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ALTON - Listen to the heartbeat of the Great Rivers & Routes region in a new video series called “Heartbeats” -- showcasing ordinary people who have made an extraordinary difference in local communities. The new eight-episode docu-series launched on www.riversandroutes.com on Jan. 17. It features powerful stories themed around entrepreneurs, arts, music, healthy living, and people who give back to their communities. The series was created in partnership with the Shift Agency of Alton. “The Heartbeats video series is a thoughtful and heartfelt look at the people who make southwest Illinois a truly great place to live. These people are the ‘heartbeat’ of their respective communities,” said Cory Jobe, President/CEO of the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau. “Because of these people, we have a destination that people not only want to visit but also where people want to live.” Each episode is between five and six minutes long and lives

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EDWARDSVILLE – Following a deadly structural collapse at an Amazon warehouse in Edwardsville during a tornado, an initiative led by state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, and state Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, will create a Warehouse Safety Standards Task Force aimed at developing recommendations to make similar workplaces safer moving forward. “Everyone should have the right to a safe and healthy working environment and to return home unharmed at the end of each shift,” Stuart said. “However, recent events have shown that more is required to ensure that warehouse workers are not subjected to avoidable hazards and that their employers are held accountable for meeting acceptable standards of health and safety. That’s why we created this task force. I’m hopeful that by closely studying the issues unique to the warehouse industry, we can improve the safety of workers, reduce injuries and potentially save lives.” “The tragedy at the

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ALTON - The Alton Committee of the Whole passed several resolutions at the meeting on Monday, Jan. 23, including Main Street improvements, property demolitions, and more. The committee passed a resolution authorizing the following sections of Main Street to be improved under the Illinois Highway Code: from Hillcrest Avenue to College Avenue, from Logan Street to 9th Street, and from Illinois Route 140/111 to the south of Alton Commerce Parkway. Several property demolitions were also approved at Monday night’s meeting, including 919 Pearl St., 1417 Thorpe St., 2128 Seminary St., 1209-1211 East 6th St., 303 Harriett St., 242 Madison Ave., and 2104 Hickory St. Committee members also unanimously approved two requests to sell and/or serve alcohol at two events: the Alton Little Theater, Inc.’s Frank Sinatra Tribute Concert Fundraiser and the Alton Athletic Association’s Music Trivia Fundraiser. The council also briefly discussed the city’s use of American

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CARLINVILLE, IL - Miriam (Mim) Wali-Uddin, a senior Justice Administration major from Jacksonville, IL, is the recipient of Blackburn College’s 2023 Martin Luther King (MLK) Student Leadership Award. Presented annually, this award honors students who have demonstrated outstanding commitment and service to the ideals of diversity, equity, and inclusion at the College. Wali-Uddin was announced as the award recipient during Blackburn’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation this month. Wali-Uddin was surprised but honored to be recognized for her leadership on campus. “I am grateful for this award,“ she said. “I do what I do on this campus because I want everyone to feel welcome at Blackburn and a valuable member of this community. While I don’t do this for recognition, I’m so happy to know that I’m making a difference.” On campus, Wali-Uddin serves as president of the Student Senate, advocating and elevating the voices of students

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ALTON - Jacoby Arts Center brings you a visual experience of the history, architecture, and design of the Jacoby building. Please join us for our first exhibit of 2023, “Love Letter to Jacoby: Mementos of a Landmark. This exhibit is showing from Feb 1, 2023, to Mar 18, 2023, and spans not only 1 but 2 First Friday Events. This Exhibit is a collaboration of two local artists, Jenna Muscarella and Michael Snider, who have dedicated a large amount of their adult lives to preserving the past and “improving quality of life through creating meaningful, memorable works of art that engage the viewer, facilitate thought, and inspire ” says Michael Snider. Jenna Muscarella believes, “This exhibit not only belongs to Jacoby but anyone involved and inspired by the building over the years.” Showing : February 1, 2023 - March 18, 2023 Opening Reception : Feb. 3, During First Fridays, 6-8 p.m. “Last Look” Reception : March 3, During First Fridays, 6-8

