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ALTON - The Alton Fire Department called a Box Alarm for a major fire in the 100 block of Taylor Avenue at 5:38 a.m. Friday. Alton Deputy Chief Matt Fischer said the fire "was shooting through the roof" when firefighters arrived at the scene and was a very difficult situation. East Alton Fire Department was called for backup. Deputy Chief Fischer described the house at this point as "a total loss." "The state fire marshal was called to the scene to investigate," Fischer said. He also added that the exact cause of the blaze could not yet be determined until after the fire marshal's investigation.

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - On Thursday, July 7, 2022, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued warrants on suspects Tiffany Lomax, 25 years of age, of the 8800 block of Eichler Place in St. Louis, Missouri 63134, for one count of Vehicle Hijacking and one count of Robbery First Degree, and Desmond Lillard, 24 years of age, of the 2400 block of Cora Avenue in St. Louis, MO 63113, for two counts of Vehicle Hijacking and two counts of Robbery First Degree. Mugshots of both Lomax and Lillard are attached. Lomax is being held on a $250,000 cash only, no 10% bond, and Lillard is being held on a $500,000 cash only, no 10% bond. Please note, charges are merely an accusation and Defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law. The probable cause statement for Lomax reads: On July 6, 2022, Victim was jogging in a park when co-Defendant Lillard approached the Victim and asked for a lighter. The Victim stopped jogging and the co-Defendant grabbed

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GRAFTON – The wait is over. The new Mississippi Monster opens at Raging Rivers Waterpark this Saturday, July 9. Guests will see this giant main attraction at the top of a hill as they enter the park. The new super-slide features three hidden chambers to speed down, splashing and spraying through the enclosed tubes before an exhilarating final splash. “We are thrilled to open the Mississippi Monster for our guests to enjoy, Corporate Director of Operations Ken Handler. “This new slide adds a new level of thrills to our collection of family fun attractions.” The park has made numerous improvements to the guest experience this season, including adding more shade structures, free seating, new food options, expedited food lines, and reopening the River Grille. Guests can also join fun filled games offered by the park’s entertainment team or kick back and enjoy the show. Raging Rivers Waterpark offers dynamic pricing for guests looking to save on daily admission.

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EDWARDSVILLE - James Zugmaier, who was one of the top bowlers in his four years with a developing Edwardsville High boys program, has signed a letter of intent to bowl for Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo. Zugmaier, who was one of the first bowlers when the Tigers started out, is looking forward to competing at the next level and will bring a positive attitude to the Lions. For his efforts, Zugmaier is an iCAN Clinic Male Athlete of the Month for the Tigers. "For one, just to start off, try to bring a positive attitude, and good work ethic every single day," Zugmaier said in an interview following the ceremony. "But especially with the drier conditions in bowling, I know a lot of kids on that team, I know they have a lot of high-break bowlers. I hope I try to specialize in the drier patterns and help the team out when it comes to that. Zugmaier, who bowled for head coach Craig Ohlau this past season, decided on Lindenwood based on a visit to one of his tournaments by Lions'

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JERSEY - The Jersey girls' softball team was what their Coach Chelsea Crnokrak describes as "an incredibly hard-working group of girls" this past spring. "Our overall record was 17-14," the coach said. "This was an incredibly hard-working group of girls. We graduated 8 seniors from the 2021 season. The 2022 seniors were Caroline Gibson, Karli Talley, and Jaelyn Schulte. Their leadership, positive attitudes, and work ethic helped make this season a success. We competed well in our conference and in the postseason with a tough loss to Triad in the Regional Championship. "This team also broke the school record for most team home runs with 28. The previous record was 18. Additionally, Caroline Gibson broke the JCHS single-season home run record with 9 and tied the school career home run record with 11." The Jersey softball girls are Quality Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Jerseyville Female Athletes of Month. Panthers' Softball Award Winners: Pictured Front to Back (L-R): 1. Caroline

