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JERSEYVILLE - A Jerseyville man was charged with criminal damage to property after damaging someone’s vehicle in a Dollar Tree parking lot, according to the latest felony filing report from the Jersey County Circuit Clerk’s Office. Brett W. Benson, 38, of Jerseyville, was charged with one count of criminal damage to property after damaging a 2002 Chevrolet Blazer located at the Dollar General at 17930 US Highway 67 in Delhi on Feb. 24. The total amount of damage was “in excess of $500,” according to the report from Assistant State’s Attorney Kevin Tellor. Benson was charged with a Class 4 felony. A warrant was issued for his arrest on Feb. 27 and his bail was set at $10,000. As a condition of his pre-trial release, he was ordered to have no contact with the owner of the vehicle he damaged. A bond of $380 was posted on March 2. Benson’s preliminary and arraignment hearings were set for March 6 at 9 a.m., but no plea has been entered as of this

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - The deceased in a pedestrian hit accident has been identified as Lavon Carthen, 45 years of age, of the 1700 block of Derhake Road in Florissant, Missouri, 63033. St. Louis County Police Crimes Against Persons detectives are investigating a pedestrian struck at the intersection of New Halls Ferry Road and Dunn Road that resulted in the death of a male. At 8:02 p.m. on March 1, 2023, St. Louis County Police officers from the North County precinct responded to a call for service at the intersection New Halls Ferry Road and Dunn Road for a person struck. Responding officers located a male who had been struck by a motor vehicle. The male was transported to an area hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries and was later pronounced deceased. Preliminary investigation has revealed the victim who was in a wheelchair was in the roadway when he was struck by a vehicle. Please contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210 to speak with investigators

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ALTON – The Alton-Godfrey Rotary Club hosted the 37th Annual Chili Chowdown, Monday afternoon and evening at Main Street United Methodist Church in Upper Alton. Lunch was served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Anyone who didn’t make it can join for dinner tonight (March 6) from 4:30-7 p.m. It is $10 for all-you-can-eat chili, a drink, and a dessert with proceeds being fundraised for the Rotary Club. Dinners may eat in or carry out. Antione Williams, President of the Alton-Godfrey Rotary Club, said that the proceeds help fund things like scholarships such as the recurring Students of the Month campaign. “It’s a very good public attended event,” he said. Williams was appointed President of the Rotary Club back in June. Some of his goals were to finish some ongoing projects such as the soccer mini-pitch located near Alton Middle School and the brand-new pickleball courts in Glazebrook Park. Funds raised by fundraisers such as the Chili Chowdown help makes thing

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EDWARDSVILLE – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Stephen Hupp, PhD, professor in the Department of Psychology, teamed up with science communicator, Cara Santa Maria, to publish a new book called Pseudoscience in Therapy: A Skeptical Field Guide. “I was excited to collaborate with Cara Santa Maria because she’s a leader in teaching critical thinking skills to the public,” said Hupp. “She cohosts the Skeptics Guide to the Universe podcast, and the show Jeopardy even recently had a whole category based on her other podcast, Talk Nerdy ." Over the last several decades, professional organizations such as the American Psychological Association (APA) have been identifying effective treatments for major psychological diagnoses such as mood disorders and anxiety disorders. Even though great strides have been made, questionable approaches continue to infiltrate therapy. “We should be engaging in honest discussions about not only

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BETHALTO - Seasoned flight instructors with a combined 105 years of flight experience - Don Hill and John Harding - announced today they are in the process of forming a Flying Club or Aero Club at St. Louis Regional Airport in Bethalto. Hill has been a pilot for 60 years and Harding for 45 years. Hill and Harding invited all interested parties who have always wanted to fly, get back into flying, or just want to learn to fly, to attend a meeting from 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 9, 2023. The meeting will be held at the Airport Managers Building, which is just south of the St. Louis Regional Airport Control Tower and Fire Station. Hill said the Flying Club will be formed under the guidance and recommendations of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) “In general, owning an aircraft can be an expensive hobby, as are many others, however, by joining a Flying Club, those expenses can be minimized and members can still

