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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today took to the Senate floor to sound the alarm on railway safety after news broke this morning of a third rail accident involving Norfolk Southern. The accident, in which a Norfolk Southern train collided with a dump truck in Cleveland and killed a rail employee, is the third incident in one month involving the rail company. In his speech, Durbin urged his colleagues to prioritize railway safety before another community loses a loved one or is plagued with the environmental impacts of a derailment. “These three rail accidents in just one month – one of them a catastrophic derailment – have sent a grave and blaring signal that we need to do more to protect American communities from hazardous freight rail shipments,” Durbin began. “The need for greater rail safety is urgent, especially in my state of Illinois. Chicago, Illinois, is the busiest rail hub in the United States… If

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CHICAGO - Governor Pritzker today announced that Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) Director Rob Jeffreys is stepping down from his position, effective April 1, 2023. Jeffreys has led the Illinois correctional system since June of 2019, overseeing 29,000 individuals in 27 facilities across the state and supervising nearly 13,000 employees. IDOC Chief of Staff Latoya J. Hughes will serve as Acting Director in the interim. “I’m grateful to Director Jeffreys for his years of service, ensuring the dignity and safety of the incarcerated people of Illinois,” said Governor JB Pritzker . “His work in reforming and redesigning services has given individuals in custody opportunities for advancement and improvement while also ensuring the highest level of security and care for the IDOC staff as they carry out their critical responsibilities.” “Leading the Illinois Department of Corrections and our dedicated employees since 2019, through unprecedented

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SPRINGFIELD - Illinois averages 53 tornadoes per year, which means you should grab your dog Toto and be prepared for tornadoes and severe weather. March is Severe Weather Preparedness Month and a good time to plan ahead, especially with the severe weather here in Illinois. “From heavy snowfall to dangerous winds, everyone in Illinois should be prepared for adverse conditions,” said Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau . “Last week, Illinois saw multiple tornadoes throughout the state, followed by unseasonably warm temperatures, and now we’re getting ready for snow and potential flooding.” Illinois ranks fourth in the United States for the most tornadoes per square mile. Communities across the state are also susceptible to flooding as it is the most common natural hazard in the U.S. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), just 1 inch of water can cause $25,000 of damage in your home. Severe weather

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WASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) this afternoon met with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) St. Louis District Commander Colonel Kevin Golinghorst to discuss critical water infrastructure projects in the Metro East, the Upper Mississippi River and lower Illinois River watershed including the Lock and Dam 25 construction project and addressing environmental justice concerns in East St. Louis and Cahokia Heights. The Senator also highlighted Golinghorst’s dedication as the region’s outgoing District Commander, as well as the transition to the new St. Louis District Commander Colonel Andy Pannier and how she can support it. A photo from the meeting is available here . “Protecting and strengthening our inland waterways and water infrastructure is critical to growing our local economies and protecting the health and safety of our communities,” Duckworth said. “I was glad to meet with Colonel Kevin Golinghorst to discuss the ongoin

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 22 attorneys general, today supported a proposed federal rule that protects access to health care for all individuals. The proposed rule rescinds portions of the 2019 Healthcare Refusal Rule, which allowed anyone working in health care to broadly refuse to provide care based on religious or moral beliefs. In the letter , Raoul and the coalition said the Biden administration’s proposed rule eliminates the problematic and illegal aspects of the federal government’s 2019 rule and better safeguards patients, including those in the LGBTQ+ community and those seeking abortions, from being denied access to critical or lifesaving health services. The 2019 rule also threatened to cut off essential federal health care funding to states for a single breach of the rule. “Every patient seeking health care should be able to do so without fear of discrimination or being denied critical and lifesaving health services,”

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BELLEVILLE - The St. Clair County Transit District’s (SCCTD) Board of Commissioners last week awarded a contract to Hank’s Excavating and Landscaping Inc. for construction of Phase III of the Old Collinsville Road Trail. The $2.03 million contract is for the development of a 0.8 mile trail that will run along Old Collinsville Road from Munie Road to Frank Scott Parkway East. This latest phase will further extend the reach of the MetroBikeLink System, which features 14 continuous miles of trails in Southwestern Illinois and links users to six Metro Transit Centers, where area residents can access MetroLink, MetroBus and microtransit options including the SCCTD Flyer and VanGo. Bikes can be brought on MetroLink and all MetroBuses are equipped with exterior racks. “This latest award will only strengthen connectivity in St. Clair County while at the same time offering residents and visitors a healthy amenity in our community,” said Herb Simmons, Chair of the

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CARLINVILLE - Blackburn College in Carlinville, Illinois, has received a $10,000 gift from the Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation. The generous gift will support experiential learning opportunities for students in Blackburn’s Department of Fine Art. The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation is a charitable trust named for the acclaimed 20th-century American artist Joseph Cornell (1903-1972) that honors the memory of the artist and his disabled younger brother. Cornell was a pioneer of collage art and glass-fronted shadow boxes. His work has been seen around the world, with the most recent exhibits at the Royal Academy of Arts in London and the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna. Today, the Foundation provides support to a variety of nonprofit and educational organizations, with a specific emphasis on the arts. “Arts education is an important part of the Blackburn student experience,” Blackburn Trustee and Alumnus Jim Faust shared. Faust wa

