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SPRINGFIELD, IL. - The Illinois Commerce Commission has approved a Stipulated Agreement to advance highway-rail crossing improvements projects in Marion County. The Agreements require Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP) to install new automatic warning devices at the Basom Road grade crossing, located near Salem, and the Currie Road grade crossing, located near Kinmundy. Alma Township is required to reconstruct the existing highway approach grades at both the Basom Road and Currie Road crossings. The estimated cost to install the new automatic warning devices at both crossings is $650,247. Stipulated Agreement 2170 authorizes the use of Grade Crossing Protection Funds to reimburse UP for up to 95%, not to exceed $617,735, of the costs to install the new automatic warning devices at the crossings. UP will be responsible for all remaining installation costs, as well as all future costs to maintain the new warning devices. The estimated cost to reconstruct the existing highway approach

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ANNA, IL. – Centerstone, a not-for-profit health system specializing in mental health and substance use disorder treatments, will host a free, virtual “Withdrawal Management / Detox: Who is it for?” webinar on Friday, May 27 from noon - 1 p.m. CT. The webinar will focus on the fundamentals of withdrawal management. CEUs are available. This webinar is sponsored by Centerstone's Fellowship House Campus, which is located at 800 North Main Street in Anna and provides addiction recovery services to individuals who suffer with substance use disorders (SUDs) and co-occurring problems. This training has 1 hour of continuing education approved for IL LCPC / LPC, IL LCSW / LSW, and IL Nursing (LPN, RN, APN) under IDFPR Professional Counselor CE License No. 197.000263 and IDFPR Nurse CE Sponsor License No. 236.000184. Objectives of the training include: Learn the common signs of substance use disorders and withdrawal Discuss the foundations of withdrawal management Learn

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ALTON - Alton Main Street invites you to a fun event that spans twenty-five pet-friendly establishments on Saturday, May 14 th from 1:00-8:00 p.m. Join us for the Pup Crawl, and yes you read that correctly - it’s a pub crawl with dogs! $10 tickets are on sale now at all participating locations, or you can get your ticket at the Alton Dog Park on the day of the event while supplies last. You will receive a bandana for your pet, a passport to guide your day that is full of special offers and activities for participants, and a free shuttle that will run a continuous loop between participating businesses from 3:00-8:00 p.m. Check-in will take place at the Alton Dog Park from 1:00-6:00 p.m., and The Old Bakery Beer Company will be selling beverages on-site. The Alton Dog Park can be found within Russell Commons park, which is located under the Clark Bridge; enter via Ridge Street and follow the signs. The dog park will be free and open to the public all day and you can pick up informatio

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SPRINGFIELD, IL. – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced nine award winners from the recent 31st Today’s Challenge, Tomorrow’s Reward conference, recognizing the achievements and efforts that helped to grow and support minority- and female-owned businesses in 2020 and 2021. “At IDOT, we are proud to spotlight the work of our contracting community to make transportation in Illinois more diverse, equitable and inclusive,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “By leveling the playing field and making projects more competitive, we’re creating jobs, building tomorrow’s workforce and strengthening communities all across the state.” The award recipients: 2020 Disadvantaged Business Enterprise of the Year – Kadilex Construction, Inc. New DBE of the Year – ABI Construction LLC. Engineering Firm of the Year – d’Escoto, Inc. Prime of the Primes – Civil Constructors, Inc

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SPRINGFIELD, IL. – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced updated consumption advisories today for sport fish caught in Illinois waters. These changes are the result of continued sampling by the Illinois Fish Contaminant Monitoring Program (FCMP). This year, the IDPH has issued seven new site-specific methylmercury advisories and added Dongola Lake, Dutchman Lake, Lake Nellie, and White Hall City Lake to the list of waters with site-specific methylmercury advisories. In line with the statewide trend of declining polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) levels, no new PCB advisories were issued. Existing PCB advisories were relaxed for two waters (Horseshoe Lake (catfish) and Waukegan North Harbor) and removed from three others (Horseshoe Lake (common carp), Raccoon Lake, and Wabash River). In addition to this year’s site-specific updates, a statewide methylmercury advisory remains in place for all Illinois waters. The statewide advisory cautions sensitive population