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - On Sunday, March 5, 2023, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued charges on suspect Timothy White, 34 years of age, of the 4200 block of Obannon Road in St. Louis, Missouri 63129, and Adam Andrews, 29 years of age, of the 1300 block of White Hawk Drive in O’Fallon, Missouri 63366, for Harassment First Degree, False Impersonation of a Law Enforcement Officer, and Making False Report. Booking photos of White and Andrews are attached. White and Andrews are each being held on $50,000 cash only, no 10%, bond. A summary of the probable cause statement reads: On March 4, 2023, Defendant White and Defendant Andrews, acting together, called Victim and Andrews identified himself as a St. Louis County Police Detective named Detective Collins and provided a false badge number. As Detective Collins Defendant Andrews acting with White informed Victim that the father of her child had been murdered. As Detective Collins, Defendant Andrews acting

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GLEN CARBON - The Village of Glen Carbon has partnered with the Edwardsville Arts Center as a satellite exhibit space to display the art of local artisans in the community. At 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 14, Glen Carbon Village Hall at 151 N. Main Street will be hosting a reception to showcase the paintings of Michael Kathriner prior to its Board of Trustees Meeting at 7 p.m. The event is open to the public. Kathriner is an art teacher at Roxana High School. His artwork reflects the use of bright colors, patterns, and design elements. Many of his recent paintings have circular shapes and vibrant colors and are being displayed in the Village Hall council chambers and lobby through May of 2023. The Edwardsville Arts Center’s opening reception at Village Hall will include light snacks, refreshments, and live music from Edwardsville High School’s Tri-M Music Honor Society. The artist, Michael Kathriner, will also be at the reception to visit with guests and answer questions

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ST. LOUIS - Two Alton High School students - Rebekah Blackmon and Elizabeth Blackmon - placed in the top 10 recently in the first in-person St. Louis Area Brain Bee since the COVID-19 Pandemic. Washington University in St. Louis welcomed 54 students from the St. Louis region on Feb. 25 for the event. Participants answered questions about the nervous system, brain structure, cognitive disorders, and other topics in neuroscience. Sanjay Adireddi of Ladue Horton Watkins High School won this year’s competition and will compete in the U.S. National Brain Bee on April 21-23. He also has been awarded a summer research fellowship with Brain Bee organizer Erik Herzog, the Viktor Hamburger Distinguished Professor in Arts & Sciences. “My true passion for science was ignited in the Science Olympiad event and I wanted to continue to learn more about neuroscience,” said Adireddi, who is considering a career in neuroscience research. “Preparing for a competition-style event

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HARDIN - A Hamburg driver - 56-year-old Victor H. Verdeyen - has been charged with the following offenses after a Calhoun County Sheriff's Office traffic stop at 4:49 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, on Illinois Route 100 near Poor Farm Hollow, in Hardin. The charges are: Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Unlawful Use of Headset While Driving. Verdeyen was arrested without incident and is lodged in the Greene County Jail. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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GILLESPIE - The Highball Chapter of Ducks Unlimited is gearing up for its annual dinner auction. The banquet will be on March 11 th at the Gillespie Civic Center in Gillespie, Illinois. Numerous local businesses and individuals have donated and underwritten many auction items and prizes. Our chapter takes pride in ensuring that entire families can enjoy a night out in support of such a worthy cause. All money collected will go to the preservation of our precious wetlands, many of those projects currently being completed in this area. The Highball Chapter has volunteers, members, and donors from all over. Woodworker, Walter Hemberger from Brighton, graciously donated a Jack Daniels barrel table. Scot Storm boasts the sponsor print this year and signed prints and gear for the banquet. Victory Lane sponsored many items in support of Ducks Unlimited for silent and live auctions. Businesses from Mt. Olive, Staunton, Benld, Troy, Hamel, Prairietown, Alton, Carlinville, Litchfield, and many