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ST. LOUIS – Visitation to Gateway Arch National Park jumped by 41% from 2021 to 2022 according to National Park Service visitation figures released this week. The increase is attributed to a continued rebound toward pre-pandemic levels. Visitation at the Arch grew by nearly 475,000 from about 1.15 million to approximately 1.62 million. And attendance in 2023 is off to a strong start. Park staff reported the highest January tram ridership in 17 years. “2022 was a great year for Gateway Arch National Park,” said Jeremy Sweat, superintendent of Gateway Arch National Park. “There is so much to see and do at the park, especially for visitors who haven’t been back to the Arch visitor center and museum since the completion of the CityArchRiver renovations in 2018.” While attendance continues to rise, local officials expect visitation to increase more as conferences and business travel rebound from pandemic effects. “It is exciting to see the continued

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GODFREY - The RiverBend Growth Association has chosen to honor the Alton River Dragons with its March 2023 Small Business of the Month award, as the baseball team gets ready for Season 3 at the ballpark. The Alton River Dragons are a collegiate summer baseball team, founded in 2020 as part of the Prospect League, Western Conference, Prairie Land Division. The team began playing in 2021 at Alton’s Lloyd Hopkins Field, located at Gordon Moore Park and were division champions in 2022. “The idea and mission/concept of the Alton River Dragons Baseball Team started in 2019,” noted Owner Steve Marso. “I began exploring cities for a potential expansion franchise in the Prospect League. I had worked in baseball prior for around 25 years or so but had been out of the business for about four years. I had the idea to get back into the business, and after looking at a couple of other markets, our league commissioner called and said, ‘What about Alton, Illinois?’”

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JERSEY COUNTY - Jersey County Sheriff Nick Manns said a female was airlifted to a hospital from a head-on crash on Illinois Route 109 in front of the Do Drop Inn on Tuesday afternoon. Manns said the exact condition of the person was not yet known, but the injuries appeared serious. Three vehicles were involved in the accident. Two other individuals were taken to a hospital from the crash with injuries. Traffic was diverted from the area for quite some time, but Sheriff Manns said the highway now has been reopened. The Jersey County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate the crash, Manns added.

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WOOD RIVER - Wood River Police Chief Brad Wells said Tuesday night the Wood River Police Department and Illinois Secretary of State Police are investigating an incident with a vehicle that occurred on Carringer Place today. Wood River Police investigated a situation over the weekend that was a domestic call and it was reported by one involved that a vehicle on Carringer should be checked out. Chief Wells said a Wood River Police officer saw something "that looked suspicious" in the vehicle and as a precaution, the packages were analyzed. The packages were then taken out of the vehicle to make sure everything was safe when the vehicle was eventually towed. Chief Wells thanked the Illinois Secretary of State Police for their efforts in assisting and said they do a great job. “We always have good cooperation with all the law enforcement agencies, including the Illinois Secretary of State Police,” Wells said. The vehicle was towed and the road should be reopened by 7 p.m.

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JERSEY COUNTY - The Jersey County Sheriff's Office has warned motorists to avoid the area of Illinois Highway Route 109 just north of Illinois Route 3. The sheriff's office said to avoid the area until further notice. More to come.

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GRAFTON - The Edward Amburg History Museum in Grafton has added a crown jewel with a new display of an old-time buggy once owned by Dr. Frank Baecht. The buggy owned by Dr. Frank Baecht arrived at the Edward Amburg History Museum in Grafton this past Thursday. Dr. Baecht was educated in Chicago public schools before attending St. Louis University in St. Louis. He received his Doctor of Medicine in 1895. Dr. Brecht and his family resided in Brussels and Grafton, Illinois for most of his professional career. Dr. Baecht died in 1942 and is buried in Scenic Hills Cemetery in Grafton. Mary Lillesve, a Grafton alderwoman who is focused on tourism and marketing the museum, said the old buggy is in “pristine condition" and is the nicest buggy she has ever seen on display. Linda and Larry Burton of rural Grafton donated it to the Grafton Historical Society for display at the Museum. “We have space for the buggy right in the middle of the museum,” she said. “The buggy

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GLEN CARBON - State Senator Erica Harriss (56 th -Glen Carbon) is proud to announce The Madison County Mass Transit District will receive a $388,000 grant through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Open Space Land Acquisition Development (OSLAD) program to further invest in the county’s trail system. “Our area has a strong connection to the outdoors and through this program MCT will now have funds available to enhance spaces for outdoor recreation,” said Senator Harriss. “When we can invest in outdoor projects for the people of my district, we are investing in their health, their livelihoods and overall quality of life.” Madison County Mass Transit Managing Director SJ Morrison says the funding will go towards acquiring approximately 11 acres of undeveloped and agricultural land between Old Alton Edwardsville Road in Roxana, and Rock Hill Road in Wood River. The funding is part of a multiphase plan. “The MCT Trails span more than 135