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JERSEYVILLE – Jersey High School boys tennis player Zach Wargo advanced to the IHSA State Boys Tennis Tournament, then he won his first-round match. Overall, he had great success at state and earned All-State honors with his teammates Edward Roberts and Logan Schultz. Wargo won his opening match over Kabeer Ahuja of Carbondale 6-4, 7-6 (7-5 in the tiebreak). Wargo lost his second-round match to Ryan Nelson of LaGrange Park Nazareth Academy 4-6, 6-4, 10-7 and was relegated to the consolation bracket, but did not reach the top. Zach didn’t start until his sophomore year, but it says a lot about his drive and character when he made a state-run like this at the end of this season, his Coach Dan Diamond said. Zach Wargo is a Quality Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Jerseyville Male Athlete of Month for Panthers. “Zach Wargo surprised a lot of people toward the end of the season,” Diamond said. “He was a five-seed in our sectional at Chatham and had to beat a reall

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JERSEY – The double combination of Edward Roberts and Logan Schultz finished with IHSA Class 1A All-State honors at the state boys tennis tourney. The combination are Quality Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Jerseyville Male Athletes of the Month for the Panthers. The doubles team of Edward Roberts and Logan Schultz won their opening match at state, then lost in the second round to Caleb Brinkman and Joe Settlemeyr of Peoria Richwoods 6-0, 6-1, but rebounded in the second round of the consolation bracket to defeat Nikhil Gupta and Joseph Doerfler of Chatham Glenwood 8-2, then won in the third round over Cole Palese and Jaylan Tucker of Crystal Lake Prairie Ridge 8-3 before losing in the fourth round to Douglas Yoo and Graham O'Leary of Dunlap 8-6 and were eliminated. Roberts, a safety, has continued his extraordinary summer and was defensive MVP in a Shrine High School All-Star Football Game this summer at Illinois Wesleyan. Roberts was coached by legendary East St. Louis Coach Darren

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EDWARDSVILLE -Southern Illinois University Edwardsville returned to its summer tradition of welcoming high school students to explore its facilities and connect with faculty experts to enhance their interest in healthcare-related fields at the annual Healthcare Diversity Summer Camp. Approximately 20 students from across Illinois, including East St. Louis, Chicago, Collinsville, Bolingbrook, Chatham, Gillespie, Glen Carbon, Granite City, Alton, as well as St. Louis, Mo., attended camp in June. The Healthcare Diversity Summer Camp is a collaborative effort organized by the SIUE Schools of Pharmacy (SOP), Nursing, the SIU School of Dental Medicine and the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior’s nutrition program. It focuses on experience and enrichment as students gain an understanding of the ample opportunities that exist within each healthcare field, through interactive lessons and activities. “The camp’s purpose is to expose high school students who are

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LITCHFIELD - The Litchfield Pickers Market returns Sunday, July 10, 2022, from 9 a.m to 3 p.m. in Downtown Litchfield (Starting at 400 N. State Street). This portable vintage and antique market is a fun, family-friendly event and we are excited to welcome back visitors and vendors to Litchfield, IL. The Litchfield Pickers Market is the largest open-air pickers market in the region and is located less than 3 miles off Interstate 55. This market specializes in antiques, collectibles, vintage items, and refurbished items, and occurs every second Sunday of the month through October. Each month the Litchfield Pickers Market welcomes musicians to perform at the Carnegie Park stage. During the July 10 market, Lexy Schelmer will kick off the day and perform live from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Lexy Schlemer is a solo singer and guitar player hailing from Edwardsville, Illinois. She has played lead guitar/sang on and off in rock bands for the last 15 years and in 2018 decided to go out on her own

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CHICAGO – Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) sent a letter to Illinois education leaders highlighting the federal funds secured through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act for mental health services to help students prevent and cope with the emotional scars related to gun violence. The bill provides $3 billion for school and community mental health grants and activities to support counseling and trauma-informed care, including at least $28 million over four years for the Trauma Support in Schools program that Durbin and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) created in 2018 to help break the cycle of trauma and violence. The letter said in part, “Your schools and communities know this challenge all too well. The threat of physical violence within your walls and your surrounding neighborhoods is an ever-present worry. Millions of students nationwide enter the classroom each day carrying the emotional trauma of having suffered or witnessed violence or other