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued the following statement regarding the availability of the medication abortion drug mifepristone at Walgreens stores throughout the United States. “My office has advocated historically to ensure that Walgreens and other pharmacies dispense proven-safe medications for abortions. I understand that the legal landscape around abortion is uncertain and shifting every day. In fact, some states have laws on the books, have proposed legislation or pending litigation that create challenges for expanding medication abortion access. Today I had the opportunity to speak directly with the global chief legal officer at Walgreens, as a company headquartered in Illinois, and I was assured that where Walgreens can legally and operationally dispense mifepristone, its pharmacies will continue to do so. Their commitment included the state of Illinois, where more than half of abortions are medication abortions. I encourage the other major pharmacies and

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Russell Stover Chocolates of Kansas City, Missouri, is voluntarily recalling two (2) Best Before Dates of its Sugar Free Peanut Butter Cups in 2.4 oz packaging due to the potential for undeclared pecans. The recalled Sugar Free Peanut Butter Cups may contain Sugar Free Pecan Delights. Pecans are not declared on the label. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to pecans run the risk a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products. The recalled Sugar Free Peanut Butter Cups were distributed nationwide to wholesale and retail stores. The recalled Sugar Free Peanut Butter Cups are packaged in a 2.4 oz plastic bag, and they are labeled with Best Before dates of 01MAY23 and 01JUN23 and UPC of 077260096937 with Lot code(s): K0521, K0321, K0421, L2122, L2221, L2321. The lot code and best before date can be found on the back of the product packaging, below the UPC. The recall was initiated following consumer contacts regarding the wrong product

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ALTON - Alton Little Theater (ALT) is honored to present GEE'S BEND by Elyzabeth Gregory Wilder on March 24th & 25th at 7:30 p.m. and March 26th at 2 p.m. at the ALT Showplace. The play, directed by Margery Handy, honors Women's History Month, and Black History, and celebrates the storytelling heritage of Quilters everywhere! This inspiring play tells the story of the Pettway family of Boykin Alabama as they navigate the "uncivil" unrest in a small Southern town in the 1930s through the 1960s. The actual quilts constructed by the Pettway Women and a growing number of other groups established throughout the country, bear witness to the joys and tribulations of their lives -- and four of the "Pettway" quilts now hang in the Smithsonian Institute - and replication of one of those quilts will be raffled off during the run of GEE'S BEND to further promote the community outreach down by ALT, now launching its 90th season in the Riverbend! Jared Hennings, Shay Vonda Mayes, Ciera Thomas,

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ST. LOUIS - The Confluence Festival returns in 2023 with 14-time Grammy-nominated Dierks Bentley as the headliner. The veteran artist, with more than 18 chart-topping singles and countless award nominations, will be joining local, regional, and national acts at the music which will be held June 2-4. The performance will be Dierks’ only St. Louis stop on his upcoming Gravel and Gold tour. The thousands of fans projected to attend the festival will be entertained at every turn throughout the event weekend. Dierks will provide the entertainment on Sunday, June 4. Ticket buyers will receive access to the Dierks Bentley performance, in addition to access to the other music stages throughout WWT Raceway. Included with the ticket is access to a variety of food and beverage vendors, interactive entertainment displays, a STEM education showcase, display cars, interviews with area sports legends, and a seat for the Enjoy Illinois 300 presented by TicketSmarter NASCAR Cup Series event.