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GRAFTON - Two new playground areas in Grafton are now open and ready for children. Last fall, in Mason Hollow Park, DeSherlia Mechanical donated their time and labor to the first installation of swings and an all-accessible merry-go-round; recently, they added a safe play surface. Last week, Durbin’s Overhead Door and Construction, Inc., installed all-accessible multi-level playground sets and swings at both The Grove Memorial Park and Mason Hollow Park. The sets were purchased from Gina Wilch, owner of Play Design Scapes, Inc., of Elk Grove Village, IL, who had the equipment in stock and was willing to deliver it quickly at a very good price. A pickleball court, as well as possible improved parking and lighting, is planned for Red Hawk Park and was included in the FY 23 budget using a DCEO grant. “We are getting our parks ready for spring,” said Mayor Morrow. “We have an active Parks Committee led by our new chairwoman, Cheryl Rawe, from First Ward.”

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GLEN CARBON – The Village of Glen Carbon will be celebrating its 131 st Homecoming celebration over Father’s Day weekend on Fri., June 16 and Sat., June 17, 2023. Main Street will be filled with great music, a wide variety of food and drink options, carnival rides, entertainment and more. The celebration will begin at 5 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday nights. Sponsorship opportunities are available for local businesses that would like to promote brand awareness while also supporting a popular community event. For generations, this free-to-attend festival has entertained guests of all ages with the help of its generous sponsors. Various levels of Homecoming Sponsorships and more information about the event can be found by visiting the Village of Glen Carbon’s website at www.glencarbonil.gov and select “Village Events” under the Your Community tab. In addition to rides, games, food and refreshments, entertainment includes the well-known

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COLUMBIA, Ill. – A devastating overnight fire destroyed the home at Charlotte Avenue in the Stonegate Estates subdivision of a well-known local car dealer George "Skip" Weber IV, and his wife, Lori. Columbia Fire Protection District Chief Mike Roediger said Tuesday morning the fire began around 2:15 a.m. Monday. When firefighters arrived the structure was fully event, the Columbia Fire Protection District Chief Roediger reported. Neighboring fire agencies were also called to assist the Columbia Fire team. Prairie Du Pont, Mehlville, Dupo, and Waterloo Fire Departments assisted Columbia, the chief said. It took a few hours to extinguish the blaze with the group battling the fire together. George and Lori were able to get out of the home safely and their children were also not present, but reportedly came to the scene to console their parents. Roedgier said the Illinois State Fire Marshal is investigating the blaze, but Chief Roediger said there was no reason to believe anything

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EAST ST. LOUIS – A federal jury convicted four leaders of the Gangster Disciples on Tuesday for their participation in a years-long interstate racketeering conspiracy involving drug trafficking, witness tampering, and multiple murders. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, the four defendants were members of the Gangster Disciples, a gang with a decades-long history of lawlessness and violence. The Gangster Disciples have a presence throughout the United States, including in state and federal prisons. The gang employs a structured hierarchy, with leadership positions such as national “Board Members” and state “Governors.” As part of their efforts to maintain control of the gang, the defendants murdered two other members who opposed their regime. On May 18, 2018, Warren Griffin, aka GG, aka Big Head, 53, of Glenwood, Illinois, drove to the south side of Chicago with fellow Gangster Disciples Board Member Anthony Dobbins to murder

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ROXANA - Abbrey DeWerffs was a state qualifier this past wrestling season, capturing third place at sectionals. She made history as the Shells’ first female state qualifier in girls wrestling. Abbrey qualified in the 190-pound weight category, although she weighs 170 pounds. For her wrestling accomplishments, Abbrey is a Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month for the Shells. This is a recap of her record with significant wins on Trackwrestling.com in her career: She won IKWF Girls State in 2015, 2016, 2017, and placed fifth in 2018 after some tough weight changes, and won again in 2019. She made it to state in 2020 but it was canceled due to COVID. She was also a boys state qualifier in 2020 as well but it was canceled for COVID. In 2019, Abbey was also the Girls Freestyle State Champ as well. So in 2019, she won Girls Folkstyle and Freestyle Girls State Championships. In 2018 she won fifth at U.S. Marine Corps Girls Nationals. Most of these tournaments

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PIASA - Sophomore Gracie Darr played a big role for Southwestern's girls' basketball team this season and has a bright future ahead. She is the point guard and handles the ball a considerable amount for the Piasa Birds. Gracie is an Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month for the Piasa Birds. Southwestern head girls basketball coach Darren Mosley said Gracie has "a great attitude and works very hard." "Gracie is good at involving her teammates in the offense," Coach Mosley said. "Gracie always does whatever is best for the team with a very good attitude." Gracie is also a good volleyball player for the Piasa Birds and was a starter on the varsity team for the last two years as a setter. Gracie also helps coach her sister's fourth-grade basketball team in her spare time. Coach Mosley said Gracie is the definition of a point guard. "She is always trying to set up her teammates for success and is extremely unselfish," he said. "She is the daughter of

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