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ALTON – The next American Red Cross blood drive at Alton Memorial Hospital will be from 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 4, in the AMH café meeting rooms. To register, go to https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=AltonMemorial or contact Dave Whaley in AMH Marketing & Communications at 618-433-7947 or david.whaley@bjc.org . To encourage donors to do something amazing this summer and give blood, we’re thanking all those who present to give in August with a $10 e-gift card to a merchant of choice, plus they will automatically be entered for a chance to win gas for a year (a $6,000 value)! There will be three lucky winners. Terms apply at RedCrossBlood.org/GasForAYear . The Red Cross currently has about four days’ supply of most blood products. However, the Red Cross strives to keep a five-day supply of all blood types on hand at all times to meet daily patient needs and be prepared for emergencies requiring significant volumes

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ST. LOUIS - Today, the City of St. Louis announced an expansion of youth programming locations and events to help keep city kids safe while school is out. Summer Fun STL , a collaboration between the City, St. Louis Public Schools, and the St. Louis Youth Collaborative, has opened another location at Jefferson High School, and the City is funding through the American Rescue Plan youth pop-up events in partnership with the Violence Prevention Commission (VPC). “Keeping our children safe is the most important investment we can make,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. “As a mom, I know how hard it can be to juggle work and family while school is out for the summer. I encourage families to check out these fun opportunities for youth to learn and grow.” The Boys & Girls Club will administer the new Summer Fun STL location. A total of eight locations are running through July 29, from 8am - 6pm, providing recreational and educational activities and three meals a

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ALTON - The 132nd season of the Alton Municipal Band continues this week, featuring the Alton High School Jazz Band, at Riverview and Haskell Parks. The concert will begin with the Municipal Band, under the direction of David Drillinger, performing a 30 minute music set, including the traditional march around the park. Then, the AHS Jazz Band, under the direction of Chris Jarden, will play a variety of tunes, featuring students who represent the future of music in our community. This concert follows a highly successful and busy week of patriotic concerts that took place over the Independence Day holiday. The program will take place on Thursday, July 7th, at Riverview Park (7:30 PM), and Sunday, July 10th, at Haskell Park (7:00 PM). Admission is free and open to the public.

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EDWARDSVILLE – The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy’s Jessica Kerr, PharmD, associate dean of Professional Student Affairs and professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice, has been honored as the 2021-22 Illinois Diabetes Care and Education Specialist of the Year. The award is given to a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) who has made a special contribution to the field and is seen as a role model by their peers and colleagues. “The multidisciplinary members of the Illinois Coordinating Body for the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (ADCES) is a passionate group of health care providers,” said Kerr. “It is thrilling to know that my individual and collaborative efforts through the years are valued.” Kerr has been a CDCES since 2004. Her interest in the study of diabetes first stemmed from her grandfather’s diagnosis while she was attending pharmacy school. “The

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ALTON - As of Wednesday, July 6, Alton's Golden Corral announced it will be closed for multiple months ahead. The handwritten sign on the door pretty much told it all: "We will be closing at 4 p.m. today for approximately 4 months. We appreciate your business and hope you'll come to see us when we reopen." This closure comes as a complete shock to many and a disappointment to others. After having to shut down for a long period of time during the COVID-19 Pandemic, the buffet's future was already in question. But, Golden Corral did open its doors to sit-down dining again earlier this year. Alton Mayor David Goins said the immediate Golden Corral closing was disappointing and he hopes it is a temporary move. “Golden Corral has been a staple in our community for quite some time,” he said. “I am looking forward to when they reopen again and we will be communicating with the owners to see what is ahead.” Before COVID-19, the company had nearly 500 locations

