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CHICAGO – Today Governor JB Pritzker issued a disaster proclamation for Lake County to assist in recovery efforts following Monday’s mass shooting in Highland Park. A disaster proclamation grants the State of Illinois the ability to expedite the use of state resources, personnel, or equipment to help affected communities recover. “There are no words for the kind of evil that turns a community celebration into a tragedy,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “As we mourn together, the State of Illinois will provide every available resource to Highland Park and surrounding communities in the days and weeks ahead as the community works to recover from this horrific tragedy.” “I am devastated by yesterday’s tragedy not just because it hit the very community I represent, but because mass shootings have become an all-too-common occurrence in this country that no city is immune to,” said State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “I pray

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GREENVILLE - Godfrey's Margaret Green was on the Dean's List at Greenville University for the Spring 2022 semester. To qualify for the GU Dean's List, a student must successfully complete a minimum of 12 hours for the semester. Freshmen (0-29.5 credits) must have a semester GPA of 3.5 or above. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors must have a semester GPA of 3.7 or above.

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CHICAGO – The Illinois State Police released this information about Robert Crimo, the alleged Highland Park, IL., Fourth Of July shooter: In our continued investigation into the shooting in Highland Park on July 4, 2022, the Illinois State Police (ISP) looked into the criminal background of the individual charged in the crime. The individual passed four background checks when purchasing firearms, through the Firearms Transaction Inquiry Program (FTIP), which includes the federal National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS): June 9, 2020 July 18, 2020 July 31, 2020 September 20, 2021 The only offense included in the individual’s criminal history was an ordinance violation in January 2016 for possession of tobacco. ISP has no mental health prohibitor reports submitted by healthcare facilities or personnel. The September 2019 Clear and Present Danger report made by the Highland Park Police Department was made in response to threats allegedly directed

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JERSEY - Morgan Johnson is one of those athletes/students involved in a multitude of activities and has excelled at each of them. Johnson who recently graduated, was a track and field and cross country star and actively involved in cheerleading, National Honor Society, and is a competitive dancer at Parish School of Performing Arts. She is employed at a local boutique Ivy & Blush. Morgan's next step will be as a business administration and marketing major and continue to run a small business she started in high school. She also has been involved in the Jersey CEO program. "Jersey County CEO is an incredible program and I am proud to have been a part of it," she said. Morgan said she loved her high school track and field and cross country coaches Lauren Kallal and Harold Landon. "I have run track my junior and senior years and I work hard at the sport in and out of practice and always try to improve," she said. "This was my last season of track and my favorite thing about it is the

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JERSEYVILLE - The 151st annual Jersey County Fair is quickly approaching! Catch fair food, carnival rides, and more from July 12-17 at the Jersey County Fairgrounds on U.S. Highway 67, north of Jerseyville. Several grandstand events at various ticket prices and free livestock shows will be available, so here’s a rundown of what to see at this year’s fair: 2022 Jersey County Fair: July 12-17 General Admission: $2 for adults, free for children under 12 years old Parking: free Tuesday, July 12: 8 a.m. - Sheep Show 6 p.m. - Jersey County Fair Parade Runs north along State Street starting one block north of Route 16 to the fairgrounds 8:15 p.m. - Jersey County Talent Show Local talent acts including musical, dance, and more from Jersey County citizens Grandstand event - admission costs $7 for adults and $3 for children Wednesday, July 13: 8 a.m. - Beef Show 6 p.m. - Rabbit Show 7 p.m. - Jersey County Fair Queen Pageant This year’s

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JERSEY - The Grafton Police worked a serious motorcycle crash at 6 p.m. Sunday, July 3, on Illinois Route 100 near Raging Rivers. Grafton Police Chief Eric Spanton said a motorcyclist lost control and clipped a center median. There were not any other vehicles involved in the crash. The motorcyclist was eastbound heading toward Alton just east of Raging Rivers Water Park when the accident happened, the chief said. "The motorcycle operator and the bike both slid on the pavement and he was seriously injured," the chief added. The Jersey County Sheriff’s Office dispatched an officer to help with traffic at the scene. Traffic was disrupted in that area for several minutes. The man was helicoptered from the road to Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Chief Spanton said. The chief said he hasn’t been alerted of the exact injuries or how the motorcyclist is doing at the present.

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ALTON - Alton Public Works announced it will have the northbound lane of Fosterburg Road, from the I-255 intersection to Wolf Road, closed Thursday, July 7, 2022, until approximately noon to prepare the street for emergency repair. Traffic will be restricted to the southbound lane where flaggers will be directing traffic. Expect delays and please be patient and use caution. Do not attempt to move or drive around traffic control; violators may be cited and prosecuted. Thank you!

