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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS - IMPACT Strategies has completed construction on a complete interior and exterior renovation of the Oval Tower Suites at World Wide Technology Raceway. The project encompassed improvements to the entire building, including the rooftop viewing experience and was part of the multi-million-dollar renovation plan for the track leading up to the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series race that took place on June 5, 2022. “Offering our corporate clients an exceptional hospitality option to entertain customers and employees within the broader NASCAR Cup Series race environment will be a one-of-a- kind experience,” promises Curtis Francois, owner and CEO, World Wide Technology Raceway. The renovation delivered a sleek, modern aesthetic with high-end finishes throughout the 28 private suites and the rooftop fan viewing area, which offers an exhilarating perspective over the track between turns one and two. “We are thrilled to have worked with World Wide Technology Racewa

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JERSEYVILLE - The Jersey County Arts Council will offer a Matisse Self-Portrait collage and two fairy garden classes this month. This Thursday, June 16, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Darla Cavins will lead participants as they create a Matisse self-portrait on canvas. The class is open to anyone who can use scissors and glue. A fee of $15 will be charged to cover the cost of the canvas and expenses. Registration is required. See the details at the end of this article. On Wednesday, June 22, from 6 to 8 p.m. Rhonda Allen will teach participants how to build a fairy home. Guests are encouraged to bring an empty milk jug or soda bottle to serve as a foundation for their fairy home. This project is open to anyone 10 or older and requires the use of a hot glue gun. This is a great opportunity for a child and adult to partner to create an adorable fairy garden. During a second fairy garden class, on Tuesday, June 28, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., participants will create a beautiful garden. If they created

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GRANITE CITY - Wagner Portrait Group is the official Senior Photographer of Granite City High School and to be pictured in the yearbook, you must have your picture photographed by Wagner Portrait Group. Have you booked your senior portrait appointment? HURRY! Appointments are filling fast! Granite City High’s Senior Picture Days are: June 22-24 and July 7-8, 2022. Portrait sessions will be in the GCHS atrium. CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE YOUR PORTRAIT SESSION Or go to: www.WagnerPortraitGroup.com and click on SENIORS . Have your credit card ready to reserve your time. All sessions are free, however, "no-shows" will be charged $35. MORE DETAILS ABOUT YOUR PHOTO SESSION Yearbook Portrait Dress Code : - Guys: Sport coat, dress shirt, & tie - Girls: Dressy top (no tube tops spaghetti straps, or low-cut blouses) - You will be photographed in your formal attire for the yearbook as well as a free senior cap and gown session (we'll provide the caps and gowns, properly

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BELLEVILLE – HeartLands Conservancy, an environmental non-profit serving southwestern Illinois, applied for the Section 319(h) grant in partnership with Madison County. The total project cost is around $1.57 million, with Illinois EPA providing 55 percent or $831,847 in grant funds and local landowners and partners (HeartLands Conservancy and Madison County Stormwater Management) providing 45 percent, or $710,441 in match. Steven Brendel, Stormwater Coordinator from Madison County Stormwater Management, said that the IEPA’s 319 grant is the ultimate collaboration for individuals to be invested in projects that directly impact them. John O’Donnell, Water Program Manager with HeartLands Conservancy, said that local landowners, farmers, residents, and municipalities are crucial to the successful implementation of the locally developed Indian-Cahokia Creek Watershed Plan (October 2018). “Having local stakeholders identify water quality and flooding issues was

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CARLINVILLE — As part of an ongoing effort to address the shortage of qualified early childhood professionals in Illinois, Blackburn College is launching a streamlined pathway to earn a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. The fully online Current Workforce Early Childhood Degree Program is designed for working early childcare professionals who are seeking additional credentials and to complete a bachelor’s degree in just two years. This new degree is part of a broader effort through participation in the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) program to address the shortage of qualified early childhood educators in the state of Illinois. Created through IL Public Act 102-0174, the College will collaborate with other participating consortium members to improve pathways to degrees, credentials, and other licensure endorsements. As a consortium member institution, prospective Blackburn students can apply for scholarships. PELL, MAP and a specially

