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WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH), Co-Chairs of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, and Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) announced their amendments that prohibit the United States from recognizing any Russian claim of sovereignty over any portion of the internationally recognized territory of Ukraine have been included in the substitute of the Senate version of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that advanced to the Senate floor. The provisions also specifically prohibit the use of U.S. funds to implement any activity that recognizes the sovereignty of Russia over Crimea and four additional provinces most recently facing sham Russian annexation referendums. “As Putin continues to escalate his vicious attacks against innocent Ukrainians, we must stand strong against Russia,” said Durbin. “The bipartisan amendments included in the NDAA reaffirm our commitment to Ukraine and that the

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CARLINVILLE - The Blackburn College Bee Program continues to expand its environmental impact on the sprawling 80-acre Carlinville campus while incorporating a significant educational component along the way. During the summer, the group completed its goal to successfully design and install an observation beehive in the Olin Science Building. Initially developed during the 2020-2021 academic year by current Bee Program student Dade Bradley, class of 2021 graduate Caleb Rieger, and Illinois Department of Agriculture Apiary Inspector Arvin Pierce, the primary purpose of this hive is to increase the visibility of the program on campus since most of the current beehives are located behind the science buildings and not easily accessible. “We recognized that we may not be able to bring everyone out to the bees, so we figured it would be a great idea to instead bring the bees closer to campus,” Bradley, a senior environmental biology major from Braidwood, IL, explained.

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GODFREY - The famous Oscar Mayer Wienermobile made its way into the Godfrey Schnucks location this morning where it will be on display for a short while. It gathered quite a crowd when it arrived shortly after 9 a.m. and began setting up camp. Families and children had opportunities to take photos and look inside the vehicle. The Wienermobile will be at the Godfrey Schnucks until noon today. It will then head off to the Edwardsville Schnucks and will be there from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. If you couldn't make it out today, don't worry, because it will still be in the area tomorrow, Thursday, October 14th. From 9 a.m. to noon it will be at the Des Peres Schnucks and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. it will be at the St. Charles location. It will make its way back to Illinois on Sunday, October 16th from noon to 5 p.m. at the Leclaire Parkfest in Edwardsville. Donations were being accepted for the United Way however it is completely free to go and get a picture with the Wienermobile.

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ALTON - At 9:48 p.m. on October 10, 2022, the Alton Police Department received a 911 call reporting that several people were fighting in the Landings at Belle Meadows apartment complex in Alton. Alton Deputy Police Chief Jarrett Ford said officers responded but did not observe an active disturbance in the complex. "Officers did locate a male subject near the entrance of the complex, who had suffered serious injuries," the deputy chief said. "He was ultimately transferred to a St. Louis area hospital for medical treatment where he is currently listed as critical but in stable condition. "A second male subject later showed up to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries," Deputy Chief Ford said. "Officers determined the male had been in the Belle Meadows apartment complex when he was injured. "The investigation has determined that this is not a random act of violence." Detectives with the Alton Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division are following

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GODFREY - Lewis and Clark Community College Chairman Of The Board Of Trustees David Heyen officially resigned and the board accepted his resignation at the meeting Tuesday night at the college. Lewis and Clark Community College Board Vice President Julie Johnson made the following comments on behalf of the board after the announcement of Heyen’s resignation. "The Board of Trustees takes seriously the unprofessional comment that was made during the public comments portion of its regular September board meeting held on Tuesday, September 13, 2022," Johnson said. "During the investigation of the incident, the board received a resignation from David Heyen effective October 11, 2022. The board apologizes to anyone who was negatively impacted by this course of events, including professor Gerald Moser, who was preparing to make remarks during public comment when the incident occurred. “The Board of Trustees remains committed to preserving the public’s right to address