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Madison County Board voted on Wednesday night to stop hiring and firing privileges for Board Chairman Kurt Prenzler during a spirited, well-attended special meeting. Prenzler commented afterward that he definitely disagreed with the 19-6 vote to limit his privileges without board approval. The board members who voted in favor of the power restraints said that a big part of the reason for the decision was the amount of money that had been paid out in lawsuits from former county employees. “I will remain fighting for the taxpayers, and I will listen to and work for the citizens of Madison County,” Prenzler said. “I didn’t think what they did was legal in certain respects, but only time will tell.” The board appears also planning for a vote on installing a chairman pro tem, who if approved, would serve as a vice-chairman and take over some of Prenzler’s duties. Some board members said Prenzler’s judgment was put in focu

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ALTON - On Tuesday, Illinois American Water started the process to rehabilitate the sanitary sewer system and replace approximately 1,200 feet of water main in Alton. The work will be done along U.S. Route 67 from 20th Street/College Avenue south to 3rd Street in Alton. U.S. Route 67 (Piasa Street), from 20 th Street/College Avenue south to 3 rd Street in Alton, will be closed for approximately one month barring any unforeseen circumstances and weather, Illinois-American Water says. Alton Deputy Police Chief Jarrett Ford said due to the construction on Piasa Street, please figure in additional time for travels in that area. State Street and other streets in the Downtown Alton area were extremely busy in the 5 p.m. range on Tuesday with motorists in their commute home from work. "Please be aware Belle Street between 3rd and 4th Street is 'One-Way Only,'" the deputy chief said. He continued: "Please be patient during the construction process and reduce speeds in the

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BRIGHTON - Library Director, Holly Hasquin announced today that renovations to the Brighton Memorial Library District building have begun! Among some of the changes are foundation and basement repairs, new staff workspaces and office space, new space for teens and tweens, and an updated youth room. A fresh new design will welcome patrons with new carpeting, vinyl flooring, and paint throughout. New shelving and furniture, including the circulation area, will be updated. All computer stations will be updated and repositioned to better serve patrons. Additionally, a new layout of the main area of the library will welcome the community with open and inviting space, which will improve the space and allow for easier browsing and access. Please note during this time the library will be offering curbside service and library hours will remain the same; Monday & Friday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Tuesday & Thursday 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., and Wednesday 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

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PONTOON BEACH - In an effort to recruit qualified individuals for a series of critical positions, the Agency for Community Transit (ACT) has established a new $1,000 sign-on bonus for drivers, bus cleaners, fuelers, and mechanics. These new hires will receive $250 after two weeks of employment and $750 upon completion of six months of employment. Located here in Madison County, Ill., conveniently off I-270 and IL-111 in Pontoon Beach, ACT offers a positive team atmosphere, competitive wages, excellent benefits, necessary training, and a desirable work environment for all positions. Below are the four positions covered by ACT’s sign-on bonus program. Drivers : Bus drivers start at $17.50/hr with an increase to $19.73/hr after the probationary period. Successful and reliable drivers can reach top pay of over $26.00/hr. ACT can help interested individuals obtain a full CDL (commercial driver’s license) by providing thorough preparation for the test before completion of training.

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Spoudazo will perform at Our Lord’s Lutheran Church on Wednesday, July 13 at 7:00 p.m. Admission is free. A free-will offering will be taken. The program, “No Escaping His Love,” is a 60-minute presentation that features music made popular by Francesa Battistelli, Kari Jobe, and We the Kingdom. Join Spoudazo for an escape room in real-time to find out how it resembles life. Two players look for clues to solve the puzzle and, in the process, learn about God’s unwavering love. In the end, they find that there is “No Escaping His Love.” Spoudazo is an ecumenical high school Christian music & drama ministry group from Fremont, Nebraska. To get to Our Lord’s Lutheran Church, follow the frontage road past Elmwood Care Center, turn right at the drive just before the church building, and park in the parking lot. Masking is not required indoors. Our Lord’s Lutheran Church is a community of people who are committed to loving God, caring for

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