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EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced Monday that a driver who fatally struck Police Officer Brian Pierce Jr. on the McKinley Bridge while trying to flee from police has received a sentence of life in prison, plus 13 years. The sentence was handed to Caleb L. Campbell, 24, of Florissant, Mo. In December, prosecutors won a conviction against Campbell for first-degree murder. “The loss felt by the family and loved ones of Officer Pierce is unimaginable. There is no sentence that could even begin to give them a sense that justice has been adequately served. Officer Pierce and his family will remain in our prayers,” Haine said. He added, “As I’ve stressed before in this case, fleeing from the police is always wrong and dangerous, and if an officer dies as a result of such actions, those responsible for killing the officer will face murder charges.” Testimony and evidence presented at trial by Assistant State’s

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EDWARDSVILLE - In 2019, District 7 partnered with the Edwardsville Public Library and First Student Bus Transportation Company to increase student access to books and awareness of the power of reading in hopes to grow enthusiastic readers. Stories on the Move, a program that puts books donated from the Edwardsville Public Library on 15 District 7 buses, emerged out of this collaborative effort. The concept is simple. Children are offered a book as they enter the bus. They can choose to read it on the bus, put it back at the end of their trip, or take it home to help build their home libraries. The book does not need to be returned. Unfortunately, Stories on the Move was suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, with support through a donation from Dieterich Bank, this initiative comes alive again this week. This collaboration between community entities such as Dieterich Bank, the Edwardsville Public Library, First Student Bus Transportation Company, and District 7 is just

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EDWARDSVILLE – The Metro-East Lutheran High School scholar bowl team swept the conference tournament over the weekend to bring home the Gateway Metro Conference Championship. The MELHS varsity team went undefeated for the day, handily defeating Father McGivney and Christ Our Rock Lutheran High School. The junior varsity team also won their division, with a winning record of 3-1 for the day. In the first round of play, the varsity Knights defeated Father McGivney with a score of 520 to 60 then went on to defeat Christ our Rock 480 to 150. In the second round of play, the MELHS varsity team again defeated both Father McGivney, 490 to 120, and Christ our Rock, 560 to 60. The tournament’s top three scorers from the day were all from MELHS. Silas Curtis, a senior, came in at the top spot with an average of 110 points per game. Peter Curtis, a freshman, was second with an average of 80 points per game, and Harry Mueller, a junior, was third with an average of 50 points per game

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ALTON - Antonia Phillips is a Senior at Alton High that gives her absolute best to every task she sets out to complete. As a junior, she was crowned the first female state champion (2022 was the initial season for girls wrestling in the Illinois High School Association) for Alton High School. Phillips is the Art Fahrner-Edward Jones Alton High Remarkable Redbird of the Month. Antonia's goal for 2023 is to win it all again this year as a repeat champion. Antonia shared that she started playing football around the age of 5, and her dad suggested that she join wrestling because she always played football with the boys, and she was a pretty tough kid. Antonia's success happened while taking honors classes and maintaining a better than 4.0 GPA. Antonia added that her coursework gets more challenging each year as classes have gotten more intense. She said that "things have gotten tougher" but "I just want to make everyone proud." Her course load for senior year has included: AP-Statistics,

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EAST ST. LOUIS – A 72-year-old Caseyville woman admitted to cashing more than $128,000 in her deceased mother’s Social Security benefits in a U.S. District Court on Monday. Darlene L. Roger pled guilty to one count of Theft of Government Funds. “Concealing a relative’s death from the Government in order to keep receiving the relative’s Social Security benefits constitutes felony theft,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “Individuals tempted to do this face going to federal prison.” “Ms. Rogers knowingly committed fraud by stealing Social Security retirement benefits that were intended for her deceased mother,” said Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General for the Social Security Administration (SSA). “I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecuting this case. We will continue to protect the integrity of the SSA and hold accountable those who defraud its programs.” According to court documents, Juanita