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - The deceased in a fatal motor vehicle accident that involved a pedestrian struck at the intersection of St. Charles Rock Road and Normandy Avenue has been identified as Marquist Murray, 38 years of age, of the 1600 block of Lulu Avenue, in Saint Louis, MO 63133. "We are seeking the public’s assistance with locating the vehicle that struck Mr. Murray, which is believed to be a 2000-2006 GMC Yukon, white in color," St. Louis County Police said today. "As a result of the collision, the vehicle sustained damage to the front driver side including a missing portion of the front driver side headlight. A still photo of the vehicle is included. Additional information will be disseminated as it becomes available. On October 11, 2022, at 2:50 AM, St. Louis County Police Officers from the Central County Precinct responded to a call for service for a motor vehicle accident with a pedestrian struck at the intersection of St. Charles Rock Road and Normandy Avenue. Responding

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EAST ALTON – Join the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRRECsm) for the first screening of “Kids on the River” a film showcasing high school students exploring the Mississippi River watershed. This event is taking place from 6 - 8 p.m. on Oct. 18, at the NGRREC Field Station, 1 Confluence Way, East Alton Illinois. Following the screening, there will be a panel discussing how different community members view and experience the river. “What I enjoyed most about Waterschool was how broad the exploration was,” TRIO student Xyla Nixon said. “We not only got to learn facts about the Mississippi River, but also about the connections it has to surrounding organisms. My experience made me realize the Mississippi River is something that gives and also sustains life and is not only a body of water I happen to pass by.” In June, 15 high school students from the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Higher Education

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - The St. Louis City Family Court—Juvenile Division, issued 7 counts of Burglary on a juvenile suspect, 15 years of age, who resides within the jurisdiction of the City of St. Louis. According to the Missouri Law Enforcement Juvenile Justice Guidelines , “…jurisdiction may be taken by the court of the circuit in which the child or person resides.” The juvenile suspect is connected to the following cases which occurred between August 2, 2022, through August 5, 2022. Several of the businesses that were burglarized are located within the St. Lous County Fenton and South County precincts. 08/02/2022 – 5:05 AM, Dominos, 8814 Gravois Road, Saint Louis, MO 63123 08/02/2022 – 12:45 AM, Subway, 4305 Butler Hill, Saint Louis, MO 63128 08/05/2022 – 3:00 AM, Olde Town Donuts, 67 Fenton Plaza, Fenton, MO 63026 08/05/2022 – 3:30 AM, Denny Dennis, 1 Gravois Rd, Fenton, MO 63026 (9 guns stolen) 08/05/2022 – 7:00 AM, Subway,

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ALTON - The YWCA Southwestern Illinois Get Out the Vote Project is hosting a Madison County Candidate’s Forum on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the YWCA Gymnasium, 304 E Third St., Alton. Candidates for the following races have been confirmed: Illinois State Senate District 56, Illinois House District 111, and Madison County Clerk. A moderator will ask questions of each candidate pair and, time permitting, take questions from the audience. “Candidate forums help us get informed. They provide us with an opportunity to ask hard questions. Our democracy thrives when all of us are engaged. Attending a candidate forum is a great way to empower yourself and do your civic duty for democracy. The candidates that we elect make important decisions that affect our lives and we are pleased to host this year’s forum.” said Dorothy Hummel, YWCA Executive Director. "You may access the gym through the parking lot on George Street in Alton which

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CARROLLTON - Several individuals have been arrested on charges of violent, child-related, and property crimes over the past few weeks in Greene County, according to the latest Jail Booking Report from the Greene County Sheriff’s Department. Tammy E. Wurtsbaugh, 40, of Hardin, was charged with child pornography in the form of photography. She was arrested by the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department on Aug. 30 and has since been released on bond. Donald C. Kassing, 27, of Roodhouse, was charged with telephone harassment of a child. He was arrested last Monday, Oct. 3 by the Greenfield Police Department and has since been released on bond. Ronald E. Mielke, 40, of Roodhouse, was charged with criminal damage to property, resisting a peace officer, and disorderly conduct. He was arrested by the Roodhouse Police Department last Friday, Oct. 7, and has since been released on a combination of bond and days credit. Roy M. Mielke, 39, of Hillview, was arrested for aggravated