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GLEN CARBON – MCORE Foundation, a mobile medical screening unit, will be offering preventative baseline cardiac evaluations for youths aged 12 – 22 at the Glen Carbon Fire Protection Facility. Screenings will be available Aug. 13 – Aug. 14 from 9 am- 5 pm. Registration is required and there are limited spots available each day. MCORE Foundation is also partnering with the Greg Holthaus Memorial Fund for this lifesaving screening event. Across the county, preventative heart screenings for kids and younger adults have been key in detecting (and preventing) cardiac issues that may have gone unknown. Lisa Tennenbaum, executive director and CEO of MCORE Foundation, has said that screenings like these can help to prevent sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). “It’s tragic and unnecessary: One young person dies from sudden cardiac arrest every three days on a school campus in America,” said Tennenbaum. “Undetected congenital heart defects are th

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CHICAGO – The Illinois State Police (ISP) is investigating a mob action that occurred just before 2 a.m. on Sunday, July 3, 2022, at Division St. and Elston Ave. in Chicago. An ISP trooper was driving southbound on I-90 near Division St. and noticed congestion on the exit ramp and eastbound traffic on Division completely stopped. When the trooper approached the intersection of Division and Elston there were several vehicles blocking the intersection and people engaging in reckless driving stunts. At that time, people from a mob of about 100 people began to swarm the ISP trooper’s squad vehicle, jumping on the hood, breaking the windshield, kicking the vehicle, and throwing rocks, bricks, and fireworks. This type of dangerous behavior puts the general public at risk and will not be tolerated. ISP is fully investigating the incident, including deploying crime scene evidence technicians. If you have information related to this mob action, please call the ISP District

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GODFREY - Beverly Farm Foundation has announced that its annual fireworks display is again open to the public and is scheduled for Friday, July 8. The event will be held at Bev Farm, 6301 Humbert Road, Godfrey. The Beverly Farm resident choir will be performing at the campus pavilion at 7:30 p.m. Fireworks begin at approximately 9 p.m. Those attending are advised to arrive as early as 7 p.m. for the choir performance. "Your Independence Day celebrations don't have to end on July 4," said Beverly Farm Foundation CEO Crystal Officer. "Come out to the Beverly Farm Annual Fireworks Display on Friday, July 8, 2022, for another night of fireworks and fun to close out the Fourth of July Week." "All our families and friends in the Riverbend area are invited to come out and enjoy our fireworks," Officer continued. "We'll be kicking off the evening with a performance by our resident choir at our campus pavilion across from the Groves B. Smith Recreation Center at 7:30 p.m. Then, our fireworks

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The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 22 WHAT: Single-Vehicle Fatal Traffic Crash WHERE: U.S. Route 45 at Mary’s Lane, Massac County WHEN: July 3, 2022 at approximately 12:10 p.m. VEHICLE: Unit 1- 2021 Black Harley Davidson Motorcycle DRIVER: Unit 1- Charles P. Turner, 66-year-old male from Mayfield, KY - Deceased PRELIMINARY: A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: Unit 1 was traveling northbound on US Route 45 at Mary's Lane. For unknown reasons, Unit 1 drove off the right side of the roadway and through the grassy ditch before ramping the embankment to Mary's Lane and becoming airborne. Unit 1 driver was ejected from the motorcycle. The driver of Unit 1 was transported to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries and later succumbed to his injuries.

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EDWARDSVILLE — Property fraud is the fastest-growing white-collar crime and the Madison County’s recorder’s office is offering a free program — Property Fraud Alert — notifying property owners when land documents are recorded in their name. “Property owners should always be on alert for potential recording fraud against their properties,” County Clerk/Recorder Debbie Ming-Mendoza’s Ming-Mendoza said. “Fraudulent activity by bad actors happens right here in Madison County. We’ve seen people impeded in the sale of their home due to unknown liens on their property. “We’ve also seen fraudulent quit claim deeds filed.” Most recordings are for legitimate reasons such as obtaining a mortgage, paying off a mortgage, refinancing, or filing a lien (an unpaid judgment) against a property owner, there are also fraudulent ones. Scammers who focus on property fraud create paperwork, which “proves” their ownership

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GLEN CARBON - The National Weather Service has announced a heat advisory for the Glen Carbon area beginning Tuesday, July 5 through Thursday, July 7, with heat index values over 100 degrees. Therefore, the Village of Glen Carbon has made a declaration that the Glen Carbon Police Department’s Community Room, located at 149 N. Main, Glen Carbon, will be open as a Cooling Shelter for Glen Carbon residents from Tuesday, July 5, through Saturday, July 9. The Glen Carbon Police Department encourages citizens to drink plenty of fluids, reduce, eliminate, or reschedule strenuous activities until the coolest time of the day, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - The deceased in a fatal house fire on July 1, 2022, in the 10000 block of Count Drive, in the North County Precinct, has been positively identified as Theodis Wise, 67 years of age, of the 1000 block of Riverview Boulevard in St. Louis, MO., 63147. St. Louis County Police Crimes Against Persons Detectives are currently investigating a house fire that resulted in the death of one individual. Fire personnel was able to extinguish the flames and upon entry into the residence, found an unresponsive individual in a rear bathroom. The individual was immediately transported to an area hospital and was later pronounced deceased. A preliminary investigation has revealed the fire to not be criminal in nature.

