shut down the pipeline and deployed response resources. Crude oil reached the Cahokia diversion channel, and MPL has deployed boom at several locations along the channel to contain it. No injuries have been reported. MPL has deployed air monitoring in the area as a precaution and has detected no hazardous level of emissions. There are no water intakes or private wells in the immediate vicinity of the release. MPL resources deployed to the area for cleanup activities include boom, vacuum trucks, skimmers, and excavating equipment. Additional personnel and equipment are en route to the location to assist in cleanup activities. We are working with local, state, and federal agencies as we respond. MPL’s top priorities are to ensure

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SPRINGFIELD – The estimate of the Madison County crude oil release on Friday, March 11, 2022, in a crude oil spill from a pipeline, which impacted Cahokia Creek, is 3,000 barrels or 165,000 gallons. The spill occurred near Illinois Route 143 and Old Alton-Edwardsville Road in Edwardsville. The National Response Center and Illinois Emergency Management Agency received the initial reports regarding the crude oil release. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) has referred an enforcement action to the Illinois Attorney General’s Office against Marathon Pipe Line LLC (Marathon) for a release of crude oil from a pipeline near Edwardsville (Madison County). The referral cites violations of the Illinois Environmental Protection Act and the Illinois Pollution Control Board’s regulations. The Marathon pipeline runs parallel to Cahokia Creek, and the release was observed flowing out of the bank on the creek along the pipeline right-of-way. Emergency

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SPRINGFIELD - Governor J.B. Pritzker on Friday announced the appointment of Sangamon County State’s Attorney Dan Wright to the newly-formed Illinois Forensic Science Commission, subject to confirmation by Senate. Wright is an Alton native and 1997 graduate of Marquette Catholic High School. The Forensic Science Commission will provide guidance to the General Assembly and other forensic science stakeholders in the criminal justice system to ensure the efficient delivery of forensic services and the sound practice of forensic science. Illinois is one of 11 states to establish a Forensic Science Commission. Wright said: “As State’s Attorney, I am deeply committed to the fair and equal administration of justice in Sangamon County. Forensic evidence plays a critical role in our criminal justice system. Service on the Illinois Forensic Science Commission alongside experts in the field to ensure the sound practice of forensic science supports the ability of prosecutors

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O’FALLON - Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) Illinois Division recently announced a scholarship opportunity for students pursuing a career in nursing. The HSHS Scholars program is open to qualifying students attending an accredited nursing program. Students can earn up to $20,000 of funding for educational expenses. In addition to financial help, recipients will have a job upon graduating and passing boards in an HSHS Illinois Division hospital. “St. Elizabeth’s and the other HSHS ministries in Illinois have many education and career development programs with partners in our area. This scholarship is another way we can support nursing students and continue to develop a strong, highly-competent workforce for our hospitals and patients,” said Regina Peterson, DNP, RN, chief nursing officer at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon, IL. Interested students can apply at hshs.org/ILnursingscholarship . The deadline to apply is May 1, 2022. Applications

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GLEN CARBON - The village of Glen Carbon is tucked into river bluffs in southwestern Illinois. European immigrants working at a brickyard and coal mines incorporated the village in 1892 and elected some of their peers to organize protection and services. It was a thriving village with a population of 1,200 in 1900 that fell to just 300 residents when the coal mines closed during the Great Depression. Families stayed together by buying company houses for $50 per room, and neighborhood and government programs helped them survive. As the economy improved, Glen Carbon’s leaders annexed affluent and well-planned subdivisions. Glen Carbon families, including the Yanda, Primas, Wieduwilt, Pizzini, Harris, and dozens of others persevered so that Glen Carbon could become the community it is today. Saving historic buildings and venues – along with planning newer subdivisions and shopping centers – helped create a peaceful village that unites the past and present. While developing

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SPRINGFIELD - Roberts Seafood Market, in the heart of Springfield, has been an institution and pillar in the community for more than 100-years. Family-owned and operated, the fifth generation of Roberts is knee-high and already playing their part in the business. You can spot the youngest family member on social media from time to time – or in the store helping her parents. Whether you share the Robert family’s stories on social media, through radio, or you’re a frequent visitor to the market, you can’t help but want to learn more. Robert’s Seafood Market was launched in 1916 by Henry Robert. The market was located downtown on West Washington Street until it moved to its current location at 1615 W. Jefferson in 1966. The family business grew most significantly in the foodservice distribution from the mid-1970s until it sold that division to Sysco Foods in 2004. The seafood market, however, remained in the family and has since grown to include many categories

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CARLINVILLE - The Blackburn College Department of Music & Theatre will present a studio voice recital on Sunday, March 20 at 2:00 pm in Bothwell Auditorium. The concert is free and open to the public but reservations are required. Masks are required, as well. This inaugural event will feature students participating in Blackburn’s Music program working with Grace Fisher, instructor of voice, and Dr. Joseph Welch, professor of music. A variety of solo pieces will be performed and will offer a chance for students to showcase their work throughout the year. Tim Conner, a senior from Carlinville, IL, will be one of the students performing in the recital. He also serves as the concert producer as part of Blackburn’s unique student Work Program - a program where students can build a full resume with relevant, professional experience all while earning their degree. ”This is an opportunity to recognize and support the work of our vocal students,” Conner said. “We’re

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EDWARDSVILLE – The largest technical dairy competition in the world was held in Madison, Wisconsin, last week, with representatives from 29 nations around the globe bringing their best cheeses for a panel of industry-renowned judges to review. Following three days of intense taste judging and scrutiny, Prairie Farms cheeses earned top spots in a trio of categories, including a ‘Best of Class’ award and a 99.475 score in the Cottage Cheese category for its 4% Small Curd Cottage Cheese made at Quincy, Illinois. The Quincy plant also earned a third-place award in the same category for its 2% Small Curd Cottage cheese and a fourth-place finish for Whole Milk Peach yogurt in the Yogurt, Cow’s Milk, Flavored category. In the Blue Veined Cheeses with Exterior Molding category, Prairie Farms’ Caves of Faribault team in Faribault, Minnesota earned a solid third place with its Felix® blue cheese. Felix® earned a very respectable score of 99.145 against more

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URBANA – Another Illinois winter has gone with the promise of spring to soon arrive. Garden catalogs have been arriving for months allowing gardeners to look forward to spring 2022 - the fresh air, energic wildlife, and the gardening. While many have already bought seeds and started to sow them, what if you’re just now thumbing through seed and plant catalogs looking for inspiration, warmth, and a new challenge? “Start by keeping good garden records from previous years to aid in the planning for the new spring. I always like to test a new plant or six, that is suited for USDA hardiness zone 5, which can sometimes be a challenge without a plan or a map,” says University of Illinois Horticulture educator Bruce J. Black . “After mapping out your existing perennials, think about what new plants could be added to your landscape and their space requirements. After covering this topic now for seven years, my starting place is the All-America Selections.”

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