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EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County State’s Attorney Thomas A. Haine announced Wednesday that his office is seeking the forfeiture of 287 catalytic converters that investigators seized from the premises of a scrap-metal dealer in East Alton. Haine filed a forfeiture case that alleges proper records were not kept when the catalytic converters were purchased. The forfeiture case alleges that an undercover investigator from the Illinois Secretary of State, acting on information from Wood River Police, sold three catalytic converters to an employee of the business, Summit Processors, on Sept. 26. The employee of the business failed to require proof of ownership for the parts, failed to photograph the sellers, and paid cash for the parts, according to an affidavit from the investigator. A check is required when the purchase exceeds $100. Haine’s office then assisted the Secretary of State Police investigator in obtaining a warrant to search the premises, resulting in the discovery

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GRAFTON - Grafton Police Chief Eric Spanton and Officer Jim Wetzstein were honored by Crime Stoppers at a ceremony in Hardin on Monday evening, October 10, 2022. Each officer was presented with a Lifesaving Award in recognition of their vital role in saving the life of a man who suffered a heart attack on August 25, 2022. “We were in the right place at the right time as part of a coordinated team effort,” Chief Spanton said. The Grafton Officers were instrumental in blocking traffic and providing a police escort to the hospital. The President of Hardin County Crime Stoppers, Terry Woefel, presided over the awards ceremony and recognized several other officers, deputies, and a dispatcher for their roles in helping with this and other lifesaving events. Hardin County Crime Stoppers is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) community organization that makes Hardin county safer. Mayor Mike Morrow and a contingent of Grafton residents attended the ceremony and showed their support and appreciation

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EDWARDSVILLE – The Edwardsville Fire Department is hosting its long-running annual open house on Saturday, October 15. The public is invited to attend the event, which will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Public Safety Building, 333 S. Main Street. The open house allows visitors to get an up-close look at the Fire Department’s operations and equipment. A helicopter landing, live fire demonstration, Technical Rescue Team exercise and visits from Sparky, the Fire Dog, also are planned. Free refreshments also will be provided, and kids bicycle helmets will be given away. In addition, Edwardsville Police Department members will display their equipment and be available to answer questions. The City’s police and fire headquarters are both housed at the Public Safety Building, which opened in 2017. The majority of the time, the Fire Department is coming to residents, not the other way around. That’s what makes the open house such a terrific occasion, said Fir

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GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College’s Board of Trustees is seeking a candidate to serve the remainder of a vacant trustee term, to end in April 2023. The vacancy comes after former Board Chair David Heyen’s resignation, effective Oct. 11, 2022. The full Board includes seven trustees and a student trustee, who casts an advisory vote. “Trustees should be knowledgeable about the communities we serve and demonstrate a strong commitment to uphold the college’s mission of educating the people of Lewis and Clark Community College District 536,” said Board Chair Julie Johnson. District residents, age 18 and up, who are interested in serving the college, should submit a Letter of Interest explaining why they want to serve on the Board, along with a biography/resume to board@lc.edu now through Oct. 27, for consideration. Lewis and Clark’s district encompasses parts of seven counties in Illinois, including all of Jersey County, Calhoun

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CARROLLTON - Several individuals were charged with drug and alcohol-related offenses in Greene County over the past few weeks, according to the latest edition of the Greene County Jail Booking Report. Dale A. Smith, 34, of Jerseyville, was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended registration. He was arrested by the Roodhouse Police Department on Monday night at 8:02 p.m. and remains in custody. Kyle G. Hoffman, 29, also of Jerseyville, was arrested Sunday at 1:32 a.m. by the Calhoun County Sheriff's Department. He was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs and possession of 15-100 grams of methamphetamine. He has since been released on bond. Two individuals from Carrollton were arrested on meth-related charges by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police. Shanie G. Tittsworth, 33, and Nathine W. Walker, 39, both of Carrollton, were each charged with possession