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SPRINGFIELD, IL. – Residents of ten Illinois counties can dispose of unwanted agrichemicals for free this year through the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s (IDOA) agricultural pesticide “Clean Sweep” program. A “Clean Sweep” collection has been scheduled in late summer for Fulton, Henderson, Knox, Marshall, Mercer, Peoria, Putnam, Stark, Warren, and Woodford counties, the Department announced today. The collection, which rotates among Illinois counties, is open to farmers, retired farmers, nursery owners, private pesticide applicators, structural pest control applicators and landowners who inherited unwanted agricultural pesticides with their property. “There are two main reasons to take advantage of this program,” said Brad Beaver, Acting Bureau Chief of Environmental Programs. “The Department is able to provide the service free of charge thanks to a grant obtained from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. If individuals

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EAST ST. LOUIS – Team members at DraftKings at Casino Queen , located at 200 South Front St. along the Mississippi Rive r, came together to collect approximately 50 bags of trash and debris outside of the property. As part of an initiative to keep Illinois clean and help protect the environment, 15 team members collected trash, debris and more over a one - mile stretch from City Hall to the front entrance of the casino. “We are honored to come together as a team to show our support for the local community by participating in this clean - up initiative ,” said Marc VanderWeele , general manager of DraftKings at Casino Queen. “We ’re thrilled to work as a team to make a difference in East St. Louis and to help ensure locals and visitors can continue to enjoy our beautiful city .” More information about DraftKings at Casino Queen is available at www.draftkingsatcasinoqueen.com . About DraftKings

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GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College’s Criminal Justice program held a garden bench dedication Thursday, in remembrance of a pair of Monticello Women’s Junior College students who vanished on Memorial Day weekend in 1969. Elizabeth Perry, of Excelsior, Minn., and Susan Davis, of Camp Point, Pa., both 19, met as Monticello students and were vacationing in Ocean City, N.J. The women were last seen on May 30, 1969, at a restaurant in Sommers Point, N.J. A state trooper later found their blue 1966 Chevrolet convertible abandoned on the Garden State Parkway and had it towed. Three days later, their bodies were found about 200 yards from the highway. Although law enforcement has followed many leads and theories over the years, the case has not been solved and the investigation remains open. After learning about the story, L&C Criminal Justice Associate Professor Jessica Noble decided to engage her students in a service project. “We decided to create a memorial

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ALTON - It was a festive atmosphere on the opening day of Flock, a bar/food truck park located at the corner of Ridge Street and Landmarks in Alton. The business opened at 11 a.m. on Thursday. Sean Garner, Karen Jockisch, and Diane Dubbe were early customers and they each reported a positive review of the new Alton location. “The food is amazing,” Garner said. “I am a foodie, so I am not happy until I am eating. I love it.” Jockisch said she thought her burger at Flock was excellent and the fries were “really crispy.” Dubbe said: “My food was great, and the guys who served me my drinks were also very nice.” Jayne Simmons, president of Alton Works, and her husband, John Simmons, were two that formulated the idea of Flock. She said Laura and Matt Windisch will operate Flock. “John and I had the brainchild of this and headed the project,” she said. “We thought it would be a great place to start on the revitalization

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CARLINVILLE - A 49-year-old man died in a motorcycle-truck accident involving a box trailer at 5:40 p.m. Wednesday, May 11, 2022, on Illinois Route 108 at East Second Road, Montgomery County, Illinois State Police reported on Thursday morning. The victim in the crash was Ronald C. Schaaff of Carlinville, who operated the motorcycle. ISP said Illinois Route 108 was closed for approximately 4 hours. Th e Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 18 WHAT: Two-Vehicle Fatal Traffic Crash. WHERE: Illinois Route 108 at East 2 nd Road, Montgomery County. WHEN: 5:40 p.m, May 11, 2022 VEHICLES: Unit 1- 2008 Red Yamaha Motorcycle Unit 2- 2013 Blue Dodge Truck pulling a box trailer DRIVERS : Unit 1 – Ronald C. Schaaff, 49-year-old male from Carlinville, IL – Deceased Unit 2 – Harold K. Schmidt, 57-year-old male from Carlinville, IL PRELIMINARY: " A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred:

