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ST. LOUIS - Megan Ragan, assistant coordinator of the Centerstone Trauma, Treatment, and Training (CT3) program, is a finalist for the Young Professional Leader Award from the Marion Chamber of Commerce. After starting as an intern in May 2020 at Centerstone, a not-for-profit health system specializing in mental health and substance use disorder treatments, Ragan led the CT3 program to both achieve and exceed multiple grant goals including: Training 2,600 community members and service providers in mental health-related practices and activities Establishing 49 collaborative partnerships Creating and coordinating an advisory council with 100% of its members reporting lived experience Exposing nearly 200,000 individuals to mental health awareness messages Enrolled 129 children in the CT3 program between May 2020 – September 2021, a number which represents 194% of the enrollment goal for the period Ragan is one of three individuals up for the Marion Chamber of Commerce Young

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EDWARDSVILLE – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Dean Kevin Leonard, PhD, has selected Tisha Brooks, PhD, associate professor and chair of the Department of English Language and Literature, to serve as CAS interim associate dean. Brooks will assume the position on Friday, July 1. “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as the CAS interim associate dean and work alongside of the rest of the CAS leadership team in furthering the mission of the College,” said Brooks. “I have greatly enjoyed serving in a leadership capacity as department chair and look forward to expanding that leadership to serve faculty, staff and students across the College. I have been deeply invested in faculty development and success since my arrival at SIUE, and I see this role as an opportunity to expand that investment.” In July 2020, Brooks became the chair of the Department of English Language and Literature, which is large and complex

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $5,063,700 in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grants. The funding will go to research institutions throughout Illinois to invest in groundbreaking research, improved care, and efforts to treat illnesses and diseases. “Illinois is home to world-class health care providers and research institutions. If we hope to expand our understanding of diseases, from degenerative neurological conditions to lung diseases, we must invest in developing new cures and treatments for families in need. Today’s announced support from the federal government is a smart investment in the providers and institutions that help advance public health,” Durbin said. “By increasing support for biomedical research, we can help deliver real public health results for Illinois families,” Duckworth said. “I will keep working with Senator Durbin

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today sent a letter to more than 300 Illinois school district administrators to inform them that their districts are eligible to participate in the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean School Bus Program (CSBP). The program, a $5 billion effort established under the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act , aims to convert the nation’s school bus fleets to low- and zero-emission vehicles. EPA has opened applications for the initial $500 million in funding for priority applicants that serve significant populations of students living below the poverty line. “We write to bring your attention to an important federal funding opportunity. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified your district as a potential priority applicant for the new Clean School Bus Program (CSBP). This program, created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,

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Letter To The Editor: "I was not asked to write this letter, I offered. I fully endorse and will support Major Jeff Connor for Sheriff, both in the Republican primary and in the general election. Enclosed with this letter is a brief look at Jeff and his accomplishments. It may well be that he is the most qualified and experienced candidate for Madison County Sheriff that we have seen in our lifetime. The recognition he has gained, his training, his experience, and his responsibilities in police work make him superbly qualified. I served as a judge in Madison County for nearly twenty years, with my last thirteen in criminal felony division. I have seen Major Connor's work and how he is respected throughout the county by law enforcement agencies, officers, attorneys, court personnel, and those individuals and communities he has served. In addition to his expected solid Republican support, his character and reputation will bring to the Republican ballot a great many additional voters.

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CHICAGO — Governor JB Pritzker today announced that Anthony Pascente will succeed Janel L. Forde as the Director of the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS). Anthony currently serves as CMS chief of staff. Forde has served as Director of Illinois CMS since Governor Pritzker took office in 2019. During her tenure, she oversaw the operational agency that coordinates with more than 80 state boards, agencies, and commissions, keeping state government at every level running behind-the-scenes. “Janel has been a faithful and dedicated public servant during an immensely challenging time in our state’s history,” said Governor Pritzker. “I am so grateful for her service and wish her the very best on her next venture. I am thrilled to announce Anthony Pascente will be succeeding Janel. As a long-time public servant in Illinois, Anthony has the experience, knowledge, and dedication to thrive in this role. I cannot think of a better person to fil

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ST. LOUIS - World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois, is set to present one of its biggest drag racing events of the season this weekend. The Summer Speed and Fire Spectacular will feature two of the top Jet Cars in the country, as well as thrilling Pro Mods and a fireworks show. The Jet Cars are fielded by Larsen Motorsports in Palm Bay, Florida and piloted by Elaine Larsen and Dewayne Hill. The 2022 season is Larsen’s farewell tour after more than 20 years behind the wheel. The flame-belching Jet Cars are powered by General Electric J85 engines (used for powering military aircraft), capable of propelling the dragsters at speeds in excess of 280 miles per hour. The Mid-West Drag Racing Series will showcase six classes, including Pro Mod and Funny Car. Saturday night’s big show will conclude at approximately 10:20 p.m. CDT with a fireworks spectacular. Children ages 7-15 are $10 on Saturday and kids 6 and under are free. The weekend begins on Friday with qualifyin

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ALTON - The Upper Alton Association along with Scott Credit Union is proud to announce the 12th annual “Rockin’ with Robert” summer concert series, to be held on the 3rd Tuesday in June, July and August from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. The public is invited to enjoy these free family-friendly events at the Robert Wadlow Statue, located on the SIUE Dental School Campus located at 2800 College Avenue in Alton. The schedule for the season is as follows: June 21st Flip the Frog; July 19th Ralph Butler and GiGi Darr; August 16th Hill Williams Band. Concert goers are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket. Refreshments will be available for purchase. A 50/50 drawing will be held to offset the expenses of the event, along with gift baskets. In case of inclement weather, the concert will be held at a different location or rescheduled. Follow us on Facebook for updates. The mission of the Upper Alton Association is to support future improvements to the Upper Alton area fo

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GODFREY – Visitors to the Monticello Sculpture Gardens at Lewis and Clark Community College this summer will explore the world of fine art through botanicals in this year’s curated garden show, “Budding Masterpieces.” “This year, we are interpreting works of art in our pocket gardens through plants,” said L&C Horticulturist and Garden Designer Katie Piper. “We are the Monticello Sculpture Gardens and art is in our name – it only seems fitting for us to highlight the beautiful sculptures on campus and note the importance of art in the world around us.” Each pocket garden will feature a different artist, artwork, or style of art represented through foliage textures and bloom colors. Areas of note will include the ever-popular Living Wall, which will transport visitors into Andy Warhol’s Factory, while they take in an interpretation of pop art, bursting with color. The Rivers of Color garden, leading to the Overlook Pond,

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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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