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ALTON - A Litchfield man - Deundrea S. Holloway - has been charged with the gruesome murder of a pregnant mother, Liese A. Dodd, in the 3400 block of Bolivar Street in Alton on Friday in her residence. Liese's mother arrived at this residence where her daughter had recently moved as she had not been heard from lately and tragically discovered her. The Alton Police was immediately contacted. Both Holloway and Dodd were 22 years of age. The Madison County State's Attorney's Office issued the following charges today for Holloway: two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of intentional homicide to an unborn child, dismembering a human body, offenses relating to motor vehicles, and concealment of a homicide death. Alton Police Chief Marcos Pulido said the investigation determined Liese was beheaded and she was also pregnant with an expected delivery date in mid-July. The Alton Police Department Investigations Division started investigating the case as soon as it was called to the

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Letter To The Editor: I want to add my name to the ever-growing lists of endorsements for Mike Walters for County Clerk. I served with Mike on the Godfrey Village Board of Trustees and found him to be a conscientious, hardworking public servant. He was fair in his decisions and was vigilant about saving taxpayers’ money. Mike did a great job of being a trustee by being responsive to the needs and viewpoints of all of the residents of Godfrey. Since then he has been on the Madison County Board and continues to serve with distinction. His years of experience make him a highly qualified candidate for the Clerk’s office. I unequivocally recommend Mike Walters for County Clerk. Gary Ayres

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EDWARDSVILLE - Many people, especially those 65 and older, postponed routine doctor appointments during the pandemic. As older adults are reconnecting with their communities, including addressing those overdue medical check-ups, aging experts are encouraging they add another “probing” exam to their to-do list: the Elderoscopy. Rather than a physical examination, this is a discussion. An Elderoscopy is a critical conversation between older adults and their loved ones, examining wants and needs, and setting intentions for topics such as end-of-life plans, finances, relationships and more. Unfortunately, for some, making these tough decisions and documenting wishes can be just as uncomfortable as a medical procedure. Research from Home Instead, Inc. and The Marist College Poll shows that 1 in 6 Americans would rather have a colonoscopy than simply talk to their loved ones about end-of-life plans. When factoring in age, nearly one-third of Americans over the age of 70 (29%)

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EAST ALTON – The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRRECsm) staff and land management partners visited the Palisades Nature Preserve near Grafton recently to gain a better understanding of how the Nov. 19, 2021, wildfire affected the preserves’ rare hill prairies. “Fire is a natural and necessary step in restoring and keeping a prairie healthy,” said Habitat Senior Project Assistant Phil Rathz. “Fire, when utilized by professionals, has many benefits including killing off invasive plant species, recycling nutrients faster, removing excess thatch that suppresses plant growth, and stopping trees from growing and taking over the prairie area.” Hill prairies develop on south-facing steep slopes where summer sun, dry winds and periodic fires keep forest species from growing. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) states there are approximately 90 sites with good-quality hill prairies statewide. The Palisade Preserve

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SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement after a bipartisan group of Senators announced a common sense new proposal to help keep America’s children and communities safe from the gun violence epidemic: “We have been elected to the United States Senate to respond to American crises. Each of the elements in this bipartisan gun safety package has the potential to save lives. I continue to believe military-style assault weapons that can shred the bodies of their victims have no place in civilian use—but we cannot let the perfect Congressional response be the enemy of the good. Though this agreement falls short in this and other respects, it can and will make our nation safer.” In addition to making improvements to the background check system, supporting red flag laws, enhancing school safety, and closing domestic violence loopholes, the bipartisan framework

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EAST ST. LOUIS - SIHF Healthcare is hosting a stay healthy Juneteenth celebration event on Friday, June 17, 2022, from 12 pm – 4:30 pm at SIHF Healthcare, 100 North 8th Street, East St. Louis, Illinois. Available services provided at the event will include school physicals, blood pressure checks, COVID testing, COVID vaccines/boosters, HBA1c testing, free insurance enrollment, and assistance scheduling healthy women appointments. “We want to help our community celebrate Juneteenth with a healthy twist,” said Hyacinth Burrage, health center manager. “We will also have some giveaways for the children, including Gateway Grizzlies tickets and a boy's and a girl's bicycle with helmets. “Come out and celebrate with us! Appointments are not required for services at this event,” she added. Free hot dogs, water, juice, and chips will be provided to attendees. In addition, there will be fun activities for the kids.