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EDWARDSVILLE — A judge has handed a 32-year prison term to a Granite City man for the murder of a Madison teen in 2020, Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced Monday. Nicholas Rickman III, 18, received the sentence in connection with the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Sean D. Williams. In October, prosecutors won a jury conviction against Rickman on charges of first-degree murder and armed robbery. At a sentencing hearing Thursday, prosecutors asked the judge to impose the maximum sentence. The maximum sentence available in this case was 40 years in prison, due to Rickman being 16 at the time of the offense. “Understandably, for the family and loved ones of Sean, no sentence could possibly feel adequate. Their loss is immeasurable,” Haine said. “Yet I hope that this conviction and sentence will help them begin to heal.” A codefendant, 19-year-old Deandre Richardson, previously pleaded guilty to first-degree murder. The jury found that

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JERSEYVILLE - A Jerseyville man has been charged with nine felony counts of credit/debit card and theft-related offenses. Brandon K. Ervin, 36, of Jerseyville, was charged with the following: Counts 1, 4, and 7: Unlawful Use of Credit Card (Class 3 Felony) Counts 2, 5, and 8: Unlawful Possession of the Credit/Debit Card of Another (Class 4 Felony) Counts 3, 6, and 9: Theft (Class 4 Felony) Counts 1-6 were issued relating to offenses committed on Dec. 30, 2022, while Counts 7-9 were issued regarding additional offenses committed on Jan. 2, 2023. Ervin stole $269 in cash and a debit card that did not belong to him, then defrauded Jersey State Bank by using that debit card to steal over $300 in additional cash on Dec. 30, 2022. Ervin had previously been convicted of retail theft in Jersey County on September 7, 2022. On Jan. 2, 2023, Ervin stole an additional $86 from the same victim and was still in possession of their stolen debit card, which he again used to defraud

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JERSEYVILLE - A Jerseyville woman was charged with attempting to flee from a police officer in her vehicle after speeding “at least 21 miles per hour over the legal speed limit” on Highway 16, according to recent court filings. Dawn M. Phillips, 43, of Jerseyville, was charged with aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer on Jan. 13, when she drove her 2017 Nissan Rogue over 21 miles per hour above the legal speed limit on Highway 16 at Range Line Road in Jersey County. “After having been given a visual or audible signal by a peace officer, the defendant failed to bring her vehicle to a stop and drove at a rate of speed at least 21 miles per hour over the legal speed limit, in an attempt to elude a peace officer,” Assistant State’s Attorney Kevin Tellor said of the charge. Phillips was charged with a Class 4 felony. A warrant was issued for her arrest on Jan. 17 and her bail was set at $15,000. She posted a $1,500 bond the next

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ATCHISON, Kan. - Katie Baumgarten of Alton, has graduated Summa Cum Laude from Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan., receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education. Most of the graduates walked during the college's Commencement Exercises on May 14, 2022, during which they heard from Bishop Robert Baron, founder of Word on Fire Ministries and the Bishop of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester in Minnesota. The college graduated 79 students at the end of the fall academic semester on December 12, 2022. Founded in 1858, Benedictine College is a Catholic, Benedictine, residential, liberal arts college located on the bluffs above the Missouri River in Atchison, Kansas. The school is proud to have been named one of America's Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report as well as one of the top Catholic colleges in the nation by First Things magazine and the Newman Guide. It prides itself on outstanding academics, extraordinary faith life, strong athletic programs, and an exceptional sense

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GRANITE CITY - A “Paranormal Valentine’s Experience” is coming to the Old Six Mile Museum in Granite City, which will feature a presentation from paranormal investigators, a catered dinner, and a murder mystery game set in the 1920s Jazz Age. The event will be held on Saturday, Feb. 4 starting at 1 p.m. at the Old Six Mile Museum, located at 3279 Maryville Road in Granite City. The cost of attendance is $25 per person, which includes a catered dinner, hors d'oeuvres, spirits (attendees must be 21 or over), and desserts. Alcoholic beverages won’t be the only spirits highlighted at the event, as attendees will also see and hear evidence of the museum’s ghostly inhabitants. “We discuss the paranormal events at the museum, and we hear from the paranormal team that actually came in and researched all of them and discovered the reasons for all the weird things that were happening,” Agles-Kempfer said. “Then we’re going to do a murder