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EDWARDSVILLE - Chief Deputy Sheriff Major Jeffrey C. Connor was presented with a lifesaving award recently by Sheriff John Lakin for actions in February 2021. "Major Connor was on his way to work when he overheard police radio traffic of a possible disturbance on interstate 270," Sheriff Lakin said. "Major Connor was close. Major Connor responded and found it was actually a medical emergency. Major Connor performed CPR for approximately nine minutes before other first responders arrived." Sheriff Lakin added: "It was later learned the individual made a full recovery and was released six days later from the hospital."Your fast response, critical decision-making, and CPR training were instrumental in the good outcome. You went above and beyond the call of duty. "Major Connor, we appreciate your dedication to duty and service! Thank you!"

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ALTON/GODFREY - Ford J. Green, 90, died at 9:36 p.m. Tuesday, May 10, 2022, at Cedarhurst of Bethalto. Margaret Freer, who served with him for many years on the Village of Godfrey’s Parks and Recreation Department Board and helped with his program All God’s Children Shall Have Shoes, said she remembers him as “an angel” who cared deeply for his community. “There was no kinder person,” Freer said. “He loved life, he loved his community … him and his wife, they were both just wonderful people. The community has lost an angel, for sure.” Green married the former Colleen Winders on October 16, 1951, in Salem, IL. For many years, they volunteered together at several organizations in the Alton/Godfrey area, including Alton Memorial Hospital and Heritage Days. They helped start the Khoury League in Godfrey and were still involved when it was converted to Godfrey Park and Rec. They also ran the All God’s Children Shall Have Shoes

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JERSEY - Three Crime Stopper Awards were honored Tuesday at a Two Rivers Crime Stoppers meeting for their efforts to save a life. Deputy Katlin Edwards and Deputy Caleb Gibson were awarded a life-saving award for locating a subject who had attempted suicide. They provided life-saving measures until EMs could arrive on the scene. K9 Jax along with Deputy Decker was awarded a life-saving award for locating a suicidal subject who had fled into the woods. K9 Jax located the subject and he was provided with the help he need at that time. "Congratulations to these deputies and the extraordinary efforts they put forth to keep the citizens of Jersey County safe," Two Rivers Crime Stoppers said at the meeting.

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ST. LOUIS – Experience blues music like never before on the Arch grounds! Gateway Arch Park Foundation, in partnership with the National Blues Museum and the National Park Service, is thrilled to host Blues at the Arch, reimagined as a free music festival, Aug. 12-14, 2022 . The Blues at the Arch Festival pays tribute to St. Louis' storied blues history and showcases the talents of national and local entertainers in the North Gateway of Gateway Arch National Park, near the Eads Bridge and Laclede’s Landing. For the first time, the 2022 Blues at the Arch Festival will feature food trucks, a market, after-parties, and more on Friday, Aug. 12, and Saturday, Aug. 13. On Sunday, Aug. 14, guests are invited to attend a special Sunday Blues Brunch at 612North and explore the park and National Blues Museum. Additionally, local visual artists can enter a competition to design the 2022 festival poster. “We are eager to welcome guests from across the country to Gateway Arch

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ST. LOUIS -Nineteen doctors from Urology of St. Louis (USL) were recently recognized on a list of the Best Doctors in St. Louis. The list was created by Castle Connolly, an independent healthcare research and information company that compiles information to help people find the best and most qualified medical practitioners in their area. The list is compiled based on peer nomination, research, review and screenings. The nineteen doctors from USL that received this prestigious designation are Jacob Ark, MD, Gregory Auffenberg, MD, Steven Bigg, MD, Andrew Blackburne, MD, David Bryan, MD, Travis Bullock, MD, Etai Goldenberg, MD, Christopher Jaeger, MD, John McCarthy, MD, Jeffrey Parres, MD, James Rybak, MD, Steven Schneider, MD, Courtney Shands, MD, Matthew Spellman, MD, Seth Strope, MD, Christopher Vulin, MD, Brad White, MD, Elizabeth Williams, MD. William Critchlow, MD also made the Rising Stars list. “The fact that more than half of our doctors made this list is evidence of the