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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS – October 1 is the deadline for St. Clair County residents to make the second installments of their real estate property taxes. Unfortunately, Illinois continues to have the second-highest property tax rate in the nation , behind only New Jersey. Specifically, St. Clair County has one of the highest median property taxes in the United States and is ranked 328th of the 3143 counties in order of median property taxes, according to tax-rates.org “It is really discouraging that our hard-working Illinois families have this extra property tax burden along with record inflation, grocery prices, and energy costs,” said Jennifer Korte, candidate for the 112 th District Illinois House. “Our elected officials are failing us, especially here in the Metro East where businesses can easily plant their roots across state lines where they are taxed less. If elected I will make one of my top priorities supporting legislation to freeze and outright reduce

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ALTON - Gumbo 2 Geaux, located at 1808 Washington Ave. in Alton, had its grand opening Wednesday morning. The location will be primarily drive-thru and carry-out only, however outside dining areas are in the plans moving forward as well as a few tables inside the building. The restaurant ironically opens its doors on National Gumbo Day. Kyndra Green runs the business with her husband, Troy. They moved to Alton from Louisiana six years ago. The two of them do a lot of the authentic-cajun cooking as it's something Kyndra loves to do. "I've always enjoyed cooking," Kyndra said. "I've been a server for 13 years." Kyndra and Troy took a huge risk when they decided to leave everything behind in Louisiana and start anew in Alton. "When I moved to Illinois in 2016, we had just lost everything to a flood in Louisiana. So, we moved up here to kind of restart our lives. When I started working around here I started cooking food for my coworkers and friends, gumbo mainly." She mentioned

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EDWARDSVILLE - A downtown property that served as Edwardsville's first City Hall and was the longtime home of public safety services is being transformed into The Station on Main, an estimated $20 million mixed- use development with residential, office, retail and restaurant space. The property includes parcels from 400-420 N. Main Street, which are owned by Fireside Financial, an Edwardsville-based company that is overseeing the development project. Interior work is underway, and demolition of a former residence within the footprint of the development began this week. Once the project is finished, which is expected in 2024, the multi-level property will include about 38 single- bedroom apartments and townhomes, four restaurants, office space for up to five businesses, and five boutique retail sites, along with on-site parking. “This is an exciting project, and we’re very hopeful that it’s just the beginning of the kind of growth we’ll see in this area,”

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The Granite City High School Guidance Department is hosting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Completion Workshop on Wednesday, Oct. 26 from 5-7 p.m. in the GCHS Media Center. Professionals from Trio Educational Opportunity Centers will be there to assist students and families in completing their FAFSA that night. The event is open for two hours and families can attend at any time during that window. Spots are limited, so students will need to sign up in the guidance office ASAP. For more information about Granite City School District #9, visit www.gcsd9.net .

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CHICAGO – If you’re looking to strike it rich - the Illinois Lottery has a couple of life-changing jackpots up for grabs this week, with a combined prize total over $900 million. The Powerball jackpot for tonight’s drawing is now at an estimated $420 million, and the Mega Millions jackpot for Friday night’s drawing is at $494 million. As both jackpots climb, Illinois Lottery players will be hoping that their numbers come up. Just a few months ago, an Illinois Lottery player won a historic $1.34 billion Mega Millions jackpot, the largest lottery prize ever won in Illinois, and the third largest lottery prize ever won in the U.S. Another Illinois Lottery player will be celebrating that winning feeling this week after matching all five Powerball numbers to win $1 million. The winning numbers in Monday’s draw were: 3-6-11-17-22. The winning ticket was sold at K N R Candy, located at 15 River Oaks Drive in Calumet City.

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