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PONTOON BEACH - On Sunday, February 5, Madison County Transit (MCT) is implementing its winter service change. Thanks to aggressive recruitment efforts by Agency for Community Transit (ACT), and changes to the composition of driver rosters, MCT was able to forego the reductions that were previously proposed due to the labor shortage, and even extend select routes with additional evening trips. “We’re incredibly grateful that we have the energetic and dedicated workforce to keep our buses on the road and to continue providing critical transportation services each day,” said MCT Managing Director SJ Morrison. “The service cuts that were initially proposed due to the driver shortage would have been detrimental to thousands of Madison County residents.” A summary of the changes, effective Sunday, February 5, 2023, is listed below. For detailed schedule information visit www.mct.org , call 618-797-INFO (4636), or e-mail info@mct.org . ROUTE CHANGES:

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ALTON - Centerstone, a nonprofit health system specializing in mental health and substance use disorder treatments, will host the quarterly Southern Illinois Opioid Response Advisory Council on February 27 from 1-2 p.m. CT on Zoom. The Southern Illinois Opioid Response Advisory Council was created to help establish a collective understanding of the existing efforts and initiatives occurring in the Southern Illinois region to address the opioid crisis, identify gaps, promote evidence-based strategies and policies designed to combat this public health crisis, and to support the development of Centerstone's Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) hub-and-spoke model. All sectors of the community are welcome to participate in the advisory council and its meetings. It is a great way to stay connected with all of the impactful initiatives and life-changing programs taking place across Southern Illinois,? Stearns said. ?If you are passionate about recovery, work in healthcare, have lived experience

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JERSEYVILLE - Do you have an interest in weather and helping your community? Well, we have an excellent opportunity for you! The National Weather Service in St. Louis, in coordination with Jersey County Emergency Management Agency, is offering storm spotter classes at Jersey Community High School on February 6th at 6:30 PM. Classes usually take approximately two hours and cover the basics of thunderstorm development, storm structure, the features to look for, and where to find them. They will also cover what, when, and how to report information, as well as basic severe weather safety. If you would like to assist your local community by becoming a volunteer storm spotter and reporting severe weather to the National Weather Service, or if you simply want to learn more about severe weather, consider attending these informative classes! More information can be found at https://arcg.is/1y0G1m .

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SPRINGFIELD - The Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance (SSGA) is celebrating a record year in terms of advancing economic development and partnership opportunities across the region. SSGA was formed five years ago with the goal of promoting and pursuing economic development efforts in Springfield and Sangamon County. CEO Ryan McCrady said SSGA has played an instrumental role in pushing forward several significant community projects including the Land of Lincoln Energy Center (LLEC), which has been issued its final construction permit and Double Black Diamond Solar, which will be the largest solar development in Illinois and recently broke ground. In addition, SSGA supported efforts for the SCHEELS Sports Park at Legacy Pointe and the University of Illinois Springfield Innovation Center. SSGA also partnered with the City of Springfield to fund the phase 2 environmental study of the Pillsbury Mills Site, an 18-acre development site in Springfield’s north end which has allowed th

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ALTON - Alton Little Theater's Artistic Director, Kevin Frakes, has something special planned in early February that should delight everyone who has ever admired the many, many songs that Frank Sinatra made famous! Yes, Kevin & a talented company of performers will produce SINTRA: LAST CALL on February 10th and 11th at 7:30 pm; Sunday, February 12th at 2 pm. CNB Bank is the Corporate Sponsor for the event and the Theater is going all out to celebrate Kevin's Farewell Concert and tribute to the "crooner" he admires so much. Indeed, Kevin has produced six concerts in the last nine years, honoring the works of Kenny Rogers, Barry Manilow, a Family Christmas Concert, and three tributes to the 400+ songs in Frank Sintra's catalog. Each prior concert focused on a particular era of Frank's life with Big Band sounds, famous duets, and stories --and after digging into research and listening to so many songs, Kevin decided to bring the "love" to the ALT stage. Sinatra was a " Ladies

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