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CARLINVILLE - Blackburn College Department of Music & Theatre will present its annual studio recital on Sunday, March 19, at 2:00 pm in Bothwell Auditorium. The concert is free and open to the public. This event will feature students participating in Blackburn’s Music program and will feature a number of solo vocal and piano performances. The Blackburn Music program is designed to prepare students with a mastery of vocal and piano performance skills while providing in-depth entrepreneurial knowledge needed to launch professional careers in music. Enhanced by state-of-the-art performance facilities, the current faculty, and the college’s unique student-led work program, it is an individualized educational environment not found in any other school. Dr. Joseph Welch, Professor of Music and Choir Director, encourages Blackburn students and the public to attend to recognize the students and the diligence they have shown all year. For more information about the recital, please

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SPRINGFIELD — Today Governor JB Pritzker visited Streamwood High School in Elgin to highlight a new teacher pipeline initiative aimed at addressing chronic shortages in the state’s most understaffed districts. The proposed Teacher Pipeline Grant Program will direct $70 million per year over the next three years to the 170 school districts with the greatest need to fill teaching positions. “When it comes to our kids, we can always do more. And when that comes to our schools, that means not just more funding, but more resources — and most crucially, more educators,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “All across the nation, school districts are fighting the impact of teacher shortages — as education professionals struggle to weigh their passion for their classrooms with their own mental, financial, and personal wellbeing. So as part of my education investment plan, I’m proposing an additional $70 million annually specifically targeted at addressing

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GODFREY - The Nature Institute’s (TNI) hiking trails, located at 2213 South Levis Lane in Godfrey, Ill, may be closed until April 1, but staff members of Illinois’ largest privately owned nature preserve are inviting the public out for some new opportunities as well as old favorites. A new weekly hike, “Spring Wildflower Hike” led by outreach director Ramona Pollard, allows visitors to explore the preserve and identify the spring ephemeral wildflowers as they arrive this spring. The first scheduled hike will occur on March 21 at 9 a.m. These hikes will continue each Tuesday morning until May 2 giving opportunity to see these short-lived flowers while they are here. The second installment of Family Discovery Day: Right on Target will return on Saturday, March 18 at 10 a.m. This program is designed for families with children 8 years of age and older. Adults and children attending the program will learn how to shoot a bow and arrow safely and will have some time

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HIGHLAND – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that resurfacing of U.S. 40, from Illinois 4 to the Illinois 143/U.S. 40 intersection, will require intermittent daytime lane restrictions beginning, weather permitting, Monday, March 6. Two-way traffic will be maintained by flaggers. The project is anticipated to be completed in late August. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on Twitter at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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EDWARDSVILLE - Kim Bosco has made a significant contribution to the development of the R.P. Lumber Center and its various programs. The R.P. Lumber Center Operations Manager Kim Bosco was recently recognized with a highly regarded City of Edwardsville Employee Excellence Award for February at a recent City Council meeting. Bosco was saluted by Mayor Art Risavy at the Edwardsville City Council meeting for her "positive and friendly attitude and strong work ethic. "She was nominated by her supervisor, Phil Zamora, who sees her terrific contributions every day," Mayor Risavy said. "We appreciate our city employees and the big and small ways they make Edwardsville a great place to live." R.P. Lumber Center Superintendent Zamora said Bosco has done a "tremendous job" in her position and he is thankful every day for her work with the location that opened in June 2022. If you know of an Edwardsville city employee who deserves an excellence award, you can nominate that person here:

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The next time someone suggests listening to your favorite song will do your body good, Abraham Kocheril, MD , says it’s not a bad idea to take their advice. Dr. Kocheril, director of cardiac electrophysiology at OSF HealthCare Cardiovascular Institute in Urbana, Illinois, has studied how heart rate variability aligns with and benefits from certain musical numbers. Heart rate variability, as the name suggests, describes how your heart beats vary over 24 hours. Sometimes slower, for example when you sleep. Sometimes faster, for instance when you walk or run. “Even though we say the average heart rate is 72 beats per minute, it generally doesn’t stay there. It’s bouncing up and down. And that’s normal,” Dr. Kocheril says. People will experience different heart rate variability based on their age and health. But in general, Dr. Kocheril says more variability is good. No variability – in other words, the same beats per minute consistently

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