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EDWARDSVILLE – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD, conferred doctor of dental medicine (DMD) degrees upon 55 graduates of the SIU School of Dental Medicine during their commencement ceremony held Saturday, June 4 at the First Community Arena at the Vadalabene Center on the Edwardsville campus. “You are a special group,” said SIU SDM Interim Dean Duane Douglas, DMD. “During the last four years, you have put in many hard hours and distinguished yourselves through academic achievements, the delivery of high-quality dental care, community outreach and service efforts and research accomplishments.” The SIU SDM Class of 2022 was celebrated for having achieved a remarkable 100% first-time pass rate on the Integrated National Board Dental Exam, a distinction earned for the second year in a row. During the ceremony, Minor thanked the Class of 2022 for the privilege to serve them and praised their resiliency through the

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EDWARDSVILLE - Third Judicial Circuit Associate Judge Veronica Armouti was elected to the Board of Directors of the Illinois Judges Association at the annual meeting held on June 3, 2022. Judge Armouti will serve a three-year term. There are approximately 50 members of the Board of Directors. The Illinois Judges Association is composed of 1,250 active and retired Illinois State Court Judges. The IJA provides education and services to its members and information about court operations to the public. Judge Armouti was appointed to the Third Judicial Circuit as an Associate Judge in August 2019 and is currently assigned to the Traffic Division, was previously assigned to the Family Division, and is a member of the Illinois and Missouri Bar Associations. The Illinois Judges Association also installed the following new officers for 2022-23 at the annual meeting: President, Justice Eileen O’Neill Burke, 1st Appellate District; 1st VicePresident, Justice David Overstreet, IL Supreme

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EDWARDSVILLE - Lincoln Middle School announces students who have made honor roll for 4 th quarter. Honor Roll List

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EDWARDSVILLE - SIUE announced their Spring 2022 Dean's List honorees. Dean's List 2022

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ST. LOUIS - With hot temperatures and high humidity on the horizon, the American Red Cross of Missouri and Arkansas urges residents to take precautions against the heat. According to the National Library of Medicine, extreme heat causes more deaths than any other weather-related hazard, killing 12,000 people living in the U.S. each year. In addition, the CDC reports that more than 65,000 people visit an emergency room in the U.S. for acute heat illness every summer. Everyone is at risk when temperatures rise above 90 degrees; and the elderly and the very young are most susceptible to heat and heat-related illnesses. Heat-related illnesses can cause serious injury and even death if unattended. Signs of heat-related illnesses include nausea, dizziness, flushed or pale skin, heavy sweating and headaches. Persons with heat-related illness should be moved to a cool place, given cool water to drink and ice packs or cool wet cloths should be applied to the skin. If a victim refuses water,

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ALTON – Republicans Joe Hackler, a candidate for 112 th district state representative, Ryan Spain, a House representative for the 73 rd District, and Madison County Clerk candidate Mike Walters were interviewed prior to a voter reform discussion in O’Fallon late last week. The three were each supportive of some major changes in regard to election integrity in Illinois and in the area. “I am thankful to have Rep. Spain and Tim Butler as election integrity experts to sit on committees,” Hackler said. “I think one of the biggest problems in the state of Illinois is a trust with government, whether it be local or state. One of the first things I think we need to do is to make changes so people trust the election process. If you don’t have trust in the election process, you will never trust state government at all.” Hackler said he thought the Election Integrity Roundtable in O’Fallon went well and some good ideas came from the evening.

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ALTON - This is the Marquette Catholic High School High Honor and Honor Roll for the last quarter of 2022. High Honor Roll Honor Roll

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JERSEY - Jersey Community High School announced their Honor Roll and High Honor Roll lists for the eighth-grade fourth quarter and the high school second semester of the 2021-2022 school year. 8th Grade Honor Roll 8th Grade High Honor Roll 9th Grade Honor Roll 9th Grade High Honor Roll 10th Grade Honor Roll 10th Grade High Honor Roll 11th Grade Honor Roll 11th Grade High Honor Roll 12th Grade Honor Roll 12th Grade High Honor Roll

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OPINION: Health care systems must take the lead on health inequity now At OSF HealthCare, justice is one of our core values. We recognize and respect the personal worth and dignity of every person we serve regardless of race, color, religion and ability to pay. At the same time, we realize that we need intense focus on our underserved communities. Health inequity is real, and there are preventable differences in medical care and health outcomes. Many of our patients face a combination of challenges: lack of access to treatment, transportation, healthy foods and education on healthy behaviors. At first, the basics such as transportation and education may not seem like health care, but in reality, they are essential to better health outcomes. Social and economic barriers contribute significantly to health disparities. We are developing innovative care delivery models and community resources, but disparities continue. At OSF, we strive to serve every patient with the greatest care and

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