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ST. LOUIS – Katie’s Pizza & Pasta Osteria’s next Giveback Tuesday event will take place on Tuesday, May 24th in Rock Hill, Missouri. Funds raised from the day will be donated to the Center for Animal Rescue and Enrichment (CARE STL) , a nonprofit organization that rescues animals in need and provides them with shelter. Plus, their foster program and adoption services connect these animals with people in the community. Every month, Katie’s Pizza & Pasta Osteria features a local nonprofit organization and donates 100% of profits from the entire day to the charity. So far, Katie’s Pizza & Pasta Osteria has donated $321,500 to local nonprofit organizations. Funds raised from Giveback Tuesday will be applied to the CARE STL Emergency Medical Fund. This pays for specialized diagnostics and complicated surgeries, as well as 24-hour intensive care, that the on-site clinic is not equipped to treat. “Seeing a treated rescued animal be adopted into

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Jason Kendall, middle. is Alton Memorial Hospital’s May Employee of the Month. He received his award May 12 from Ronnie Greenwood, left, Plant Operations manager; and Dave Braasch, AMH President. An anonymous nomination for Jason said that “ while I was getting some breakfast (in the AMH café), I noticed Jason standing by the register. Then I noticed an extremely elderly man, very frail and wobbly, approaching with his breakfast tray. Jason swiped his badge to pay for this man’s breakfast. Jason said, ‘I got you.’ The man had hearing aids and did not hear what Jason had said to him. Jason did not stay around for any thanks or any accolades, he just went on his way. It literally made me cry to watch this all unfold in front of me. Jason was just giving from his heart, to a stranger, and wanted nothing in return. This truly represents our BJC Values of Compassion, Respect and Excellence. There is still goodness in this world. ”

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CHICAGO - This is my tenth update to the citizens of the 111 th district, as your State Representative. The Spring Legislative session ended in the early morning hours of Saturday April 9 th . We worked through the night and adjourned at around 6:00 am, after a fiery debate on the fiscal year 2023 budget, which did pass along party lines (I voted no). I was one of three House Republicans on our budget negotiation team; however, we were shut out of the discussions on the budget, and no appropriations working group meetings were held this year. The budget appropriates $46.5 billion, bolstered by ARPA funds and higher tax revenues. All of the remaining ARPA funds were spent, and no additional funds were appropriated towards the remaining deficit in the Unemployment Insurance trust fund. That deficit is now $1.8 billion, and now can only be paid off with benefit decreases and employer tax increases, which won’t take place until after the November election. With record inflation

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CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) announced the recipient of the first State of Illinois’ Wellness Partner Award to Aetna, one of the State’s ten insurance carriers. The new Wellness Partner Award was created to recognize the commitment to and innovative programming that is the hallmark of the nationally recognized “Be Well Illinois” program. Be Well Illinois was launched in January 2021 by CMS to improve the overall health and wellness of the State of Illinois’ workforce. “Making wellness simple, accessible, and engaging is our priority,” said CMS Director Janel L. Forde, “Aetna has worked tirelessly with the Be Well Illinois team to drive the mission of wellness forward and provide robust resources to all State of Illinois employees, retirees, and covered dependents.” Aetna has been instrumental in partnering with CMS to scale programming at an unprecedented statewide level. This included

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EDWARDSVILLE – In an effort to further its philanthropic efforts, The Gori Law firm announced the launch of its new internal giving initiative, Gori Gives. In 2021, the firm donated almost $300,000 to 90 different local community groups and nonprofit organizations. To continue this momentum, the program is designed to encourage staff involvement in community service and hands-on volunteer work for nonprofit organizations, locally, regionally, nationally – and even globally. “Our firm’s philanthropic mission is to empower our employees to invest their time and energy into helping others,” said Sara Salger, managing partner of The Gori Law Firm. “Each of us has certain skills and abilities, and we want those to go toward not only assisting with our legal capabilities, but also making a positive difference in the world.” While the firm participates in various charities and events throughout the year, such as the Edwardsville Route 66 Festival,

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