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police Crimes Against Persons detectives are investigating a homicide in the 3000 block of Fairchild Avenue in the City of Northwoods which resulted in the death of an adult male. On July 4, 2022, at 12:17 AM, City of Northwoods police officers responded to a call for service for a motor vehicle accident in the 3000 block of Fairchild Avenue. Responding officers located the driver, an adult male inside a vehicle that had struck a sign. The driver of the vehicle was suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. The driver was transported to an area hospital for life-saving treatment but later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased. There were no other occupants of the vehicle. City of Northwoods police officers requested St. Louis County Police Department’s Crimes Against Persons detectives assume responsibility for the investigation. The investigation is very active at this time. Additional information will be disseminated as it

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ELSAH - The big cat shown here was wandering around Elsah near Lockhaven Road when it was captured in this photo. Bobcats have killed several chickens, cats, and possibly other animals in that area in recent days. Scott Isringhausen, a park ranger with the Department of Natural Natural Resources at Pere Marquette, said he and another park representative both looked at the photo and determined this was a bobcat. The bobcat is becoming more and more common in this region, Isringhausen said. It has distinctive black bars on its forelegs and a black-tipped, stubby, or "bobbed" tail, which it gets its name. In this region, the bobcat hunts chickens, geese, rabbits, other birds, small rodents, and deer. Isringhausen said the habitat by the Mississippi River and the bluffs area near Elsah is a great place to find a bobcat. "There aren't too many reports of bobcats attacking humans, but they love to prey on chickens," he said. "If someone has chickens or small dogs and/or cats in that area

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EDWARDSVILLE - In a special session on Wednesday, the county board will consider certain proposed ordinance changes relating to Board oversight and the authority of the Chairman over County Board administration. These changes have been opposed by Chairman Prenzler. But today, the other five GOP county-wide officials came out in strong support of the plan due to a recent lawsuit costing $1.3 million to taxpayers and many other personnel problems. The meeting on Wednesday, July 6, starts at 5 p.m. and will be held in the County Administration Building. “We all believe these proposed changes are reasonable and responsible. We fully support them," said Circuit Clerk Tom McRae, County Auditor David Michael, State’s Attorney Tom Haine, Treasurer Chris Slusser, and Regional Superintendent of Schools Rob Werden. "As independently elected officials, we need the County administration to work smoothly and efficiently so we can do our jobs well. "Every Republican county-wide elected

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HIGHLAND PARK – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement regarding this morning’s mass shooting at Highland Park’s July 4th parade after joining Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering and other officials to give an update on the status of the investigation: “Absolutely terrifying. Illinoisans who set out this morning to celebrate our Independence Day and watch Highland Park’s Fourth of July parade found themselves running for their lives. At least six of them will never make it home. Someone’s child. Someone’s grandparent. “My heart goes out to the families who will never see their loved ones again and I join the entire Highland Park community in grieving their losses and wishing swift recoveries for the victims who survived. “Every community deserves to be safe from senseless gun violence, and I’ve made clear to both Governor Pritzker and Mayor Rotering that I will do whateve

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O"FALLON, IL. - COVID-19 vaccines for patients ages six months and older are now available at HSHS Medical Group drive-thru locations. HSHS Medical Group provides COVID-19 vaccines and testing to the public at drive-thru locations in Decatur, Springfield, and O’Fallon. Appointments are required for all vaccine doses and testing. Established patients may receive vaccines and testing at some primary care clinics. Call your local HSHS Medical Group primary care office to check availability. How to make a vaccine appointment It is free and easy to create a MyHSHS account and schedule an appointment online: Go to www.myhshs.org . Login or create a MyHSHS account by clicking “Sign Up Now.” Under Quick Links, click “COVID-19 Vaccine Link.” Click “COVID-19 Test/Vaccine” and answer questions on eligibility to schedule a test or a first, second or third dose vaccine appointment. You will be able to choose from available appointments at ou

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Today, I ask all Illinoisans to pray for the families who have been devastated by the evil unleashed this morning in Highland Park, for those who have lost loved ones and for those who have been injured. I also ask that we all pray for our first responders at all levels of government who are actively working to bring the suspect into custody, and whose bravery undoubtedly saved innocent lives on the scene. There are no words for the kind of monster who lies in wait and fires into a crowd of families with children celebrating a holiday with their community. There are no words for the kind of evil that robs our neighbors of their hopes, their dreams, their futures. There are no words I can offer to lift the pain of those they leave behind. Please know that our state grieves with you, that MK and I grieve with you. But grief will not bring the victims back, and prayers alone will not put a stop to the terror of rampant gun violence in our country. I will stand firm with Illinoisans and

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